The Standard - 2015 May 22 - Friday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 94  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  FRIDAY : MAY 22, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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Charter issues vs BBL to face serious study

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Lacson is dark horse next year

CHINA ACCOSTS US SPY AIRCRAFT Next page

What it looks like. This file photo shows a Posiedon P8-A spy plane similar to the one used by the US Navy in checking out what China was doing in the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday.

Smith leads Cavaliers to 1-0 lead

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The Uniqlo graphic shirt line

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Standard forum. From left, Jose Rodriguez, Harry Roque, Rotary Club Manila president Frank Evaristo, and Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo grace a forum on the West Philippine Sea sponsored by The Standard at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City. Ey AcASio

41 vessels sunk for fishing in Indonesia JAKARTA – Indonesia has sunk 41 foreign boats across the archipelago, reports said Thursday, as part of an ongoing push to stop illegal fishing in its waters.

Authorities sank the vessels in public displays at several sites Wednesday, local media reported. The boats included one from China and others from Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines.

Some of the boats were blown up with dynamite and pictures showed the vessels engulfed in flames as they went down.

Indonesia has defended its policy of seizing and destroying illegal fishing boats, a hardline approach that risks attracting regional anger.

“Without the continued fight against illegal fishing, we won’t be able to improve the welfare of our fishermen,” Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti told The Jakarta Post newspaper.

The Chinese vessel sunk was reportedly a large ship detained in 2009 for fishing in Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. President Joko Widodo has taken a hardline approach to illegal fishing since taking office in October, vowing to stamp out a practice he says costs Southeast Asia’s biggest economy billions of dollars in lost revenues every year.

Indonesia had already destroyed boats from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines in highly publicized displays.

Authorities also say foreigners illegally fishing in Indonesia are partly responsible for massive damage to the environment due to the widespread use of explosives and cyanide.

Widodo hopes that increased revenues from fishing can help boost economic growth, which has sunk to a five-year low. – AFP

China accosts US plane flying over disputed sea A US SURVEILLANCE plane was warned eight times by the Chinese Navy against flying over the contested West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, CNN Philippines said in an exclusive report.

A CNN team led by senior correspondent Jim Sciutto was on board the P8-A Poseidon, Washington’s most advanced surveillance aircraft, when it took off from Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

A Chinese radio operator warned the aircraft, which flew at its lowest point of 15,000 feet: “Foreign military aircraft, this is the Chinese Navy. You are approaching our military alert zone. Leave immediately…You go!

“This is the Chinese Navy... This is the Chinese Navy... Please go away immediately.”

“We were just challenged 30 minutes ago and the challenge came from the Chinese navy, and I’m highly confident it came from ashore, this facility here [Fiery Cross Reef or Kagitingan Reef],” Capt.

Mike Parker told CNN. In Manila on Thursday, international legal experts said the Philippines was losing ground inch by inch from China’s continuing expansion on the disputed West Philippine Sea, and which was likely to endanger the Philippines’ fisheries sector and food security for the entire region and result in up to P16.7 billion in lost economic benefits.

“Construction at the Kennan, Gaven Chigua Reefs and Ayungin Shoal, which is near the Philippine’s Pag-asa Island, are in full swing with permanent structures continuing to be constructed,” Magdalo party-list Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo said during a forum at the Manila Polo club sponsored by The Standard.

He said unless the Philippine government did something quick, the country would face an impending threat that will endanger national security because the continuing activities by the Chinese were right in the backyard of the Philippines, which is

less than 50 kilometers away from its Ayungin Shoal and roughly 400 kilomters away from Palawan.

He recalled that Filipino fishermen were driven away by the Chinese Coast guard when the fishermen tried to fish near the Chinese-occupied reefs in Ayungin.

Harry Roque, director of the UP Law Center’s Institute of International Legal Studies, described as “worrisome” China’s construction of artificial islands in Johnson South Reef, its expansion of its artificial island in Fiery Cross reef, and its deployment of naval forces to ward off any opposition.

Because of China’s continuing actions in the disputed South China Sea, the Philippines has brought China before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea for arbitration.

“These constructions are happening in the face of China’s snub of the arbitral proceedings that precisely impugn China’s legal rights to do so,” Roque said.

“Clearly, China’s conduct is not only illegal but is also contemptuous of the proceedings.”

CNN said Fiery Cross Reef had military barracks and a runway aside from the early-warning station based on the footage taken by the P8.

“There’s obviously a lot of surface traffic down there: Chinese warships, Chinese coast guard ships. They have air search radars, so there’s a pretty good bet they’re tracking us,” Lt. Commander Matt Newman told CNN from the cockpit.

Defense spokesman Peter Galvez said the incident only showed that Beijing had “imposed their self-serving rules even in clearly established international airspace.”

“The incident shows the extent to which China is willing to disregard

international laws and freedom of flight and navigation,” Galvez said.

“These actions further increase the risk of irreparable miscalculations and untoward incidents.”

The Chinese navy issued warnings eight times as a US surveillance plane on Wednesday swooped over islands that Beijing is using to extend its zone of influence.

The series of man-made islands and the massive Chinese military build-up on them have alarmed the Pentagon, which is carrying out the surveillance flights in order to make clear the US does not recognize China’s territorial claims. The militarized islands have also alarmed America’s regional allies.

Former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell told CNN’s Erin Burnett Wednesday night that the confrontation indicated there was “absolutely” a risk of the US and China going to war sometime in the future.

A CNN team was given exclusive access to join in the surveillance flights over the contested waters, which the Pentagon allowed for the first time in order to raise awareness on the challenge posed by the islands and the growing US response.

CNN was aboard the P8-A Poseidon, America’s most advanced surveillance and submarine-hunting aircraft, and quickly learned that the Chinese were themselves displeased by the US pushback.

“This is the Chinese navy... This is the Chinese navy ... Please go away ... to avoid misunderstanding,” a voice in English crackled through the radio of the aircraft in which CNN was present.

It was the first time the Pentagon had declassified a video of China’s building activity and an audio of Chinese challenges to a US aircraft.

The aircraft flew at 15,000 feet in the air at its lowest point, but the US is considering flying such surveillance missions even closer over the islands, as well as sailing US warships within miles of them as part of the new, more robust US military posture in the area.

Soon after the Chinese communication was heard, its source appeared on the horizon seemingly out of nowhere: an island made by China some 600 miles from its coastline.

The South China Sea is the subject of many rival―often messy―territorial claims over an area that includes fertile fishing grounds and potentially rich reserves of undersea natural resources. China is increasingly showing that even far from its mainland, it sees itself as having jurisdiction over the body of water.

Wednesday’s mission was specifically aimed at monitoring Chinese activities on three islands that months ago were reefs barely peaking above the waves. Now they are massive construction projects that the US fears will soon be fully functioning military installations.

China’s alarming creation of entirely new territory in the South China Sea is one part of a broader military push that some fear is intended to challenge US dominance in the region. Beijing is sailing its first aircraft carrier; equipping its nuclear missiles with multiple warheads; developing missiles to destroy US warships; and now, building military bases far from its shores.

That was exactly what Morell warned might be coming if China continued down its current path. He warned CNN that “there’s a real risk, when you have this kind of confrontation, for something bad happening.”

He added that China’s aggressive growth hinted at a broader trend as the Asian economic superpower continued to expand its influence and strength―one that Morell said could “absolutely” lead to war between the US and China. “China is a rising power. We’re a status quo power. We’re the big dog on the block ... They want more influence,” Morell said.

“Are we going to move a little bit?

Are they going to push? How is that dance going to work out? This is a significant issue for the next President of the United States.” With Vito Barcelo

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Senate grills DOTC, LTO on license plate deal SENATORS grilled officials of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) over allegations of irregularities surrounding the contract to purchase P3.8 billion worth of new vehicle license plates from a foreign supplier.

Senator JV Ejercito earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 1239 which seeks an investigation of alleged anomalies in the bidding process for the procurement of motor vehicle plates.

In the resolution, Ejercito said the agencies’ bids and awards committee favored the Dutch Company J. Knieriem BV-Goes despite its alleged financial incapacity and inexperience.

“It is the public who suffers from the inefficiency of the supplier. But instead of addressing this, the LTO chose to implement a ‘no-plate, no-travel’ policy,” Ejercito said.

“We cannot make the public adjust every time to the problems that are caused by the government.”

During the hearing, Senator Ralph Recto asked DOTC and LTO why they bid out the contract for the new vehicle plates in 2013 despite not having enough funds set aside for the project.

“I’ve been a member of the House of Representatives for nine years [and served the last] 10 years in the Senate. My understanding of the General Appropriations Act is that if the appropriation is insufficient, there should be no bidding as there is no authorization yet from the government,” said Recto.

He said it was clear that there was no P3.8 billion appropriation for the project.

“It would appear to me that they did this project without appropriation. They connected it in 2014 by putting the appropriation and signed the contract in 2014 even if they issued the notice of award in 2013,” Recto said, describing the practice as “dangerous.”

According to Recto, he sees no problem if the government will allow motor vehicles to keep their old license plates and limit the installation of new car plates to brand-new vehicles for registration. Macon ramos-araneta

Marcos vows to study BBL-Charter conflicts

By Macon ramos-araneta

SENATOR Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. yesterday said he will seriously consider the “constitutional warning flags” raised by the committee of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on the Malacanang-drafted Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Marker. Ely De La Cruz of Batasan Hills village in Quezon City points to the West Valley Fault marker of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology following scientists’ warnings of a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that could hit Metro Manila. Manny PalMero

“We will certainly take serious consideration of the warning flags the report has raised,” said Marcos, chairman of the Senate local government committee which is leading public hearings on the BBL. The draft of the report of the Senate committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes chaired by Santiago said that Congress cannot pass BBL without amending the 1987 Constitution.

Marcos said the report by Santiago’s panel was based on views expressed by the country’s foremost legal experts who took part in hearings of the Santiago committee.

“That report vindicates the meticulous scrutiny to which I am subjecting the draft BBL. We don’t want to pass the BBL only to have it declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court later, [because] then we’d be back to square one and all our efforts would be for nothing,” he explained.

This is also the reason why it is irresponsible to rush the passage of the BBL just to meet the June 11 deadline set by Malacanang Palace, he added.

“As far as I’m concerned, the priority is to get it right,” Marcos said.

He acknowledged the concerns of all the stakeholders, as well as practical issues of administration and other problematic provisions of the BBL that will be challenged before the Supreme Court unless issues of constitutionality are sufficiently addressed.

This early, he said, the Buhay partylist has warned they will question the BBL before the Supreme Court once it is enacted into law.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano supported Marcos’ promise that the draft law will not be railroaded in the Senate.

Reacting to allegations that the BBL was railroaded in the House of Representatives, Cayetano said this “will not happen in the Senate.”

Angat water level to hit critical level soon

Question hour. Senator Ralph Recto questions a resource person of the Transport Department over the alleged irregularities in the bidding for P3.8 billion worth of motor vehicle plates.

THE water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan may drop to a critical level within five days if rains do not replenish Metro Manila’s main source of drinking water during the current prolonged dry spell, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Pagasa hydrologists expect the water level to hit the critical 180 meters by Sunday or Monday, after which the National Water Resources Board will gave to cut the supply of water to irrigate farms in Central Luzon.

On Wednesday, the dam’s water level was at 181.48 meters above sea level. The normal level

is 212.

It is not unusual for Angat Dam to reach the critical water level during the month of May, but the continuing dry spell has raised concerns about the prices of agricultural commodities. (Related story on Page B1.)

Already, the El Niño phenomenon has lowered the production of rice by at least 20 percent, National Confederation of Irrigators Association president Silvestre Bonto said earlier this month.

Bonto said the dry spell has reduced the annual rice production of 18.44 million metric tons to 14.76 million metric tons.

“There was a reduction of 3.68 million metric tons,” Bonto told The Standard. “But the supply of rice will be enough to meet the requirements of the country.”

Bonto said he is hoping that the rain will come later this month, in time for the planting season.

NCIA is composed of 1.5 million rice farmers nationwide, said Bonto, who is also one of the board members of the National Irrigation Administration.

Bonto said some areas in the country, like Cagayan de Oro, are experiencing a rice shortage because of high demand, not due to dry spell.

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Tiu sues AMLC over CA petition

By Rio N. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz

Prayers for justice.

Joined by the Partido Lakas ng Masang Kababaihan, relatives of the victims of the Kentex factory fire in Valenzuela City offer prayers and light candles in remembrance of the 72 people who died in the biggest industrial accident in the country in decades.

MANNY PALMERO

Senator sees Ping as 2016 dark horse

By Macon Ramos-Araneta ASIDE from “experience and trustworthiness,” Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano hinted that the next President should be a “good leader” while Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III thinks former Senator Panfilo Lacson fits the bill.

Cayetano, who had repeatedly admitted that he also has aspiration for the presidency, recently released a television advertisement showing extolling the achievements of his hometown of Taguig City.

But, Sotto said, the two television commercials urging Lacson to run for president convinced him that Lacson could definitely

be a dark horse should he decide to throw his hat in the presidential race.

The Lacson commercials, one featuring children chanting the traditional playtime rhyme “Pen Pen De Sarapen” with lyrics urging Lacson to run, and another featuring a corner store crowd talking about the former senator’s popular anti-graft and cor-

ruption persona, started airing earlier in the week in several primetime spots.

Sotto said he found it incredible for someone to buy prime time television spots if he really had no intention of running.

“This is serious,” Sotto said of the commercials.

“And I am also serious about Ping being the dark horse,” Sotto told reporters, adding that Lacson is known to be a decisive leader and crusader against graft and corruption, qualities that most voters want for the next Philippine president.

But Cayetano said there is also a need for “hierarchy of values” in looking for the leaders of the country particularly the President.

“If we can find one with experience and honest, it would be

better. If we can find one who is honest and with experience and brilliant, it would be much, much better,” noted the senator who has manifested his plan to run for President in the May 2016 elections.

“So there are many qualities, and we are not saying that this is just in one person, one woman or one man,” said Cayetano.

“In the end, we desrve leaders who can be trusted. So how can we trust leaders, business leaders, leaders of local government units and the national government, if you will not show up and explain,” said Cayetano.

Lacson for his part said Sotto’s pronouncement reflects growing public interest to hear and see other names that can be considered as good presidential candidates.

THE family of businessman Antonio Tiu filed a P100-million damage suit against officials of the Anti-Money Laundering Council before a Quezon City court over a supposedly false report they submitted to the Court of Appeals to justify the issuance of a freeze order.

At the same time, the opposition United Nationalist Alliance said the case of Tiu illustrates the Aquino government’s “selective and one-sided justice” that is part of a pattern of “diametrically opposed treatment” of its allies involved in a web of anomolies and administrative issues.

Sued before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court were Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., Bangko Sentral governor, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Teresita Herbosa, Insurance Commission Chairman Emmanuel Dooc and AMLC executive director Julia BacayAbad [not related to the Presidential Management Staff secretary of the same name].

The Tius urged the court to order the respondents to pay them P50 million in moral damages, P50 million in exemplary damages and P1 million in attorney’s fees.

In a 17-page complaint, Tiu alleged AMLC members, led by Abad, of violation of the Civil Code by causing the preparation of the AMLC report, and filing of an ex-parte petition anchored on the report itself.

The report supposedly contained defamatory statements against plaintiffs, and that it was unlawfully distributed to third parties and maliciously imputed the Tiu clan of the crime of money laundering, and graft and corruption, thereby attacking their persona through fault and negligence, the complaint said.

The AMLC officials acted with bad faith in drafting the report which served as the sole basis for the filing of an ex-parte petition for issuance of freeze order with the Court of Appeals, Tiu said.

More raps filed vs Irriberi

By Florante S. Solmerin THE defense contractors who criminally charged Army chief Lieutenant General Hernando Irriberi over a P97.8-million ammunition deal also filed an administrative complaint against the military official over the undue delay in implementation of the project.

Roperlynn Comahig filed the complaint on May 15, 2015, a copy of which was obtained by The Standard.

In her 12-page complainant, Comahig accused Irriberi of violating the code of conduct and ethics for government officials, 10 days after filing a criminal complaint against the Army chief for corruption in connection with the three defense supply contracts.

The Standard repeatedly tried to get the side

of Irriberi, his spokesman, Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato, who, unfortunately, declined to answer questions.

In the complaints, Comahig said she is a representative of Joavi Philippines Corporation (JPC), a firm reportedly owned and operated by businesswoman Jocelyn Magcale.

“Respondent Irriberi’s willful neglect of his official duties in not promptly acting on JPC’s contracts is contrary to law, unreasonable and oppressive and devoid of any legal justification,” Comahig said in her administrative complaint.

Comahig complaint stemmed from alleged unreasonable and unwarranted inaction of Irriberi and supposed refusal to follow the Procurement Law by delaying the issuance of important documents.

Trade courtersies. President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with World Trade Organization Director-General Roberto Azevedo at Malacañang’s Music Room where the WTO official was accompanied by Chef de Cabinet Ambassador Tim Yeend. MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

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Pacquiao lone billionaire in the House

By Maricel V. Cruz

Bidding mess. Senator JV Ejercito, chairman of a blue rbbon subcommitteeand Majority Leader Allan Cayetano huddle together during a public hearing on the alleged irregularities in the bidding conducted by the Department of Transportation and Communications on the P3.8 billion purchase of motor vehicle plates on Thursday.

BOxIng icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao maintained remains the richest member of the House of Representatives, a House document shows.

Based on the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALn) for the year 2014, Pacquiao had P1.6-billion net worth, making him the only billionaire member of the 16th Congress.

Pacquiao earned at least $100 million from his recent fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte had a net worth of P921.5 million in 2014, from P819 million in 2013. Belmonte’s net worth grew P102.5 million.

Ilocos norte Rep. Imelda Marcos, the former first lady, had P917.8 million. Other House members who made it to the ‘millionaires’ club in the House were: Alfredo Benitez , P845.9 million; Jules Ledesma, P822.2 million; Emmeline Aglipay and Mark Villar, combined net worth of P689 million; Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, P474.7 million; and Rizal Rep. Joel Roy Duavit, P317.9 million. Fernando Hicap of Anakpawis was the “poorest” with P95,572; Abigail Faye Ferriol; and Jonathan dela Cruz of Abakada party-list, P850,000.

Veloso bid bolstered by ‘recruiters’ testimonies

Big-time shortages loom as school year opens—solon

Rey E. Requejo

By Maricel V. Cruz

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday expressed optimism that the statements of the alleged recruiters of Mary Jane Veloso will strengthen the Philippines’ bid to save her permanently from death row in Indonesia.

De Lima said the admission of Maria Cristina Sergio and live-in partner Julius Lacanilao that Veloso did not know she was carrying illegal drugs into Indonesia would be a “big help” to her lawyers in appealing for the reversal of the conviction for drug trafficking and the death penalty imposed on her.

“This is a good development and an indication that we are at the right direction, right track… If it will be proven in the ongoing investigation (that she is innocent), this will be a big thing for Mary Jane,” De Lima said in an interview.

“This shows that it was just right to suspend the implementation of the death so the truth would first come out,” the Justice Secretary added.

Philippine government would inform the Indonesian authorities of the affidavits of Sergio and Lacanilao “for their own appreciation.”

She also said that more information would come out in the ongoing preliminary investigation on the human trafficking, illegal recruitment and swindling charges against the alleged recruiters of Veloso.

HigHer tuition rates, cramped classrooms, and other big-time shortages will again hound students of basic education in the incoming school year this June, a party-list lawmaker said on Thursday.

Kabataan party-list Rep.Terry Ridon said that with over 21 million students of basic education in all levels expected to enroll this school year, the Philippines will still need a total of 209,539 classrooms, given the ratio of one classroom per 30 students.

Citing data from the Department of Education (DepEd), Ridon also said that 114,304 teachers are still needed to teach the expected number of enrollees. About 2.5 million sanitation and water facilities and 60 million are also

needed, he added.

“The school year will open in a bleak tone, with students and parents not only facing new and higher fees, but also the same old problem of shortages in classrooms, books, teachers, and facilities,” Ridon said.

“With the government’s continued skewed priorities, coupled with the disastrous implementation of the K to 12 program, students will again suffer from overcrowded classrooms, lack of books, and overloaded teachers. How can our schools be conducive for learning under such circumstances?” Ridon asked.

Meanwhile, Ridon said that his party-list group, along with youth and student organizations, would hold a nationwide “Paid Under Protest” activities during the enrollment period to dramatize their strong opposition to the recently approved tuition and other fee hikes in 313 colleges and universities across the country.

The said protest campaign involves the

stamping of the phrase “paid under protest” on the registration form of students as a sign of defiance.

“Another school year will begin – a school year again beset in the same old problems. Another year of suffering for students and their parents, no thanks to the Aquino administration and the education department,” Ridon said.

Ridon had earlier protested the decision of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to approve 313 application for increases in tuition and other school fees for academic year 2015-2016, noting that the new spate of fee hikes will result to additional burdens to students and their families.

CHED has announced it approved 313 out of 404 fee increase applications. Of the 313 schools, 283 higher education institutions (HEIs) were allowed to increase tuition while 212 schools were allowed to increase other school fees (OSFs).

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENT President Benigno S. Aquino III has submitted to the C o m m i s s i o n o n A p p o i n t m e n t s (C . A .) f o r c o n f i r m a t i o n t h e ad interim appointments and nomination of the following of f icials: Constitutional Commissions and Offices H o n . R o w e n a A m e l i a V. G u a n z o n - C o m m i s s i o n e r, Commission on Elections Depar t ment of Foreign Af f air s C o n s t a n c i o R . V i n g n o , J r. – C h i e f o f M i s s i o n , Class I, as Ambassador Extraordinar y and Plenipotentiar y to the United Arab Emirates (n o m i n a t i o n) ; L e o M . H e r r e r a - L i m – C h i e f o f Mission, Class I; Roy B. Ecraela – Chief of Mission, Class II; Ruel U. Gunabe and Rodillo R . C a t a l a n – F o r e i g n S e r v i c e O f f i c e r, C l a s s I Ar med Forc es of t he Philippines T i r s o A . D o l i n a a n d A r t u r o J o s e G . O r t i c i o, J r. – B r i g a d i e r G e n e r a l ; R u t h I . Va l d e v i l l a , D S , S t e p h e n V. A g t o t o , P R O F a n d N e l s o n L . D e l a Cruz , DS – Colonel; and Juario C. Marayag, PN – Captain The public may submit any infor mation, wr it ten r e p o r t o r s w o r n c o m p l a i n t s o r o p p o s i t i o n s i n f o r t y (4 0) copies on the above appointments and nomination to t h e C A S e c r e t a r i a t , 6 t h F l o o r, P N B F i n a n c i a l C e n t e r, D i o s d a d o M a c a p a g a l B l v d . , P a s a y C i t y, M e t r o M a n i l a .

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 5 51 -7 5 3 2 , 8 31 - 0 8 9 3 , 8 31 -18 2 4 , 8 3 4 - 2 7 0 6 , 8 31 -15 6 6 a n d 8 3 4 - 2 713 .

