The Standard - 2015 April 09 - Thursday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 53  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  THURSDAY : APRIL 9, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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VP Binay slams Trillanes on bribe claim

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Bill Gates visits Los Baños

MILF LEADERS’ LEGITIMACY CHALLENGED Next page

Day of Valor. Passersby take pictures of the heroes portrayed at a monument in Manila on the eve of Araw ng Kagitingan or Day of Valor. EY ACASIO

What’s in cinemas this week

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Roach gives MP a day off

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MILF leadership still an issue

By Francisco Tuyay and Maricel V. Cruz

A MARANAO leader, whose family was deeply involved in the Bangsamoro movement, questioned on Wednesday the legitimacy of the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front even as lawmakers questioned the true identities of the people who are seeking a historic agreement with the Philippine government.

The hearings continue. MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal takes his oath during the resumption of the hearings on the Mamasapano encounter on Jan. 25, in which 44 police commandos were killed, at the House of Representatives.

Manny PalMero

AFP chief, sacked SAF head trade barbs

By Maricel V. Cruz ARMED Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. and sacked Special Action Force (SAF) commander Getulio Napeñas traded barbs Wednesday as Congress continued its investigation of the Mamasapano debacle in which 44 police commandos were killed in a covert operation to capture an international terrorist on Jan. 25.

During the hearing, Catapang said Napeñas kept the Armed Forces out of the loop in the planning and execution of Operation Exodus because he did not trust the military.

“We are very close with the PNP. We are a band of brothers. We trust each other. It is only General Napeñas who does not trust the AFP,” Catapang said.

But Napeñas said keeping the Armed Forces out of the loop was meant at plugging any possible leaks.

“It’s not about distrust,” he said, adding that the likelihood of a leak would increase if the military was brought in earlier.

Despite the exchange,

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Deputy Director Leonardo Espina said ties between the military and the police were strong despite Mamasapano.

“I have often repeated that what happened in Mamasapano is not reflective on the relationship of PNP and AFP,” Espina said.

Also at Wednesday’s hearing, a retired police generalturned-lawmaker proposed that police and military officials involved in the Mamasapano incident take a lie detector test.

ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Samuel Pagdilao made this proposal after Col. Gener del Rosario, commander of the Army’s 1st Mechanized Brigade; Senior Inspector Michael John Mangahis, Special Action Force battalion commander; and Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, SAF commander, offered different versions of the incident, particularly the lack of military reinforcement for the beleaguered police commandos.

Mangahis told the House panel said he was able to provide Rosario detailed information on the location of the SAF commandos at about 7

a.m., but the latter complained that the information relayed to him was not enough to allow them to respond.

Taliño confirmed Mangahis’ statement.

“I believe that at the meeting with Del Rosario, I explained properly about the position of the troops.

I overheard him talking to someone about the peace process,” Mangahis said in Filipino.

Del Rosario said he received the grid coordinates of the SAF troops before noon.

“The troops are moving, they cannot even tell me where the head element and the tail element were, or how many people were involved.

They could not even tell me how many enemies there were,” he said.

As the police and the military tangled over the issue, Pagdilao recommended that the panel order the police and military officials take a lie detector test.

“We have been hearing two versions of the truth. If this will continue even in an executive session,” he said.

“I think one way of resolving this is to submit these gen-

tlemen, if they will agree, to a polygraph examination.”

ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio seconded the motion, but an administration lawmaker, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, opposed it, saying this would discourage resource persons to participate in congressional hearings.

Also on Wednesday, the Justice Department said it is readying criminal charges against certain individuals involved in the Mamasapano incident.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima hinted that criminal charges will also likely be filed against members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Appearing before the joint House committees on public order and peace, reconciliation and unity on Wednesday, De Lima said they have eyewitnesses to the Mamasapano incident, including one who could identify MILF members, as well as those from its breakaway group, BIFF and other private armed groups in Maguindanao.

Lawyer Firdausi Abbas, a member of a Maranao royal family that was among the founders of the Moro National Liberation Front, questioned whether the incumbent MILF chairman, who now calls himself Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, was even the true leader of the organization.

“There was an irregularity in the MILF chairmanship after the death of MILF founder Salamat Hashim on July 13, 2003 in Lanao del Sur,” Abbas told The Standard. “Al-Hadjj Murad Ibrahim assumed the leadership without the concurrence of Salamat himself.”

Abbas said Salamat actually wanted Abdul Asiz, the second most senior MILF official, to succeed him in the event of his death and “the appointment of Asiz in the top leadership was contained in Salamat’s last will and testament.”

But Murad, who was then the No. 3 MILF leader as vice chairman for military affairs, assumed leadership of the organization without the concurrence of the MILF Central Committee, accrording to Abbas who was at the wake of Salamat until he was buried in Butig, Lanao del Sur. “Murad was present at the time of death of Salamat and they hurriedly buried him and Murad subsequently assumed the position of Salamat without respecting the will and testament of Salamat appointing Asiz as chairman,” Abbas said “It should have been Asiz.

This was the instruction of Salamat that the MILF leadership would be given to a Maranao,” Abbas revealed, referring to one of the largest Muslim tribes in Mindanao along with the Tausugs of Western Mindanao and the Maguindanao of Central Mindanao.

Abbas said Asiz, who was deeply offended by Murad’s supposed betrayal, opted to remain quiet and stay at Camp Busra in Lanao del Sur until his death three years ago.

“Asiz was terribly saddened by the events, but he remained quiet because he did not want to destroy the MILF,” Abbas said.

Asiz, according to Abbas, even saved Murad when President Joseph Estrada ordered a massive military offensive against the MILF that led to the fall of all MILF camps.

“Only Camp Busra survived the hostilities.”

Abbas questioned the credibility of Murad, Ghadzali Jaafar and Mohagher Iqbal

because “They were not even revolutionaries. I don’t know where these people came from.

[But] now they are claiming to be revolutionaries.”

“They were not in Mindanao when the bloodiest battles erupted in the 1970s so how can they claimed they are revolutionaries,” Abbas said.

Abbas made the remarks as congressmen, who are conducting an investigation of the Mamasapano incident, questioned why the MILF leadership could not use their real names in what could potentially be the most important peace agreement in Mindanao.

The real names of the MILF leaders became a key issue after MILF peace negotiator Iqbal admitted using aliases but refused to reveal his real name to congressmen.

“I have so many names and that is natural in revolutionary organizations,” Iqbal said during a joint hearing of the House committee on public order and safety joint and committee on peace, unification and unity on the Mamasapano incident.

Replying to a question from Ang Nars Rep. Leah Paquiz, Iqbal compared himself to Filipino hero Marcelo del Pilar, who used nine aliases during his lifetime, but he insisted that he is a Filipino citizen and a Bangsamoro “by entity.”

Negros Occidental Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer then asked Iqbal to show his passport, but Iqbal declined claiming certain “sensitivities.”

“Because of security reasons, my name on the passport is known only to the government. I travel a lot -- maybe hundred times. But I’m not hiding my name on my passport,” he said.

Instead, the MILF executive said he will ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide the Lower Chamber with information regarding the name indicated on his passport.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, for her part, affirmed that Iqbal uses a Philippine passport issued by the DFA in leaving and entering the country.

Earlier, Professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer, chair of the government peace panel, admitted Iqbal is using an alias but she also declined to reveal his real name Justice Secretary Leila also defended Iqbal’s use of an alias and said that did not mean that the documents pertaining to the peace process were not valid.

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Binay shrugs off claims of bribery in son’s case

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz VICE President Jejomar Binay lashed out Wednesday at his political enemy Senator Antonio Trillanes for accusing him of bribing the Court of Appeals to stop the preventive suspension of his son, Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. “That’s contempt of court,” the older Binay said. “Trillanes should be held liable for his allegations.”

He added that the charge was typical of Trillanes, whose expertise was “to accuse, destroy reputations and insult” his enemies with no proof.

In a radio interview Tuesday, Trillanes said a huge amount of money changed hands to get the Court of Appeals 6th Division to grant Mayor Binay’s petition for a preliminary injunction to stop the Ombudsman from enforcing its suspension order against him.

“It is the rule of law,” the Vice

President said. “The Court of Appeals [issued a] temporary restraining order on my son’s suspension.

The Ombudsman questioned this order before the Supreme Court, which will hear oral arguments on the case next week,” he said.

The Vice President also shrugged off Trillanes’ threat to expose those behind the bribery.

“No problem,” Binay said.

He said Trillanes’ attacks against his family was part of the senator’s plan to derail his presidential bid in 2016.

Trillanes said Wednesday he would file a resolution calling for an investigation of the alleged bribery.

“Eventually, the Vice President and the justices in his pocket will go down,” he said.

Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) dismissed Trillanes’ accusations as baseless and said if Trillanes fails to prove them, he should resign his post as senator. –

Call for peace. Muslim women and a Christian nun called a press conference in Quezon City on Wednesday to press for peace in Mindanao and the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. Manny PalMero

CBCP: Moro law full of holes

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

A TOP Catholic bishop said Wednesday that the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) being deliberated in Congress has constitutional infirmities that may lead to challenges in the Supreme Court.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas said in a statement that the extensive discussions on the details of the draft BBL has led him to believe that there are provisions that do not conform with the Constitution.

“I have paid close attention to

the arguments of the legal experts summoned by the houses of Congress to shed light on the constitutional issues, and I am convinced that there are some very crucial points of constitutional law that ought to be resolved,” Villegas said.

He acknowledged, however, that interpretation of the law or the Constitution was not part of his expertise, and that he was forming his conclusion from what the experts have said.

He urged lawmakers to modify the BBL to make sure there are no constitutional infirmities.

“If we pass anything now, let us enact a document that we are morally certain will withstand constitutional challenge before the Supreme Court,” Villegas said.

At the same time, Villegas said

he was opposed to plans to amend the Constitution to accommodate the provisions of the BBL. “The Constitution is not a document that can be dealt with in patch-work fashion whenever we enter into negotiations with any restive sector of the Philippines,” he said.

The Palace and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have asked Congress to pass the BBL without making any changes to the draft law.

But constitutional experts have called into question several provisions of the BBL, including its definition of the power of Shari’ah Law in the Bangsamoro and its relation to the Supreme Court as the highest tribunal in the land; the creation of separate constitutional bodies; and the integration of the

MILF into the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police.

The BBL also faces rough sailing in the wake of the Mamasapano massacre of 44 police commandos

by Muslim rebels, including fighters belonging to the MILF. Despite the opposition to the bill, Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. have agreed to pass the BBL by June.

Villegas said in his statement that he was not speaking for the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines or as the archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, but “as a Filipino and as a believer in Christ.”

“All Filipinos, not only its officials, swear to uphold and defend the Constitution,” he said.

Also on Wednesday, one of the

founders of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the chairman and president of the Muslim Bar Association of the Philippines attacked government chief negotiator Miriam CoronelFerrer for threatening Congress with war if the BBL is not passed.

“That’s statement is uncalled for specially coming from one of the members of the Philippine panel,” said Sultant Fisdausi Abbas, who said that Ferrer’s statement that war would ensue if Congress does not pass the BBL was a direct threat to legislators.

Abbas, who fought for the MNLF during the Mindanao rebellion in the 1970s, said that the passage of the BBL would, in fact, lead to more bloodshed. – With Francisco tuyay and Sandy araneta

Oldest WW2 veterans remember Fall of Bataan

By Ben Cal

Still sitting tight. Makati Vice Mayor Romulo Peña tells reporters he will continue functioning as the acting mayor of Makati until the Supreme Court decides on the Ombudsman’s plea to suspend Makati Mayor Junjun Binay over the allegedly overpriced Makati Office Building II. Danny Pata

TWO brothers – 107 and 105 years old, respectively – are the oldest living World War II Filipino veterans who saw action in Bataan 73 years ago and survived to tell their tales.

Now in the twilight of their years, Capt. Fernando P. Javier, 107, and his younger brother, Capt. Jose P. Javier, 105, a retired doctor, thanked God for His infinite mercy for sparing their lives during the war, especially during the bloody battle in Bataan against the invading Japanese forces from Jan. 7 to April 9, 1942.

The ferocious fighting left 10,000 killed on the side of the American and Filipino forces while the Japanese suffered 7,000 dead during the three months and two days mortal combat, according to military historical record.

In addition, allied forces suffered 20,000 wounded and while

the Japanese sustained 12,000.

A total of 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers were held prisoners of war and forced to participate in the infamous Bataan Death March that left thousands dead due to exhaustion and lack of food and medicines.

In an interview with this reporter Wednesday morning, Mrs. Filomena Javier, 89, said her husband Jose is still active, walking around the house as a light exercise but does not forget to pray the Holy Rosary thrice a day.

“My husband is always reminding me about the importance of praying the Rosary because he believes it was prayer that saved his life and that of his brother during the war,” Mrs. Javier said.

“His memory is still sharp and he talks with a loud voice during our conversation, apparently to emphasize what he says,” she added. — With Pna

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‘Study peace talks with Reds’

By Maricel V. Cruz

LAWMAKERS are seeking a study on the possible revival of the peace talks between the government and the communist movement in the country to end the 46-year-old insurgency.

In House Resolution 1927, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez asked the House special committee on peace, reconciliation and unity to look into reports that the on-and-off peace talks between the government and the NDFP may start again.

Rodriguez said it is imperative for Congress to look into the matter to ensure that the communist movement, composed of the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and its umbrella National Democratic Front, is sincere in its quest for peace.

He urged the committee, chaired by Basilan Rep. Jim Hataman-Salliman, to invite the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, the NDFP, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other agencies and entities that may shed light on the matter.

Although Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said both parties were amenable to returning to the negotiating table to end more than four decades of communist insurgency, there are no formal meetings yet for a possible resumption of the peace talks, according to Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said the government and the NDFP have been holding peace talks for the past 27 years to end the Maoist-inspired war waged by the New People’s Army (NPA), CPP’s armed wing, against the government, which has reportedly claimed more than 40,000 lives.

“The NDFP has been holding peace talks with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines to address the roots of the armed conflict which resulted in Ten Agreements being signed between the two parties including the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL),” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the peace negotiations have been stalled since 2004 with both parties adamant in pushing for their respective preconditions before the start of the peace talks. The last breakdown of the talks occurred in February 2013, Rodriguez said.

The communist insurgency in the Philippines began in the 1930s with peasant revolts that were led by Russian-trained communist ideologues and reached its peak with the formation of the Hukbong Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon (People’s Army Against the Japanese) during the Japanese occupation of the country in World War II. When the Hukbalahap rebellion was quashed in the 1950s, the communist movement went into a hiatus until 1969 when government abuses led to the formation of the new Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army.

Toxic against toxins. Environmentalist and public health groups protest the exportation of toxic wastes from Canada in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Quezon City. MANNY PALMERO

BIR urged to postpone electronic returns ANOTHER lawmaker asked the Bureau of Internal Revenues to defer the full implementation of Revenue Regulation No. 5-2015, or the electronic income tax returns system, until after the agency fixes its flaky computer system.

Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo, chairman of the House ways and means committee, wrote BIR Commissioner Kim Henares to commend the noble intention of RR 5-2015 but said there are issues that the agency has to seriously consider before carrying out the regulation to its full extent.

He said that his office was swamped with complaints from taxpayers, especially from micro-entrepreneurs and employees with additional sources of income,

regarding the new online income tax filing.

“Reports have reached my office that many taxpayers encounter delays or technical issues enrolling into the Online eBIR Form System. Particularly, as of April 3, 2015, taxpayers reported getting an error message that the system is ‘under construction’ and is, thus, unable to receive electronic submission,” Quimbo said.

The lawmaker further noted that Revenue Regulation 5-2015 was only issued last March 17, 2015, or less than a month before the April 15, 2015 deadline.

“Considering the short time frame given, our taxpayers may not have sufficient time to adjust their systems and processes to fully comply with the manda-

tory requirement to use eBIR Forms and electronically submit said returns,” he said.

“Because of these, I am also requesting the BIR to defer the imposition of penalties for taxable year 2015 so as to give taxpayers sufficient time to study and comply with the new system,” Quimbo said, echoing the call of Senator Bam Aquino.

Aquino had earlier called on the BIR to at least defer the imposition of penalties covered by the BIR’s Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) or Electronic BIR Forms (eBIRForms) because of the short transition period the agency provided in moving to the new system.

But Henares said the agency has been implementing the eFPS for some time, starting with large taxpayers

who have been complying with the system since 2002 and government suppliers, brokers and importers who have been doing the same since 2009.

Henares said on Tuesday she will not postpone the eFPS despite requests from business groups and small businessmen.

“Filing was from January 2 until April 15. No, I am not moving it,” Henares said in reply to complaints that taxpayers could not file their returns because the tax agency’s computer system is always down.

Henares confirmed that businesses will have to pay penalties if they fail to submit their tax returns via efiling even if the BIR website crashed on the last day of filing.

US billionaire Bill Gates visits PH

Heating up. A horse-for-hire in Baguio City is given a drink as the temperature continued

to heat up in the country. The weather bureau expects temperatures to rise in the next few weeks and peak as usual this month or next. DAVID CHAN

THE BUREAU of Immigration at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) confirmed that the American business magnate Bill Gates arrived on private plane as early as April 4, not in Manila but in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

From Palawan, Gates and his entourage went to the exclusive Amanpulo resort in Pamalican Island also in Palawan.

On Wednesday morning, Gates flew to Manila and proceeded to the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna and later returned to Manila.

Gate’s private plane,

a US-registered aircraft (N887WM), was parked at the Asian Aerospace Hangar in the General Aviation Area of the NAIA. Gates apparently went to IRRI as part of a project of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which supports IRRI and other partners to develop Golden Rice, a type of rice that contains beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. The foundation has extended a grant to support a range of activities to develop Golden Rice varieties that are suited for the Philippines and Bangladesh.

Since a large propor-

tion of vitamin A-deficient children and their mothers reside in rice-consuming populations, particularly in Asia, Golden Rice should substantially reduce the prevalence and severity of vitamin A deficiency, and prevent at least hundred of thousands of unnecessary deaths and cases of blindness every year, the foundation said in its website.

Golden Rice is still currently under development and evaluation. It will only be made available broadly if it is approved by national regulators and shown to reduce vitamin A deficiency for the world’s poorest populations.

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Jail bureau head faces graft raps A JAIL official has accused the head of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology before the Office of the Ombudsman of plunder and graft for alleged budget padding.

Insp. Angelina Lumba Bautista said BJMP director Diony Mamaril doubled his food budget, “a corruption in the BJMP.” Two non-government organizations—the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates and Sanlakas—stepped into the issue to provide Bautista with the legal support she needed.

A plunder complaint and graft case were filed with the Ombudsman on March 20 not only against Mamaril and six other officials.

She said jail officials from Bataan, now assigned in Valenzuela City, slammed the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the local government unit that paved the way for the corruption.

BJMP and provincial government of Bataan entered into an arrangement on Aug. 18, 2010 for the management and operation of the Bataan Provincial Jail, now the Bataan District Jail in Balanga City.

Based on the agreement, Bataan appropriated funds for the subsistence allowance of the inmates during the transition period until its full transfer or upon the enactment of a law to transfer jurisdiction of the Bataan jail to BJMP.

Lanete, Napoles plead not guilty MASBATE gov. Rizalina Seachon Lañete on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to the plunder and graft cases filed against her before the Sandiganbayan for her alleged involvement in a P108-million pork barrel fund scam.

Businesswoman Janet Lim napoles, alleged mastermind in the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund scam also pleaded not guilty to the charges before the anti-graft court’s Fourth Division.

Lañete’s supporters stormed the Sandiganbayan building on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City during the arraignment.

The anti-graft court has set a hearing in May to take up Lañete’s bail petition.

In February, Lañete, a former Masbate representative, surrendered to Philippine national Police at Camp Crame hours after the Sandiganbayan’s issuance of an arrest warrant on her.

Mementos. A relative of a World War II

veteran arranges miniature mementos of the Shrine of Valor (Dambana ng Kagitingan) Memorial Cross that he sells for P300 apiece on Wednesday April 8 at the Veterans Museum Taguig City. Shrine of Valor in Mt. Samat Bataan was built in 1966 to commemorate the Filipinos and Americans who fought during World War II. DANNY PATA

Court confirms John Hay award, deals BCDA loss

By Rey Requejo and Florante Solmerin

A regionAl trial court in Baguio City has granted the petition of Camp John Hay developer, CJH Development Corporation for confirmation of the P1.42 billion-award given to it by the Philippine Dispute resolution Center inc. in a move that could cost the Bases Conversion and Development Authority a lot more money in foregone revenues.

In a decision promulgated last March 27, Presiding Judge Cecilia Corazon Dulay-Archog of Baguio City RTC Branch 6, rendered judgment confirming the “Final Award” by the PDRCI to CJHDEVCO ordering BCDA to return to CJHDEVCO P1,421,096,052, representing the total amount of rentals the developer has paid to the agency.

Judge Archog also confirmed the PDRCI ruling that CJHDEVCO is not liable for any unpaid back rent consistent with the ruling that rescission and mutual restitution is proper in the case.

The lower court held that the PDRCI’s “Final Award is

clear” and “it needs no further interpretation.”

Developer Robert John Sobrepena described the arbiter’s February 11 award as a “win” for CJHDEVCO. He said the ruling dealt a black eye to the government’s private-public partnership program” as a result of miscalculations by the BCDA under Arnel Paciano Casanova, president and chief executive officer.

The RTC stressed that it “is not authorized to revise, interpret or in any way encroach upon the work of the Arbitral Tribunal except to act on specific grounds to vacate an award which does not exist in the instant case.”

“And finding that no ground exists to vacate or modify the same, this Court hereby confirms the Final Award dated February 11, 2015 in PDRCI Case no. 60-2012 entitled “In the Matter of An Arbitration Under the Rules of Arbitration of the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI) between (CJHDEVCO) and (BCDA)” the order said.

“As to the list of sub-lessees and/ or vested rights holders, they will be governed by the law on obligations and contracts,” the Court added.

The RTC also lifted the writ of preliminary injunction it issued on August 23, 2012 stopping the BCDA from taking over the Camp John Hay facility from CJHDEVCO. It also ordered that “an entry of judgment be made”, and the issuance of a writ of execution to implement the Final Award.

CJHDEVCO’s Chief Operating Officer Alfredo Yniguez hailed the lower court order, adding that significant to the decision of the Baguio RTC is that the vested right holders -- the existing locators, sublessees, unit owners, lot owners and

golf club members who acquired their interests in good faith – will be governed by the law on obligations and contracts.

“This statement of Judge Archog confirms our legal position that the arbitral award did not carry with it the order for our locators, sublessees, units owners, lot owners and golf club members to vacate as well, but that their vested rights are to be protected by law,” he said, when sought for comment on the RTC order.

“Article 1385 of the Civil Code, which is the law relied upon by the vested rights holders, provides that an “order for mutual restitution”, as in this case, cannot include properties currently in the possession of third persons who acted in good faith,” Yniguez stressed.

The CJHDEVCO executive said that with this ruling by the Baguio RTC recognizing that there are vested right holders in the Camp, BCDA cannot just evict the vested right holders nor order them to vacate without their due process afforded to them by the laws on obligations and contract.

Clemency for Veloso

By Sandy Araneta MALACAñnAng on Wednesday expressed hope that Mary Jane Veloso who is facing the death penalty in Indonesia can still be saved as efforts are under way to have the Supreme Court in Jakarta conduct a review of her case.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that the Department of Foreign Affairs had been taking moves to spare Veloso from death using legal and diplomatic means, “including the President sending letters to his Indonesian counterparts, former President Yudhoyono and President Widodo for clemency.”

The President raised her case personally with President

Widodo earlier this year, Lacierda said. DFA facilitated and covered cost of the visit of the next of kin of Ms. Veloso to Yogyakarta where she is incarcerated, he said.

Family members of Veloso made a last-minute appeal for clemency to the country’s president.

The parents, siblings and two sons of the convict delivered the open letter to President Joko Widodo to the Indonesian Embassy last Wednesday.

The family appealed for “mercy and compassion” for Mary Jane, a 30-year-old single mother.

The letter of the family said Mary Jane was tricked by a compatriot into carrying 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin in her luggage.

Protest masks. Activists wearing masks depicting President Benigno S. Aquino III and

Filipina Mary Jane Veloso , currently on death row in Indonesia after being convicted of drug trafficking, stage a protest against Veloso’s impending execution outside the Philippine consulate in Hong Kong on April 8, 2015. AFP

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE (FM) EVENT REGULATED FM PASS THROUGH FOR TYPHOON AGATON IN MINDANAO IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

GRID OF THE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on January 14, 2015, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed with the Commission an application for the approval of the force majeure event regulated FM pass through for Typhoon Agaton in Mindanao in accordance with the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), with prayer for provisional authority.

In the said application, NGCP alleged, among others, the following: It is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the corporate vehicle of the consortium which was awarded the concession to assume the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136 (R.A. 9136), otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or the EPIRA;

2.

It was also granted a franchise under Republic Act 9511 (NGCP Franchise) to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines;

3.

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

4.

