The Standard - 2015 April 30 - Thursday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 72  3 Sections  32 Pages  P18  THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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Singapore’s Lee makes fun of PNoy

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No new Cabinet men yet

PALACE: AQUINO SAVED MARY JANE

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After the stay. Darling Veloso, right, and Marites Laurente, partly covered, sisters of drug convict Mary Jane Veloso, hug her lawyer on their arrival at Nu-

sakambangan port in Cilacap after returning from the Nusakambangan maximum security prison on April 29 after Mary Jane was spared at the 11th hour after facing execution. AFP

Pacquiao relishes underdog tag

Rallying Around Art

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PNoy saved Mary Jane, palace says

By Sandy Araneta THE Palace took credit Wednesday for obtaining a stay of execution for convicted drug trafficker Mary Jane Veloso, who was spared the firing squad at the lat minute.

“The initiative at that time became a minute-by-minute game because we knew that the 72 hours expired at 7 o’clock (Tuesday evening, April 28),” said Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, secretary to the Cabinet, during a press briefing in Malacañang.

Almndras said President Benigno Aquino III, while in Langkawi Tuesday afternoon, even broke protocol to talk directly to the Indonesian foreign minister to propose that Veloso help identify the syndicate members who duped her into bringing a bag filled with 2.6 kilos of heroin into Indonesia.

“It was the President himself who talked to the Indonesian foreign minister...[who] was quite surprised because normally that’s not done. But when the President did that, she promised: ‘Yes, Mr. President, I will immediately relay your message to both the President [Joko Widodo] and to whoever else needs to know in Jakarta’,” Almendras said.

Normally, presidents only speak to each other after the meeting has been arranged by their foreign ministers, Almendras said. In breaking protocol, the President sped up the transmission of the message, he added.

Almendras said Veloso has already been transferred back to the prison from the island where she was supposed to be executed.

“By the mission in Jakarta, with whom we’ve all been working with over the past weeks, Mary Jane has already arrived in her original prison in Yogyakarta. She is off the island this morning,” he said.

On Monday night, the President’s order was that they would not stop and would do everything they could until the Indonesians executed Veloso, Almendras said.

On Tuesday morning, the President was to go to the conference on the Brunei-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines East ASEAN Growth Area, before heading off to meet the media in Langkawi.

While the meeting was still going on, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima made a phone call and sent an e-mail to the Palace informing them of the new position.

“Just before the coffee with the media, the President called a quick huddle and then there was a discussion. It was at that time that the decision was, ‘let’s pursue this angle now’,” said Almendras.

The key was to convince the Indonesians that the government was on top of the situation with Veloso’s recruiter here in the Phil-

ippines to merit a stay of execution, Almendras said. Before the President departed Langkawi, his instruction was to make sure that De Lima had enough information to transmit to her counterpart in Indonesia, he added.

Almendras said the final request to the Indonesians was to make sure De Lima got a chance to explain the merits of the case.

A breaking news report by one of the agencies said that their counterpart in Indonesia, the Cabinet secretary in Indonesia, had acknowledged that there was new information that could affect the decision to execute Veloso.

Almendras said the they tried to reach several Indonesian officials through Tuesday night with no success, but Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario told them that a memo De Lima had prepared had reached the right officials and became the basis for their discussions.

Almendras dismissed criticism that the administration was grabbing credit for saving Veloso, saying his account was factual.

He also denied accusations that the government waited to the last minute to act, because the President worked on Veloso’s behalf since 2011, when the Supreme Court upheld Veloso’s death sentence.

“The President’s actions started way back in 2011 and that time it was very effective,” said Almendras. He said it was a credit to the Foreign Affairs Department, acting on the President’s initiative, that the execution had been moved to 2015.

“The DFA already released the timeline and the details of all their actions,” he said. “It proves the fact that this is not a last-minute action.”

“On the issue of credit-grabbing, I can face anyone...,” Almendras told reporters at the Palace briefing.

“Everything I say to you now is true.

And you can even ask your counterparts in Langkawi, enjoying the beach in Langkawi, because they were there. They saw.”

“So I don’t think we should argue about who gets credit or who did a bigger job. I think I’d rather say that everybody helped and somehow it all came down together and it worked well. I’m glad that... Even if Secretary de Lima did not get a chance to talk to the attorney general, which was my extreme desperation last night, the decision still went this way because they were able to read the memo that Secretary De Lima sent and they were able to deliberate and discuss it,” he said.

For Mary Jane. Members of the group Migrante International hold a protest rally in Mendiola, Manila, to demand the resignation of President Bengno Aquino III and at the same time celebrate the reprieve on convicted drug smuggler Mary Jane Veloso. Lino SAntoS

Euphoria greets stay of execution THE last-minute reprieve for a Filipina drug convict facing execution in Indonesia sparked an outpouring of euphoria and disbelief on Wednesday, with crowds weeping with joy and her children crying “Mama will live!”

Mary Jane Veloso’s family said their prayers had been answered after it emerged the single mother, 30, was not among a group of foreign drug convicts who faced the firing squad shortly after midnight.

“Miracles do come true,” Veloso’s mother, Celia, told Manila radio by phone from Indonesia.

In Manila, supporters who had been keeping vigil outside the Indonesian embassy shed tears of joy, hugged each other and raised clenched fists in the air.

Veloso’s sons, aged six and 12, in Indonesia to say goodbye to their mother, yelled: “Yes, yes! Mama will live!” according to their grandmother.

The Philippines is a deeply Catholic country and Filipino priest Harold Toledano, who had been counselling the Veloso family, said she never lost hope she would be spared.

“It’s like a resurrection for us.

She is alive. It is like an experience of knowing someone has died and

then, just risen,” Toledano told AFP in Cilacap, where Veloso’s family kept vigil.

In Veloso’s hometown of Cabanatuan city, two hours drive north of Manila, relatives heaved a sigh of relief.

“This is nothing short of a miracle. We are overjoyed. Praise God,” Veloso’s aunt, Imelda Magday, told local television.

“I felt this surge of energy when I heard the news. I thank the Lord.

Mary Jane, don’t worry, we will see each other soon,” Veloso’s grandmother, Milagros Fiesta, said in a separate television interview.

Veloso has always maintained an international human trafficking and drug gang tricked her into bringing 2.6 kilograms (5.7 pounds) of heroin to Indonesia from Malaysia five years ago.

She won an 11th-hour stay of execution after the person suspected of asking her to carry the drugs unexpectedly turned herself in to authorities in the Philippines on Tuesday.

The reprieve caught the Philippine press by surprise, with papers running front-page headlines bidding Veloso farewell and accusing the government of failing to save her.

Her death sentence however re-

mains, with the Indonesian attorney-general putting the onus on the Philippine government to prove she was a mere human trafficking victim.

Veloso has become something of an iconic figure for many -- representative of the hardships suffered by the 10 million ordinary Filipinos, or a tenth of the population, who work abroad to escape poverty and scant job opportunities back home.

Born to trash-collector parents, she dropped out of high school and married in her teens before going to work as a maid in Dubai in 2009, but was forced to return home after her employer tried to rape her, according to her family.

She was later recruited to work as a maid in Indonesia by Filipina Cristina Sergio, whom the family accused of conniving with an international drug ring to hide heroin in her suitcase.

Sergio, 47, sought protection as she walked into a police station in Cabanatuan, claiming she had been receiving death threats due to the Veloso family’s allegations, provincial police chief Superintendent Rey de la Cruz said.

Sergio had no previous criminal record and was not under arrest, he told AFP. AFP

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Widodo’s decision met with gratitude THE Philippine government expressed gratitude Wednesday to Indonesian President Joko Widodo for delaying the execution of convicted drug trafficker Mary Jane Veloso.

“The Philippine government thanks President Widodo and the Indonesian government for giving due consideration to President Aquino’s appeal that Mary Jane Veloso be given a reprieve,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said in a statement.

“Such reprieve provides an opportunity for the perpetuation of her testimony that could shed light on how a criminal syndicate duped her into being an unwitting accomplice or courier in their human and drug trafficking activities,” Coloma said.

Veloso, 30, was among eight foreigners scheduled to be executed by firing squad at midnight on Tuesday at the Nusakambangan maximum security prison.

As a last-ditch effort to save the drug convict, President Benigno S. Aquino III proposed to the Indonesian government that Veloso be made a witness to identify the syndicate that used her to transport illegal drugs to Indonesia.

Aquino’s proposal came on Tuesday after Ma. Cristina Sergio, Veloso’s recruiter, surrendered to the police in Nueva Ecija, fearing reprisals from the family of the convicted Filipino.

Veloso was arrested in Indonesia with 2.6 kilos of heroin in her suitcase in April 2010.

Reports said the Indonesian president held an emergency meeting with his Cabinet officials to discuss Aquino’s proposal.

Coloma also thanked the people for continuously praying for Veloso, a mother of two.

Vice President Jejomar Binay also issued a statement welcoming Veloso’s reprieve.

“Her reprieve was the result of our collective action and prayer, of our faith in God and our unity as a people. Let us continue to pray for Mary Jane and her family,” the statement read. Sandy Araneta, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz, Joel E. Zurbano and Rio N. Araja

Waiting for Noynoy. This is the photograph that was uploaded by Singapore leader Lee Hsien Loong on his Facebook account.

KL meddling will lead to hostilities—Moros

By Francisco Tuyay

THE Bangsamoro Basic Law is a peace deal devised to shut down the historical rights of the Sultanate of Sulu and the political aspirations of the Moro National Liberation Front and Malaysia’s continued intervention could lead to renewed hostilities, Moro leaders said on Wednesday.

Abraham Idjirani, secretary general to the Sultanate of Sulu, said Malaysia’s intervention in the BBL issue is a clear violation of principles and agreements espoused by the Association of South East Asian Nations and could spark war.

Moro National Liberation Front spokesman Absalom Cerveza shared Idjirani’s view and said “war could erupt between Malaysia and armed groups fighting Malaysian forces over the Sabah issue.”

The two Mindanao leaders made the remarks after Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said in his welcome remarks at the 26th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur that there should be “no turning back on the Philippines peace process.”

“An Asean characterized by in-

ternal conflicts could never aspire to be a true community. To be a community, we must address internal conflicts within our region.

This is why we are working with other countries to build peace,” Najib said, citing the Mindanao peace process where Malaysia is a thirdparty facilitator.

“The recent progress on the Bangsamoro peace process has been so important, and we must not pause in our efforts to bring a permanent resolution to a conflict that has led to so much loss of life and displaced hundreds of thousands over the years,” Najib said. “[But] that could turning point into hostilities,” Idjirani said, noting that the Sultanate of Sulu would not give up ownership of Sabah.

“In the first place, that is not consistent with the principles and agreements among Asean nations, and it could be labeled an indirect intervention,” Idjirani said, adding that Malaysia was meddling in the issue because they wanted Manila to give up the Sabah claim.

“The BBL is only intended to extinguish the Sabah issue,” Idjirani said, but Malaysia’s politicking over the Sabah issue through the BBL could lead to hostilities between Malaysian forces and Muslim fighters the Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu provinces.

At least twelve members of the Royal Security Forces of the Sultanate of Sulu, led by Agbimuddin Kiram, younger brother of Sultan Jamalulu Kiram III were killed after stirring security crisis with Malaysian forces after they barged into the coastal village in Lahad Datu sometime in 2013.

Idjirani said Moros are also aware that the BBL was crafted with the sole purpose of striking down “the political aspiration of the Moro National Liberation Front,” the rebel group identified with its founding chairman Nur

Misuari.

“In fact, the BBL as advocated by the MILF is already sparking a sense of unity among the disgruntled Moro groups, particularly in the Sulu archipelago,” Idjirani said.

Cerveza, on the other hand, shared Idjirani’s view that “war could erupt between Malaysia and armed groups fighting Malaysian forces over the Sabah issue.”

“The possibility of (war) is always there,” Cerveza said. “I hope not, but the Sultanate and the Tausugs will likely assert their right to Sabah and Sarawak.”

Last week, several MNLF groups had expressed disappointment over the shifting of position by the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation Secretary General Iyad Ameen Madani to the BBL, leaving its previous commitment to the MNLF Jakarta peace accord of 1976.

The OIC has issued at least three resolutions backing the MNLF’s peace accord with the government and urging respect and full implementation of the 1976 Jakarta peace accord signed by its 57-members countries.

Singapore PM twits ‘late’ Aquino

By Sandy Araneta

Press briefing. New Customs Commissioner Albert Lina holds a press conference to discuss the issues within the Bureau of Customs. LiNo SANToS

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III was less than a minute late for a photo opportunity with the other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Tuesday during the 26th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi, Malaysia, Malacañang said Wednesday.

“There was a break in the proceedings and there was a resumption—after which a photo opportunity was conducted,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said.

“The President [Aquino] was late entering the meeting hall, but it was less than a minute because he came

from the restroom.”

On Tuesday night, netizens posted negative comments about Aquino when the son of former Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew captioned a photograph with the Philippine President missing in the picture.

Online reports also came out immediately, with one saying “Singapore’s Lee makes fun of PNoy’s seeming tardiness for Asean leaders’ photo.”

Lee’s son, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, seemingly played a guessing game on his Facebook account on Tuesday, asking his FB friends which southeast Asian leader was apparently running late

for the traditional leaders’ photo.

Lee also placed a smiley emoticon after his hashtag “guess who.”

However, Lee’s post drew angry comments directed at Aquino who was missing in the picture.

“Waiting to take the traditional leaders’ photo, but someone’s missing. #guesswho (smiley emoticon),” Lee captioned the photograph of Asean leaders while waiting for Aquino.

The photograph earned several negative comments, with one writing “Our not so brilliant president. Sorry Sir LHL and all Asean leaders for the inconvenience... utterly embarrassing.”

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Palace: No replacements yet

By Sandy Araneta and Alena Mae S. Flores

THERE are still no replacements for Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla and Bureau of Corrections officer-in-charge Franklin Jesus Bucayu, whose resignations were announced by President Benigno Aquino III in Langkawi, Malaysia on Tuesday.

Congested again. Passengers again congested the waiting areas of Terminals 1 and 4 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after airlines resorted to manual operations because of glitches in the airport’s computer system. ERIC APOLONIO

De Lima’s lack of ‘pork’ interest hit

By Rio N. Araja and Macon R. Araneta SENATOR Jinggoy Estrada on Wednesday criticized Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for using the issue of the P10-billion pork barrel scam to pursue her plan to run for senator in the 2016 elections.

“Apparently and regrettably, it would seem that Seretary de Lima just rode on the issue and used it as publicity stunt in pursuit of

her dreams of joining the Senate,” said Estrada.

De Lima is being eyed as among the senatorial candidates of the ruling Liberal Party. Her term of office ends when President Noynoy Aquino steps down in June 2016.

Estrada said De Lima’s statement that filing a third batch of charges against Aquino administration allies is no longer a priority only proves she is really just after the three senators

and assailed the apparent “selective justice.”

“Even from the start, there were only three whom she intended to malign the reputation, send to jail and destroy in their desire to weaken the opposition. And now that they got what they wanted, she’s saying it is no longer their priority to run after the other personalities who might be involved in the (Priority Development Assistance

Fund ) scam,” said Estrada.

The two other senators who were incarcerated over the alleged multi-million pork barrel anomaly were Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Bongbong Revilla.

But Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. clarified that the PDAF cases will still go on even if allies of President Benigno Aquino III are involved.

But Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. assured that services to the public will continue despite the resignation of Petilla, who called a press conference on Wednesday to reiterate that he was resigning for personal reasons.

Petilla denied that he resigned because he was disappointed over reports that Energy Regulatory Commission Commissioner Josefina Patricia Asirit would be named ERC chairman when incumbent chairman Zenaida Ducut retires in July.

But Petilla admitted that if he were Asirit, he would not accept the position because she is the niece of Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras.

“If Ina will be named chairman, that’s the prerogative of the President,” Petilla said. “But if I were Ina, I will probably feel a little burdened because I am a relative of (the Cabinet Secretary). “ Asirit was appointed as ERC commissioner in 2013 but prior to that she served as undersecretary under former Almendras, who was then energy secretary.

Other commissioners of the ERC includes the newly-appointed Geronimo Sta. Ana, Alfredo Non, Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc.

“What is important for continuity purposes is not

the secretary of energy, but the ERC,” Petilla said, adding that the new secretary “should be open to get the respect of ERC so that they will talk without affecting the independence of one another.”

Petilla added that both the new secretary and the incoming ERC chairman “should never have vested interests as well.”

Also on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said she was having a hard time looking for a replacement for Bucayu, who had earlier “asked to be replaced” because of death threats and issues with his health.

De Lima said told Aquino about Bucayu’s intention to resign from the Bureau of Corrections two weeks ago, but admitted that she had not forwarded Bucayu’s letter of resignation because Aquino supposedly told her to look for a replacement.

In both resignations, Coloma stressed that Aquino was concerned at finding replacements for positions that would be vacated.

“The President also explained the difficulty of looking for qualified and dedicated public servants, since there are several challenges in the public service,” Coloma said, adding that several Cabinet members are planning to run in next year’s elections.

Group questions new coin plan A CONSUMER group urged the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Wednesday to consult the central banks of other countries to determine the most appropriate technology for the new-generation currency coins it plans to issue in the Philippines.

Rodolfo “RJ” Javellana, convenor of the Union of Filipino Consumers and Commuters, said the BSP must get an unbiased and accurate understanding of the multi-ply product, the technology reportedly being considered by the BSP for the production of new coins.

“We are not experts ourselves, so we appeal to the BSP to consult and get the opinion of other Central Banks to ensure that we get

durable and high quality coins,” Javellana said.

“Although BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo was reported as saying that the BSP is still conducting a very thorough review and no decision has been made with regards to the technology that will be used, we have multiple sources inside the BSP saying that the BSP has chosen multi-ply plated steel for its new generation coins,” Javellana said.

“Mr. Guinigundo also stated that the BSP has issued multi-ply coins in the past years, and our sources said he is referring to onepeso coins, particularly those dated 2012, 2013, and 2014,” he said.

“Our research shows that some of these multi-ply coins

are already worn and deteriorated, showing a rusty red discoloration especially on the edge,” Javellana said, showing some samples of the coins. “Our BSP sources said this is because the thin outer layer of these coins had already worn away.”

Multi-ply coin is a technology patented by only one mint, which has licensed the technology to only one other producer which is its partner company in the US. Guinigundo said the BSP will require any winning supplier to make their technology available to other suppliers “should their specific method be selected and recommended based on the finding by an independent, inter-departmental ad hoc technical working group”.

Old but dangerous. A bomb disposal expert handles a bomb that was found in the possession of three men under the MacArthur Bridge in Manila. DANNY PATA

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Ombudsman issues ultimatum on SALN

By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman on

Bridge lifted. The Department of Public Works and Highways on Thursday lifts Ayala bridge by 70 centimeters to bring it to its original height and clear the way for barges to pass beneath the bridge. DANNY PATA

Wednesday reminded government officials and employees that they have until today to file their statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

“This act is both a constitutional and statutory obligation of every public servant such that failure to do so warrants suspension of one to six months for the first offense, and dismissal from service for the second offense,” Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said.

Government officials and employees serving in an honorary capacity, laborers and casual or temporary workers are exempt from filing the SALN. Morales cited Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees, mandating that the submission of SALN must be made within 30 days after assumption of office, or on or before April 30 of every year thereafter, and within 30 days after separation from the service.

As far as the president, vice president, chairpersons and commissioners of constitutional commissions and offices are concerned, their SALNs are eventually submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman’s central office; secretary of the Senate and House of Representatives for senators and congress-

men, respectively; Office of the Clerk of Court for justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan and Court of Tax Appeals, and Office of the Court Administrator for judges of different trial courts and special courts.

Cabinet secretaries must submit their SALNs to the Office of the President that also covers the undersecretaries and foreign service officers, heads of government-owned and controlled-corporations and subsidiaries, state universities and colleges,officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from the rank of colonel or naval captain, officers of the Philippine National Police,from the rank of senior superintendent, and officers of the Philippine Coast Guard, from the rank of commodore; to the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman having territorial jurisdiction over regional officials and employees of the AFP, departments, bureaus and agencies of the national government, judiciary, constitutional commissions and offices, GOCCs and subsidiaries, state universities and colleges, PNP and local government units, including elected officials.

On the other hand, other government officials and employees, including appointive ones, must turn over their SALNs to the Civil Service Commission.

‘Tower fee’ on telecoms voided

By Rey Requejo

The Court of Appeals has upheld the judgment of a regional trial court that nullified a local ordinance requiring telecommunications companies to pay annual tower fee.

In a 16-page decision, the CA’s 7th Division Associate Justice Stephen Cruz denied the petition filed by Mayor Alfredo Remigio of San Mateo, Isabela seeking to reverse and set aside the order of the RTC that granted Smart Communications’s petition for certiorari and declared null and void Municipal Ordinance No. 2005-491.

“The order of the [RTC], dated May 8, 2014[,] which declared as null and void Municipal Ordinance No. 2005-491 is hereby affirmed,” the appellate court decision dated February 13, 2015 ruled.

“We understand that the municipality is merely creating its source of revenue based on its delegated power to tax businesses within its jurisdiction pursuant to the LGC,” the CA noted.

However, “in this case, the San Mateo LGU assessed taxes on the telecommunications tower which, by itself, is not a business but merely an adjunct to Smart’s main operations as a telecom-

munications service provider, thus, making the imposition improper.”

Associate Justices Fernanda Lampas Peralta and Ramon Paul Hernando concurred with the ruling.

On June 27, 2005, the local government of San Mateo enacted the ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Imposing Regulatory Fee known as Annual/Tower Fee for the Operation of All Citizens Ban (CB), Very High Frequency (VHF), Ultra High Frequency (UHF) and Cellular Sites/Relay Stations Within the Municipality” pursuant to its power under Section 186 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 (LGC) to levy other taxes, fees or charges within its jurisdiction.

After public hearings and publications in a newspaper, the ordinance came into effect and Notices of Assessment were sent to Smart and other affected businesses in the municipality, which required the telecom to pay tower fee worth P200,000 per year.

Smart sought injunctive reliefs, among others, with the RTC, which granted the petition and junked the ordinance, prompting the LGU to seek redress with the appellate tribunal.

But the appellate court ruled that the ordinance lacked reasonable justification.

“Evidently, for having lacked any reasonable justification, the annual tax of P200,000 imposed on Smart is deemed factually or legally infirm,” the CA stressed.

Police beef up transport fleet

By Francisco Tuyay AT LEAST 210 troop-carrier vehicles were added to the Philippine National Police inventory intended to boost its capability to respond to emergency situations.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and PNP Officer-inCharge Police Deputy Director General Leonardo A Espina led the ceremonial turnover and distribution of the vehicles to PNP units during simple cer-

emonies held on Wednesday in Camp Crame.

The new 19-seater, four-wheel drive (4x4) vehicles are equipped with electric winch that will be used by the Regional Public Safety Battalionsin every regional police offices across the country, Espina said.

These vehicles are expected to provide substantial police presence, general transport capability, and other emergency response capabilities to the 150,000-strong police force.

Espina stressed that the vehicles were procured without any controversy or issues.

The original budget for the vehicle procurement was set at P476 million. After the bidding, the contract price was reduced to P397,950,000, generating almost P78 million in savings, Espina said.

The vehicles passed the endurance test ensuring that the specifications provided by the PNP were followed to the letter, Espina said.

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder requirement:

Name of Requirement/Brief Description One (1) Lot - Supply and Delivery of 80,000 bottles 5-gallon purified water (non-spill and non-reusable cap) including free use and maintenance of hot and cold water dispenser (non-spill/nozzle type), as per BSP Terms of Reference

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) VAT inclusive Php2,240,000.00 =============

Contract Duration: The contract shall be for a period of one (1) year to commence upon execution of the Ordering Agreement, in the nature of an option contract.

1. This project shall be procured through an Ordering Agreement arrangement in accordance with the Revised Guidelines on the Use of Ordering Agreement (GPPB Resolution No. 012012 dated 27 January 2012).

2. Bidders should have completed from Y2010 to present a contract similar to the requirement. The Eligibility Check/Screening and Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non -discretionary “pass/fail” criteria.

3. The bidding is restricted to Filipino citizen/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4. All particulars and activities relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-bid Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post-qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by Republic Act No. 9184 and its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Activities Schedule/Location a. Issuance of Bid Documents Starting 29 April 2015 (from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. only) Procurement Office, Room 212, 2/F, 5-Storey Bldg., BSP Main Complex, Malate, Manila Tel. / Fax Nos. 306-2229; 708-7115 b. Pre-bid Conference 08 May 2015; 2:00 PM MR2A Conference Room, 2/F, 5-Storey Bldg., BSP Main Complex, Malate, Manila 20 May 2015; 2:00 PM c. Opening of Bids MR2AConference Room, 2/F, 5-Storey Bldg., BSP Main Complex, Malate, Manila 5.

The bidding documents are posted at the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the BSP Website (www.bsp.gov.ph).

Prospective bidders may download the bidding documents from any of these websites; provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee of Php500.00 at the address above prior to, or upon submission of their bids.

6.

The pre-bid conference shall be open to interested parties. However, only those who have purchased the bidding documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications. To ensure completeness and compliance of bids, bidders are advised to send not more than two (2) technical and/or administrative representatives who will prepare the bidding documents.

7.

The BSP assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify any bidder for expenses incurred in the preparation of bid.

8.

The BSP reserves the right to reject any bid, declare a failure of bidding, not award the contract, annul the bidding process and reject all bids at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to affected bidders. Further, the BSP reserves the right to waive any minor defects or formality and to accept the proposal most advantageous to the agency.

(Sgd.) SILVINA . MAMARIL-ROXAS Chairperson

(TS-Apr. 30, 2015)

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30 hurt as train derails

By Joel e. Zurbano AT LeAsT 30 people including minors were injured after a south-bound train of the Philippine National Railways derailed near the PNR edsa-Magallanes station in Makati City Wednesday afternoon.

Police said that at least 30 passengers were hurt but PNR spokesperson Paul de Quiros said only five suffered injuries. Two train coaches were affected by the incident, he said.

De Quiros said the train was on its way to Alabang in Muntinlupa City around 4 p.m. when the mishap occurred between the stations of edsa-Magallanes and Nichols in Taguig City.