21 M a y 2 015 .

Early birds. Children accompanied by their parents enrol early for the kindergarten and elementary schools at the Commonwealth Elementary School in Quezon City to avoid the June opening rush. MANNY PALMERO

ARTURO L. TIU Secretar y (MST-MAY 22, 2015)

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‘Tobacco promo goes beyond DOH authority’

60-day relief. Camp John Hay Development Corp’s Robert John Sobrepena and lawyers Daniel Nicholas Darwin and Joseph de Jesus show a copy of the temporary restraining order issued by the Court of Appeals against the Baguio City Regional Trial Court and gave the CJHDEVCO a 60-day reprieve from eviction. DAVID CHAN

Court stops BCDA, reprieves John Hay

By Rey E. Requejo

The Court of Appeals has stopped the Baguio City regional trial court from enforcing its order to evict the developer of the Camp John hay even before the Bases Conversion and Development Authority has “properly performed its reciprocal and mutual obligation to pay the amount of P1.42 billion” as earlier ordered by an arbitral body and subsequently confirmed by the local court.

In a six-page resolution, the CA’s Special Fifth Division through Associate Justice Noel G. Tijam issued a 60-day temporary restraining order preventing Judge Cecilia Corazon Dulay-Archog of Baguio City RTC, Branch 6, her agents and all persons acting for and on her behalf from enforcing the writ of execution and notice to vacate against the CJHDevCo, the developer of the Camp John Hay, and the sub-

lessees in the former American rest and recreational facility.

The appellate court also directed the Camp John Hay developer to post a P30-million injunction bond.

“Considering the action sought to be prevented, which is the impending implementation of the public respondent’s Writ of Execution and the Notice to Vacate issued by the Ex-Officio Sheriff which is on May 20, 2015, . . .; without first resolving

the issue on their respective obligation to deliver the subject property as to the petitioner, to pay the advance rental as to the Private Respondent, and the effect of the rescission of the subject lease to the third parties; and without prejudging the main case to prevent the issues raised in the petition from becoming moot and academic, we hereby issue a temporary restraining order enjoining the public respondent Judge, her agents and all persons acting for and on its behalf from enforcing the Writ of Execution and Notice to Vacate pending resolution in the main of this petition for certiorari, effecting upon Petitioner’s payment of an injunctive bond of P30,000,000.00,” the resolution stated.

Also covered by the TRO are respondents Bobby B. Galano, RTC Branch 6 sheriff and the stateowned BCDA. The appellate court ordered all

respondents to file their respective comments on the petition as well as on the application for preliminary injunction within 10 days from receipt of the notice while the developer was required to file a reply to the said comments within five (5) days from receipt of the same.

The CA also scheduled a summary hearing on the CJHDEVCO’s petition on July 1 and 2.

“To the give the petitioner the opportunity to articulate its prayer for the issuance of a writ of preliminary injunction and/or the private respondent to comment on the same, we find it necessary to conduct a summary hearing. Thus, a hearing is set on July 1 and 2, 2015 at 10:30 o’clock in the morning at the Paras Hall of this court,” the resolution said.

Associate Justices Myra V. Garcia-Fernandez and Victoria Isabel A. Paredes concurred with the ruling.

THE Supreme Court has upheld the ruling of the Court of Appeals that the Department of Health has no authority to regulate tobacco sales promotions.

In an 11-page decision, the SC’s First Division Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe affirmed the Court of Appeals decision in 2011, which granted the petition filed by two giant tobacco companies— Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing, Inc., (PMPMI) and intervenor Fortune Tobacco Corporation —seeking to nullify the resolution issued by the DOH which prohibited the tobacco industry from conducting promotional activities in accordance with Republic Act 9211, or the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

The high court ruled that it is the Inter-Agency Committee-Tobacco that has exclusive power and function to administer and implement provisions of R.A. 9211 and not the DOH. The SC was not convinced by the assertions made by the DOH that its authority to rule upon applications for sales promotion permits derived from Article 116 in relation to Article 109 of Republic Act 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines.

Article 116 provides that “No person shall conduct any sales campaigns, including beauty contest, national in character, sponsored and promoted by manufacturing enterprises without first securing a permit from the concerned department at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the commencement thereof...”

However, the tribunal noted that the same provision has been repealed by RA 9211, which created the IAC-Tobacco. Under the same provision, IAC-Tobacco will have exclusive power and function to administer and implement the provisions of RA 9211, which includes the conduct of regulating promotion.

“After a meticulous examination of the . . . pertinent provisions of RA 7394 and RA 9211, the Court finds that the latter law impliedly repealed the relevant provisions of the former with respect to the authority of the DOH to regulate tobacco sales promotions,” the SC ruled, in dismissing the DOH’s petition seeking the reversal of the appellate court ruling.

“In fine, the Court agrees with the CA that it is the IAC-Tobacco and not the DOH which has the primary jurisdiction to regulate sales promotion activities...,” the SC declared.

Rey E. Requejo

Heed volcanologists warning—bishop

By Sara D. Fabunan THE Roman Catholic Church in the country on Thursday appealed to all residents of Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal— places near the fault line —to take seriously the warning of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs) on the possibility of a magnitude 7.2 or greater earthquake hitting Metro Manila.

Cubao Bishop Honesto Ongtioco called on all local government units from these cities to take steps and relocate those residents living within the fault line to avoid loss of lives.

“When we receive some warning, some vital information, let us be serious about it, Ongtiongco said in a radio in-

terview over the Churchowned Radio Veritas.

He lamented that some Filipinos refuse to vacate their houses for fear of losing their properties and savings.

The bishop appealed to them to heed the warnings, stressing that their lives are more important than their money.

“Party, they treasure their few earnings. Those who died didn’t listen to warnings. Although we understand their point, but their lives is more important even you were not able to retrieve your properties. It’s just to advised people when there are such warnings or advise, dapat kumilos, ganito (they need to act and like this), we take it seriously”

Ontiongco said.

Last Saturday, the Philvocs urged stage agencies and local government units to brace for a mega -earthquake caused by a movement of the West Valley Fault, citing the country’s historical data.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said it has been 375 years since the 90-kilometer fault system shifted, reiterating the agency’s warning issued back in 2013.

He said the movement of the West Valley Fault dated over 400 to 600 years and the last movement was in 1658 or 357 years ago. In comparison, the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that recently claimed thousand of lives in Nepal was expected to strike sooner or later.

Lifting bag. Philippine Red Cross rescuers show the use of air lifting bag that can lift or move objects weighing 89.9 metric tons during a demo on Thursday May 21 in Manila. The equipment can be used in rescuing a person pinned under heavy objects during an earthquake. DANNY PATA

F R I D AY : M AY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Bayambang mayor sues critics in municipal board

By Johanne Margarette Macob

THE mayor of Bayambang, Pangasinan has filed an administrative complaint for grave misconduct and dishonesty against the municipal board members of this town, the same officials who had complained to the Ombudsman about the mayor’s purchase of a van without public bidding, without authority from the board,and beyond the means of the municipality.

Mayor Ricardo Camacho on May 13 filed the charges against Sangguniang Bayan members Vice Mayor Mylvin Junio and councillors Raul Sabangan, Allan de Vera, Gerardo Flores, Joseph Vincent Ramos, and Levin Uy for calling

a press conference after they had filed their affidavit.

During said press conference, they allegedly made defamatory imputations that undersigned committed violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation

under the Revised Penal Code and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The six officials filed their complaint against the mayor on April 14 this year, alleging that Camacho, in his capacity as mayor, bought a Toyota Granvia for P380,000 from a certain Pedro Mabulay, a resident of Bgy. Duera in the same town in 2013.

The board members, in their affidavit, said they had never given the mayor any authorization to purchase the vehicle.

Camacho however insisted that the municipality of Bayambang had a provision for capital outlay for the purchase of the vehicle.

He added that the Bids and

Awards Committee of the municipality published notices of public bidding in three conspicuous places in the premises of the municipal hall and caused the publication of an invitation to bid in a newspaper of general circulation in the province.

No bidders, however, came to participate in the scheduled bidding.

Because of this, the committee issued a resolution recommending a negotiated purchase.

Camacho prayed that “the respondents be placed under preventive suspension pending the investigation and to render a decision finding the respondents guilt of serious misconduct and dishonesty and the maximum penalty of dismissal from service...be imposed upon them.”

Dancing with a prayer. Devotees dance to ask for children in the annual fertility procession in San Pascual de Baylon Parish in Obando, Bulacan. DANNY PATA

Chairman, councilor shot dead in Samar session hall

By Mel Caspe CALBAYOG CITY— Two barangay officials were shot dead Thursday morning at the session hall of Bgy. Dagum, Calbayog City, barely three days after the chairman of Bgy. Carayman of the same city was shot dead 40 meters from his house.

Philippine National Police Spokesman Police Senior Inspector Mark Nalda identified the victims as Chairman Rio Luberio and Councilor Dionesio Lungsod of the said barangay.

According to Nalda, witnesses said the two victims were inside the Session Hall at the second floor of the barangay hall when the gunman, described as in his early 20s, arrived in the vicinity.

The suspect roamed around the barangay hall for several minutes; witnesses theorized he was looking for an escape route. Later, the gunman went to the second floor and without provocation fire on the two officials, killing them instantly.

The suspect immediately ran, boarded a waiting motorcycle and sped away.

Three days ago, Chairman Edgar Belleza was also shot dead by an unidentified gunman while visiting the house of a friend.

A thorough investigation is still conducted by the local police over the motive and the identity of the suspects in the killings.

Six-year-old UP satellite campus in Aurora capital lacks Oblation

By Ferdie G.Domingo BALER, Aurora—The satellite campus of the University of the Philippines in this capital town still has no Oblation—the state university‘s iconic symbol—six years after the university started operation here.

The UP School of Health and Sciences (UPSHS)Baler sits atop a five-hectare lot at Barangay Reserva beside the Aurora Memorial Hospital (AMH).

Julia Elisa Puertollano, former director of the UP Baler campus, said people from other places who have frequented the school prac-

tically consider it “incomplete” without the Oblation.

The original Oblation was a masterpiece of Filipino sculptor and National Artist Guillermo Tolentino and was commissioned in 1935

by Rafael Palma, the university‘s first Filipino president.

It stands prominently in front of Quezon Hall, welcoming students and visitors to the UP Diliman campus in Quezon City.

In the campus here, no such statue welcomes students and visitors. “The Oblation is very important. It‘s UP’s symbol. Without the Oblation, it‘s as if there is no UP,” she said.

The UPSHS here was put up in 2008 at a cost of P154 million financed jointly by the Department of Health (DOH) and the provincial government.

The satellite campus offers courses in midwifery, nursing and medicine to solve the dearth of health professionals in the countryside caused by the mass exodus of doctors, nurses and midwives for greener pastures abroad.

It is the first UP-specialized school on health in Luzon which serves the health needs of people not only in the host province but also the provinces of Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Nueva Ecija.

Tupig town. Arlyn Langbay rolls up a tupig (native delicacy) mixture on banana leaves for grilling at Barangay Villa Garcia in Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur. CHRISTINE JUNIO

F R I D AY, M AY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA ediTor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

virTuaL reaLiTY TonY LopeZ

WHy pRESIdENTS ARE cORRUpT

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Tourism and The environmenT ThE picturesque islands of Batanes province in northern Philippines must be feeling the heat. Sabtang Mayor Maxilindo Babalo fears his island, one of the three largest in Batanes, will soon be overwhelmed by the thousands of tourists visiting the popular place.

Mayor Babalo is obviously aware of the logistical and environment problems faced by Boracay Island in central Philippines, where the presence of many resorts and other commercial establishments is contributing to pollution. The local executive now plans to limit the number of tourists traveling to Sabtang Island to 8,000 to 10,000 yearly to protect the environment and prevent overcrowding that Boracay Island is now experiencing.

Sabtang, famous for its pristine and spectacular coastlines and preserved Ivatan stone houses, is the most visited municipality in Batanes.

But Mayor Babalo wants to contain the number of visitors in the island pending the issuance of regulations on tour operations. “We’re becoming like Boracay that started with a few tourists, and then year after year was getting more and more crowded,” he said.

Tourists are coming to Sabtang in increasing numbers. From just 5,000 in 2013, the number swelled to 17,000 in 2014. Tourist arrivals in the first three months of 2015 has reached 9,000.

Sabtang will soon find itself in a dilemma once a full-blown development takes place in the island. Sabtang and the rest of the Batanes group of islands offer rich marine resources that could suffer permanent damage with the uncontrolled influx of tourists.

Over in Boracay, the Environment Department has launched a crackdown on resorts and other commercial establishments contributing to the poor quality of water in the famous tourist spot.

The department began conducting an inventory of establishments on the island that had no environmental permits and violated environmental laws and regulations, especially the clean Water Act. The crackdown was triggered by the recent emergence of excessive green and slimy algae marring Boracay’s shoreline.

Tourism directly generates jobs and fuels a local economy. But the environment should be the focus of development to make the tourism business sustainable.

THE FUROR AGAINST K TO 12 pensées fr. ranhiLio caLLangan aquino I hAvE little patience with the pretext that we are not prepared for K to 12. We have had enough time to prepare for it. But whether we are in fact prepared for it or not is quite another matter. We should have been prepared for it, and we cannot now call on

our own procrastination to cause postponement of this necessary calibration of our basic-education system.

The argumentum ad misericordiam that would have us consider the plight of parents who must spend for two more years of basic education does not appeal to me. First of all, fallacy is never appealing. Second, the discrepancy between our schooling system and that of other jurisdictions, including other Asean countries

with which we shall be integrated come December 2015, should leave no doubt that whether or not the products of our educational system are regionally, let alone globally, competitive depends on our resoluteness about schooling our students in as close a manner as their peers in neighboring countries. It is not gayagaya. It is rather a recognition of the fact that by reducing secondary schooling to four years, nandaya tayo,

A9

There is no reason to put this off, but we have every reason to call armin Luistro and the bureaucrats of deped to give us an accounting for what they have been putting us through.

perhaps without malice or bad faith.

But those who protest K to 12 should be given a hearing when they complain that the implementers of the program are not prepared for it. That is true, and Armin Luistro and his entire entourage at DepEd have a lot of explaining to do. Where, many teachers have asked, are the instructional materials? Where are the inservice training programs?

I have friends who teach in public schools. Some of them are my students at the Graduate School of the

cagayan State University -- and almost all have told me that they feel like they have been let loose in the K to 12 arena with nothing by which to arm themselves -- neither in-service or extramural training programs nor materials. Some have been reduced to scrounging for materials on the web, downloading and reproducing these.

That is where the problem lies:

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-

Not with K to 12 but with the insouciance by which we have allowed the time for its implementation to come upon us verily like a thief in the night, except that we were supposed to know when the thief was to arrive. how very like my students to whom I announce: “We shall have a ‘surprise’ quiz on Thursday”, expecting of them median intelligence to recognize that

5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandardtoday.com E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

cYan magenTa YeLLoW BLacK

the coming test is no surprise at all. But the joke is almost always turned on me, because when the

Continued on A11

LoWdoWn jojo a. roBLes Mr. Robles’ column will resume next week.

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

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

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

vIcE President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Grace Poe are embroiled in a debate on which is more important – honesty or competence. Grace insists it’s honesty. Jojo maintains it’s competence.

Grace Poe is a freshman senator salivating to become president of the Philippines. She has no experience in governance but many people believe she has three things they want in their leader this century – relative youth, a fresh image, and decency and honesty.

Jojo Binay has some things people want in their leader – responsiveness, ability to connect with them, experience, competence, brought about by high-level of education (law and three masters degrees) and experience, having been in government for the past 29 years. Binay’s frenemies in the Senate insist he is very corrupt and they have conducted 20 hearings in ten months to prove it.

Judging from the record of past 50 years, the most honest presidents in history have been the most incompetent and inexperienced. Think of cory Aquino and her son, Benigno Simeon cojuangco Aquino III. And the most competent and experienced presidents have been the most corrupt. Think of Ferdinand E. Marcos. corazon cojuangco Aquino (who served as president from February 1986 to June 1992, without the benefit of an election) has generally been considered an honest president.

Yet, cory Aquino’s presidency was marked by at least seven coup attempts, the release of top communist rebels whose capture the military took up to 50 years, 12 to 18 daily blackouts (she became the Queen of Darkness), and one of the most debilitating recessions in the country’s history.

Because Noynoy was incompetent to spend infra funds (about P147 billion), economic growth collapsed during his first full year as president (2011) from 7.6 percent in 2010 to 3.7 percent. Again, for failure to spend P160 billion of infra money in 2014, the government missed its Continued on A11

Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco-Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

F R I D AY, M AY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA ediTor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

virTuaL reaLiTY TonY LopeZ

WHy pRESIdENTS ARE cORRUpT

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Tourism and The environmenT ThE picturesque islands of Batanes province in northern Philippines must be feeling the heat. Sabtang Mayor Maxilindo Babalo fears his island, one of the three largest in Batanes, will soon be overwhelmed by the thousands of tourists visiting the popular place.

Mayor Babalo is obviously aware of the logistical and environment problems faced by Boracay Island in central Philippines, where the presence of many resorts and other commercial establishments is contributing to pollution. The local executive now plans to limit the number of tourists traveling to Sabtang Island to 8,000 to 10,000 yearly to protect the environment and prevent overcrowding that Boracay Island is now experiencing.

Sabtang, famous for its pristine and spectacular coastlines and preserved Ivatan stone houses, is the most visited municipality in Batanes.

But Mayor Babalo wants to contain the number of visitors in the island pending the issuance of regulations on tour operations. “We’re becoming like Boracay that started with a few tourists, and then year after year was getting more and more crowded,” he said.

Tourists are coming to Sabtang in increasing numbers. From just 5,000 in 2013, the number swelled to 17,000 in 2014. Tourist arrivals in the first three months of 2015 has reached 9,000.

Sabtang will soon find itself in a dilemma once a full-blown development takes place in the island. Sabtang and the rest of the Batanes group of islands offer rich marine resources that could suffer permanent damage with the uncontrolled influx of tourists.

Over in Boracay, the Environment Department has launched a crackdown on resorts and other commercial establishments contributing to the poor quality of water in the famous tourist spot.

The department began conducting an inventory of establishments on the island that had no environmental permits and violated environmental laws and regulations, especially the clean Water Act. The crackdown was triggered by the recent emergence of excessive green and slimy algae marring Boracay’s shoreline.

Tourism directly generates jobs and fuels a local economy. But the environment should be the focus of development to make the tourism business sustainable.

THE FUROR AGAINST K TO 12 pensées fr. ranhiLio caLLangan aquino I hAvE little patience with the pretext that we are not prepared for K to 12. We have had enough time to prepare for it. But whether we are in fact prepared for it or not is quite another matter. We should have been prepared for it, and we cannot now call on

our own procrastination to cause postponement of this necessary calibration of our basic-education system.

The argumentum ad misericordiam that would have us consider the plight of parents who must spend for two more years of basic education does not appeal to me. First of all, fallacy is never appealing. Second, the discrepancy between our schooling system and that of other jurisdictions, including other Asean countries

with which we shall be integrated come December 2015, should leave no doubt that whether or not the products of our educational system are regionally, let alone globally, competitive depends on our resoluteness about schooling our students in as close a manner as their peers in neighboring countries. It is not gayagaya. It is rather a recognition of the fact that by reducing secondary schooling to four years, nandaya tayo,

A9

There is no reason to put this off, but we have every reason to call armin Luistro and the bureaucrats of deped to give us an accounting for what they have been putting us through.

perhaps without malice or bad faith.

But those who protest K to 12 should be given a hearing when they complain that the implementers of the program are not prepared for it. That is true, and Armin Luistro and his entire entourage at DepEd have a lot of explaining to do. Where, many teachers have asked, are the instructional materials? Where are the inservice training programs?

I have friends who teach in public schools. Some of them are my students at the Graduate School of the

cagayan State University -- and almost all have told me that they feel like they have been let loose in the K to 12 arena with nothing by which to arm themselves -- neither in-service or extramural training programs nor materials. Some have been reduced to scrounging for materials on the web, downloading and reproducing these.

That is where the problem lies:

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-

Not with K to 12 but with the insouciance by which we have allowed the time for its implementation to come upon us verily like a thief in the night, except that we were supposed to know when the thief was to arrive. how very like my students to whom I announce: “We shall have a ‘surprise’ quiz on Thursday”, expecting of them median intelligence to recognize that

5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandardtoday.com E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

cYan magenTa YeLLoW BLacK

the coming test is no surprise at all. But the joke is almost always turned on me, because when the

Continued on A11

LoWdoWn jojo a. roBLes Mr. Robles’ column will resume next week.

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

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

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

vIcE President Jejomar Binay and Sen. Grace Poe are embroiled in a debate on which is more important – honesty or competence. Grace insists it’s honesty. Jojo maintains it’s competence.

Grace Poe is a freshman senator salivating to become president of the Philippines. She has no experience in governance but many people believe she has three things they want in their leader this century – relative youth, a fresh image, and decency and honesty.

Jojo Binay has some things people want in their leader – responsiveness, ability to connect with them, experience, competence, brought about by high-level of education (law and three masters degrees) and experience, having been in government for the past 29 years. Binay’s frenemies in the Senate insist he is very corrupt and they have conducted 20 hearings in ten months to prove it.

Judging from the record of past 50 years, the most honest presidents in history have been the most incompetent and inexperienced. Think of cory Aquino and her son, Benigno Simeon cojuangco Aquino III. And the most competent and experienced presidents have been the most corrupt. Think of Ferdinand E. Marcos. corazon cojuangco Aquino (who served as president from February 1986 to June 1992, without the benefit of an election) has generally been considered an honest president.

Yet, cory Aquino’s presidency was marked by at least seven coup attempts, the release of top communist rebels whose capture the military took up to 50 years, 12 to 18 daily blackouts (she became the Queen of Darkness), and one of the most debilitating recessions in the country’s history.

Because Noynoy was incompetent to spend infra funds (about P147 billion), economic growth collapsed during his first full year as president (2011) from 7.6 percent in 2010 to 3.7 percent. Again, for failure to spend P160 billion of infra money in 2014, the government missed its Continued on A11

Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco-Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

A10 Three AsiAn economies WiTh room for imProvemenT

By William Pesek IN a previous column, I assigned somewhat disappointing grades to the would-be economic reformers of Asia’s three leading economies: India (B), Japan (C-) and China (C+).

But those aren’t the only Asian countries with ambitious leaders and a need for economic reform. Today, I’ll turn my attention to Park Geun Hye of South Korea, Benigno Aquino of the Philippines and Joko “Jokowi” Widodo of Indonesia, in order to evaluate how far they have -- or haven’t -- gotten with their plans to generate growth and raise living standards.

Parkonomics: Park was always an unlikely reformer.

In February 2013, she followed her father’s footsteps into the presidential Blue House with a pledge to undo the economic system he built between 1962 and 1979 in order to restore the nation’s global competiveness. More than two years later, she hasn’t fared very well.

Her goal was to transform Korea, Asia’s fourth-biggest economy, into a “creative economy,” driven more by services and innovation than industrial brawn. That meant reversing the economic model, heavily reliant on exports by family-owned conglomerates (or chaebol), set up by her strongman father Park Chung Hee. Early on, things looked promising: She rolled out measures to support small and midsize enterprises, inspire startups and curtail the influence of companies like Samsung, Hyundai and LG. Park even proposed tax changes to force the chaebol to either invest, or share with workers, the approximately $2 trillion of cash sitting on their balance sheets.

Over the last 12 months, however, Park’s government has lost its reformist zeal. It has even fallen back on the oldest trick in the Korean policy maker’s playbook: browbeating the central bank to cut interest rates to boost the country’s housing and stock markets. Meanwhile, Park has allowed the chaebol’s influence over the national economy to grow even larger. (Samsung’s revenues now equal 25 percent of South Korea’s gross domestic product.)