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

Allegation in Support of the Prayer for Provisional Approval 18. It moves for the issuance of a provisional approval for the immediate recovery of the FME claim pursuant to Section 3, Rule 14 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. It needs to immediately recover the actual expenses incurred for the rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities. The occurrence of the aforementioned FME requires capital infusion, the recovery of which should be allowed to avoid putting financial strain in the transmission provider, and to allow it to continuously provide the necessary transmission service to the grid customers; 19. The timely implementation of the pass-through amount will allow the equal or even spread of the increases or decreases in tariffs from the initial implementation of the recovery of the cost; 20. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Agnes F. Dela Cruz, Head, Tariff Design and Billing Management Division, Revenue and Regulatory Affairs of NGCP in support thereof is attached to the application as Annex “H”; and 21. In compliance with Rule 6 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, the pre-filing requirements of the instant application are attached herewith as Annex “I”; 22. It prays that the Commission: a.

Issue, immediately upon filing of the application, a provisional authority to implement and bill the FM Pass-Through Amounts to Mindanao customers starting February 2015 billing month to December 2020 or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered;

b.

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

c.

Approve the CAPEX incurred for the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to Typhoon Agaton in Mindanao as FME;

d.

Approve the proposed pass-through amount representing return on capital, return of capital and taxes associated with the emergency responses and the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Agaton, as follows:

THE FORCE MAJEURE EVENT (TYPHOON AGATON) 5.

On January 17, 2014, Typhoon Agaton entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility with maximum winds of 35 kph and gustiness of 50 kph. Due to its intensity and heavy rainfall, its transmission assets and other related facilities in the Mindanao area were damaged. Attached to the application as Annex “A” is a copy of the Certification dated April 1, 2014 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA);

6.

It filed before the Commission a Notice of Force Majeure Event (Typhoon Agaton) on March 28, 2014, attached to the application as Annex “B”;

7.

The Commission issued a letter dated May 8, 2014 acknowledging receipt of its FME Notice regarding Typhoon Agaton;

8.

Immediately after the calamity, repair and restoration and rehabilitation of its damaged transmission assets and other related works were undertaken in order to continue serving its customers;

9.

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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

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

1.

A6

16. The FME Claim does not breach the Force Majeure Threshold Amount (FMTA). Copy of the FMTA Computation is attached to the application as Annex “G”;

ERC CASE NO. 2015-005 RC NATIONAL CORPORATION PHILIPPINES,

repair and rehabilitation of damage sustained by its transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of the FME. Copy of the FME Claim Computation is attached to the application as Annex “F”;

t h u r s d ay : a p r i l 9, 2 0 1 5

The cost of additional Capita! Expenditure (CAPEX) it incurred to complete the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities including the recoverable values of the assets destroyed amounted to PhP6,958,428.26;

10. The Details of Activities of FME Typhoon Agaton in Mindanao is attached to the application as Annex “D”; 11. The damaged transmission assets and other related facilities are not covered by TRANSCO and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation’s (PSALM) Industrial All Risk (IAR) Insurance Policy with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the year 2014 and is therefore not compensable. Copy of the Certification in support of such allegation is attached to the application as Annex “E”; 12. There is a need to realign its CAPEX projects to recover the cost incurred for the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities subject of this application; COMPUTATION OF FM EVENT PASS-THROUGH AMOUNT 13. It proposes the FM pass-through amount, in P/kWmonth, as additional network charges in Mindanao starting the billing period of February 2015 to December 2020, or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered, computed as follows: Grid 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Mindanao 0.18 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04

Grid 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Mindanao 0.18 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 e.

f.

Approve and allow the recovery of the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by Typhoon Agaton in Mindanao in the amount of One Million Six Hundred Eighty-One Thousand Fifty-Six and 18/100 Pesos (PhP1,681,056.18) as part of the FM Pass Through Amount given that the said amount would have been fully recovered by it if these transmission assets and other related facilities have not been damaged or destroyed by Typhoon Agaton as FME; and Exclude the proposed Pass-Through Amount from the side constraint calculation.

The Commission has set the application for jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on May 12, 2015 (Tuesday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.) at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

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

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

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

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

14. It proposes the FM pass-through amounts for the years 2016 to 2020 to allow the recovery of the CAPEX incurred relative to the FME Typhoon Agaton should there be a delay in the reset process for the Transmission Services for the Fourth (4th) Regulatory Period (RP);

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson, ZENAIDA G. CRUZ-DUCUT, and the Honorable Commissioners, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, ALFREDO J. NON, and JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 16th day of March, 2015 at Pasig City.

15. Although the FME claim is not included in its 3rd Regulatory Reset Application, the same can be recovered during the 3rd Regulatory Period pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR where it is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the restoration,

ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN Executive Director III The New Standard – April 9 & 16, 2015

Harbor link. Tollway Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation president and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez (right) and Manila North Tollways Corporation president and CEO Rodrigo E. Franco (left) give Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson an update on the newly opened NLEX Harbor Link Segment 9 in Valenzuela City. Segment 9, a 2.4-km toll road that connects NLEX to MacArthur Highway in Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, is expected to ease the traffic in major thoroughfares and offers an alternate access to Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela and Manila Port Area through NLEX.

LTO policy earns senator’s wrath

By Macon Araneta SENATE Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday said the public should not bear the burden of the Land Transportation Office’s inefficiency that had forced it to come up with its “No Plate, No Travel” policy.

“Vehicle owners are penalized for not having license plates that the LTO and its private contractor failed to deliver on time,” said Cayetano.

Instead, he said, LTO officials and carplates contractor should be punished for being remiss in their job.

In calling for a 30-day moratorium on the policy’s implementation, Cayetano scored the LTO and its contractor for failing to deliver and process license plates on new vehicles.

He said the delay in the issuance of license plates by the LTO created an unnecessary backlog. ”Plus car dealers cite the insufficient LTO manpower involved in the releasing of plates. Thus, even though plates have been made available, issuing it to vehicles has been a slow process.”

Because of this, the senator said a 30day moratorium should straighten out kinks in the process, without unduly punishing motorists with fines.

The moratorium will give the pri-

vate contractor time to produce the new plates, the LTO to overcome the backlog and car dealers to immediately claim the car plates of the buyers, Cayetano said.

Car dealers earlier claimed they have paid LTO for the plates.

Cayetano said he will file a bill to hold government officials and private contractors liable and accountable when there is a delay in government agency’s actions, which ultimately inconveniences the public.

The “No Plate, No Travel” policy stemmed from DOTC’s Memorandum Circular No. AVT-2015-1927 which took effect last April 1.

Under this regulation if a vehicle does not have updated plates, its owner will pay a P10,000 fine, while the driver will pay P 1,000. If the driver is able to present only a certificate of registration and an official receipt as proof of registration, the driver will be fined P5,000 for failure to attach plates.

The LTO earlier stood pat on the policy’s effectivity, claiming it is just implementingexisting laws.

Clash of titans looms over P50-b prisons deal

By Rey Requejo AT LeAsT three big groups among them conglomerate san Miguel have expressed intention to participate in the government’s bidding for the P50.2 billion Regional Prison Facilities project aimed at upgrading the country’s penal system and easing congestion of national prisons. senior state Counsel Rosario elena Laborte-Cuevas, DOJ- Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) spokesperson, said that Megawide

Construction Corp. and the san Miguel Holdings Corp have expressed interest to bid for the project.

D.M. Consunji Inc. has also submitted its letter of intent and manifested its intention to submit bid documents to the BAC, Cuevas said.

“But the issuance of the bid documents is still until May 5, so that gives time to other bidders to submit their participation,” the DOJ-BAC official added.

Based on the BAC’s timeline, prospective bid-

ders must submit pre-qualification documents to prequalify to bid until May 6.

The legal, technical and financial qualification requirements are set forth in the Instructions to Prospective Bidders (ITPB) which prospective bidders should purchase in the amount of P1.5 million.

The BAC will evaluate the pre-qualification documents submitted by prospective bidders and those who meet the pre-qualification requirements will receive bidding documents.

t h u r s d ay : a p r i l 9, 2 0 1 5

A7

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

New Isabela bridge is only first among many—PNoy By sandy araneta PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III said the P772.9-million Lullutan Bridge in Isabela is only the first of many government steps to improve infrastructure in the province and in the region.

In the bridge’s inauguration Tuesday, Mr. Aquino said the government has released P11.9 billion since 2011 to develop Isabela’s infrastructure and irrigation facilities.

Among these projects are the ongoing construction of the CabaganSta. Maria Bridge that would connect Isabela and other municipalities in the Cordillera Administrative Region. He also cited the repair and widening of the Maharlika Highway, National Road 1 or Asian Highway 26.

“Tuloy-tuloy din po ang konstruksiyon natin ng kalsadang magkokonekta sa Daang Maharlika at sa Santiago-Tuguegarao Road sa Santiago City,” he added.

Also part of the government initiative are 59.56 kilometers of farmto-market roads in the province that have been built and repaired.

“Oras matapos natin ang dagdag pang 15.91 na kilometrong farm-tomarket roads dito sa inyo, aabot sa halos 20,000 ang farmer beneficiaries ng probinsiya,” the President said.

Aquino noted that the government has completed 161 irrigation projects in Isabela.

He said the Aquino administration is working to finish 32 more irrigation projects that would water 146,625 hectares of farmlands and benefit 90,950 farmers.

“Idagdag na rin ninyo diyan ang sinimulan nating Pasa Small Reservoir Irrigation Project. ‘Pag nakumpleto ito sa 2016, inaasahang tataas sa 9,996 metric tons mula sa 555 metric tons ang annual rice production ng Ilagan,” he stated.

Aquino, in summing up the infrastructure projects in the entire Cagayan Valley region, said the administration has already begun developing 25.4 km of the first section of the alternate route for Dalton Pass and is studying the extension of the North-South Railway Project that will traverse Isabela as well as the Ilocos and Cordillera regions.

Dessert, anyone? A worker at a popular restaurant in Koronadal City prepares buko halo-halo for waiting customers. Omar mangOrsi

Bulacan gov: Look into decisions-in-USB-sticks

By Orlan L. mauricio

MALOLOS CITY—Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado this week urged the Commission on Elections to look into reports that USB sticks containing pre-encoded rulings on the validation of signatures were distributed to election officers in 21 municipalities and three component cities of Bulacan.

Alvarado wrote acting Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim and Commission-

ers Luie Tito Guia and Arthur Lim to seek an order from the en banc to order a probe into

the matter.

The validation of signatures is in connection to the recall petition filed against him by one Perlita Mendoza.

The governor said petitioner Mendoza’s counsel, Bernadette Sardillo, gave the USB sticks to the election officials.

Sardillo denied the accusation.

“No such thing,” she said.

“In fact,” the lawyer said in a text message, “as accommodation to Governor Alvarado, PES

[Temie] Lambino ordered the [election officers] to make the rulings handwritten.”

Alvarado also wants the election officers of Hagonoy, Malolos City and Pulilan to be summoned about why they made use of the pre-encoded rulings in the objections and verification proceedings in their respective areas.

Recall elections must be held on or before May 8, 2015 to be valid.

Iponan River recovers from hydraulic mining

By Lance Baconguis

surf simulator. A man learns to surf at the Flow Rider, a water park in Bacoor City. Danny Pata

CAGAyAN de Oro City—The City Local Environment and Natural Resource office (CLENRO)has noted a slow recovery of the ecosystem along the Iponan river as a result of its antimining drive.

Children have started taking baths and residents have been seen washing their clothes in the river again.

Farming activities have also been observed in communities near the river.

CLENRO chief Edwin Dael said that this was because his team has filed multiple cases against operators and confiscated hundreds of waters pumps, equipments and heavy machinery. These steps have

led to multiple arrests.

“This is a continuing implementation of the laws on mining and for the protection of the ecosystem,” Dael said.

It has been a long-drawn battle between miners and the geopolitical boundary of local government units of Cagayan de Oro City and Opol town in Misamis Oriental.

Illegal hydraulic mining, which lasted for more than 15 years, has damaged the river, turning it into dark brown such that locals have taken to calling it the “chocolate river.”

The mining operation has also caused erosion and deterioration in water quality and availability.

T h u R s D Ay : A P R I L 9, 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDITor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

vIew from malcom aTTy. harry roque jr.

Binay prevails

[ EDI TORI A L ]

The value of valor “Araw ng Kagitingan” commemorates the acts of courage of Filipino soldiers. At least once a year – every 9th of April, specifically -- we remember those who risked their lives and fought for our people so that today’s generation can enjoy the freedom and comfort that we do today.

At some point in their lives, these soldiers have been honored for their contribution to the nation. Their brave acts have been recognized with medals and generous words about how the country we know today would not exist without their sacrifices many years ago.

More than the recognition in words, however, the veterans need more from their government and their compatriots whom they served in their prime.

True, veterans enjoy pensions and benefits as prescribed by the law. As we know all too well, however, this does not ensure that the needs of all veterans are served as envisioned.

The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office currently administers 186,396 pension benefits. These numbers however do not do justice to the urgency with which veterans need their fair share. Because of their age, many of them are sickly, and their modest income during their productive years may not have prepared them for the life they now lead. While some can count on the care of immediate family or relatives, not all have this good fortune. These family members also have their own survival concerns on their own; they may not be in a position to take care of an elderly ailing patriarch.

The wish list of veterans is long but contains well-justified requests. For instance, the monthly old age pension of P5,000 has not been increased since 1994, even as the prices of basic goods and medicine have increased many times over. disability pension, which ranges between P1,000 and P1,700 monthly, has also stagnated.

The PVAO also has arrears which include, and substantially, total administrative disability pensions for veterans 70 years old and above. While the judiciousness of paying these benefits has never been disputed, no appropriations have been made for many years – inadequate funds have always been cited as the cause for the lack of appropriation.

Veterans have also articulated the need for additional hospitals to service those in Visayas and Mindanao.

These and many other concerns continue to haunt our veterans as they deal with a different kind of battle – living from day to day given their limited resources and special needs. May our decision makers not remember all these only today. This will test whether we really value the valor displayed by veterans, or only paying lip service, as usual.

Waste of time lowDown jojo a. roBles THAT House investigation is a total waste of time. Unless, of course, you’re a President seeking a third (or fourth) opinion that will absolve you, for a change.

The sad truth is, President Noynoy Aquino is still telling the House of Representatives what it’s supposed to do as far as the resumption of the investigation of the Mamasapano massacre is concerned.

And that is why I have absolutely no faith that the eventual House report will be anywhere near as impartial or as truthful as the first two – and that, given the severe handicaps that plagued both the Board of Inquiry and Senate reports, is not really saying much.

For instance, how else should we interpret the decision of the House leadership not to even pass on to Malacanang the list of 20 questions posed by the leftist Makabayan bloc of Congress, because Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and his chief minions decided

it would violate the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution? As Rep. Neri Colmenares noted, passing on the list is not the same as issuing a summons to Aquino – and, after all, if congressmen jump at any invitation from the palace for them to appear before the President in Malacanang, why can’t the Chief Executive return the favor, just this once?

Not even the possibility of Aquino just answering the questions in writing without appearing before the House was allowed by Belmonte and his over-eager cabal of palace-

A9

The fix is in at the Batasan, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it anymore.

worshippers. And, of course, the palace didn’t even have to issue a statement about the President’s appearance – the speaker and his men simply didn’t think it was something

that should even deserve Aquino’s attention.

And in the end, as Colmenares also noted, the House will fail to come up with a better report than both the Senate and the BOI simply because it did not call in three new witnesses who were never summoned previously.

These are the President, the widows and other relatives of the 44 police commandos who died last Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao and representatives of the US and Malaysian governments.

Only Aquino, after all, could have answered the questions about the planning of the operation and his decision to involve a suspended national police chief in it. The

widows would certainly have provided new information that was relayed to them directly through their mobile phones by their spouses as they were being massacred, especially because the previous probers found that the text messages exchanged by the officials in charge were so important.

And only the American and Malaysian officials could have said directly and for the record that they were really not involved in a way in the planning and execution of the operation.

Standard TODAY Manila

(Again, it is worth noting that the House leadership also preempted any response to invitations to attend the hearings by invoking diplomatic immunity for them; the representatives of these foreign governments didn’t even have to do the talking.) *** By calling in the usual suspects – who have steadfastly stuck to their original palace-friendly positions or refined them to suit Malacanang’s taste over time – what the House has

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been engaged in is merely an exercise in repetition. There will be no surprises this time from the generals, Cabinet officials, peace panelists and rebel honchos, who have merely been given an opportunity to repeat what they have already said, in furtherance this time of the palace plot to keep the truth from ever coming out.

If anything, I expect the final report of the two House committees handling the probe to be more like that strange product of the “investigation”

Continued on A11

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

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

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

KUdOS to Makati City Mayor Jun-Jun Binay for winning his legal battle against dILG’s Mar Roxas and the Office of the Ombudsman. Just last Monday, the Court of Appeals made permanent its earlier temporary restraining order which seeks to maintain the status quo. This time, the Appeals Court clarified that the status quo meant the situation prior to the service of the Ombudsman’s suspension order on the Mayor. This removes any and all doubts that the CA intended to maintain Mayor Binay in office despite the Ombudsman’s suspension order. This hence debunks the view of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who earlier opined that the CA’s TRO was moot and academic because meanwhile, the suspension order had allegedly already been served.

I admittedly am not a big fan of the Philippine legal system. There’s the dismal 1-percent conviction rate for extralegal killings before Philippine courts.

There is the longest period of time in the world by which cases are heard by the courts, an average of five to seven years.

There too is the perception of corruption amongst the ranks of public prosecutors and judges. But all told, the decision of the CA granting Mayor Binay injunctive relief was well-reasoned and consistent with jurisprudence.

In brief, the CA ruled that since Mayor Binay had already been re-elected after the so-called City Hall Annex scam, all of his administrative liability, if any, is deemed extinguished by reason of his re-election. This is the principle of “condonation” and is premised on the fact that the people are sovereign. This is not a novel theory having been first recognized by the Supreme Court in the case of former Cagayan Governor Aguinaldo, and reiterated in the cases involving Governors Garcia and Salalima, all of whom were sought to be suspended similarly as Binay. This is why the principle is referred to as the “Aguinaldo rule”.

The logic of the principle is that since the electorate decides who will serve them in an elective capacity, an erring official who has been reelected is deemed “forgiven” by his constituents when despite the administrative lapse, he is re-elected.

The Ombudsman’s position, mirrored by de Lima, is that the office has plenary powers to suspend officials which according to its legislative charter, is immediately executory and not subject to injunction. Here, the CA reasoned that there’s a difference between a suspension by way of penalty meted by the Ombudsman, and a preventive suspension preparatory to an administrative investigation. The former is immediately executory and not subject to injunctive relief. The latter though, and this is the suspension meted on Binay, is subject to judicial review.

I find myself in accord with the Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors P. Palacios News Editor FrancisJoel Lagniton News Editor Francis Lagniton Editor Joyce Pangco Pañares CityCity Editor Arman Armero Senior Deskman Adelle Chua Senior Deskman Leo A. Estonilo Senior Deskman Romel J. Mendez Art Director Romel J. Mendez ArtPhotographer Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

T h u R s D Ay : A P R I L 9, 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDITor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

vIew from malcom aTTy. harry roque jr.

Binay prevails

[ EDI TORI A L ]

The value of valor “Araw ng Kagitingan” commemorates the acts of courage of Filipino soldiers. At least once a year – every 9th of April, specifically -- we remember those who risked their lives and fought for our people so that today’s generation can enjoy the freedom and comfort that we do today.

At some point in their lives, these soldiers have been honored for their contribution to the nation. Their brave acts have been recognized with medals and generous words about how the country we know today would not exist without their sacrifices many years ago.

More than the recognition in words, however, the veterans need more from their government and their compatriots whom they served in their prime.

True, veterans enjoy pensions and benefits as prescribed by the law. As we know all too well, however, this does not ensure that the needs of all veterans are served as envisioned.

The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office currently administers 186,396 pension benefits. These numbers however do not do justice to the urgency with which veterans need their fair share. Because of their age, many of them are sickly, and their modest income during their productive years may not have prepared them for the life they now lead. While some can count on the care of immediate family or relatives, not all have this good fortune. These family members also have their own survival concerns on their own; they may not be in a position to take care of an elderly ailing patriarch.

The wish list of veterans is long but contains well-justified requests. For instance, the monthly old age pension of P5,000 has not been increased since 1994, even as the prices of basic goods and medicine have increased many times over. disability pension, which ranges between P1,000 and P1,700 monthly, has also stagnated.

The PVAO also has arrears which include, and substantially, total administrative disability pensions for veterans 70 years old and above. While the judiciousness of paying these benefits has never been disputed, no appropriations have been made for many years – inadequate funds have always been cited as the cause for the lack of appropriation.

Veterans have also articulated the need for additional hospitals to service those in Visayas and Mindanao.

These and many other concerns continue to haunt our veterans as they deal with a different kind of battle – living from day to day given their limited resources and special needs. May our decision makers not remember all these only today. This will test whether we really value the valor displayed by veterans, or only paying lip service, as usual.

Waste of time lowDown jojo a. roBles THAT House investigation is a total waste of time. Unless, of course, you’re a President seeking a third (or fourth) opinion that will absolve you, for a change.

The sad truth is, President Noynoy Aquino is still telling the House of Representatives what it’s supposed to do as far as the resumption of the investigation of the Mamasapano massacre is concerned.

And that is why I have absolutely no faith that the eventual House report will be anywhere near as impartial or as truthful as the first two – and that, given the severe handicaps that plagued both the Board of Inquiry and Senate reports, is not really saying much.

For instance, how else should we interpret the decision of the House leadership not to even pass on to Malacanang the list of 20 questions posed by the leftist Makabayan bloc of Congress, because Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and his chief minions decided

it would violate the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution? As Rep. Neri Colmenares noted, passing on the list is not the same as issuing a summons to Aquino – and, after all, if congressmen jump at any invitation from the palace for them to appear before the President in Malacanang, why can’t the Chief Executive return the favor, just this once?

Not even the possibility of Aquino just answering the questions in writing without appearing before the House was allowed by Belmonte and his over-eager cabal of palace-

A9

The fix is in at the Batasan, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it anymore.

worshippers. And, of course, the palace didn’t even have to issue a statement about the President’s appearance – the speaker and his men simply didn’t think it was something

that should even deserve Aquino’s attention.

And in the end, as Colmenares also noted, the House will fail to come up with a better report than both the Senate and the BOI simply because it did not call in three new witnesses who were never summoned previously.

These are the President, the widows and other relatives of the 44 police commandos who died last Jan. 25 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao and representatives of the US and Malaysian governments.

Only Aquino, after all, could have answered the questions about the planning of the operation and his decision to involve a suspended national police chief in it. The

widows would certainly have provided new information that was relayed to them directly through their mobile phones by their spouses as they were being massacred, especially because the previous probers found that the text messages exchanged by the officials in charge were so important.

And only the American and Malaysian officials could have said directly and for the record that they were really not involved in a way in the planning and execution of the operation.

Standard TODAY Manila

(Again, it is worth noting that the House leadership also preempted any response to invitations to attend the hearings by invoking diplomatic immunity for them; the representatives of these foreign governments didn’t even have to do the talking.) *** By calling in the usual suspects – who have steadfastly stuck to their original palace-friendly positions or refined them to suit Malacanang’s taste over time – what the House has

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been engaged in is merely an exercise in repetition. There will be no surprises this time from the generals, Cabinet officials, peace panelists and rebel honchos, who have merely been given an opportunity to repeat what they have already said, in furtherance this time of the palace plot to keep the truth from ever coming out.

If anything, I expect the final report of the two House committees handling the probe to be more like that strange product of the “investigation”

Continued on A11

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

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

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

KUdOS to Makati City Mayor Jun-Jun Binay for winning his legal battle against dILG’s Mar Roxas and the Office of the Ombudsman. Just last Monday, the Court of Appeals made permanent its earlier temporary restraining order which seeks to maintain the status quo. This time, the Appeals Court clarified that the status quo meant the situation prior to the service of the Ombudsman’s suspension order on the Mayor. This removes any and all doubts that the CA intended to maintain Mayor Binay in office despite the Ombudsman’s suspension order. This hence debunks the view of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who earlier opined that the CA’s TRO was moot and academic because meanwhile, the suspension order had allegedly already been served.

I admittedly am not a big fan of the Philippine legal system. There’s the dismal 1-percent conviction rate for extralegal killings before Philippine courts.

There is the longest period of time in the world by which cases are heard by the courts, an average of five to seven years.

There too is the perception of corruption amongst the ranks of public prosecutors and judges. But all told, the decision of the CA granting Mayor Binay injunctive relief was well-reasoned and consistent with jurisprudence.

In brief, the CA ruled that since Mayor Binay had already been re-elected after the so-called City Hall Annex scam, all of his administrative liability, if any, is deemed extinguished by reason of his re-election. This is the principle of “condonation” and is premised on the fact that the people are sovereign. This is not a novel theory having been first recognized by the Supreme Court in the case of former Cagayan Governor Aguinaldo, and reiterated in the cases involving Governors Garcia and Salalima, all of whom were sought to be suspended similarly as Binay. This is why the principle is referred to as the “Aguinaldo rule”.

The logic of the principle is that since the electorate decides who will serve them in an elective capacity, an erring official who has been reelected is deemed “forgiven” by his constituents when despite the administrative lapse, he is re-elected.