“Nawala sa riles ‘yung train. Two coaches derailed,” de Quiros said in a radio interview. he added the system’s operations southbound and northound were not affected despite the incident.

Both police stations at the cities of Makati and Taguig are conducting separate probes of the incident.

Inspector Jonathan Aribe, chief of Taguig Police Precinct 7, said the injured passengers were brought to the Taguig-Pateros District hospital for treatment.

Runway repair extended The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has announced that shortened runway operations at the Tacloban airport will be extended until May 10, 2015.

Following the CAAP advisory, Cebu Pacific Airlines and Tigerair Philippines cancelled several flight on April 14-- May 10, 2015.

Cebu Pacific: 5J 651 / 652 Manila–Tacloban–Manila; 5J 653 / 654 Manila–Tacloban– Manila; 5J 659 / 660 Manila – Tacloban – Manila.

Tiger Air: DG 7042 / 7043 Manila – Tacloban – Manila.

Both airlines said the passengers of the cancelled flights may avail any of the following options without additional charges:Rebook their flights for travel within 30 days from original departure date; or Opt for full refund or travel fund.

Meantime, flights and business operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals 1 & 4 which suffered technical difficulties brought about by a network problem at around 3pm of Tuesday were restored at 3 am Wednesday. eric apolonio

off track. An Alabang-bound PNR train derails along Edsa-Magallanes station in Makati City. Police are looking into the incident. Danny paTa

Group keeps an eye on Puerto recall polls

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

The Commission on elections on Wednesday granted the request of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting to observe the upcoming recall polls for mayoralty post in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan on May 8, 2015.

Based on Resolution No. 15-0306, the commission en banc also granted the PPCRV’s request to hold an education campaign among 120,765 registered voters of Puerto Princesa.

The resolution was made after PPCRV chairperson henrietta De Villa wrote a letter to acting Comelec

chairman Christian Robert Lim citing three requests on the recall election.

De Villa also asked for authority from Comelec to allow 100 PPCRV volunteers to use instead their PPCRV Pollwatchers I.D. during the 2013 elections.

Comelec granted PPCRV to use their poll watchers’

Napoles’ daughter faces arrest order By rio n. araja The Court of Tax Appeals on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Jeane Catherine Napoles, daughter of businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles accused of mastermindind the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund scam.

Jeane Catherine is facing arrest for her failure to attend her arraignment on the P17.888 million taxevasion case.

Despite a P50,000 bail previously posted by the 23-year-old Jeane Catherine, Associate Justice esperanza Victorino of the

Third Division issued the arrest warrant to go after the younger Napoles.

The Department of Justice and Bureau of Internal Revenue filed two separate tax evasion charges against the accused with the first and third divisions.

The tax court granted the motion of the government prosecutors to consolidate the two cases into one suit.

Jeane Catherine allegedly violated section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code or failure to file an income tax return, and section 254 for tax evasion.

IDs from the May 2013 senatorial elections.

Moreover, the Comelec also granted the PPCRV the authority to receive the sixth copy of the election returns after the counting of votes in precincts.

The Comelec called for the recall election in Puerto Princesa after it found a sufficient number of valid signatures filed against city Mayor Lucilo Bayron.

This after 22,326 signatures of petitioners were found valid out of the 31,418 signatures verified The recall bid was initiated on March 17, 2014 by Al Roben Goh, who said the people of Puerto Princesa have lost trust and confidence in Bay-

ron who was also accused of graft practices, incompetence, dereliction of duty among other charges.

Goh was a former city information of Puerto Princesa.

The Comelec earlier granted the request of President Benigno Aquino III to declare the May 8, 2015 manual election as special non-working holiday to allow the voters of Puerto Princesa to take part in the polls.

On April 8, the Comelec admitted that they were running out of 400 ballot boxes for the upcoming recall election in Puerto Princesa.

To address the shortage in ballot boxes, the Comelec said it ordered the election officer

(eO) of Puerto Princesa City to open ballot boxes used in the 2013 barangay polls or in previous manual elections.

“In order to augment the ballot box deficiency in Puerto Princesa, there is a need to open ballot boxes currently in possession of the City Treasurer containing election forms and documents used in the 2013 Barangay elections in order that said ballot boxes may be utilized for the recall elections,” said the resolution.

The Comelec said the ballot boxes may be used in the recall elections as long as they are not involved in any election protest or official investigation.

Toxic toys.

Ecowaste Coalition draws public attention to toxic chemical compounds “phtalates” that it says can cause disorders and asks authorities to enforce a government regulation restricting the use of “phthalates” in children’s toys. Manny palMero

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news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Eastern Visayas to offer 6,786 jobs on Labor Day

By Ronald O. Reyes

TACLOBAN CITY—Some 6,786 local and overseas job openings will be available on May 1 in typhoon-weary Eastern Visayas, the Department of Labor and Employment’s regional office said.

“The job fairs will be held in two key cities—Tacloban and Ormoc,” regional di-

rector Elias Cayanong said Wednesday.

This year’s Labor Day cel-

ebration is on the theme: “Disenting Trabaho at Kabuhayan, Alay Natin sa Bayan.”

DOLE’s assistant regional director Exequiel Ronie Guzman said that based on 2014 data for the Yolanda Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan, they have released P106,265,279 for 13,665 beneficiaries, and another P34,814,413.00 for the DOLE Integrated Livelihood

Emergency and Employment Programs covering 7,279 beneficiaries.

At the Tacloban Convention Center, 70 local employers will hire 1,780 workers while 12 recruitment agencies will offer 3,914 job orders for overseas placement.

In Ormoc, 12 local employers will offer 402 vacancies while six recruiters will fill 1,092 positions.

IN TH PETITIO CARLO AND C CARLO TO CAR

SPOUS AND LO x----

Thi CARPIO hearing Enrique name b

Pe One R married have tw Septem 1969.

Fish under the sun. A man scatters his fresh fish for drying in Agoo, La Union. CHRISTINE JUNIO

The Lourdes to Carlo March 3

The petition

The children Consen

Pe on Apri custody parents and as provide

Pe none of

Fin the sam the Ses City Ha thereto

The a repor adopter Order p

The Social W The pe Genera

Let Genera of Mak Region

The newspa weeks t

SO

Ma

(TS-Apr

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 140, Makati City IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR ADOPTION OF CARLO JAY ENRIQUEZ DE LINO AND CHANGE OF NAME FROM CARLO JAY ENRIQUEZ DE LINO TO CARLO JAY DE LINO CARPIO,

Race you to the town. Men from the Tuwali tribe race each other aboard their wooden scooters in Banaue, Ifugao. DAVID CHAN

Veterans extension office now in Lingayen

By Johanne Margarette R. Macob LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The Philippine Veterans Affairs Office- Field Service Extension Office (PVAO-FSEO) in the province is now located within the Capitol Compound here.

In January, the provincial board passed a resolution for the said purpose, citing further that the “PVAO field service extension office in Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City is not enough to serve the 6,872 war veteran-pensioners

in Pangasinan.”

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and PVAO Administrator Gen. Ernesto Carolina signed a deed of usufruct followed by a blessing and inauguration of the PVAO-FSEO on Tuesday, April 28.

The deed of usufruct will provide the veterans free use and access of the provincial office and lot for a period of 25 years.

Carolina noted that the most number of veterans in the country are in Pangasinan.

“That is why in one of my visits here, I

noted that we should add another ‘B’ to the 3Bs that have made Pangasinan very famous- bangus, bucayo, and bagoong... sabi ko idagdag natin ‘yong bayani,” Carolina added.

According to Romeo Madriaga, head of the PVAO-FSEO, their new location serves the veterans better as it is in the capital town, more so within the Capitol Compound where most provincial offices are based.

“Nandito na lahat (Everything is here),” he said.

PDEA: Shabu fastest growing retail industry in Caraga

By Alvin T. Guanzon BUTUAN CITY—Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga regional director Julius Navales said today that shabu proliferation in the Caraga Region has worsened, even reaching tribal barangays.

Shabu is also high in demand in mining areas in in

the region due to the higher purchasing power of the people there.

Adults and even minors who dig tunnels for smallscale gold mining operations are said to believe they would not easily get tired if they are high on drugs.

“What is alarming is that drug use now is not only limited to youths. Some

adults, both professional and skilled workers, and senior citizens are hooked in it,” Navales said.

He added that drug use is also rampant among trisikad (padyak) and tricycle drivers, auto and electrical mechanics, electricians, vegetable and fruit vendors, some farmers and fishermen.

Navales confirmed that two

young girls aged 10 and 12 years old were recently caught selling shabu on the streets.

Ten grams of suspected shabu contained inside repacked cellophanes were found in the girls’ possession.

PDEA said the girls’ alleged parents, originally from the Lanao provinces, knew all along what the children were doing.

SP. PROC NO. M-7759

SPOUSES REYNALDO G. CARPIO AND LOURDES D. CARPIO, Petitioners. x----- -------------------x

ORDER This is a petition for adoption filed by petitioners REYNALDO G. CARPIO and LOURDES D. CARPIO, praying that after due notice, hearing and publication, judgment be rendered declaring Carlo Jay Enriquez De Lino as the legitimate child of the petitioners and that his name be changed to Carlo Jay De Lino Carpio.

Petitioners allege that they are of legal age and residing at 2509W One Rockwell, Rockwell Drive, Poblacion, Makati City. They were married on November 16, 1967 at St. Pius X Chapel, Manila. They have two (2) biological children, namely Anne Marie, who was born on September 23, 1968 and Christine, who was born on November 14, 1969.

The adoptee Carlo Jay Enriquez De Lino is the nephew of petitioner Lourdes. He is already of legal age and was born on June 14, 1989 to Carlos De Lino and Norma Enriquez. His parents were married on March 3, 1982. They have another biological child, Cheryl Joy. The adoptee’s biological father, Carlos De Lino, is the brother of petitioner Lourdes. He died on March 9, 2012.

The adoptee, his biological mother and sister, and the biological children of petitioners had executed their respective Affidavits of Consent.

Petitioners also allege that the adoptee started living with them on April 16, 1992. He was then three (3) years old when his care and custody was entrusted to them upon the separation of the adoptee’s parents. Since then, he was treated like a real child of the petitioners and as a real brother of the petitioners’ biological children. They provided for all his material and emotional needs.

Petitioners further allege that they have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications to adopt under the law.

Finding the verified petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is set for hearing of June 25, 2015 at 8:30 in the morning at the Session Hall of Regional Trial Court, Branch 140, 10th Floor, Makati City Hall, at which place, date and time, any or all persons opposed thereto may file their opposition.

The Court Social Worker is hereby ordered to prepare and submit a report on the adoptee, his biological mother and sibling, and the adopters and their children within sixty (60) days from receipt of this Order pursuant to Section 12, paragraph 5 of A.M. No. 02-6-02-SC. The Petitioners are directed to coordinate with the assigned Court Social Worker for the conduct of the required home and study reports.

The petitioners are also directed to furnish the Office of the Solicitor General with a copy of the petition and its annexes.

Let copies of this Order be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General, Philippine Statistics Authority, the Local Civil Registrars of Makati City and Bulacan, Bulacan and the Social Worker of the Regional Trial Court, Office of the Clerk of Court, Makati City.

The petitioners are also directed to publish this Order in a newspaper of general circulation once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks to be chosen by raffle, all at their expense.

SO ORDERED. Makati City, February 12, 2015.

(TS-Apr. 16, 23 & 30, 2015)

(Sgd.) CRISTINA F. JAVALERA-SULIT Judge

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OPINION [ EDI TORI A L ]

LIVE ANOTHER DAY THE last-minute miracle came, after all.

The crosses and the coffins had been ready, and Mary Jane Veloso probably never imagined she would even see the sun rise again. Shortly before she was due to be shot by firing squad, however, the Indonesian government gave her a reprieve. She lives, for now.

What happens from here will be entirely up to our officials who appeared to have waited until the last minute before exhausting all options to save Veloso’s life.

It cannot be denied that the surrender of Maria Kristina Sergio on Tuesday to the Nueva Ecija police had much to do with the reprieve. Sergio is the godsister who told Veloso of the supposed job opening, who gave her clothes and a suitcase before going with her to Indonesia, and who disappeared as soon as the drugs were found in Veloso’s possession.

That Sergio has been charged with trafficking and is now in police custody bolsters Veloso’s claim that she is a victim, not an operator.

The Aquino administration is quick to claim credit for the stay of Veloso’s execution. It was because President Aquino spoke with the Indonesian president that the latter changed his mind, they claim. A sister of the President said she was proud of her brother.

Lest we get lost in the jubilation, it would be good to remember a few things.

First, the Philippine government only paid attention to Veloso’s case after she had been convicted. The likely reason she was found guilty, however, was her inability to defend herself. The Department of Foreign Affairs had no hand in providing her with a lawyer; her counsel was an Indonesian who was not conversant in English.

Second, the conviction remains. And unless the Philippine government moves with the same urgency as it has in the past few days – only in the past few days – Veloso may find herself back in that island, saying her goodbyes again, and for real.

We never doubted for a minute that Filipinos could muster enough support for Veloso’s cause. What we doubt is our government’s sustained attention to the case once other issues take prominence. It would be doubly tragic if we lose Veloso anyway after this rare chance was given to her.

Finally, there are numerous other Filipinos on death row in other countries. Their stories share an unnerving similarity with Veloso’s. What happened this week reminds us that waiting until the last minute should never be an option. Veloso was lucky this week, but relying on luck is never enough.

The Palace should now stop congratulating itself; it must face the more tedious work that lies ahead.

CREDIT-GRABBING LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES OF COURSE, you’d expect the Aquino administration to claim credit for the Indonesian government’s decision to stay the execution of convicted drug mule Mary Jane Veloso. President Noynoy Aquino, after all, worked on his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo to secure a reprieve for Veloso until the very last moment, buttonholing him at the sidelines

of the Asean leaders’ summit in Malaysia until Aquino left to return to Manila late on Tuesday.

The truth, however, has a way of coming out eventually. And while Aquino may have helped stop the scheduled execution before dawn on Wednesday through his “stalking” of Widodo, the efforts of Indonesian antihuman trafficking advocates who met with the Indonesian president may have really saved the former maid.

That meeting with a migrant workers’ group in Indonesia, it now appears,

changed Widodo’s mind. The executive director of Migrant Care Indonesia, Anis Hidayah, said in an interview that the group met on Tuesday afternoon with Widodo, who asked about Veloso’s case.

“We talked to [Widodo] that actually Mary Jane is the victim of human trafficking that also happened with many Indonesia migrant workers abroad also facing death penalty,” she said. “His first response was he was worried many people would [claim] that they are victims... [b]ut we made the

Aquino didn’t save Veloso; he just wants us to believe that, which is not the same thing. illustration about the cases of Indonesian migrant workers in China, Malaysia and other countries, same with the case of Mary Jane.”

By her account, Hidayah said they told Widodo that Veloso was a victim of the drug traffickers. “I was cry-

ing when I illustrated the case of migrant workers, the case of Mary Jane, I said to him, ‘if we kill the victims and tomorrow or next time we will find new evidence, how can we be responsible for this, after the execution?” she said.

Indonesia has a sizable migrant worker population, much like the Philippines.

And Widodo is very much aware of the similarities between the case of Veloso and many Indonesians in similarly dire straits.

And the fact remains that the Aquino government didn’t even act on Veloso’s case until five years after her arrest in 2010, when various groups started staging

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OPINION OPINION

A9

ADELLECHUA CHUA ADELLE CHUA ADELLE EDITOR EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph M O N D AY, A P R I L 2 7, 2 0 1 5 lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

EDITOR

VIEWFROM FROM VIEW MALCOM MALCOM ATTY.HARRY HARRY ATTY. ROQUE JR. ROQUE JR.

SHE’S ALIVE! HAS OUR

[ EDI TORI A L ]

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS MADE A DIFFERENCE?

THE nation is in celebration mode.

Who ever thought that one woman would have such a uniting effect on our people? Mary Jane Veloso, formerly part of the faceless and nameless Filipino diaspora, is now in the hearts and minds of every Filipino.

And for good reason. She represents EMBLEMATIC of the hypocrisy and mismanagement the modern-day Filipino who was that have become the hallmarks of this administration, the chief of the Bureau of Customs, John Phillip forced by economic hardship to seek Sevilla, resigned last week with disturbing allegations employment abroad, was apparently of political pressure and attempts to turn his agency duped, made into a drug mule, and into a milking cow to raise campaign funds for favored has landed in Indonesian death row candidates in the 2016 elections. for it. And to those who have doubts Sevilla was the third Customs commissioner HANOI, Vietnam—I am in the capital of on the power of prayersthink to leave the agency under the administration of Vietnam as a resource person in a again. semiFor in the final analysis, it could only President Benigno Aquino III, who has made the fight nar on “National Human Rights Comhave been the prayers of the nation against corruption the touchstone of his leadership. missions: Experiences from the Region” that savedbyher the firing squad.

Sevilla’s two predecessors had left the bureau amid sponsored thefrom Konrad Adenaer Stifallegations of corruption, tarnishing Mr. Aquino’s claims tung.

I accepted the invitation because of But the reprieve is just that—temof good governance. Sevilla took over in December 2013 aporary. long desire to evaluate the affectivity of What should make it permawith the promise of cleaning up what is widely perceived our own Rights nent forCommission Mary Jane ofis Human to apprehend as the most corrupt agency in the bureaucracy. since its establishment through the 1987 the people behind the drug syndicate That promise came crashing down less than two Constitution 28 years ago. This invitation preying on the hardships of others years later with Sevilla’s resignation. finally gave me to the opportunity to finalmaking modern-day In announcing his resignation, Sevilla said he was lyinconduct thisthem long-delayed study. drug mules.

Unless we can prove being pressured to appoint certain people to “very The starting point has to bethat the Mary very Jane’s only fault was to agree to carry sensitive” positions ahead of the 2016 elections, and high expectations of the people that the that will suit help casepromote to alleviate her hardadmitted that he could not finish the job of ending CHR and protect hucorruption at the bureau. man in the they ship,rights she may findcountry herself when back again “I don’t compromise on morality,” the resigning created the Constitution itself. Its before ittheinfiring squad.

Customs chief said. “The law is clear on what is firstGovernment head, Chairperson Bautista, shouldMary hopefully also allowed and [what is] not.” should be credited for safeguarding the learn from this experience.

Despite In its first statement following the resignation, the independence of the constitutional body Flor Contemplacion and the other Palace conspicuously ignored Sevilla’s allegations, from political interference. Congress then drugthe mules already ofput deathand in and simply announced his replacement, a person took appointment thetoChair China, government apparently has comments on FB posts—manythe of Commissioners BBL, underscored theCommission moral right from the private sector with extensive interests of the not learned it to lessons. them betray the pathetic ignorance of be a State its integrity.

None of in several brokerage-related companies. A Palace should submitted for conformation PENSÉES behind them. But again, they to are the these points justice and theory First, we needoftosocial modernize respokesman assured the public that there would be Commission on Appointments. red flags that invite close scrutiny,Rightfully if and moral theology were addressed no conflict of interest, as the new Customs chief, so, the Supreme Court ruled juvenate our consular personnel.

Our FR. RANHILIO only because, in their sheer irratioby the posted comments.

The Alberto D. Lina, would divest himself of his interest that Chairperson Bautista her comhumble contribution inand saving Mary CALLANGAN nality, they sound the alarm to the in his brokerage company—but said nothing of his bishops were reminded that missioners were notrather among those public Jane was an Application with prayer AQUINO holdings in at least 10 other corporations. intellectual bankruptcy that makes officers whose appointments needed conpriests were pedophiles. for some provisional measures, whichThey we The announcement did little to engender firmation byalso Congress.

Thisit insulated the were told that was shamehope would be filed with the InterFIRST, a disclaimer.

One national confidence. chair ful andformembers thebeen Commission them to of have involved daily, through an online post, atnational ofscandal. It Justice. Thewould ground Are we expected to believe that Sevilla’s replacement from political interference. in theCourt Pajero be tributed to me the statement that for it is rather unique—breach of the would truly divest himself of all his lucrative The Constitution enumerates powless bothersome merely to the laugh off the Chief Justice had, in effect, preVienna on Consular Rebusiness interests to take a job in the government ers ofsuch the Convention Commission.

These include the obvious illogicality, but if this judged the Binay case by her line of We can and oughtpower lations.

Under this Treaty, the nearest in an administration with only a year left? Or is his investigate, the powerortoa issue is to how our countrymen, good questioning at the oral argument. appointment part of efforts that Sevilla resisted to summons, cite in contempt andbetter, power to Philippine consular should part of them, reasonofficial (or, fail to raise the bar of I made no such statement. Somemake sure the ruling party stays in power after 2016? ask assistance fromthat any demonstration branch of governtobeen do so!), of have informed of the arrest and one did call me up however for public discourse and Aquino’s first Customs commissioner, who ment. we have a serious obstacle in aHere, dreadful want in thoughtfulness investigation of Veloso at the outset, an interview on the subject. I gave resigned under a cloud of suspicion when 2,000 ofreasonability evaluating performance of set more stringentthe and should us andtask not when the the case wasmake already him onIy curt replies though he container vans vanished from the bureau in 2011, the Commission.

For while the courts and fearful of democracy’s future inin Court.

Although seemingly trite, standards for the DOJ did attempt, by leading questions, was a close associate of Lina. whose performance may prevails, be meadeed.

When irrationality it was prompted to make me agree with him on Lina was also Customs chief during the previous sured in this termsreason of casethat disposal and/ or the its exchange in public anything frightful is possible!

International Court ofcan Justice to issue this assessment—an enticement I administration, before he left abruptly as part of the conviction rate, the CHR only investiTracing in broad strokes the hisspaces. steadfastly resisted. I made clear: provisional directing “Hyatt 10” Cabinet members who abandoned the gate but power to prosecute. toryhas ofno themeasures condonation doctrinethe in I did not think it was right for me United States not to proceed with the Arroyo government over an election-related scandal In this the case of Carino Ivs.pointed Commission of jurisdiction, out that to comment on on-going proceedin 2005, and who now hold considerable influence in Human Rights, Court defined implementation of death penalty it has beenthe inSupreme ourthe jurisprudence for ings. What I did, however, was the Aquino administration. the full extent of the Commissions’ invesagainst Mexican and German nationsome time now—carried over from write a Facebook post on the docAdministration allies in the Senate have been fulsome tigative powers: functionand ofand receiving als in the case“The of Mexico Germait impossible for a genuine democAmerican jurisprudence, that it trine of condonation. Justice Adolf in their praise for Sevilla, but have shown none of their evidence and ascertaining therefrom the racy to long endure.

When Archactually has roots in our democratic ny vs.

United States, that is referred to protest actions to save the ex-maid, the execution because she feared due for some good luck, after all, surveys show that Aquino’s poll offinvestigation survey data Azcuna with was dismissive elections the first to comment: usualremains eagernessundiminished. to launch a congressional facts of a controversy is not a judicial funcbishop Soc Villegas issued a stateconvictions.

I was not advocating as the “Avena” case. who was to as be survey executed the forofher life,about the Philippine governsince he’sare hadcontinuing nothing but misHe thattoI had captured numbers tothe plumb statements justthought continuing Theinto reality, afterwith survey allegations of corruption in the Bureau Customs, tion, properly speaking.ofTothis be piece considered mentthe on the draft BBL, an almost the perpetuation of juHere, the government should learn members of so-called “Bali Eight” ment wouldn’t even have any basis fortune since Mamasapano the doctrine succinctly.

He agreed particularly since such a probe might expose “friendly such, the faculty of receiving evidence and depths despite his has shown, is that Aquino is just do the work of governance, Com- new, unfamiliar common comment was: “Bakit risprudence.

I was however arguing that with a diaspora of 11 million Filgroupforces” of hardened drug traffickers. for seeking a Secretary reprieve. massacre. with mySergio’s analysisfear that efforts, the doctrine ratherhis than political opponents. making factual conclusions in a controverI expect the campaign to ang simHerminio barely keeping head above the munications nakikiaalam na naman that it was not unreasonable and ipinos working overseas, should has its roots in our understanding But there can be no doubt that Sevilla must be And because Aquino dearly wanted that she would be assassinated by He didn’t save Veloso.

He just sy must be accompanied by theweauthority waters of negative acceptability and Coloma now says that “there is further intensify. bahan dito?”. Nowhere was there had in fact been consistently apa dynamic and factual well-funded encouraged—or compelled—to name names family and popular sovereignty. note ofhave applying the law to those conclusomething, anything tois shore up Veloso’s more on the That wants usof believe that, whichfor There isto no other option significant roomisofbased for improvement popularity.

And there nothing any serious analysis ofis the arguplied by the High Court.

The comprovide a detailed account of what on he knows.

HisEcijano failure tradition sions to the end thatinthe controversy may I consider consular every where his plunging popularity, he Novo of seeking notpriceless! the same thing.

Aquino, really.

Butadvanced, history and the ment no serious examiand... [a] need to concurrence, continually ascerthat he can do, it seems, to went reverse mentsservice I got labeled mestate a lackey of to do so would be a betrayal of the morality he claims be decided or determined authoritatively, The next day, I wrote an extended there is an OFW. If only because the what even he and his officials be- tain justice outsideofof the legal” system “stickiness” ofnation * popular *and * rebuttal of the reasons the Binays, a fraud, a charlatan— the percepthe needs our people. the trend. led to his resignation, and the public service he vowed finally and definitively, subject to such aparticle for this paper—and earned a sweat, blood and tears of our OFWs lieved the fool’s errand of seek- than outAquino of anyseems belated attack of tionI’ve writtenas about how Nothing more than peals an pathetic actually, bethatalready he isadduced. a failure President hell-bent It istowas significant Malacanang uphold whenthat he took office at the BureauWhat of Customs. orkept modesus of economically reviewifashilarious, may beafloat, prolot of flak for it. on I do not mind the have attack on bishops and priests.

The cause they were attacks on me, not ing a stay of clemency for her. conscience – or any action of govAquino always seems to hold his are against doing is toand continue making seems toInhave abandoned the stratopening his mouth about corruption vided by law. This function, to repeat, the criticism, butpublic I am alarmed that thehim. we owe it argument. to them that our contrast consuls in a personal on my In” stark if Maria Kristina the Mr. ernment. out toArchbishop, anwhy imaginary friend capacity, Iofsee no reason Aquino’s numappearances is still hand egyAnd ofinfluence pretending to ignore repeddling in Sergio, thethe bureau, Sevilla hasto prove Commission does not have. kind that I got he is symptomatic a more discussed the necessity of inclusivewere the posts of Prof.