A court ruling this week determined Samsung copied Apple’s smartphone designs, underscoring Korea’s lack of progress: The country is still good at cribbing existing technologies, but not at inventing them. And that’s partly because Park has been too timid. For that, she earns a C. Aquinonomics: The Philippine president carried his own family baggage into office in June 2010. After his opposition-leader father was assassinated in 1983, Aquino’s mother, Corazon, led the street protests that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and later became president.

Since his own election five years ago, Aquino has transformed the Philippines from the “Sick Man of Asia” into an economy that won record foreign-direct investment in 2014 -- 66 percent above 2013’s impressive haul. He has attacked corruption, gone after tax cheats, and imposed higher levies on cigarette and alcohol tycoons. He even crossed the powerful Catholic Church by supporting population-control measures.

Aquino needs to do a better job, however, of preparing the country for his departure. Aquino, who is limited to one six year term, will step down as president in June 2016. Absent reforms to the country’s political institutions, which are less transparent and accountable than they ought to be, the Philippines will likely remain one bad leader away from renewed economic chaos. (It’s worrying, in that sense, that the perceived frontrunner to replace Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay, recently had his bank accounts frozen after an investigation by the country’s Anti-Money Laundering Council.) Still, Aquino earns a solid B+.

F R I D AY, M AY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

noW is The Time AFTEr being ignored by P30.6 billion as Productivity filipino President Aquino most of the Enhancement Incentive for all pensioner time in the past five years, public servants of the national horace government employees are government agencies, congress, templo now openly receiving meanjudiciary, constitutional comingful words of encouragemissions, local water districts, ment from him and his officials. At this local government units, and uniformed pertime, they are even being showered with ad- sonnel of the military and police. ditional monetary benefits.

Employees of government corporations PNoy first did this last May 13, 2015 while were again qualified to the incentive which addressing 49 profitable government corpo- is one month salary for all and to be distribrations that turned over their dividends for uted starting June 1, 2015.

2014 amounting to P36 billion.

Eloquent this time, Secretary Abad was “I expect the review to happen in about a quick to justify it month’s time and we will seek to maximize “Our civil servants are behind every meathe benefits accruing everybody as empow- sure that has fueled greater economic growth ered by the pertinent laws.” and governance reform in the country. PresUndoubtedly, his instruction would be ident Aquino signed this EO precisely becarried out quickly since he issued it to the cause he understands that good performance governance commission in which Budget must be recognized and encouraged, espeSecretary Florencio Abad belongs as an ex- cially among our government employees. officio member.

“More important, though, is the PEI’s valIt would be much easier to implement, ue as a driver of professional excellence. In compared to the covert releasing of develop- signing E.O. 181, President Aquino has sigment acceleration funds and other pork bar- naled the government’s readiness to build a rel funds. After all, its funding would come culture of competitiveness in the Philippine from the profitable government corpora- bureaucracy…This way, public service can tions themselves. Its constitutionality is un- step up further, and we can deliver better questionable this time. goods and services to our citizens.”

PNoy gave the instruction extemporaPEI couldn’t be PNoy’s payola to govneously without a prepared speech, but he ernment employees for their support of his sounded, unfortunately, like he was grab- chosen presidential protégé. Neither was he bing a share of the rousing welcome that the buying their applause when he announces returning People’s Champ was then being the signing into law of the Bangsamoro Basic showered by adoring fans and future politi- Law in his last State of the Nation Address cal followers. on July 26.

Did PNoy feel disappointed with the The PEI payment has been planned earlukewarm reception he got upon his return lier. As disclosed by the resourceful budget from Ottawa, Canadian last May 11? It was secretary, the P30.6 billion funding is in the supposedly a successful state visit where he Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund unsigned treaties for the welfare of 852,000 der the 2015 General Appropriations Act. Filipinos in that country. He even reported Besides, PEI is in reality a reward for good that corn, blueberries and cranberries would performance in 2014. soon be raised by Canadian farmers in the To be entitled to it, “departments and country. agencies should have achieved 90 percent He failed, however – because he didn’t of their 2014 targets… also have posted the even attempt - in forcing Canadians to take Transparency Seal and their respective Citiback the hazardous garbage that they had re- zen’s Charter on their websites.” cently exported to us.

Otherwise, they will only receive P5,000.

But it soon became obvious that his exGood for state workers, but what about temporaneous speech was just part of a private sector workers? Labor Day has script. Four days later on May 17, PNoy passed unceremoniously this year and a Continued on A11 signed Executive Order 181 which set aside Jokowinomics: Admittedly, it’s premature to grade a leader just 213 days after his election. But Jokowi’s disastrous showing in recent weeks demands scrutiny.

Jokowi is the first Indonesian leader who isn’t the scion of a dynastic family or the military. Early on, he proved his independence by cutting subsidies, going after dodgy dealings in the energy sector and increasing transparency at government ministries.

Jokowi pledged more “inclusive” growth and an infrastructure boom that would attract investment; his hikes to gas prices freed up $17.5 billion for the government to spend on ports, roads and other projects.

But when Indonesian growth started sputtering in recent months, that Jokowi disappeared. In his place, we’ve had an eco-

nomic nationalist who prefers playing to the masses. He has been talking up a national Indonesian car (how did that work out for Malaysia?), and endorsing protectionist laws that require technology companies that sell their products in the country to source their components domestically. He has also been handing money to inefficient state enterprises in order to please the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle that backed him in his election campaign. All this is especially troubling because, as southeast Asia’s biggest economy, Indonesia’s health matters greatly to neighboring Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

On the bright side, Jokowi still has four years to rescue his legacy. For now, however, he gets a C-. Bloomberg

F R I d aY, M aY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

The furor against..From A9

Why... From A9

day comes, i really find them surprised! no, there is no reason to put off K to 12. But there is every reason to call armin luistro and the bureaucrats of depEd to give us an accounting for what they are putting the pupils, the teachers and the parents through -- an educational program without the necessary wherewithal, thanks to official ineptitude.

Maybe, this is where the creativity and resoluteness of local educators are called forth. having grasped the concept of K to 12, its objective and its purpose, it is still possible to craft locally implemented programs consistent with the purpose of this overhaul of the basic education system, in the hope that depEd would somehow catch up and, in full contrition for its mortal sins, do penance and make it up by doubled effort in behalf of our basic education pupils.

growth target of +7 percent and the economy grew by just 6.1 percent, down from 7.2 percent in 2013.

The lower government spending in 2011 and 2014 is blamed by nEda on “institutional weaknesses” – a nice phrase for incompetence.

The cory-era power crisis produced the most expensive electricity in the world which meant power cost as a percentage of production (about 20 percent) is higher than labor cost (about 10 to 15 percent).

The most expensive electricity in the world turned off billions of dollars worth of investments. The Philippines missed three waves of major foreign investments that flowed into Southeast asia in the past 20 years. Missing these investments meant the highest unemployment rate in asean and worsening poverty today.

The cory constitution of 1986 broke up the two-party system (nacionalista and liberal parties) to allow for participation of so-called marginalized parties (actually the communists). The destruction of the two-party system produced two effects – one, a series of corrupt and incompetent governments, and two, corrupt and incompetent elections.

Under the two-party system, the nP and the lP contested the presidency. To capture Malacañang, the presidential palace, the nP and lP must first capture the Senate from where most of our presidents came before 1965. To capture the Senate, the nP and the lP must field the best and the brightest minds of each region.

Thus, you had the likes of Marcos for northern luzon, ninoy aquino and Jose roy for central luzon, Jose W. diokno and lorenzo Tañada for Southern luzon, Jovito Salonga and arturo Tolentino for Metro Manila, the osmeñas from cebu, and one or two firebrands from Mindanao.

Movie actors must play the rules of the party convention. The parties financed unknown but talented candidates -- like the bar topnotchers. Seven of Philippine presidents were bar topnotchers. during their time, the Philippines was the most dynamic economy in asia. So competence does count. in the first Senate elections after 1986, without a two-party system, you had the funny situation of a subdivision in Quezon

rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

Now... From A10 general wage increase would be unlikely granted between now and Election day on May 9, 2016.

Would the P1,400 maximum conditional cash transfer benefit and the P500 social pension of indigent senior citizens be augmented? if Pnoy wants to, his congress has still time to include them in the 2016 budget.

Beneficiaries of the pension schemes for government workers – the same beneficiaries of the PEi - have little to complain during Pnoy’s time. Their monthly pension has been raised to as much as 90 percent or 100 percent of last pay during President gloria Macapagal-arroyo’s term and earlier and was guaranteed to be at least P5,000 during Pnoy’s time.

Most of us do not realize, however, that it is us taxpayers who pay for these generous pension schemes.

Pitiful are the workers from the private sector whose pensions have been frozen except for a one-time 5 percent pension adjustment during Pnoy’s five years in office. More pitiful are those who continue to get as little as P1,200 of monthly pension.

But who knows, September 1 this year - which is the 58th anniversary of the Social Security System and the last under Pnoy’s term might come with that longawaited pension increase. indeed, now is the time when that pension manna should fall from Pnoy’s administration. otherwise, it is the initial gift that they could wish for from the next administration.

#failocracy

adelle chua EDITOR

A11

city (la vista) having four senators, and the entire Mindanao island (which is 40 percent of our land area) without a single senator. no wonder the filipino Muslims now want their own sub-state.

With the cory charter, corrupt and incompetent elections came about because with the destruction of the two-party system, the system of poll watchers was abolished. Under the old system, the nP and lP were each represented in the three-man precinct-level poll body. no precinct election return could be cleared without the signatures of three people – the nP, lP and the teacher representative. The poll watchers were funded by the government.

Today, a presidential candidate must finance the salaries of poll watchers. if there you are 80,000 precincts, you hire 80,000 watchers. Multiply that by two – because the count takes two days and the watchers must be relieved to rest. So you have 160,000 watchers. Pay P500 per day for each of the 160,000 watchers.

That alone will cost the presidential candidate P8 billion. add the budget for tv and newspaper ads (usually half of campaign costs) and the cost of campaigning in 80 provinces, 100 cities and 1,580 towns for ten months.

Where will the candidate get that kind of money? from two sources: one, donations, and two, from years of corruption (kickbacks, overpriced projects, shady deals with gambling, drugs, kidnapping and other syndicates) while in public service.

When you get huge sums from donors, you become beholden to them. you are their minion.

When you raise money from rackets, you become greedy, heartless and conscience-less. Because a president elected through corrupt means has to accommodate so many vested interests, he or she deliberately becomes incompetent. Because in the presidency, incompetence (often mistaken as honesty) is a valid excuse.

What do people get? corrupt and deliberately incompetent presidents.

What is the solution? return to the two-party system.

biznewsasia@gmail.com

chong ardivilla

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Unsatisfied Rory wants more majors

Novak Djokovic (right) of Serbia and Marian Vajda attend a training session prior the 2015 French Open tennis championships at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. AFP

WENTWORTH—World number one Rory McIlroy has warned his rivals winning the European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth this week would still leave him hungry for titles.

McIlroy starts the defence of this European PGA Championship title but admits major titles are the currency he wants to deal in.

This time last year, the Northern Irishman had just undergone a high-profile split with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki but still won the title over a course he had previously failed to come to terms with.

That set him off on the course to his third and fourth major titles—in the British Open and the US PGA Championship and he has started this season with a bang landing wins at the WGC Match Play in San Francisco, the Dubai Desert Classic and at Quail Hollow last week.

But McIlroy admits he could win every regular tournament from now until the end of the season but the season would be a failure if he does land a fifth major.

“I’ve got off to a good start,” McIlroy told reporters. “Three wins already this season.

I would be disappointed if I wasn’t to win one of the next three majors. I think that’s really what determines a good or a great season for me these days.

Djokovic on brink of history PARIS—Novak Djokovic can become just the eighth man to complete the career Grand Slam with a maiden French Open victory, but the world number one steps into Roland Garros badly bruised by his Paris history.

Djokovic, who turns 28 on Friday, two days before the start of the season’s second major, is the overwhelming favourite to lift the Coupe des Mousquetaires and claim his ninth career Grand Slam title.

Victory would take him alongside Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emer-

son, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as a winner of all four majors.

It would also take him halfway to a calendar Grand Slam, a challenge so daunting that only Budge (1938) and Laver (1962 and 1969) have managed to pull it off.

Djokovic comes into Paris riding a 22-match winning streak, a season which has already seem him capture a fifth Australian Open as well as Masters titles in Indian Wells, Miami and on clay at Monte Carlo and Rome.

However, the Serb has been in this situation before.

In 2011, he entered the French Open as hot favourite but saw a 43-match winning sequence ended by Federer in the semifinals.

A year later, Djokovic was defeated by Nadal in a four-set final which was com-

PBA-Smash team bags Sudirman Group 4 title THE Philippine Badminton Association-Smash Pilipinas team grabbed the 2015 Sudirman Cup Badminton World Group 4 title recently after defeating all foreign rivals in its bracket at the Dongfeng Nissan Sports Center in Dongguan, China.

The PBA-Smash Pilipinas, under the tutelage of Indonesian coach Paulus Firman and Arolas Amahit Jr., blasted Iceland, 4-1, and swept Nigeria, 5-0, in the preliminary round, before whipping Sri Lanka in the finals, 3-0, to bag the crown.

“This victory serves as a great exposure to the Philippine team,” said Firman, hoping the Philippine team would be promoted to the Group 3 division in the next Sudirman Cup in

2017 depending on the players’ rankings in the next two years. “This is a great accomplishment so far.”

The team was composed of Ros Leenard Pedrosa (men’s singles, senior player), Frell Keeyann Pedrosa (junior player), Sarah Joy Barredo (junior player, women’s singles) and Airah Mae Nicole Albo (junior women’s singles player).

The doubles players were Eleanor Christine Inlayo and Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo, Anna Patricia Barredo and Thea Marie Pomar (women’s doubles), Paul Jefferson Vivas and Peter Gabriel Magnaye, Philip Joper Escueta and Ronel Estanislao.

Vivas and Inlayo and Estanislao and Pomar played in the mixed doubles event.

pleted on the third Monday because of rain.

In 2013, it was the Spaniard who again came out on top, this time in the semi-finals despite Djokovic having led 4-2 in the fifth set.

Twelve months ago, Nadal claimed his ninth title as Djokovic wilted once more in the championship match.

No surprise then to see Djokovic, whose overall 2015 record reads 35 wins and just two losses, trying to contain the hype ahead of his 11th French Open.

“I don’t think that I need to gear up or do anything special in order to be successful at Roland Garros. I have been very close to that title before, played several finals,” he said after beating Federer 6-4, 6-3 to win a fourth Rome title last weekend.

“I just need to continue preparing myself for that event as I prepare for any other,

try to keep the routine going and hope it will take me where I want to be.”

- ‘Life goes on’ Nadal goes into the French Open with his astonishing record of nine titles, 66 wins and just one loss.

But the 28-year-old defending champion has slumped to seven in the world, his lowest ranking since 2005, the year of his maiden Roland Garros title.

Nadal heads for Paris without a European claycourt title for the first time in a decade and his relatively humble ranking means he could come across the likes of Djokovic, Federer or in-form Andy Murray as early as the quarter-finals.

“I’m going to be ranked lower than ever playing Roland Garros, so that will mean the chance to play against very tough opponents,” 14-time major winner Nadal said. AFP Members of the PBASmash Pilipinas team that won the Group 4 title in the 2015 Sudirman Cup Badminton World Team Event in Dongguan, China are shown here. They are (front row, from left) Airah Mae Nicole Albo, Anna Patricia Barredo, (second row) Sarah Joy Barredo, Thea Marie Pomar, Alyssa Ysabel Leonardo and Eleanor Christine Inlayo, (back) Paul Jefferson Vivas, Coach Paulus Firman, Ros Leenard Pedrosa, Frell Keeyann gabuelo, Ronel Estanislao, Philip Joper Escueta, Coach Arolas Amahit Jr. and Peter Gabriel Magnaye.

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

PH boxers get additional prize

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WORLD Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman, after looking into the circumstances surrounding the recent WBC International bantamweight title fight where newly crowned champion Ernesto Saulong revealed he was only paid a measly $340, while Alie Laurel reportedly received $500, has added $1,000 for each fighter from the WBC.

National Darts Federation of the Philippines’ third-ranked darts player Lourence Ilagan raises his championship trophy and displays a giant replica of his winner’s purse in the ‘Game of Throws’ Open Darts Tournament held at The Plaza inside Resorts World Manila’s Newport Mall.

Pinoy marksmen win high-stakes darts STEADY hands and superior marksmanship prevailed during the recently concluded ‘Game of Throws’ Open Darts Tournament held at The Plaza inside Resorts World Manila’s Newport Mall.

The country’s premier lifestyle destination played host to some of the finest marksmen all vying for a shot at the P250,000 total prize pool over the two-day event .

Bagging the top prize in the Open Singles Division was National Darts Federation of the Philippines’ thirdranked darts player Lourence Ilagan, with eighth-ranked Gilber Ulang finishing a close second, which was followed by a third-place tie between

Sacread Heart of Jesus golf slated THE Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish will be hosting a fund-raising golfest on May 29 at the Veterans Golf Club in Quezon City.

Proceeds of the project will be allotted to the 2015 budget of the various parish ministries (Sanlingkod) particularly their Social Services Program.

Tournament fee is P2,000 per player, which includes green and caddy fee, food and refreshment, and raffle ticket.

For ticket reservation and event sponsorship, contact Manny Relos (0929391-3600), Teddy Zabala (0917-578-8651), Terry Ciabal (0917525-7545) and the Sacred Heart Parish Office (929-0419).

Noel Malicdem and Elmer Maranan.

The second day of competition featured the Classified Draw Triples Division which saw 9th ranked Alexis Toylo steer his team, composed of Jefferson Mercado and Gilbert Cuenca, to a first place finish.

“We are honored to have hosted such a grand gathering of the country’s top darts players here in RWM. We harbor a winning culture and we share that to all of our guests by showcasing sportsmanship and world-class talent, which is part of our commitment to providing non-stop thrills,” says RWM Director for Special Events

and Promotions Francis Bonnevie.

Considered as one of this summer’s biggest darts tournaments, RWM’s ‘Game of Throws’ Open Darts Tournament was an official NDFP ranking event that followed the governing body’s rules and regulations.

For more information on RWM’s schedule of events this summer, visit www.rwmanila. com or call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (02) 908-8833.

In an overseas telephone conversation with The Standard/boxingmirror.com, which has been following up the Asian Fight Scene expose on the incredibly low purses for the title fight in Kunming, China last May 8, arranged by Filipino promoter/ matchmaker Brico Santig, Sulaiman said he is sending $1,000 for each fighter and would also forego the normal sanction fees.

Sulaiman disclosed he had communicated with all parties and learned that the fight had to be rescheduled in China, otherwise “the fighters would have lost their chance to fight for the title.”

Sulaiman committed to constant monitoring of the goings-on in the Philippines.

Santig had claimed both fighters agreed to the small purse in order to make sure the fight would take place.

Asian Fight Scene earlier quoted Chinese promoter Liu Gang, who said he shouldered the airfare and accommodation of the boxers, as well as some Filipino officials, including GAB boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz, who was fight supervisor and Jerold Tomeldan, who was the referee for the fight in which all three judges had Saulog the winner by identical scorecards of 96-92.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Make way for the PH Mavericks

By Peter Atencio THEY will no longer be known as the Manila Mavericks.

Instead, franchise owners have renamed the Manila Mavericks to the Philippine Mavericks, who will be led by top women’s singles player Serena Williams this time around.

Officials of the International Premier Tennis League and the owners of the Mavericks said this at a press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena “We wanted to have a larger scope for the team, and not just Manila. So we decided to change it to Philippine

Mavericks,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, one of the co-owners of the team.

The Mavericks will also be made up of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, team captain Mark Philippoussis, Richard Gasquet, Jarmila Gajdosova, Borna Coric, Sabine Lisicki, and Fil-Am player-coach Treat Huey.

Lhuillier said he is upbeat on the chances of the Mavericks this season, which will be a five-leg, five-city event from Dec. 2 to 20.

“Coming from a third-place finish, hopefully this year, we’ll up this to a championship team with Serena (Williams) leading us,” said Lhuillier.

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY

Invitation to Bid The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Corporate Budget approved by the NHA Board for the year 2015 intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contracts (ABCs) to payments for the following contracts: Ref. Projects ABC/ Source of Duration Work No. Funds (P) (c.d.)

Description 2015 Trucking Services 2,990,400.00 / NG 22 Provision of -05- to Transport Subsidy trucks to transport 118 Belongings of belongings of 712 Qualified 712 qualified Households / households / Occupants for Preoccupants of emptive Evacuation Fort Bonifacio in Fort Bonifacio Tenement, Brgy.

Tenement, Brgy.

Western Bicutan, Western Bicutan, Taguig City to Taguig City to Brgy. Aguado, Brgy. Aguado, Trece Martirez Trece Martirez City, City, Cavite Cavite 2015 Transport 1,260,000.00 / NG 64 Provision of vans -05- Services (Vans) Subsidy for 712 qualified 119 for 712 Qualified households / Households / occupants for Occupants for Prepre-emptive emptive Evacuation evacuation in in Fort Bonifacio Fort Bonifacio Tenement, Taguig Tenement, Taguig City to Brgy.

City to Brgy.

Aguado, Trece Aguado, Trece Martirez City, Martirez City, Cavite Cavite Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The NHA now invites bids for the above-cited contracts. Delivery of the Goods is required within the duration herein cited upon receipt of Notice to Proceed.

Bidders should have completed, within five years from the date of submission of bids, a single contract similar to the Project costing at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. 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 non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

A complete set of Bidding Documents shall be issued only to bidders/authorized official representatives or employees of the bidder who can show proof of Notarized Authority to secure bid documents for the specific Project and Official Company ID upon submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and upon Cash Payment of non-refundable fee of P3,000.00 for Ref. No. 2015-05-118 and P1,000.00 for Ref. No. 2015-05-119 at the Office of the NHA-BAC 2 Secretariat, 2nd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City starting on May 22, 2015. For further information, the NHA BAC 2 Secretariat may be contacted at Tel/FAX. No. 928-8272.

The NHA will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 4, 2015, 9:00 a.m. at the NCR Conference Room, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be OPEN only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered at the Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City on June 16, 2015, not later than 9:00 a.m.

All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount as stated in BDS. Bid opening shall follow immediately after the deadline of submission of bids at the same venue. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Also named co-owners of the Philippine Mavericks are SM Prime Holdings’ Hans Sy, SM Lifestyle Entertainments’ Edgar Tejerero, Philstar.com’s Kevin Belmonte and Haresh Hiranand.

With Tsonga and Gasquet coming back, Lhuillier believes that the team will improve, and with new ranking players coming in, the Mavericks will be stronger.

Williams replaced Maria Sharapova, who moved over to a new team, the Japan Warriors.

On the other hand, Andy Murray, another top-ranked netter, won’t be joining the IPTL this season.

Fil-Am star here. Los Angeles Lakers’ Fil-Am guard Jordan Clarkson waves to fans upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay City. The 6’5” Clarkson is here to attend an NBA-related activity. DANNY PATA

Army closes in on V-League crown ARMY relied on its vast championship experience and bench depth as it shrugged off a flat start to eke out a come-from-behind 13-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-22 victory over Alyssa Valdez and her PLDT Home Ultera team and move one step away from clinching its third Shakey’s V-League title at The Arena in San Juan City.