The Ombudsman’s position, mirrored by de Lima, is that the office has plenary powers to suspend officials which according to its legislative charter, is immediately executory and not subject to injunction. Here, the CA reasoned that there’s a difference between a suspension by way of penalty meted by the Ombudsman, and a preventive suspension preparatory to an administrative investigation. The former is immediately executory and not subject to injunctive relief. The latter though, and this is the suspension meted on Binay, is subject to judicial review.

I find myself in accord with the Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Jojo A. Robles Editor-in-Chief Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors P. Palacios News Editor FrancisJoel Lagniton News Editor Francis Lagniton Editor Joyce Pangco Pañares CityCity Editor Arman Armero Senior Deskman Adelle Chua Senior Deskman Leo A. Estonilo Senior Deskman Romel J. Mendez Art Director Romel J. Mendez ArtPhotographer Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

a10 GivinG peace a chance

T h u r s d ay : a P r I L 9, 2 0 1 5

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

a day of iGnominy I cannot understand why there’s so much fuss over a beauty queen/ fashion designer’s social media post about the so-called yaya meal -- meals available for nannies -- at Alphaland’s Balesin Island Club off Quezon province.

Margie Wilson-Consunji said serving such meals was discriminatory. Her post went viral.

In the first place, the yaya meal has been there for quite some time. They were requested by club members for nannies and caregivers, who also want it that way.

That doesn’t stop them from ordering steak and lobster if they want it, though.

This makes me wonder if Ms. Wilson is a club member or not. each share at Balesin sells for P4.5 million.

There is no discrimination at all here. other resorts also provide budget meals for nannies, drivers and caregivers. In fact, many hotels in Metro Manila also have “kiddie meals.” Would Ms. Wilson say that these meals discriminate against children?

I have been to Balesin Island Club many times with my grandchildren, who find the usual adult meals too much for them. They settle for “kiddie meals,” which are more to their liking.

The problem with some people is that they always find some fault or another in anything.

to the point

seems to disregard the rule of law along the way. If he believes that demonizing the Vice President and his family will improve his ratings as a presidentiable or vice presidentiable, he is hallucinating.

The senator also says that he’ll divulge everything in next week’s continued investigation of charges of corruption against the Binays.

Truth to tell, though, nothing been said against the Binays that could stand in court.

BeFoRe the Mamasaemil p. duty pano encounter in Janjurado calls uary 25, the Bangsamoro Basic Law was on florencio Court of Appeals Justice Desidits way to becoming a erio P. Jurado, who led the assault. fianza law. After the encounTwo of my former colleagues ter, however, the BBL in media, Amante Bigornia and was subjected to closer scrutiny which revealed its imperfecConsorsio Borje, were also part of tions and weaknesses. that historic battle.

Now there is resistance even from the lawmakers who initially supported and co-sponsored the BBL. It can no The Silver Medal that was given longer be passed in its present form without amendments ** ** ** to my late brother still hangs in his in order to conform to constitutional requirements. former house to attest to his heroYet, in spite of the sounds of war drums, the best way to There’s something very wrong go forward in Mindanao is through a just and fair negotiism. Santa Banana, would you beated peace. An American general said 150 years ago that lieve he refused to get his back pay with the decision of the Sandiganwar is hell and a quick scan around the world today would because he believed he fought the bayan’s Frist Division in denying the show it is difficult to argue with what he said. There are Japanese not for money but for plea of former President Gloria Mawars going on in Libya, Nigeria, Syria, Yemen, Columbia capagal Arroyo to be granted bail. love of country? and lest we forget, the Philippines.

Unfortunately, no President She is on hospital arrest for alleged Syria’s is a tragic story. According to the United Naexcept President Fidel V. Ramos involvement in the P366-million tions, about 220,000 have died in four years of fighting, ever cared to mark the Fall of Bes- Philippine Charity Sweepstakes inmany of them women, children and the elderly. About 6.5 sang Pass on the day it happened telligence fund being transferred. million people have been internally displaced and close to What is wrong - June 14, 1945.

4 million people have fled Syria to various countries all is that while the I am recalling over the world. The country has been basically destroyed; anti-graft court all these since I it will probably take a generation to rebuild it. has granted bail find it truly ironic Those who are advocating war in Mindanao should to GMA’s acthat we should therefore think hard and consider the consequences of cused, former mark what is now what war can bring to the country. In the recent fighting Commission on called “Araw ng between our Armed Forces and the Bangsamoro IslamAudit co-accused Kagitingan” or ic Freedom Fighters, more than 100,000 have had to be Reynaldo Vil“Day of Valor” on evacuated. How much more if there is an all-out war in lar, and former April 9, which acMindanao? The government has been fighting various PCSo board tually commemogroups for a long time. members Manolrates the Fall of The communist insurgency for instance has been ing Morato, RayBataan and Fall of around since since 1969. The conflict with the New mondo Roquero Corregidor -- days People’s Army is one of the longest if not the longest in and Jose Taruc, the world. I do not have the casualty figures of combatof ignominy in ** ** ** Mrs. Arroyo reants from both sides who have died fighting but I can our history. mains jailed despite her debilitating say that thousands have died.

We have also had the Muslim secessionist movement We mark today “Araw ng Kagitbone ailment. ** ** ** since 1973. In between, there are other groups like the ingan” or “Day of Valor,” which While the lawyers of Gloria Abu Sayyaf and now the BIFF and Justice for Islamic strangely commemorates the “Fall There he goes again. I am refer- remain hopeful about their moMovement. of Bataan” and “Fall of Corregi- ring to Senator Antonio Trillanes, tion for reconsideration, there’s All these conflicts have sapped a lot of the country’s dor.” who is salivating to become Vice no reason why she should not be resources and energy which could have gone to develWhat we should celebrate are President in 2016, accusing jus- granted bail as a matter of right. opment to improve people’s lives. glorious moments of victory in tices of the Court of Appeals of As President, her endorsement of The death of the SAF 44 is a lot, but there were en- our history that speak of the true having been bribed by the Binays the board resolution was simply a counters in the past with more casualties. Some that valor and courage of Filipinos for issuing an indefinite tempo- ministerial act.

I know of are the following: the massacre of the late against foreign invaders. An exThis could only mean that rary restraining order against the General Teodulfo Bautista and 42 others in Patikul, ample is the Fall of Bessang Pass in ombudsman’s suspension order Malacañang is behind all of this.

Sulu in 1977. About 16 ranking and highly trained the Cordilleras that led to the sur- on Makati Mayor Jun-Jun Binay.

Army officers died with him that day. In the subserender of Commander Yamashita. ** ** ** Trillanes says he was told that quent fighting that followed after the massacre, a lot This battle eventually led to the The fact that President Aquino grease money passed hands in more died. end of the four-year Japanese ocis now accusing his allies of being the grant of a TRo by the AppelThere was also the case of one Constabulary Batcupation of the Philippines. double-faced, for criticizing him late Court.

Hearsay!

That’s direct talion that suffered about 58 casualties in one single For three weeks or more, the while they remain his supporters, contempt of court, and Trillanes encounter in Sulu and the remains of those who fell had to be evacuated in the dead of the night so as not 3rd battalion of the guerilla move- should be made to account for it. is clear proof that the President to affect morale. A friend from the Army also told me ment under Major Conrado Rig- Note that this was said outside the has become a lameduck President. of the story of one Army company that was attempt- or, composed mostly of Igorots halls of the Senate, where he has Soon enough, these so-called supporters and allies will be jumping ing cross a river in Lanao. They were caught by the and Ilocanos, fought the Japanese no immunity. on higher ground. And it was the MNLF and were decimated.

Trillanes is so obssessed with the political fence the way turnFighting the communist insurgents has also been platoon of my late eldest brother, trying to blame the Binays that he coats do. ferocious. Some incidents that I also know personally was when a Constabulary unit National Police before their retire- in 1997 during the term of President Ramos; this resultencountered a group of communist ed in the creation of the Autonomous Region of Muslim ment. insurgents in one province and sufMindanao.

If fighting resumes, the public will fered 23 dead. Another was when a Now we have the BBL to operationalize what was again see the brutality of war.

Because commander in an adjacent province signed between the MILF and the Aquino government. of modern media reporting and the when I was then a Provincial ComThere has been power of social media, the public will But because of the Mamasapano encounter, it is now mander sent a patrol that encounbe more aware and affected. under siege. tered a group of NPA on a test mis- fighting for so long ***** President Aquino has called for a peace summit sion. The result was about 14 dead When the Muslim secessionist which should have been done before the government with all the weapons captured. In yet that both sides movement erupted in 1973, it caught signed the peace deal with the MILF. Yet, this is not another operation, a 6x6 truck full the government by surprise.

The govnecessarily bad. It could still produce a just and fair of men was ambushed and 18 men must be suffering ernment had to scramble to contain recommendation that all parties can sign. lost their lives. I might add that in the spread of the fighting in MindThe MILF has been reported to have said that some both these operations, most of those from combat anao.

But even at the height of the modifications to the BBL is acceptable. This is good. If the sent to fight were office personnel. fighting, President Marcos saw that MILF only wants autonomy and not independence, there No Board of Inquiry was formed to fatigue. the only sure way to put an end to the must be way to arrive at a mutually agreeable position. I investigate these incidents and the sincerely hope that this will be the case.

Fighting is not an fighting was through negotiations. commanders of those who suffered option.

There has been fighting for so long that both sides This is the reason that the so-called casualties in these two operations must be suffering from combat fatigue.

Let us give peace Tripoli agreement was signed in 1976. went on to be promoted. They occua chance.

Another peace agreement was signed pied high positions in the Philippine

Why commemorate defeat instead of victory?

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 9, 2 0 1 5

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

A11

Binay... From A9

HOW NOT TO DEAL WITH CHINA

CHINA’S creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the bungled U.S. response have given Beijing a nice diplomatic win. Not hugely consequential in itself, the episode is a case study in how not to deal with the world’s biggest emerging power. Before it happens again, the U.S. and its friends ought to pause and reflect.

China has two goals in building this new international lender. First, it wants an additional conduit for its surplus of savings—a way to lend abroad that deflects resistance from borrowers worried about being under China’s thumb. (Lately, Chinese-led construction projects have prompted protests from Sri Lanka to Zambia.) Second, China’s rulers crave the respect of other nations and seek the global standing they believe should come with their growing economic strength.

Neither goal is unreasonable. Neither needs to be resisted by the West as a strategic imperative—and there’d be little prospect of long-term success in that effort anyway. The worst thing, though, is to oppose China’s plans and then fail, especially in a way that divides the West against itself.

That is what just happened.

The U.S. asked its friends in Europe not to become members of the AIIB. With an eye to business opportunity, and apparently more eager to ingratiate themselves with China than with the U.S., they

BLOOMBERG EDITORIAL

competed to sign up as founding members. So China’s leaders not only get their AIIB, they have also split the U.S. from its allies, boosting China’s standing more than they had dared hope.

The West can’t expect, and shouldn’t want, to slow China’s growth and suffocate all its leadership ambitions. It should aim instead to give China and other big developing countries their fair share of power in global governance—through institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank—while insisting that China remains bound by global rules even as it plays a larger part in making them.

Foot-dragging by the U.S. and European Union on reform of the multilateral institutions encouraged China to build the AIIB to begin with, and that was a mistake. Failure to coordinate their response to China’s new plans compounded the error. The U.S. miscalculated, to be sure, but Europe is also much at fault. Bringing China into a fully functioning system of global cooperation—ensuring that China is a good citizen and not merely an increasingly powerful one—calls for a united West. Europe, unwilling and unable to lead, expects the U.S. to take on that role, and within reason must therefore let it.

By embarrassing the U.S. over the AIIB, Europe’s leaders have weakened themselves.

Their scramble for national advantage can only encourage China to press further. Divide and rule worked well this time, Beijing will note: Where else might it work?

The best course now is to make the most of the new institution. It could be valuable. A little competition might spur the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to do better. (Both are rightly criticized for becoming top-heavy and sluggish.) China’s success should also push the U.S. and Japan to clear the remaining roadblocks to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, reminding China’s neighbors that close economic ties with the U.S. are still worth a lot. At the same time, though, the U.S. should be clear that China’s unilateral efforts to redraw the map of the South China Sea or limit the airspace above the East Sea are unacceptable: They undermine the security of the U.S. and its allies. Cyber-attacks designed to impede the free flow of information on the Internet are equally inconsistent with the kind of partnership China says it wants.

A more confident China isn’t necessarily a threat. But it isn’t necessarily benign, either.

The U.S. and Europe need to know the difference and start acting like allies.

JOSIE RIZAL: TAKING PLAY SERIOUSLY THE debate still swirls around Josie Rizal, the first Filipino character in the arcade game Tekken – is she an offensive manifestation of cultural appropriation, or a symbol of national pride?

Tekken, developed by Bandai Namco Games of Japan, features characters who engage each other one-on-one in an unarmed combat tournament. Characters are drawn from many cultures that set the fighting style for a particular character.

“Josie Rizal,” named after the country’s national hero, appears in Tekken 7, wide-released on March 18 this year for arcade, with versions to follow in August for hand-held and console games.

Josie is dressed in the colors of the Philippine flag. Her top is embroidered with a motif of sampaguita, the national flower. She cries after a win: “I can’t believe I won!”

Some sectors have objected to the portrayal as culturally inappropriate, that it was disrespectful to name her after Jose Rizal, and Bandai was tasked for not doing enough research. There are requests for her name to be changed.

Bandai game producer Katsuhiro Harada has said they will not make changes and they will instead consider deleting the character.

“Josie is very special for [the Philippine] gamer community,” Harada has been quoted as saying. “If Josie can’t get supported in the Philippines, we can give her up anytime.”

But Josie Rizal is not the first Filipinobased character in a video game.

There’s Talim in Namco’s Soulcaliber series, who made her first appearance in the game’s third installment, Soulcaliber II (2002). She is included in the subsequent versions Soulcaliber III, Soulcaliber IV, and Soulcaliber: Broken Destiny.

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE According to a Wikia entry, the backstory for Talim (Filipino for ‘sharpness’) casts her as the daughter of the village’s shaman, raised as “the last babaylan (priestess)” of her community, the Village of the Wind Deity located in the “Visayan Islands (present-day Philippines).”

Talim is a “close-range character” who uses “wind dancing attacks” based on the Filipino martial art eskrima, the same martial art used for Josie Rizal.

Talim’s basic costume is pantaloons and a cropped top; over the years, it has undergone changes, with one version being a bra top and sheer pants, the latter “oddly transparent – supposedly inspired from the Philippines national costume of Abacca [sic] silk, it’s the same [sic] with the national dress of the Philippines – “Barong Tagalog”, made of woven abacca or banana silk.”

Her personality is “strikingly meek, innocent, kind, moderate, and nice in contrast to the rest of the Soul Series cast, often attempting to dissuade opponents from fighting, and constantly showing mercy to her defeated enemies. Her comments often reveal selfdoubt and worry. She often does not blame others for their actions,” is quick to forgive, and “overall is considered a kind-hearted character.”

From one perspective, Talim seems weak and ineffective, and her clothes are just as skimpy as Josie Rizal’s - but there are no com-

plaints about her being an offensive or inaccurate portrayal of Filipino women.

Why should Josie Rizal be treated differently? Her characterization does not sound much different from that of Talim’s. Also according to Wikia, Josie’s personality is “bright, cheerful, and quite energetic, but she has become more prone [sic] to crying because of something that happened in the past.” Her backstory has not been released yet.

Were there complaints about Josie only because Tekken is much more popular and popped up on the mainstream radar?

Most gamers are young, and those I’ve polled (aged 17 to 24) do not see the reason for the outcry against Josie Rizal.

“Filipino Tekkenistas are proud that there is now a Filipino character after all these years,” says a 17-year-old female who has played the game’s various versions since she was eight. “It’s also great that she’s a woman.

It would be too bad if Mr. Harada pulls her from the game.”

“Tekken characters come from many different cultures,” says a 23-year-old female.

“To make them easily recognizable and differentiated, they are stereotyped. If Filipinos will complain about Josie Rizal, all the more should other nationalities react, whose Tekken characters are even less positively portrayed. But they’re not complaining!”

The 24-year-old, a male, said, “What’s important for me about Josie Rizal are her move sets – will she be a strong enough character that I can use to win? I’m interested only in her fighting moves, not in her clothes or gestures – those don’t matter during play.”

In the end, they all agreed: “It’s just a game.”

Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Blog: http://jennyo.net

line of reasoning adopted by the CA. In fact, in a case that I personally argued before the Supreme Court which sought to restraint the House leadership from filing an impeachment complaint against then-Chief Justice Hilario Davide, the Supreme Court, through the incumbent Ombudsman, ruled that our Court’s certiorari powers under the 1987 Constitution have “cut the umbilical cord” between Philippine and American jurisprudence. While American courts can opt to exercise judicial restraint, Philippine courts, under the 1987 Constitution, must decide cases involving alleged grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of jurisdiction. This means that our courts must always exercise jurisdiction where there is an allegation of grave abuse of discretion. This was the allegation of Mayor Binay and hence, the duty of the Court of Appeals to decide.

The victory is temporary. In fact, the Supreme Court has already scheduled oral arguments on the petition of the Ombudsman against the CA’s order. What appears to be going in favor of Mayor Binay is the fact that the Ombudsman sought but was denied injunctive relief to restraint the CA from restraining the office from suspending Mayor Binay.

The Court’s refusal to issue a TRO, although not a ruling on the merit, nonetheless is tantamount to recognizing the validity of the CA’s actions thus far.

While the odds are still against Mayor Binay since the Ombudsman was a former colleague of the incumbent Justices of the Supreme Court, the latters denial of the former’s prayer for TRO is recognition that there is no urgency nor an irreparable injury in the event the CA is not restrained.

Congratulations are this in order to Mayor Binay and his legal team! ** ** Congratulations too to the UP Law’s Moot Court team that won the world championship in the recently concluded Freedom of Expression Moot competition in Oxford University. The team bested over a hundred teams worldwide that competed in Oxford and in various regional championship rounds around the world.

The problem of the moot is of extreme relevance to freedom of expression in today’s Internet age. Could states limit the freedom to curtail hate speech that has led to a riot that injured over a hundred individuals? At issue, too, was whether Internet service providers should incur liability for materials posted through them.

The winning team is composed of Pauline Gairanod (adjudged the best speaker), who hails from Zamboanga City, Modesta Chungalao from Baguio City, Gil Anthony Aquino, Raphael “Apa” Pangalangan, Rachel Miranda, and Gemmo Fernandez.

A testimonial in their honor will be held on Monday 10AM with no less than Chancellor Micheal Tan in attendance.

Good job, team!

Waste... From A9 conducted by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. You know, the report which was noteworthy only because it repeated the original palace line that a “misencounter” took place and that the beleaguered Special Action Force troops used their own dead colleagues as shields from incoming fire.

If covering up the truth and fine-tuning Malacanang’s propaganda strategy are

the only reasons for resuming the House hearings on the incident, they might as well not have bothered. And all of those congressmen who claimed to be acting on the desire of their constituents to get to the bottom of what happened in Mamasapano – but who are actually just helping Aquino continue his policy of diversionary lying – should have just stayed home and saved the money they spent for dry-

cleaning their suits and barongs.

The congressmen who bloviated long and hard about continuing the search for truth about what happened are just pulling our collective leg. The fix is in, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it anymore. *** And why am I not surprised that the

secretary of justice herself is defending Mohagher Iqbal’s use of a fictitious name to sign important, binding agreements with the government of the Philippines? Perhaps Leila de Lima is not her real name, either – and she will go all the way to the Senate (she hopes) on an alias, just like all less-accessorized but equally stupid movie actors who went before her to that chamber.

T HURS DAY : A P RI L 9 , 2 0 1 5

A12

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

An amazing new partnership: Giorgio Duboin & Zia Mahmood THE Lavazza team won SYLVIA LOPEZ the 2015 ALEJANDRO Vanderbilt even with only four members: Duboin-Mahmood, MadalaBocchi Giorgio Duboin is an Italian professional bridge player. He has won four world teams champions. Zia Mahmood is a Pakistani professional bridge player. He is a World Bridge Federation and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master.

Giorgio Duboin recounted what the Lavazza team should have in the Spingold of 2014. A player left us. The project was started and we had to choose someone else. It was difficult to choose: not only did we need a champion, but also someone who fit the group and Italian style. We all thought of Zia and when he accepted, the team was formed. The idea of rotating players was now more difficult to implement, because our Italians and Argentinians all play the same artificial system, whilst Zia prefers a more natural system that better suits his creative attitude. Based on our features, we thought that I was the best partner for him.

Duboin asked in his column “Italian Style”: What should two players who never played together, who live far away and have different styles do in order to become a high level partnership? Duboin provide us the answer. Since it very interesting and gives an insight on what a partnership should do. I quote what Duboin wrote: Phase 1: we spoke a lot over the phone (luckily there is Skype) in order to understand each other’s views on the system.

Phase 2: we defined the basic system: natural, 5 cards majors, 15-17 NT. Phase 3: we started an email conversation, sending each other system bits, sequences, conventions and agreements which we had been playing with other partners.

Phase 4: we wrote the system, and this is the most complex bit. Each player has his favourite conventions and real passions. We started a game of compromises and refusals, always making an effort not to hurt the other. It looked very much like the discussions engaged couples have: “Darling, on Wednesday nights I have always been playing football with my friends and I’d rather not give it up” Sure dear, on Mondays I usually go to the cinema with my best friend, would you mind if…” I started it. My first suggestion was to add Gazzilli, which I believe is essential in a natural system. Zia happily accepted it, although he had never played it before, so we added a not-too-complicated version of it. He showed me some sequences to raise opener’s majors which I approved. My second suggestion was to open 18-19 balanced hands 2 Clubs. I do not necessarily think that this is a beautiful agreement, but it has the remarkable advantage of taking these hands away from the 1C and 1D opening bids.

Game forcing hands can be opened 2D, which is ugly, but they rarely occur. Zia agreed to have a special opening for strong balanced hands, but asked me if I was joking about the frequence of game forcing hands.

He likes using the game forcing opening bid even with marginal hands, so we came to the compromise of having 2C as GF and 2D as 18-19 balanced.

We went on for a while, agreeing each step of the sequences: two-way check back, reverses, Key Cards, and others. Once the system was agreed, we wrote it down in details and much to our surprise our “mostly natural” 5 card majors was over 100 pages long! (to be continued) Winners of Alejandro Duplicates Game on March 24, 2015.

Justo Manlongat-Winston Arpon Harumi Ieda-Sam Nugent Charles-Lanni-Lerma Lang Results at the Manila Peninsula for March 25, 2015 Justo Manlongat-Susan Kwee Nena Ramirez-Salma Lall Isabel Maloles-Abla Assad Results at the Cambridge Circle for March 26, 2015 Glory del Rio & Inday Canoy Ellie Esteban & Dina Velasco Bambi Harper & Dolly Montenegro Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@yahoo.com

Rory, Bubba wary of Tiger AUGUSTA—Tiger Woods last won a major title in 2008 and hasn’t won the Masters in a decade, but top-ranked Rory McIlroy will be watching out for him this week all the same.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits a tee shot during a practice round prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. AFP

Olympics: 1.2 million Rio Games tickets sold RIO DE JANEIRO—Brazilians have solicited some 1.2 million tickets for next year’s Rio Olympics a week after tickets went on sale, organizers said Tuesday.

The organizing committee said residents of the host nation had applied from around the country for all sports, with the most popular events to date being volleyball, football -- which is being held in six cities -- and basketball.

In all, 7.2 million tickets will be sold and last week saw the start of a two-stage lottery for applications via the official website www. rio2016.com.

Some 70 percent of the tickets for the first Games to be held in South America will be reserved for residents of Brazil.

Around one million more will be distributed abroad via national Olympic committees.

The first distribution phase will

end on April 30 and the results of who has obtained what will be announced in June, ahead of a second lottery in July, prioritizing unsuccessful first-wave applicants.

A real-time, first come first served, sale of remaining tickets will follow from October for Brazilians and Brazil residents, ahead of box office sales for what remains.

Just over half of the tickets will be available for 70 reais ($30, 28 euros) or less.

Pensioners, the disabled and students will enjoy half price concessions, meaning the cheapest deal of all will be just 20 reais.

Three percent of tickets will cost upwards of 600 reais for marquee events, including the men’s 100m final.

The most expensive seats of all will be box seats for the opening ceremony at the Maracana stadium costing a hefty 4600 reais. AFP

The 79th Masters opens Thursday at Augusta National with McIlroy seeking his first green jacket and third major crown in a row to complete a career Grand Slam while Woods, who has fallen to 111th in the world rankings, contends for a 15th career major after a nightmare year of injuries and inconsistent form.

“I think everyone is just curious to see how he comes back,” McIlroy said of Woods, who has fallen to 111th in the world rankings. “I don’t think you should ever underestimate him. He has done things on the golf course that are pretty special.

“I had a good chat with him on the putting green. He feels good. He has been working hard. He has the motivation to keep at it, and just like everyone else, I’ll be looking for his score and seeing what he’s doing.”

Defending champion Bubba Watson can match Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo as the only players to win back-to-back Masters crowns and match Nicklaus as the only ones to win three green jackets in a four-season span.

Factor in young stars seeking a first major win such as Jordan Spieth and Jason Day, sprinkle in some skilled past champions such as Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson and mix in the stunning backdrop of Augusta National’s treacherous greens and towering pines with the dramatic legacy of Amen Corner and Rae’s Creek and the scene is set for an impressive first major of 2015.