Jemy Gatshould have the resources to invoke Nueva Ecija town Veloso, like how heand aswhen he joins the obligatory “kapitlet the the surveys genie outmate of theofshow bottle, no Aquino, amountvery ofmuch It is this lack of prosecutorial powers would in the coming much in control sults of which anand working, insidious malady that bers is lethal to improve ness, warned against equating peace dula of the University of Asia and from in him orpopularhis former employers now hadn’tdoubletalk surrendered to the Cabanatcended to the presidency, lucked democracy: intolerance the possessor of game-changing en- for dissent! in Mindanao with the passage of irreversible decline his Continued on A11 Continuedon onA10 A10 Continued on A11 can put it back in. uanWhere City police on the day before dorsement into a favorable situation.

There is But goodhe’s reason to ignore Continued powers.

If subsequent ity. once the palace shrugged

SEVILLA’S GENIE

THE REAL THREAT

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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

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

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

WHAT MALAYSIA IS REALLY AFTER IF YOU are wondering why Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is so intent on brokering the peace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Philippine government, here’s why.

Certainly, a country would not go out of its way to broker peace talks between the Moro rebels and another government just because it loves the faces of the main characters. What’s in it for them?

It’s a fact that most of the arms of the Moro rebels, from the time when it was still the Misuari-led Moro National Liberation Front until now with the MILF have been coming from Malaysia. Santa Banana, Malaysians would not be doing all these for nothing!

We must understand that government officials under Malaysian law are not prohibited from engaging in business. In fact, the Malaysian ruling party is one big

Now why would a third party want to broker talks between another government and a rebel group? business corporation with its tentacles all over Asia in joint ventures with other countries.

As such, Malaysia’s motivation in brokering the MILF-government peace talks and its determination to have the Bangsamoro Basic Law enacted is clear. Malaysia is after joint ventures with the new Bangsamoro juridical entity in rubber and palm oil plantations. Malaysia is also interested in mining and oil exploration.

It all boils down to business. *** There is still a lot of speculation on who will run for president and vice president in next year’s elections.

Vice President Jojo Binay, for one, will be the presidential candidate of the opposition under the United Nationalist Alliance. He will be pitted against the administration bet, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, under the Liberal Party banner.

It remains to be seen if President Aquino and the LP can convince Senator Grace Poe to be Mar’s running mate since the administration is hoping the “masa” following of Grace will also go for Mar. Another candidate for President is Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who is now no. 3 in surveys. But will the Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinenses, Capangpangans, Bicolanos, Ilongos and Warays go for Duterte? That’s the question.

Senator Panfilo Lacson is also thinking of running for President.

But the ratings are not favorable to him. He may just end up as running mate of Binay. Three other senators also have a moist eye on the presidency – Senator Chiz Escudero, Alan Peter Cayetano and Bongbong Marcos. *** The controversy over the long-

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO abandoned and dilapidated McAdore building in Dagupan City has taken a new twist, no thanks to city executives who are obsessed with preventing AmbALC Holdings of former Ambassador to Laos Antonio Cabangon Chua, the real owner of the building, from developing it into a tourist hotel.

The Supreme Court, in a resolution by the First Division, had ordered the transfer of the hearings of the case filed against AmbALC Holding by Mayor Belen Fernandez from Dagupan Regional Trial Court to any RTC branch in Quezon City. The transfer was requested by AmbALC Holding in a petition seeking declaratory relief from the Dagupan City government based on the charges that the sale of McAdore was illegal for not having been approved by the city council.

The Supreme Court gave weight to the Makati-based AmbALC Holdings’ fears that it would not obtain justice under a court of law in Dagupan City because of political influence. My gulay, would you believe that Fernandez obtained a court order for the return of the case to the Dagupan RTC? This is a clear case of forum shopping and a mockery and travesty of justice!

Santa Banana, it also brings to fore the question: Can a city RTC overrule a decision of the Surpeme Court? The High Court must do something to assert its supremacy.

There’s also the question on why Fernandez is preventing AmbALC Holdings from developing the property?It must be something personal. *** Over the weekend I got reactions and feedback to my column where I proposed the abolition of the Movie & Television Review and Classifications Board. I had suggested that it Malacañang should just abolish the MTRCB since it has become irrelevant.

Mass media, after all, is now borderless.

But I must admit the feedback was enlightening, all supportive of the MTRCB. Rev. Renato Ligeralde, OJM, Rev. Father Villanueva of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Imus and Bro. Juan Carlo Peregrina of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary in Quezon City, all wrote me their reactions, the gist of which can be grouped into three: (1) the Board acts as a ratings and classifications Board, not only for television and movies, but also for commercials; (2) MTRCB supplements its classification function with programs to educate viewers and give them guidance; and (3) MTRCB continues to evolve and make itself relevant.

With the many various television channels available to the public, I agree that censorship is longer the way to go. I commend the MTRCB, however, in its programs to educate the people on how to watch TV programs, movies and even commercials. But I must say I will continue to watch how the MTRCB is doing for the good of the people.

OFFICERS IN CHARGE LAST Friday, President Barack Obama of the United States went on TV to announce the death of two Al Qaeda hostages. One was an American and the other was Italian. Both were aid workers.

It seems that in spite of the huge budget of the intelligence services of the US that is even bigger than the national budgets of many countries, it failed to ascertain that the two hostages were being kept in the same compound where an Al Qaeda leader was targeted for a drone strike last January.

In his TV appearance, President Obama took responsibility and blame for the mistake and apologized on behalf of the American government for the deaths of the two hostages.

This is in contrast to the way our own President handled the Mamasapano encounter.

President Aquino has put the blame on almost everyone except himself. Had the President done an Obama, he could have spared the country so much anguish and trauma which is affecting the Philippine National Police to this day.

Up to now, the President has not yet appointed a permanent PNP Chief. We now have an organization that is manned by many officers-in-charge. The latest designation of senior officers to some important units of the PNP are all OICs. Unless the rules have changed since my retirement, an OIC cannot exercise all his prerogatives as commander. He cannot, for instance, fully exercise his disciplinary powers; there are other limitations. Why this is allowed to continue is difficult to understand.

One other negative effect of appointing OICs is what it does to the careers of officers scrambling to be promoted before retiring, when weeks or even a couple of months are vital. If this situation continues, there will be many officers who will be unable to fulfil their long cherished ambitions to become Police Generals all because of politics or indecision.

There have been a lot of pub-

Credit-grabbing

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA lic discussions as to why the President has not appointed a permanent PNP Chief inspite of calls that he appoints a permanent replacement of Director General Alan Purisima.

The reason that he gave why PNP OIC Leo Espina was not appointed is the length of the time that he has to serve. It would be so short because of his projected retirement on July. But this could not be the only reason because there have been short stints in the past because of the retirement system of the Police and the Military. It is not uncommon for instance to have an AFP Chief of Staff or PNP Chief who will only serve three to six months.

The likelier reason is politics.

Ever since I can remember, the PNP has always been viewed by politicians making a run for national positions as crucial to victory. Part of the reason for this was that there were individuals or groups who would make their services available to politicians seeking national office in exchange for appointments to senior positions in the PNP should those politicians win. This could explain why not all those appointed as Chief of the PNP were or are necessarily the best of the lot. Closeness is an important consideration— as we saw in the case of Alan Purisima. But the idea that a politician can use the PNP as an institution to influence the outcome of a national election is a fallacy, unless the effort is brazenly open and blatant.

With the stakes of the 2016 presidential elections so high, it is understandable that the President and his political allies are timing the appointment of a permanent PNP Chief so that whoever will be appointed will still be there during the May 2016 elections.

In spite of his pronouncement

of the competence of General Espina, the good PNP OIC does not really enjoy the confidence of the President. This is a pity. Could it be Police Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo who will be appointed after July? Maybe, but he also will retire sometime on February or March next year and will not be around for the May elections. Information has it that right now he is the top dog in Camp Crame and not OIC Leo Espina.

What the President can do is perhaps wait for the proper time to appoint someone of his liking. Many in Camp Crame are speculating that this someone is Police Chief Superintendent Raul Petrasanta, a member of the Class of 1984 of the Philippine Military Academy, a class to which Secretary Manuel Roxas has been adopted. But even this appointment could be problematic. Petrasanta is under suspension until June of this year. And even if his suspension is lifted, his case has not yet been dismissed. That presents a problem to the administration. If however, the case is dismissed, then the appointment can go on but of course, the appointment will be under a cloud of suspicion.

By all accounts, however, he does enjoy the confidence of the President; some say even the presidential sisters want him appointed as PNP Chief.

Morale in Camp Crame and whole of the PNP has gone down to the gutter in spite of what the Palace is saying.

Many senior officers are disillusioned. This is not good for the administration if there is really a plan to use the PNP in the 2016 elections. My unsolicited advice to the Palace and Secretary Roxas is to study carefully what is going on in the PNP and do what is right before the situation deteriorates, wherein the organization becomes a big liability to the administration instead of the asset that they want it to be. One must avoid playing god with people’s lives.

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bisig” pose with his fellow summiteers. But Singapore leader Lee Hsien Loong has taken the fun to a different level by posting a photograph on his Facebook account showing the region’s leaders waiting for one their colleagues who wasn’t there.

“Waiting for the traditional leaders’ photo,” Lee, son of the late Lee Kwan Yew said.

“But someone’s missing.

Guess who.”

The missing leader was none other Aquino, of course. And the Philippine President couldn’t even say that he was talking to Indonesia’s Widodo about Veloso to explain his being late to

the photo op, because Widodo was clearly there.

Maybe Lee is also a “kulang sa pansin” Aquino critic who trades in “insults,” as our President describes the supposedly attention-challenged people who dare to speak ill of him. Or perhaps the Singaporean leader is in the employ of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

I don’t really know. What I do know is that it may be unseemly for one Asean leader to poke fun at another – except perhaps when the first leader thinks that the second can be made fun of with impunity.

It does appear that Lee

and many other people outside of the Philippines have decided that it’s perfectly fine to make fun of our President.

And to impute motives other than humorous to those who see the laughable and the ridiculous the antics of Aquino, especially on people like Lee, is simply pathetic.

This is the same Philippine President, after all, who talked tough about China, until China grabbed nearly all of the seas that we have long been claiming without hearing a whimper of protest from him ever again. So it’s safe to assume that a little online levity isn’t going to get a rise out of him.

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ THE reprieve of the execution of migrant worker Mary Jane Veloso after the surrender of her recruiter is a welcome development. This should give unbelievers a lot to chew on regarding their contentions on the efficacy of prayer and the presence of Divine Providence in our lives. I also subscribe that Ms. Veloso’s painful experience is something which we could both learn and grow from as a people. A particular point for introspection is the unyielding political will of President Joko Widodo to implement their criminal laws to the letter, despite the strong international pressure to instead “soften up” and practice clemency.

It has been consistently observed that Filipinos are a highly forgiving lot who easily forget even the most scandalous transgressions made, particularly when such incidents are mere news footages we capture in the media, something beyond our personal experience and does not directly affect us. As a result, I strongly feel that we have become too lax and soft in our duties to exact due penalties not only for such transgressions but more importantly, for criminal acts which have been defined by our laws as heinous or treasonous. At the onset, public outcry might be shown but, as evidenced by numerous cases, with the passage of time, only those directly affected continue to plod on in search of justice while the majority of our citizens go back to their daily routines only to be emotionally charged with the next headline that comes.

Within this context, the stand of the

LEARNING FROM INDONESIA Indonesian government to implement the full force of the law, though considered repugnant and barbaric by opponents of the death penalty, takes on a meritorious light. Seen from this vantage point, we may ask the question: By what right do we insist that Indonesia not follow its laws when we cannot fully enforce our own laws? Perhaps this episode should help remind us, particularly our national leadership, that introspection would have been a better way to prevent circumstances like this where our OFWs end up on the wrong side of the barrel and become helpless victims of criminal syndicates. One reader commented that Ms. Veloso’s plight reflected the poverty and lack of gainful livelihood here in the country and not the growing menace of the illegal drug trade in the country as I had opined. That is true, but equally so and consequentially true is the fact that the growing illegal drug trade and the inutile response of this administration to contain it locally have made our country a haven for these criminals. These have made many of our countrymen more prone to becoming their easy and unwary victims. Hence, the growing number of our OFWs who have been victimized by this metastasizing cancer reflects how strongly rooted the spill over of the global illegal drug trade has become in country during the past years.

Another strong point that I believe that we as a nation must learn from is the wisdom of the death penalty. I am of the opinion that we need to review our stance with regard to the death pen-

alty, even if it is for drug-related offenses only. Let me reiterate that 60 percent to 80 percent of our inmates are inside our prisons because of drug-related offenses.

Most cases of rapes happen due to the illegal use of drugs. The same goes for robbery and homicide cases. Moreover, just imagine the billions of pesos of damages that the drug trade is inflicting on our society and the more immeasurable damages it brings in terms of loss of life, broken relationships, opportunities wasted, and the breakdown of both our societal values and the moral fiber of our youth and future leaders. In the same vein, we are wasting billions of pesos just to inacarcerate and feed these drug and drug-related offenders.

As I have expressed in a recent column, I do not support the death penalty as being the only solution to the drug menace in our country. I am convinced, however, of the fact that its absence has emboldened many local and foreign operators and syndicates to perpetuate and broaden their activities here.

Likewise, I wish to reiterate that although the life of every individual is priceless and valuable, we should never hesitate to choose the ruin of one member of society to deter the ruin of greater number of our citizenry. While it may be true that the death penalty will not be able to completely eradicate this scourge, you cannot argue about its shock value. We definitely need another Lim Seng to strike fear into the hearts of these psychopaths.

FISTORY IN THE MAKING MANNY Pacquiao holds the unique distinction of being an eight-division boxing champion and the second-best poundfor-pound fighter in the world, as well as being the country’s top absentee congressman.

An electorate perhaps dazzled by his boxing exploits and celebrity status voted him into power as representative of Sarangani. They hoped that Pacquiao could bring to his work as a lawmaker the same talent he displays in the ring. But his tendency to dabble in other things – religion, basketball – has led him to neglect his duties in the halls of Congress.

On May 2, Manny will face Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas for “The Fight of the Century,” an event that took six years of negotiations to happen. Manny has been training in mentor Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles since early March this year to prepare for the fight.

Obviously, those two months or so abroad means that much less time working in Congress. Fellow representatives urge Pacquiao, acting head of the committee on overseas workers affairs, to hurry home after the fight and tackle the task of looking into Mary Jane Veloso’s case.

Pacquiao is aware of Veloso’s plight, and in fact released a short video of himself pleading with Indonesian president Joko Widodo to spare her.

Mercifully, among the “Bali Nine” sentenced in Indonesia to execution for drug charges, Mary Jane was the only one given a last-minute reprieve. While this buys time for further negotiations for her release, the built-up momentum of efforts on her behalf must not be stalled by further delays, certainly not by any dillydallying of a man who insists on wearing

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE many hats while having only one head.

This is the criticism often levied against Pacquiao – that as he extends himself into too many roles, he becomes unable to satisfactorily fulfill his obligations. His stunning loss to Juan Manuel Marquez was only one indication of this loss of focus.

From whence comes this preoccupation with playing other roles – congressman, pastor, pro basketball player, budding mogul, possible presidentiable?

The answer may come from Manny himself. He said in a recent ESPN interview that for years he has wanted this fight against Mayweather to happen because: “I really want to prove, that I’m here, Manny Pacquiao, who can easily beat the undefeated.”

This, then, is what propels him to test himself in one arena after the other – the desire to prove himself, to show that despite his impoverished background and lack of early opportunities, he has what it takes to succeed in whatever he turns his hand to.

As a boxer, there can be little doubt about his ability, his dedication to his sport, and his drive to excel. Anyone who denies Manny’s capability and determination to win this fight is a Mayweather fan.

But shall we separate the absentee congressman from the champion pugilist, at least for this moment?

Manny has consistently said that his motivations are “to see Filipinos united,” to make them happy,” to help people, to

recharge national pride. His entrance song that he recorded himself is entitled “Lalaban Ako Para sa Pilipino” (I will fight for the Filipino), manifesting his intention of making this a fight in behalf of the Filipino, taking on his shoulders the giant chip that marks our national consciousness, that of having something to prove to the world.

For the duration of this prizefight, let us put aside Pacquiao’s failings as a congressman, to be taken up in the proper forum. If there are penalties for his absenteeism, let them be strictly enforced on his return, without fear or favor, otherwise the result would be a mockery of the law he is mandated to uphold.

But on the big day, let us watch Pacquiao and Mayweather duke it out in this battle that hardcore fans of the sweet science say must happen between the two champions, to settle without question who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

On that fateful night, the MGM arena will be a proving ground not only for one man, but for an entire nation, whose support for its champion will show how united it can be, because this is not a mere gladiatorial spectacle; this is a historic event, a once-in-a-generation fight that will resound through boxing history.

This is fistory, and a Filipino will make it.

But the country also needs Pacquiao back in Congress as soon as possible – this time, to fight for Mary Jane’s life. And it could be the toughest battle and the most difficult challenge he will yet face. *** Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @ jennyortuoste, Blog: http://jennyo.net

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She’s... From A9 violations of the Vienna Convention as a ground for vacating judgments against our nationals. Moreover, it is absolutely unacceptable that Mary Jane faced trial being defended by pro-bono counsel. The DFA must have sufficient legal funds to retain the best possible lawyers in foreign jurisdictions to defend our OFWs. This is investing on the goose that has been laying the golden eggs for us. No ifs, no buts. It was wrong that our embassy paid for Mary Jane’s counsel only after she had been found guilty.

With other nationals also facing the death penalty worldwide, we should also now be at the forefront of the struggle to abolish the death penalty worldwide. We are in the best position for this since we too had the death penalty until recently.

Perhaps we should focus on the drug syndicates preying on the hardship of our people and using them as drug mules as the theme for our campaign. Perhaps we should highlight that the drug syndicates are the real criminals, and not the drug mules.

Perhaps the biggest lesson that government should heed is: DO NOT WAIT FOR THE ABSOLUTE LAST MINUTE. If you’re going to call in favors and spend goodwill, you might as well do it as early as possible. We might not be as lucky the next time.

Babes Romualdes and I appeared in Malou Tiquia’s new debate program on CNN Philippines. The topic was whether the Philippines’ diplomatic efforts have been sufficient in resolving the West Philippines Sea dispute. I didn’t feel that I was in debate since Babes appears to be in agreement with me on every point that I raised. For instance, I said the problem was not whether diplomatic initiatives have been exhausted. Instead, I argued that the problem is we do not have a concrete policy on the West Philippine Sea, to begin with. I recalled the time when the DFA was split on whether we should resort to arbitration. The policy group thought that arbitration was mutually exclusive with diplomatic initiatives since China, culturally, allegedly does not want to be sued. The maritime group, which prevailed, thought that arbitration was the lone remedy since we cannot continue to negotiate with a superpower that has a gun pointed at our heads. In reality, a concrete policy on how to deal with China should have told us that the Chinese antipathy against all sorts of litigation is a farce given the many cases that it has filed to date with the World Trade Organization. Likewise, a coherent policy would have made us realize that running to Uncle Sam at every opportunity has only further muddled the issue since China today does not eve recognize us as a party to the dispute. In their minds, we are nothing but stooges for the Americans.

Babes wrote about a reader allegedly complaining about persons like me who will talk against the Americans but seemingly oblivious against China. Babes: tell your friend that I am not such a person. All he has to do is to check out my many writings against the Chinese on this issue.

I am a Filipino and will of course only espouse the Filipino interest.

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Blatt seeks Asian support

James Harden of the Houston Rockets celebrates a late basket against the Dallas Mavericks during Game Five in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The Rockets won, 103-94, to advance to the west semifinals. AFP

Rockets shoot down Mavs HOUSTON—The Houston Rockets, led by James Harden’s 28 points, punched their NBA playoffs second-round ticket on Tuesday with a 103-94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Harden, a contender for the NBA’s regular-season Most Valuable Player award, delivered a key three-pointer and a steal down the stretch as the Rockets made it out of the first round for the first time since 2009 with a 4-1 win over Dallas in the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series.

The Rockets now await either reigning NBA champions San Antonio or the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Spurs pushed the Clippers to the brink of elimination with a close-run 111107 victory in Los Angeles.

San Antonio took a 3-2 series lead and will try to close out the set when they host game six on Thursday.

“It was huge for us,” said Spurs veteran Tim Duncan, who scored 21 points and

pulled down 11 rebounds. “We’ve got two chances to try to close it out.”

Kawhi Leonard scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds for San Antonio. Argentina’s Manu Ginobili scored 14 points, while the Spurs’ French point guard Tony Parker and Australian Patty Mills added 13 points apiece.

Blake Griffin scored 21 of his 30 points in the first half and also grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Clippers. Chris Paul had 19 points and 10 assists and DeAndre Jordan registered 21 points and 14 rebounds for Los Angeles.

In Houston, Harden’s team-mates made sure he didn’t have to do it all for the Rockets.

Dwight Howard scored 18 points and pulled down 19 rebounds. Josh Smith added 20 points off the bench and Terrence Jones scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter.

Houston advanced despite 21 turnovers and a lackluster performance from the foul line -- connecting on just 19 of their 36 free-throw attempts.

“Our work is far from over,” Rockets forward Trevor Ariza said. “We have a lot of

work to do.”

Monta Ellis with 25 points led the Mavericks, who haven’t won a playoff series since their 2011 championship run.

German veteran Dirk Nowitzki finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds but missed 15 shots and all six of his three-point attempts for the Mavs.

Although Houston never relinquished the lead after the first quarter, the Mavericks didn’t go down without a fight.

They whittled a 14-point deficit to 88-85 with just over five minutes left in regulation.

But as before in this series, the Rockets responded.

Jones converted a three-point play, then connected on a three-pointer to put Houston up by nine.

Nowitzki trimmed the deficit with an uncontested layup, but Harden came up with a three-pointer before a steal and a no-look pass to Jones for a dunk that all but sealed the victory.

“We kept getting in striking distance, but they kept making plays,” Dallas center Tyson Chandler said. “You have to give them credit.” AFP

MANAMA, BAHRAIN— FIFA chief Sepp Blatter will take a big step towards a fifth term in office when he watches Asia’s football boss, a key ally, seal re-election unopposed on Thursday.

Just four weeks before FIFA’s presidential vote, Blatter can shore up crucial Asian support when he addresses the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) congress in Bahrain.

It is likely to be a triumphant trip for the 79-year-old, with AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa, a vocal supporter, set to be handed a fresh, four-year term.

Kuwaiti powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad al Fahad Al Sabah, another Blatter ally, also looks likely to win one of three seats on FIFA’s executive committee which are up for grabs.

Meanwhile Blatter’s presidential rival Prince Ali bin al Hussein will lose his post as a FIFA vice president, which is being absorbed into the Asian leader’s job title.

Blatter has already been assured of African support for the May 29 FIFA poll, and with Asia’s 46 votes he would be all but at the finish line.

His rivals—Jordan’s Prince Ali, Dutchman Michael van Praag and former galactico Luis Figo—face a last-minute scramble for support ahead of the ballot in Zurich.

Shaikh Salman will tighten what is becoming an iron grip on Asian football when his first full term is rubber-stamped by the congress in his home country of Bahrain.

He swept to power in 2013 promising a clean slate after his predecessor Mohamed bin Hammam was banned from football mid-term over alleged bribery and financial wrongdoing. AFP

PH Memory team US bound Cleveland Cavaliers face a Love-less post-season

ELITE members of the Avesco-Philippine Memory Team gear up for two prestigious mind games in the USA in May. Grandmasters of Memory Mark Anthony Castañeda and Johann Randall Abrina will represent the Philippines in the 2nd Extreme Memory Tournament to be held in San Diego, California on May 2 and 3.

XMT features the best minds in a head-to-head memory battle, where only the world’s Top 24 mental athletes are invited to compete.

Castañeda and Abrina will then be joined by two other members of the Avesco-Philippine Memory Team

in the 1st MAA USA Open Memory Championship to be held at Los Angeles, California on May 5 and 6.

It is the first ranking memory sport championship in the United States and the first Open competition on the entire continent.

The two other Filipinos competing in the event are International Masters of Memory Jamyla Lambunao and Axelyancy Cowan Tabernilla.

Last December, the 13-year-old Lambunao bagged a gold medal in the Random Words event juniors’ division by memorizing 207 words in 15 minutes at the World Memory Championship 2014 in Hainan, China.

‘‘The Avesco-Philippine Memory Team trained well for this US trip and I am very happy that Filipinos are moving mountains and not being left behind in competitions that bring together the sharpest minds in world when in comes to information retention,’’ said Philippine Mind Sports Association president Ma. Luisa Moguel.

The PMSA-backed team is also being supported by AVESCO Marketing Corporation.

For more information about Memory Sports and Memory Enhancement Training Seminars, contact 881-5212 or 0916-4040942 and look for coach AB Bonita.

CLEVELAND—Cleveland star Kevin Love may miss the entire NBA postseason after dislocating his shoulder in the first-round series-clinching playoff win over Boston, Cavaliers general manager David Griffin warned Tuesday.

The Cavs had initially suggested that Love may recover in time to feature at some point in the postseason.

Love However Griffin painted a gloomy picture on Tuesday of Love’s chances of being able to bounce back in time, revealing the 26-year-old center had received “extensive” damage to his shoulder.

“This is not a situation where we are expecting that he will be available for any of this (postseason),” Griffin said.

“We are in the process of gathering information and seeing what the exact right next steps are and every option is on the table. Surgery is an option as well, if necessary. We’re going to continue to look at that, but I don’t want there to be any expectation on Kevin that he’ll be back.”

Asked if Love may possibly feature if the Cavaliers made it through to the NBA finals, Griffin remained pessimistic.

“I think it would be a real surprise if he we were able to participate in the postseason,” he said. “I’ve still got a sliver of hope very late, but highly unlikely.”