A well-rested Dindin SantiagoManabat and Jovelyn Gonzaga each fired 16 apiece, but it was Nene Bautista, who made the key plays as she finished with nine hits to help the Lady Troopers clinch a 1-0 lead in their best-ofthree showdown for the Season 12-Open Conference title.

“Our championship experience helped us,” said Army coach Rico de Guzman, whose charges made it to the finals four times and won titles four years ago and last year.

Army goes for the jugular in Game 2 tomorrow.

A deciding Game 3, if necessary, is set on May 31.

Army also denied PLDT a historic sweep as the former ended the latter’s run to nine wins.

Valdez, who will win this conference’s MVP plum, led all hitters with 25 including 22 on kills, but fatigue has taken its toll on the power-hitting Ateneo standout as she had to practice for her Lady Eagles and the Southeast Asian Games-bound national team apart from PLDT. It was not the same with Santia-

Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan) 9 a.m. • Cagayan Valley vs Meralco (Third place) 12:45 p.m. • PLDT vs Army (finals)

go-Manabat, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Ann Daquis, who came into the opener fresh after skipping national team practice at the Blue Eagle Gym the day before.

Earlier, Cagayan Valley turned back Meralco, 25-23, 25-21, 2523, to move one step away from clinching third place.

Janine Nicole Marciano, who played college ball for San Beda in the NCAA, and Rosemarie Vargas took turns in delivering the big blows by combining for 30 hits as the Lady Risings Suns, former two-time champions and two-time runners up, closed in on third place.

“We just want to end our campaign with a respectable finish,” said Cagayan coach Nes Pamilar in Filipino.

The Ultra Fast Lady Spikers went on attack mode early, taking control in the opening set to seize the early upperhand.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region BRANCH 215, QUEZON CITY PETITION FOR CANCELLATION OF THE SIMULATED CERTIFICATE OF LIVE BIRTH OF MINOR AZZA PAWAKI MAJUK Herein represented by her Biological mother, ZENAIDA PAWAKI MAJUK, Petitioner, -versusTHE LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR, CIVIL REGISTRY OF QUEZON CITY and NATIONAL STATISTICIAN, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, Respondents, x---------------------------------------------------x

Case No. R-QZN 15-03580-SP

ORDER

Filed before this court is a verified Petition for cancellation of the Certificate of Live Birth of minor Azza Pawaki Majuk on File with the Quezon City Civil Registry filed with her mother, Zenaida Pawaki Majuk.

Finding the Petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the same is given due course.

WHEREFORE, the Petition is set for hearing on June 25, 2015 at 8:30 in the morning before this Court located at the Annex Building of the Hall of Justice, Quezon City, at which date, time and place, all interested persons may appear and show cause, if any, why the Petition should not be granted.

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

Let copies of this Order be published in a newspaper of general circulation in Quezon City, once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks before the scheduled hearing, while a separate copy of this Order be posted on the Bulletin Boards at the main entrance of the Hall of Justice, Quezon City; the Civil Registry Office, Quezon City; and this Branch of Court at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of hearing, and further served, together with the Petition and its annexes, upon the petitioner, the Office of the Solicitor General, the City Prosecutor’s Office of Quezon City, the National Statistics Office, the Civil Registry of Quezon City, and the City Attorney’s Office, all at the expense of the petitioner.

(Sgd.) VICTOR C. BALBA Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee 2 (BAC 2) NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY

Further, the petitioner is directed to coordinate with the Civil Cases-in-Charge for compliance with the aforesaid requirements before the hearing date.

(TS-MAY 2 2 , 2015)

SO ORDERED. Quezon City, Philippines, April 20, 2015.

(TS-May 8, 15 & 22, 2015)

(Sgd.) RAFAEL G. HIPOLITO Presiding Judge

Trongco headlines fight card

By Ronnie Nathanielsz FILIPINO southpaw Renan Trongco, rated No. 5 flyweight by the World Boxing Council, headlines a big fight card of promoter Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde at the Mall of Asia Arena on June 5.

Trongo will clash with Mexico’s Moises Calleros, who went 12 rounds against current world World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation minimum weight champion Francisco Rodriguez Jr., before the latter won the title with a 10th-round TKO of Merlito Sabillo on March 22, 2014 and grabbed the IBF crown with a 12-round unanimous decision over Katsunara Takayama last Aug. 9 in Mexico.

Although Calleros’ record is 10-6-1 with 5 knockouts, he is known as a rugged, comeforward fighter and typifies the warrior mentality of Mexican boxers and is expected to give the 26-year-old Trongco a rough time.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Josephine Fruto Binalla was extrajudicially settled among the heirs as per Doc. No. 396, Page No. 81, Book No. 999 series of 2015 before Notary Public Atty. Virgilio R. Batalla of Makati City. ( T S - M AY 15 , 2 2 & 2 9 , 2 0 15 )

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Emmanuel Carriaga Cabezon was extrajudicially settled among the heirs as per Doc. No. 297-2015, Book No. III series of 2015 before Consul General Alan Albert Campbell Grummitt of the Philippine Consular Office, State of Queensland, Commonwealth of Australia. ( T S - M AY 15 , 2 2 & 2 9 , 2 0 15 )

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Kings, Painters in dire need of a win

By Jeric Lopez

THE Philippine Basketball Association wraps up its two-game trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates with popular teams Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine testing each other in a crucial encounter in the resumption of the 2015 Governors’ Cup. The Gin Kings (1-3) and the Elasto Painters (0-2) are in dire need of a win and they chase after this at each other’s expense in their scheduled clash at 11 p.m. (7 p.m. in Dubai) today at the Al Shabab Al Arabi Club in Dubai, UAE. With all the changes in the coaching staff and personnel as well as key injuries to start the conference, Barangay Ginebra continues to struggle as it still can’t find its groove despite having an exceptional import in Orlando Johnson.

The Gin Kings couldn’t follow up on their initial win last week when they were surprisingly tripped by Blackwater last Saturday in Dipolog City, 83-77, as they continued to struggle with-

Game Today (Al Shabab Al Arabi Club, Dubai) 11 p.m. • Rain or Shine vs. Ginebra

out twin towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.

Slaughter still won’t be playing as he did not join the team’s trip to Dubai to work on his ankle conditioning, while Aguilar might be a game-time decision as Ginebra coach Frankie Lim considered him as day-to-day.

Lim expressed how tough life is for Ginebra playing without its two star bigs. ‘’Mahirap talaga kapag wala kang malaki.

You’re struggling inside,’’ said Lim. ‘’We just need to find ways to win now.’’

At this point, Rain or Shine is the lone team without a single win in the tournament.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

June card may determine Pacquiao’s next foe DENNIS PRINCIPE

SPORTS CHAT

CHANCES are, the June 27 promotion of Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. could determine the next opponent of Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao.

This as one-time Pacquiao tormentor Timothy Bradley is set to appear in that card against undefeated MexicanAmerican Jessie Vargas in a 12-round welterweight battle for the vacant World Boxing Organization crown.

Arum has already mentioned Vargas’ name as a potential Pacquiao foe specifically when the Los Angeles-based champion fought in the undercard of Pacquiao’s Macau outing versus Chris Algieri last November.

The 26-year-old Vargas made an impressive outing in Macau when he kept his World Boxing Association junior welterweight belt by outpointing former world champion Antonio DeMarco in a 12-round battle.

Before beating DeMarco, Vargas scored victories against an array of former world champions namely Vivian Harris, Steve Forbes and Josesito Lopez.

Vargas has an outstanding ring record of 26 wins without a loss, with nine ending via stoppage.

His bout against Bradley will be held at the Stubhub Center in Carson, California.

Meantime, Bradley has joined the criticism

towards Pacquiao when he castigated the fighting congressman for purportedly using his shoulder injury as an excuse when he dropped a contentious 12-round bout to Floyd Mayweather, Jr. weeks ago.

“Don’t take the glory away from Mayweather.

Mayweather did his job in there. You did the best way that you can do, granted that he was injured before the fight.

The best you can do that night is give Mayweather his credit,” said Bradley.

Bradley scored a controversial decision win over Pacquiao in 2012, but the Filipino champion exacted revenge via a convincing 12-round decision win last year.

The loss to Pacquiao remains to be the only blot in Bradley’s 34-fight career.

PACMAN’S LAYOFF American promoter Bob Arum is doubtful that Pacquiao can make a ring return before the end of the year.

According to Arum, he simply based his assertion on the prognosis of Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who said that Pacquiao will be needing at least six months to fully recover from his operation before he gets back in training.

Days after he lost via 12-round decision to bitter American rival Floyd Mayweather, Jr. last May 3 in Las Vegas, Pacquiao underwent operation to repair a tear on his right rotator cuff.

“I think it’s going to take a good six months before he could even

think of training again.

But I’m not a doctor and remember these are all averages for recuperation and every individual is different,” said Arum.

Dr. ElAttrache added a six-month recovery is needed before Pacquiao could start training while around the ninth month to a year could be the time when the Filipino could return to action.

Meantime, Arum once again insisted that Pacquiao had no intention to hide the injury he sustained weeks before his much-hyped bout opposite Mayweather.

Arum reiterated that Pacquiao’s camp informed the US Anti-Doping Agency about the injury when they inquired about which USADAapproved medications the Pacman can take to help the healing process of the injured shoulder.

“We were told that USADA would report everything to the commission. We reported the injury to USADA and the treatment was approved

by USADA including the injection on fight night.

USADA did not communicate with the commission. But there was certainly to intention to conceal,” said Arum.

While recovering from the injury, Pacquiao has given his time to his role as Sarangani congressman aside from being in charge of his house of worship in General Santos City reportedly worth around 300 million pesos.

SCN FORM NO. 1 (R.A. NO. 9139)

violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease.

The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

001263

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF PRIYANKA DEVKISHAN CHAINANI to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to India of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares:

14. My character witnesses are Jocelyn Pangan Romero and Anita De Jesus Enriquez both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at Room 308 ITC Building, 337 Gil Puyat, Makati and 1704 Baler Street, Santiago Village, Makati respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

1. My full name is PRIYANKA DEVKISHAN CHAINANI , but I have also been known since childhood as N/A or I have been N/A . judicially authorized to use the alias name(s)

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box):

2. My present place of residence is 2176 Fatima Street, San Miguel Village, City/Municipality of Makati Province of Metro Manila and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence)

[ / ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ / ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ / ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years

SCN CASE NO. 000574 x-------------------------- x

PETITION

1989-1990 at No. 8977 Araga Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City 1990-2002 at 9559-C Taguig Street, J.P. Rizal, Makati City 2003-2010 at 24 Saturn Street, Bel-Air 2 Subdivision, Makati City 2010 to present at 2176 Fatima Street, San Miguel Village, Makati City 3. I was born on Jan. 11, 1989, in Makati City Philippines.

I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of India.

4. My father's name is Devkishan Chainani and he was born on March 11, 1958, in Jaipur, India. He is a citizen or subject of India. My mother's name is Harsha Devkishan Chainani and she was born on Jan. 26, 1963 in Kolkata, India. She is a citizen or subject of India.

5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which I derive an average annual income of P N/A , inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances.

My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual income of P N/A .

(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained:N/A, (2) name of school: N/A and (3) years graduated: N/A] who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

6. My civil status is Single , I was married on N/A in N/A. My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on in N/A . She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently resides N/A. 7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A. 8. I have N.A. child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:

Name

Date of Birth N/A

N/A

Place of Birth Residence N/A

N/A

16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: Affidavit of Financial Support from Devkishan Chainani (Father) Affidavit of Financial Capacity from Devkishan Chainani (Father) Last 3 years Income Tax Returns of Devkishan Chainani (Father) Last 3 years Income Tax Return of Family Owned business, with complete SEC documents PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

Dated at San Juan, Metro Manila, this 28th day of January, 2015.

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of School

Place of School

Dates of Study

Think and Try

Makati City

06/91-03/92

Colegio de San Agustin Reedley Int’l. School Univ. of Prince Edward Island

Makati City Pasig City Canada

06/92-03/04 06/04-03/07 01/09-12/09

Raffles Designs Inst.

Makati City

Highest Grade Completed Nursery

Grade 9 High School One (1) Year College 2 n d Ye a r 07/12 to present AD di vp al no cme ad Course

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: Tagalog 11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of Child

Name and Place of School

N/A

N/A

Date of Enrollment N/A

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living.

I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of

PRIYANKA DEVKISHAN CHAINANI Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: 2176 Fatima Street San Miguel Village, Makati City Telephone Number: 403-7085

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF MAKATI) S.S. I, PRIYANKA DEVKISHAN CHAINANI of legal age and a resident of 2176 Fatima Street, San Miguel Village, Makati City after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

PRIYANKA DEVKISHAN CHAINANI Name ame and Signature of Petitioner

SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at Makati City, this JAN. 23, 2015.

(MST-May 8, 15 & 22, 2015)

F R I D AY : M AY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Howard hopes to play in Game 2 OAKLAND—Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard said he hopes that his sore left knee, which he hurt in opener of the NBA Western Conference finals, won’t prevent him from playing in Thursday’s game two.

“I don’t think that it’s going to be something that is going to restrict me from playing for the rest of the series,” Howard said on Wednesday.

“I’m just going to stay positive, stay focused and the doctors are going to do their job to make sure I get on the floor.”

Houston officially listed Howard’s injury as a strain and said he is questionable for game two on Thursday.

The eight-time all-star was injured when he took a hit to his left leg from team-mate Josh Smith during the first quarter of Tuesday’s 110-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors.

He returned to start the third quarter but was limited by the injury and did not score a single point in the second half.

“It was very painful,” said Howard, who finished with just seven points. “I tried to play.”

Howard, who averaged 17.6 points and 13.9 rebounds during Houston’s second-round series win over the Los Angeles Clippers, missed 41 games during the regular season because of swelling in his other knee. AFP

Mayweather, Pacman are top earners UNDEFEATED pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. and eight- division world champion Manny Pacquiao have emerged as the world’s highest-earning athletes, way ahead of the rest according to ESPN, The Magazine.

Mayweather and Pacquiao earned a small fortune in their “Fight of the Century” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena last May 2, with pay-per-view numbers shattering previous records with an estimated 4.4 million buys and income of $500 million.

ESPN, The Magazine, according to boxingscene.com, reported that Mayweather earned $250 million, while Pacquiao, who underwent surgery after the fight for a tear in his right shoulder rotator cuff, was second with an income estimated at $150 million.

A far third was football superstar Lionel Messi of Barcelona with a comparatively low $56.3 million, while his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid, was listed at No. 4 with $50.2 million.

The two soccer greats were ahead of Formula 1 drivers Sebastian Vettel ($50 million) and Fernando Alonso ($40 million) who rounded up the Top 6. Ronnie Nathanielsz

Smith gives Cavs a big Game 1 lift JR Smith (right) of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket against Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The Cavs drew first blood, 97-89. AFP

ATLANTA—LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the top-seeded Atlanta Hawks 97-89 on Wednesday to open the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

With a berth in the NBA championship finals on the line in the bestof-seven series, J.R. Smith set a Cavaliers club record for three-pointers, draining eight from beyond the arc.

His 28 points accounted for all of the scoring by Cleveland reserves.

“I was just trying, if anything, to take good shots,” Smith said.

“I got in a rhythm early and just stayed aggressive.”

Djokovic on brink of history TURN TO A12

Smith’s long-range bombs came in bunches, including three in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter as he helped Cleveland build an 18-point lead.

He broke James’s prior Cavaliers record for three-pointers in a playoff game by one. James made three against Washington in game four of the 2006 Eastern conference quarter-finals.

“Those who know J.R. know when he gets hot, he gets smoking hot,” said Cavaliers coach David Blatt.

“He was terrific. Probably overlooked is how well he defended and that he got eight rebounds.”

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James scored 31 points, pulled down eight rebounds and handed out six assists for the Cavaliers.

He said defense was the key to the victory.

“We’re the number one defensive team in the playoffs. In order for us to win, ultimately we have to defend,” said James, who is playing in his fifth straight Eastern Conference finals after four

Pinoy marksmen win darts’ tilt at RWM TURN TO A13

appearances with Miami.

“Tonight we shot 44 percent from the field, but we defended. We gave ourselves a chance. When you defend at a high level you’re going to give yourself a chance to win every night.”

James has won two titles with the Heat and returned to his home state and first NBA team the Cavaliers, vowing to bring Cleveland a championship.

He sealed Wednesday’s victory with a thundering dunk in the final minute.

Tristan Thompson added 14 points and 10 rebounds in the win and Kyrie Irving had 10 points and six assists in 27 minutes. AFP

FRIDAY: MAY 22, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

PSe comPoSite index Closing May 21, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000

B1

6500 6000

7,835.38 46.55

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing MAY 21, 2015 46

P44.490

45

CLOSE

44 43 42

HIGH P44.465 LOW P44.550 AVERAGE P44.510 VOLUME 507.300M

P500.00-P680.00 LPG/11-kg tank P41.45-P46.80 Unleaded Gasoline P29.85-P33.20 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P38.50-P42.30 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, May 21, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

44.6110

Japan

Yen

0.008245

0.3678

UK

Pound

1.553900

69.3210

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129007

5.7551

Switzerland

Franc

1.068148

47.6512

Canada

Dollar

0.819807

36.5724

Singapore

Dollar

0.748223

33.3790

Australia

Dollar

0.788022

35.1544

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652379

118.3253 11.8960

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

Brunei

Dollar

0.745434

33.2546

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029797

1.3293

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.1457

Euro

Euro

1.109900

49.5137

Korea

Won

0.000912

0.0407

China

Yuan

0.161192

7.1909

India

Rupee

0.015698

0.7003

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.276817

12.3491

New Zealand

Dollar

0.729980

32.5651

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032777

1.4622 Source: PDS Bridge

Demonetized.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas announced that banknotes launched in 1985 will be demonitized starting next year. Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said while the old banknotes could still be exchanged in authorized agent banks and the BSP cash department in 2016, the old banknote series would be fully demonetized by Jan. 1, 2017. DANNY PATA

El Niño threatens inflation outlook

By Andrew Janes and Ditas Lopez

THE specter of an El Niño weather pattern causing drought and spurring inflation is moving onto investors’ radars in the Philippines, though relatively low oil prices and Thailand’s rice glut will soften the blow.

Australia joined the US and Japan last week in declaring the onset of an El Niño, which leads to lowerthan-average rainfall in Asia. The Philippines is “especially vulner-

able” due to its dependence on food imports, according to Barclays Plc. Even a mild rice shortage may push inflation closer to the top end of the central bank’s 2 per-

cent to 4 percent target band and there’s no room for monetary easing this year, says Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

During the last El Nino in 2009, Philippine inflation accelerated from 1.7 percent in August to 4.4 percent by December, and the 10year sovereign bond yield rose 76 basis points to 7.88 percent over the year. A similar jump in inflation this time would reduce the allure of the nation’s debt as the US moves toward raising borrowing costs. Consumer prices rose 2.2

BCDA improves bidding terms of Clark Green City

By Jenniffer B. Austria STATE-OWNED Bases Conversion Development Authority said it has improved the terms for the phase 1 of the Clark Green City in Tarlac province, by expanding the size of the property and removing the “restrictive” P2.5-billion paid-in capital requirement, to attract more bidders.

BCDA president and chief executive Arnel Paciano Casanova said in an interview at the sidelines of the Asia Real Estate Summit at Makati Diamond Residences the agency would release the amended terms of reference for the Clark City rebidding on May 25.

Under the amended terms, BCDA expanded the size of the lot to be offered to interested investors under a 55:45 joint venture agreement to 288 hectares from the original size of 254 hectares.

The amended TOR showed that of the 288 hectares, 100 hectares would form industrial estate development, 80 hectares would be open space and the remaining 108 hectares for residential and mixed-use development.

“The 288 hectares is the same size as Bonifacio Global City.

When it comes to velocity of the development, it is very manageable,” Casanova said.

Casanova said BCDA also reduced the bid cost for the proj-

ect, but did not divulge the minimum bid requirement.

BCDA also removed the P2.5 billion initial cash investment, which developers said was too restrictive.

“We removed that because since we are going to be joint venture partners, we can discuss the investment for the site development,” Casanova said.

Casanova said once the bidding became successful, contract signing with the winning developer would be possible in September this year.

A pre-bid conference will be conducted on June 9 while the bids will be opened sometime in July.

Casanova said the revised

TOR was made after talking to property firms that previously expressed interest in the project.

“When the first biding failed, we went back to the interested bidders and asked them about their concerns,” Casanova said.

Many groups expressed interest to look into Clark Green City development, but only Megaworld Corp. and Filinvest Land Inc. actually purchased the TOR for the bidding of the lot.

No party submitted an offer during the bidding.

Casanova said with the revised TOR, he expected major local property developers and foreign companies to participate in the bidding.

percent in April from a year earlier, while Brent crude has averaged 8 percent less in 2015 than in 2009.

“Even if it adversely impacts May, June, July production, I don’t think it will push inflation up toward 6 percent to 6.5 percent,” said Patrick Ella, an economist at Security Bank Corp. in Manila. “It’s definitely offset by weak energy prices but not completely” since food makes up a large part of the consumer-price basket, he said.

Food accounts for 47 percent of the Philippines’ consumer- price index, with rice alone making up 9 percent, according to a May 18 research note by Barclays’ economists including Wai Ho Leong in Singapore.

Thai stockpiles stemming from a government subsidy program are equivalent to about 40 percent of global trade and likely to keep prices depressed for the time being, they wrote.

Twenty-three of the Philippines’ 81 provinces are affected by drought and an additional 31 are suffering a dry spell, the Agriculture Department said May 6.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas cited El Niño as a reason for adjusting its 2015 inflation forecast last week to 2.3 percent from 2.2 percent.

“Just in case El Nino adversely impacts rice production, we have additional supply coming in” via imports, BSP Governor Amando Tetangco told reporters in Manila on Tuesday. Bloomberg

FRIDAY: MAY 22, 2015

B2

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Thursday, May 21, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 104 63 2.49 4.2 18.48 31.6 9.5 2.95 1.01 99.4 30.5 94.95 137 361.2 59 174.8 1700 127.9 3.26

2.5 66 84.6 84.5 45.8 1.97 2.03 12.02 23.55 6.3 1.75 0.225 78 18.02 76.5 95 276 45 107.6 1200 66 2.65

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

7.4 73.5 115.00 100.80 47.5 2.49 2.15 16 22.15 7.40 1.68 0.430 92.65 18.20 74.55 94.5 314.4 46 168.5 1465.00 65.30 3.15

35.6 1.6 1.04 1.41 7.92 14.6 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 13.24 3.12 0.395 168 8.65 2.3 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 6 201.6 4.1 1.67 0.122 1.02 2.01 143.4 4.28 0.670 1.39

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Century Food 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. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

44 1.55 1.06 2.1 11.62 19.08 29.5 58.3 1.99 1.79 12.78 20.400 11.08 8.00 10.42 1.7 15.86 27.25 89.2 14.10 14.42 5.9 0.600 212.00 10.4 2.5 26.65 27.4 7.4 275.00 3.85 4.39 9.95 4.05 11.56 3.99 2.42 2.28 5.04 2.24 6.4 191 4.53 1.61 0.165 1.25 2.36 208.6 4.46 0.77 1.31

0.7 59.2 31.85 7.39 3.4 800 11.06 84 5.14 0.66 1380 6.68 72.6 8.9 5.29 6.66 9.25 0.9 18.9 0.73 5.53 6.55 0.0670 0.84 2.99 87 3.5 934 2.2 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.45 48.1 20.85 6.62 1.4 600 7.390 14.18 4.25 0.144 818 5.3 46.6 4.96 3 3.52 4.43 0.59 12 0.580 4.22 4.5 0.036 0.450 2.26 66.7 1.5 709.5 1.13 85.2 0.200 0.173 0.310

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

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

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

Minerales Industrias Corp.