“It’s the anticipation factor, the hype, everything else, it feels the same because it’s always exciting to get here,” McIlroy said. “It’s always a great week.”

Woods has been idle for more than two months since withdrawing after 11 holes at Torrey Pines in February.

And that came off a career-worst 82 in the second round at Phoenix.

“I’m excited to be back playing at this level,” Woods said. “I feel like my game is finally ready to compete at the highest level.”

- McIlroy likes Bubba McIlroy is just fine with Woods, who has struggled simply to finish 72 holes over the past 12 months, taking the lion’s share of attention with his strong practice rounds even as McIlroy tries to join a career Grand Slam list that includes only Woods, Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen and Gary Player.

“It is such a big story, Tiger coming back at the Masters after a bit of a lengthy period where he has not been around,” McIlroy said. “But still I’m just here to play golf and you guys can write the stories and I won’t read them and we’ll move on.” AFP

Spurs jeopardize Thunder’s playoff hopes OKLAHOMA CITY—The San Antonio Spurs, hitting their stride as the playoffs arrive, dealt Oklahoma City a crushing 113-88 defeat on Tuesday in another blow to the Thunder’s post-season hopes.

Kawhi Leonard poured in 26 points in just 24 minutes for the defending NBA champion Spurs, who dominated from start to finish.

The Thunder endured their fourth straight defeat and fell out of the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

The Thunder fell one half-game behind New Orleans in the race

for the eighth seed after the Pelicans defeated Golden State 103-100 on Tuesday.

Desperate for a victory, the Pelicans rallied from 14 points LEONARD down to stun the Warriors -who have clinched the top seed in the West.

Anthony Davis scored a gamehigh 29 points to lead the Pelicans.

In Oklahoma City, the Spurs

were led by Leonard, who connected on 10 of his 15 attempts from the floor, the Spurs shot 52.8 percent from the field.

Their eighth successive victory tightened the race for the Southwest Division title.

They are now 1 1/2 games behind division leaders Houston and one half-game behind Memphis.

Russell Westbrook finished with 17 points and six steals for Oklahoma City, but no other

Thunder player scored more than 11 points.

The Spurs took a 64-41 lead into halftime. Leonard had scored 23 points by then.

He and the rest of the Spurs starters were resting on the bench by the fourth quarter, after San Antonio led by as many as 34 in the third period.

The good news for Oklahoma City as they battle for a playoff berth is that three of their last four games of the regular season are against teams with losing records: Sacramento, Indiana and Minnesota. AFP

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

17 spikers show up for PH tryouts

Cagayan eyes lead Games today 2 p.m. – Fourbees vs Coast Guard 4 p.m. – Cagayan vs Baguio

CAGAYAN Valley goes for win No. 2 against Baguio while Coast Guard seeks to rebound from an opening day loss against Perpetual Help as action in the Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Open Conference elims resumes today at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Rising Suns waylaid the Perpetual HelpFourbees, 25-13, 25-12, 25-10, in last Sunday’s opener of the league where it all started with the former champions fancied to get past the Summer Spikers in their 4 p.m. duel.

Though Coast Guard also dropped a 0-3 setback to Navy, the Lady Dolphins remain the slight favorites against the Fourbees in their 2 p.m. match with Rossan Fajardo tipped to lead their charge again.

By Peter Atencio

THERE were 17 veteran players, who showed up for the initial tryouts of the national women’s volleyball team on Tuesday evening at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

But, only 16 joined the scrimmages after former La Salle ace Aby Marano signed up and quickly left due some other pressing commitment.

Nevertheless, national coach Sammy Acaylar is still satisfied at the number of players who came to join the practices, aimed at choosing the players who will make the national squad seeing action in the coming Asian Women’s Championship next month.

“We don’t expect na marami ang pupunta sa tryouts.

Siguro naisip nu’ng mga nagpunta that they have to be here. At least, nakita natin ang puso nila para sa bansa,” said Acaylar.

Acaylar is conducting the tryouts on behalf of the Philippine Super Liga, while a separate set of scrimmages for the selection of the national under-23 team went on last Monday, with coach Anusorn Bundit running the training sessions.

Marano, who plays for Petron in the ongoing PSL AllFilipino Conference, vowed to return in another session.

“I’m taking every opportunity to be part of the national team. I will be back next time,”

said Marano.

Among those who showed up were Rica Jane Enclona, Angelique Dionela, Melissa Gohing and Marleen Cortel, and all are seeing slots for libero.

Fil-American setter Iris Tolenada was around with Mary Grace Masangkay and Ivy Perez, and so were Michelle Gumabao, Jana Sta. Maria, Ana Diocareza and Rizza Jane Mandapat.

Marano signed up as middle spiker, with Lourdes Clemente, Jeannette Panaga, Coleen Bravo, Kim Dy and Abby Praca.

The Asian championships is set from May 20 to 28 in Beijing and in Tianjin.

On the other hand, players also took part in the first practice of the women’s national under-23 volleyball team last Monday at the Blue Eagle gym.

University of Santo Tomas standouts Ria Meneses and EJ Laure joined Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez and Jia Morado in the initial sessions.

They are preparing for the inaugural Asian Women’s Under-23 Volleyball Championship that will be held in Manila on May 1 to 9.

Petron faces Cignal today Games Today: (Alonte Sports Arena) 4:15 pm -- Foton vs Mane ‘N Tail 6:15 pm -- Cignal vs Petron

On to the finals. Mike Cortez of Meralco scores against Jeric Teng of Rain or Shine in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal game won by the Painters, 107-98, at the Araneta Coliseum.

With the win, Rain or Shine advance to the finals. LINO SANTOS

Thai leads ladies’ golf by 4 shots WICHANEE Meechai birdied two of the last four holes to fire a three-under 69 then watched compatriot Pennapa Pulsawath drop three strokes in the last two holes to seize a four-stroke lead as the Thais dominated the local aces at the start of the ICTSI Splendido Ladies Invitational at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Tagaytay yesterday.

Meechai, who honed her talent and skills on the Ladies Asian Golf Tour, flashed top

form despite playing on an unfamiliar terrain, overcoming her three bogey mishaps with six birdies, the last two on Nos. 15 and 16 that got her past Pulsawath, who blew a two-under card with a bogey, double-bogey finish for a 73.

Sarah Ababa birdied No. 1 and held on with a slew of pars only to waver at the end of a scorching but windy day, bogeying the last three holes for a 74, five shots off the hotstarting Meechai.

National slalom’s 3rd leg set on Sunday

Jevoy Moreno of AutoFastion Racing Team is one of the contenders in the Front Wheel category.

THE third leg of the RACE Motorsports’ National Slalom Grand Prix Series happens Sunday at the Robinsons Nova Market.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., while open practice runs are set from 8 to 10 a.m. Free slalom clinics are offered from 9 to 10 a.m.

Official practice runs begin at 11 a.m., with each driver only given one official practice run regardless of how many classes or cars he/ she is entered.

Participants can accumulate points for the overall and class champions.

Contenders must use the specified Federal Tyres for at least nine (75%) legs of the series and must possess the Automobile Association of the Philippines Clubman license.

All drivers will be charged an additional one-time P300 fee per

leg for the Clubman License.

The National Slalom event is affiliated with the Automobile Association of the Philippines and FIA and is the longest-running motorsports discipline in the country.

Expected to participate are the series champions, headed by Dr. Peewee Mendiola of Big Chill; Milo and Noel and Estefano Rivera of Tough Gear; Cabanatuan Auto Club; MSM Motorsports; AF Racing Team; Team Makaluma; and Orthodox racing.

The event is sponsored by Shell Helix Motor Oils, with Pureplus Technology, Federal Tyres, Outlast Battery, Starbright Body Kits, Auto Transporter, Robinsons Nova Market, media partners Stoplight TV, Inside Motoring, DZRJ-Am, Pinoy Speed sa mga Pahayagan, Spin.Ph Sports Interactive Network, C! Magazine and Autocar Magazine.

AFTER flirting with disaster, Petron troops get back to the war zone, looking to pull off a more convincing win in the 2015 Philippine Superliga women’s volleyball tournament All-Filipino Conference today at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.

The unbeaten Blaze Spikers battle Cignal at 6:15 p.m., while Foton guns to solidify its hold on the second spot when it faces Mane ‘N Tail in the first game at 4:15 p.m. of this inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core and backed by Asics, Mikasa, Senoh, Mueller Sports Medicine, Via Mare, LGR and Healthway Medical.

Summer League on FUSION Advertising Hub, in partnership with North Ball Sports Academy, will hold a Summer League starting today at the Dapitan Sports Complex in Manila.

The tournament, which is supported by PNB, Petron and media partner Manila Bulletin, will be participated by seven schools, namely Escuela de Sophia of Caloocan, Malayan High School of Science, St. Vincent School, King Montessori, Adamson University, Ernesto Rondon High School and Masterbox.

payment, the candidate or party may choose to settle the late penalty or administrative fine through any of the following means or modes: A.

R EPUBLI C O F THE PH I LI PPI NES CO M M I SSI O N O N ELECTI O NS Intramuros, M anila A LT ER N ATI V E M O D ES OF PAY M EN T FO R CA N D I DAT ES O R PA RTI ES SU B J ECT TO A D M I N I ST R ATI V E FI N ES O R L AT E PEN A LTI ES D U E TO N O N - C O M PLI A N C E W IT H CA M PA I G N FI N A N C E L AWS, RU LES & R EG U L ATI O N S. x- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

Lim, C.R.S., Acting Chairman Parreño, A.A., Commissioner Guia, L.T.F., Commissioner Lim, A.D., Commissioner Promulgated:

This pertains to the continuing efforts of the Commission on Elections to enforce campaign finance laws, rules and regulations, as mandated by the Constitution and existing laws. In response to numerous requests from candidates and parties who have been assessed late penalties or imposed administrative fines as a result of their noncompliance with existing campaign finance laws, rules and regulations, the Commission En Banc hereby APPROVES the following PROCEDURES providing for ALTERNATIVE MODES OF PAYMENT through which candidates and parties may settle their late penalties or administrative fines:

Cash Division – refers to the Cash Division under the Administrative Services Department, with office address at the Ground Floor, COMELEC Annex Bldg., Postigo corner ArzobispoSts., Intramuros, Manila.

(c)

Statement of Contributions and Expenditures or “SOCE” –refers to the full, true and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditure in connection with an election. All candidates and parties participating in an election are required to submit their SOCEs within thirty (30) days after the day of election. (See Section 14, Republic Act No. 7166)

(d)

Postal Money Order – refers to the monetary instrument issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation, which may be purchased by any person.

(e)

Manager’s or Cashier’s Check – refers to a check issued by any bank accredited by the BangkoSentralngPilipinas (BSP), which may be purchased by any person in accordance with the bank’s internal policies.

(h)

(i)

(3)

It must contain the stamp or seal of the local PhilPost Office reflecting the date of purchase of the postal money order.

(4)

The amount of the postal money order must be exact or the same as the amount provided in the Order of Payment, excluding service fees and charges, which shall be shouldered by the candidate or party. No change shall be given in case the amount provided in the postal money order is greater than the amount provided in the Order of Payment.

(5)

Postal money orders that do not conform to the aforementioned guidelines SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED and will be returned to the sender.

A.

(k)

COMELEC Field Offices – refers to any of the field offices maintained by the Commission on Elections, such as the Office of the City or Municipal Election Officer (OEO), Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor (OPES), or the Office of the Regional Election Director (ORED).

Duly authorized representative – refers to a person authorized by a candidate or a party to act for or transact with the COMELEC on their behalf. Representatives of candidates or parties must be duly authorized in writing by their principal to act or transact on their behalf through an authorization letter or special power of attorney bearing the signature of the candidate or party treasurer, with a photocopy of the candidate or party treasurer’s identification card or other competent evidence of identity.

Section 3. Modes of Payment. – Upon receipt of the notice and the order of

(2)

Manager’s or Cashier’s Checks must be made payable to the “COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS”.

Personal checks, or checks drawn against the funds of a person with a current or checking account, SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED and will be returned to the sender.

Cash

(1)

Cash payments must be made in person by the candidate or his/her duly authorized representative, following the procedures provided in Sections 4, 5 and 6.

(2)

Cash sent through money remittance services or special courier services, such as, LBC PeraPadalaService or PesoPak Door-to-Door Delivery, Western Union, and other similar services SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED and will be refused acceptance and referred back to the sender.

Postal Money Order (1)

After purchase of the postal money order at the local office, the candidate or party must send ittogetherwith a copy of the Notice and Order of Payment, to this address: CAMPAIGN FINANCE UNIT COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS 5/F SHIPPING CENTRE BLDG. 707 A. SORIANO AVENUE INTRAMUROS, MANILA 1002

Notice to Settle Administrative Fine–refers to a written document issued by the CFU addressed to a candidate or party, informing them of the administrative fine imposed upon them for their failure to file their SOCEs, as required by Section 14 of Republic Act No. 7166.

PhilPost– refers to the Philippine Postal Corporation.

Manager’s or Cashier’s Checks can be purchased by any person from any bank duly accredited by the BangkoSentralngPilipinas (BSP), subject to the said bank’s internal policies on the issuance of manager’s or cashier’s checks.

Section 4. Payment Procedures. – Depending on the chosen mode of payment, candidates or parties must follow these procedures:

Notice to Settle Late Penalty – refers to a written document issued by the CFU addressed to a candidate or party, informing them of the late penalty imposed on their submissions as provided in En Banc Minute Resolutions Nos. 13-0775 dated 18 June 2013, 13-0823 dated 02 July 2013 and Formal Resolution No. 9849 promulgated on 13 February 2014.

Special courier service – refers to messengerial or cargo-forwarding services provided by companies other than the Philippine Postal Corporation.

Manager’s or Cashier’s Check

(1)

C.

Order of Payment – refers to a document issued by the CFU directing the recipient or addressee of the said order to settle the late penalty or administrative fine as indicated in the order. The Order of Payment is enclosed together with a Notice to Settle Late Penalty Payment or Administrative Fine.

(j)

(l)

It must have the name and signature of the local postmaster or any personnel of the local PhilPost Office duly authorized to issue and sign postal money orders.

(4)

The “Unit” or “CFU” – refers to the Campaign Finance Unit, with office address at the 5th Floor Shipping Centre Building, 707 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila.

(b)

(g)

(2)

(3) The amount provided in the manager’s or cashier’s check must be exact or the same as the amount provided in the Order of Payment, excluding service fees and charges, which shall be shouldered by the candidate or party. No change shall be given in case the amount provided in the manager’s or cashier’s check is greater than the amount provided in the Order of Payment.

Section 2. Definition of Terms. – Whenever used in this Resolution, the following words shall mean:

(f)

The postal money order must contain the following details: Pay to COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS Address Intramuros, Manila From Name of candidate

B.

Section 1. Purpose of this Resolution. – This Resolution establishes the different modes of payment and their corresponding procedures for the guidance of all candidates, political parties, and party-list organizations that have been assessed with late penalties or imposed administrative fines due to their non-compliance with campaign finance laws, rules and regulations. It likewise provides the procedures for collection of payments and submission of collection reports to the Campaign Finance Unit for the guidance of the Commission’s field offices.

(a)

(1)

April 7, 2015

Resolution no.9943 9943

Postal Money Order

B.

(2)

The candidate or party may choose to send the postal money order and a copy of the Notice and Order of Payment through any reliable delivery service such asPhilPost’s priority or express mail service, registered mail, or any special courier service, preferably those that allow the sender to track his/her document package or parcel and to determine whether it has been successfully delivered to its intended destination.

(3)

The date of sending must be clearly indicated on the document packet, envelope or package, for the purpose of reckoning compliance with the ten (10)-day period provided in the Notice.

Manager’s or Cashier’s Checks (1)

After purchasing a manager’s or cashier’s check at any BSP-accredited bank, the candidate or party must send ittogether with a copy of the Notice and Order of Payment, to this address: CAMPAIGN FINANCE UNIT COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS 5/F SHIPPING CENTRE BLDG. 707 A. SORIANO AVENUE INTRAMUROS, MANILA 1002

(2)

The candidate or party may choose to send the manager’s or cashier’s check and a copy of the Notice and Order of Payment through any reliable delivery service such as PhilPost’s priority or express mail service, registered mail, or any special courier service, preferably those that allow the sender to track his/her document package or parcel and to determine whether it has been successfully delivered to its intended destination.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Casimero-Thai fight a done deal

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

FORMER International Boxing Federation light flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero’s mandatory title shot against flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand is scheduled to take place in Thailand, but no date has yet been decided on.

Sammy Gello-ani, who co-promotes Casimero with international promoter and matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, told the Standard/boxingmirror.com, that the title fight is a done deal and that the Thai promoter is looking for a date.

Asked whether he was concerned about the

possibility of a hometown decision in Thailand, Gello-ani said: “It’s not a problem because Casimero is used to fighting abroad and winning.”

Casimero is currently deep in training in Las Vegas, along with featherweight Marvelous Marvin Sonsona and is reportedly in top shape.

The 25-year-old Casimero has a record

of 21-2 with 13 knockouts. He earned a mandatory title shot with a rousing secondround TKO of Puerto Rico’s Armando Santos in a flyweight eliminator in Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, John Mark Apolinario, who faces undefeated American Jessie Magdaleno in Laredo, Texas on Saturday, reportedly sneaked out of the country without the knowledge of his promoter Gello-ani, the individual, who secured a US visa for the boxer.

Gello-ani said he does not know, who arranged the fight against the 23-year-old Magdaleno, who has a record of 20-0 with 15 knockouts and is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over tough Erik Ruiz last Jan. 10.

The date of sending must be clearly indicated on the document packet, envelope or package, for the purpose of reckoning compliance with the ten (10)day period provided in the Notice.

(3)

Cash Should the candidate or party prefer to settle the late penalty or administrative fine through cash, they may only do so through the following authorized COMELEC offices: (1)

(2)

(2)

b) c)

Cash Division – detailed instructions on how to pay in cash to the COMELEC’s Cash Division are outlined in Section 5.

d) e) f) g)

Offices of the Election Officer, Provincial Election Supervisor, Regional Election Director – detailed instructions on how to pay in cash to any of the COMELEC Field Offices are outlined in Section 6.

(3)

The following documents must be attached to the Collection Report: a) b)

Cash payments must be accompanied by an Order of Payment before the same can be accepted by the Cash Division.

Upon completing the payment, the candidate or party or their duly authorized representativewill be issued an Official Receipt (OR).

(4)

Said Official Receipt must be presented to the CFU Office to update the candidate’s or party’s records.

(5)

In case the candidate or party had appointed a duly authorized representative to act or transact on their behalf, the authorization letter or special power of attorney must be submitted to the CFU.

(6)

The CFU, upon presentation of the Official Receipt, shall photocopy the same for its records. The original copy of the Official Receipt shall then be returned to the candidate, party or their duly authorized representative.

Section 6. Cash payments paid through any of the COMELEC Field Offices.

– For cash payments made to any of the COMELEC’s field offices, candidates or parties must follow the following procedures: (1)

As mentioned in Section 3 (C) (1) and Section 5 (1),only cash payments made in person by the candidate or party treasurer, or their duly authorized representatives, will be accepted by the COMELEC Field Offices.

(2)

Cash payments must be accompanied by an Order of Paymentand a copy of the Notice to Settle Late Penalty or Administrative Fine, whichever the case may be, before it can be accepted by the COMELEC Field Office.

(3)

The COMELEC Field Office shall issue an Official Receipt, with the name of the candidate or party as the PAYOR.

(4)

After issuance of the Official Receipt, the Field Office that collected the payment must submit a Collection Report to the CFU, in accordance with the guidelines provided in Section 6.

The processing of all late penalty or administrative fine collections by the Field Office shall follow the same Guidelines on the issuance of official Receipts, Remittance and RepoRtinG of cash collections by comelec field offices, as provided in En Banc Minute Resolution No. 14-0595 dated 19 August 2014.

Name of the candidate or party from whom the late penalty or administrative fine was collected from Elective position sought Election year when candidate or party had participated in (e.g. 2007, 2010, 2013) Amount collected from the candidate or party Official Receipt Number Date of Payment Nature of the fee charged against the candidate or party, i.e. whether the amount collected pertains to a late penalty or administrative fine

A sample template of the Collection Report is attached to this Resolution as Annex “2”.

As mentioned in Section 3 (C) (1), only cash payments made in person by the candidate or party treasurer, or their duly authorized representatives, will be accepted by the cashiers of the Cash Division.

(3)

(5)

The main body of the Collection Report must contain the following information: a)

Section 5. Cash payments paid through the Cashiers of the Cash Division. – For cash payments made directly to the cashiers of the Cash Division located at the ground floor of the COMELEC Annex Building, candidates or parties must follow the following procedures: (1)

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

attached documents. A sample template of this cover or transmittal Memorandum is attached to this Resolution as Annex “1”.

(2)

C.

LOTTO RESULTS

c)

Photocopy the Official Receipt issued by the Field Office to the candidate or party Photocopy of the Order of Payment and Notice to Settle Late Penalty or Administrative Fine Photocopy of the Authorization Letter or Special Power of Attorney, only in cases where the candidate or party had appointed a duly authorized representative to act on their behalf.

Section 8. Submission by the Field Office of the Collection Report; Frequency of Collection Report Submission. – Considering the varying distances of COMELEC field offices vis-à-vis the nearest branch of LandBank of the Philippines, Election Officers, Provincial Election Supervisors, or Regional Election Directors may opt to submit weekly or bi-monthly (twice a month or once every two weeks) collection reports, depending on the required frequency of deposit provided in the Guidelines on the issuance of official Receipts, Remittance and RepoRtinG of cash collections by comelec field offices, as provided in En Banc Minute Resolution No. 14-0595 dated 19 August 2014.

Section 9. Transitory Provision. – All pending issues with respect to payments made prior to the promulgation of this Resolution shall be resolved in accordance with existing policies and processes.

Section 10. Information dissemination. – The Education and Information Department shall be responsible in providing the general public with copies of this Resolution upon request. The Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations shall disseminate this Resolution to all field offices of the Commission.

Section 11. Effectivity. – This Resolution shall be published in two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation and shall take effect within seven (7) days after its publication.

SO ORDERED.

CHRISTIAN ROBERT S. LIM Acting Chairman

AL A. PARREÑO Commissioner

LUIE TITO F. GUIA Commissioner

Section 7. Field Office Collection Report; Required Contents. – Field offices shall abide by the following guidelines in the preparation of their Collection Report to the Campaign Finance Unit: (1)

ARTHUR D. LIM Commissioner

The Collection Report must have acover or transmittal Memorandum addressed to the Campaign Finance Unit listing the contents of the (TS-APR. 9, 2015)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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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

Trainer Freddie Roach decided to give Manny Pacquiao a one-day break to prevent him from peaking too soon.

Hotshots, Texters gun for 2-1 semifinal lead

By Jeric Lopez

WHO will grab a vital 2-1 series lead?

Both Purefoods today at the Smart Game today and Talk ‘N Text Araneta Coliseum (Semifinals, Game 3 - Smart will be shooting as the Star HotAraneta Coliseum) for that upperhand shots and the Tro7 p.m. • Purefoods vs.

Talk ‘N Text when they clash pang Texters break again in Game 3 their 1-1 deadlock. of their best-of-five tussle in the Talk ‘N Text coach Jong Uisemifinals of the 2015 Philippine chico has directed his wards to Basketball Association Commis- keep their focus and head togethsioner’s Cup. er as the series now boils down to The pivotal Game 3 in this all- poise and composure. out war is scheduled at 7 p.m. ‘’Emotions are running high and

Rory, Bubba wary of Tiger turn to A12

that’s what we expected because these two teams find ways to win,’’ said Uichico. ‘’We just want to make sure that we keep our game going. We can’t tell our players to back down, because Purefoods is not going to back down.’’

Wanting no part of a 0-2 deficit, Talk ‘N Text stepped it up in the clutch in Game 2 last Monday as it topped Purefoods, 93-77, and square the competitive series. ‘’Kung natalo kami and naging 0-2, that will be so hard to come back from. But now, we’re in a good spot and we have a fair chance of making the finals, so we

need to keep playing hard to get there,’’ said Uichico.

Jayson Castro, once again a strong candidate for Best Player of the Conference, and upstart spitfire Kevin Alas, joined hands in that decisive fourth-period storm. Uichico will rely on them again, as well as solid import Ivan Johnson.

In the first two games, Denzel Bowles have been spectacular, averaging an astounding 42 points per game. However, the obvious problem for Purefoods is the limited support he is getting from his locals.

Casimero fight with Thai a done deal turn to A15

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Roach gives Pacman a day off By ronnie nathanielsz TRAINER Freddie Roach gave his prized possession Manny Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion, the day off from sparring yesterday, over concern that he may be overtraining with still just over three weeks before his May 2 showdown with undefeated World Boxing Council/World Boxing Association welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. Top Rank publicist Fred Sternberg told the Standard/ boxingmirror.com that Pacquiao ran at the Pan Pacific Park in the morning and described it as “a good run and fast-paced.”

He allayed fears that Pacquiao was tired or under the weather, because it was raining in Los Angeles and said Roach was genuinely concerned that the Filipino ring icon was likely to over-train and “wants to hold him back.”