Cleveland face either Milwaukee or Chicago in the next round of the playoffs. AFP

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

French Spiderman scales Paris tower for Nepal quake victims PARIS—French “Spiderman” Alain Robert on Tuesday climbed up the highest building in Paris with a Nepalese flag in hand, in tribute to the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit the country.

The 53-year-old French daredevil scaled the 210-metre (690-feet) high Montparnasse Tower in the French capital without a security harness in a little less than an hour.

During his climb, he tried to fix a Nepalese and multicolour prayer flags to the building, but these quickly fluttered away with the wind.

Before starting his climb, he said his

thoughts went to mountaineers stuck at the Everest base camp, where many died in avalanches triggered by the monster quake that has killed more than 5,000 people and left some 10,000 injured.

The Frenchman has climbed some 130 structures around the world without ropes or other safety equipment, setting a record for “most buildings climbed unassisted” according to Guinness World

Records.

These include the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest tower in the world, the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, and Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers.

It is the third time that he has climbed the Montparnasse Tower.

“If I am still physically in shape, I will be able to climb until 60, 65 years old,” Robert said. AFP

Cardinals, Chiefs rip opponents

4 teams grab early cage lead

THE Mapua Cardinals won over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 68-61, while the Arellano University Chiefs repulsed the National University Bulldogs, 74-65, Sunday in the 21st Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gymnasium inside the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.

Allwell Oraeme topscored for the Mapua Cardinals with 21 points, while Josan Nimes hit 14 to lead the Intramurosbased cagers to their first win in Group B of the senior division.

Dioncee Holts shot 18 points, and Kent Salado tallied 13 for the Chiefs, who picked up their second triumph in three games in Group A. This boosted both squads’ bids in the race for the two semifinal slots in their respective divisions, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

In other matches, the Manuel L. Quezon University Stallions, led by Jonathan Ibarra with 10 points, waylaid the San Beda Red Lions, 82-68, to post their second straight triumph in Group B, while the Olivarez College Sea Lions In the junior division, the Adamson Baby Falcons drew 21 points from Junjun Asuncion and 16 from Jason Celis in edging the San Beda-B Red Cubs, 77-73.

EAGLE Blue, Eagle White, Impakt Elite and La Salle Greenhills-A turned back separate rivals in the 15-under boys’ division to take the early lead at the start of the Milcu Basketball Summer Showcase, Presented by Got Skills at the Xavier School gymnasium in San Juan.

In Group B, James Gotladera fired 20 points as Eagle Blue routed St. Jude, 4426, the first of its three wins, Joaquin Jaymalin chipped in 12 when Eagle Blue went to whip International School of Better Beginnings-Lucena, 64-32.

Gelo Asuncion made 17 points as Eagle Blue came away with its third straight triumph--a 69-62 stopping of La Salle Greenhills-B, 6962, in this cagefest, which drew 53 participants in five age-group categories.

Eagle White moved ahead in Group A, posting two wins, first with Dave Ildefonso shooting 17 points when they won over Impakt Elite, 52-45, in games supported by Magic 89.9, Gatorade Philippines and Black Water Sports Ralph Matthew Escalona then hit 14 points when Eagle White prevailed over de La Salle-Integrated School Laguna, 68-47.

Impakt Elite, which has two wins and a loss, bounced back from a setback to Eagle White, when Vincent Joshua David made 12 points to get past La Salle Greenhills-A, 54-43.

Seiryo Sasaki contributed 14 points in Impakt Elite’s 9229 stopping of the Pinoy Youth Dreamers, while MJ Arellano starred in their 67-45 walloping of Chiang Kai Shek.

Dominic Ryan Panlilio struck with 13 points when LSGH-A won over PYD, 6451, and Haribon Espinosa delivered eight when they quashed DLS-IS, 65-46.

Alain Robert, the French urban climber dubbed Spiderman, climbs the 210m (689 ft) Tour Montparnasse skyscraper on April 28 in Paris. AFP

New challenge for karters at Palawan circuit THE country’s top youthful karters bring the battle to unfamiliar grounds when the 2015 Petron Blaze 100 ROK Karting Super Series invades Palawan this Saturday at the newly built Shell-Palawan International Circuit in Barangay Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City.

It will be another intense, crowd-drawing showdown between Eduardo Coseteng Jr. of Eagle Cement and Flynn Jackes of Team Kart Master Drakar-Singapore, whose young rivalry will be tested at the new race track as they try to outsmart each other for the Mini-ROK XCS and KF Restricted Blaze 100 crowns.

The event is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored

by Petron, Petron Blaze 100 Euro 4, Petron

XCS, Petron Ultron, Petron Xtra, Petron Sprint, Magnolia Pure Water and Yokohama, the official tires.

The new circuit is a1.350-km track with a width of eight to 10 meters that makes it equally suitable for underbone and scooter racing events. Though just as long as the Carmona Racetrack, its unique international-standard design will provide a different challenge for the karters as wits, strategy and endurance will play big factors in winning the race.

In the last leg at the Batangas Racing Circuit, Coseteng stamped his supremacy in the Mini-ROK XCS, winning by just 0.744 of a second ahead of Jackes.

However, problems bogged his kart in the KF Restricted race, forcing him to take

the exit with six laps to go as Jackes romped his way to victory.

Joining them in the hunt for the MiniROK XCS title are Jarred Kim of Formula-E Racing, Bobby Redpath, Troy Spencer Cortez, Rap Rap Gutierrez and Constantin Reisch.

Favored in the other divisions are Joaquin Garrido in the Formula Cadet Expert Ultron over Zach David of Formula-E Racing and Bobby Redpath; and Inigo Anton of Kart Plaza-Yokohama-Works Bell, who’s eyeing his third win in a row in the Formula Cadet Novice Ultron against Constantin Reisch and Paris Jackes.

For more info, call the Carmona Racetrack, c/o Rose Feria at 845-0745, 889-3389, 845-3287 and 845-4142 or visit the website www.asiankarting.net.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Grassroots football completes 3rd leg FOOTBALL for a Better Life, a grassroots development program composed of tournaments and clinics, completed its third leg on April 22 and 23 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Football clubs from San Carlos and neighboring Kanlaon, Bacolod and Iloilo sent teams to the event held at the San Julio Realty field which is made up of three standard football fields.

Former Azkals team captain and current Green Archers United player Chieffy Caligdong supervised the tournaments and, together with British football coach Chris Thomas, conducted the clinics that benefited over 250 young footballers aged six to 16 years old.

Caligdong said that the visit to San Carlos was intended to boost the level of playing of the kids and bring knowledge, particularly the British style of football, to both the

players and the coaches.

“Gusto naming ma-encourage ang mga bata na magpatuloy sa kanilang sport at ibahagi ng techniques para ma-improve nila ang kanilang game. (We want to encourage the kids to continue their sport and share techniques so they can improve their game),” said Caligdong.

Thomas, who took up Sport Development at the University of Lancaster and has coached students in Thailand and children with special needs in the US, recognized the dedication of the players and coaches in San Carlos.

“What an amazing city San Carlos is! The city has a great passion for the sport of football and for the talent it possesses. I have a big respect for the community coaches who certainly work hard in growing the sport; you can see the fruit of the coaches’ labor shining through the British football coach Chris Thomas gives instructions to kids. kids,” said Thomas.

Cubs out to defend Palaro title

By Peter Atencio

TEN members of the San Beda Red Cubs will make up team Calabarzon, which will defend the hotly disputed secondary boys’ basketball crown of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

The squad, led by last year’s remnant Norrish Decapia and 6’5” cager Jeremy Mahinay, are from San BedaTaytay and are expected to be back in the finals.

“Ten members of the team are from San Beda-Taytay. They will be there to fight for the crown,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison, who will handle the squad, with Noli Mejos.

LOTTO RESULTS

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Last year, Calabarzon unexpectedly won the crown when they upset reigning champion National Capital Region, 86-80.

Senior cagers John Gumtang and Franz Abuda, who took charge in the last 7.1 seconds, are gone, and the team will also bank on Adie Velasquez, Ivan Nelle, Pedro Alfaro, Prince Etrata, Albert Bordeos, Josh

Tagala and Miguel Bonalos.

In the semifinals, Calabarzon outplayed Central Visayas Region, 81-74, to earn the right to face NCR. Decapia is one of key players, who helped the San Beda Red Cubs win their sixth straight crown in the 90th National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament.

NCR, which was led by Justin Serrano with 13 points and Noah Lugo with 12, made it to the finals after beating defending champion Central Visayas’ Sacred Heart-Ateneo de Cebu, 90-80, with Chino Mosqueda hitting 20 points.

Calabarzon’s unexpected title conquest in secondary boys’ basketball came as NCR snared the gold medals in

high school boys’ volleyball and baseball and girls’ basketball gold.

Also last year, the Big City spikers, who drew strength from UAAP high school titlist University of the East, fought back from 7-10 down in the deciding fifth set and turned back defending champion Calabarzon, 2025, 25-23, 27-25, 24-26, 15-12, for the boys’ plum.

NCR took the top honors again with 61 gold medals, 36 silvers and 31 bronzes in the secondary division, and with a 28-25-1 tally in the elementary level.

Calabarzon settled for second (2327-28), with Western Visayas in third (20-14-22) and CARAA (Cordillera) in third (17-7-10).

Davao del Norte roots for Pacquiao THE Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex will be the venue of perhaps the biggest outdoor gathering of Filipino fans rooting for Manny Pacquiao in the most important fight of his fabled career against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Sunday.

And the crowd would be representing the entire country—all 17 regions of them.

“Easily it would be the biggest

public viewing ever for a Manny Pacquiao fight,” Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario told the Philippine Sportswriters’ Association Forum on Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate.

The 2015 Palarong Pambansa hosts have deliberately delayed the games’ opening ceremonies for a day on Monday to give way to the Pacquiao-Mayweather megafight

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in Las Vegas that is expected to happen at noon Sunday.

But competitions in some of the 17 sports on the Palaro program will start on Sunday for the weeklong Davao del Norte Palaro backed by the Tagum Agricultural Development Company Inc., Damosa Land, Davao Packaging Corp., Davao International Container Terminal, Inc. and Pearl Farm Beach Resort.

Republic of the philippines c AV i t e s tAt e u n i V e R s i t Y (c V s u ) Don seVeRino De l As AlAs cAmpus cAV i t e, p h i li ppi n es ( ( 0 4 6 - 415 0 010 - 012) w w w.cVs u. eD u. ph

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID

The CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites suppliers/ manufacturers/distributors/contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project: Name of Project : PURCHASE OF MINI BUS / COASTER Location : CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, INDANG, CAVITE Brief Description : 34 – 40 SEATER-MINI BUS / COASTER Approved Budget For the Contract : P 4,000,000.00 Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last two (2) years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

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

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows:

The CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites suppliers/ manufacturers/distributors/contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project: Name of Project : ONE YEAR CONTRACT FOR SECURITY SERVICES Location : CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, INDANG, CAVITE Brief Description : SECURITY SERVICES FOR MAIN AND SATELLITE CAMPUSES Approved Budget For the Contract : P 16,645,842.00 Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last two (2) years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

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

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows:

Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents

Schedule April 30 – May 20; 2015; 8:00 – 5:00PM

May 7, 2015; 3:00 PM; S.L. Lasap Hall, Administration Building, 2. Pre-bid Conference Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite 3. Opening of Bids May 21, 2015; 4:00 PM; S.L. Lasap Hall, Administration Building, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite Bid Documents will be available only to prospective bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of Five Thousand Pesos Only (P 5,000.00) to the CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY Cashier.

The CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

Approved by: (SGD) GILCHOR P. CUBILLO, Ph.D. BAC Chairman

Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-bid Conference 3. Opening of Bids

Schedule April 30 – May 20; 2015; 8:00 – 5:00PM May 7, 2015; 4:00 PM; S.L. Lasap Hall, Administration Building, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite May 21, 2015; 5:00 PM; S.L. Lasap Hall, Administration Building, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite

Bid Documents will be available only to prospective bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only (P 25,000.00) to the CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY Cashier.

The CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

Approved by:

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(SGD) GILCHOR P. CUBILLO, Ph.D. BAC Chairman

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Softball extends listup THE biggest international softball tournament in the Philippines is calling all sluggers to join in.

The annual Summer Grand Slam is coming back to Clark for its ninth season which will go on from May 13 to 16 at the Clark Parade Grounds, Clark, Pampanga.

The deadline of registration for participants has been extended to May 10.

“The Summer Grand Slam is at a level of its own. This annual event has honed local and international softball players including the National men’s and women’s team who, by the way, are playing this year. The event revs up our players for the Southeast Asian Games and the Men’s softball championships.

Extending the deadline will allow more teams to participate and maybe, we’ll be able to discover new talents as well. This is good for any sports event, the more, the merrier.” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines President Jean Henri Lhuillier.

As for the cash prizes, the Open divisions’ champions will receive P30,000, P20,000 for the first runner-ups, and, P10,000 for the second runner-ups. The club divisions will get P15,000 for the champions, P10,000 for the first runner-ups, and, P5,000 for the second runner-ups.

Grand Slam veterans will be returning such as Men’s title holder, the Philippine Air Force 1, which won over the Philippine Navy last year. Defending Women’s champion, Chikara from Brunei, will also be returning to participate in the Women’s open division.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Blakely leads 4 returning imports

By Jeric Lopez

ALL teams are already gearing up for the start of the season-ending 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Association Governors’ Cup next week.

Almost all the 12 teams already have a regular import, with some opting to use the optional Asian reinforcement for more firepower.

There will be four returning imports for the tournament, led by former Best Import awardees and regular returnees Marqus Blakely of Purefoods and Arizona Reid for San Miguel Beer. The other two are Wendell McKines of Rain or Shine and resident import Marcus Douthit of Blackwater.

The newbies are Rob Jones for NLEX, Andre Emmett for Meralco, Patrick O’Bryant for GlobalPort, Steffphon Pettigrew of Talk ‘N Text, Orlando Johnson for Barangay Ginebra and Romeo Travis for Alaska.

Unfortunately for Kia Motors, dominant giant PJ

Ramos, who is supposed to be the team’s import for the second straight conference, won’t be around anymore as he still happens to be under contract with a team in a Puerto Rican League.

Kia, Blackwater, GlobalPort and Barako Bull were all granted a luxury of getting an import with no height limit due to their inferior records in the first two conferences. The other eight teams are only allowed an import not taller than 6’5”.

To expand its market in Asia, the league allowed the teams to tap an additional Asian import with a height limit of 6’3,” should they choose to.

So far, teams who opted to get an Asian import are Ginebra, Kia, Blackwater, GlobalPort, Kia, NLEX and Talk ‘N Text, with three teams getting a Jordanian import.

The Elite are tapping Immad Qahwash, the Batang Pier are bringing Omar Krayem and the Tropang Texters will have Sam Daghles, all from Jordan.

The Gin Kings will have Sanchir Tungalag from Mongolia, the Carnival picked Chang Tsung-hsien from Taipei, while the Road Warriors will have Michel Madanly from Syria.

InvItatIon to BId for the Supply and delIvery of two (2) lotS varIouS MaterIalS for the faBrIcatIon of paGcor eMBleMS under ItB no. 04-31-2015 The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming public bidding for the Supply and Delivery of Two (2) Lots Various Materials for the Fabrication of PAGCOR Emblems under ITB No. 04-31-2015.

Brief Description

Lot 1: Supply and Delivery of Various Hardware Materials 1) 10 pieces Bit, Chamfering Bit

Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@yahoo.com

•

1/2" shank x 1/2"

•

Shank = 1/2" dia. x 1-1/2" length

•

Ball Bearing Chamfering Bit = 45°  A1 = 26mm (1-1/32") diameter 

A2 = 8mm (5/16") diameter

2) 65 pieces Bit, Router, Flush Trim Bit, 1/2" x 1/2", short

Fun get-together at Cambridge ALL notable bridge players trooped SYLVIA LOPEZ to the residence ALEJANDRO of Chris Tweddell at Cambridge at Forbes Park on April 16th. The usual Thursday game of the Cambridge Club was transformed into a special bridge game to honor Madame Chris Tweddell.

This special game was initiated by Mr. Pocholo Lozano, soon to be announced president of the Philippines Tournament Bridge Club. We, especially the regular players at Cambridge Club game wanted to express our thanks to Madame Chris Tweddell for hosting the game at their residence, Ambassador and Mrs. Twedell and to offer our condolence for the untimely demise of her father.

An enthusiastic response was met with all player indicating to Commo. Justo Manlongat former president of the Philippine Tournament Bridge Association their contributions for our get-together whether in cash or wines-Australians of course. Kudos to Viksi Egan who arranged a splendid merienda with the bibingka, pancit luglug from et al Via Mare.

Congratulations to Lars and Chuchay, first place North/South 63.95%. And well done to Sylvia and Martin who were second of 54.90%.

Congratulations to Viksi and Menchie, first place East/West with score of 68.18%.

And well done to Barry and Susan who were a score of 58.71%.

I feature the whole results of the players that participated: (North/South Ranks) Lars Manneteg & Chuchay Tuason 188.00 Sylvia Alejandro & Martin Anastacio 168.00 Lani Tayas & Dina Velasco 160.00 Chris Tweddell & Ayesha Fuchs 153.00 Cynthia De Guzman & Isabel Maloles 153.00 Dolly Montenegro & Bambi Harper 150.00 Mila Wales & Salma Lall 137.00 Lynn Gavino & Nena Ramirez 137.00 Justo Manlongat & Winston Arpon 134.00 Glory del Rio & Inday Canoy 132.00 (East/ West Ranks) Viksi Egan & Menchie Cu Unjieng 180.00 Barry Randle & Susan Kwee 155.00 Pocholo Lozano & Joli Kansil 166.00 Linda Wehrman & Suena Manalang 149.00 Nalin & Hiranthi Samarasingha 151.00 Bernie Conroy & John McPhedran 133.00 Phil Manalang & Titang Montinola 135.00 Abe Rivera & Hector & Tarrazona 127.00 Margaret Kwok & Abla Assad 122.00 Ellie Esteban & Mila Camus 108.00 Toti Fernandez & Alice Briones 86.00 Chris Tweddell thanked us all for coming to the game and a wonderful merienda. “I was glad that Bill was able to join us.”

And I thank my partner Anastacio Martin who was able to take time off his work to play with me.

Bridge and oodles of good food and wine are the best combination for a very fun to-gether.

Again Chris our profuse thanks!

Supply and Delivery of Two (2) Lots Various Materials for the Fabrication of PAGCOR Emblems

•

Blade dia. = 1/2" diameter

•

Axis dia. = 1/2" diameter

3) 10 pieces Bit, Straight Bit, 1/4" x 1/4" •

Blade dia. = 1/4" diameter

•

Axis dia. = 1/4" diameter

4) 130 pieces Blade, Jigsaw Blade, #3 5) 138 liters Chemical, Methylene Chloride 6) 3,464 pieces Sandpaper, #180, 9" x 11" Lot 2: Supply and Delivery of Various Plastic Acrylic 1)173 pieces Plastic, Acrylic, Burma Green, 1/4" x 4' x 8' 2) 936 pieces Plastic, Acrylic, Chalk White, 1/4" x 4' x 8' 3) 59 pieces Plastic, Acrylic, Clear, 1/2" x 4' x 8' 4) 104 pieces Plastic, Acrylic, Yellow, 1/4" x 4' x 8' Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), VAT Exclusive, Zero Rated Transaction)

Superal drops to 3-way tie with 72. Princess Superal blew a three-shot lead with three late bogeys, settling for an even par 72 and enabling Chihiro Ikeda and Thai Wichanee Meechai to force a tie for the lead in the second round of the P500,000 ICTSI Wack Wack Ladies Invitational at Wack Wack’s West course on Wednesday.

Pacman... From A16 at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino Convention Center, Pacquiao shook hands with scores of supporters.

“It’s not personal for us. It’s personal for the fans.

Don’t get nervous on Saturday (Sunday in Manila). I’m the one who’s going to win the fight. So relax. It is time for Mayweather to lose. Just be excited.

I’m excited. Thank you for your overwhelming support and prayers.

I love you guys. God bless,” Pacquiao said.

The screams and applause when he finished was deafening.

Pacquiao later told the media gathered for a conversation with him that this is the most important fight for his boxing legacy.

“But I know I am going to win. We have several strategies for this fight. I’m very comfortable,” said Pacquiao.

He also declined to concede that Mayweather is the most dangerous opponent of his career.

“I haven’t fought him yet. At the moment, it’s Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez.

I can say he’s a difficult opponent but I’m comfortable and confident,” Pacquiao explained.

While Mayweather brags about the fact that 47 had tried and failed to defeat him, Pacquiao responded: “I’m different from the 47 opponents he’s fought before. I’m faster than any of them. He will experience his first loss.”

While Mayweather said the fight will happen because it is the right time, Pacquiao himself believes “This is the right time for me to fight Floyd. I’m more experienced now than five years ago. The speed and power are still there. Even people who don’t follow boxing want to watch this fight. When I started in America in 2001, nobody knew who I was. Now a lot of people know Manny Pacquiao.”

Reacting to a Mayweather shop selling t-shirts with a Philippine flag in the background, Pacquiao said he likes it. “‘Welcome to the Manny team,” Pacquiao told the leader of the Money Team.

The total ABC is Nine Million Nine Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand and Forty-Four Pesos (PhP9,933,044.00), VAT Exclusive Zero Rated Transaction.

The ABC per lot are as follows: Lot 1: Supply and Delivery of Various Hardware Materials Three Hundred Thirty-Nine Thousand Eight Hundred Forty-Four Pesos (PhP339,844.00), VAT Exclusive, Zero Rated Transaction

Delivery Schedule Source of Funds

Lot 2: Supply and Delivery of Various Plastic Acrylic Nine Million Five Hundred Ninety-Three Thousand Two Hundred Pesos (PhP9,593,200.00), VAT Exclusive, Zero Rated Transaction Within thirty (30) calendar days from the effectivity date specified in the Notice to Proceed Internally Funded

Bidders should have completed, within the last three (3) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

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

All particulars relative to Pre-Bid Conference, Detailed Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR. The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities 1. Issuance of the Bidding Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids 4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids

Schedule April 30 to May 20, 2015 May 8, 2015, 10:00 a.m.

May 20, 2015, 10:00 a.m.

May 20, 2015, 10:am onwards

Complete details of the project are indicated in the bid documents which will be available to prospective bidders at the Bids and Awards Services Department (BASD), upon payment of the non-refundable bidding fee based on the following matrix from the address below: Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000.00 and below More than 500,000.00 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million

Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Pesos) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00

Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable bidding fee not later than the date of the submission of bids. The Pre-bid Conference is open to all prospective bidders. Prospective bidders should present to PAGCOR’s Cashier located at the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila either the Bidding Fee Slip which may be secured from the BASD or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

PAGCOR assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - TieBreaking Method, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 1 shall use a non-discretionary and nondiscriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two or more bidders have been post-qualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final LCRB, based on the following procedures: 1. In alphabetical order, the bidders shall pick one rolled paper.

2. The lucky bidder who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as the final bidder having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract.

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

Please address all communications to the Bids and Awards Committee thru the BASD, Room 203, Second (2nd) Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Tel No.: 524-3911, 521-1542 local 223/571.

(Sgd.) RODERICK R. CONSOLACION Chairperson Bids and awards Committee (BaC) 1 (TS-Apr. 30, 2015)

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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

LAS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather amped up the anticipation for their blockbuster bout, feting fans on Tuesday before they get down to the final, serious preparations for Saturday’s welterweight showdown.

Boxing’s latest “Fight of the Century”—between two fighters reckoned the best pound-for-pound of their generation—has been more than five years in the making.

But as fight-week swung into high gear, tensions between the camps were evident as Filipino icon Pacquiao and unbeaten American Mayweather made public bows at separate venues.

“So many different sponsors and networks came together to make this big event happen—I think we both should have been here,” Mayweather said after Pacquiao opted out of the “grand arrival” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Pacquiao instead greeted fans down the street at Mandalay Bay. The several hundreds, who attended his rally were far outnumbered by the thousands who turned out for Mayweather at the venue that will host the fight.

Most bookmakers have made 38-year-old Mayweather, 47-0 with 26 knockouts, the favorite for a fight that’s certain to be the most lucrative in boxing history.

But 36-year-old Pacquiao told reporters he is revelling in his underdog status as he spoke excitedly about the prospect of finally stepping into the ring to face Mayweather.

“I have something to prove. I like being the underdog because my killer instinct and my focus is there,” added Pacquiao, describing the bout as “one of the most important fights in my boxing legacy.”

Pacquiao’s arrival on a stage in a Mandalay Bay convention center room was preceded by Filipino singers and folk dancers and a bravura performance from an 11-year-old singing prodigy.

A music video featuring Pacquiao performing his latest composition—interweaved with scenes from his ring career and his efforts in such causes as typhoon relief— was followed by a rousing rendition of the Philippine national anthem before Pacquiao appeared in beige jeans and an “MP” T-shirt.

Mayweather’s entrance at the MGM, in contrast, featured all the swagger that his fans love and critics denounce.

A hip-hop master of ceremonies and a glitzy university marching band kept the crowd entertained until Mayweather’s arrival at the MGM in a glistening black van emblazoned with a white “M” logo. AFP

Rockets shoot down Mavs TURN TO A12

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao put up a fighting stance during a fan rally at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on April 28, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will face WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (inset) in a unification bout on May 2 in Las Vegas. AFP

PACQUIAO RELISHES UNDERDOG TAG

Pacman excudes confidence

By Ronnie Nathanielsz EIGHT-DIVISION world champion Manny Pacquiao, cheered on by a huge crowd of supporters at a fan’s rally arranged at the last minute by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum in an obvious protest against the partiality of the MGM Grand towards undefeat-

ed pound-for-pound No.1 Floyd Mayweather Jr., exuded confidence in his ability to inflict the first loss of his foe, who has a 47-0 win-loss record.

Veteran sports columnist Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail described Pacquiao as “the happiest soul in Las Vegas.”

“He was smiling, cracking

jokes, bidding everyone welcome,” said Powell, in contrast to seeing boxers “with grim expressions and gruff reactions— wearing what they call their fight face—in the last days before going into unarmed combat.”

In a brief address to fans, who had gathered hours before Turn to A15

Mayweather: I’m older, wiser, blessed IN typical Floyd Mayweather Jr. style, the undefeated flamboyant champion entered the MGM Grand arena with all the pomp that was expected of him.