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

0.470 56.50 24.30 7.00 0.285 819 8.2 15.04 4.51 0.250 1446 6.40 72.50 3.43 6.68 6.55 7.87 0.74 14.48 0.69 4.75 5.1 0.0380 1.040 2.44 65.30 2.81 902.00 1.26 82.95 0.3800 0.2180 0.305

10.5 26.95 1.99 2.07 0.375 40 6.15 5.4

6.01 12 0.91 1.29 0.192 29.1 4.1 4.96

8990 HLDG 8.750 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 10.28 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.80 Araneta Prop `A’ 1.280 Arthaland Corp.

0.250 Ayala Land `B’ 40.95 Belle Corp. `A’ 4.06 Cebu Holdings 5.2

47 5 1.66 2.36 15.3 20.6 32 65.8 4.57 23.35 21.6 12.98 9.13 12.34 2.89 17 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 12.5 3.95 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 8.1 253 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.5 2.68 226.6 5.5 1.3 2.17

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 7.5 7.5 73.5 72.5 116.30 114.90 101.70 100.70 47.5 47.4 2.51 2.49 2.15 2.12 16 15.6 22.5 21.85 7.40 7.38 1.68 1.68 0.465 0.440 94 93 18.20 18.18 74.90 74.55 94.5 94.1 316 314 45.5 45 170 168 1480.00 1425.00 65.30 64.95 3.16 3.14 INDUSTRIAL 43.95 43.45 1.53 1.32 1.06 1.06 2.12 2.1 11.78 11.66 19 18.82 28 27 58.3 58.2 2.04 1.85 1.8 1.76 12.78 12.68 20.350 19.86 11.02 10.38 8.03 7.97 10.46 10.42 1.87 1.7 16.12 15.2 27.25 26.75 89.35 87 14.10 14.10 14.48 14.40 6.04 5.9 0.600 0.590 212.60 211.00 10.4 10.2 2.9 2.7 27 26.45 27.1 26.8 7.5 7.38 275.40 273.20 3.86 3.85 4.3 4.2 9.95 9.80 4.28 4.18 11.56 11.56 3.99 3.90 2.44 2.30 2.65 2.3 5.03 4.96 2.39 2.1 6.4 6.4 192 186.8 4.5 4.5 1.61 1.57 0.168 0.160 1.25 1.25 2.38 2.29 213.8 207 4.45 4.42 0.79 0.76 1.32 1.29 HOLDING FIRMS 0.470 0.470 57.45 56.55 24.25 22.55 7.02 7.02 0.285 0.280 819 815 8.29 8.2 15.16 15.02 4.60 4.54 0.250 0.240 1455 1439 6.41 6.40 73.90 72.50 4.89 3.9 5.47 5.47 5.49 5.04 7.83 7.46 0.75 0.74 14.8 14.18 0.69 0.68 4.79 4.64 5.05 5.03 0.0380 0.0370 1.030 0.970 2.5 2.45 66.50 65.15 2.81 2.74 901.00 899.00 1.28 1.21 86.00 84.30 0.3800 0.3700 0.2180 0.2120 0.305 0.300 PROPERTY 8.740 8.610 10.30 9.96 0.82 0.79 1.330 1.280 0.250 0.235 41.10 40.05 4.07 4.05 5.2 5.17

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

7.5 73.5 116.00 101.70 47.4 2.50 2.12 15.6 22 7.38 1.68 0.440 93.5 18.18 74.60 94.1 316 45 168.5 1480.00 65.05 3.14

1.35 0.00 0.87 0.89 -0.21 0.40 -1.40 -2.50 -0.68 -0.27 0.00 2.33 0.92 -0.11 0.07 -0.42 0.51 -2.17 0.00 1.02 -0.38 -0.32

204,300 26,980 3,765,190 2,319,050 20,800 138,000 107,000 900 297,500 33,600 2,000 530,000 2,429,260 4,100 10,440 1,290 1,390 18,500 481,060 325 15,500 2,835,000

43.6 1.34 1.06 2.1 11.7 18.98 27.6 58.3 1.85 1.76 12.68 20.200 10.50 7.99 10.42 1.79 15.98 26.85 88.1 14.10 14.42 5.9 0.600 211.00 10.24 2.7 26.7 27 7.4 274.00 3.85 4.21 9.94 4.18 11.56 3.95 2.36 2.38 4.96 2.3 6.4 186.8 4.5 1.6 0.160 1.25 2.29 208.6 4.43 0.78 1.32

-0.91 -13.55 0.00 0.00 0.69 -0.52 -6.44 0.00 -7.04 -1.68 -0.78 -0.98 -5.23 -0.12 0.00 5.29 0.76 -1.47 -1.23 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.47 -1.54 8.00 0.19 -1.46 0.00 -0.36 0.00 -4.10 -0.10 3.21 0.00 -1.00 -2.48 4.39 -1.59 2.68 0.00 -2.20 -0.66 -0.62 -3.03 0.00 -2.97 0.00 -0.67 1.30 0.76

3,976,700 290,000 255,000 648,000 1,200 638,400 151,300 20,600 4,474,000 100,000 27,600 1,751,800 2,709,700 41,531,100 107,000 45,000 24,300 2,738,700 269,670 10,100 10,400 518,800 1,670,000 757,720 493,500 16,000 758,600 96,500 88,100 524,200 17,000 366,000 1,224,800 2,000 34,500 358,000 414,000 4,793,000 3,424,600 18,000 5,000 10,740 10,000 56,000 2,700,000 8,000 802,000 2,355,170 340,000 1,943,000 696,000

0.470 57.00 22.55 7.02 0.280 817 8.21 15.10 4.55 0.240 1444 6.40 73.20 3.97 5.47 5.04 7.47 0.74 14.44 0.68 4.67 5.03 0.0370 0.970 2.5 65.30 2.74 900.00 1.21 86.00 0.3800 0.2180 0.300

0.00 0.88 -7.20 0.29 -1.75 -0.24 0.12 0.40 0.89 -4.00 -0.14 0.00 0.97 15.74 -18.11 -23.05 -5.08 0.00 -0.28 -1.45 -1.68 -1.37 -2.63 -6.73 2.46 0.00 -2.49 -0.22 -3.97 3.68 0.00 0.00 -1.64

50,000 643,130 41,948,200 20,000 3,140,000 175,770 861,900 8,679,900 186,000 740,000 256,050 134,200 845,880 24,000 100 300 8,599,200 9,000 1,997,600 423,000 17,527,000 35,000 5,400,000 6,348,000 110,000 194,360 9,000 372,960 3,960,000 2,900 2,820,000 970,000 880,000

8.620 9.96 0.80 1.280 0.235 40.20 4.07 5.2

-1.49 -3.11 0.00 0.00 -6.00 -1.83 0.25 0.00

118,600 16,100 1,416,000 431,000 3,360,000 9,098,800 829,000 220,000

1,198,212.00 47,680,668.00 109,276,410.00

-3,921,960.00 -59,200 -3,360.00 1,354,289.50

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

High

Low

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.54 1.48 0.201 0.98 1.09 0.305 2.25 1.87 1.8 6.34 4.88 0.180 0.470 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 3.6 20.6 1.02 7.56 1.96 8.59

0.89 0.97 0.083 0.445 0.85 0.188 1.4 1.42 1.19 2.8 2.75 0.090 0.325 23 2.57 21.35 1.64 3.08 15.08 0.69 3.38 1 5.69

Century Property 0.89 Cityland Dev. `A’ 1.10 Crown Equities Inc. 0.155 Cyber Bay Corp.

0.465 Empire East Land 0.890 Ever Gotesco 0.185 Global-Estate 1.37 Filinvest Land,Inc. 2.09 Interport `A’ 1.43 Keppel Properties 5.59 Megaworld Corp.

5.34 MRC Allied Ind. 0.125 Phil. Estates Corp.

0.3400 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 23.90 Primex Corp.

7.28 Robinson’s Land `B’ 29.10 Rockwell 1.73 Shang Properties Inc. 3.33 SM Prime Holdings 19.80 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.74 Starmalls 7.12 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 0.980 Vista Land & Lifescapes 7.270

0.89 0.87 0.88 1.06 1.04 1.04 0.153 0.152 0.153 0.460 0.440 0.460 0.860 0.860 0.860 0.183 0.182 0.182 1.38 1.35 1.35 2.09 2.02 2.04 1.43 1.39 1.41 5.50 5.10 5.49 5.34 5.2 5.2 0.123 0.120 0.123 0.3350 0.3250 0.3350 27.60 27.50 27.50 7.3 7.28 7.3 29.00 28.85 28.95 1.72 1.7 1.72 3.35 3.32 3.32 19.90 19.44 19.58 0.74 0.71 0.71 7.12 7.12 7.12 1.000 0.940 0.950 7.290 7.260 7.260 SERVICES 7.25 73 6.9 6.96 62.3 62.5 61.9 62 0.750 0.780 0.720 0.720 10.40 10.56 9.89 9.90 0.0970 0.1000 0.0960 0.0960 4.29 4.54 4.28 4.54 93.65 94.45 91.05 91.8 10 10 10 10 1.68 1.68 1.68 1.68 7.15 7.09 6.85 6.85 3.50 3.51 3.40 3.51 985 987 987 987 2566 2550 2508 2508 6.25 6.32 6.25 6.26 27.50 27.00 23.00 25.00 1.37 1.39 1.33 1.33 112.5 112.8 112.1 112.2 5.11 6.30 6.00 6.00 0.237 0.237 0.231 0.231 1.3000 1.3200 1.2700 1.2700 2.39 2.39 2.36 2.36 9.80 9.95 9.70 9.80 2.54 2.70 2.53 2.68 2.06 2.05 2.02 2.02 60.75 61.80 56.00 58.40 0.670 0.790 0.680 0.690 2 2 2 2 9.15 9.3 8.73 8.8 0.360 0.365 0.350 0.360 0.445 0.445 0.440 0.440 18.4 18.4 18.38 18.38 4.75 4.75 4.56 4.56 3.05 3 3 3 9 9 9 9 127.50 103.20 101.00 103.20 21.95 21.95 20.20 21.30 2878.00 2880.00 2862.00 2862.00 0.670 0.680 0.650 0.660 1.660 1.680 1.610 1.610 39.70 40.60 39.65 39.65 82.50 83.85 81.90 81.90 10.62 10.70 10.50 10.60 0.66 0.67 0.66 0.66 6.5 6.55 6.45 6.47 0.350 0.330 0.330 0.330 1.330 1.300 1.290 1.300 MINING & OIL 0.0052 0.0052 0.0051 0.0051 2.80 2.78 2.75 2.75 7.63 7.56 7.50 7.56 15.50 15.50 15.50 15.50 7.5000 7.9000 7.6000 7.7000 7.7000 8.0000 7.5000 7.7000 1.03 1.03 1 1.01 0.85 0.87 0.85 0.86 7.49 7.66 7.44 7.45 1.65 1.71 1.62 1.63 0.345 0.350 0.335 0.345 0.237 0.240 0.237 0.237 0.248 0.249 0.242 0.247 0.0150 0.0150 0.0140 0.0140 0.0150 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 3.99 4 3.91 3.94 26 25.95 25.1 25.2 3.82 3.9 3.8 3.82 0.7100 0.7100 0.7000 0.7100 2.070 2.120 2.070 2.080 0.0130 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 4.42 4.42 4.40 4.42 6.73 6.86 6.5 6.66 2.4 2.67 2.11 2.11 0.015 0.016 0.015 0.016 159.80 160.00 158.50 158.50 9.9 10.2 9.51 9.6 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 PREFERRED 63.35 63 63 63 522 522 522 522 525 526 525 525 520 520 520 520 6.2 6.4 6.2 6.2 1.09 1.1 1.09 1.09 1050 1050 1040 1040 76.6 76.75 76.65 76.65 84 84 84 84 86.45 86.45 86 86 WARRANTS & BONDS 4.450 4.480 4.280 4.280 SME 9.96 10 9.85 9.91 9.49 8.7 7.5 7.8 74.5 73 65 73 10.62 10.76 10.2 10.38 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 128.4 128.4 127.7 127.7

-1.12 -5.45 -1.29 -1.08 -3.37 -1.62 -1.46 -2.39 -1.40 -1.79 -2.62 -1.60 -1.47 15.06 0.27 -0.52 -0.58 -0.30 -1.11 -4.05 0.00 -3.06 -0.14

2,556,000 181,000 8,450,000 1,450,000 4,000 600,000 734,000 7,830,000 580,000 500 21,144,700 4,240,000 160,000 200 102,100 2,197,200 382,000 38,000 9,612,700 1,264,000 500 1,376,000 12,810,900

-793,930.00 11,660.00

10.5 66 1.09 15.82 0.1460 4.61 99.1 12.3 2.6 9 4 1700 2090 8.41 33 1.97 119.5 7 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 2.85 3.2 5.9 1.97 2.46 15.2 0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 4 18 110.2 14 3486 0.710 2.28 48.5 90.1 11.6 0.87 10.2 0.490 1.6

1.97 32.5 0.6 9.61 0.0770 2.95 46.55 10.14 1.6 5.88 2.58 830 1600 5.95 30 1.36 105 3.01 0.036 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.69 2 1.05 0.490 1.8 8.7 0.34 0.37 14.54 3 2.28 8.8 79 4.39 2726 0.380 0.32 31.45 60.55 7.59 0.63 6.45 0.305 1.04

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

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

Discovery World DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

Yehey

-4.00 -0.48 -4.00 -4.81 -1.03 5.83 -1.98 0.00 0.00 -4.20 0.29 0.20 -2.26 0.16 -9.09 -2.92 -0.27 17.42 -2.53 -2.31 -1.26 0.00 5.51 -1.94 -3.87 2.99 0.00 -3.83 0.00 -1.12 -0.11 -4.00 -1.64 0.00 -19.06 -2.96 -0.56 -1.49 -3.01 -0.13 -0.73 -0.19 0.00 -0.46 -5.71 -2.26

412,900 9,120 33,397,000 30,655,300 22,020,000 4,193,000 379,630 8,000 2,000 98,200 22,000 250 85,755 40,700 400 99,000 555,140 6,700 5,770,000 489,000 67,000 387,300 254,000 78,000 4,370 5,109,000 10,000 3,076,700 2,170,000 90,000 3,300 34,000 5,000 100 870 200,100 66,805 2,465,000 26,955,000 3,737,200 578,230 1,557,800 754,000 474,500 300,000 22,000

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 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 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 8.65 9.43 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 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

-1.92 -1.79 -0.92 0.00 2.67 0.00 -1.94 1.18 -0.53 -1.21 0.00 0.00 -0.40 -6.67 -6.67 -1.25 -3.08 0.00 0.00 0.48 0.00 0.00 -1.04 -12.08 6.67 -0.81 -3.03 -9.09

103,000,000 29,000 322,200 15,020.00 2,500 71,500 74,800 199,750.00 1,471,000 -1,215,070.00 722,000 46,500 17,065,000 -4,051,610.00 100,000 6,700.00 540,000 940,000 1,030,000 144,300.00 5,300,000 1,563,000 -1,200,040.00 6,940,100 47,617,200.00 773,000 19,000 290,000 16,560.00 3,200,000 7,000 1,029,200 365,550.00 26,105,000 9,932,150.00 12,300,000 -8,000.00 4,448,450 -17,922,808.00 1,189,900 184,620.00 5,700,000

70 553 525 515 8.21 12.28 1047 76.9 78.95 84.8

33 490 500 480 5.88 6.5 1011 74.2 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

-0.55 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.95 0.07 0.00 -0.52

387,800 80 5,770 150 15,600 51,000 355 5,220 2,960 60,100

100.00 -338,740.00 -857,530.00 41,700.00 -52,384,195.00

MST

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

SHARES 13,481,545 91,542,308 104,059,941 131,709,223 147,399,215 199,632,487 690,478,534

223,650.00

-498,170.00 8,270,377.00 142,500.00 -12,350.00

49,230,550.00 -201,760.00 -105,000.00

-5,763,986.00 -82,500.00 1,023,746.00 -39,200.00

202,880.00 5,114,306.00 -8,829,892.00 41,736,399.00 664,824.00

-30,125,235.00 -16,968,502.50

-595.00

78,709,128.00 -3,327,556.00

8,837,905.00 -367,200.00 -198,790.00 113,948,862.00

1,398,890.00 -9,252,931.00 320,420.00 55,750.00 1,771,300.00 193,046.00 1,617,870.00

10,228,266.00 1,153,800.00 727,900.00

4,896,261.50 -276,359,225.00 -140,400.00

-46,986,450.00 -359,742.00 -64,634,458.00 213,740.00 50,174,230.00 224,000.00 -13,076,315.50

-8,618,297.00

-13,093,248.00

5,408,950.00

10,000.00

-569,596.00

-278,658,620.00 8,610.00

3,000.00 38,950.00 -160,442.00 79,000.00 4,800.00 -98,367,570.00 240,230.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

10.96 15 88 12.88

2.4 3.5 13.5 5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp.

IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,026,779,033.70 1,855,190,888.309 2,304,733,590.566 927,686,706.60 1,234,417,572.3875 374,206,829.00 7,760,229,746.2645

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,815.50 (UP) 9.98 INDUSTRIAL 12,193.50 (DOWN) 82.36 HOLDING FIRMS 6,969.84 (DOWN) 41.10 PROPERTY 3,187.57 (DOWN) 48.59 SERVICES 2,160.81 (DOWN) 22.29 MINING & OIL 14,918.16 (DOWN) 207.18 PSEI 7,835.38 (DOWN) 46.55 All Shares Index 4,508.95 (DOWN) Gainers: 44; Losers: 134; Unchanged: 49; Total: 227

-16,576,455.00 -70,000.00 -51,043,766.00

-79,200.00 35,008,913.00

-37,575,171.00

-240,470.00 1,611,458.50

-32,371,910.00

-24,259,942.00

31,740.00

2,369,709.00 -10,400.00

-5,606,793.00 7,300.00

18,360.00

6,100.00 1,578,550.00 -17,974,540.00 -845,200.00 2,874,740.00 -99,071,045.00 -22,531,635.50 -1,216,844.00 1,192,419.00

-9,119,250.00

-96,120.00

1,376,000.00

-3.82

281,000

17,320.00

-0.50 -17.81 -2.01 -2.26

455,500 77,400 2,610 2,034,200

-1,091,841.00

-0.55

83,910

799,306.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Imperial Res. `A'

6.00

17.42

Keppel Holdings `B'

5.04

-23.05

Jolliville Holdings

3.97

15.74

Phil. Seven Corp.

103.20

-19.06

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

27.50

15.06

Keppel Holdings `A'

5.47

-18.11

LMG Chemicals

2.7

8.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

7.8

-17.81

Philodrill Corp. `A'

0.016

6.67

Agrinurture Inc.

1.34

-13.55

Calata Corp.

4.54

5.83

PhilexPetroleum

2.11

-12.08

Liberty Telecom

2.68

5.51

Grand Plaza Hotel

25.00

-9.09

Euro-Med Lab

1.79

5.29

United Paragon

0.0100

-9.09

Pryce Corp. `A'

2.38

4.39

Alliance Global Inc.

22.55

-7.20

Top Frontier

86.00

3.68

Crown Asia

1.85

-7.04

FRIDAY: MAY 22, 2015

B3

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

Stocks fall; AGI, Bloomberry sink Stocks fell Thursday on profit-taking and in the absence of a clear stimulus to lure investors back to the market.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index declined 46.55 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,835.38 on a value turnover of P7.8 billion. Losers clobbered gainers, 134 to 44, with 49 issues unchanged.

Alliance Global Group Inc. of tycoon Andrew Tan sank 7.2 percent to P22.55 after posting a flat net income of P5.6 billion in the first quarter of 2015 year-on-year.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp., which operates a casino on a reclaimed portion of Manila Bay, tumbled 4.8 percent to P9.90, while Nickel Asia Corp., the biggest producer of nickel, lost 3.1 percent to P25.20.

Shanghai, meanwhile, advanced on Thursday after another tepid reading on Chinese manufacturing activity that will likely raise hopes for fresh monetary easing, while Tokyo edged up to a new 15-year high.

The dollar held up despite minutes from the Federal Reserve’s April policy meeting showing board members thought it unlikely the US economy would be strong enough to hike interest rates in June.

Shanghai rallied 1.87 percent, or 83.13 points, to 4,529.42 and Tokyo gave up most early gains to end marginally higher, adding 6.31 percent to 20,202.87-its highest since April 2000. Sydney added 0.93 percent, or 52.0 points, to 5,662.3. With AFP

Telecom CEO of the Year. Smart

Communications Inc. cemented its status as the leader in mobile, with its chief executive officer and two of its programs being named the best in the region at the 18th Telecom Asia Awards in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Accepting the awards for Smart are (from left) Smart vice president and retail group head Maloo Agoncillo, Smart e-Money Inc. vice president and head of payments innovations and digital inclusion Lito Villanueva and Smart retail channel development manager Ding Bustaliño. Smart president and CEO Napoleon Nazareno (left) won the Telecom CEO of the Year, a distinction he already received in 2012.

He was selected by a panel of industry experts over finalists David Thodey of Telstra, Sung Min Ha of SK Telecom, Masayoshi Son of Softbank Japan and Li Yue of China Mobile.

PSE nears buyout of bond exchange

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Philippine Stock Exchange said it is close to getting a 74-percent interest in Philippine Dealing System & Holdings Corp., after several shareholders of the operator of the country’s bond exchange market expressed interest to sell their holdings to the stock exchange.

PSE president and chief executive Hans Sicat said several PDS shareholders submitted written replies and verbal confirmations that they were willing to sell their interest at an enterprise value of P2.25 billion.

“We have some verbal and some written confirmations, but deadline is next Friday. But the good news if you count it, approximately 74 percent shareholders [including the 20.8 percent already owned by the PSE] have agreed to tender to us,” Sicat said.

Singapore Stock Exchange, one of the biggest

shareholders of PDS, however, has not yet agreed to participate in the tender offer.

“We are still talking to them,” Sicat said. SGX owns a 20-percent interest in PDS. Aside from SGX, other major shareholders of PDS are the Bankers Association of the Philippines, San Miguel Corp., Golden Astra, Tata Consultancy Serves Asia, Computershare Technology Services, The Philippine America Life and General Insurance Co., Financial Executive Institute of the Philippines, Social Security System, and Investment House Association of the Philippines.

Sicat hopes to complete the acquisition, including securing regulatory approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission, by the end of July.

“Closing target is by end of July. But we will sign a share purchase agreement before that,” Sicat said.

After getting shareholders’ approval, the the PSE early this month sent an offer sheet to buy out all PDS shareholders to get a clear majority interest in the bond exchange operator.