Sternberg said: “Freddie doesn’t want him to leave the fight in the gym.”

Tuesday was supposed to be the day when Roach was scheduled to get Pacquiao to spar 12 rounds with two new sparring partners he had brought in. There was no word on the identity of the two new sparring partners.

ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo reported that the sparring was designed to see how well Pacquiao executes their game plan, as well as to test his conditioning and punching power.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

B1

THURSDAY: APRIL 9, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

PSe comPoSite index Closing April 8, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

8,052.69 45.99

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing APRIL 8, 2015 46

P44.465

45

CLOSE

44 43 42

HIGH P44.460 LOW P44.615 AVERAGE P44.559 VOLUME 707.400M

P508.00-P728.00 LPG/11-kg tank P38.40-P52.05 Unleaded Gasoline P26.90-P43.80 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

BPI stockholders. Bank of the Philippine Islands, the country’s third largest lender, held its annual stockholders meeting in Makati City on

Wednesday. Shown addressing the stockholders are (from left) BPI president and chief executive Cezar Conzing, BPI chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and BPI director Fernando Zobel de Ayala. BPI posted a net income of P18 billion in 2014, down 4 percent from P18.8 billion in 2013, on lower trading gains. EY ACASIO

Exports shrink 3.1%

By Julito G. Rada

EXPORTS shrank 3.1 percent in February from a year ago, on sluggish global demand and lower commodity prices, the government said Wednesday.

This marked the third straight month when merchandise exports declined year-on-year, following the 0.5 percent drop in January and 3-percent slide in December 2014.

Exports in the first two months of 2015 also fell 1.8 percent, below the government’s export growth target of 7 percent for the year and the actual 9-percent

expansion in 2014.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed merchandise exports amounted to $4.51 billion in February, down from $4.66 billion registered in the same month last year.

The National Economic and Development Authority said agricultural products, manufactured goods and

petroleum products posted lower export sales in February, reflecting the weak demand in foreign markets.

“Majority of the major economies in East and Southeast Asia registered negative export performance in February 2015, with only PR [People’s Republic] China in the positive territory,” Economic Planning Secretary and Neda director-general Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement.

“This partly mirrors the still fragile global economy, which is particularly reflected in the country’s weak turnout of merchandise exports on the back of lower demand from the

Govt keeping 8% growth target

P35.40-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, April 8, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

44.4840

Japan

Yen

0.008310

0.3697

UK

Pound

1.481400

65.8986

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129012

5.7390

Switzerland

Franc

1.034340

46.0116

Canada

Dollar

0.799424

35.5616

Singapore

Dollar

0.735078

32.6992

Australia

Dollar

0.764292

33.9988

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652590

117.9978

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266603

11.8596

Brunei

Dollar

0.732386

32.5795

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000077

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.030713

1.3662

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.1111

Euro

Euro

1.080900

48.0828

Korea

Won

0.000915

0.0407

China

Yuan

0.161335

7.1768

India

Rupee

0.016067

0.7147

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.275141

12.2394

New Zealand

Dollar

0.750694

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032220

33.3939 1.4333 Source: PDS Bridge

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

GOVERNMENT economic managers are keeping the gross domestic product growth target of 7 percent to 8 percent for 2015 and 2016, despite the drop in exports in the first two months.

“With the kind of information we have now, I think 7 to 8 percent is within reach, with sufficient confidence. It is still early. It’s just the start of the second quarter, but we are hoping,

B3

Power rates higher in April

with the help of no major shocks in domestic and external for the rest of the year,” Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a news briefing.

“So far, we are seeing quite robust growth for the year… We are comfortable we are going to hit the target,” said Balisacan, who is also the director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority.

B4

The economy grew 6.1 percent in 2014, slower than the 7.2-percent expansion in 2013, mainly due to government underspending. Economists said the government became too cautious to spend, after the Supreme Court ruled the Disbursement Acceleration Program of the Aquino administration as unconstitutional.

The high tribunal later reversed its decision. Julito G. Rada

Manila Water expansion up

country’s major trade partners, Japan and China,” Balisacan said.

“Among major commodity items that contributed to the lower exports outturn are agro-based products and manufactures, which recorded significant declines in shipments to Japan and PR China,” Balisacan said.

Total export revenues from agro-based products contracted 20.1 percent in February to $327 million from $409 million a year ago, pulled down by lower earnings of fruits, vegetables and sugar.

Earnings from exported manufactured goods declined 1.8 percent to $3.8 billion in February 2015 from $3.9 billion in February 2014, due to lower receipts from wood manufactures, machinery and transport equipment.

“The recorded contractions in these manufactured commodities slightly outweighed the yearon-year gains in the value of electronic products, most notably of semiconductors, garments, and chemicals,” Balisacan said.

He said lower export volume and the plummeting global prices of crude oil continued to drag down revenues of petroleum products, which contracted 51.5 percent during the period.

B6

Metrobank bullish on loans

THURSDAY: APRIL 9, 2015

B2

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Wednesday, april 8, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 104 63 2.49 4.2 18.48 31.6 9.5 0.92 890 99.4 1.46 30.5 75 94.95 137 361.2 59 174.8 1700 127.9 3.26

2.5 66 84.6 84.5 45.8 1.97 2.03 12.02 23.55 6.3 0.74 625 78 0.9 18.02 58 76.5 95 276 45 107.6 1200 66 2.65

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. First Abacus Manulife Fin. Corp.

Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

7.24 70.95 119.90 102.00 46.6 2.28 2.25 16.5 24.4 9.06 0.72 728.00 99 0.97 18.40 31.00 75.50 95.00 330 45.7 176 1360.00 69.10 3.1

35.6 1.6 1.04 1.41 7.92 40.3 32 14.6 62.5 10.08 29.15 1.04 10.72 8.44 9.79 5.43 9.54 1.06 8.61 18.06 67.9 14 0.0076 13.24 3.12 0.395 168 8.65 2.3 24.4 16.2 7.62 250.2 3.37 3.87 9 9.94 3.03 2.22 1 4.72 6 201.6 1.67 0.122 1.02 2.01 143.4 4.28 0.670 1.39

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

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

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

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas Holdings San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

0.45 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 1.210 1.4 1.6 600 7.390 14.18 4.25 0.144 818 5.3 46.6 4.43 0.59 12 0.580 4.22 4.5 1.23 0.450 2.26 66.7 709.5 1.13 85.2 0.200 0.173 0.310

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

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

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

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

Minerales Industrias Corp.

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

47 5 1.66 2.36 15.3 113 148 20.6 125 32 65.8 4.57 23.35 21.6 12.98 9.13 12.34 2.89 17 31.8 109 20.75 0.820 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 12.5 3.95 33.9 90 13.98 292.4 5 5.25 13.04 14.5 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.68 8.1 253 3.28 0.315 2.5 2.68 226.6 5.5 1.3 2.17 0.7 59.2 31.85 2.16 7.39 2.27 3.4 3.35 800 11.06 84 5.14 0.66 1380 6.68 72.6 9.25 0.9 18.9 0.73 5.53 6.55 2.31 0.84 2.99 87 934 2.2 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 26.95 1.99 2.07 0.375 40 6.15 5.4 5.6 7.1 1.54

Close

High

Low

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

7.1 71 118.50 102.50 45.8 2.33 2.20 16.76 24.75 9.10 0.72 760.00 97.9 0.98 18.30 31.00 75.45 94.90 336 45 177 1330.00 69.10 3.1

-1.93 0.07 -1.17 0.49 -1.72 2.19 -2.22 1.58 1.43 0.44 0.00 4.40 -1.11 1.03 -0.54 0.00 -0.07 -0.11 1.82 -1.53 0.57 -2.21 0.00 0.00

87,000 16,240 3,861,960 977,660 597,900 8,000 58,000 7,400 792,100 31,700 54,000 40 3,056,680 1,117,000 12,200 16,300 627,310 1,060 9,900 340,300 634,080 395 5,800 16,000

45.25 1.65 1.1 2.04 12.4 50 87.05 20 225 34.5 59.2 1.85 12.18 19.320 11.60 8.38 9.67 2.35 18.2 30.5 99 15.20 0.4700 14.32 6.2 0.600 224.00 9.3 2.68 26.7 25.25 7.820 265.00 3.83 4.09 9.79 11.50 4.16 2.59 3.25 4.99 6.33 203.2 1.66 0.170 1.23 2.25 230 4.5 0.71 1.47

FINANCIAL 7.1 6.9 71 70.9 119.90 118.20 102.50 99.95 46.6 45.8 2.33 2.29 2.24 2.20 16.76 16.5 24.75 24.45 9.30 8.72 0.72 0.72 760.00 760.00 98.95 97.5 0.98 0.97 18.60 18.30 31.05 31.00 76.45 75.45 95.00 88.35 336 330 45.75 44.9 177 172.5 1360.00 1330.00 69.35 69.05 3.12 3.1 INDUSTRIAL 45.2 44.5 1.65 1.65 1.1 1.09 2.04 2.02 12.6 12.24 50 50 87.00 87.00 20.25 19.62 300 225 36 33 59.9 59.25 1.87 1.8 12.18 11.8 19.200 18.7 11.60 11.42 8.34 8.21 9.80 9.66 2.58 2.3 23.5 18.7 30.5 29.8 99.5 98.5 15.20 15.20 0.4700 0.4700 14.32 14.30 6.3 6.2 0.630 0.580 224.00 217.00 9.35 9.28 2.69 2.55 27.15 26.75 26.45 25.2 7.900 7.820 265.80 262.00 4.47 4.16 4.12 4.07 9.85 9.68 11.70 11.48 4.16 4.01 2.60 2.54 3.36 3 4.99 4.83 6.25 6.15 204 203 1.7 1.66 0.172 0.168 1.30 1.30 2.25 2.20 231 224.8 4.54 4.5 0.72 0.69 1.47 1.45

45.2 1.65 1.1 2.02 12.38 50 87.00 19.66 243 34.4 59.7 1.8 11.88 18.700 11.42 8.25 9.80 2.36 23.4 30 98.8 15.20 0.4700 14.32 6.3 0.610 217.40 9.3 2.65 26.85 25.7 7.850 263.00 4.30 4.12 9.69 11.50 4.14 2.56 3.1 4.94 6.16 203.2 1.66 0.170 1.30 2.24 227.4 4.54 0.72 1.47

-0.11 0.00 0.00 -0.98 -0.16 0.00 -0.06 -1.70 8.00 -0.29 0.84 -2.70 -2.46 -3.21 -1.55 -1.55 1.34 0.43 28.57 -1.64 -0.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.61 1.67 -2.95 0.00 -1.12 0.56 1.78 0.38 -0.75 12.27 0.73 -1.02 0.00 -0.48 -1.16 -4.62 -1.00 -2.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.69 -0.44 -1.13 0.89 1.41 0.00

1,628,700 1,000 101,000 3,524,000 102,800 610 410 1,249,000 3,590 349,700 16,220 91,000 72,800 19,382,300 1,106,100 32,521,300 1,596,000 361,000 1,073,900 1,993,300 217,080 100 60,000 34,800 1,256,700 1,130,000 423,090 2,099,400 25,000 327,800 571,100 82,300 505,680 2,578,000 7,000 2,137,500 7,800 800,000 752,000 1,931,000 1,968,000 19,800 126,860 149,000 3,800,000 28,000 2,548,000 1,190,660 55,000 906,000 80,000

0.470 58.00 27.00 1.38 7.05 1.85 2.98 2.9 800.5 8.7 15.50 4.48 0.325 1346 6.30 74.50 8.8 0.81 16.84 0.64 4.84 5.2 1.370 0.750 2.5 67.80 947.50 1.23 100.10 0.3950 0.2450 0.330

HOLDING FIRMS 0.470 0.470 58.15 57.50 27.15 26.70 1.39 1.35 7.05 7.04 1.80 1.80 2.95 2.86 3.05 2.8 806.5 792 8.68 8.65 15.60 15.38 4.55 4.47 0.330 0.320 1360 1335 6.20 6.20 75.35 73.50 8.82 8.6 0.83 0.8 16.98 16.64 0.67 0.65 4.84 4.62 5.01 5.01 1.370 1.370 0.780 0.760 2.44 2.44 68.00 67.10 947.00 934.00 1.20 1.20 101.00 100.00 0.4150 0.3900 0.2450 0.2340 0.310 0.315

0.470 57.80 26.90 1.39 7.04 1.80 2.89 3.05 800 8.66 15.40 4.55 0.325 1344 6.20 74.70 8.77 0.82 16.78 0.67 4.65 5.01 1.370 0.780 2.44 67.20 938.00 1.20 101.00 0.4050 0.2450 0.330

0.00 -0.34 -0.37 0.72 -0.14 -2.70 -3.02 5.17 -0.06 -0.46 -0.65 1.56 0.00 -0.15 -1.59 0.27 -0.34 1.23 -0.36 4.69 -3.93 -3.65 0.00 4.00 -2.40 -0.88 -1.00 -2.44 0.90 2.53 0.00 0.00

20,000 624,750 8,324,800 2,251,000 10,000 2,000 803,000 103,000 518,360 2,555,700 3,489,900 22,000 400,000 150,150 100,000 2,452,000 1,933,500 671,000 3,384,600 215,000 84,354,000 5,000 5,000 1,543,000 230,000 405,820 312,540 464,000 2,640 10,580,000 300,000 4,130,000

918,116.50 -70,355,084.00 -5,749,063.50 55,650.00 39,600.00

8,733,067.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

High

1.48 0.201 0.98 1.09 0.305 2.25 1.87 1.8 5.73 0.180 0.470 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 20.6 1.02 7.56 1.96 8.59

0.97 0.083 0.445 0.85 0.188 1.4 1.42 1.19 4.13 0.090 0.325 0.39 2.57 21.35 1.64 15.08 0.69 3.38 1 5.69

Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

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

1.01 0.149 0.450 0.900 0.197 1.49 1.89 1.47 5.66 0.129 0.3550 0.5000 7.94 29.95 1.76 21.05 0.83 7.47 1.100 8.250

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 12.46 15.82 0.1460 4.61 99.1 12.3 9 1700 2090 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 2.85 3.2 1.97 2.46 15.2 0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 4 18 14 3486 0.710 2.28 48.5 90.1 11.6 0.87 10.2 0.490

1.97 32.5 1 0.6 10 9.61 0.0770 2.95 46.55 10.14 5.88 830 1600 5.95 1.36 105 3.01 8.72 0.012 0.036 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.69 2 0.490 1.8 8.7 0.34 0.37 14.54 3 2.28 8.8 4.39 2726 0.380 0.32 31.45 60.55 7.59 0.63 6.45 0.305

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

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

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

Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

6.85 61.25 1.08 0.690 14 11.18 0.1150 3.74 85.2 10.06 7.00 980 2210 6.53 1.54 108 6.51 11.8 0.014 0.234 1.2700 2.94 8.58 2.01 2.07 0.690 1.95 10.08 0.365 0.490 18.38 4.46 3 9 13.76 2936.00 0.600 1.680 41.50 84.00 9.85 0.69 6.66 0.360

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 0.330 12.7 1.2 1.73 10.98 4.2 0.48 0.455 0.475 0.023 0.026 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 1.72 8.65 9.43 0.236 6.5 0.61 0.78 5.99 1.08 0.330 0.2130 0.2160 0.014 0.014 3.660 20.2 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

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

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

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

TA Petroleum

70 120 515 8.21 12.28 111

33 101.5 480 5.88 6.5 101

1047 76.9 84.8 1.34

1011 74.2 75 1

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred C Swift Pref

6.98 2.2

0.8900 LR Warrant 3.850 0.74 Megaworld Corp. Warrants2 4.45

10.96 15 88 12.88

2.4 3.5 13.5 5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Low

1.01 0.152 0.475 0.900 0.197 1.52 1.96 1.47 5.8 0.138 0.3550 0.5300 7.95 31.10 1.79 21.05 0.82 7.7 1.100 8.230

Close

1.01 0.147 0.450 0.880 0.197 1.50 1.88 1.42 5.61 0.130 0.3400 0.4950 7.81 29.20 1.76 20.40 0.81 7.43 1.050 8.150

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.01 0.149 0.475 0.880 0.197 1.50 1.95 1.47 5.76 0.132 0.3550 0.5200 7.81 29.25 1.79 20.60 0.82 7.7 1.100 8.200

0.00 0.00 5.56 -2.22 0.00 0.67 3.17 0.00 1.77 2.33 0.00 4.00 -1.64 -2.34 1.70 -2.14 -1.20 3.08 0.00 -0.61

92,000 14,110,000 320,000 139,000 300,000 2,176,000 36,417,000 579,000 39,554,400 58,810,000 1,920,000 145,000 286,000 1,399,700 582,000 10,755,400 1,429,000 13,786,900 51,000 9,813,300

SERVICES 6.99 6.52 61.45 61 1.09 1.04 0.690 0.680 14 14 11.54 11.04 0.1190 0.1150 3.76 3.73 86.15 85.3 10.06 10.06 7.05 6.98 985 980 2210 2156 6.54 6.45 1.54 1.54 110.9 107 6.51 6.51 11.98 11.82 0.015 0.014 0.241 0.231 1.2700 1.2400 2.93 2.68 8.64 8.50 2.10 1.99 2.09 2.09 0.690 0.680 1.99 1.98 1.28 10 0.365 0.365 0.470 0.470 18.38 18.28 4.60 4.46 3.1 3.1 9 9 13.86 13.60 2950.00 2910.00 0.610 0.600 1.720 1.630 41.60 40.60 86.00 84.20 10.30 9.85 0.70 0.68 6.68 6.56 0.340 0.355

6.89 61.3 1.04 0.690 14 11.42 0.1170 3.76 86 10.06 6.98 985 2200 6.53 1.54 109.5 6.51 11.98 0.015 0.240 1.2700 2.68 8.60 2.05 2.09 0.690 1.99 10.22 0.365 0.470 18.38 4.60 3.1 9 13.86 2940.00 0.600 1.680 40.80 84.70 10.14 0.68 6.65 0.355

0.58 0.08 -3.70 0.00 0.00 2.15 1.74 0.53 0.94 0.00 -0.29 0.51 -0.45 0.00 0.00 1.39 0.00 1.53 7.14 2.56 0.00 -8.84 0.23 1.99 0.97 0.00 2.05 1.39 0.00 -4.08 0.00 3.14 3.33 0.00 0.73 0.14 0.00 0.00 -1.69 0.83 2.94 -1.45 -0.15 -1.39

430,400 52,330 132,000 1,081,000 100 21,178,500 68,140,000 75,000 823,530 4,200 24,300 50 138,960 99,500 198,000 1,063,450 1,200 6,200 1,200,000 5,410,000 259,000 111,000 8,937,900 48,000 6,000 578,000 20,000 3,270,000 20,000 70,000 1,200 18,000 20,000 466,300 301,400 96,170 1,379,000 17,836,000 812,000 1,129,880 4,260,400 801,000 3,284,400 360,000

0.0055 2.80 8.75 10.80 0.260 7.0000 1.08 0.93 8.16 2.3 0.375 0.231 0.238 0.0140 0.0160 4.9 23.95 4.02 0.7300 2.200 0.0130 5.89 7.32 2.44 0.016 167.40 4.06

MINING & OIL 0.0058 0.0055 2.78 2.78 8.75 8.69 10.86 10.50 0.265 0.255 7.0000 7.0000 1.11 1.09 0.93 0.9 8.31 7.85 2.36 2.12 0.390 0.370 0.236 0.232 0.242 0.238 0.0150 0.0140 0.0150 0.0150 4.94 4.85 24.05 23.65 4.11 3.97 0.7400 0.7300 2.250 2.180 0.0130 0.0120 5.53 5.53 7.49 7.2 2.44 2.42 0.016 0.015 167.40 166.60 4.25 4.1

0.0058 2.78 8.69 10.80 0.265 7.0000 1.11 0.93 8.05 2.2 0.375 0.236 0.242 0.0140 0.0150 4.91 23.9 4 0.7300 2.180 0.0130 5.53 7.2 2.42 0.016 166.80 4.15

5.45 -0.71 -0.69 0.00 1.92 0.00 2.78 0.00 -1.35 -4.35 0.00 2.16 1.68 0.00 -6.25 0.20 -0.21 -0.50 0.00 -0.91 0.00 -6.11 -1.64 -0.82 0.00 -0.36 2.22

367,000,000 52,000 141,000 -15,642.00 8,500 80,000 2,300 812,000 -44,000.00 783,000 276,000.00 17,400 40,585,000 2,486,230.00 3,490,000 3,800.00 6,480,000 440,000 15,100,000 900,000 -6,000.00 707,000 9,358,700 4,327,875.00 7,014,000 -80,000.00 133,000 590,000 -246,340.00 123,600,000 157,000 1,763,900 166,723.00 137,000 134,100,000 75,000.00 414,650 56,294,765.00 268,000 -125,050.00

63.4 115.2 507 6.4 1.07 109 1100 1046 75.9 84.9 1.8

PREFERRED 62.05 61.1 116 115.3 507.5 507 6.39 6.2 1.07 1.07 109 109 1100 1100 1046 1045 76.05 75.8 84.55 84.5 2.7 2.48

61.85 115.3 507.5 6.39 1.07 109 1100 1046 75.95 84.55 2.7

-2.44 0.09 0.10 -0.16 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.07 -0.41 50.00

288,050 20,400 110 8,800 100,000 26,000 20 8,175 322,210 50,200 24,000

4.000 4.45

3.90 0.00

730,000 1,000

-120,000.00

8.5 3.63 73 9.87

-1.05 0.00 1.81 2.28

1,123,000 13,000 200 1,119,400

-8,384.00

-0.46

23,800

131,000.00

-88,000.00 -1,566,720.00 27,286,050.00 72,657,258.00 789,930.00

-13,495,020.00 357,330.00 26,187,850.00

MST 6.01 12 0.91 1.29 0.192 29.1 4.1 4.96 2.8 4.6 0.89

8990 HLDG 8.650 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 10.02 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.91 Araneta Prop `A’ 1.320 Arthaland Corp.

0.240 Ayala Land `B’ 40.00 Belle Corp. `A’ 4.15 Cebu Holdings 5.2 Cebu Prop. `A’ 6.2 Cebu Prop. `B’ 6.2 Century Property 0.95

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

SHARES 14,670,317 91,082,319 131,159,595 211,847,343 145,291,232 715,178,854 1,311,509,060

PROPERTY 8.650 8.630 12.16 10.20 0.94 0.90 1.310 1.310 0.240 0.240 40.10 39.40 4.24 4.18 5.2 5.2 6.49 6.49 6.48 6.48 0.95 0.93

8.640 10.70 0.91 1.310 0.240 40.00 4.22 5.2 6.49 6.48 0.95

-0.12 6.79 0.00 -0.76 0.00 0.00 1.69 0.00 4.68 4.52 0.00

938,600 33,900 1,242,000 97,000 570,000 12,877,400 1,590,000 88,500 1,300 1,500 1,710,000

54,900.00

-18,218,676.00

2,660,420.00 -12,058,295.00 -15,062,960.00 13,400.00 -61,474.00 -21,354,225.00 1,650.00

-1,260.00

-2,770,337.00 20,700.00 -535,253.00

-116,827,432.00 -2,890,292.00 -151,458,494.00 -9,006,515.00

96,000.00 -38,637,380.00 16,899,098.50

744,667.00

-58,053,892.00 -479,196.00

3,431,010.00 258,050.00 -414,795.00 -16,446,118.00

-2,470,073.00

-6,434,170.00 -5,216,062.00

-94,060,458.00 63,000.00 -14,000.00

-11,243,448.50 -67,943,355.00

58,000.00 58,906,505.00 3,012,272.00 3,012,272.00

3,562,005.00 127,720.00 35,215,968.50 -1,714,900.00 7,966,916.00

-101,730,290.00

-6,760,177.00 -50,851,860.00 -240,000.00 30,000.00

807,357.00

141,109,765.00 556,380.00

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp.

IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

8.59 3.63 71.7 9.65

WARRANTS & BONDS 4.000 3.830 4.45 4.45 SME 8.6 8.34 3.63 3.63 73 73 9.96 9.7

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 131.5 131.5 130.5 130.9

15,640.00

-680,000.00 63,788,658.00 -356,000.00 -31,560,845.50

-31,410,760.00

-15,739,494.00

-127,000.00

-4,613,100.00

-5,970.00 16,816,882.00

63,637,620.00

2,085,100.00 -12,541,570.00 28,605,289.00 -9,309,112.00 -136,120.00 -10,472,991.00

-3,014,779.00

-7,935,791.00 -4,227,500.00

5,359,186.00

434,030.00

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,355,630,546.231 1,539,268,376.288 2,287,666,503.595 1,297,910,772.64 1,398,624,563.34 467,771,616.94 8,370,594,534.031

-3,862,223.00

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,857.29 (down) 8.82 INDUSTRIAL 12,716.94 (down) 154.12 HOLDING FIRMS 7,186.96 (down) 40.64 PROPERTY 3,276.89 (down) 15.42 SERVICES 2,167.42 (up) 8.03 MINING & OIL 15,497.87 (down) 42.96 PSEI 8,052.69 (down) 45.99 All Shares Index 4,601.10 (down) 18.69 Gainers: 83; Losers: 86; Unchanged: 58; Total: 227

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Swift Pref

2.7

50.00

Jackstones

2.68

-8.84

Federal Res. Inv. Group

23.4

28.57

Manila Mining `B'

0.0150

-6.25

Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

4.30

12.27

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

5.53

-6.11

Chemphil

243

8.00

Pryce Corp. `A'

3.1

-4.62

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.015

7.14

Ferronickel

2.2

-4.35

Anchor Land Holdings Inc.