But Mayweather’s demeanor was a bit different from what he usually does in previous grand arrival events of his fights.

The 38-year-old Mayweather was all smiles but at the same time more refined with his movements and in answering

every question thrown at him by mediamen who were present.

“I made a lot of immature moves. Now I’m older and wiser.

I have a strategy to get to this point. I was very flashy, flamboyant, very outspoken but now I am older and wiser and I’m just blessed,” said Mayweather.

One question apparently had an intention of trying to rile Mayweather when the American champion was asked about

his opinion on why Pacquiao seemed late for the day’s event.

Mayweather, however, took the high road in answering the query.

“I can’t speak for Manny Pacquiao why he’s not here. MGM Grand and Showtime and everyone spent a lot of money for this event. It’s all about being professional. I don’t want to do excuses,” said Mayweather.

Dennis Principe

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK THURSDAY: APRIL 30, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

business@thestandardtoday.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com

BUSINESS

B1

P170-b rail auction readied

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Transportation Department said Wednesday it plans to start the bidding process for the construction of a P170.-7-billion commuter railway from Metro Manila to Bicol region next month.

Transportation Undersecretary for planning Rene Limcaoco said the P170.7-billion North-South Railway ProjectSouth Line would be placed on the auction block next month under the public private partnership program.

“Our plan is to bid it out

PSe comPoSite

as soon as possible. We aim to publish the bid invitation around May,” he said.

The proposed NSRP South Line PPP covers Metro Manila to Legazpi City, Albay, plus a number of existing and proposed branch lines with a total length of 653 kilometers.

It also consists of commuter railway operations between Tutuban and Calamba and long haul railway operations between Tutuban and Legazpi, including extended long-haul rail operations on the branch line between Calamba and Batangas and extension between Legazpi and Matnog.

The project, which was approved the National Economic and Development Authority Board in February, is expected to become commercially operational by the first quarter of 2020.

Construction is seen to start by the first quarter of 2016.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. of Ayala Corp. earlier said they were keen on participating in the bidding for the NSRP– South Line, which would be implemented through PPP. “To us, it is the most interesting one out of those big-ticket projects. If and when that is bidded out, it is something that we would like to take a serious look at,” said AC Infrastructure president John Eric Francia.

The south line project is a part of the P287-billion North-South Railway Project, whose first phase involves the construc-

tion of a 36.7-kilometer narrow gauge elevated commuter railway from Malolos, Bulacan to Tutuban, Manila.

The first phase is projected to be completed by the third quarter of 2020. It would be financed either through official development assistance or the national budget.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda, who chairs the Bicol Regional Development Council, said the south rail line was among the most monumental development projects of the Aquino administration that were seen to unlock the huge potential of Bicol, particularly of Albay.

index

Closing April 29, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,825.47 61.10

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing APRIL 29, 2015 46

P44.320

45

CLOSE

44 43 42

HIGH P44.200 LOW P44.320 AVERAGE P44.250 VOLUME 379.900M

P500.00-P650.00 LPG/11-kg tank P38.95-P44.55 Unleaded Gasoline P27.70-P31.00 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

SM Investments report. SM Investments Corp., the holding company of tycoon Henry Sy, held its 2015 annual stockholders meeting at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Wednesday. Shown leading the meeting are (from left) SMIC director and chief finance officer Jose Sio, vice chairman Henry Sy Jr. and vice chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson. BOBBY CABRERA

P32.40-P40.40 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG

ERC approves new rate for solar projects

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, April 29, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

44.2480

Japan

Yen

0.008398

0.3716

UK

Pound

1.523200

67.3986

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129037

5.7096

Switzerland

Franc

1.046901

46.3233

Canada

Dollar

0.827130

36.5988

Singapore

Dollar

0.753182

Australia

Dollar

0.785793

34.7698

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652450

117.3656

33.3268

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

11.7992

Brunei

Dollar

0.750356

33.2018

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000077

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.030600

1.3540

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

12.0478

Euro

Euro

1.088800

48.1772

Korea

Won

0.000933

0.0413

China

Yuan

0.160756

7.1131

India

Rupee

0.015788

0.6986

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.280466

12.4101

New Zealand

Dollar

0.763709

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032827

33.7926 1.4525 Source: PDS Bridge

B3

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Regulatory Commission approved a solar feed-in tariff of P8.69 per kilowatt for an additional capacity of 450 megawatts.

ERC said it based the new rate on total project cost, engineering, construction and procurement cost, net capacity factor, switchyard and transformers, transmission interconnection cost, equity internal rate of return, peso and dollar exchange rate,

PNB raises $150m from foreign banks

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

inflation and consumer price index.

The regulator said in a resolution solar plants commissioned prior to the new solar feed-in tariff rate would continue to enjoy the original feed-in tariff rate of P9.68 per kWh. The additional 450 MW brought the solar installation in the country to 500 MW. Only solar projects that qualified for the first 50 MW and endorsed by the Energy Department would qualify for the original rate.

“It shall be effective

B4

Ayala set to start big mall

immediately after the publication of the resolution adopting the same. To align the same with the DOE’s certification dated April 30, 2014, the new solar FIT shall be valued until March 15, 2016,” ERC said in a decision.

The agency said it computed the total plant cost for solar at $1.958 million per megawatt, or within the capital costs of ground mounted solar plants based on the report of REN21 entitled Renewables 2014 Global Status Report.

B6

The National Renewable Energy Board earlier proposed a feed-in tariff rate of less than P9.10 per kWh for the additional 450-MW solar installation.

NREB vice chairman Ernesto Pantangco earlier said many solar developments had applied for feed-in tariff rates, or the preferential rates for renewable energy projects.

NREB is the implementing agency of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which ushered in the entry of renewable energy power projects in the country.

IC to impose disaster insurance

THURSDAY: APRIL 30, 2015

B2

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Wednesday, april 29, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 104 63 2.49 4.2 4 18.48 31.6 9.5 2.95 890 1.01 99.4 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 8.7 12.02 23.55 6.3 1.75 625 0.225 78 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 Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

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

8.17 70.95 112.00 102.90 45.8 2.52 2.08 9.42 15.3 22 7.51 1.75 787.00 0.480 94.75 18.20 30.65 77.90 92.05 316.6 46.65 166.2 1410.00 66.25 3.05

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 3.12 168 8.65 34.1 2.3 16 24.4 16.2 7.62 250.2 3.37 3.87 9 3.7 9.94 3.03 2.22 1 4.72 1.65 201.6 4.1 1.67 0.122 2.01 143.4 4.28 0.670 9.01 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 Crown Asia 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 Jollibee Foods Corp.

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ SPC Power Corp.

Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

43.15 1.55 1.08 2.05 11.36 54.95 87.00 19.1 169 28.9 63 2.82 1.82 13.52 20.800 11.56 8.14 9.88 1.86 15.98 28.15 93.95 14.30 0.4250 14.00 6.24 203.00 10.1 32.55 2.68 54.10 24.85 27.5 8.000 263.80 3.92 4.26 9.64 4.01 11.80 3.95 2.38 2.5 5.10 1.89 197 4.5 1.78 0.171 2.20 216.4 4.6 0.64 20.85 1.41

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 8.9 9.25 0.9 18.9 0.73 5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 0.84 87 934 2.2 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

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 4.96 4.43 0.59 12 0.580 4.22 4.5 0.036 1.23 0.450 66.7 709.5 1.13 0.93 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 Jolliville Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

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

Minerales Industrias Corp.

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

0.470 58.05 26.75 1.30 7.24 1.60 0.280 0.29 800 8.15 14.70 4.45 0.295 1296 6.12 72.30 4.8 8.7 0.77 15.26 0.66 4.67 5 0.0390 1.680 1.040 67.70 924.50 1.17 0.89 100.00 0.3850 0.2200 0.315

10.5 1.99 2.07

6.01 0.91 1.29

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

8.850 0.84 1.280

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 9.4 241 12.5 79 3.95 45.45 33.9 90 13.98 292.4 5 5.25 13.04 6.8 14.5 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.68 7.86 253 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.68 226.6 5.5 1.3 26 2.17

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 8.3 8 71 69 112.00 108.10 104.00 102.90 45.9 45.8 2.45 2.41 2.06 2.05 9.7 9.7 15.46 14.12 22.15 21.8 7.52 7.51 1.75 1.67 790.00 787.00 0.490 0.465 94.5 92 18.24 18.24 31.50 31.50 78.00 77.50 94.85 92.05 319 316.2 46.7 46.1 166.3 163 1420.00 1410.00 66.80 65.95 3.05 3.05 INDUSTRIAL 43.25 42.9 1.59 1.59 1.09 1.07 2.06 2.04 11.52 11.32 48.4 48.4 87.10 87.00 19.2 19.02 159 145 28.8 27.9 63 63 2.94 2.57 1.94 1.83 13.86 13.5 20.850 20 11.60 11.40 8.23 8.12 9.90 9.81 1.88 1.88 15.9 15.42 28.35 27.9 94.3 90.8 14.30 14.30 0.4300 0.4250 13.88 13.84 6.4 6.26 205.80 201.00 10.1 9.86 32.70 32.60 2.67 2.6 53.00 50.00 24.7 23.95 28.15 27 8.090 7.810 265.00 261.80 3.94 3.92 4.36 4.25 9.85 9.65 4.49 4 11.50 11.50 3.99 3.90 2.38 2.31 2.62 2.45 5.19 5.14 1.95 1.89 196.4 196 4.48 4.21 1.83 1.72 0.168 0.166 2.23 2.21 217.8 216 4.6 4.6 0.65 0.65 20.85 20.85 1.41 1.41 HOLDING FIRMS 0.470 0.470 58.05 57.00 26.75 25.90 1.30 1.26 7.20 7.08 1.60 1.58 0.290 0.280 0.29 0.29 800 777 8.19 8.1 14.86 14.50 4.45 4.45 0.295 0.285 1314 1280 6.12 6.12 72.40 71.25 5.7 4.13 8.8 8.57 0.78 0.76 15.38 15.18 0.67 0.66 4.66 4.57 5.1 5 0.0410 0.0390 1.570 1.410 1.080 1.000 69.05 67.70 930.00 902.00 1.20 1.17 0.90 0.89 99.30 98.40 0.3850 0.3750 0.2450 0.2200 0.325 0.325 PROPERTY 9.050 8.750 0.84 0.81 1.280 1.280

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

8.1 71 110.00 104.00 45.85 2.45 2.05 9.7 15.28 22.1 7.51 1.75 790.00 0.490 93 18.24 31.50 78.00 92.05 317 46.1 166.1 1410.00 66.20 3.05

-0.86 0.07 -1.79 1.07 0.11 -2.78 -1.44 2.97 -0.13 0.45 0.00 0.00 0.38 2.08 -1.85 0.22 2.77 0.13 0.00 0.13 -1.18 -0.06 0.00 -0.08 0.00

75,200 33,540 6,178,400 637,730 72,900 12,000 84,000 1,000 16,400 182,500 5,400 98,000 270 40,000 8,944,050 700 10,000 34,330 6,000 1,010 88,100 701,730 850 40,430 10,000

43 1.59 1.08 2.04 11.32 48.4 87.00 19.08 150 28.25 63 2.63 1.91 13.5 20.450 11.44 8.16 9.88 1.88 15.42 28.3 93 14.30 0.4300 13.84 6.3 201.00 10 32.60 2.6 52.45 24.3 27.8 7.850 261.80 3.92 4.33 9.69 4.49 11.50 3.91 2.35 2.45 5.19 1.94 196 4.44 1.73 0.168 2.23 217.6 4.6 0.65 20.85 1.41

-0.35 2.58 0.00 -0.49 -0.35 -11.92 0.00 -0.10 -11.24 -2.25 0.00 -6.74 4.95 -0.15 -1.68 -1.04 0.25 0.00 1.08 -3.50 0.53 -1.01 0.00 1.18 -1.14 0.96 -0.99 -0.99 0.15 -2.99 -3.05 -2.21 1.09 -1.88 -0.76 0.00 1.64 0.52 11.97 -2.54 -1.01 -1.26 -2.00 1.76 2.65 -0.51 -1.33 -2.81 -1.75 1.36 0.55 0.00 1.56 0.00 0.00

4,808,600 4,000 1,108,000 713,000 5,900 100 1,000 44,600 360 148,700 2,920 35,778,000 1,582,000 45,600 4,217,900 1,042,000 17,529,800 2,211,700 4,000 207,400 1,632,000 280,310 4,200 230,000 8,000 431,200 1,462,440 136,100 700 20,000 2,320 3,198,000 266,100 144,500 506,940 93,000 1,100,000 948,200 3,000 38,500 166,000 617,000 827,000 381,700 47,000 9,100 25,000 723,000 750,000 1,221,000 2,093,480 1,000 251,000 100 32,000

0.470 57.20 26.35 1.26 7.16 1.58 0.285 0.29 794 8.12 14.72 4.45 0.290 1285 6.12 71.95 4.25 8.62 0.76 15.18 0.67 4.58 5.1 0.0410 1.560 1.010 69.00 908.00 1.20 0.90 98.60 0.3800 0.2380 0.325

0.00 -1.46 -1.50 -3.08 -1.10 -1.25 1.79 0.00 -0.75 -0.37 0.14 0.00 -1.69 -0.85 0.00 -0.48 -11.46 -0.92 -1.30 -0.52 1.52 -1.93 2.00 5.13 -7.14 -2.88 1.92 -1.78 2.56 1.12 -1.40 -1.30 8.18 3.17

60,000 1,530,750 5,895,000 66,000 11,100 51,000 1,720,000 1,050,000 530,360 608,800 3,256,800 1,000 380,000 322,660 104,200 2,323,720 106,000 639,800 1,004,000 846,600 33,000 30,378,000 182,800 1,700,000 61,000 11,790,000 307,150 697,970 60,000 37,000 11,700 1,970,000 3,010,000 10,000

8.900 0.83 1.280

0.56 -1.19 0.00

150,000 756,000 8,000

2,022,376.50 -417,910,140.00 -23,662,111.00 30,750.00 15,280.00 -1,841,995.00 110,600.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

0.375 40 6.15 5.4 1.54 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.98 1.09 2.25 1.87 1.8 5.73 0.180 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 3.6 20.6 1.02 7.56 1.96 8.59

0.192 29.1 4.1 4.96 0.89 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.445 0.85 1.4 1.42 1.19 4.13 0.090 0.39 2.57 21.35 1.64 3.08 15.08 0.69 3.38 1 5.69

Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

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

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

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 12.46 15.82 0.1460 4.61 99.1 12.3 2.6 9 1700 2090 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 2.85 2.2 3.2 5.9 1.97 2.46 15.2 0.62 22.8 6.41 4 110.2 14 3486 0.710 2.28 48.5 90.1 11.6 0.87 10.2

1.97 32.5 1 0.6 10 9.61 0.0770 2.95 46.55 10.14 1.6 5.88 830 1600 5.95 1.36 105 3.01 0.012 0.036 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.69 1.1 2 1.05 0.490 1.8 8.7 0.34 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2726 0.380 0.32 31.45 60.55 7.59 0.63 6.45

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

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

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

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.7 12.8 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 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 8.65 0.236 6.5 6.98 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 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

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

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

70 553 525 118 120 515 8.21 12.28 111 1047 76.9 78.95 84.8

33 490 500 101 101.5 480 5.88 6.5 101 1011 74.2 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

10.96 88 12.88

2.4 13.5 5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

High

Low

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.248 39.50 4.11 5.2 0.93 1.22 1.02 0.155 0.460 0.880 1.39 1.85 1.43 5.3 0.123 0.5300 7 29.90 1.76 3.24 19.40 0.78 7.17 1.020 7.610

0.250 0.250 0.250 39.75 39.00 39.70 4.21 4.11 4.14 5.1 5 5.1 0.93 0.91 0.91 1.22 1.22 1.22 1.06 1.03 1.06 0.157 0.154 0.155 0.460 0.455 0.455 0.880 0.880 0.880 1.42 1.39 1.39 1.86 1.82 1.84 1.43 1.41 1.41 5.37 5.28 5.29 0.126 0.122 0.123 0.5400 0.5100 0.5400 7.09 7 7 30.45 29.90 30.20 1.76 1.75 1.76 3.24 3.20 3.20 19.58 19.04 19.10 0.79 0.76 0.76 7.15 9.91 7.15 1.030 1.000 1.010 7.650 7.480 7.650 SERVICES 6.5 6.6 6.4 6.4 61.3 61.5 61.2 61.35 1.07 1.07 1.06 1.07 0.690 0.690 0.680 0.690 13.98 13.98 13 13.98 11.70 11.76 11.42 11.50 0.1050 0.1070 0.1010 0.1020 4.92 5.03 4.9 4.99 85.55 87 84.95 85.75 10.18 10.18 10.1 10.18 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.7 7.16 7.33 7.11 7.11 925 932 920 920 2230 2240 2160 2160 6.15 6.30 6.15 6.30 1.45 1.48 1.44 1.48 111.2 111.3 110 111.1 7.52 6.61 6.61 6.61 0.013 0.014 0.014 0.014 0.246 0.260 0.240 0.246 1.2600 1.2900 1.2600 1.2600 2.69 2.6 2.6 2.6 9.20 9.56 9.22 9.50 2.01 2.01 2.01 2.01 1.28 1.29 1.27 1.27 2.18 2.20 2.20 2.20 6.00 9.00 7.20 9.00 0.670 0.670 0.670 0.670 2 2 2 2 8.93 9.19 8.8 9.1 0.360 0.365 0.360 0.365 18.4 18.62 18.62 18.62 4.49 4.70 4.40 4.50 3.06 3 3 3 110.00 114.00 110.00 113.00 14.70 14.72 14.52 14.72 2928.00 2926.00 2878.00 2888.00 0.620 0.620 0.610 0.620 1.550 1.640 1.540 1.640 40.60 40.45 40.20 40.25 87.40 87.30 85.00 85.35 10.60 10.70 10.50 10.54 0.66 0.67 0.66 0.67 6.52 6.78 6.52 6.78 MINING & OIL 0.0053 0.0053 0.0051 0.0052 2.62 2.62 2.60 2.62 8.10 8.10 8.00 8.08 0.255 0.260 0.260 0.260 7.0000 6.8000 6.8000 6.8000 6.8000 7.0500 6.8000 6.8000 1.05 1.02 1 1.01 0.88 0.89 0.88 0.89 7.93 8.19 7.81 7.81 2.02 2.03 1.97 1.99 0.370 0.375 0.355 0.360 0.233 0.233 0.230 0.233 0.242 0.240 0.240 0.240 0.0140 0.0150 0.0140 0.0140 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 4.43 4.43 4.37 4.37 24.1 24.05 23.35 23.45 3.86 3.9 3.81 3.82 0.7100 0.7200 0.7100 0.7200 2.090 2.110 2.070 2.070 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 4.70 4.74 4.50 4.50 6.89 7.18 6.89 6.95 1.94 2.01 1.91 1.91 0.015 0.016 0.015 0.015 168.00 169.00 164.00 165.00 4.21 4.34 4.16 4.23 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 PREFERRED 61.5 62 61 61 510.5 521 518 521 520 522 521 522 120 121 120 120 120 120 116.5 119 515 514 511 512 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.1 1.09 1.09 1.08 1.09 113 113.5 113 113.5 1045 1045 1045 1045 75.9 76 75.95 76 83 83.95 83.9 83.95 86 86.8 86.65 86.8 WARRANTS & BONDS 4.000 4.550 4.090 4.540 SME 9.4 9.5 9.2 9.3 74.85 77.85 74.85 74.85 9.08 9.1 9 9.1 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 128.1 128.2 127 127.3

0.81 0.51 0.73 -1.92 -1.69 0.00 3.92 0.00 -1.09 0.00 0.00 -0.54 -1.40 -0.19 0.00 1.89 0.00 1.00 0.00 -1.23 -1.55 -2.56 -0.28 -0.98 0.53

170,000 10,298,600 2,723,000 19,100 3,907,980 11,000 67,000 3,860,000 360,000 40,000 1,914,000 14,178,000 533,000 43,744,700 1,140,000 200,000 193,600 4,018,200 88,000 72,000 67,530,100 1,080,000 126,000 549,000 6,839,400

-1.54 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.71 -2.86 1.42 0.23 0.00 -5.56 -0.70 -0.54 -3.14 2.44 2.07 -0.09 -12.10 7.69 0.00 0.00 -3.35 3.26 0.00 -0.78 0.92 50.00 0.00 0.00 1.90 1.39 1.20 0.22 -1.96 2.73 0.14 -1.37 0.00 5.81 -0.86 -2.35 -0.57 1.52 3.99

228,800 25,600.00 5,800 18,000 871,000 -207,000.00 4,409,500 0.00 3,809,200 13,267,158.00 725,000,000 7,284,000 -100,000.00 398,130 -4,839,959.00 1,900 53,000 67,800.00 399,900 108,450.00 100 46,960 -49,858,100.00 37,000 19,000 509,390 9,933,132.00 100 800,000 6,610,000 0.00 88,000 6,000 2,127,200 4,811,120.00 8,000 10,050.00 144,000 1,000 28,900 77,000 43,000 13,492,200 -42,066,162.00 12,000 800 75,000 22,000.00 2,000 106,310 898,806.00 85,000 22,050.00 127,930 -179,959,160.00 480,000 60,390.00 26,448,000 -1,056,050.00 2,396,900 -46,725,095.00 872,320 -3,187,225.00 5,055,000 344,000 4,975,600 -7,243,504.00

-1.89 0.00 -0.25 1.96 -2.86 0.00 -3.81 1.14 -1.51 -1.49 -2.70 0.00 -0.83 0.00 0.00 -1.35 -2.70 -1.04 1.41 -0.96 0.00 -4.26 0.87 -1.55 0.00 -1.79 0.48 0.00

719,000,000 26,000.00 39,000 396,600 363,633.00 10,000 15,000 22,000 916,000 111,100.00 256,000 14,800 17,745,000 -14,657,180.00 6,180,000 3,540,000 100,000 108,800,000 4,700,000 -10,500.00 175,000 -157,870.00 4,040,600 6,915,405.00 1,356,000 19,250.00 2,000 334,000 -58,460.00 400,000 442,000 23,450.00 261,600 13,900.00 3,049,000 53,290.00 14,900,000 613,770 36,767,965.00 156,000 42,300.00 200,000

-0.81 2.06 0.38 0.00 -0.83 -0.58 0.00 0.00 0.44 0.00 0.13 1.14 0.93

147,290 6,060 2,070 1,500 45,200 2,760 6 152,000 7,000 400 20,510 1,990 103,600

-215,846.00

13.50

6,886,000

25,070.00

-1.06 0.00 0.22

1,145,800 1,860 2,460,000

-247,843.00

-0.62

23,220

113,239.00

75,358,195.00 7,821,820.00

-2,270,740.00 3,492,910.00 -65,482,458.00

MST

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

SHARES 18,150,544 107,165,880 71,058,868 169,919,896 162,228,509 887,949,612 1,420,104,189

-242,529,595.50

548,522.00

-725,340.00 -5,570,148.00 282,000.00 -33,117.00

114,464,945.00

9,710.00

-547,374.00

-141,500.00 141,120.00 -315,550.00 75,640.00

-8,059,060.00 -766,486.00 15,437,811.00 88,880.00

-79,500.00 -18,906,085.00 -2,635,071.00

-31,550.00 -132,577,034.00 10,000.00 13,000.00

-1,143,685.00 -1,382,880.00 254,968.00 52,190,728.00 2,650,780.00 4,689,271.00

-172,500.00 9,400.00 25,000.00 936,795.00

218,100.00

-36,566,276.00

83,850.00

-63,895,309.00 -9,741,165.00 -21,600.00

299,250.00 66,887,285.00 -1,018,745.00 -2,804,094.00

-143,066,020.00 612,000.00 41,260,150.00 1,556,898.00 5,932,386.00

-36,889,960.00

2,134,190.00 -1,426,702.00 -269,430,620.00

-116,854.00

Double Dragon IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,808,761,485.621 1,785,865,205.32 2,289,372,869.42 2,266,235,404.81 1,212,228,231.64 262,544,495.178 9,661,155,123.991

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,796.88 (DOWN) 10.31 INDUSTRIAL 12,309.04 (DOWN) 24.56 HOLDING FIRMS 6,988.37 (DOWN) 77.37 PROPERTY 3,167.06 (DOWN) 4.66 SERVICES 2,149.08 (DOWN) 20.55 MINING & OIL 15,096.35 (DOWN) 210.66 PSEI 7,825.47 (DOWN) 61.10 All Shares Index 4,496.22 (DOWN) 27.75 Gainers: 78; Losers: 105; Unchanged: 49; Total: 232

54,198,945.00 637,171,834.00

-13,703,901.00

94,550.00

-3,582,239.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Manila Broadcasting

9.00

50.00

Imperial Res. `A'

6.61

-12.10

LR Warrant

4.540

13.50

Bogo Medelin

48.4

-11.92

Phil H2O

4.49

11.97

Jolliville Holdings

4.25

-11.46

Wellex Industries

0.2380

8.18

Chemphil

150

-11.24

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.014

7.69

Prime Media Hldg

1.560

-7.14

Premium Leisure

1.640

5.81

Crown Asia

2.63

-6.74

Pacifica `A'

0.0410

5.13

Discovery World

1.7

-5.56

Da Vinci Capital

1.91

4.95

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

4.50

-4.26

Travellers

6.78

3.99

Century Peak Metals Hldgs

1.01

-3.81

Cityland Dev. `A'

1.06

3.92

Federal Res. Inv. Group

15.42

-3.50

THURSDAY: APRIL 30, 2015

B3

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

Stocks decline; PLDT down

Weather Philippines partner. WeatherPhilippines has committed to team up with the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation to strengthen the role of business in building the nation’s disaster preparedness, response and resiliency. Shown (from left) are Francisco del Rosario Jr., president of the Management Association of the Philippines; Jaime Zobel de Ayala, chairman and chief executive of Ayala Corp. and co-chairman of PDRF; Manila Archbishop and PDRF co-chairman Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle; Manny Pangilinan, chairman of Philippine Long Distance and Telephone Co. and Smart Communications Inc. and co-chairman of PDRF; Ramon del Rosario Jr., chairman of the Makati Business Club and trustee of PDRF; Erramon Aboitiz, chief executive and president of Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and Aboitiz Power Corp.; and Victor Dela Dingco, executive vice president of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines.