With PSE already owning a 20.89 percent stake in PDS, it will only need roughly P1.8 billion to buy out all the remaining shareholders of the bond market.

Profriends postpones P7.7-b IPO MASS housing Profriends Group Inc. has moved its planned P7.7-billion initial public offering in the latter part of 2015.

Profriends president Guillermo Choa said in an interview at the sidelines of the Asia Real Estate Summit held at Makati Diamond Residences the validity of the company’s financial statement earlier filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission had already expired.

“So we will wait for our June 2105 financial statement before we re-file our IPO application,” Choa said. The company initially planned to hold the IPO in January this year.

Profriends earlier secured the approval of the Securities and Exchange and Commission to sell its shares to the public but has not obtained the gosignal from the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Choa said the property company remained interested in listing its shares this year.

The planned IPO will still depend on market conditions, with the company open on other funding options.

Profriends under the previous IPO application

filed with the SEC will offer up to 385.75 million common shares at a price of up to P20 apiece.

The company plans to allocate up to 70 percent or 270.025 million shares to qualified institutional buyers through joint lead underwriters and 20 percent totaling 77.15 million to trading participants.

The remaining 38.575 million shares will be sold to local small investors.

Several foreign and local investors earlier expressed interest in investing in the company as cornerstone investors.

Profriends plans to earmark P3.1 billion from the expected proceeds of P7.71 to finance real estate projects in Cavite, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro and P2.5 billion for additional equity investments in Williamton Holdings Inc..

Williamton is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Amicus Holdings, which handles the in-house financing requirements of Pro-Friends homebuyers.

Another P1.24 billion will be set aside for land acquisition while the remaining P611 million will be allotted for other corporate purposes.

Jenniffer B. Austria

R e p u b l i c o f th e Ph i l i p p i n e s

NATIONAL FOOD AUTHORITY CARAGA REGION Bu tu a n C i ty

IN VIT A T ION T O B ID F OR T H E PROCUR EM EN T OF H A U L IN G SER VIC ES FOR T H E T R A N SF ER OF R IC E F R OM SUR IGA O C IT Y T O B U T U A N C IT Y / A GU SA N D EL SU R T h e N A T I ON A L FOOD A U TH OR ITY, th r o u g h i ts C o r p o r a te O p e r a t i n g Bu d g e t fo r C Y 2 0 1 5 , i n te n d s to a p p l y th e su m o f TWO M I L L I O N TWO H U N D R ED SEVEN TY TWO TH OU SA N D PESOS ( P h p 2 , 2 7 2,0 0 0 .0 0 ) b e i n g th e a g g r e g a te d Ap p r o ve d Bu d g e t fo r t h e C o n t r a ct ( ABC ) to p a ym e n ts u n d e r th e co n tr a cts o f h a u l i n g s e r v i c e s f o r th e tr a n sfe r o f r i ce fr o m Su r i g a o C i ty to Bu tu a n C i ty / A g u s a n d e l Su r : APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE CONTRACT QUANTITY (INCLUSIVE OF VAT) BIDDING CONT. SOURCE RECEIVING MINIMUM DELIVERY NO. OF PERIOD (bag of FEE NO. WHSE. WHSE. TRUCKS 50 kg) (PHP) (PHP)

I-SUN-E15

Rocha A/B/C Warehouses, Surigao City

II-SUN-E15

GID Whse., Km. 10, Surigao City

GID I/II Warehouses, Libertad, Butuan City GID Alegria, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur

PER BAG

TOTAL

6

Within June to Nov. 2015

40,000

27.10

1,084,000.00

1,000.00

5

Within June to Nov. 2015

30,000

39.60

1,188,000.00

1,000.00

T h e N F A n o w i n vi te s i n te r e ste d tr u ck o w n e r s/o p e r a to r s to su b m i t t h e i r b i d s f o r th e h a u l i n g o f r i ce sto cks fr o m Su r i g a o C i ty to Bu tu a n C i t y / A g u sa n d e l Su r .

B i d d e r s s h o u l d h a ve co m p l e te d w i th i n th e i m m e d i a te l a st tw o ye a r s f r o m t h e d a te o f su b m i ssi o n a n d r e ce i p t o f b i d s, a co n tr a ct si m i l a r t o t h e p r o j e ct. Th e d e scr i p ti o n o f a n e l i g i b l e b i d d e r i s co n ta i n e d i n t h e B i d d i n g D o cu m e n ts, p a r ti cu l a r l y i n Se cti o n II. In str u cti o n s to B i d d e r s ( I T B) .

B i d d i n g w il l b e co n d u cte d th r o u g h o p e n co m p e ti ti ve b i d d i n g p r o c e d u r e s u si n g a n o n - d i scr e ti o n a r y “ p a ss/fa i l e d ” cr i te r i o n a s s p e c i f i ed i n th e i m p l e m e n ti n g R u l e s a n d R e g u l a ti o n ( IR R ) o f R e p u b l i c A ct ( R A) 9 1 8 4 , o th e r w i se kn o w n a s th e “ Go ve r n m e n t P r o c u r e m e nt R e fo r m Act” .

A c o m p l e t e se t o f Bi d d i n g D o cu m e n ts m a y b e p u r ch a se d b y i n t e r e s t e d b i d d e r s o n M a y 2 2 , 2 0 1 5 - J une 1 5 , 2 0 1 5 ( wor k ing d a y s o n l y ) fr o m th e a d d r e ss b e l o w a n d u p o n p a ym e n t o f a n o n r e f u n d a b l e b i d d i n g fe e a s sp e ci fi e d i n th i s In vi ta ti o n .

N a t i o n a l Fo o d Au th o r i ty C a r a g a R e g i o n sh a l l h o l d a Pr e - b i d c o n f e r e n c e o n J une 2 , 2 0 1 5 a t 1 : 3 0 P.M . a t 2 N D Fl o o r , R u d y Ti u VIII B l d g . J . C . Aq u i n o Ave n u e , Bu tu a n C i ty, w h i ch sh a l l b e o p e n o n l y to a l l i n t e r e s t ed p a r ti e s w h o h a ve p u r ch a se d th e Bi d d i n g D o cu m e n ts.

B i d m u s t b e d e l i ve r e d to th e a d d r e ss b e l o w o n o r b e fo r e J une 1 5 , 2 0 1 5 a t 1 0 : 0 0 A .M . Al l b i d s m u st b e a cco m p a n i e d b y a Bi d Se cu r i ty i n a n y o f th e a cce p ta b l e fo r m s a n d i n th e a m o u n t sta te d i n ITB C l a u s e 1 8 . L a te b i d s sh a l l n o t b e a cce p te d .

B i d o p e n i n g sh a l l b e o n J une 1 5 , 2 0 1 5 a t 1 0 : 0 1 A .M . a t 2 n d Fl o o r , R u d y T i u VIII Bl d g . J.C . Aq u i n o Ave n u e , Bu tu a n C i ty. Bi d s w i l l b e o p e n e d i n th e p r e se n ce o f th e Bi d d e r s’ r e p r e se n ta ti ve w h o ch o o se to attend.

T h e N a t i o n a l Fo o d Au th o r i ty r e se r ve s th e r i g h t to a cce p t o r r e j e ct a n y b i d , t o a n n u l th e b i d d i n g p r o ce ss, a n d to r e j e ct a l l b i d s a t a n y t i m e p r i o r to co n tr a ct a w a r d w i th o u t th e r e b y i n cu r r i n g a n y l i a b i l i ty t o t h e a f f e cte d b i d d e r o r b i d d e r s.

F o r f u r t h e r i n fo r m a ti o n , p l e a se r e fe r to : M s . H y d e B e th M . Pa scu a l B A C S e c r e ta r i a t H e a d N a t i o n a l F o o d Au th o r i ty 2 n d F l o o r R u d y Ti u Bl d g . VIII J . C . A q u i n o Ave n u e , Bu tu a n C i ty T e l N o . ( 0 8 5) 8 1 5 3 2 8 4 ( 0 8 5) 2 2 5 6 7 0 1 Fax No. (085) 342 7898 ( SGD ) GIL B . IB A R R A Assi sta n t R e g i o n a l D i r e cto r a n d C h a i r p e r so n , BAC (TS-MAY 22, 2015)

FRIDAY: MAY 22, 2015

B4

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

Millions of cars recalled – is yours included?

WE CAME across this disturbing news item from CNN Money that 34 million cars are being recalled due to defective bag inflators manufactured

by Japanese air bag manufacturer Takata Corp. In November last year, Happy Hour wrote about Japanese car manufacturer Honda being pressured by the airbag issue, with news spreading fast about the decision of the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to conduct a probe to determine if Honda failed to report deaths or injuries caused by malfunctioning airbags made by Takata.

According to estimates at the time, some 7.8 million cars were supplied airbag inflators manufactured by Takata, which happens to be Honda’s biggest supplier of the (supposed) safety apparatus.

The news from CNN money is definitely disturbing because 34 million is almost five times the initial estimates by the US NHTSA. This could be the biggest recall so far but for some reason, Takata still could not (or would not?) disclose the reason why the airbag inflators are malfunctioning. According to reports, the defective apparatus involves passenger and driver-side airbags in cars manufactured by 11—count that —11 manufacturers.

Reports also indicate that the car manufacturers themselves took the initiative to go ahead with the recalls after discovering that the airbags in question have not been sealed properly—causing moisture to seep into the propellant casing which in turn damages the propellant and causes the inflator to explode with such force that shrapnel inside the vehicle can be fatal to passengers. Several deaths have been linked to the defective airbags—all of them from Honda manufactured vehicles.

In our column last November, we also said that Honda could face up to $35 million in fines if the NHTSA proves that there was a deliberate attempt on the car manufacturer’s part to hide the incidents. US law requires carmakers to submit quarterly what is known as Early Warning Reporting data on deaths and injuries that may have been caused by a defect in the vehicle.

According to CNN Money, the NHTSA has dedicated a website (http:// www.safercar.gov/rs/takata/index.html) to the Takata recall, and all you have to do is enter a Vehicle Identification Number to check if your car is in the list. The data however is only partial but the data is helpful to car owners who are wondering if theirs is one of those outfitted with the defective Takata airbags.

The recall is certainly going to be massive considering the range of brands and models that are in the (partial) database, among them Accura, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, Subaru and Toyota. Some of the car models go as far back as 2001, can you believe it?

Bullish on the BBL? Despite the growing outrage on the BBL issue (due to perceptions that the Palacefavored draft is being rammed down people’s throats in collusion with certain legislators) businessmen such as PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala have expressed support for the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law at a forum held recently at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

In a roundtable discussion (moderated by Philex SVP and MVP media bureau chief Mike Toledo and organized by the Philippine Business for Social Progress) dubbed the “Bangsamoro Business Forum: A Roundtable Discussion on Investment Opportunities for Peace and Inclusive Development in Mindanao,” business leaders as well as heads of international development organizations sat down to discuss potential investment opportunities in the region long known to hold the promise of being the food basket of the country. By the way, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s Mohagher Iqbal was also present although not in the photo which shows (from left) Jaza; Motoo Konishi, country director of the World Bank; Richard Bolt, country director of the Asian Development Bank; MVP; Noriaki Niwa, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency; and Atty. Toledo.

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

Cheers!

Laguna dry port. Port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. dry port unit, Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal, broke ground to start the expansion of new facilities. Shown during the groundbreaking and time capsule lowering ceremonies are (from left) TDG chief finance officer Socorro Niro, Transnational Diversified Corp. president Rashid Alexander Delgado, ICTSI corporate legal services officer Lirene Mora-Suarez, ICTSI vice president and head of the Asia Pacific region Christian Gonzalez, TDG chief operating officer Dan Florentino, LGICT general manager Carmela Rodriguez and NCT Philippines president Shuji Harada.

BSP expects more rating upgrades

In BrIef

By Julito G. Rada

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Portek eyes Davao port port operator Amando Tetangco Jr. expects global debt plansA toSINGAPOREAN-BASED bid for the Davao Sasa port modernproject. watchers to further upgrade Philippines’ in- ization Public-Private Partnership Center execudirector Cosette Canilao said Portek of vestment grade ratings, given the country’s tive Singapore had purchased bid documents for the P17-billion port modernization project. improving economy.

The contract also involves a 30-year conces“They [international credit rating agencies] recognize the continuing good economic performance and reforms that have been put in place that are supporting this performance. They believe that this is sustainable over the medium term,” Tetangco told reporters in an interview.

“They are also looking at further improvements in certain areas like infrastructure to strengthen the foundation for medium-term growth to expand the absorptive capacity and one way to do that is to expand infrastructure,” Tetangco said.

Tetangco said the government was precisely doing these things, particularly mentioning the government’s public-private partnership program wherein the administration committed to increase spending for infrastructure projects.

Tetangco also said major global debt watchers Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings should look at the country’s improving GDP per capita ratio.

“I think what they also need

to understand is that it is a longterm issue but they also need to look at the trajectory not just the level. And if you look at the trajectory, it’s very clear that it is moving up in terms of GDP growth and as a result of high GDP growth, GDP per capita is improving,” Tetangco said.

Several foreign banks expect the Philippines per capita income to breach the $3,000 mark for the first time this year.

GDP of the Philippines grew 6.1 percent in 2014, after the 7.2-percent expansion in 2013.

The Philippines’ five-year real GDP growth was estimated to be 6.3 percent at the end of 2014.

Fitch Ratings in March retained the investment grade rating of BBB- given to the Philippines in 2013, saying the country’s strong macroeconomic fundamentals and solid external position would propel the economy to a 6.3-percent growth this year.

Fitch’s rating of the Philippines was one notch below the ratings assigned by the two other major international credit rating agencies—Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s.

Epson to open Batangas printer factory in 2017

By Darwin G. Amojelar EPSON Precision Philippines Inc. expects a new plant in Batangas to start operating by 2017 to hike production of ink jet printers and projectors for the local market and for exports to the US, Japan and China, a company executive said Thursday.

Epson Philippines president and country manager Toshimitsu Tanaka said the new plant in Lipa City, which started construction this year, would increase annual capac-

ity by 1.2 million units of inkjet printers and projectors.

Its current manufacturing plant is producing 6 million units of inkjet printers and projectors annually.

The company announced in December 2014 it would invest P4.7 billion to construct a new plant in Batangas to increase inkjet printer and 3LCD projector production volumes.

The state-of-the-art facilities are being constructed inside the existing site in Lipa, Batangas.

Epson will also install a solar power generation system with a capacity of about 3,000 kWh on the roof of the new plant. The solar system will reduce overall daytime electricity consumption at Epson Precision Philippines by half.

Tanaka said the company decided to expand its manufacturing plant in the Philippines because it had cheaper labor cost compared to China and Indonesia, where the company also has manufacturing plants.

sion to operate the seaport.

Portek, which has offices in over nine countries operates ports in Algeria, Gabon, Indonesia, Latvia, Malta and Rwanda. Portek is a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co., Ltd. of Japan.

Canilao said San Miguel also purchased bid documents for Davao Sasa Port.

San Miguel through subsidiary Petron Corp. owns 35 percent of Manila North Harbor Port Inc., while Harbour Centre Port Holdings Inc. of the Romero family owns the remaining 65 percent.

Canilao said the Transportation Department was receiving a lot of interests for the project.

The invitation documents for the project were made available on April 14, for a non-refundable fee of P300,000. Darwin G. Amojelar

PHLUXURY is luxury destination travel is expected to bring in at

least P7.7 billion in gross receipts in the next three years as the Philippines joins the list of luxury destinations in Asia.

Representatives of the local travel sector said they would organize the three-day Asia Premium Travel Mart to promote the Philippines as a luxury destination for big spending tourism markets.

“We’re talking of the very high-end middle class, those who can afford the likes of Amanpulo, Shangri-La Resorts and all luxury destinations and related products and services,” S8 Exhibition Inc. director Edwin Villanueva said.

The APTM is the local travel sector’s first shot at luxury travel promotions. It aims to promote the Philippines’ high price point destinations, products, properties and services.

The event seeks to lure premium travelers to spend luxuriously in properties, products and services. Organizers expect luxury travel traffic to hit 60,000 travelers in 2017 to 2018 with the rise of more high-priced, prime locations on elegant settings. Othel V. Campos

New Meralco deal THE Energy Regulatory Commission has ap-

proved the power supply agreement between Manila Electric Co. and San Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co., the developer of the 455-megawatt coal plant in Mauban, Quezon.

ERC, in its decision, approved the agreement with modification, subject to discussions and conditions. The ERC approval, according San Buenaventura Power officials, will allow the company to start construction of the P49.5-billon coal plant this year.

Among the conditions raised by the regulator is that the parties “should not pass on any additional cost resulting from the nonsharing of facilities between SBPL and QPPL [Quezon Power Philippines Ltd.]” Quezon Power Philippines owns a similar 455MW coal plant in the same area as the San Buenaventura plant. Quezon Power is now controlled

by Electricity Generating Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand.

Egco is Meralco PowerGen Corp.’s partner in San Buenaventura. Meralco Power Gen is the power generation arm of Meralco.

Alena Mae S. Flores

F R I D AY : M AY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

B5

cesAR bARRIoquInto EDITOR

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

world

Talks loom on boat people SITTWE, Myanmar— Malaysia ordered search and rescue missions Thursday for thousands of boat people stranded at sea, as Myanmar prepared talks with US and Southeast Asian envoys on the migrant exodus from its shores.

Flowers for the royals. Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark are greeted by flower girl Mette-Marie before their visit at the Loewenbraeukeller in Munich, southern Germany, on May 21. AFP

‘Thank You’: TV legend David Letterman signs off NEW YORK―The king of latenight television, David Letterman, brought the curtain down on a 33-year career in an emotional final show packed with jokes and farewells from US presidents, Hollywood stars and devoted fans.

The last-ever “Late Show with David Letterman” brings to an end an American cultural institution that has been watched by millions and an extraordinary career that has inspired a generation of comedians.

Wednesday’s finale opened

with a bang. Former US presidents George H. and George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as current president Barack Obama, were filmed repeating one after the other, “our long national nightmare is over.”

“Letterman is retiring,” said Obama, standing shoulder to shoulder with the 68-year-old comedian in a pre-filmed segment.

“You’re just kidding right?” deadpanned Letterman to a no-nonsense shrug from Obama.

It was a night of rapturous applause and standing ovations from

a VIP-studded crowd. The show featured gags at Letterman’s expense, jokes poking fun at celebrity and play-back highlights of years gone by.

Hollywood stars Alec Baldwin, Steve Martin, Bill Murray and Jim Carrey, and comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Tina Fey led 10 stars who performed the bit “Top 10 things I’ve always wanted to say to Dave.”

Their pithy one-liners paid tribute to the caustic and at times grumpy humor of the veteran broadcaster, the longest-serving nighttime US talk show host, who

has been on air since getting his first show on NBC in 1982.

“Thank you and goodnight,” Letterman said at the end of what was the 6,028th television show of his career, calling a multitude of tributes “flattering, embarrassing and gratifying.”

“Thank you for everything, you’ve given me everything,” he told his fans.

He also gave thanks to wife Regina and their 11-year-old son Harry, who sat beaming in the audience as he said how much he loved them. AFP

The rescue order, the first proactive official move to save persecuted Muslim Rohingya and Bangladeshi economic migrants, comes a day after Malaysia and Indonesia said they would end a policy of turning away boats.

“We have to prevent loss of life,” Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on his Facebook account, announcing the measure.

Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir told AFP his country had not made a similar order but the issue was “something that will be discussed”.

As the migrant crisis unfolded, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand for days refused to take in boats overloaded with exhausted passengers fleeing poverty or persecution.

But on Wednesday, Malaysia and Indonesia relented, announcing their nations would accept boat people for one year, or until they can be resettled or repatriated with the help of international agencies.

The policy about-turn was welcomed by the United States, whose Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due to raise the plight of the Rohingya meet with Myanmar officials in Naypyidaw, as his country said it stood ready to admit some of the migrants.

The meeting was expected to take place late Thursday.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi Aman were also set to meet Myanmar officials for bilateral talks.

No further details were immediately available on the meetings. AFP

Cathay cabin crew threaten to strike HONG KONG—Flight attendants from Hong Kong’s flagship airline Cathay Pacific threatened a summer strike Thursday if management does not scrap a new policy to reduce salaries and perks for cabin crew.

The warning came after a twoday sit-in held by flight attendants inside Terminal 1 of the city’s international Chek Lap Kok airport, which failed to win any concessions.

“If... [chief executive] Mr. Chu decides not to respond, we have no other choice but to start promoting the strike [among members]” said Dora Lai, head of Cathay Pacific

Airways Flight Attendants Union, at the airline’s headquarters.

Around 200 cabin crew who had been staging the airport sit-in also gathered at the headquarters to continue their protest.

They chanted “Respect the union” and held up placards reading “No more Cut! Cut! Cut!” and “Cathay Pacific cabin crew strike.”

Lai said the union would mobilize its 6,400 members to strike for two weeks starting on August 18 if the company did not listen to their demands.

The protests kicked off Tuesday

in response to cuts made by the airline.

Under the new rules, cabin crew who joined the airline after April 16 will only see their wages rise to HK$159.40 ($20.56) after their first three years with the company, down from HK$176.80 for those who signed contracts before April 2.

The union is also protesting over cuts to lunch allowances for attendants flying through Melbourne, Australia, and a legal protection clause which it says the airline has deleted from its operational manual. AFP

Anticipating summer. A couple clad in traditional costume ssit by a tree during Tokyo’s largest festival, called “Sanja Matsuri,” in Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo on May 15. One-and-a-half-million people flocked to Tokyo’s Asakusa district during the annual three-day-long festival, which heralds the coming of summer in the Japanese capital. AFP

B6

F r i D aY : M aY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cartoonist publishes ‘Catharsis’ album PARIS—Luz, one of the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists to survive January’s Islamist attack on the French satirical magazine, on Thursday published an album recounting his life after the massacre.

Entitled “Catharsis,” the album portrays some of the hardships faced by the cartoonist since the attacks that left 12 dead at the Charlie Hebdo offices: the nightmares and the police escort that accompanies him to his bed.

Luz drew the magazine’s “survivors’ issue” front cover—a depiction of the prophet Mohammed under the banner “all is forgiven.”

In the cartoon, the prophet holds a placard that reads “Je Suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie”), a rally-

Riviera gets raunchy as ‘Love’ goes to Cannes CANNES—The Cannes Film Festival got its first taste of full-blown controversy on Thursday after a late-night session with director Gaspar Noe’s hyper-sexual 3D tale, “Love”.

The movie leaves nothing to the imagination as it tells the story of a young couple’s tempestuous love affair, featuring over a dozen extremely graphic sex scenes, including close-up ejaculations, orgies, a threesome and a transvestite prostitute.

The posters had already given “Love” plenty of notoriety ahead of its premiere on the French Riviera, with one featuring a post-climax penis.

Such large crowds showed up for the midnight screening that dozens of ticket-holders had to be turned away and arguments broke out outside the Grand Palais theater.

“For years, I have dreamed of making a film that would fully reproduce the passion of a young couple in love, in all its physical and emotional excesses,” Noe said in a statement ahead of the screening.

The audience gave a long standing ovation at the end of the film, but many critics seemed unconvinced by Noe’s “blood, sperm and tears” vision.

“Like bad sex, [it] seems to go on forever with no climax or ending in sight,” tweeted Sophie Kaufman, of Little White Lies magazine.