10.70

6.79

NOW Corp.

0.470

-4.08

TKC Steel Corp.

1.30

5.69

Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

4.65

-3.93

Cyber Bay Corp.

0.475

5.56

Acesite Hotel

1.04

-3.70

Abra Mining

0.0058

5.45

Minerales Industrias Corp.

5.01

-3.65

ATN Holdings B

3.05

5.17

DNL Industries Inc.

18.700

-3.21

THURSDAY: APRIL 9, 2015

B3

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

Power rates higher in April Philippines once had a manufacturing sector ONE of my responsibilities as senior RUDY ROMERO economist of PDCP (Private Development Corporation of the Philippines) – then the leading private development financing institution in the Philippines – was to monitor and keep track of developments in this country’s manufacturing sector to help guide PDCP in its lending operations.

A semi-government institution by virtue of the Philippine National Bank’s guarantee of its World Bank and Asian Development Bank credit lines, PDCP was, until PISO (Philippine Investments Systems Organization) came along, the only institution besides DBP that could provide both peso and foreign-currency financing for project loans.

It is often said that in the 1960s, during my time at PDCP, the Philippines was on the verge of economic takeoff. The size and composition of the manufacturing sector certainly lent support to that belief. In pursuance of my monitoring activity, I kept in close touch with numerous manufacturing-sector industry organizations and officials. The general impression I gathered was one of confidence mixed with enthusiasm.

Today, when the pervasive picture is one of non-expansion, closure and relocation out of the Philippines, it is difficult to believe that this country once had a vigorous and growing manufacturing sector. But it did.

For one thing, it had an array of metals-fabricating industries that fabricated locally sourced and imported raw materials into industrial and consumer products. The likes of Philippine Blooming Mills dominated the metals-fabrication scene of that era. The giant step that needed to be taken next was the establishment of an integrated steel mill. That step was taken in the early 1970s, with the establishment, with heavy government support, of the Iligan ISM in Northern Mindanao.

The Philippines likewise had a thriving chemical industry producing all sorts of chemical products for factories, offices and homes. The need for a strong Food and Drug Administration rapidly became manifest.

There was also a vibrant motor vehicle industry. Because of the misguided government policy of maximizing employment opportunities for Filipinos, the importation of completely-knockeddown vehicles was accorded fiscal and other policy preferences. At the start of the 1970s, the Philippine motor vehicle industry was made up of approximately one dozen companies merely reassembling disassembled foreign vehicles.

Realizing that the CKD policy – and the industry overcrowding that it engendered – had been economically deleterious, the government established a Progressive Car Manufacturing Program that would grant government incentives to motor vehicle producers that could meet the Board of Investment’s industry rationalization requirements. The five PCMP participants that were selected – Ford, General Motors, Mitsubishi, DMG and Chrysler – committed to manufacture specific motor vehicle components in this country, e.g., stampings (Ford) and transmissions (Chrysler). Motor vehicle parts manufacturing had finally come to the Philippines.

The cement industry was large and expansive. Clearly, eventual consolidation of the industry was a necessity. That came in due course, with salutary effects on operating costs.

With a burgeoning population and an accommodative banking system, the domestic appliances – the so-called white products – industry was likewise vibrant. In due course industry consolidation became the order of the day.

Given the availability of competitively priced labor, and of an ample supply of nautically trained personnel, shipbuilding should have been a more important domestic industry than it was. Nonetheless, a number of shipyards turned out ships of modest tonnages, mainly for the domestic market.

From this brief description one should be able to conclude that the manufacturing sector was once a major component of the Philippine economy. The Board of Investments and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry clearly bespoke manufacturing and were important parts of the national economic lexicon.

But times have changed. Today, in the second decade of the 21st century, when one discusses Philippine economics, it is to OFW remittances, business process outsourcing (call centers) and tourism that one mainly refers. How very sad.

Yes, once upon a time the Philippines had a manufacturing sector.

BUSINESS CLASS

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Distributor Manila Electric Co. said customers will see their power bill increase by P0.27 per kilowatt-hour in April, amid the 30-day maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya natural gas facility.

The 30-day maintenance shutdown of the Malampaya deep water gas-to-power facility starting the middle of March forced several large power plants to use more expensive fuel.

The power rate adjustment translates into an average hike of P54 in the April billing of Meralco customers with a consumption of 200 kWh. Meralco, however, said the increase was lower than the initially estimated adjustment of P0.46 per kWh. Meralco senior vice president Lawrence Fernandez said the April power rate adjustment was moderated by the lower liquid fuel costs and stable prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

The Malampaya facility’s shutdown forced the 1,000-megawatt Sta. Rita and 500-MW San Lorenzo plants to shift to condensate and the 1,200-MW Ilijan to use biodiesel. These types of alternative fuel are more expensive than the natural gas from Malampaya, which these plants were designed to use as fuel.

Fernandez said the natural gas plants’ shift to liquid fuel had historically led to higher generation

charges, such as the situations in February 2010, October 2011, July 2012 and November 2013.

Meralco said in a statement the main driver of the higher electricity rates in April was the P0.20per-kWh adjustment in the generation charge to P5.41 per kWh from P5.21 per kWh in March.

The generation charge is the portion of the bill that goes to the power plants that produce electricity.

Meralco said the change in fuel of Ilijan power plant also resulted in a lower output of one of its two blocks (Ilijan A), from the maximum capacity of 600 MW to an average of 292 MW in the first 10 days of the Malampaya shutdown (March 15 to 25).

The other block of Ilijan (Ilijan B, 600 MW) is on scheduled preventive maintenance.

Meralco said as a result of the shift to liquid fuel by the three plants, the rates of the independent power producers and power supply agreements had increased.

Rates of the IPPs went up by P0.17 per kWh, partly tempered by the return of Quezon Power Philippines Ltd. from a maintenance shutdown.

Meanwhile, rates covered by PSAs went up

by P0.31 per kWh, although this was mitigated by a P1.55-per-kWh reduction in charges from WESM, as the power supply situation remained normal.

Meralco sourced 50 percent of its power requirements from PSAs, 46 percent from IPPs and 4 percent from WESM during the March supply month.

Taxes and other charges also registered increases of P0.05 per kWh and PhP0.03 per kWh, respectively. Transmission charges, on the other hand, decreased P0.01 per kWh.

A . SOR I A NO COR POR ATI ON Not ic e of A nnu al M e et ing of Sto c khol d e r s N OTI C E I S H ER EBY G I V EN t h at t h e r e g ul a r A nnu a l M e et i n g of S to c k h o l d e r s of A . S o r i a n o C o r p o r at i o n ( “A N SC O R ” o r t h e “ C o m p a ny ” ) w i ll b e h e l d o n We dn e s day, 15 A p r i l 2 015 at 10:0 0 a.m. at t h e R i g o d o n B a llr o o m, M a ni l a Pe ni nsul a H ote l, Aya l a Ave nu e c o r n e r M akat i Ave nu e, 12 2 6 M akat i Ci t y, Phi li p p i n e s.

T h e a g e n da f o r t h e m e et i n g i s as f o ll ow s: 1.

A p p r ova l of t h e m i nute s of p r ev i o us m e et i n g.

2.

Pr e s e nt at i o n of t h e C h ai r m a n a n d C hi ef E xe c ut i ve O f f i c e r ’s M e s s a g e to S to c k h o l d e r s.

3.

El e c t i o n of t h e m e m b e r s of t h e B o a r d of D i r e c to r s.

4.

A p p o i nt m e nt of ex te r n a l au di to r s.

5.

R at i f i c at i o n of a ll ac t s, c o nt r ac t s, i nve st m e nt s a n d r e s o lut i o ns of t h e B o a r d of D i r e c to r s a n d M a n a g e m e nt s i n c e t h e l ast a nnu a l m e et i n g.

6.

Such other business as may properly come before the meeting.

O n ly sto c k h o l d e r s of r e c o r d i n t h e b o o ks of t h e C o m p a ny at t h e c l o s e of b us i n e s s o n 13 M a r c h 2 015 w i ll b e e nt i t l e d to vote at t h e m e et i n g. T h e li st of sto c k h o l d e r s e nt i t l e d to vote w i ll b e avai l a b l e f o r i ns p e c t i o n at t h e of f i c e of A . S o r i a n o C o r p o r at i o n, 7t h Fl o o r Pac i f i c S t a r B ui l di n g, M akat i Ave nu e c o r n e r G i l Puyat Ave nu e E x t ., M akat i Ci t y, te n (10) days p r i o r to t h e A nnu a l M e et i n g.

S to c k h o l d e r s a r e r e qu e ste d to c o m p l ete, date, s i g n a n d r et ur n t h e e n c l o s e d p r ox y f o r m to r e ac h t h e C o m p a ny as p r o m pt ly as p o s s i b l e n ot l e s s t h a n te n (10) wo r k i n g days p r i o r to t h e A nnu a l M e et i n g o r n ot l ate r t h a n 2 6 M a r c h 2 015 . T h e g i v i n g of su c h p r ox y w i ll n ot af fe c t yo ur r i g ht to vote i n p e r s o n s h o ul d yo u d e c i d e to at te n d t h e A nnu a l M e et i n g.

Pr ox y va li dat i o n w i ll b e h e l d at A . S o r i a n o C o r p o r at i o n, 7t h Fl o o r Pac i f i c S t a r B l d g., M akat i Ave nu e c o r n e r G i l Puyat Ave nu e E x t ., M akat i Ci t y o n 0 6 A p r i l 2 015 f r o m 11:0 0 a.m. to 12:0 0 n o o n.

M akat i Ci t y, Phi li p p i n e s, 19 M a r c h 2 015 .

T H E BOA R D O F D I R ECTO RS By:

LO R N A PATA J O - K A PU N A N C o r p o r ate S e c r et a r y R EG I ST R AT I O N O F STO C K H O L D ERS W I L L STA R T AT 9: 0 0 a . m .

Please bring identification, such as valid passpor t, driver’s license or Company I. D. ( TS - APR. 9, 2015)

B4

BUSINESS

Cash partners. CMA CGM Philippines Inc., a major carrier for companies in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Middle East, recently signed an agreement with BDO

Unibank Inc. for its cash management services. The leading container shipping company availed of various BDO collection and payment solutions to help them manage their finances more effectively. Shown sealing the partnership with a handshake are BDO senior vice president and head of transaction banking group Emmanuel Narciso (second from right) and CMA CGM general manager Michel Azrak (second from left), along with other executives of both companies.

Manila Water expansion up Irish power company opens Batangas plant

By Othel V. Campos EATON Corp. Plc, an Irish power management company, said Wednesday it opened a new manufacturing facility Tanauan City, Batangas to expand its electrical business in Asia-Pacific.

The Dublin-based company said the new facility would further expand Eaton’s operations in the Asia Pacific market by serving regional and global customers in the information technology and small and medium data center markets.

“Eaton’s global growth strategy is focused on continued investment in emerging, high-growth markets and regions,” Eaton chairman and chief executive Alexander Cutler said during the opening of the new facility, which was attended by Eaton executives and government officials.

The new 29,000-square-meter facility will manufacture electrical power management products such as uninterruptable power supply products for the global market.

The company said the plant will generate up to 2,000 jobs by 2017.

“With the increased manufacturing capabilities in the Philippines, we will be able to continue Eaton’s expansion into emerging markets with cost-competitive products,” said Ivo Jurek, president of Eaton’s electrical business in Asia Pacific.

“Our investment in the Philippines is a strategic pillar that demonstrates our commitment to building our electrical business in Asean and the East Asia region. We are investing heavily in expanding our electrical business in the market to meet our growth goals,” he said.

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

MANILA Water Company Inc. said Wednesday it will pursue expansion plans here and abroad, but the amount of investment will depend on the outcome of the ongoing arbitration case with the government.

“One of the challenges we have been faced with is the ongoing arbitration case regarding Manila Water’s tariff rate adjustment dispute filed in 2013. This process continues to this date. In the absence of an approved rate rebasing plan since 2013, our capital expenditures for the East zone amounting to P4.1 billion in 2014 were limited to ongoing and new service reliability projects,” Manila Water president and chief executive Gerardo Ablaza Jr. said in a news briefing during the annual stockholders’ meeting.

Ablaza said the company expected the decision of the arbitration panel to come out soon. “Our own expectation is that it should be coming in the next few days or weeks. That’s why I said we got expectations that we perhaps

should be able to finally move on with a final resolution within the second quarter. I think the main impact of the arbitration on our operations is that we were not able to maximize the opportunities for building infrastructures in the absence of approved five-year rate rebasing plan,” Ablaza said.

Ablaza said Manila Water was looking at other business opportunities outside the East zone and would maximize the potential of existing operations in Clark, Laguna, Boracay and Cebu.

“In 2011, businesses outside the East zone constituted only 1 percent of the group’s total income.

That has already risen to 11 percent last year. For the next four years, we want to increase that contribution up to 40 percent,” Ablaza said.

Manila Water currently provides

water and waste water services in the East zone of Metro Manila, which include the cities of Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Pateros, San Juan, Taguig and Marikina.

Ablaza said for Laguna Water, the company was looking at expanding its operations beyond the three cities it was currently servicing, including Binan, Cabuyao and Sta. Rosa.

“Laguna which is the most exciting so far, increased net income by 52 percent due to fundamental expansion. It also added 24,000 new water service connections which is equal to what the east zone business in Manila generates a year. There’s a whole Laguna province lying out there and we certainly will seek to see how we can expand outside these three cities,” Ablaza said.

Ablaza said Manila Water was also looking at other opportunities which would enable the company to go beyond the Pampanga-Tarlac corridor. “We are not stopping our hunt for new business opportunities. Clark is sitting in Pampanga-Tarlac corridor so what are the opportunities for us to go beyond that border?” he said.

Stock market ends 8-day rally; BDO, Metro Pacific tumble THE stock market retreated Wednesday on profit-taking to snap an eight-day rally that sent the benchmark index past the 8,100-point mark.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 45.99 points, or 0.6 percent, to 8,052.69 on a value turnover of P8.4 billion. Losers edged gainers, 86 to 83, with 58 issues unchanged.

The rest of Asian markets rallied Wednesday, led by Hong Kong on its first post-holiday trading day as it reacted to weak US jobs data that reduced the chances of a rate rise any time soon.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, fell 1.2 percent to P118.50, while Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has investments in toll roads,

water and electricity distribution and hospitals, sank 4 percent to P4.65.

Chemical producer D&L Industries Inc. tumbled 3.2 percent to P18.70, while Energy Development Corp., the largest producer of steam energy, declined 1.6 percent to P8.25.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the biggest property developer, lost

2.1 percent to P20.60.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which operates a casino on a reclaimed part of Manila Bay, rose 2.2 percent to P11.42, while International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, gained 1.4 percent to P109.50.

In late afternoon Hong Kong, which last traded on Thursday,

soared 2.58 percent to levels not seen since 2008.

Shanghai ended 0.84 percent, or 33.43 points higher at 3,994.81 and Tokyo added 0.76 percent, or 149.27 points, to 19,789.81.

Sydney rose 0.59 percent, or 34.7 points, to 5,960.7 and Seoul advanced 0.60 percent, or 12.23 points, to end at 2,059.26.

With AFP

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 9, 2 0 1 5

B5

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

Metro partners.

Market bull run not broad-based THE stock market index have soared over 11 perRAY S. EÑANO cent since the start of 2015, making it one of the best performers in Asia this year. It has registered record highs many times in 2015, with the index breaching the 8,100-point mark Tuesday.

Yet, the Philippine stock market has not posted a more meaningful bull run because recent rallies were not broad-based. There are notable laggards that have not performed well based on their price-earnings ratio. The bull run sentiment does not appear to have rubbed off on these issues.

Cheap oil prices and a stable inflation environment have largely fueled the stock market surge this year. Falling oil prices are stoking the stock market frenzy in the Philippines on bets that slumping crude will reduce the cost of operations, spur expansion and increase the bottom line of listed stocks. The Philippines imports nearly all its oil requirements to partly produce electricity and fuel all types of transportation.

But market laggards have failed to take advantage of the bullish sentiment. Petron Corp., the bigger of the two oil refineries in the Philippines, has underperformed, gaining just 7.8 percent so far this year. Market heavyweight Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. has not surged as fast as the Philippine Stock Exchange Index, adding just 1.35 percent so far.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has investments in toll roads, electricity and water distribution and hospitals, has just risen 1.3 percent.

The underperformance of these three notable stocks should make them attractive to investors because of their resulting low price-toearnings ratios. PLDT’s P/E ratio stands at 15.3x, while that of Petron is at 8.2x. Metro Pacific currently has a P/E ratio of 13.2x.

Stock market investors apparently go beyond the regular P/E yardstick, otherwise they would have picked up these stocks, given their individual stories. A significant appreciation in the market value of these stocks could have propeled the benchmark index to greater heights.

Other laggards A couple of property issues may also be considered market laggards based on their P/E ratios. Filinvest Land Inc. of the Gotianun Group is trading at a P/E ratio of just 8.6x, while Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. of former senator Manuel Villar Jr. is priced at 10.5x.

Manila Water Co. Inc., a member of the Ayala Corp. conglomerate, has a P/E ratio of just 9.4x despite its market position as a leading water distributor. Investors became wary of Manila Water after the utility found itself embroiled in an arbitration case with regulator Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. An earlier report, which was denied later, said the arbitration body ruled against the company’s bid for a higher tariff rate by passing the income tax burden to consumers.

But Manila Water, PLDT, Metro Pacific, Petron and the rest of the market laggards are expected shortly to rebound soon.

World oil prices have lost 50 percent of their value since June last year to around $50 per barrel. The soft oil prices will add a significant percentage to the growth of the gross domestic product, with spending on food, travel, appliances, clothings and cell phones driving the Philippine economy.

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

Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. recently hosted the MVP Appreciation and Retail Awards Night with over 600 retail suppliers, vendors and business partners in attendance at Valkyrie at The Palace in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Metro operates multiple store formats, including Metro Department Store, Metro Supermarket, Super Metro Hypermarket and Metro Fresh ‘n Easy Neighborhood Store. Shown toasting to their collaborative success and jointly welcoming another fruitful chapter of Metro are (from left) Metro chairman and chief executive Frank Gaisano, Metro board of director Margaret Gaisano Ang and Metro president and chief operating officer Arthur Emmanuel.

Alsons to open Sarangani plant

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ALSONS Power Group said Wednesday unit Sarangani Energy Corp. is on track to start the commercial operation of the first 105-megawatt generator of its 210-MW coal-fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani this year.

Alsons, controlled by the Alcantara Group, said in a statement the plant would begin commissioning in the first half.

The operations and maintenance team that will man the Sarangani plant is already in place and ready to hit the ground running once operations commence, Alsons said.

A total of 140 people, including licensed chemical, electrical and mechanical engineers, were hired for the plant’s organization, operations and maintenance teams as early as November 2014.

Alsons said most new hires were from the Sarangani plant’s immediate vicinity which include

General Santos City, Sarangani and South Cotabato as well as other places in Mindanao.

The Sarangani team is led by Finnish power plant manager Jori Liimatta, who is armed with 20 years of power plant experience and expertise from five greenfield sites and American operations and maintenance manager Richard Mark Jones who will lend expertise from his years of overseas power plant experience.

Both are from the Power Industry Consultants Group that helps guide, train, coach and supervise the SEC plant’s work force.

“The most important part of the

operations is the people. Without the right people, you can’t do it. We wanted to find the right people who possess the willingness to learn.

We’re fortunate to train the people and we are pleasantly surprised that we have recruited intelligent, young individuals who are willing to learn.

They have maintained an average score of 98 in all courses we’ve taught. The ones that were hired are truly exceptional,” said Liimatta.

The soon-to-open Sarangani plant is intended to be part of a long-term solution to the ongoing power crisis in Mindanao.

“SEC is one of the few plants that will be operating this year to provide a lasting and sustainable solution to the five-year-old power shortage in Mindanao. The project’s section 1 will ensure power security in an area that will serve more than 3 million people and another 3 million people for section 2,” said Alsons Power project implementation vice president and head of coal operations Nicandro Fucoy.

Ayala Land acquires Aegis building in Cebu for P435m

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY Developer Ayala Land Inc. said Wednesday it acquired Aegis PeopleSupport Realty Corp., the owner of a business process outsourcing building in Cebu, for P435 million.

Ayala Land senior vice president and chief finance officer Jaime Ysmael said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the company purchased all the 8.2 million common shares of Aegis PeopleSupport Realty in line

with the thrust to expand its office leasing business.

Aegis PeopleSupport Realty is a Philippine Economic Zone Authority-registered entity and the owner of Aegis building along Villa Street, Cebu IT Park in Lahug, Cebu City.

The building is a certified LEED-gold office with a gross leasable area of 18,092 square meters and is largely occupied

by Teleperformance under a long-term lease.

“This acquisition is aligned with ALI’s thrust of expanding

The acquisition is aligned with ALI’s thrust of expanding its office leasing business.

its office leasing business,” Ayala Land said.

Ayala Land said in a bid to achieve its P40-billion net income target by 2020, it planned

to triple the size of shopping malls, office space and hotel and resorts businesses over the next seven years.

For office development, the company aims to have 1.8 million gross leasable space by 2020 from 600,000 square meters as of end 2013.

Its hotels and resorts business is also projected to reach 6,000 room keys by 2020 from 2,000 room keys as of end 2013.

Ayala Land said it would also add 106,000 square meters of leasable office space with the

completion of several projects in Bonifaco Global City and Alabang.

The property firm reported a 26-percent jump in net income in 2014 to P14.8 billion from P11.7 billion in 2013, boosted by strong performance of property development and commercial operations.

Consolidated revenues reached P95.2 billion, up by 17 percent year-on-year bolstered by higher residential sales and better commercial leasing revenues.

THURSDAY: APRIL 9, 2015

B6

BUSINESS business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

Metrobank bullish on loans

By Jenniffer B. Austria

METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Co., the country’s second largest lender, expects loans to grow 18 percent to 20 percent this year amid a rapid economic growth.

Metrobank first vice president and head of strategic planning Jette Gamboa said in an interview the bank expected growth across all segments, including consumer lending, especially the small and medium enterprises, and financing expansion projects of top companies.

Gamboa said the bank, which recently raised P32 billion through a stock rights offering, would primarily use the proceeds from the fund raising activity to expand its banking business.

The bank also aims to add 30 new branches each year over the next

three years. The new branches will mainly be located in Metro Manila and provincial areas in Luzon.

“We are prepared to take advantage of the growth of the economy. Economic growth in the Philippines has been quite stable and in order to support that growth we are going to expand out branch network and sales force,” Gamboa said.

He said the bank would expand its business organically and was not actively looking to participate in any merger and acquisitions.

“There is so much organic growth

that we can capitalize. The growth that we are seeing is across all segments not just in top corporates but also in consumer space, and middle market and SME and with this capital we should be able to build our business,” Gamboa said.

Metrobank on Wednesday listed 435.4 million common shares that were sold during the rights offering and which

raised as much as P32 billion in proceeds.

The additional capital raised from the right offering is expected to further enhance Metrobank’s capital ratios, keeping it well above the Philippine Basel III requirements.

The bank in 2014 registered an 11-percent decline in net income to P20.1 billion from P22.5 billion in 2013 on lower

trading gains.

Metrobank in 2014 opened 64 branches to increase its domestic presence to 920 branches, still the largest in the industry. More than half of the network is located outside Metro Manila, placing the bank in a position to better serve the demands of the regional growth areas of the economy. The bank has 2,100 automated teller machines nationwide.

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

ERRATA Errors were inadvertently included in the publication of PPA Administrative Order No. 02-2015, Amendment to PPA Administrative Order No. 03-2013 Entitled “Simplification of Procedures in the Issuance of Private Port Permits published in The Standard and Philippine Star on March 27, 2015.

In view thereof, the corresponding corrections are hereby issued for the guidance for all concerned.

1)

PPA Administrative Order No. 02-2015

ERROR

:

From

:

AS CORRECTED

:

Subject

:

2)

Amendment to PPA Administrative Order No. 032013 Entitled “Simplification of Procedures in the Issuance of Private Port Permits Amendment to PPA Administrative Order No. 032013 Entitled “Simplification of Procedures in the Issuance of Private Port Permits

PH-Nepal ties. Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New Delhi Commercial Counselor John Paul B. Iñigo (right) confers with Philippine Consul General ad Honorem Suraj Vaidya during the launch of the Nepal Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industries (NPCCI) on March 3, 2015 at the Philippine Honorary Consulate General Offices in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Philippine Trade Department’s commercial post in New Delhi has been steadfast in helping forge closer the relations between the Philippines and Nepal.

Item 7 of the Sworn Affidavit (Omnibus Undertaking) :

ERROR

:

AS CORRECTED

:

REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS

LUNGSOD NG MAKATI

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.

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 action against me and/or the company/entity I represent.