PNB raises $150m from foreign banks

By Julito G. Rada

PHILIPPINE National Bank, one of the country’s top lenders controlled by airline and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, officially returned to the syndicated loan market after more than a decade with the signing of a $150-million three-year term loan with a group of international and regional banks.

Standard Chartered Bank acted as the sole coordinating bank and fully underwrote the $150-million facility, according to a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday “The facility was launched at $150 million and attracted total commitments of $220 million at close of syndication, representing an oversubscription of 1.5 times with lending commitments received from 10 regional and international banks,” the bank said.

PNB signed the loan agreement on April 24, 2015.

CTBC Bank Co. Ltd. Singapore,

ING Bank N.V. Manila Branch, KDB Asia Limited/The Korea Development Bank and United Overseas Bank Ltd. joined Standard Chartered as sub-underwriters, while The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. Limited served as lead arranger at close of the loan syndication.

PNB said the facility also drew strong interest from Middle Eastern banks like National Bank of Kuwait S.A.K.P., Singapore branch and BBK B.S.C, which came in as lead arrangers, along with Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft,

Hong Kong branch.

The Export Import Bank of China joined the syndication as an arranger in the facility.

“This marks PNB’s return to the syndicated loan market after more than a decade, the last being in 1998, and received overwhelming interest from the market, both regionally and internationally,” the bank said.

PNB said the diversity of the syndicate of lenders was an affirmation of the growing international market appetite on Philippine assets.

“The success of the transaction is a strong acknowledgment of the capital market’s confidence in the credit strength of the bank,” it said.

PNB in 2014 posted a 5-percent increase in net income to P5.5 billion from a year ago despite lower trading gains.

Net interest rose 23 percent to P16.9 billion, accounting for 64 percent of total operating income in 2014. PNB’s operating income increased by 12 percent to P26.4 billion, augmented by other

income, excluding gains from securities trading, which rose 33 percent principally from the sale of PNB’s foreclosed assets.

Starting in the fourth quarter of 2014, PNB implemented an aggressive strategy in the disposal of acquired properties through regional simultaneous public sealed biddings in all domestic branches which yielded higher gains for the bank.

By the end of 2014, PNB’s total consolidated resources expanded to P625.4 billion, up P9.2 billion from year-ago level. The bank continued to improve its asset quality as nonperforming loans ratio decreased to 0.92 percent from 1.39 percent in December 2013, while the NPL coverage ratio improved to 99.19 percent from 90.84 percent in December 2013.

PNB in the first quarter of 2014 successfully raised P11.6 billion in fresh capital through a stock rights offering to strengthen the bank’s capital position and prepare for the higher minimum capital requirements of Basel III.

Philex’s first-quarter profit rose 14% to P305m

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales PHILEX Mining Corp. said Wednesday net income in the first quarter of 2015 rose 14 percent to P305 million from P267 million year-on-year.

Philex said in a disclosure to the stock exchange income attributable to equity holders of the parent company increased 30 percent to P329 million from P252 million.

Core net income, however, dropped to P214 million from P278 million last year, while consolidated revenues fell to P2.393 billion from P2.913 billion.

The average realized prices of gold during

the period dropped 13 percent to $1,189 per ounce from $ 1,371 in 2014, while copper prices decreased 5 percent to $2.71 per pound from $2.85 per pound on year.

Philex said the natural depletion of higher grade ores resulted in lower metal output.

The company said gold output declined 2 percent to 25,997 ounces from 26,442 ounces. Copper production production also dropped 12 percent to 8.361 million pounds from 9.468 million pounds last year.

These resulted in revenues of P1.423 billion for gold and P912.4 million for copper, down 12 percent and 23 percent, respectively, from P1.6 billion and P1.2

billion in the previous year.

Philex saidthe it managed costs and expenses across all fronts, especially at the head office and Padcal mine site.

Consolidated operating costs and expenses in the first three months of 2015 was contained at P1.887 billion, dowm 17 percent from P2.3 billion in 2014.

Production costs fell 14 percent to P1.561 billion from P1.7 billion while general and administrative expenses decreased 34 percent to P188.5 million from P 285 million.

“These were the results of the company’s operational enhancement initiatives and strict cost containment,” Philex said.

THE stock market fell again Wednesday, as investors awaited for more cues from corporate earnings in the first quarter and results of the US Fed meeting.

The rest of Asian markets slipped after more weak US data raised questions about the health of the world’s top economy, while the dollar edged down as an early interest rate rise looks increasingly unlikely.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 61.10 points, or 0.8 percent, to 7,825.47 on a value turnover of nearly P8 billion. Losers swamped gainers, 113 to 68, with 49 issues umchanged.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the biggest telecommunications firm, fell 1.4 percent to P2,888, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-largest lender in terms of assets, declined 1.8 percent to P93.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the biggest property developer, tumbled 1.6 percent to P19.10, while BDO Unibank Inc., the largest bank, lost 1.8 percent to P110.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution and hospitals, decreased 1.9 percent to P4.58.

Sydney, meanwhile, plunged 1.85 percent, or 109.9 points, to 5,838.6, with big banks leading the decline as hopes of another interest rate cut waned. Seoul closed 0.23 percent lower, giving up 5.04 points to 2,142.63.

Hong Kong was down 0.15 percent in late trade but Shanghai recovered from early losses to end flat, edging up 0.41 points to 4,476.62.

Tokyo was closed for a public holiday.

With few major catalysts, regional investors are focusing on the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting, which wraps up later in the day.

While the US central bank will not announce any policy move, its statement will be pored over for any guidance on interest rates.

On Tuesday the Conference Board reported its index of consumer confidence tumbled in March, instead of rising as expected. Consumers reported growing pessimism about current and short-term US economic conditions.

A series of disappointing indicators has fueled speculation the bank will want to wait to increase rates, which have been pegged at zero since 2008. The Fed had signaled a possible rise as early as June, but analysts now expect it in September at the earliest.

Wednesday will also see the release of the government’s first estimate on first-quarter economic growth, with analysts forecasting 1.0 percent, down from a 2.2 percent pace in the previous three months. With AFP

B4

BUSINESS

PLM pledge.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. chairman Manuel Pangilinan, as commencement speaker during the 2015 graduation rites of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, pledged to assist the state-owned university through a P20-million personal donation. He said the various companies that he serves as chairman will also give assistance such as providing PLDT WiFi access in the Intramuros campus of the university owned by the City of Manila. Pangilinan said he will ask Maynilad Water Services Inc. to help PLM fix its water pipes to provide safer drinking water and bring down costs while the Manila Electric Co. will help the university improve the efficiency of its power usage.

Ayala set to start big mall

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. said it plans to start developing the nine-hectare mixed-use complex in Parañaque City, including a shopping mall that will be bigger than the nearby SM Mall of Asia, late this year or early 2016.

Ayala Land president Bernard Vincent Dy said in an interview at the sidelines of the company’s P7-billion bond listing with Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. the company was now finalizing the master plan for the nine-hectare project.

Dy did not provide the details of the project, including the

planned capital spending, saying the project was still being planned.

“It is under planning right now, so we don’t know the final budget at the moment,” Dy said.

The city government of Parañaque disclosed in a statement last week it had approved Ayala Land’s application for a location-

al clearance with the city’s local zoning board of adjustments and appeals.

Ayala Land indicated its plan to build a huge mall complex, a business process outsourcing center and a hotel within a ninehectare property adjacent to Pagcor Entertainment City.

Aside from a huge mall, Ayala Land also has an office building for business process outsourcing companies and 12-story hotel with at least 325 rooms within the property.

Ayala group earlier secured a 45-year lease for the 9.2-hectare property from the Wenceslao group, owner of the Asean Business Park complex, for the project.

The property is located right across the new City of Dreams Manila, a casino and hotel complex also owned by the SM group in partnership with the Melco Crown group of Macau.

The entry of the Ayala group at the Entertainment City effectively brings together all the country’s biggest property developers in the area, which already has two casino complexes in operation, including The City of Dreams of the SM group and the Solaire Resorts and Casino of port mogul Enrique Razon.

Two more integrated casino and resort facilities are currently being built at the Entertainment City, including The Bayshore

City Resorts World of Travellers International Group, a joint venture between tycoon Andrew Tan’s Alliance Global Group Inc. and the Genting group of Malaysia and Japanese billionaire Kazuo Okada’s Manila Bay Resorts project.

Meanwhile, Dy said the company will continue to look for other properties of significant size.

Meanwhile, Dy said Ayala Land had bought bid documents for the18.5-hectare prime property known as “Payanig sa Pasig” which is subject to bidding

by Presidential Commission on Good Government and the 33.1 hectare property in Bonifacio South in Taguig City.

700-MW coal plant to rise in Bicol DMCI sees net income

By Alena Mae S. Flores H&WB Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. Corp., a local energy development company, is building a 700-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte.

H&WB received a clearance from the Energy Department to conduct a grid impact study for the 2x350-MW subcritical coal-fired power plant, according to documents.

The project was listed as one of the indicated power projects for Luzon as of March this year.

“The pre-feasibility studies have been conducted to determine the viability of the project. Land already secured and has been classified as industrial,” a report from the Energy Department said.

The report said the company had ongoing discussions with three potential co-developers and equity partners for the project while sourcing of potential engineering, procurement and construction contractor was also ongoing.

H&WB is engaged in the business of promoting, developing, financing, constructing, owning, operating and maintaining plants, systems, and facilities that produce, convert, transform, process, and generate energy from fossil and non-fossil energy resources, including oil and gas exploration, and development for oil, petroleum and petrochemical products.

The company targets alternative and renewable energy projects such as biomass,

ocean, tidal power and hydro power. The company is also developing the sustainability of liquefied natural gas for the Philippine market.

H&WB was formed from CPI Energy, which was registered in 1999 under the business of “coal to liquids,” petrochemicals and project development in alternative and renewable energy.

Aside from a coal hybrid liquefaction project, the company launched a bioenergy program developing a 10,000-hectare biofuel plantation in Lanao del Norte.

The company was chartered in Singapore in 2012 to gain access into the capital market. A branch in Seoul is also operating in alliance with developers and technology providers.

increasing 21% to P13b

By Jenniffer B. Austria DMCI Holdings Inc., the investment company of the Consunji family, said it expects net income this year to grow 21.5 percent to P13 billion from P10.7 billion in 2014.

DMCI president Isidro Consunji said the projected higher profit would be led by power unit and other subsidiaries as they were expected to recover from last year’s weak performance.

Consunji said the company would also hike capital spending this year to P27 billion in support of power and real estate businesses.

“We are buying new properties within Metro Manila for the real estate business,” Consunji said.

The company is also in talks with potential investors for possible expansion of the power business, he said.

“We have a non-disclosure agreement regarding expansion of our power,” Consunji said.

Net income of DMCI declined to P10.7 billion in 2014 from P18.8 billion in 2013 on lower contribution from power business, which dropped 42 percent to P2 billion from P3.5 billion due to technical problems and delayed commissioning of unit 2 of SEM-Calaca Power Corp.

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

B5

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

Clark auctioning budget terminal

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CLARK International Airport Corp. said Wednesday it expects to bid out the construction of a budget terminal at the former US military airbase by the middle of the year.

CIAC president and chief executive Emigdio Tanjuatco III said the National Economic and Development Authority-Investment Coordination Committee approved the P1.2-billion low-cost carrier passenger terminal building, designed by Aeroport De Paris of France.

The new facility can accommodate as many as 15 million passengers annually.

The project is set to be presented before the Neda board, chaired by President Aquino next week.

“Once the president approves it, hopefully the bidding for the project will start by the middle of this year,”

Hopefully the bidding for the project will start by the middle of this year.

Tanjuatco said.

He said the new facility was expected to boost the development of Clark Airport and “will attract more airlines and investors to operate at the 2,367-hectare Clark Civil Aviation Complex.”

Airlines operating in Clark include Qatar Airways, Seair International, Cebu Pacific, Tigerair Air , Jin Air, Asiana

Airlines, Dragon Air and Air Asia Berhad.

These airlines mount flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Macau, Pudong, Incheon, Doha, Dubai, Davao, Cebu and Kalibo.

Tanjuatco earlier said he was in talks with Philippines Air Asia and Emirates Airlines to return to Clark, after temporarily suspended their operations in the Freeport in 2013.

“We are also currently in talks with other air carriers with the possibility of adding more flights at Clark Airport, as we have a passenger terminal that can accommodate as much as 5 million passengers annually,” Tanjuatco said.

The government is also looking into the feasibility of bidding out the Clark Airport operation and maintenance and the construction of the legacy terminal and improvement of the facilities required on the airside and landside.

GSIS dialog.

General Trias, Cavite Mayor Antonio Ferrer (left) speaks with thousands of Government Social Insurance System stakeholders during a dialog held at General Trias Cultural and Convention Center in Barangay Sampalukan. Also shown are GSIS officials led by president and general manager Robert Vergara (right).

BCDA selling Heritage Park lots

By Othel V. Campos STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority said it will hold a bidding for the block sale of 4,714 memorial lots and properties at Heritage Park in Taguig City.

Heritage Park is located along C-5 in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig and is considered as the country’s premier memorial park.

“We are inviting interested firms to participate in the public tender of the said lots and prop-

erties,” BCDA president and chief executive Arnel Paciano Casanova said.

Casanova said the public tender of the lots and properties would be on an “as-is, where-is” basis via cash sale mode.

Casanova said the minimum acceptable bid price for the Heritage Park investment certificates was P430 million, inclusive of value added tax.

BCDA said of the 4,714 lots and properties, 3,580 were small plots including estate lots, walled

estate lots, garden lots, single columbary niches, and companion columbary niches.

BCDA asset disposition program chairman Tomas Macrohon said interested bidders could purchase the terms of reference for a non-refundable fee of P50,000 at the BCDA Corporate Center.

A pre-bid conference will be held on May 8, 2015 to discuss the salient features and requirements of the TOR as well as queries from interest bidders.

Dad’s antics rile younger Romero MICHAEL “Mikee” Romero has seen it all RAY S. EÑANO and felt it’s time to put a stop to his father’s business capers. Mikee is trying to dissociate himself from the many failed businesses of father Reghis Romero II, now neck-deep in debt.

The business feud between the father and the son has cracked open—both are now embroiled in an explosive legal tryst that threatens the stability of one of Manila’s premier ports facility, the Manila North Harbor.

The fight, long held back from the public eye by Mikee, who had chosen the legal battleground, has brought out bold allegations from both parties against each other—lavish spending, high living, business mismanagement, theft and even psychological issues that have divided what used to be a tightly-knit family.

Reghis accused his son as the one behind an armed attack on Harbour Centre Port Terminal on December 19, 2014, or a day after a regional trial court in Pasig City ordered the group of the father to return control of the facility to One Source Ports Services, a third party ports service company hired and associated with Mikee’s management.

Months before, Mikee and company were ousted unceremoniously by Reghis loyalists. Allegations of theft and mismanagement, the same issues Mikee are throwing at his father, were used by Reghis men to justify the coup against the younger Romero.

Meanwhile, Reghis, as some business observers believe, is no longer the magnate he is trying his best to project. Mikee, the dutiful and tolerant son, tried to cover his dad’s alleged wayward ways, even using his own resources to salvage his father’s reputation and businesses, including the disputed HCPTI. Reghis is known to business and politics as a flashy, flamboyant kingmaker with a knack for taking in controversial projects that raise eyebrows even to this day.

The failed 1993 Smokey Mountain Reclamation and Development Project is a clear expample. It was a joint venture between R-II Builders Inc. owned by Reghis, and the National Housing Authority. R-II was to finance the development. However, R-II failed to raise the necessary funds. To save the project, the national government stepped in to help raise the needed funding.

Bonds called Smokey Mountain Project Participation Certificates were issued, backed up by the Smokey Mountain Asset Pool.

To encourage investors, the state asked Home Guarnaty Corp. to guarantee the payment of interest and principal of regular SMPPCs. On account of R-II Builders’ failure to complete construction, the project failed.

R-II Builders was paid billions for an incomplete project, yet it still questioned the conveyance of the entire asset pool to HGC and filed lawsuits against HGC. On June 22, 2011, the Supreme Court denied with finality R-II Builders’ motions and ruled in favor of HGC. Reghis is known to wheedle partners to the big promise of a deal and then sues them when he gets the chance. Reghis’s talent for business has become so sophisticated that it is interchangeable with total shrewdness.

IBC-13 controversy Remember Senator Frank Drilon in August 2010 when he argued that Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp., which Malacañang said would be sold, was already the subject of a joint venture agreement—a midnight deal grossly disadvantageous to the government.

Under the agreement, IBC-13 will transfer the ownership of 3.64 hectares to R-II Builders/Primestate, out of the 4.14-hectare property. Drilon said the valuation of the 3.64 hectares was undervalued at only P9,999.99 per square meter, or a total of P364 million, considering that the land was located in a prime location. He added the valuation was not submitted to the Commission on Audit-Technical Services Office for review.

Reghis, meanwhile, turned to his son, blaming him for fund mismanagement, He claimed Mikee bought a private jet—a [Cessna] Citation—a helicopter, 20 to 30 horses, a polo team, and put up a basketball team to promote a business that’s practically a monopoly, at his company’s expense.

Mikee denied the accusations, saying the the plane was for his own mining company in Zamboanga, and that funds for his Philippine Basketball Association team and polo horse came from his own company, Globalport 9000.

Mikee has long been known for his diverse businesses and love for sports. By the end of 2014, and even in the midst of the feud with his father, he was ranked the 26th richest man in Asia. Oddly, Reghis, the father, is nowhere on the list.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or busines@manilastandardtoday.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

THURSDAY: APRIL 30, 2015

B6

BUSINESS business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

IC to impose disaster insurance

By Jennifer Ambanta

BACOLOD CITY- The government will issue an executive order before the end of the year to make disaster insurance compulsory, the Insurance Commission said Wednesday.

Insurance commissioner Emmanuel Dooc said during a meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation delegates in the city the executive order would be released this year, ahead of next year’s elections.

“Hopefully this will take place soon and one feature of this is that we will only be requiring an executive order to fast-track the launch of this disaster insurance pool,” Dooc said.

“Of course, we would love to get congressional approval for this, but we know the political realities that next year is an election year. We doubt very much if this will be approved by Congress in due time,” he said.

The proposal for the mandatory disaster insurance came from the Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association in partnership with the World

Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The proponents suggested that the payment of premiums be bundled with the payment of real estate taxes to make it easier for home and establishment owners.

Dooc said the disaster insurance should be made mandatory. “It will be very expensive if we do not make it mandatory because only those who live in Cainta or Provident Village in Marikina will be able to afford it,” he said.

Dooc said the goal of the disaster insurance was to secure protection against earthquake, fire, typhoons and floods induced by typhoons.

He said the proposal was currently being reviewed by the government for comments of the Finance Department.

“Actually, I endorsed it already to [DoF] but we were ordered together with the Bureau of the Treasury to review it and come up with our suggestion on [premiums],” he said.

“It’s currently pending with the BTr, but I expect that it will soon be forwarded to the secretary of finance,” Dooc said.

Dooc earlier said the Asian Development Bank’s proposal to create a corporation as the sole provider of the disaster insurance did not push through, because it would make the company a monopoly.

Biodiversity center. The Aboitiz Group has created an eight-hectare outdoor biodiversity learning center to share and highlight the rich natural resources of the Davao Gulf. The property, now called Cleanergy Park, serves as a sanctuary to the critically endangered Pawikan (Hawksbill) turtle, and is surrounded by a 37-hectare marine protected area that serves to nurture a rare and diverse ecosystem. Shown are Aboitiz Group executives and employees as they lift a balloon at Cleanergy Park.

Subic ports seen handling 120,000 TEUs

By Othel V. Campos THE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said Wednesday it expects its two container terminals to handle 120,000 twenty-foot equivalent units this year.

“This year we aspire to hit a target volume of 120,000 TEUs, or 20 percent of the 600,000-TEU combined annual capacity of the port’s new container terminals 1 and 2, in line with our vision to make this Freeport the premier logistics hub north of Metro Manila,” SBMA chairman and administrator Roberto Garcia said in a statement.

He said the Port of Subic sustained its growth momentum from 2012 until the first quarter of 2015.

Port revenue increased 20 percent, GRT by 12 percent, noncontainerized cargo by 15 percent,

containerized cargo by 28 percent, and ship calls by 18 percent.

Garcia said the entry of more domestic and foreign vessels that called regularly on Subic had improved the port’s connectivity to the world.

“We now have NYK Line, SITC, Maersk Line, APL and Wan Hai vessels plying to and from major Asian ports like Kaohsiung, Tanjung, Singapore, Busan, Xiamen, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh, Shnaghai, and Surabaya, among other; as well as to and from Japanese ports of Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Chiba and Kobe,” Garcia said.

He said the Subic Port successfully managed to accommodate the sudden surge in container shipments at the height of the Manila congestion, proving its preparedness to handle volume shipments.

Garcia said in the past three years, the Port of Subic continued to register positively in terms of revenues, GRT, number of ship calls, and non-containerized and containerized cargos.

Annual port revenue increased from P371 million in 2011 to P908 million in 2014, he said.

Ship calls also increased by 15 percent to 2,591 in 2014 from 1,803 in 2011 while GRT grew 186 percent to 40 million tons over the three-year period.

“Our port also enjoyed similar growth in terms of containerized cargo, which grew from 27,671 TEUs in 2011 to 77,177 TEUs in 2014, reflecting 60 percent growth.

Non-containerized cargo volume also went up by 136 percent to 6.1 million over the three-year period until 2014,” Garcia said.

Philippine version of the Dutch disease ANYONE who cannot come up with an answer when asked RUDY ROMERO the question “What is the Dutch disease?” should not feel that he or she is dumb or unknowledgeable. The Dutch disease is neither a human physical ailment nor an epidemiological issue like Ebola or SARS. It is a phrase coined by the economic profession and it is mainly used by economists.

The Dutch disease refers to a situation in which the performance of an economy that hitherto had been creditable takes a turn for the worse—in terms of quantum and/or quality of domestic product—when the country experiences a sudden and substantial improvement in its access to economic resources. Why the said change in economic performance was given Dutch nationality is explained by the perceived substantial change that took place in the management of the Dutch economy in the wake of the discovery of oil reserves within The Netherlands’ North Sea waters in the 1960s.

The Netherlands subsequently emerged as a significant oil producer.

Prior to that felicitous development, the Netherlands was one of the most economically stable countries in Europe and the governments that ruled that country were acknowledged to be among the most fiscally conservative on the continent. Inflation was usually under control and the guilder was one of the strongest currencies in the world. Companies totally or partially controlled by Dutch nationals, such as Philips, Unilever and Royal Dutch Shell were among the world’s top multinationals, and the Dutch shipping and shipbuilding industries—Rotterdam was and remains one of the world’s three busiest ports—kept the Netherlands in the forefront of international trade and diplomacy.

Then came the North Sea oil bonanza, which involved the United Kingdom and Norway as well. Oil was the game changer.

With all the revenue gushing out of the North Sea oil rigs, the Netherlands’ economic fortunes had now changed in a positive and substantial way. The pressure on the small Northwestern European kingdom to do all the right economic things – to excel, to constantly innovate, to maintain fiscal balance and, above all, to remain one of the world’s foremost trading nations – was now greatly lessened. This did not mean that the Netherlands had suddenly become a weaker and more unstable country. It simply meant that the Dutch, who in the 17th century were the leading nation in Europe, no longer had to strive and work as hard as they used to in order to stay where they were.

The emergence of a substantial and constant source of new revenue – North Sea oil did wonders for the Dutch economy. The phrase ‘Dutch disease’ was coined.

This country’s version of the Dutch disease materialized at about the same time. The Philippine counterpart of North Sea oil was the market for OFW (overseas Filipino worker) services, which was created in the early 1970s by the decision of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to start imposing cartel-type prices for their oil. There had always been Filipino professionals working overseas and remitting funds to their families back home. But it was the market for Filipino labor in the Middle East and on the high seas that made the difference for the Philippine economy.

Before the OFW phenomenon, the Philippine economy maintained a virtually hand-to-mouth existence. Foreign exchange was always hard to come by and the net international reserves of the monetary authorities were often at or near minimal levels. The monetary and fiscal authorities always had to keep a close eye on the volumes of foreign-exchange inflow because of the impact of exchange rates on consumer prices, government budgets and trade flows.

OFW remittances have changed all that. As stated, they have been the game changer. With a huge inflow of remittances into this country on OFW account—this is currently running at the annual rate of around $20 billion—the pressure on the Philippine government and the Filipino people to make the right economic decisions – to use funds wisely, to constantly innovate, to expand and diversify exports and to strengthen the manufacturing and agricultural sectors – have been greatly eased.

The results are there to see. A weaker and more narrowly based export trade, an inefficient agriculture, a vanishing manufacturing sector, emphasis on construction and real estate investment and a greater tendency toward misuse of public funds, including less rigor in the evaluation of public-project costs and benefits.

The Netherlands had been able to afford the Dutch disease because it was a rich country to begin with. But the Philippines was not, and still is not, a rich country. Thus it could not afford to be afflicted by the Dutch disease in the past and it cannot afford to be Dutchdiseased in the future.

BUSINESS CLASS

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

t H u r s D aY : a P r i L 3 0 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

Female Afghan ‘Top Gun’ soars above barrier KABUL—With a hint of swagger, Afghanistan’s first female pilot since the fall of the Taliban is defying death threats and archaic gender norms to infiltrate what is almost entirely a male preserve.

Dressed in khaki overalls, aviator shades and a black headscarf, 23-yearold Niloofar Rahmani cuts a striking presence as she struts across the tarmac at the Kabul Air Force base, which is otherwise devoid of women.

“Ever since I was a child, when I saw a bird in the sky, I wanted to fly a plane,” she told AFP at the

base, hemmed in by rolling dun-colored hills.

“Many girls in Afghanistan have dreams... but a number of problems, threats stand in the way.”

Rahmani, who grew up in Kabul, enlisted for an air force training program in 2010 and kept it secret from her relatives who believe a woman does not belong outside the home.

Two years later, she became the first female fixed-wing aviator in Afghanistan’s history and the country’s first woman pilot since the ouster of the Taliban regime.