The Argentinian director, who lives and works in France, said he wanted to transcend “the ridiculous division that dictates no normal film can contain overtly erotic scenes, even though everyone loves to make love.”

The story follows a young man, Murphy, looking back on his lost love, Electra, and their time together.

Noe puts himself at the center of the story—the lead character is a budding filmmaker who talks about wanting to make an explicit film about love and sex. Two of the side characters in the film are even called Gaspar and Noe, the latter played by the director himself. AFP

ing call of support for the magazine that went viral and became a symbol for freedom of speech.

“One day, the ability to draw left me, at the same time as a whole bunch of friends,” writes Luz in a preface to the album, referring to the horror of the events of January 7.

“The only difference was that it [writing] came back. Little by little. Both darker and more lighthearted.”

After the survivors’ issue, Luz— real name Renald Luziersaid he would no longer draw the prophet.

And earlier this week, the cartoonist announced he was leaving the paper but denied his departure was linked to internal problems at the paper that have come to the

fore in the wake of the attacks.

At the time of the shooting, Charlie Hebdo was struggling to make ends meet, with a weekly circulation of around 30,000.

But the survivors’ issue sold a staggering eight million, a record for the French press, and the magazine has been inundated with donations.

However, the staff have become embroiled in a bitter dispute about how to use the money, with some editorial staff accusing management of not being transparent enough about their plans.

Fifteen of the magazine’s 20 staff members—including Luz—called in April for all employees to become equal shareholders in Charlie Hebdo. AFP

Aftermath. This picture taken on May 20 shows damaged houses and crops after a heavy rainstorm hit Rongan, south China’s Guangxi province. Rainstorms are expected to continue over southern China after killing at least 15 people and leaving seven missing since May 17, state media reported. AFP

Aussie PM rules out resettling migrants SYDNEY—Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott Thursday ruled out helping resettle the wave of migrants fleeing to Southeast Asia, saying it would worsen the problem and “encourage people to get on boats.”

Main speaker. Founder of Spanx Sara Blakely speaks at the 2015 Peace, Love & A Cure Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation Benefit on May 20 in Cresskill, New Jersey. AFP

Abbott, whose conservative government employs tough measures to stop boat people, said Australia «will do absolutely nothing that gives any encouragement to anyone to think that they can get on a boat, that they can work with people-smugglers to start a new life».

«Nope, nope, nope,» the Australian leader added when questioned by reporters about whether he would offer resettlement to the migrants from Myanmar’s oppressed Muslim Rohingya minority and Bangladesh. ‘‘If we do the slightest thing to encourage people to get on the boats, this problem will get worse, not better,’’ he said.

Nearly 3,000 migrants have swum to shore or been rescued off Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand over the past 10 days after a Thai crackdown on human-trafficking threw the illicit trade into chaos, with some of the syndicates involved abandoning their helpless human cargo at sea.

Abbott said Australia’s role was to do all it could to end people-smuggling, which he reiterated was key to stopping the migrant boats. ‘‘The best way to do that is to make it absolutely crystal clear that if you get on a leaky boat, you aren’t going to get what you want, which is a new life in a Western country,’’ he said.

Indonesia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said after Abbott’s comments that countries such as Australia which are signatories to the Refugee Convention should shoulder the responsibilities that come with it. ‘‘Countries that are parties to the convention on refugees have responsibility. It is upon them to ensure that they believe in what they sign,’’ Nasir told reporters in Jakarta. ‘‘If you believe in that when you signed it, then you should act upon it and carry out your responsibility.’’

Indonesia, along with Malaysia and Thailand, initially refused to take in boats overloaded with exhausted and dying migrants.

But Malaysia and Indonesia have since relented, announcing Wednesday after talks in Malaysia’s capital that they would accept and care for boat people for one year, or until they can be resettled or repatriated with the help of international agencies. AFP

F R I D AY : M AY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

MOTORING

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

B7

FAST FASTLANE Summer fun under the sun WITH summer just around the corner, more people will eventually go on road trips with family and friends to enjoy the bounties of Mother Nature. Explore and enjoy your World in a relaxing shade to protect you from the damaging UV rays of the Sun. The Sunseeker Awning of Rhino Racks is a brilliantly designed, easy to operate, roll out awning that will shade the side of your vehicle in a matter of moments.

If you’re gearing up for that camping weekend, bird photography, outdoors photography ses-

sion or bike trailing, check out the Sunseeker Awning of Rhino Racks at the Outdoors Club in at the Ground Floor of the Banco de Oro Bldg. 2, Ortigas Avenue, West Greenhills, San Juan, beside the Segafredo Zanetti Café, with Tel. numbers 744-6367.

Brake pads and rotors

Electric vehicles are recharged on the streets of Europe.

EVs arouse fancy but are they safe?

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines is calling for stronger monitoring of the product standards on e-vehicles amid safety concerns.

“We therefore strongly urge the authorities to jointly look into the products and safety standards of EV players, manufacturers, suppliers and assemblers,” EVAP said in a statement.

“As part of a continuous process of development, we believe that we must establish a universal set of product standards to ensure safety and reliability, develop a policy infrastructure that would mandate evaluation, periodic inspection and rigorous testing, and consider the necessity of government and industry endorsements prior to product sales or public application,” EVAP said.

An e-jeepney recently caught fire in Quezon City prompting stronger calls for safety standards on e-vehicles.

“We further urge the EV manufacturers and operators to work with the concerned government agencies and with our Association to look into safety incidents and determine what causes EVs to overheat and malfunction,” the group said.

EVAP said the mission of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines is to accelerate the Philippines’ transition to electric vehicles as the primary

mode of sustainable transport.

The group, however said that there are numerous challenges ahead, including the necessity of establishing product standards that everyone in the evehicle industry should be held accountable to in order to ensure public safety.

EVAP said recent developments and the steady increase in the use of e-vehicles particularly for public transport, highlights the need for all stakeholders in the industry, including among others, manufacturers, operators, government agencies and non-governmental organizations, to work together to establish a definitive set of technical, operational, and practical standards that all e-vehicless, whether local or imported, must comply with.

EVAP said there are misconceptions about e-vehicles and the choice of batteries and battery management systems that each manufacturer or operator uses.

“The choice made in which technology is employed in the Philippines, such as batteries used, battery management, and battery maintenance systems, is critical as some tech-

nologies and practices may arguably fare better in other climates not similar to ours,” they said.

The group noted that there are numerous e-vehicle systems now on the road using traditional deep cycle lead acid batteries, some of which have been running for eight years but with no safety issues experienced.

EVAP said that there are also e-vehicle systems that were introduced using lithium ion batteries which have also functioned well with no safely issues experienced.

EVAP also recognizes that many other new technologies such as various types of batteries now being used worldwide in more advanced systems and applications.

“We as an industry must understand these new technologies as well. Moreover, aside from which choice of battery is used, there are other factors that must be taken into consideration to further enhance safety,” they said.

EVAP said the e-vehicle manufacturer should have a design that takes the Philippine climate, such as our summer’s high temperature, into serious consideration.

EVAP reiterated that e-vehicles are the best choice for sustainable transport.

“We must, however, be aware that the use of new technologies necessarily involves a continuing process of setbacks, problem solving, adjustments and innovation,” it said.

BRED from the racetracks of the World and with four decades of experience in the realm of motorsports, Brembo is known worldwide as the foremost authority in performance brake parts and components.

Autoperformance PH, the authorized local distributor of Brembo products has expanded its line-up of braking systems by offering ISO certified brake systems as OEM replacement parts for Japanese, European, Korean and American sedans. “We feel that there is a requirement for high performance brake pads for the consumer market. What we offer is quality replacement brake pads and rotors for a wide variety of compact and subcompact cars,” says Francis Aguila, Managing Partner of Autoperformance PH. For

decades, Brembo has been the brake system of choice by racing teams competing in the Japan Super GT, World Rallye Championship, 24-Hours Le Mans and in the MotoGP. Brembo is also the preferred OEM brake system of automotive performance divisions such as Nissan-NISMO, Mitsubishi Ralliart, Mazdaspeed, Toyota Racing Development (TRD), Porsche, Mercedes Benz AMG, BMW’s M Division and Ferrari.

Brembo Philippines also offers Sabelt sports seats, fourpoint seatbelt harnesses which are bolt-on parts and accessories for cars. “ At Brembo, we provide control over power,” adds Aguila. and For inquiries, call Autoperformance PH Office. No.: (02)808-0485 or email at info@autoperformance.com.ph

Honda Manila Bay rising HONDA Cars Makati, Inc. held the groundbreaking ceremony for its newest branch, Honda Cars Manila Bay. Strategically located at a 3,000-square meter property along Bradco Avenue, Aseana Business Park, Parañaque City, this sixth branch of HCMI will rise in line with the company’s commitment to bring its product and services closer to its customers. Honda Cars Manila Bay will also be the first dealer in the network to have a Honda museum that will showcase the brand’s history and technolo-

gies in the automotive industry.

Distinguished guests who graced the groundbreaking ceremony are Parañaque City’s Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Congressman Edwin Olivarez, Vice Mayor Rico Golez, and Councilor Binky Favis; HCPI’s President and General Manager, Toshio Kuwahara, Sales Division Adviser, Masanao Kataoka, and Customer Service Division Adviser, Satoshi Nishimiya; Aseana Business Park Estate Association, Inc.’s Delfin Wenceslao; Retirement and Separation Benefits System’s (RSBS) M/Gen. Maximo G. Caro (Ret); Bay Resources and Development Corporation’s RAdm. Josefino Solidum (Ret); HCMI’s Chairman and CEO, JP Orbeta and President and COO, Manny Aligada.

F R I D AY : M AY 2 2 , 2 0 1 5

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RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

MOTORING

Toyota reaches

one million

sales milestone LAST April, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) chalked up a total of 9,467 units for the month.

This has brought the number one automotive company in the country to break the one million sales mark.

Based on the most recent Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) report, Toyota recorded 1,000,468 units since it started operations back in 1989.

The well-loved Toyota Tamaraw FX, Revo and Innova combined sales total to 268,065; while the Corolla and the Vios have contributed 213,325 and 157,347, respectively, to Toyota’s 1M Sales in only less than three decades.

As one of the major players in the local automotive manufacturing industry, Toyota has sold a total of 615,899 units of locally-manufactured vehicles, all produced in its previous Bicutan assembly plant and Santa Rosa facility in Laguna. This is a testament to Toyota’s thrust in continuously producing ‘always better cars’ that has gained trust from its customers in the country.

In a statement, TMP p resident Michinobu Sugata conveyed, “Achieving this 1 Million Sales Milestone is a great accomplishment for our company and the local automotive industry. We initially forecasted that this breakthrough will only be realized by the 2nd semester of the year, but because of our continued strong sales, we achieved this feat 3 months ahead of time. Toyota Philippines’ 1 Million Sales milestone has been made possible in just 27 years, through the loyalty and trust of our customers and the strong partnerships and linkages we have forged with all our stakeholders. Truly, we owe this achievement to them. We, at Toyota, put to heart that achieving more than 1 Million sales only means that we have already generated more than a Million customer smiles.

While this delights us, it further fuels us to serve our customers more fervently by consistently providing better products and services through our 47 dealers nationwide.”

“As the Company reaps the fruits of its successes, TMP seriously takes on its commitment in driving the Philippines toward social and economic development.

Aside from economic contributions through investments, taxes and duties paid, as well as stable employment generated, Toyota remains committed to invest in people and technology, as well as actively implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in the areas of health, education, environment, and community service. On top of making our customers smile, we also want to put a smile on the faces of many Filipinos by giving back to society. ”, Sugata further remarked.

Touring

TalIsay wiTh The bmw 2 series

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

F

oregoing with the usual pomp and pageantry of a european marquee launch, the president of Asian Carmakers Corporation (ACC) Maricar Parco went back to her roots (organizing ride and drives) and chose to go on a road trip with select members of the motoring media. Her latest baby, the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer was appropriate for the occasion. “Since we experience joy through sheer driving pleasure, i am giving you what you want by going on a heritage drive through the province of negros occidental,” she says, during a brief showroom tour of ACC’s BMW dealership in Talisay.

Strategically situated at the heart of negros occidental in Bacolod City, Autobhan BMW is the first and only official BMW dealership on this side of negros. The modern showroom is the jump-off point of our journey around the

Modern and driver friendly interior.

historic fiefdom of the sugar barons of old negros.

The BMW 2-Series Active Tourer represents the future of this Munich-based brand. It is the first in the BMW line-up with a front-wheel drive configuration and a BMW that totally breaks from the mold of the German automaker. It is called as the “2-Series” because it is bigger than the 1-Series BMW and engineers refer to it as a tall-roofed minivan. Unlike its other well-

The ruins of the Locsin mansion provide the perfect backdrop for the 2-Series.

equipped cousins, the 2-series is powered by a 1500cc twin turbo-charged three or four-cylinder engine.

One can choose from two engine modes, Comfort or Sport. At a push of a button, the 2-Series transforms from a family based car, to a road bully that delivers a maximum power of 136bhp. It drew some praise when in Sport mode, the car behaves differently, without the lag of the Comfort mode.

Stepping away to appreciate its dimensions, this pintsized Bimmer embodies the BMW DNA with its striking kidney grille flanked by twin LED headlights with corona rings that shine brightly at night.

The first pit stop of our Negros sojourn was the popular tourist attraction known among locals as “The Ruins”.

Also referred to as the “Taj Mahal of Negros”, the burned out structure is what remains of Don Mariano Locsin’s grand mansion built in memory of his first wife Maria Braga. The classic architecture provided the perfect backdrop to the elongated silhouette and discreet wedge shape exterior of the BMW 2-Series.

From “The Ruins”, the long drive to Punta Bulata Resort and Spa started, with writer riding shotgun in car number 5 with Anjo Perez of the Manila Times and Ira Panganiban of Inquirer Radio. The long stretch of asphalt and the twisty roads provided us with the opportunity to really feel the car and experience riding comfort.

Despite having three heavy set guys with bags and gears, the 2-Series accommodated all that combined weight with relative ease as we pushed this Bavarian beast to its limits. With a length of 4,342 millimeters, a width of 1,800 millimeters and a height of 1,555 millimeters, this Bimmer carries a lot of character in its compact body. It is the perfect car for a family of

ACC President Maricar Parco delivers a pep talk to the ride and drive participants.

four, and the short dimensions makes the 2-Series the perfect urban vehicle and a weekend getaway car. The problem from my end at the moment is raising the P2.95M of chunk change required to have the 2-Series parked in my garage.

F R I D AY : M AY 2 2 : 2 0 1 5

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

BING PAREL A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

LIFE Red Hot Chili Peppers T Shirt

Sanrio Short Sleeve T Shirt

John Robshaw T Shirt

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Wu-Tang ¾ Sleeve Graphic T Shirt

FASHION

GO GRAPHIC The Uniqlo 2015 UT Line Tintin Graphic Short Sleeve T Shirt

The UT (UNIQLO T-shirt) collection is a wardrobe mainstay for the Japanese fast fashion giant. First launched in 2003 as a fresh take on the classic T-shirt, this year, UT takes as its tagline “THE NEW MODEL T.” Taking its cue, as always, from pop culture, new graphic content this season includes Shochiku Kabuki Project – a collaboration with Shochiku Co., Ltd., a major Kabuki, film and theater company in Japan that showcases Japanese traditions in pop culture through clothing; UK picture book characters Mr. Men & Little Miss; Belgian cartoonist Herge’s Tintin, and the Dutch character Miffy; as well as graphics inspired by businesses such as British sewing goods company Merchant & Mills; New York

bicycle maker Brooklyn Machine Works; and 400-year-old Japanese cotton textiles trading company Eirakuya.

In addition, the collection features collaborations with storybook author and illustrator Leo Lionni, and New York interior goods designer Thomas Paul.

Aerosmith, Metallica and Coldplay are now in the popular Musical Icons series while the Disney Project incorporates graphics from the Mickey Mouse Club featuring slightly unconventional Mickey designs.

In more than 1,200 colors and patterns, UT is available at all UNIQLO stores (selection may vary by location) and through the online store. http://www.uniqlo.com/ph/

Shochiku Kabuki Graphic T Shirt

Pop, Pretty, Playful Short Sleeve Graphic T Shirt

Pop, Pretty, Playful Sleeveless Graphic T Shirt

Marvel Red Short Sleeve T Shirt

John Robshaw Short Sleeve T Shirt

Tintin Graphic Short Sleeve T Shirt

Pop, Pretty, Playful Sleeveless Graphic T Shirt

FRIDAY : M AY 22 : 2015

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BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE

LIFE

EDITOR

BING PAREL A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

glweekend @ gmail.com

FASHION

BEAUTY EXPRESS THERMAL WATER WONDERS

Eau Thermale Avène is one of France’s best-kept secrets when it comes to caring for sensitive skin. Stocked in pharmacies all throughout the country, and now available in the Philippines, Eau Thermal Avène takes its name from the therapeutic thermal spring water in the town of Avène, southern France.

For centuries, this same water has been used to provide treatment for various skin conditions, from eczema and psoriasis to wounds and burns. www.eau-thermale-avene.com SM Woman’s Fashion Army

LADIES’ NIGHT

SM Women hosts a shopping party for the ladies

LIQUID SUNSHINE

Human Nature bottles liquid sunshine courtesy of its Natural Heritage Orange Oil. This warm and comforting oil’s bright and sunny fragrance has many amazing properties. It’s a mood-lifter as well as a tummy soother, and it’s great for easing headaches. Just a few drops massaged onto the temples, circling upwards to the hairline and back down, go a long way towards feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. www.humanheartnature.com

SUMMER ACNE SOLUTIONS

In the summer, the high temperatures usually mean it’s time to head out for the great outdoors.

Unfortunately, for some people, the heat brings on acne and all its inconvenient complications. Sweltering temperatures can cause sweating, which when mixed with excessive oil, dirt and bacteria on the skin, could clog pores and lead to breakouts.

Proactiv Solution, a leading anti-acne treatment range, is your anti-pimple ally. It contains mild formulations designed to gently exfoliate your skin, remove excess oil and ease acne breakouts. Its acne-care system can work alone or in combination with a dermatologist’s prescriptions, and now with micro-crystal medicine for fast pore penetration and instant acne-fighting action. www.proactiv.com

S

ALE. If there’s one four-letter word sure to make a woman’s heart beat faster, this is it.

A great sale - and more - awaited women one recent night when SM Makati invited some very cool ladies for an exclusive shopping party, complete with treats, mocktails and yes, many fantastic deals.

It all happened in a FLASH (pun intended) – with mallgoers stopping in their tracks when the Fashion Army, comprising a dozen gorgeous models, marched into the grand lobby of SM Makati for a flash fashion show. Styled in chic ensembles from SM Woman and GTW Fab by SM,

the models carried hot pink paper bags announcing Ladies’ Night and the sale duration.

Television personality Lexi Schulze officially launched the event with SM Woman’s management team, and as soon as she announced the huge discounts for Ladies’ Night, madness ensued!

Ladies were seen pushing multiple shopping carts, quickly snapping up deals from SM Woman, GTW Fab

by SM, Gigi Amore, Coco Cabana and other participating brands.

Shopping was made even more enjoyable with delicious canapés and refreshing pink mocktails. For a

little cheeky fun, hot male models also went around accompanying the ladies as they picked through the wide range of stylish items.

Word about SM Woman’s shopping party spread over social media, with bloggers and happy shoppers proudly sharing their “OOTDs” with their new purchases from #smladiesnight.

Ladies’ Night in SM Makati was just the beginning. Follow @smwoman and @gtwbysm on Instagram to find out when and where the next shopping party will be.

Here’s a hint: It’s happening very soon!

GOODBYE TO BAD HAIR DAYS Simple hair care tips for the hottest season of the year

Summer usually means jumping from one vacation to another – but have you ever wondered what these long, fun-filled escapades under the sun do to your hair?

Sweltering temperatures can instantly damage hair, and too much exposure to harsh Ultraviolet (UV) rays can break down the protective protein of hair strands – leaving a tangled mess of problems.

Considering the harsh weather conditions, one’s crowning glory needs extra attention at this time of the year, and styling and maintenance can be a bit trickier, says RJ Buenaventura, Philips General Manager for Personal Health.

Having the right hair care partners is essential in maintaining your locks, especially at this time of the year. “Everyone can still explore different styles if they use styling equipment optimized to care for the hair,” Buenaventura says, explaining that various Philips hair care products can help one breeze through the summer season safely and in style.

Humidity also makes hair prone to fizzing due to water molecules in the air that cause the hair shaft to swell. The Philips straightener is a great product that can solve this problem while adding a punch of style to your locks. With its innovative ionic condition-

ing feature, hair follicles are smoothened and conditioned, giving way to silky locks without the frizz.

Using curlers to get that wavy hair can be risky, so Philips Business Development Manager for Personal Care JC Gallegos suggests using the Philips curler because it has a unique indicator that prompts users once their hair is ready, preventing over-treating and overexposure to heat.

“In addition to the usual risk of hair damage due to styling, constant exposure to saltwater and chlorinated water from pools can make hair more vulnerable and brittle,” Gallegos says.

Before styling, dry the hair with a gentle but efficient hair dryer like the Philips Hairdryer which has a special sensor that adjusts the temperature once the hair is dry.

This helps preserve the moisture within the strands.

The hair dryer has ceramic components that are gentler on the strands and prevents over drying.

One need not sacrifice style for safety. It’s all about using the right hair care tools to keep your hair safe while looking perfect.

For more information, visit www.philips.com.ph or check out https://www.facebook.com/PhilipsPhilippines.

FRIDAY : M AY 22 : 2015

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

BING PAREL

glweekend @ gmail.com

A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

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CANNES TURNS UP THE VOLUME

BY ED BIADO

The South of France is a sea of red-carpet dresses and highfashion garb as it hosts the Cannes Film Festival for the 68th time. Being in the same country as arguably the world’s top fashion capital, Cannes is the place where one can get away with wearing voluminous high-drama couture. And that is exactly the style that’s emerging to be one of the very visible trends at the festival.

Here are some of the most delicious confections we spotted: • Petra Nemcova balances dainty and goddess-like in Zuhair Murad.

• Cate Blanchett’s complicated Giles maxi gown doesn’t feel out of place in Cannes.

• Eva Longoria smolders in voluminous Versace.

• Naomi Watts is movie-star glamorous in this beaded and feathered Elie Saab in delicate dove gray.

• Though divisive, Sonam Kapoor’s Elie Saab Couture sure is attention-grabbing.

• Israeli socialite Hofit Golan joins the volume party in this headturning dress.

• Julianne Moore brings volume up top in this Old-Hollywood-inspired Armani Privé showpiece.

• Fan Bingbing is a nymph in this whimsical and frothy Marchesa.

• Lupita Nyong’o enjoys twirling in her custom Gucci gown.

• Natasha Poly’s interesting Atelier Versace white skirt exudes sexiness.

• Araya A. Hargate is positively divine in Ashi Studio.

• Daria Strokus wears one of the most beautiful princess gowns at the festival.

• Nieves Alvarez is out of this world in this glimmering Elie Saab Couture.

• Natalia Shustova is summer-ready in this floral piece with a huge bow at the back.

• Emma Stone in Oscar de la Renta proves minis can be voluminous too.