(SGD.) RAUL T. SANTOS Assistant General Manager for Operations

Bids and Awards Committee J.P. Rizal St. corner F. Zobel St., Makati City Tel. No. 870-1000 Fax No. 899-8988 www.makati.gov.ph

INVITATION TO BID NAME OF PROJECT AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION

IMPLEMENTING OFFICE

APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE CONTRACT (ABC)

1

Enzymatic Detergent and other medical supplies for the use of Ospitalng Makati

OSMAK

P10,938,820.17

2

Linear Cutter and other medical supplies for the use of Ospitalng Makati

OSMAK

P9,071,081.10

1.

The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites interested bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the above projects, with Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) indicated, inclusive of all taxes, such as, but not limited to, value added tax (VAT), income tax, local taxes and other fiscal levies.

2.

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

3.

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

4.

A complete set of Bidding Documents will be available one (1) day after posting / publication of the above projects up to Closing Date (before the deadline of the submission of bids),weekdays only from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount stated on the issued order of payment to the City Government of Makati Cashier.

5.

The BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on April 16, 2015 (02:00 P.M.) at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Makati City to discuss Eligibility Requirements and the Technical and Financial Components of these projects. However, only those interested Bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents are allowed to raise and submit queries or clarifications regarding the Bidding Documents.

6.

Deadline of Submission of Bids shall be on or before April 30, 2015 (02:00 P.M.), at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. Zobel Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City.

OMNIBUS UNDERTAKING (SWORN AFFIDAVIT) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF _______ ) S.S.

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at Bid Opening.

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 action against me and/or the company/entity I represent.

8.

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

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

NO.

________________________ (Notary Public)

Opening of Bids shall be on April 30, 2015 (02:00 P.M.), at Pio del Pilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. Zobel Street, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City.

7.

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

8.

The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, or to reduce the corresponding ABC and Terms of Reference (TOR), without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please visit or contact: BAC SECRETARIAT OFFICE Makati City Government 9th Floor, New Makati City Hall Building F. Zobel Street, Brgy.Poblacion, Makati City Tel. No. 870-1000 loc. 1331; Fax No. 899-8988 website: www.makati.gov.ph MS. VISSIA MARIE P. ALDON Chairperson

(TS-APR. 9, 2015)

(TS-APR. 9, 2015)

Duavit joins GMA board

GMA Network Inc. announced the election of Michael John Duavit as a member of the company’s board of directors during a special meeting held on March 30.

Duavit is currently the chairman, president and chief executive of MRD Holdings & Investments Inc. and chairman and managing director of Puresound Trading Inc. He is a director of Citynet Television Inc. and GMA New Media Inc., a subsidiary of GMA Network that specializes in interactive applications for television, mobile, web and marketing.

He is the president and trustee of Guronasyon Foundation Inc., which recognizes outstanding teachers in the province of Rizal and the City of Antipolo, and is also a trustee of GMA Network’s socio-civic arm GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc. Duavit held a notable career in public service, having been elected as pepresentative of the first district of Rizal and serving a full term from 2001 to 2010. During his tenure in Congress, he served as vice chairman of the House Committee on Economic Affairs, the House Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Trade and Industry.

t H u r s D aY : a P r i L 9, 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

9 held in Spain over links to IS MADRID—Spanish police arrested nine people in the Catalonia region on Wednesday suspected of links to the Islamic State group, authorities said, the latest such raids as European nations seek to stop jihadist recruitment.

The operation included raids in the Barcelona and Tarragona areas and those arrested are suspected of crimes “linked to jihadist terrorism, particularly to the Islamic State group,” police said in a statement.

Authorities in Eu-

rope have sought to stop young people seeking to travel to Iraq and Syria to fight with the Islamic State.

A number of alleged recruitment cells have been targeted by authorities in Spain, including in the country’s North African

territories of Ceuta and Melilla.

On April 1, a Moroccan living in Catalonia was remanded in custody after allegedly seeking to send her 16-year-old twins to fight with jihadists in Syria, a year after another son died in the country.

Last month, Spanish authorities arrested eight suspected members of a jihadist network who allegedly called for attacks in Spain and tried to recruit for the Islamic State.

About 60 people charged in Islamist terrorist cases were being held in Spain at the start of 2015, a law enforcement source has said.

Spanish authorities say about 100 people from Spain are suspected of having joined jihadist fighters in Iraq and Syria, and fear they may return to launch attacks.

Hundreds more such radicals from France, Britain and Germany are also thought to have traveled to those countries to fight. AFP

French air traffic controllers strike PA R I S — Hu n d r e d s of flights to and from France were expected to be canceled Wednesday as air traffic controllers launched a two-day strike over working conditions.

The civil aviation authority has asked airlines to scrap around 40 percent of flights, warning of “disruption across the whole country.”

Flag carrier Air France warned of “very severe disruption” to its flight schedule. Although it pledged to operate “almost all” long-haul flights, medium and short-haul services would be badly affected, it said.

“We cannot rule out

last-minute delays and cancellations,” the airline added.

Low-cost operator Ryanair said it had been forced to cancel more than 250 flights due to the industrial action.

“It’s grossly unfair that thousands of European travelers will once again have their travel plans disrupted by the selfish actions of a tiny number of French ... workers,” the Irish airline fumed.

Passengers had been warned well in advance and seemed to have made other plans.

The situation in Paris terminals was relatively calm.

“The companies have done what was

needed. For the moment, there are no difficulties,” one airport source said.

The strike was called by the main air traffic union SNCTA, which wants talks over the specific working conditions of their members.

A particular bone of contention is the pushing back of the retirement age for air traffic controllers from 57 to 59.

The union insists that for the past 10 years, talks over working conditions have taken place outside the formal structure for u nion-ma nagement negotiations.

The FNAM aviation association strongly criticised the strike,

saying it would “essentially penalise Frenchbased airlines and their sub-contractors.”

Transport Minister Alain Vidalies “regretted” that the union had chosen to call for strike action and noted that a meeting was due to take place on April 13 to discuss the specific working practices in the sector.

The SNCTA had originally called the strike from March 25 to 27 but scrapped it after the Germanwings crash in the French Alps that killed 150.

Further industrial action is planned from April 16 to 18 and from April 29 to May 2, key holiday periods. AFP

Official visit. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras prepares to adjust a ribbon during a wreathlaying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in Moscow on April 8. AFP

B7

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President

National Irrigation Administration

(PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office Office Address: Telephone Nos.: Email Address:

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 / 766-4142 / 766-0157 / 766-3524 niabaneimo_es@yahoo.com/niabaneimo_om@yahoo.com niabaneimoafs@yahoo.com

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

INVITATION to BID April 7, 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-16 Improvement of Lateral E-1 & Various Irrigation Facilities, Pulilan, Bulacan. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 14,161,476.63 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 15,000.00.

ITB No.R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-17 Improvement of Lateral A-2 & Various Irrigation Facilities, San Rafael, Bulacan. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 13,879,326.93 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 15,000.00.

ITB No.R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-18 Improvement of Bitukang Manok Dam # 7 (AMRIS), San Luis & Candaba, Pampanga. The approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P 14,014,659.88 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P 15,000.00.

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.

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

Issuance of Bid Documents: (Upon payment of non-refundable amount as stated above each ITB)

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

Schedule of activities > NIA, BANE IMO

Pre-Bidding April 17, 2015

R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-16 R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-17 R3-BANE-RRREIS-2015-BU-18

9:30 AM 10:30 AM 11:30 AM

Submission/Opening of Bids: April 30, 2015 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 1:30 PM

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.

SGD. ROBERTO J. DELA CRUZ Chairman – BAC (TS-APR. 9, 2015)

Republika ng Pilipinas

PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG (National Irrigation Administration) Purok Blg. 8 INTERIM EASTERN-WESTERN SAMAR IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT OFFICE Catbalogan City, Samar Tel. Nos. (055) 251-2818 / 543-8431

INVITATION TO BID NO. 02-2015 The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Interim Eastern-Western Samar Irrigation Management Office, Catbalogan City through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), hereby invites Domestic Contractors, registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), to bid for the hereunder contracts. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

ITEM/DESCRIPTION

Approved Budget for the Contract (Php)

Duration

Cost of Bidding Documents

1. WESIMO Contract No. 13-2015 - Repair/Improvement of Diversion Works, Canalization, Canal structures & Terminal Facilities

Php 8,078,031.87

180 cd

Php 10,000.00

2. WESIMO Contract No. 142015 - Repair/Improve ment of Diversion Works, Canalization, Canal structures & Terminal Facilities

Php 5,385,762.94

120 cd

Php 10,000.00

The Prospective Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project whose value must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. 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 (R.A. 9184) otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Prospective Bidders are not allowed to participate if they have negative slippage in their ongoing contracts. Individuals with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) are not allowed to transact and participate in the procurement utilizing another construction firm. The pre-bid conference shall be open only for those who have purchased the bid documents. No more sale of bid documents after pre-bidding conference in order for the bidders to submit a highly technical and educated bid.

The Schedule of BAC Activities are as follows:

BAC Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-bid Conference 3. Receipt and Opening of Bids

Schedule Starting April 9, 2015 April 13, 2015 April 22, 2015

Time 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

The BAC will issue a complete set of Bidding Documents to eligible bidders from the address above and upon payment of non-refundable amount of Php10,000.00 to the Cashier.

For qualified/eligible bidders, please take note that after qualified bidders has been determined, we prefer cash bond/cashier’s or manager’s check with the amount equivalent to two (2%) percent of the ABC of the contract as Bid Security.

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

(SGD.) RIZALINA B. GALLARDE BAC Chairman

Noted: (SGD.) ALEJANDRO C. CULIBAR, D.M. Officer In-Charge (TS-APR. 9, 2015)

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 9, 2 0 1 5

B8

ceSAR bARRIoqUInTo EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Refugees at home. Nigerian refugees walk on April 7 in the Nigerian refugee camp named “Dar-es-Salam” near Baga Sola in the Chad lake region. Chad, Niger and Cameroon sent troops into action two months ago against the Islamist movement Boko Haram whose bloody insurgency threatens the region surrounding Lake Chad, where the borders of all four nations converge. AFP

Taiwan starts water rationing TAIPEI—Taiwan launched water rationing in some major cities on Wednesday as the island battled its worst drought in over a decade, following the lowest rainfall in nearly 70 years.

The state water company cut supplies to around 800,000 households and businesses in Taoyuan city as well as parts of Hsinchu county and New Taipei City in northern Taiwan for two days a week for an indefinite period.

The government said that it was forced to im-

pose the measure as the water supply situation was “urgent”.

It comes after the lowest rainfall across the island last autumn and winter since 1947.

Parts of the vast Shihmen Dam in Taoyuan that supplies several cities in northern Taiwan have dried up leav-

ing a muddy crater.

The dam held just 24.5 percent of its capacity Wednesday, according to the Water Resources Agency.

“We continue to monitor the situation to determine how long the rationing will go on, as the supply of Shihmen dam is tight. We urge people to conserve and store water,” said Cheng Tsao-ming, an official at the Taoyuan city government.

Homes, schools and businesses are relying on water stored in large tanks and are adopting

water-saving measures, including recycling water for gardening and closing swimming pools and gyms on rationing days.

Some are concerned that their businesses will suffer if the water rationing continues.

Showlin hair salon in Taoyuan said it had to turn away some customers.

“Even though we have three water storage tanks we still have to limit our services.

I am worried that we will have to start taking unpaid leave if the rationing goes on much

longer,” said a worker at the salon, who gave her family name as Tsai.

“I have still opened my business today as I have a big water storage tank to supply my shop, but I am worried about losing customers if the situation worsens,” said the owner of Yang Kuang car wash in Taoyuan, who declined to give his name.

Despite light rains this week, the government has warned that the dry spell is forecast to continue and that monsoon rains may not happen at all this season. AFP

US cop accused of murder WA S H I N G T O N — Police in the US state of South Carolina charged an officer Tuesday with murder after video showed him apparently gunning down a fleeing black man, a rare arrest in a string of shootings of unarmed black men that have raised allegations of police racism.

South Carolina state police arrested officer Michael Slager, 33, and charged him with murder, a felony that carries

a sentence of up to life in prison or the death penalty, according to official documents.

“The Defendant [Slager] did shoot the victim multiple times in the back after an altercation. All this is based upon video evidence and the investigation of the State Law Enforcement Division,” reads a South Carolina court document.

A number of killings of unarmed black men by police officers in recent months have

sparked protests across the United States with protesters alleging racism in the nation’s police and raising accusations that officers use excessive force.

Officers have rarely been charged in the shootings, even when the incidents were recorded.

Slager’s arrest comes after video surfaced of the shooting that killed 50-year-old Walter Scott Saturday in the coastal city of North Charleston. AFP

Chic in Shanghai. Models parade creations from the Ban Xiaoxue collection during the Shanghai Fashion Week in Shanghai on April 8. AFP

9% of Americans have gun access WASHINGTON—Around 9 percent of American adults who have a record of impulsive and angry behavior have access to guns, says a study out Wednesday.

These researchers also reported that 1.5 percent of adults acknowledge feeling impulsive anger and carrying guns outside their home.

These people are usually young or middle aged men who sometimes lose their temper, break things or get into fights, said the study coauthored by psychiatrists at Duke, Harvard and Columbia universities.

The study was published in the journal Behavioral Sciences and the Law. “As we try to balance constitutional rights and public safety regarding people with mental illness, the traditional legal approach has been to prohibit firearms from involuntarily-committed psychiatric patients,” said Jeffrey Swanson, a professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University in North Carolina and lead author of the study.

“But now we have more evidence that current laws don’t necessarily keep firearms out of the hands of a lot of potentially dangerous individuals,” he wrote.

The researchers looked at data from 5,563 face-to-face interviews conducted in the National Comorbidity Study Replication, or NCS-R. This is a nationally representative survey of mental disorders in America that was led by Harvard University in the early 2000s.

The study concluded there was little overlap between participants with serious mental illnesses and those with a history of impulsive, angry behavior and access to firearms. AFP

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 9 : 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

C U LT U R E

“STUDIES FOR A MONUMENT”

S

tudies for a Monument takes the form of an elaborate retracing of technique and process in artistic manufacturing.

Here, collected digitally enhanced toy pig images and its 3-d printed versions map out the main work’s fabrication; a largescale pig sculpture perched on a plinth. Such introspective practice captures the zeitgeist of Bacolor’s longstanding and unseen pig monument projects. Here, the artist positions his oeuvre to a rich possibility of discourse between collecting and repurposing objects and

between working with digitized and tangible prototypes in manufacturing.

As with most of Bacolor’s outputs that deal with the tectonics of a fraudulent government, he appropriates the pig monument with social and political satire. The work stands in as commemoration to the country’s bleak political landscape and concurs to the established definition of monumental as, “reference to something of extraordinary size and power, as in monumental sculpture, but also to mean simply anything made to commemorate

the dead, as a funerary monument or other example of funerary art. The word comes from the Latin “monere,” which means ‘to remind’, ‘to advise’ or ‘to warn.”

“Studies for a Monument” runs from April 1130, 2015 at Galleria Duemila located at 210 Loring Street, 1300 Pasay City. For more information you may reach us at + 632 831 9990; Telefax no. + 632 833 9815, email: gduemila@gmail.com, Twitter and Instagram: @galleriaduemila, you may also visit our website at www.galleriaduemila.com, or like us on Facebook.

THURSDAY : APRIL 9 : 2015

C2

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

glweekend @ gmail.com

ST’ART: A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD SUMMER WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN (For ages 6-11 years old) Explore the rich cultures of different countries through their unique arts and crafts!

THE PHILIPPINES APRIL 11, 2015

Spruce up bayongs by painting traditional Filipino designs and get a chance to learn more about the father of Philippine fine arts, Damian Domingo, through a special coloring activity.

JAPAN APRIL 18, 2015

Discover the unique culture of Japan through the traditional art of creating thekoinobori and the different shuriken from ninja lore.

EGYPT APRIL 23, 2015

ALPHA OMEGA A.D.D. CHICHIMONSTER SOLO EXHIBIT

A

lpha (alpha (Α or α)) and Omega (omega (Ω or ω)), are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and an appellation of Christ or of God in the Book of Revelation.

Attention Deficit Disorder is a biologically based condition causing a persistent pattern of difficulties resulting in one or more of the following behaviors: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Collective 88 Art is pleased to present an exhibition of new works by street artist, Archie Geotina also known as Chichimonster. The show explores the artist’s pursuit to go back into his memories and past lives to explore a range of emotions - depression, addiction, suicide, fear, hope, and love.

He asks if you know what it feels like to have the sky fall upon you? To get lost and beat up, burned out, burned up, to be found through heartache knowing you were drawn in. Willing just to get out. Too wild. Just too wild amongst yellow eyes. That there are times in human experiences that make you feel like warm meat — unseasoned. He re-

explores these memories to further understand and ask, “What does it take for a person to be where they are today?”.

Serendipity, luck, perseverance, timing, and the virtue of accepting reality as it happens. He questions the existentialist aspect of being and considers the human to be its own God. Therefore, in control of his own destiny.

Its own God... but - with Attention Deficit Disorder.

WHO IS CHICHIMONSTER?

Emerging from Manila, Chichimonster, is a multi-media artist with roots heavily seeded in the street and graffiti culture of the Philippines.

Archie’s influence is not “street” in the traditional sense—it is the culmination of growing up in a raw setting filled with colonial influence, extreme social disparity, and religious undertones. It is the vibration of the developing world, with rich insight on how new political power operates in this modern world. His art depicts the irony and the truth of being in an environment that nurtures luxury and poverty at the same time.

He co-founded the graffiti crew Katipunan Street Plan (KST) in 2006, which marked the beginning of his evolution from the traditional graffiti to creating his own unique style. Combined with a stream of consciousness process that taps into the countries historical references, he bases his graffiti lettering on the lost Philippine alphabet, the Alibata.

His style is also inspired by the multitude of local cultures within the Philippine islands.

From murals to portraits, Archie mixes different materials of acrylic paint, spray paint, ink, resin, and wheat paste to create his pieces. He has also used fire extinguishers in his mixed media pieces. His art has led him to work in Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Bacolod, Los Angeles, and New York.

EXHIBITION DATES

April 16 – May 19, 2015 Opening: Thursday, April 16, 2015, 6:00 – 8:00PM A_Space Gallery, 5F Aboitiz Bldg.

110 Legazpi Street, Makati City

Decorate paper mache pyramids and create interesting magnets in the shape of the sacred scarab.

FRANCE MAY 9, 2015

Recreate the city of Paris through paper cut-outs and make your own cave paintings as many are found throughout France.

AUSTRALIA MAY 16, 2015

Take a deep look at Australian aboriginal art by decorating boomerangs and learn more about the unique animals of the land down under through a fun coloring activity.

BRAZIL MAY 23, 2015

The Amazon is home to many animals. Transform the fearful anaconda into a keychain and take home personalized Rio Carnival masks.

Enroll your kids in our 10:00AM or 3:00PM sessions Php 2,250 all six sessions Php 375 individual sessions. education@ayalamuseum.org 759-8288 loc 35/24

THURSDAY : APRIL 9 : 2015

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

glweekend @ gmail.com

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WHAT IS SPOKEN WORD?

BY ED BIADO In school, we were taught how to write poems. We learned the rules, restrictions and what makes poetry different from prose. Spoken word, which is currently crossing the line from underground to mainstream here in Manila, is likewise tiptoeing between poetry and prose.

Wikipedia defines the “performance art” as involving “performance-based poetry that focuses on the aesthetics of word play and storytelling,” often including “collaboration and experimentation with other art forms such as music, theater, and dance.” This is the reason that practitioners of the craft usually call themselves “artists” and not “poets.”

After all, saying you’re a poet has a highbrow vibe to it. This is something that modern-day spoken word, which traces back to the 1960s African-American Civil Rights Movement, generally stands against—elitism. In fact, spoken word is described as the democratization of poetry.

A member of the local spoken-word group Words Anonymous, Juan Miguel Severo (or Gege to friends) explains to The Gist the difference between a spoken-word performance and poetry reading. He says that spoken word is poetry “written for the stage, not for the page.” If a piece was written with the intention of performing it in front of an audience, it qualifies as spoken word. Otherwise—as in, if the piece was not originally meant to be performed—it’s not spoken word even if the author reads it on a stage.

Spoken word should not be read. It should be memorized, Gege reminds us. However, it’s acceptable to read if the artist “just hasn’t gotten into memorizing it yet.” That scenario is far from ideal but “okay.”

In Manila, the scenario definitely isn’t ideal because most of these young artists are just starting out and feeling their way through it. They’re still finding their voice and searching for a point of view, which is probably why the most common subject of spoken-word pieces is love.

Gege observes, “Kids who are trying spoken word cry about their own version of the same pain. But again, it’s what the form has always been about: democratization of poetry. So if [heartache] is what oppresses them, then they have the right to a platform. But I do believe that eventually more and more societal issues will be covered by more spoken word poets.

“Maybe one of the reasons a bunch of us are talking about love is because it is easier to write about one’s personal romantic failures at first because that kind of pain and oppression is easier to channel if you are a young writer.

Hopefully, soon enough, we learn to expand the scope of our subjects and talk about things happening outside ourselves.”

Catch the first anniversary show of Words Anonymous at Sev’s Cafe on April 25. The group also hosts poetry slams every first Wednesday of the month and open mic nights every third Saturday of the month at the same venue.

AVIDA SUCCESFULLY LAUNCHES “LIVING INSPIRATION”, A DIGITAL ART GALLERY

A

vida Land, one of the country’s leading real estate developers in the mid-market segment, unveils a special art gallery as part of its 25th anniversary celebration. Dubbed as “Living Inspiration”, the Avida Digital Art Gallery showcased creative digital artworks from the country’s top digital artists: Team Manila, WeeWillDoodle, and Angela Taguiang.

Avida’s executives led by Avida President Christopher Maglanoc and Avida Head of Sales and Marketing Bing Gumboc were present during the ribbon-cutting and official opening of the gallery held last March 25.

They were also joined by Jowee Alviar of Team Manila, Nelz Yumul of WeeWillDoodle, and Angela Taguiang.

Guests got to see first-hand the colorful works in the exhibit, each depicting a different story on how one celebrates life’s many inspiring possibilities—a central theme in Avida’s 25th year. The guests also had a chance to get to know the artists during the event’s artwork signing and meet-and-greet.

While digital art is not yet considered traditional like painting or sculpture, this emerging art form is fast becoming a popular medium for contemporary artists. Considered as the next step in the evolution of modern art, the use of computer technology in digital art has made it more acces-

sible to young aspiring artists. It opens doors to multiple options be it graphic design, typography, illustrations, digital photo artwork or digital painting.

For the Avida Digital Art Gallery, Avida has chosen several key artists that help bring digital art to more Filipinos.

Team Manila, an award-winning graphic design studio with an impressive portfolio of works in various fields of graphic design and branding has been creating digital designs since 2001. Their aim is to educate and cultivate public appreciation through its work while making a lasting mark on visual culture and reinforcing the current lifestyle of graphic design here and abroad.

WeeWillDoodle on the other hand have made a name in the industry for their unique technique, expressing their art by way of random lines and characters, starting from traditional line art or paint painting and finishing digitally.

Aside from being a graphic designer, Angela Taguiang is also an illustrator and visual artist. She is an active member of Ang Illustrador ng Kabataan (Ang INK), the only organization in the country dedicated to the creation and promotion of children’s illustration.

“Avida is thrilled to have this collaboration with the artists. Their work truly speaks of the kind of dynamism

that has shaped Avida through the years,” shares Avida Marketing Head Tess Tatco. “Technology used for digital art allows these artists to produce a multitude of options to express their vision. Avida believes in always exploring these dynamic opportunities. Through this event, Avida aims to make digital art more accessible to the public, the same way Avida aims to bring homes that fulfill dreams accessible to more individuals and families.

To date, Avida has built 60,000 homes across 73 projects in 29 strategic locations nationwide, making it the Ayala Land subsidiary with the most number of projects and broadest geographic presence in the country.”

The Avida Digital Art Gallery is just one of the many creative and exciting events that Avida has in store to mark their year-long anniversary celebration. With this milestone, the company continues to provide thoughtfully-designed developments in secure communities and the distinct Avida lifestyle that fosters and creates life opportunities for many Filipinos.

The Avida Digital Art Gallery is located at the Avida Showroom in Glorietta (2/F Glorietta 4). The exhibit will be open to the public and will run for two weeks.

For more information on this event, visit www.facebook.com/avidalandph or www.avidaland.com

Featured artworks at Avida Digital Art Gallery (from left to right) “Endless” by WeeWillDoodle, “Dynamism in Action”

by Team Manila, and “Good Morning”

by Angela Taguiang Avida Land President & CEO Chris Maglanoc tries the live silk screen art at Team Manila’s booth.

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 9 : 2 0 1 5

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LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

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

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

3AM PART 2

R-13 The second installment of the Thai anthology horror film, it features three stories: The Third Night, The Convenant, and The Offering. “The Third Night” follows a series of events that occur after a motorcycle gang leader dies.

“The Covenant” is about the sound of someone playing a piano heard from the old abandoned chapel of an all-girls convent school.

“The Offering” tells the story of a shop that sells paper money and offerings to the departed.