The once-unimaginable

feat recently won her the US State Department’s International Women of Courage Award—and earned her the sobriquet “Afghan Top Gun” on social media, after the 1986 Tom Cruise film about flying aces in the US Navy.

It is believed there were female Afghan pilots during the pre-Taliban Communist era, but details are scant.

Nearly 14 years since the Taliban government was toppled in a US-led invasion, Afghan women have taken giant strides of progress, with female lawmakers and security per-

sonnel now commonplace.

That marks a sea change in women’s rights, as previously women weren’t allowed to leave their homes without a male chaperon and were brutally consigned to the shadows.

But gender parity still remains a distant dream as conservative attitudes prevail.

Rahmani has received threatening calls and letters purportedly from the Taliban, warning her to quit.

The threats grew so menacing in 2013 that she was forced to leave the country for two months.

“They threatened to hurt me and my family,” she said over the roar of military transport planes.

“My only choice was to be strong and ignore them.”

Rahmani always carries a pistol for her protection and though she has grown accustomed to the ogling eyes of men, she never leaves the base in uniform, lest it make her a target.

“Simple things like walking in the streets, going shopping is no longer possible. My freedom has all gone,” she said.

But more than physical threats, it is pervasive conservatism that hurts

the most, with Afghanistan stuck in what many deride as a medieval time warp.

Rahmani says she was heartbroken when a mob in Kabul savagely lynched a young woman called Farkhunda last month after an amulet seller, whom she had castigated, falsely accused her of burning the Koran.

“Animals don’t do this to other animals,” she said of the daylight murder which sparked nationwide protests.

“This wasn’t done by the Taliban. These were ordinary people, the young Afghan generation.”

AFP

Jakarta defends executions CILACAP, Indonesia—Indonesia on Wednesday staunchly defended its execution of seven foreigners, including two Australians, as a vital front of its “war” on drugs as testimony emerged of how they went singing to their deaths.

Australia withdrew its ambassador in protest at the midnight executions, but Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he was merely applying “the rule of law” against narcotics traffickers.

The seven convicts—two from Australia, one from Brazil and four from Africa—were shot by firing squad along with one Indonesian, despite strident foreign appeals and pleas from family members.

Brazil expressed “deep regret” at the execution of its national, who is mentally ill according to his family, and said it was weighing its next move.

The condemned men reportedly all refused blindfolds and sang hymns, among them “Amazing Grace,” as they went to face the firing squad in a jungle clearing, according to a pastor who was with them.

As the clock ticked down to midnight, a group of tearful supporters also sang hymns, embraced and held candles aloft during a vigil at the port in Cilacap, the gateway to the prison island of Nusakambangan.

After the executions, family members could be seen crying as they were ushered away by friends and supporters, an AFP reporter saw.

A Filipina originally set to be executed was given an 11th hour reprieve after a woman who allegedly duped her into ferrying drugs to Indonesia came forward to police in the Philippines.

The reprieve for Mary Jane Veloso was hailed in the Philippines as a miracle and a gift from God, but Indonesian Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo stressed it was only a “postponement” to allow time for police investigations.

He added: “We are fighting a war against horrible drug crimes that threaten our nation’s survival.

“I would like to say that an execution is not a pleasant thing. It is not a fun job,” Prasetyo told reporters in Cilacap.

“But we must do it in order to save the nation from the danger of drugs. We are not making enemies of countries from where those executed came. What we are fighting against is drug-related crimes.”

Prasetyo also played down Australia’s decision to recall its ambassador, describing it as a “temporary reaction”, while Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stressed Jakarta’s desire to “continue having good relations” with one of its most important trading partners.

Australia had mounted a sustained campaign to save its citizens, who have been on death row for almost a decade, and Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the executions were “both cruel and unnecessary”. AFP

BDO Elite Savings Bank, Inc.

(Formerly: GE Money Bank) 14th Floor Net Cube Center 30th Street 3rd Avenue Crescent Park, West Bonifacio Global City, City of Taguig 1634 BALANCE SHEET (Head Office Branch) As of March 31, 2015 ASSETS Cash and Cash Items D u e f r o m B a n g ko S e n t r a l n g P i l i p i n a s Due from Other Banks F i n a n c i a l A s s e t s a t Fa i r Va l u e t h r o u g h P r o f i t o r L o s s Ava i l a b l e - f o r- S a l e F i n a n c i a l A s s e t s - N e t H e l d - t o - M a t u r i t y ( H T M) F i n a n c i a l A s s e t s - N e t Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans- Net I nve s t m e n t s i n N o n - M a r ke t a b l e Eq u i t y S e c u r i t y - N e t L o a n s a n d Re c e i va b l e s - N e t L o a n s t o B a n g ko S e n t r a l n g P i l i p i n a s I n t e r b a n k L o a n s Re c e i va b l e L o a n s a n d Re c e i va b l e s - O t h e r s L o a n s a n d Re c e i va b l e s A r i s i n g f r o m R A / C A / P R / S L B G e n e r a l L o a n L o s s P r ov i s i o n Other Financial Assets Eq u i t y I nve s t m e n t i n S u b s i d i a r i e s , A s s o c i a t e s a n d J o i n t Ve n t u r e s - N e t B a n k P r e m i s e s , Fu r n i t u r e, F i x t u r e a n d Eq u i p m e n t - N e t Re a l a n d O t h e r P r o p e r t i e s A c q u i r e d - N e t Non- Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets- Net N e t D u e f r o m H e a d O f f i c e / B r a n c h e s /A g e n c i e s , i f a ny ( P h i l i p p i n e b r a n c h o f a f o r e i g n b a n k) TOTA L A S S E T S L I A B I L I T I E S F i n a n c i a l L i a b i l i t i e s a t Fa i r Va l u e t h r o u g h P r o f i t o r L o s s Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks B i l l s Paya b l e a) B S P ( Re d i s c o u n t i n g a n d O t h e r A d va n c e s) b) I n t e r b a n k L o a n s Paya b l e c) O t h e r D e p o s i t S u b s t i t u t e d) O t h e r s B o n d s Paya b l e - N e t Unsecured Subordinated Debt- Net Re d e e m a b l e P r e f e r r e d S h a r e s Special Time Deposit D u e t o B a n g ko S e n t r a l n g P i l i p i n a s Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities N e t D u e t o H e a d O f f i c e / B r a n c h e s /A g e n c i e s ( P h i l i p p i n e b r a n c h o f a f o r e i g n b a n k) TOTA L L I A B I L I T I E S S TO C K H O L D E R S ’ E Q U I T Y Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Re t a i n e d E a r n i n g s Assigned Capital TOTA L S TO C K H O L D E R S ’ E Q U I T Y TOTA L L I A B I L I T I E S A N D S TO C K H O L D E R S ’ E Q U I T Y C O N T I N G E N T AC C O U N T S Guarantees Issued F i n a n c i a l S t a n d by L e t t e r s o f C r e d i t Pe r f o r m a n c e S t a n d by L e t t e r s o f C r e d i t Commercial Letters of Credit Tr a d e Re l a t e d G u a r a n t e e s Commitments S p o t Fo r e i g n E xc h a n g e C o n t r a c t s S e c u r i t i e s H e l d U n d e r C u s t o d i a n s h i p by B a n k P r o p e r Tr u s t D e p a r t m e n t A c c o u n t s a) Tr u s t a n d O t h e r F i d u c i a r y A c c o u n t s b) A g e n c y A c c o u n t s c) A d v i s o r y/ C o n s u l t a n c y D e r i va t i ve s Others TOTA L C O N T I N G E N T AC C O U N T S A D D I T I O N A L I N FO R M AT I O N G r o s s t o t a l l o a n p o r t f o l i o ( T L P) Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP N o n - Pe r f o r m i n g L o a n s ( N P L s) a. Gross NPLs b. R a t i o o f G r o s s N P L s t o g r o s s T L P (%) c. Net NPLs d. R a t i o o f N e t N P L s t o g r o s s T L P (%) Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses D O S R I L o a n s a n d r e c e i va b l e s , g r o s s a l l o w a n c e f o r c r e d i t l o s s e s R a t i o o f D O S R I l o a n s a n d r e c e i va b l e s , g r o s s o f a l l o w a n c e f o r c r e d i t l o s s e s , t o g r o s s T P L (%) G r o s s n o n - p e r f o r m i n g D O S R I l o a n s a n d r e c e i va b l e s R a t i o o f g r o s s n o n - p e r f o r m i n g D O S R I l o a n s a n d r e c e i va b l e s t o T L P (%) Pe r c e n t C o m p l i a n c e w i t h M a g n a C a r t a (%) a . 8% f o r M e d i u m a n d S m a l l En t e r p r i s e s b. 2 % f o r M e d i u m En t e r p r i s e s Re t u r n o n Eq u i t y ( R O E) (%) C a p i t a l A d e q u a c y R a t i o (C A R) o n S o l o B a s i s , a s p r e s c r i b e d u n d e r ex i s t i n g r e g u l a t i o n s a . To t a l C A R (%) b. T i e r 1 R a t i o (%) c . C o m m o n T i e r 1 R a t i o (%) 1/ D e f e r r e d C h a r g e s n o t ye t Wr i t t e n D o w n U n b o o ke d A l l o w a n c e f o r C r e d i t L o s s e s o n F i n a n c i a l I n s t r u m e n t s Re c e i ve d

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LU CY C O DY ( s g D ) WA LT E R C. WA s s M E R ( s g D ) PresiDent Director S U B S C R I B E D A N D S W O R N t o b e f o r e m e t h i s 2 3 r d d ay o f A p r i l 2 015 a t C i t y o f M a k a t i , a f f i a n t ex h i b i t i n g t h e i r C o m m u n i t y Ta x C e r t i f i c a t e N o. 0 4 9 5 215 9 i s s u e d a t M a k a t i C i t y o n Fe b r u a r y 2 7, 2 015 , S S S N o. 0 3 - 4 074 3 42- 5 a n d C o m m u n i t y Ta x C e r t i f i c a t e N o. 0 24 4 5 75 5 i s s u e d a t M a k a t i C i t y o n J a n u a r y 21, 2 015 , S S S N o. 0 3 - 4 8 516 9 9 -7.

D o c . N o. 76 Pa g e N o. 17 B o o k N o. I S e r i e s o f 2 015

A t t y. R E AG A N C. O L I VA (s g d ) N o t a r y P u b l i c f o r M a k a t i C i t y, P h i l i p p i n e s u n t i l 31 D e c e m b e r 2 016 A p p o i n t m e n t N o. M -18 4 14 / F B D O N o r t h To w e r, B D O C o r p o r a t e C e n t e r 78 9 9 M a k a t i Ave n u e, M a k a t i C i t y R o l l N o. 4 3 9 8 8 I B P N o. 0 9 812 6 3 , 1/ 5 / 2 015 , Q u e z o n C i t y P T R N o. 475 4 5 6 6 , 1/ 6 / 2 015 , M a k a t i C i t y M C L E C o m p l i a n c e N o. I V- 0 0170 9 0 , 4 /16 / 2 013

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ceSAR bARRIoqUInTo EDITOR

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world

Abe to address US Congress WASHINGTON—Shinzo Abe will become the first Japanese prime minister to address a joint session of the US Congress, expected Wednesday to bring a message of deepening economic and security ties in the face of China’s growing clout.

Police fight desperate earthquake survivors KATHMANDU—Nepalese riot police battled Wednesday to contain anger among survivors of an earthquake that killed more than 5,000 people as rescuers raced against time to find anyone else alive in the rubble of the capital Kathmandu.

Supplies are running thin and aftershocks have strained nerves in the ruined city. Desperate to leave, thousands of people began gathering from before dawn outside the main bus station after the government promised to lay on special services.

But when the buses failed to materialize, anger began surging and scuffles broke out between the crowds and the columns of riot police who were sent in to try to contain the situation near parliament.

“We have been waiting since dawn. They told us that there would be 250 buses coming but we haven’t seen any of them,” said Kishor Kavre, a 25-year-old student.

“We’re in a hurry to get home to see our families but we’ve no idea when they’re coming now. I think the government is struggling.”

There was also desperation in devastated rural areas where people have been pleading to be airlifted out when the occasional helicopter has reached their villages with relief supplies.

A total of 5,057 people are so far known to have died in Nepal alone from Saturday’s quake, and around 100 more in neighboring India and China.

Around 8,000 were injured while the United Nations estimates that eight million people have been affected by Nepal’s worst natural disaster in eight decades. AFP

Limelight. Musician Adeline Michele performs during the HBO Bessie 81 Tour at Stephan Weiss Studio on April 28 in New York City. AFP

Few Japanese politicians have ever addressed Congress and none have done so in a coveted joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Abe will do so in the crowning event of a week-long US tour as the two former enemies prepare to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The 60-year-old Abe’s visit comes as Washington presses Japan to mend frayed ties with fellow US ally South Korea and with China. During the war Japan’s Asian neighbors suffered from Japanese militarism.

Beijing and Seoul will be closely watching what Abe says. South Korea has urged Abe to use the opportunity to express “sincere repentance” for wartime atrocities, while China’s foreign ministry has merely noted the reports of the US invitation.

Abe’s government has publicly endorsed a 1995 apology for wartime wrongs.

But South Korea is hoping he addresses Japan’s controversial emphasis on patriotism in schools, and ministers’ visits to a shrine that honors the war dead, including convicted war criminals.

Seoul believes Tokyo has yet to fully atone for the excesses of its colonial past and the forced recruitment of South Korean women to wartime military brothels.

The friction between Seoul and Tokyo is an irritant for Washington, which would rather see its two key regional allies bury the hatchet and focus on forming a united front against an increasingly assertive China.

On Tuesday President Barack Obama welcomed Abe to the White House as the two countries sought to reinvigorate their 70-year alliance in the face of China’s growing influence. AFP

Poll: Press freedom hits decade low WASHINGTON—Freedom of the press around the world has plummeted to the worst level in a decade, a survey warned Wednesday, with the United States and China both tightening the noose.

Journalists globally encountered more restrictions from governments, militants, criminals and media owners, the annual report by the human rights group Freedom House said.

“Journalists faced intensified pressure from all sides in 2014,” said Jennifer Dunham, project manager of the report.

“Governments used security or anti-terrorism laws

as a pretext to silence critical voices, militant groups and criminal gangs used increasingly brazen tactics to intimidate journalists, and media owners attempted to manipulate news content to serve their political or business interests.”

One factor was the passage and use of restrictive laws, often on national security grounds.

“One of the most troubling developments of the past year was the struggle by democratic states to cope with an onslaught of propaganda from authoritarian regimes and militant groups,” Dunham

said.

“There is a danger that instead of encouraging honest, objective journalism and freedom of information as the proper antidote, democracies will resort to censorship or propaganda of their own.”

Of the 199 countries and territories studied in 2014, a total of 63, or 32 percent, were rated “free” for the news media, while 71 (36 percent) were “partly free” and 65 (32 percent) “not free.”

Only 14 percent of the world’s inhabitants live in countries with a free press, Freedom House said. AFP

Celestial show. This picture taken on April 28 shows lightning brightening the sky over a pagoda in Yangzhou, east China’s Jiangsu province. AFP

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BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

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

LIFE

C U LT U R E

RALLYING AROUND ART Artists host exhibition-sale for a cause

I

n art, they say, there are no borders.

Well-known artists from various groups and associations, such as The Saturday Group, have banded together under the organization of Joy Rojas II to present “Art for a Cause,” a fundraising effort to benefit The Medical City Liver Center headed by Dr. Vanessa de Villa, providing assistance to indigents waiting for liver transplants.

The artworks will be showcased at LRI Gallery from May 2-4; the exhibition then continues from May 8-22 at The Medical City Lobby in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City.

Arguably the country’s leading art aggrupation, The Saturday Group is anchored

by Lydia Velasco, recognized and highly in demand for her unique portrayals of everyday women projecting their inner strengths. Multitalented writer, painter and businessperson Migs Villanueva, the club’s current president, also exhibits her famous naïf art portraying children with no noses and only dots for eyes. Anna de Leon contributes her surreal modern treatment showcasing mixed media combining ever-present elements of eggs, feathers and birds this time with blue strings and aluminum wire.

The male artists are headed by stalwarts Buds Convocar and Buddy Ching, long known for their leadership in mixed media abstractions and participation in global Continued on C2

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LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

glweekend @ gmail.com

RALLYING AROUND ART

C U LT U R E

From C1

art exhibitions. Former art teacher Buds suggests the subtle intermarriage of technology and art in his works. Buddy Ching is labeled a multi-awarded painter, installation and performance artist.

Hermes Alegre is established as a lover of the Filipina woman, often in tropical surroundings, even as he successfully tinkers with other subjects. Roel Obemio is the Philippine champion of Boterisimo, inspired by Colombian painter Fernando Botero. The storybook appeal, suggesting whimsy and fantasy, continues to live in his “Sanctuary” pieces for this show. Omi Reyes and his “Steam Punk” genre series continues to rivet attention as it deftly combines delicate artistry with the hard edginess of metal as what happened in the 19th century birth of the industrial revolution. Aner Sebastian labels himself “Colorist,” a tag which aptly complements the works of this mild-mannered artist with his use of a profusion of colors and textures.

Francis Nacion, Jaime Gubaton and Gerrico Blanco are the newest blood in the group, but nonetheless share its success. Francis is patronized for his continuing series of works depicting light and happy stylized folktales with colors and textures. Quiet and soft-spoken Jaime is emerging as another highly in demand artist with his “Cityscape” series through which one can read unstated comments on social inequities. Gerrico Blanco presents his masterfully executed “Safari Series” of animals that impress for their muscled realism. He will tell you he favors

children as subjects and the influence of Norman Rockwell, famous American illustrator.

Norlie Meimban uses his animator background to create his “Animated Painting” series which combines digital drawings and media to suggest visual movement.

A special addition to this already stellar lineup is Carlo Magno, a leading realist abstractionist. He is joined by Ross Capili exhibiting his “Imagined Landscapes” series. Ross is a seasoned and constantly evolving multi-media artist with a pack of oneman shows here and abroad and art awards in the Philippines.

Rounding off this showcase at the gallery are Jonathan Dangue (2011, 2012) and Herbert Pajarito (2013), both winners in the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Network of Winners. Dangue is an architect, sculptor and painter, contributing his attractive lit-up brass free-form sculptures that can double as table lamp. Pajarito is also an abstract painter who favors acrylics and a budding success in his own right.

“Art for A Cause” will see at least 50 paintings or more from the country’s top painters and sculptors with guest artist photographer Mandy Navasero presenting her portfolio featuring the island of Batanes. Over the years, her regular photo sessions have helped transform Batanes into a new Philippine tourist destination.

GET LUCKY MUSEO ORLINA HOLDS EXHIBIT FOR CHARITY The Museo Orlina and Resorts World Manila (RWM) partner up to bring the art exhibit “Swerteng Pinoy” to Tagaytay to be showcased within the Reflections Gallery inside the museum.

On show until May 17th, the art exhibit offers a glimpse of how luck has shaped Filipino culture and tradition through the eyes of artists from the Angono Ateliers Association, which includes the likes of Thomas Canas, Rico Tompong, Boy Mata, Rading Caringal, Joey Cenina, Keiye Miranda-Tuazon, Lito Balagtas, Dolpee Alcantara, Jr., Edmond Castor, Ember Crisostomo, Jay Gregorio and the renowned visual artist Nemi Miranda.

Part of the proceeds from the exhibit are earmarked for RWM’s corporate social responsibility partner, Caritas Manila. The funds generated from this endeavour will benefit the social services and integrated family development programs of this church-based non-profit organization.

As the name suggests, Museo Orlina is dedicated to the works of internationally acclaimed glass sculptor Ramon Orlina. Through its partnership with Museo Orlina, RWM affirms its commitment to giving back to the community as well as to its continuing advocacy to “Champion the Filipino” through the arts.

For more information about the “Swerteng Pinoy” artworks on exhibit please call 0917 8788305 or visit www.rwmanila.com/web/swerteng-pinoy.

Janus, the two-faced God By Michael P. Daza

Lady Wolf by Francis Nacion

Hermes Alegre

Lydia Velasco

Joy Roxas

Francis Nacion

By Hermes Alegre

By Ja1me Gubaton

THE WRITE STUFF

Ayala Museum Offers Creative Writing Classes for Teens Young adult writers, ages 12 to 18-yearsold, who want to take their writing to the next level, are invited to join Ayala Museum’s Advanced Creative Writing for Teens workshop this summer. Participants will learn new ways of honing their fiction and poetry writing skills in the company of a facilitator and fellow aspiring writers.

It is recommended that applicants to this course would have previously completed our Creative Writing for Teens workshop, although this is not a requirement.

THE FACILITATOR Sandra Nicole Roldan, the facilitator for this workshop, works as assistant professor at the College of Arts and Letters, University

of the Philippines, Diliman. She is a faculty member of the university’s Department of English and Comparative Literature.

Besides doing her day job, Sandra is a freelance magazine contributor and English and writing trainer.

Sandra earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Studies: Creative Writing from UP Diliman, where she graduated magna cum laude in 1998. In 2006, she earned her certificate in Korean Language & Culture from the Korean Language and Culture Center of Korea University in South Korea. Then in 2010, she earned her Masters degree in Creative Writing, also from UP Diliman.

The workshop fee is inclusive of handouts, materials, snacks, a certificate, 5 free

admission to the museum and one day free access to the library. A 5-percent discount will be given to those who will pay in full on or before May 2, 2015.

Payments can be made in cash, check, or through credit card.

P 5,500 Regular P4,950 Members, AGC employees, early birds (fully paid on or before May 2, 2015) For inquiries and reservations: CALL: 759 82 88 EMAIL: hello@ayalamuseum.org LOOK FOR: Marj Villaflores, or any education associate

THURSDAY : APRIL 30 : 2015

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE E D I TOR

glweekend @ gmail.com

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THE HEALING CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN

BATTLING SEX ABUSE THROUGH THE MAGIC OF THE CIRCUS

O

ne of the biggest taboo topics of conversation in our society is child sexual abuse, largely because our society values the unity of the family member. Because most child sexual abuse cases are perpetrated by family members on innocent victims, the purity and sanctity of the family becomes illusory.

Cameleon Association, Inc., an NGO dedicated to helping young girls who have experienced sexual abuse regain power over themselves, body and soul. And it has turned to the circus, of all things, to assist in the healing.

Cameleon has discovered that the circus can be a unique medium, helping young female survivors of sexual abuse overcome their nightmares, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Cameleon believes that “circus therapy” can help the girls come out of their shell, feel better, have fun and build a positive image of themselves.

And their partner in all this? France’s Ecole Nationale des Arts du Cirque. For the last five years, circus professionals and students from ENAC have been coming to the Philippines as volunteers, devoting their time and talent – without compensation – as they teach the circus arts and

bring a smile back to these girls’ faces.

For the first time, Cameleon and the French circus volunteers from ENAC will perform for the public in a circus dubbed Lukso! Cirque de la Vie, on May 14, 2015 at the Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater.

A star attraction of the show is French actress Sabrina Ouazani, who received the Cesar award, the national film award of France, for Best Young Actress in 2005. She also does an aerial silk routine in the circus.

Laurence Ligier founded Cameleon Association, Inc.; his efforts have been recognized locally and internationally. In October 2014, she received the Legion d’Honneur, the highest French national civil award. Prior to this, Ligier also received international recognition for her work. Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy named her a Knight of the National Order, while former president Gloria MacapagalArroyo bestowed upon her the Philippines Presidential Award.

And former president of France Jacques Chirac gave her the Award for Civic Spirit and Devotion.

Tickets for Lukso! Cirque de la Vie are available via ticketworld. com.ph

WHEN PATCHWORK MEETS PHOTOGRAPHY KIDLAT DE GUIA AT GALERIA DUEMILA

Galleria Duemila presents Woven into Being, a solo show by Kidlat De Guia. Equal parts patchwork and photography, the exhibition takes the form of fragmented photographic tapestry, which wields and merges craft and technology.

Much like the tactile method of Kidlat De Guia’s practice as a filmmaker, the process in Woven into Being similarly entails cutting, splicing, and weaving, but this time of collected photographs from trips and fieldwork around the Philippines.

Transforming the quotidian form of photographs, he manipulates strips of digital prints by either breaking the weave to expose nuances or to continuously overlay to keep something unseen.

The outputs are rivetingly composite and texturized layers of photographic images that disclose an

alternate reality. Evocative woven images of drivers and their beat up trucks, portraits of loved ones and the spaces they occupied pushes forward through that all memory is social. A saturated feel of human experience pervades in his images and seemingly attempts to structure and approximate the past, loss, hope, and memory.

Kidlat de Guia completed a BA Broadcasting Communications degree at University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City, in 1998. He was the recipient of Award of Excellence at the Aqua Planet Video Festival in Japan in 2003. His works has been exhibited in the Philippines and Singapore. “Woven into Being” runs from May 9-30, 2015 at Galleria Duemila located at 210 Loring Street, 1300 Pasay City.

WOULD YOU PAY $20 A MONTH TO STREAM MUSIC?

BY ED BIADO

When a huge celebrity starts a new project and the results are not exactly stellar, people are quick to dismiss said project as a flop. That’s how it is with buzzy movies that don’t dominate the box office and high-profile music releases that don’t sell in excess of 500,000 copies in their first week.

That also seems to be the problem the music-streaming service Tidal is having.

Tidal is owned by hip-hop mogul Jay Z. Listed as “the owners of Tidal,” Beyonce, Rihanna, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Jack White, Madonna, Arcade Fire, Usher, Chris Martin, Alicia Keys, Calvin Harris, Daft Punk, Deadmau5, Jason Aldeanand, J. Cole and Drake have publicly thrown their support behind the service. These musicians supposedly represent the idea of democratizing music as they are not controlled by record labels.

The manifesto they signed at the launch of the service partly reads, “Tidal is an artist

majority-owned company with a mission to re-establish the value of music and protect the sustainability of the music industry rooted in creativity and expression.”

When it was formally launched last month, Tidal already has 25 million tracks and 75,000 music videos available for streaming. The service boasts the highest percentage of royalties paid to artists, songwriters and producers among the streaming market, reportedly at 75 percent.

In exchange, artists offer exclusive content,

including world premieres for new songs and music videos, previously unreleased tracks, and special streaming events.

All these should attract avid music fans.