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

CINDERELLA

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

CLOWN

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

R-13

FAST & FURIOUS 7

PG In the seventh installment of the Fast & Furious film series, Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), and the rest of the crew find themselves being chased by Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) who seeks revenge for what happened to his brother Owen Shaw.

HOME

G A banished member of the alien race Boov, Oh (Jim Parsons) goes to Earth, which his race has invaded, to find a new home. He then meets the resourceful and adventurous teenage girl named Tip Tucci (Rihanna) who is looking for her missing mother Lucy (Jennifer Lopez). The two team up both on a quest of their own, one is on the run while the other is looking for someone.

INSURGENT

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

ROBOT OVERLORDS

PG Robots from a distant galaxy have conquered Earth and now rule over humans, who have to wear electronic implants to confine them in their houses.

Four friends temporarily disable their tracking implants to venture outside and fight the android invaders.

THE LONGEST RIDE

R-13 Based on the bestselling novel of the same name written

by Nicholas Sparks, the film tells the story the star-crossed love affair between Luke Collins (Scott Eastwood), a former champion bull rider hoping to make a comeback, and Sophia Danko (Britt Robertson), a college student who is about to start her dream job in New York City. Their conflicting paths and ideals test their relationship but they will be inspired by the enduring romance of Ira (Alan Alda) with his beloved wife.

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER

G After 11 years since 2004’s The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, this sequel, based on the Nickelodeon television series SpongeBob SquarePants, follows the adventures of SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) as he teams up with his Mr Krabs’ (Clancy Brown) nemesis Plankton (Mr. Lawrence) to get the Krabby Patty secret formula back from diabolical pirate BurgerBeard (Antonio Banderas).

YOU’RE MY BOSS

PG Airline marketing head Georgina (Toni Gonzaga) has to work with her boss’ assistant Pong (Coco Martin), but with her bossy demeanor and his laid back attitude, the two don’t get along.

They will then swap positions in hopes of sealing an important deal for the company. Going through this change and adventures together, the two will fall in love with each other, notwithstanding their differences.

COMPILED BY BERNADETTE LUNAS

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 0 9 : 2 0 1 5

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KUH LEDESMA

OPENS 3 PAINTING EXHIBIT RD

I

n recent years, Kuh Ledesma has begun to actively explore different facets of her art. In addition to singing, Kuh—known as the Pop Diva—is now into the visual arts, particularly painting.

She first got into it after visiting a friend’s house where she saw some paintings. Somehow, seeing them triggered an earlier love for art that she had during her student days, inspiring her to pick up her brushes and paints and try again. “It made me say, ‘Ay, kaya ko ‘yan,” says Kuh. As a painter, Kuh is self-taught, but she derives inspiration from some of her favorite artists. She paints in the abstract expressionist style, and her subjects often have something to do with her Christian faith and are inspired by verses or passages from the Bible. She paints mostly on specially designed large canvases using bold, brilliant colors and simple lines.

Since re-discovering her love for art, Kuh has completed enough paintings to stage two exhibits.

Her first exhibit in 2012 showcased forty pieces of non-representational paintings and was aptly titled “Unexpected.” The 2nd exhibit in 2013 was billed Beauty of Purpose and focused mainly on “Musical Instruments,” “Matthews’ Lilies,” “Talahib,” (which was inspired by the passage in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter Six where it talks about ‘grass of the field’, hence the

reference to the ‘talahib’) and her “Vine and Branches series”.

On April 7, Easter Sunday, Kuh opened her third exhibit, titled He is Risen—a tribute to Easter and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross— at the Promenade Hall of the Promenade Building, Greenhills Commercial Center.

The paintings feature new subjects, including her “Life Stories” of Faith and Love as well as “the Power of the Risen Christ”. She prepared an expanded collection of her well- loved signature “Musical Instruments” series as well as new and inspired versions of some paintings from “Unexpected” and “Beauty of Purpose” such as “Purification” and “Sanctification.”

Kuh is very excited for the public to come and see the exhibit.

It’s so gratifying, she says, to be accepted in a medium other than music or singing. It doesn’t mean she’s going to stop making music; it simply means that the artist’s soul in her has found another outlet.

She is encouraged by the public’s reaction so far. “Ang sarap ng feeling that people enjoy and appreciate my paintings. When they like what I have to offer, for me, that’s an affirmation to continue. I want to inspire others to also discover their other talents and develop them, at ‘wag nilang sayangin.”

The exhibit is open to the public from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. until April 20. For more information, please call or text Malo Cruz at 0917 8139065.

Singer Kuh Ledesma expands her artistic range by plunging into the world of plastic arts with an exhibition of another collection of work, her third

She paints in the abstract expressionist style, and her subjects often have something to do with her Christian faith and are inspired by verses or passages from the Bible

SARAH G WINS BIG

BY SEYMOUR BARROS SANCHEZ

P

opstar princess Sarah Geronimo added four more trophies to her growing collection while singersongwriter Rey Valera took home the MYX Magna, the highest recognition given by the music channel to honor a music icon’s significant contribution to the industry at the 10th MYX Music Awards recently at SM Aura Premier Samsung Hall.

Geronimo received her trophies personally for Favorite Artist, Favorite Female Artist, Favorite Remake for “Maybe This Time,” and Favorite Music Video for “Tayo” directed by Avid Liongoren, further increasing her MYX Music Awards’ winning record from 19 to 23. The Voice of the Philippines coach, who also performed her hit song “Kilometro” in one of the event’s highly-charged production numbers before winning back-to-back Favorite Artist, acknowledged the support of her fans and shared her victories to her fellow nominees.

Meanwhile, Valera, who had written songs for Sharon Cuneta and Rico J. Puno, among others, joined an elite list

of Magna awardees including Cuneta (2006) among others.

Vina Morales, Christian Bautista, Kyla, Erik Santos, Angeline Quinto, KZ Tandingan, and Richard Poon paid tribute to the hitmaker by singing his songs, such as “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko,” “Tayong Dalawa,” “Maging Sino Ka Man,” “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako,” and “Pangako Sa ‘Yo.” Gloc-9 added two more MMA trophies to his name by winning Favorite Urban Video for “Businessman” featuring Vinci Montaner of Parokya ni Edgar and directed by J. Pacena II, and Favorite Collaboration for “Takipsilim” with Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. The rapper, who now tails Geronimo with 16 awards, was all praises and very grateful to his recent collaborator VelasquezAlcasid for agreeing to record the song with him in the studio.

Teen star Daniel Padilla won two awards, Favorite Male Artist and Favorite Song for “Simpleng Tulad Mo.” Kathryn Bernardo bagged the award for Favorite Guest Appearance in a Music Video for her on-screen

Sarah Geronimo, MYX’s Favorite Artist, among the awards she won

Nadine Lustre and James Reid, Favorite Media Soundtrack

partner’s “Simpleng Tulad Mo” music video.

Silent Sanctuary bagged the Favorite Group award, Kamikazee’s “Kislap” directed by the band won Favorite Rock Video, Julie Anne San Jose’s “Right Where You Belong” directed by Louie Ignacio topped the Favorite Mellow Video category, James Reid and Nadine Lustre took home the Favorite Media Soundtrack award for “No Erase,” and “The Voice Kids” finalist Darren Espanto became the youngest winner by emerging as the Favorite New Artist.

2NE1’s “Come Back Home” and Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off ” were the only foreign winners, bagging the Favorite K-Pop Video

Singers pay tribute to songwritersinger Rey Valera

Kamikazeem Favorite Rock Video

Gloc 9, Favorite Urban Video

and Favorite International Video awards, respectively. Toni Gonzaga was selected Favorite MYX Celebrity VJ for her July 2014 stint while VJ Nikki Gil won the SPINNR Choice Award. MYX VJs Robi Domingo, Tippy Dos Santos, Diego Loyzaga, Chino Lui Pio, Ai dela Cruz, Erica Abella, and Gil hosted the event.

The winners were determined after the voting period set from Feb. 19, 7 p.m., to March 22, 11:59 p.m. through four platforms, namely the MYX website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The criteria for winning were 60 percent from fan votes and 40 percent from artist poll.

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 0 9 : 2 0 1 5

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SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

NO NICKELODEON BLIMP FOR DANIEL PADILLA WITHOUT WANG 2

Asia’s Got Talent Judges: David Foster, Anggun,Van Ness Wu, and Melannie C.

‘ASIA’S GOT TALENT’ GRAND FINALS LIVE AT MARINA BAY SANDS Marina Bay Sands is offering 50 fans the opportunity to witness the crowning of the first winner of “Asia’s Got Talent” live at Marina Bay Sands through the #FastTrackToMBS Instagram contest that runs from April to 28.

The winners will be part of the live studio audience at the Grand Final and Grand Final Results, presided over by four celebrity judges — 16-time Grammy-winning Canadian musician David Foster, UK pop sensation and former Spice Girl Melanie C., Indonesian rock icon Anggun, and Taiwanese-American pop idol and actor Van Ness Wu —who will be selecting the next global star.

Tickets to both shows are not for sale and in order to win them, members of the public will have to follow @marinabaysands on Instagram and search for the iconic Golden Buzzer within the integrated resort. Participants will need to take an original photo or a 15-second video next to the Golden Buzzer located on the property showcasing their unique talent, and upload it onto

their Instagram accounts, tag @ marinabaysands and include the hashtag #FastTrackToMBS in their entry caption[1].

If you can juggle like Van Ness or gargle songs like Melanie C, then show off your talent on Instagram. This is a skill-based contest and 50 winners will each receive a pair of exclusive tickets to watch either the Grand Final onMay 7 or the Grand Final Results on May 14 to be held live at MasterCard Theatres.

Broadcast by AXN, “Asia’s Got Talent” is the 63rd adaptation and the first ever pan-regional edition of the Guinness World Record-breaking hit “Got Talent” format, which was conceived by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment and is co-produced by FremantleMedia. The show features 199 incredibly talented acts from 15 countries competing for the coveted grand prize of $100,000, along with the chance to return and perform at Marina Bay Sands, Asia’s leading entertainment destination.

The inaugural season of “Asia’s Got Talent” premiered on March 12, collectively topping ratings among English Pay TV channels in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. The show spans 10 weekly episodes, including five audition episodes, three semi-finals, a finale episode and results gala. Home viewers can catch “Asia’s Got Talent” on AXN every Thursday at 8.30 p.m. (and semi-finals begin at 8.05 p.m. from April 16) throughout Asia and on local broadcasters in India, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam through the week.

Asia’s Got Talent hosts: Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 41 42 43 44 45 47 51 55 56

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Ante up 4 Cotillion honorees 8 Pickle or salt 12 Invited 13 Jai — 14 Battery’s “+” end 16 Piece of sugar 17 Warble 18 Unmitigated 19 Spinks defeater 20 Ancient seafaring people 22 Wood cutter

24 25 26 28 31 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Bird-feeder treat 7 and 9 Predicament Class Hibachi residue Machu Picchu locale Prepare eggs Caviar source Extreme edge Writer — Rice Debtors’ notes Redding of soul

57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

Almond confection Pea soup Dele canceler Contend Ocean fish Place of development Chemist’s reading matter? (2 wds.)

Hot time in Paris It brings tears to your eyes Con merchant Grad Jalopy Garfield’s housemate Long-gone bird Mythical archer Conductor’s baton Wool supplier

DOWN 1 Zahn or Abdul 2 Own up to 3 “You bet!”

4 Raced off 5 George who was a she 6 Harmful thing 7 Gesture 8 Political gathering 9 Free 10 Day-to-day events 11 Idyllic place 12 Humdrum 15 Pause fillers

BY NICKIE WANG Teen star Daniel Padilla was among the nominees in this year’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (KCA).

The 19-year-old actor was nominated in the Favorite Asian Act category, along with Indonesian girl group JKT48, Malaysian YouTube sensation Jinnyboy, and Singaporean actor Tosh Zhang.

At the end of the glitzy and slimy 28th edition of KCA held at the Forum in Inglewood, California, Daniel failed to win the coveted orange blimp. The award was won by the Jakarta-based girl group who happened to have a bigger fan base.

Fans of the young actor took it to social media to air their sentiments over the result. Some even went overboard expressing how infuriated they were that their idol did not win the coveted blimp.

To appease his ardent fans, Daniel and his mother Karla Estrada told them that being nominated in Nickelodeon KCA is already an achievement in itself.

For consolation, the teen actor won the “Global Slime Star” award after beating out British boy band Union J, Mexican boy band CD9, Brazilian singer-composer Luan Santana and teenage YouTube Jamie Curry who represented Australia and New Zealand.

The competition, which was conducted by Nickelodeon for the first time, was held on Twitter where each nominee has his or her own respective hashtag. In Daniel’s case it was #SlimeDanielKCA. Daniel’s Twitter fans tweeted the hashtag many times over making the young actor win the competition and get slimed in the end. The winner was announced a day before the Nick Awards but no blimp was handed out to the “teen king.”

THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015

20 21 23 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 37 41 43 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 58

Profs, usually Campaign topic Sorority sisters Kind of raise Joule fractions Dust bunny Swiss painter Paul — “Get real!”

(2 wds.)

Scare the chickens More arrogant Mr. Sampras Sounded sheepish Casts a ballot Wharf Real stinkers?

Turned sharply BP merger partner Where Cadiz is Underneath Liszt opus Floor model Near empty About (2 wds.)

Remove snow Non-soap opera Lime cooler

Daniel Padilla fails to win a Nickelodeon’s orange blimp

The Favorite Asian Act plum is an elusive award for Filipino artists. Anne Curtis and Sarah Geronimo also failed to win the same award in 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2012, Charice Pempengco became the first Filipino to get nominated and eventually won the award. Charice took home the famous orange blimp when she was still a hot YouTube sensation touring the world to promote her music. Sure, Charice’s fans knew exactly how to cast their votes online. It is something that Daniel’s fans are yet to discover.

EMPOWERING UNDERSERVED FILIPINOS Tech giant Intel partners with Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communication Technology Office (DOSTICTO) in a nationwide multi-stakeholder digital literacy movement formed to make the entire Philippines digitally literate.

Called DigiBayanihan, the movement aims to promote digital literacy amongst all Filipinos to empower them with skills to harness the benefits of technology to improve their quality of life. While focused on all Filipinos, special emphasis is given to the underserved.

“Our main goal, is of course, to make every Filipinos, all 100 million of them be digitally literate.

We will not stop until we reach our goal,” Calum Chisholm, Intel Philippines Country Manager, told The Standard in a sit-down interview.

The Intel official furthered that the main challenge the movement is facing right now is that, people have the devices to access important information online but most of them do not know how to use them.

“As a driving force of this initiative, we will continue to lend our expertise in IT education among the youth and technology leadership to ensure that we reach the digitally excluded members of the population.”

Chisholm said that DigiBayanihan has already achieved one of the goals they first set in mid-2014 when it was introduced, and that is to put digital literacy at the forefront of the national agenda for human and economic development. This year, it targets to touch up to five million Filipinos through its digital literacy and volunteering initiatives.

The movement also plans to enhance its partnerships with other stakeholders, in particular, the private sector, civil society organizations, academic institutions and international agencies, to include more National Government Agencies such as National Youth Commission and TESDA. Bettina Quimson, DOSTICTO deputy executive director, explained that DigiBayanihan is very much aligned to the agency’s Tech4Ed, eFilipino and free Public WiFi projects, which all aim to harness the use of ICT to achieve growth and development of communities in the Philippines.

From its launch in mid-2014, DigiBayanihan has successfully trained over 100, 000 Filipinos.

This year, it is expected that DigiBayanihan will exponentially increase its reach through volunteerism. Volunteers will be mobilized to organize and implement the local activities that will bring digital literacy

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 0 9 : 2 0 1 5

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

‘THE BUZZ’

C7

SIGNS OFF From C8

Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda take a sabbatical from showbiz talk show as hosts

Is Willie Revillame the reason The Buzz is off the air?

SMART SUPPORTS PACQUIAO IN WORLD’S BIGGEST RING BATTLE

H W

e got word from ABS-CBN Corporate Communications announcing the conclusion of the showbiz-oriented talk show, The Buzz.

Here’s the statement in toto: After more than 15 years of unparalleled credibility as Philippine television’s leading showbiz-oriented talk show, The Buzz takes a break after its April 5,2015 episode. The program recognizes the evolution in showbiz news reporting, and to cope with it, The Buzz deems it a necessary step to reinvent to start anew. Showbiz news will never die. The showbiz talk genre remains.

Since the program began, The Buzz has gained the authority of being the premiere source of truthful and balanced entertainment news for the Filipino audience worldwide. As the program bids farewell for now, The Buzz would like to thank its loyal viewers for the support they have given the show in its entire run. See you again soon.

Observers say that the decision was a reaction to the fact that Willie Revillame’s move to GMA Network. His show on that station commences airing on the 26th after All Stars Sunday, which is at the same time as The Buzz is on the air. So, far the Kapamilya network hasn’t announced what program will take the timeslot occupied by The Buzz.

HHHHH Global technology innovator LG Electronics introduces yet another cutting-edge innovation in the home entertainment industry—its premium lineup of Super ULTRA HD TVs. Comprising the razor-thin UF950T and the curved UG8700, the LG Super UHD TVs debuted officially at established consumer electronics store Anson’s at The Link, Makati City. The collection carries distinct TV models in different sizes, all bringing to life The flagship of the series, the ultra-slim UF950T, is

the first LG TV to sport the ColorPrime Display by Nano Spectrum that is set to change the Super UHD playing field with its remarkably accurate color expression, treating viewers to more vivid colors with an increased color reproduction range. Top of its class from the TV design technology, the UF950T stands only 8.3mm at its slimmest design. The svelte UF950T also comes packed with the groundbreaking Premium Sound feature that was designed in collaboration with Harman Kardon, one of the most globally respected names in the audio industry.

The UG8700 is beautifully curved with IPS panel built, allowing exceptional viewing from any angle without distortion of color. Available in 65- and 55inch units, the UG8700’s provides cutting-edge auditorium stand that houses the TV’s unique downward speakers that cast premium quality sound directly toward the viewers.

The UG8700 series are custom-built for Philippine Digital broadcasting that’s guaranteed to deliver HD streaming and secure your device in preparation for Analog switch off.

“We are pleased to introduce to the country our new line-up of versatile Super ULTRA HD TVs,” said LG Philippines Home Entertainment Vice President Hoony Bae. “As a global technology innovator, we offer premium variants fitting to the diverse lifestyles of the Philippine consumers. This unique array adds to our portfolio of top-of-the-line TVs, providing optimal home entertainment for our consumers.”

This summer, LG Electronics is also set to launch the largest member of the Super UHD TV family.

To learn more about the LG’s new line-up of Super ULTRA HD TVs, visit www.lg.com/ph, or www.LGnewsroom.com; like LG’s official Facebook page “LG Philippines” and follow @LG Philippines on Twitter and Instagram.

SMART executives Mon Isberto and Melissa Limcaoco with Paul Soriano

Paul Soriano explains the process of filming SMART’s support Pacquiao TVC

LG introduces a super UHD TV monitor, here with Korean executives

is punch is so powerful that it has united a nation. And now that Manny Pacquiao is embarking on the biggest boxing fight in history – the May 3rd battle royale with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. – Smart Communications, Inc. is leading the call for Filipinos to let the whole world see, hear, and feel the country’s support for the people’s champion.

“Some boxers fight for personal glory, others fight for fortune.

But since the beginning, Manny Pacquiao has also fought for his countrymen. Now, more than ever, we Filipinos should let him know that we are proud of him and are with him all the way,” said Smart executive vice president and wireless consumer business head Charles A. Lim. “Manny Pacquiao is not just our national pride. He also serves as our inspiration to work hard and push our limits so the whole nation can ‘live more,’” he added.

BE PART OF THE FIGHT’S DIGITAL HISTORY Lim disclosed the many ways by which Filipinos can join and support Pacquiao in the fight of the century.

“Their Smart-powered mobile devices will enable them to be part of the digital historical account of this once-in-a-lifetime fight. With these devices they can express their support for Pacquiao, join inspiring conversations with fellow fans, watch the fight as it unfolds, and get immersed in a shared, national experience,” he said.

Smart encourages Filipinos to express their support for Pacquiao on Twitter using the hashtag #SugodManny, to make sure their ring hero could read their messages. They can also use the hashtag when posting their knockout moves on Instagram, for a chance to win Manny Pacquiao-autographed boxing gloves and t-shirts.

The company also launched a web page dedicated to the Pacquiao-Mayweather battle, (smart.com.ph/sugodmanny) where people can get blow-by-blow updates about the fight, as well as information about the various Smart services that will enhance their Pacquiao experience.

EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO EVERYTHING PACQUIAO Smart, Sun Cellular, and Talk ‘N Text subscribers can watch the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight on their Android devices live and ad-free for just P499 (for a limited time only) via FrontSeat on the Viewstream app. This can be paid via prepaid load deduction or postpaid bill charging.

Even before the fight, the livestream subscribers will get exclusive access to several Pacquiao training videos shot in the US, as well as videos of previous Mayweather fights.

Selected footages of Pacquiao’s training can likewise be viewed on Smart’s corporate YouTube channel (youtube.com/smartcorporate).

Furthermore, Smart is granting its subscribers exclusive access to free #SugodManny stickers. They just need to text MANNY to 2600 for free, or access the stickers at http://www. letsload.com/stickers/free. They can use these stickers on their messaging apps like Viber, Line, and WeChat.

“Filipinos can fully enjoy the Pacquiao experience through our various offerings – such as Smart Prepaid’s Free Internet that bundles free 30 MB of data per day with top Prepaid promos, Big Bytes 50 for Smart Bro subscribers, and YouTube5 for Smart Prepaid subscribers,” Lim said.

“With ‘Internet for All’ as our battle cry, we promised to bring the best of the Internet within reach of every Filipino. Through our Internet offers, we are now bringing the best of Pacquiao to Filipinos; and in a similar way, we are communicating to Pacquiao the fierce support of his fans,” he said.

C8

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 0 9 : 2 0 1 5

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ BEFORE PACMAN,THERE WAS

KID KULAFU Many of us are familiar with Manny Pacquiao, SIMPLY the eight-division world RED champion. But before he became the legendISAH V. RED ary boxing champion, what was he?

Those who have seen the world-champion pugilist as a young boy in General Santos City in Mindanao remember a tiny boy who collected empty Kulafu bottles and was, at the same time, a boxing enthusiast. His peers called him Kid Kulafu when had bouts with fellow young boxers in the city.

Film director Paul Soriano and his team of writers use the moniker as the title of the film he has produced on the life of Emmanuel Pacquiao, the young boy who wanted to be a boxer.

Now, Pacquaio, with the biopic focusing on his youth, is set to inspire the world in a different light. The movie shares his story not as a sports icon but as a young boy who knocked out life’s challenges.

“This is the untold story of our People’s Champ--way before the fame, fortune, championships and even prior wearing boxing gloves,” says Soriano of the biographical film presented

by ABS-CBN, Star Cinema, and Ten17 Productions. “It is not about his career as a professional boxer but an in-depth look into his early years, from his birth up to his teenage life.”

According to Soriano, it took them three years to finish the film. Prior to that, two years were dedicated to extensive research on the childhood of the People’s Champ.

“Viewers will discover in the film how hard life was for Manny as a kid in General Santos City. They will get to know a young boy who had nothing but attitude, passion, and fighting spirit to face every challenge head on and knock it out one by one,” Soriano says.

The director adds that what inspired him more to do the movie was when he got to know more Manny through a series of conversations which happened within the twoyear research spent for the biographical film.

As Manny shared, “All the pain and the knock outs I experienced in boxing were just physical pain. But you know what’s more painful? It’s the fact that you have nothing to eat, no home where you can rest, and having a broken family. And I endured all those when I was young.”

Like Soriano, former child actor and Kid Kulafu lead star Buboy Villar feels honored to be part of the world champion’s biopic.

“I knew that there were a lot who auditioned for the role that’s why I was so happy when I was chosen. Because I’m really a big fan of Pacquiao,” says Buboy who underwent serious boxing training in preparation for the film.

“Because of Kid Kulafu, I realized that Sir Manny can be a huge source of inspiration to kids of today. He’s hardworking, determined to rise above poverty, and has high respect for his parents and family,” adds Buboy. “When Sir Manny stepped into amateur boxing, his goal was not to win. He wanted to help provide meals to his family and make his parents proud of him.”

Buboy assured moviegoers that there’s still a lot that the world don’t know about Pacman. He quipped, “Before he became a world champion, he was Kid Kulafu who was fueled by passion and faith.”

Kid Kulafu was shot in Saranggani and General Santos City where Manny spent his childhood and teen years.

Portraying Manny’s parents Dionisia and Rosalio are award-winning actors Alessandra de Rossi and Alex Medina. Also part of the cast are Cesar Montano, Khalil Ramos, and Igi Boy Flores.

Kid Kulafu will hit the screens nationwide on April 15.

Continued on C7

Director Paul Soriano shows the world a young Manny Pacquiao played

by Boboy Villar in the film title Kid Kulafu that also stars Alessandra de Rossi as a young Dionisio Pacquiao and Khalil Ramos as another young boy from General Santos City who sparred with Pacquiao

All the pain and the knockouts I experienced in boxing were just physical pain. But you know what’s more painful? It’s the fact that you have nothing to eat, no home where you can rest, and having a broken family. And I endured all those when I was young.

- Manny Pacquiao