And they also justify the fact that Tidal has no free tier like its competitors. Two subscription plans are currently available, both ad-free and features unlimited listening time. The basic Tidal Premium plan ($9.99 per month) plays AAC at 320kbps (96mbps on mobile) while the audiophile-friendly Tidal HiFi plan ($19.99 per month) plays high-fidelity lossless FLAC at 1,411kbps.

However, people don’t seem to be buying it. Recent reports paint a grim

picture for Tidal, noting low adoption rates and the service’s supposed failure in attracting new users, despite its powerful star backing. After the initial fanfare, the Tidal app retreated back to obscurity, disappearing from the Apple App Store’s Top 750 chart.

Tidal currently has 770,000 subscribers, according to Jay Z. “We have been in business less than one month,” the rapper said on Twitter earlier this week. Point taken, Mr. Carter. So the question really is, can more than a quarter of a million folks be convinced that Tidal deserves their money, even though music is streamed elsewhere for free?

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BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

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A GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON AT THE CINEMAS THIS WEEK

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

While the Avengers are on a hiatus from fighting hostile enemies, Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) create a dormant peacekeeping program named Ultron.

However, their plan backfires when the self-aware artificial intelligence decides that humans are the real enemy.

PG

BARELY LETHAL

An action-comedy film that follows the life of Megan Walsh (Hailee Steinfeld), a 16-year-old international assassin, who fakes her death to enroll as a high school senior in a suburban high school to have a “normal” adolescence. But she later realizes that being a “normal” teenager can be more difficult than being a special ops agent.

R16

BEYOND THE REACH

R13 John Madec (Michael Douglas), a powerful international businessman, goes on a hunting trip and hires Ben (Jeremy Irvine), a young tracker living in the southwest, as his guide through the Reach. While hunting for a bighorn, John accidentally kills an old man and asks Ben to shut his mouth about it, but when the latter refuses to do so it leads to a sadistic game of cat and mouse as John decides to kill and hunt down Ben in the vast and hostile desert basin. inflicted on society.

CHILD 44

R16 A serial killer-thriller film based on Tom Rob Smith’s novel of the same name, the film chronicles the crisis of conscience for disgraced Soviet Intelligence Agent Leo Demidov (Tom Hardy) who uncovers a brutal series of child murders and teams up with General Mikhail Nesterov (Gary Oldman) to track down the serial killer whom everyone claims does not exists.

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.

GET HARD

R16 Nailed for fraud and embezzlement, millionaire hedge fund manager James King (Will Ferrell) has 30 days to sort his affairs and prepare for jail. Desparate, he turns to his car washer Darnell Lewis (Kevin Hart) to teach him how to toughen up to survive in prison, assuming he was incarcerated because he’s black. But James later discovers that his mentor has a clean record and never actually went to prison.

GHOST COINS

R13 A Thai horror film about a group of reckless teenagers who steals gold coins from the deceased, which relatives put inside the mouth of the dead so they can move on to the afterlife. The group sets out to steal from a millionaire’s corpse who has a mouthful of gold coins. Their deed then angers the dead man and his spirit returns to haunt them.

KID KULAFU

PG Before there was Manny Pacquiao the eight-division world champion boxer, there was Emmanuel Pacquiao the young boy in General Santos City who collected empty Kulafu bottles and was later introduced to boxing when he discovers his natural talent for the sport. This biopic focuses on the life of Manny (Robert “Buboy” Villar) before fame, fortune, and championships; at the time when the young pound-for-pound champion was struggling to help his family.

SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE

G Based on the television series of the same name, the flim follows Shaun (Justin Fletcher), Bitzer (John Sparkes), and the rest of the flock as they take a day off to have some fun but only to end into the Big City to rescue the Farmer and take him back to the countryside after he lost his memories from a blow to the head.

THE LONGEST RIDE

R13 Based on the bestselling novel of the same name written by Nicholas Sparks, the film tells the story of 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 are inspired by the enduring romance of Ira (Alan Alda) with his beloved wife.

UNFRIENDED

R13 An American found footage supernatural horror film that unfolds over high school student Blaire Lily’s (Shelley Hennig) laptop screen as she and her friends are stalked by an unseen figure that they can’t get rid of online. Blaire and her friends discover the unseen online stalker is their friend Laura Barns (Heather Sossaman) who killed herself because of incessant online bullying a year earlier.

YOUR PLACE OR MINE

R13 A romantic-comedy film based

on a Wattpad novel, it tells the story of finding true love amid arranged marriages and a history of one night stand between total strangers Haley Saavedra (Andi Eigenmann) and Russell Sandoval (Bret Jackson).

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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The figures modelled after the characters of the Avengers movie are on display at the Block Atrium at SM North Edsa coinciding with the screening of the movie

‘AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON’¼ NOT A MOVIE REVIEW WITHOUT WANG 2

BY NICKIE WANG Much has been written about the latest installment of the Avengers movie series.

From the cutting-edge technology Marvel Studios employed to the high-octane action sequences that kept cinemagoers right on the edge of their seats, people just can’t get enough of this superhero action flick.

True enough, there’s no point in waiting for a DVD copy because there’s no substitute for the experience one can get from seeing it in High Definition and on the big screen, of course. While others rave about the final action sequence that reminds us about how Mr. and Mrs. Smith annihilate their opponents (only in steroids, lots of steroids), some overlooked the shameless product placement in the new movie released in MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe).

Not even the world of movies is safe from product advertising, you see. Although product placement didn’t run the whole thing unlike movies we have from Vic Sotto or Kris Aquino, it’s hard not to notice how brands like Gillette, Adidas, Samsung, Audi and Mercedes Benz were inserted subversively and had prominent exposure as if they were part of the plot.

The film suggests to use a Gillette products to steal the attention of a girl as hot as Scarlett Johansson. Or if you want be run as fast as Quicksilver, wear an Adidas trainer. This “collaboration” even resulted to

the introduction of a new upcoming shoe line for kids and adults but of course with no guarantee that you’ll be able to move as fast as Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s on-screen persona. Now, for you to look suave and gwapo like Robert Downey Jr., Audi V10 is the car for you. The Avengers depicts an Audi car as a very reliable automobile and a Mercedes Benz as a disposable one, they just blasted a chedeng’s windshield and let the expensive vehicle roll over.

But wait there’s more. These products are nothing compared to what the South Korean government did just to end up as one of the film locations of the film. No, it’s not just about the Samsung signage enjoying some significant exposure. As revealed during the European red carpet premiere of the movie, the South Korean government paid an eye-watering $3.7 million to the makers of the new Avengers movie to ensure the country is shown in a positive light. The figure is about 30 percent of the cost of production when they shoot numerous scenes in Seoul. The locations featured in the film include Gangnam Boulevard, immortalized in the pop song “Gangnam Style,” and “Cheongdam” and “Mapo Bridges,: which span the city’s Han River.

The agreement between the producers and South Korea’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism materialized on an agreement that the city will be portrayed as an iconic modern Asian city. The film delivered but it didn’t sit well with the Korean audience.

Apart from the fact public funds were used, audiences thought the setting of the modern city was shot in Tokyo.

LARGER THAN LIFE EXHIBIT

Coinciding with the premiere of the latest installment of the Avengers movie series, the SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc. (SMLEI) unveiled a larger than life Avengers themed exhibit at the Block Atrium in SM North EDSA on April 20.

According to Edgar Tejerero, president of SMLEI, the exhibit costs more than P9 million and will be available for viewing (and for some selfies) until May 16.

Marvel characters on display include Iron Man, Captain America, Ultron, Hulk and Hulk Buster. To complement the Avengers experience, guests get to relive their favorite Avengers hero through activities and games. With the Disney XD’s family interactive game, kids can get to be Iron Man for a day in a video game mission to bring down all enemies. Visitors can get a chance to be a god and lift Thor’s axe, or be as strong as the Hulk by winning over an arm wrestling challenge.

Adding excitement to seeing larger than life action figures, Avengers fans also got a chance to meet these action heroes in the flesh. Disney flew in international authentic characters like Captain America, Thor and Black Widow in a two-day meet and greet event at the exhibit venue.

“This is a great treat to the Filipino fans of the Avengers movie. You’re the first to see the film and the first to experience this kind of exhibit. We’re not going to see the new movie until May 1,” the Disney official commented during the exhibit’s ribbon cutting ceremony.

Ben Pyne President of Global Distribution Disney Media Network, Architect Renee Bacani AVP operations of SM city NorthEdgar Tejerero President of SMLEI

70S SUPERBAND AT HARD ROCK CAFÉ The 70s Superband will be at Hard Rock Café (HRC) in a special performance 9 p.m. tomorrow. Fans and music lovers can look forward to an evening of non-stop retro music as 70s Superband dishes out live the greatest and most well loved power ballads and party anthems of the 70s.

Also performing at HRC on May 30 (Thursday, 9 p.m.) is show band Main Cast. Certified hard rockers can party all night long with Main Cast’s special set as the band performs a selection of today’s hottest chart-toppers, standard favorites, and homegrown hits.

For reservations call HRC at 893-4661 to 64.

The 70s Superband performs at the Hard Rock Cafe tonight

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SHOWBITZ

Following Sagada’s recent tourism boom thanks to the hit movie That Thing Called Tadhana, Senator Sonny Angara has called for the passage of a bill, which seeks to promote film tourism in the country.

“The influx of tourists in Sagada in Mountain Province due to the film Tadhana should extend to other tourist destinations in the Philippines. We should encourage more filmmakers to feature different parts of the country and showcase their beauty and culture to effectively promote Philippine tourism,” said Angara, vice chairman of the Senate committee on tourism.

Angara filed Senate Bill No. 2160 or the Fostering Investment through Local and International Movies (FILM) Act which aims to attract filmmakers by providing tax incentives, and to empower the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to provide additional benefits.

Under the proposed measure, eligible local and international productions may be granted 20-percent tax credits if the final product is set completely or largely within the Philippines, or if at least half of filming occurs in a community here in the country that is still recovering

Sen. Sonny Angara wants incentives for filmmakers who feature tourist destinations in the country

from a significant natural disaster.

The Department of Tourism shall provide the FDCP with a list of locations it is promoting while the National Commission for Culture and the Arts shall be the resource for filmmakers for Filipino culture, traditions and values.

The FDCP will also be responsible in ensuring that production companies adhere to environmental regulations in the process of filming.

Aside from tax credits, SB 2160 also provides additional incentives such as exemptions from all fees for or associated with filming permits, free access to public lands, free police protection, free and expedited

work visas, and a designated liaison.

Similarly, Mexican officials reportedly offered up to $20 million in tax incentives to Sony Pictures and MGM so that Mexico, where the iconic opening scene of the new James Bond movie, Spectre, takes place, will be shown in positive light.

“We must recognize the potential of film tourism to grow the economy and raise the nation’s international profile. By boosting the country’s film tourism, tourist arrivals will increase which would lead to more jobs and opportunities especially for the locals,” Angara said.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker has joined the call for the public to become more responsible tourists and has urged local government units to come up with a sustainable tourism plan to address the issues brought by the sudden influx of tourists such as shortage in occupancy and water supply, and traffic.

Aside from Tadhana, other recent local movies that have promoted tourism in their setting are You’re My Boss shot mostly in Batanes and She’s Dating the Gangster and Crazy Beautiful You that showed the majestic Mount Mayon and Mount Pinatubo.

A BIG WEDDING CONFIRMED

MA Network’s muchloved program Fall In Love With Me is nearing its finale.

In the series, Cedric and Thea have gone through a lot of hardships together, and the struggle has brought them to their wit’s end. Everything seems to be falling apart, and Cedric is on his way to giving up.

He decides to pierce Thea’s heart and tell her that their love has died, and Thea will have no choice but to let him go. With them finally calling it quits, Roxanne (Beatrice Fang) willingly enters the picture to rub salt into Thea’s wounds and

profusely exalts her joy for her wedding with Cedric.

Meanwhile, chaos hits Tian Ji Company due to Lance’s (Kao Ying Hsuan) show of faulty anger management. His family now favors Cedric to become the director of their company, which drives him to throw fits of uncontrolled fury.

How will Lance accept this probable defeat? How will Thea take the pain of losing Cedric one more time?

Don’t miss the finale week of Fall In Love With Me before My Love From The Star on GMA Heart of Asia.

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EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

ANGARA WANTS INCENTIVES FOR FILMMAKERS

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ISAH V. RED

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DOWN 1 Soften 2 Drama award 3 Voice-mail prompt 4 MIT grad 5 Ankle injury 6 Lettuce buy 7 Uris hero 8 Big shoes 9 Davenports 10 Amherst coll.

11 Play reveille 12 Glamorous 14 Dairy product 22 She loved Lennon 24 Used-car worry 25 “The Prisoner of —”

Beatrice Fang and Kao Ying Hsuan star in Fall In Love With Me

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

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Something to Chew On’s Xandra Rocha features Cavite province on CNN Philippines

XANDRA ROCHA VISITS CAVITE In this week’s episode of Something to Chew On, Xandra Rocha visits the province of Cavite, known as the “Historical Capital of the Philippines”.

The province of Cavite played a significant role in our history. On June 12, 1898, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine Independence at his ancestral house in Kawit, Cavite.

Cavite is also considered as of the most industrialized and fastest growing provinces in the country due to its proximity to Metro Manila.

Due to its rapid growth in economy, Cavite has several establishments that many tourists here and abroad go to. Discover more about Cavite as Xandra tastes unique farm-to-table dishes, variety of great tasting coffee and other local delicacies served by prominent restaurants in the province.

See how Xandra beats the summer heat by getting on the Flow Rider – a new water sport where tourists get to try surfing indoors.

Exciting adventure in Cavite on Something to Chew On, Season 3, every Saturday at 7 p.m.on CNN Philippines.

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 3 0 : 2 0 1 5

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

C7

GMA NETWORK

O

STREAMLINES REGIONAL OPERATIONS From C8

ver the weekend as we were trying to enjoy our stay in Puerto Princesa, courtesy of PLDT Home Ultera which was launched in that city, we, members of the press, got this disturbing news from the social media networks that the Kapuso networks had closed its regional broadcasting facilities. We called up an officer of the network’s corporate communications for some explanations. Instead he sent us this statement: The strategic streamlining being undertaken by the Network is geared towards increasing ratings and revenues of all of its regional stations from more efficient operations.

We are not closing down any regional station. Pending completion of the study and recommendation of the Regional TV Review Committee, all the existing regional stations other than Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Dagupan will be continued as satellite selling stations.

Though some regional programs in the morning and afternoon were cancelled, the afternoon news programs of Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and Dagupan remain and will be further strengthened.

As mentioned in our earlier statement, all affected personnel will be offered severance packages.

This undertaking is not connected to the impending talks with Mr. Ramon S. Ang.

I don’t know how this development would affect the network’s already flagging image in the regions. I just wish the Kapuso network could weather this new challenge for it to remain in the major battlefield for audience share nationwide.

HHHHH Martin Del Rosario continues to impress GMA 7 audiences after portraying roles in various shows.

Though some of his character portrayals are controversial, Martin is grateful as his fans welcomed his performances wholeheartedly.

Recently, he was in GMA News TV’s Wagas, (“The Mystica-Troy Love Story) in which he had some intimate scenes with Rufa Mae Quinto. And then he was also in Karelasyon. Aside from the high ratings, the episode became a nationwide and worldwide trending topic in social media.

In an interview, Martin said, “I have no doubts on accepting and doing such kind of roles because this is my craft. Ako naman ever since, lahat ng gay roles tinatanggap ko, wala po akong tinatanggihan.

Kumbaga iba’t ibang level naman kasi siya. Wala po akong ginawa na parehong-pareho. I really make sure na iba’t ibang levels ‘yung ibinibigay at ipinapakita ko,” Martin added.

Meanwhile, Martin is now in Pari ‘Koy as Jeremy, the closet gay

friend of Sam (Hiro Peralta).

“Mabilis kaming nagkasundo, nag-bonding kami agad so hindi naman nakakailang. Alam naman naming gay ‘yung role kaya parang given na din na kapag hinawakan ko siya, walang malisya ‘yun,” Martin said about his working relationship with Hiro.

HHHHH The Heatwave Summer Bazaar, a benefit project for the GMA Kapuso Foundation, was held recently at the World Trade Center. The event featured various summer items as well as different simultaneous events such as fashion shows, celebrity performances and variety shows.

Present during the ribbon cutting ceremonies of the Heatwave Summer Bazaar were Teresa Pacis, head of Corporate Affairs of the GMA Network, Grace Castillo, VP Acquiring Sales of GXchange Inc., Consumer Business Group of Globe, fashion blogger Nicole Anderson, Kris Bernal, Mayose Bautista, president of Cut Unlimited Inc., and Jacqueline Samaniego of the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

The group will have a second leg of the summer bazaar series dubbed End of Summer Clearance Sale on May 30 and 31 at the World Trade Center. To get in touch with the organizers, interested parties

may call 687.0654, 687.3292 or email aprillerobles@gmail.com.

HHHHH As the stars flock to the white sands of Boracay, so can you, too.

You don’t have to be a movie star or have a millionaire’s budget to enjoy not just one but three of the most beautiful beaches in the Philippines, if you do the BatangasBulalacaoBoracay beach circuit with PhilTranco.

It’s easy as hopping a Philtranco bus from Pasay to Batangas City, cross to Calapan, Mindoro via FastCat and then zoom to Bulalacao.

From Bulalacao, it’s just a three-hour trip again via FastCat to Caticlan.

You can take your pick between Boracay and the beauties of Iloilo, thanks to the country’s first ever truly national bus company.

Travel to the hometown of Dawn Zulueta, the Barretto sisters, and Pokwang, as well as Edu Manzano, Charlie Davao, and Dingdong Dantes. Enjoy the romantic landscape that inspired Ilonggo crooners Jose Mari Chan and Jed Madela.

PhilTranco travels to Batangas, Calapan and Caticlan daily (and to as far as Antique and Iloilo City). Additional luggage is reasonably priced, allowing you to bring as many pasalubongs as you wish. Drop offs are made closer to your final destination, saving on extra cost.

For travelers headed to Pampanga (or catching a flight in Clark), daily trips on PhilTranco start at 6.30 a.m. at PhilTranco Pasay Terminal (on EDSA cor Apelo Cruz St.) and end at 8.30 p.m. Early bird trips begin at 4.30 a.m. from JAM Liner Cubao (831 EDSA, Kamuning) with the last trip out at 9.30 p.m.

HHHHH TV5 gets in the heat of the muchawaited fight of the century as it brings the free TV airing of the Battle for Greatness: Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight on May 3 and at the same time gives boxing fans the front seat experience to the highly anticipated bout via the Tres de Mayo Biggest Live Viewing Party to be held simultaneously in various key areas all across the country.

Boxing fans are encouraged to buy their tickets now via Ticketnet for the Tres de Mayo Biggest Live Viewing Party to be held at the Philippine Arena, Smart Araneta Coliseum, Blue Eagle Gym, Cebu Coliseum, USEP-Davao, Pearl of the Pacific (Boracay Station 1), and Uptown Boracay (Boracay Station 2).

The Battle for Greatness: Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight of the century airs on TV5 on May 3 from 10 a.m, to 3 p.m. with a PreFight Special airing at 9 a.m and a Post-Fight Special airing at 10 p.m. on the same day.

Martin del Rosariio is Kapuso’s new drama ace, but the actor has yet to star in his own soap

From left, Teresa Pacis, Head of Corporate Affairs of the GMA Network, Grace Castillo, VP Acquiring Sales of G-Xchange Inc., Consumer Business Group of Globe, fashion blogger Nicole Anderson, Kris Bernal, . Mayose Bautista, President of Cut Unlimited Inc., and Jacqueline Samaniego of the GMA Kapuso Foundation at the opening of the Heatwave Summer Bazaar

PIA WURTZBACH, PNOY ARE TEXT MATES

P

ia Alonzo Wurtzbach, the country’s bet to this year’s Miss Universe pageant, admitted that she gets occasional text messages from the most eligible bachelor in Malacañang. But this bit of revelation was all that Wurtzbach could tell the press, obviously evading reporters’ curiosity on what’s the real score between her and the President, during the beauty queen’s recent launching as one of the new faces of Dairy Queen, the world’s favorite ice cream.

Who says beauty queens avoid ice creams to maintain their body figures?

Wurtzbach, a Culinary Arts graduate, along with Bb. Pilipinas International 2015 Janicel Lubina and Bb. Pilipinas Supranational 2015 Rogelie Catacutan, will be seen in DQ’s “Fun Everydairy”

campaign offering of a wide variety of fun dessert treats to satisfy everyone cravings especially this hot summer.

The beauties are also set to undergo extensive training in preparation for their respective competitions.

Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental 2015 Christi Lynn McGarry and Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2015 Ann Lorraine Colis were also signed up completing the Bb. Pilipinas 2015 winners partnership with DQ, especially, in its activities which aim to give back to the community.

Binibining Pilipinas Charity, Inc. (BPCI), which recently visited Operation Smile Philippines, continues its fund raising activities for projects benefitting street children, orphans, indigent families and other less fortunate members of society.

– ETON B. CONCEPCION / PHOTO BY BPCI

Beauty queens are endorsing Dairy Queen this summer

C8 The resort’s villas along the coast of Boracay island, away from the more popular Stations 3 and 2

T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 3 0 : 2 0 1 5

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

FOLLOWING THE GALAXY IN BORACAY SIMPLY RED ISAH V. RED Two weekends ago, a small group of writers from various publications in Manila took an afternoon (actually early evening after a fourhour delay at NAIA 3 due to aircraft congestion at the country’s premier airport ) flight to Kalibo in Aklan for the Smart Infinity launch of Galaxy S6 and S6 at Shangri-la’s Boracay Resort and Spa. A similar launch was also happening at SM Megamall Fashion Hall.

But we were thrilled by the thought that we would be spending the night at the most expensive resort in what many people still call “paradise.”

Smart Communication’s most premium postpaid brand hailed the coming of the newest and most powerful smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, and so, the exclusive press launch at the Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa. We arrived at the resort at almost midnight, after an almost two-hour land travel to Caticlan from Kalibo airport and another half an hours speedboat ride to the resort.

Our weary bodies and sleepy eyes were longing to jump into bed but the beautiful dinner set up al fresco quickly cheered us up.

There were flowers and fine china and waiters were all waiting for the signal to serve dinner.

We were so hungry that anything served to us that night would taste delectably delicious, and indeed, from the salad down to the dessert, the dinner was nearly perfect. Add to that the sight on the dinner table of the two phones that many gadget freaks have been salivating for from the time Samsung announced it was going to launch new models of the Galaxy mobile phones.

At the dinner, Smart Infinity also introduced its latest package, the Infinity Travel Experience, where Smart Infinity members can have

the latest premium device that also comes with PAL Mabuhay Miles for their dream vacation. Two lucky Smart Infinity members who preavailed of the Samsung S6 offer won a 3-day 2-night stay in Boracay.

James Chi, marketing manager for Smart Infinity, shared that this is the first time that Smart Infinity grants its members the experience of receiving a new premium device and being able to take it with them to their dream destination at the same time.

“Smart Infinity is really all about giving our clientele exceptional experiences,” shared Chi. “And this launch captures that: we wanted our media partners to not only be the first in the Philippines to experience the S6; but to also experience it in a world-class destination.”

As the dinner progressed and the night went deeper, the Smart Infinity officers itemized the perks that come with being a member of the exclusive subscribers group.

Those who will avail of the Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 edge through the Infinity Travel Experience will get PAL Mabuhay Miles that may be used for International or Domestic flights. Moreover, the miles empower Smart Infinity members to choose when and where to fly, or opt use the miles for premium or business class upgrades. “Depending on their chosen plan, a member may opt to avail purely of PAL Mabuhay Miles to fly to must-see cities like London, Singapore, Melbourne or Cebu. For Aspire Plan 3500, we provide 25,000 miles, while for Prestige Plan 5000 and Premium Plan 8000 we provide 46,000 miles” related Chi. Coupled with Smart Infinity’s signature concierge service, travelers may even enjoy added perks with their travel bookings.

“This is an offer that will allow our members to enjoy the best of both worlds – that is, the advantage of using a high-style, highly functional smartphone running on the country’s largest and most advanced mobile network, and the pleasures of exclusive perks on

top of the renowned personalized service they can only expect from Smart Infinity,” said Julie Carceller, head of Smart Infinity.

Meanwhile, for those who simply wish to avail of the Samsung Galaxy S6, the device will come compliments of Smart Infinity Plan 3500 for a limited time, until May 31, 2015.

Smart Infinity plans also include with a galaxy of VIP privileges.

VIP Customer Service. Smart Infinity members have a dedicated Infinity Relationship Officer, access to a 24/7 worldwide concierge service, priority in dedicated Smart Stores as well as the option to have their preferred mobile number and a spare SIM. VIP Network Access. Smart Infinity subscribers can rely on the Smart network to enjoy calls and convenient mobile internet connectivity. Users of LTE-compatible devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 edge, can maximize this benefit and enjoy watching movies or videos, upload or download photos and more, on their mobile device on the country’s most widely-available LTE service.

VIP Rewards and Privileges.

Smart Infinity members have a whole array of year-round privileges, which can be simply accessed through their innovative Smart Infinity Lifestyle App. “At Smart Infinity, we are all about the experience. Beyond just providing superior network services and the latest devices, we know that Smart Infinity members are achievers who seek new experiences in life and leisure – and we continuously push our boundaries to give them what they deserve,” closed Carceller.

After Chi and Carceller’s presentation and the dinner over, we all took the golf carts to the reception lobby for our room assignments.

At the expensive room, after a quick shower, we lay down in bed and dreamt about Samsung Galaxy S6 edge. The Galazxy S6 would just be fine as well….and was off to dreamland.

Continued on C7

A Smart Infinity subscriber takes a photo of Boracay’s view with Samsung Galaxy S6 edge

Smart Infinity marketing head, James Ch, explains the perks of being an Infinity subscriber to members of the press (including this writer)

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and S6 on the dinner table for members of the media to experience

A boat with SMART logo sails near the shores of Boracay island during the launch

The magnificent pool of the resort just near the private beach

The dinner table set at Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa for media during the Smart Infinity Travel Experience with Samsung Galaxy S6 and Edge

The cozy lanai for the guests to relax and chill just before hitting the sack or the waters