Petra Nemcova

Eva Longoria

Cate Blanchett

Sonam Kapoor

Julianne Moore

Hofit Golan

Fan Bingbing

Lupita Nyong’o Natalia Shustova

Natasha Poly

Araya A. Hargate

Daria Storkus

Emma Stone

Nieves Alvarez

Naomi Watts

THE HAPPINESS PROJECT Happy Socks hits the Philippines “Welcome to Happiness!” was the cheerful sign that greeted guests at the launch of Happy Socks Philippines last month.

A Swedish company founded in 2008 by two friends, Viktor Tell and Mikael Soderlindh, Happy Socks is now a global brand whose colorful socks and underwear are available in over 6,000 fashion apparel boutiques in more than 70 different countries around the world, including some of the most stylish boutiques and department stores like Opening Ceremony, Kitson, Lane Crawford, Galeries Lafayette, Colette Selfridges and Isetan. It’s also a favorite with celebrities – Sarah Jessica Parker, Zac Efron, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gwen Stefani and Jessica Alba have been spotted sporting Happy Socks on their famous feet.

Cheerful collaborations are a Happy Socks tradition. The brand has customized Rolex, Keds, Adidas-Match Play x Victor Tell, Wong Wong, Paris SaintGermain by Happy Socks, to name a few.

Its most recent collaboration was with the rapper, actor and artist Snoop Dogg.

Present at the launch were Happy Socks International Representative in Asia Jonathan Larsson who flew in all the way from Sweden, as well as Katherine Sy and Diana Ong, the managing partners of Happy Socks PH, whose love for colorful socks spurred them into bringing the brand to the country, Happy Socks is available at selected retailers throughout the country, among them Coalition in Eastwood Mall; Common Thread in Greenbelt 5 and Power Plant Mall; Urban Athletics in Greenbelt 3; Felipe & Sons, Rustan’s, Signet in Windsor Tower and the Union Barber Shop, all in Makati; Satchmi in SM Megamall; Sole Slam Manila in Katipunan, Quezon City; Bao Bao Babies and Urban Superior Cebu in Cebu City; and Chimes Specialty Store in Davao City.

For more information please visit www. facebook.com/happysocksph

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F R I D AY : M AY 2 2 : 2 0 1 5

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE

LIFE

EDITOR

BING PAREL A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

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

FASHION

THE QUIVER CULTURE Local clothing brand QUIVER makes a big splash with its latest collection. From multicolored maxi cover-ups to sexy rompers to this season’s “IT” towel – they have it all.

“The three of us share a passionate afPAULYNE finity for water. When we first started our FERMIN company Beachshack, Inc., the vision was to create a platform to promote the Quiver culture – the merry, laid-back beach lifestyle through the retail of resort apparel,” say owners Kitzi Purugganan-Roxas, Tin Magsaysay-Matic and Olivia Olalia-Guzman.

The brand name was chosen precisely for its meaning, which is a surfer’s collection of surfboards of different lengths and thickness that allows him to get the best ride for different kinds of waves. “Our line offers different-sized women different styles of beachwear, allowing them to always look their beach-babe best.”

I like Quiver for its playful, comfortable and fashion-forward designs. And, it’s quite popular with celebrities, too! All fabrics are sourced locally (save for the towels which are imported from China). Actually, the brand’s soon-to-be released beach blanket series are all made from textiles coming from a loom weaving community in La Paz, Abra. In addition, each piece in the collection is a limited edition-only release. “We do not mass produce. We want our customers to feel special when they wear our label.”

Who wears Quiver?

The Quiver Girl is a poster child for the fun-loving, independent and adventurous set. Weekends will always find her escaping from the corporate jungle and heading to her favorite getaway. She is confident and prefers clothes that celebrate both her body and free spirit.

Which print to choose?

From left: Taj Mahal, Sinta and Juniper

THE BQP’S TOP PICKS SUN-KISSED AND STYLISH

Look like the goddess that you are! The ATHENA (P2100) maxi dress is simply gorgeous! This versatile cover-up is made of cool, light spandex and is available in black, white, coral, indigo and sea foam green. The contrasting selvages are a subtle play in color.

As adorable as a wooer’s ditty, the HARANA (P1600) romper in orange creamsicle surely captivates. This outfit is perfect for strolling in the mall or by the seashore. Your choice whether to wear it with wedge heels or flip-flops. Put on your favorite sunnies and you’re ready to go!

The OLIVIA (P1900) playsuit is my favorite look in the classic collection. It is both seductive and forgiving. It shows off the legs but hides the arms. Done in a rich cobalt blue hue and nautical stripes – this romper is a certified Quiver bestseller.

BASK N’ DRY

The roundie towel is this season’s beach essential.

The Athena

I’m absolutely loving the roundie towels (P2400)! It’s the perfect companion for lounging under the blazing summer sun or for drying yourself after a leisurely swim. When cooler weather permits, pack your towel and have a picnic or read a book in the park. Très chic!

Get your Quiver fix this Friday at The Gourmand Market, C1 Park, Bonifacio High Street Central BGC on May 22-24 from 11am to 11pm. You may also visit their FB page and email them at beachshackinc@gmail.com for orders.

With a pocketful of glitter,

Follow me on Twitter, IG and Facebook. Visit https://www. facebook.com/thebusyqueenp for more interesting reads!

The Harana

The Olivia

F RIDAY : M AY 2 2 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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WHAT DO ABRA AND GLOC-9 HAVE IN COMMON? NICKIE WANG Abra and Gloc-9 are undoubtedly the hottest hiphop acts of their generation.

From numerous accolades they receive for being prolific on their music to the number of people who patronize their live performances, these rappers have already made indelible marks on the local music scene.

Being successful as rappers people thought they started mastering their craft beginning at an early age. But little many people know both Abra and Gloc9 take their roots not in rap music but in rock and pop ballads, respectively.

In an exclusive interview with The Standard during the press launch of MTV Music Evolution concert, Abra, who was born Raymond Abracasa, revealed that he grew up listening to the music of Perofrmers at the Music Evolution include Apl. de ap, DJ Cash Money, Gloc 9, Naughty by Nature, Slim 400 and YG

Parokya and Eraserheads. ”Before Eminem and Kendrick Lamar came into picture, I was a rock fan growing up. But when I heard the song ‘Bagsakan’ (Parokya Ni Edgar) I started to like the genre,” he said.

Meanwhile, multi-awarded Aristotle Pollisco, known by his stage name Gloc-9, said he’s gain inspiration from pop artists like Ogie Alcasid and Ariel Rivera.

“Their songs really inspired me. Even today, the lyrics to my songs are inspired by ballads. As you can see…I wanted to be a balladeer,” he paused for a while and gave the members of the press who attended the prevent press conference of the MTV Music Evolution last Sunday a big smile,” But I’m sure it’s not going to work out that’s why I decided to do it the other way.”

HISTORY IN THE MAKING Gloc-9 opened the MTV Music Evolution concert, a free entry show recorded live for global telecast unun

der the MTV World Stage global series, at the historic Quirino Grandstand attended by more than 22,000 hiphop music fans on May 17.

To be seen by an international audience of more than three-quarters of a billion households in over 160 countries, Gloc-9 kicked the show off with his hits “Upuan” and “Sumayaw Ka.” He continued making the crowd jumping up and down when he went into the fan favorite “Sirena” before receiving resounding cheers when he performed a tribute to Francis M. singing “Stars and Sun.” He ended his set with a moving rendition of another Francis M. classic, “Kaleidescope World.”

This breathtaking performance was followed by Abra, who took the stage with Loonie and Ron Henley.

Abra and his crew, Lyrically Deranged Poets, brought the intensity up with immense energy levels and jaw-dropping wordplay all throughout a medley of six songs. Abra’s set took off with the Poor Country and AP3, and was

on fire with his performance of Cerberus, which was aptly accompanied by a pyrotechnic display and a giant fireball at the end.

Ending the set for local acts, Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.ap jumped up onstage with a mash-up of “Here We Go” and “Bebot.” Accompanied by Abra and Loonie he ended his set with the localized version of “Where is the Love?”

As the concert transitions, DJ Cash Money took the stage in a lit-up geometric DJ booth. The Philadelphia-based American turntablist brought some of his new school flavor and fused old school tunes into the mix, getting the crowd moving in unison amidst a spectacular array of lasers.

Next to hit the stage was Billboard Hot 100 hip-hop artist YG, who opened up his set along with DJ Goofy 500 and Slim 400. The trio went into an energetic 15song medley that included YG’s popular hits “My Hitta,” “Don’t Tell Em,” “Who

Do U Love,” and “I Just Wanna Party.”

Wrapping up MTV Music Evolution 2015 was the iconic Grammy-award winning act Naughty by Nature who took Manila through a hip hop time warp via their famous and timeless songs like “O.P.P., “H”ip Hop Hooray,” “Uptown,” “Craziest,”and “Feel Me Flow.”

MTV Music Evolution 2015 wrapped up with all iconic and current hip hop artists taking the stage to the background of a breath-taking explosion of confetti, with Naughty by Nature proclaiming alongside their fellow hip hop artists, “This is history in the making!”

A SOUND APPEAL A few hours before the MTV Music Evolution concert, Naughty By Nature talked about how excited they were arriving to the Philippines for the first time. The group also discussed how their music has evolved and shared their sentiments on the current state of Hip Hop

and music in general.

“The death of physical content caused real struggles.

Today it’s a 99-cent-mp3-format available on iTunes, they get 30 cents and artists are working on 70 cents. With all the streaming and other digital format, you’re lucky to get a gold record. There’s stagnation all the way around,” one rapper said.

As parting message, the hip-hop group affirmed their advocacy supporting independent music artists.

They also encouraged radio stations to play more independent music and do away with what music corporations dictate.

“There’s a bottle neck in the music industry again.

The floodgate needs to be opened for you to get more creativity people. There are so many talented artists out there who don’t get the fair share. So as an advice, do it as a hobby. Everyone cannot be Beyoncé or Jay-Z, so keep it as part of healthy creative lifestyle, go out there and perform,” they ended.

F RIDAY : M AY 2 2 : 2015

C6

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

PEOPLE

...ARE TALKING ABOUT Julie San Jose

JULIE ANNE SAN JOSE

The birthday girl has just left the country to do a series of shows in the US. She will also meet a few record producers including Sidney Brown (who has produced songs for Drake, Lil Wayne, and Ludacris to name a few) for their collaboration for a new single. This is just one of things the singer can be thankful for as she turns 21 years old. And just before she left, her sophomore album turned double platinum. Now, who says she can’t replicate the success of her debut album?

SOLENN, IYA CHALLENGE ENZO PINEDA, RYZA CENON TO DANCE

A

dance battle heats up tomorrow as taste buddies Solenn Heussaff and Iya Villania face their greatest dance challenge in a showdown that pits them against Starstruck alumni Enzo Pineda and Ryza Cenon.

As the final four of DanceStruck, the group undergoes a dance workshop conducted by the Addlib Crew to imme-

diately learn the Wataflow and Nu School dance genres. Such a challenge can only lead to a big appetite. It’s a good thing that Torch at UP Town Center offers several cuisine fusions that will satisfy the varied cravings of a big group or a family.

Find out who gets to dream, believe and survive this final round on Saturday, May 23, in Taste Buddies, 8:45 PM on GMA News TV.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 50 51 52 53 54 57 62 63 64 65 66 67

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Bullwinkle, e.g.

6 Lady’s honorific 11 Take the title 14 Debate issue 15 Susan Lucci vamp 16 Garden tool 17 Indefinite time 18 Take a sip 19 Blow away 20 Crazed captain 22 Dieter’s lunch 24 Floppy-eared dog

Jackie Forster

Mich Liggayu

BELLA PADILLA

Bela Padilla

28 30 31 32 33 37 38 39 40 43 45 46 47

Pet shop cuties Fictional Queen Peter, in Panama Surprise attacks Huge Versatile vehicle Kid’s dad Fix a squeak Big city in Mexico Fiery dance Vine-covered More muddy Leopard cousins

Book store?

Forward-looking verb — -de-camp Back muscle, for short Mr. Lombardi Slightly tinted “Green” prefix Southfork surname Demean L. — Hubbard Gift recipient Chilly

DOWN 1 Alps, for short 2 Oola’s guy 3 Unfold, in poetry 4 — vous plait 5 Creamy pastries 6 Gold or silver 7 Tent dweller 8 Bad-mouth 9 Do something 10 Symphony VIP 11 Ambergris source 12 Hawkeye 13 Has to have 21 Attention getter 23 On the summit 24 Vaccine

FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015

25 26 27 28 29 31 33 34

Aristotle’s teacher UFO pilot Composer — Rorem Pogo’s creator Lazily Blanched Cables Ancient Greek colony 35 Timbuktu’s river 36 Morning — 38 Plankton 41 Money drawer 42 Developed gradually 43 Lama, usually 44 Flight stat 46 Halfway 47 Famed Canadian doctor 48 — Canyon (Pueblo cultural area) 49 Shirley of “Goldfinger” 50 Feudal vassal 52 Teen bane 55 — Jima 56 Author Anais — 58 Teahouse attire 59 Forty winks 60 Mind reader’s gift 61 Susan of “L.A. Law”

EDITOR

...ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT

JADINE The tandem celebrating the box office success of its third movie has just been named the “Most Popular Love Team.” Thanks to the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The award covers James Reid and Nandine Lustre’s influence on TV and in movies. We know rabid fans of other love teams will frantically react on this recognition but it’s hard to deny how popular JaDine is.

Their tandem makes a lot of people giggle and fall in love even if it’s just for reel.

People were surprised to see the young actress at the press launch of FPJ film adaptation series top-billed by Coco Martin. Apparently, Bella is joining ABS-CBN’s most prized television actor in a television series that honors the work of Fernando Poe, Jr. That also means she is now a certified Kapamilya after being with the Kapuso for several years. It was not really a bad career move for someone who’s talented enough but just overlooked by her former mother studio.

ISAH V. RED

JACKIE FORSTER

The erstwhile television talent is getting a lot of unwanted attention including criticism from people who follow the career of her sons by Benjie Paras. On Mother’s Day, Kobe and André greeted their stepmother and thanked her for her selfless care and support. People sympathizes with Jackie who’s been trying to get in touch with her children only to be taken for granted. But for children to act that way, Jackie must have done something wrong. We can only speculate on whatever it was but the treatment she gets from her children gives us a fair idea.

MICH LIGGAYU The other half of the now defunct YouTube sensation Jamich is rumored to be included in the lineup of housemates that will be part of the latest season of Pinoy Big Brother.

Since her partner’s death, Mich has become controversial and some media outfits try to join the bandwagon. We all have predicted it, that at the end of the day, Mich would enter showbiz – the goal she had aimed many times over but failed desperately.

TJ TRINIDAD He flirted once with running for office in 2013. Now the actor might be running again in the next year’s election. He didn’t win when he was relatively popular and was still visible on TV so what are his chances in his political bid in 2016? Let’s leave his fate to the voters of Pasay City. We guess they are intelligent enough to elect or not to elect another actor to office.

TJ Trinidad

DanceStruck Final Four Enzo Pineda, Ryza Cenon, Taste Buddies Iya Villania and Solenn Heussaff

F RIDAY : M AY 2 2 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

C7

JULIA BARRETTO AND INIGO PASCUAL PROMISING TEAM UP Iñigo Pascual and Julia Barretto team up in a new show

Laneige Water Sleeping Pack EX, SEP Jewel Set, Wedo Air Stepper all available at O Shopping

A

From C8

s the newest love team on the block, Julia Barretto and Inigo Pascual know they have a lot to prove so they gave it their all in the movie Para Sa Mga Hopeless Romantic.

As Mary and Ryan in the movie, JulNigo as their tandem is known, the two young stars admitted that their roles were challenging. Although they admitted that there are no romantic feelings between them in real life, Julia and Inigo successfully portrayed the star-crossed lovers in the story.

Julia feels great and is very happy with the feedback on the movie. “It’s so overwhelming and nakakatuwa lang kasi yung hardwork na binigay namin sa movie, it was all worth it,” Julia said.

Inigo, on the other hand, says it’s a dream come true to be able to work on these types of projects.

“It’s just like a dream come true all over again, it was just a dream before, I’m thankful for the opportunity,” he related.

Julia added that she is comfortable with Inigo as her “ka-love team” as he knows her very well. Inigo, on the other hand, said Julia is easy to work with as the latter encouraged him to pursue his passion for acting. Their love team started in one of the high rated episodes of Maalala Mo Kaya and Wansapanatym Presents Lusis.

Julia and Inigo’s team up shows promise with their evident rapport and chemistry on screen. With the positive

response to their team up, both can’t wait to start on their future projects together, like teleseryes or even their own solo movie. Julnigo will soon be seen in a teleserye , And I Love You So. HHHHH Get your body ready this summer by pampering your skin and losing those extra pounds with O Shopping’s newly released beauty products and fitness equipment.

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CHEERS, TEARS FOR KAPUSO STARS

D

eafening cheers, joyful tears, and warm rounds of applause greeted Kapuso celebrities during a series of regional visits in Luzon recently. And the stars just couldn’t help but be surprised, rather pleasantly, by their fans’ heartfelt welcome.

“It is heartwarming to witness all the passion and love that our Kapuso have for our stars. Their undying support is really what inspires us to come back over and over, year after year, and even stage grander events for them,” said GMA Network Head of Regional Strategy and Business Development Division Oli Amoroso. “Our Kapuso stars share the same sentiment that’s why they’re dedicated, all the time, to pull-off a great performance for their fans,” he added.

In Legazpi City during the Magayon Festival, no Kapuso fan was disappointed as GMA Network delivered fun-filled shows— with no less than Marian Rivera leading the kick-off event. Held at the Albay Astrodome on April 10, 6,000-strong Marianites were at theMarian’s Kapuso Fans’ Day and were all smiles to see the actress and see her gesture of support when she proudly wore the “I Love Albay” shirt on stage.

Also the Magayon festivities were Chef Boy Logro and Kylie Padilla for the Fiesta Culinaria and Wyn Marquez for the Ginoo ni Daragang Magayon on April 17 and 18, respectively. Jaclyn Jose with Geoff Eigenmann graced the Search for Daragang Magayon 2015 Pageant Night on April 28.

From southern Luzon, the stars headed to North and Central Luzon for the Bangus Festival in Dagupan and Pista’y Dayat in Lingayen, both in Pangasinan.

With GMA as the Strategic Partner of this year’s Bangus Festival, the Network brought stars for the Festivals of the North Parade on April 26 and among them were members of Yagit – Yasmien Kurdi, Wowie De Guzman, and Chlaui Malayao, and Healing Hearts stars Joyce Ching, Kristoffer Martin, and Krystal Reyes.

The following day, GMA News TV’s Mars host Camille Prats entertained her fans via her participation in the Bangusine:

Bangus International Cusine Showcase at the Dagupan City Plaza.

April 30 was no ordinary Thursday for the Dagupeños as their annual Bangusan Street Party held at the De Venecia Extension Road was made extra special with the presence of Dennis Trillo, Tom Rodriguez, and Kris Bernal. At the Kapuso Night, Kris performed to the fans delight. Mere mention of the names of one of the Network’s most unforgettable on-screen pairs, “TomDen,” filled the place with eardrum-breaking cheers and screams. It was pandemonium when the fans saw the two coming up on stage.

On May 1, Kapuso couple Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino top billed the Kapuso Meet and Greet at Tondaligan Beach as part of Bangus Festival’s Dagupan Beach Body Fest 2015.

Meanwhile, Rocco, together with GMA Artist Center talents Louise delos Reyes, and Julian Trono took part in the traditional Agew na Pangasinan Parada na Dayew as part of the Pista’y Dayat or Sea Festival on April 10.

Coinciding with the Pista’y Dayat: Limgas na Pangasinan, a Kapuso Meet and Greet with The Rich Man’s Daughter’s Rhian Ramos and Chynna Ortaleza and Rafael Rosell was held on April 30 at the Capitol Plaza. On the same venue, Beautiful Stranger star Lovi with Miguel Tanfelix and Bianca Umali performed for the Kapuso Night on May 1 drawing a crowd of almost 8,000. Kapuso singer and award-winning stage actress Aicelle Santos graced the Banca Parada and met with her fans at the Banaga Bridge in Bugallon on May 1.

Meanwhile, May 7 marked a historic milestone for Vigan City in Ilocos Sur after being formally proclaimed as one of the world’s New Seven Wonder Cities during an inauguration ceremony held at the St. Paul Cathedral grounds. Among the Kapuso celebrities present in the said occasion were Benjamin Alves and Lauren Young as event hosts, together with Jaya and Jonalyn Viray as special guest performers. Consequently, a plaque of appreciation was awarded to GMA Network for mounting a successful inter-regional promotional campaign in support of the city’s bid to the coveted title last year.

Marian Rivera makes Bicolano smile at the Magayon Festival

Kapuso stars join the fun of the Bangus Festival. Among them are Dennis Trillo, Kris Bernal, and Tom Rodriguez

At the Pistay Dayat, Bianca Umali and Miguel Tanfelix thrill the crowd along with Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino

While Jaya and Jonalyn Viray entertain Ilocanos in Vigan

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To get comprehensive information about the products, just watch SkyCable channel 11 late night on aABS-CBN Channel 2.

F RIDAY : M AY 2 2 : 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ NEW VERSION OF

‘PANGAKO SA‘YO’ UNSPOOLS MONDAY ISAH V. RED ABS-CBN’s highly anticipated drama series Pangako Sa’yo, one of the network’s greatest love stories about romance, promises, and broken vows premieres Monday night. The series is making a grand comeback on primetime TV with a new set of stars to play the characters soap opera fans went gaga the first time it surfaced on the small screen. The new generation of TV fanatics will swoon to the love team of Kathryn Bernado and Daniel Padilla as they play the characters that made Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa a household name even as far as Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.

Joining Kathryn and Daniel in the series are three of the prized actors on the Kapamilya network – Angelica Panganiban, Ian Veneracion, and Jodi Sta. Maria.

The new version has three directors making sure this edition will surpass if not equal the first edition in both production quality and commercial success. The three – Rory Quintos, Dado Lumibao, and Olivia Lamasan _ take turns in grinding the pages of the new script adapted to the values an current mode of life of the new generation.

The story of the series revolves around the promise made to each other by a cook named Amor (Jodi) and a young man who grew up in a wealthy family named Eduardo (Ian). Because his family isn’t in favor of their relationship, Eduardo is forced to leave the woman he loves the most and marry the woman (Claudia played byAngelica Panganiban) whom his mother has chosen for him.

After many years, fate and love will test Eduardo and Claudia’ son Angelo (Daniel) as he faces the same fate as his father when he meets and falls in love with a simple young woman named Yna (Kathryn).

How will a vow change the lives of Eduardo, Amor, Claudia, Angelo, and Yna? Will their heart fall out of love because of each other’s broken promises?

Pangako Sa’yo is under the production of Star Creatives, the group that the drama series Maging Sino Ka Man, Magkaribal, Lobo, Imortal, Princess and I, Got to Believe,

Bridges of Love, and Forevermore.

First aired in 2000, Pangako Sa’yo was a major milestone in Philippine television as it wasn’t only the first drama series in the Philippines, but also the first ever Filipino series to conquer and make waves around the world. It has gained high popularity in more than 20 countries, including China, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. Cambodian Television Network (CTN) even bought its format from ABS-CBN in 2012 and created a Cambodian version.

HHHHH Broadcast journalist TJ Manotoc brings the latest and trending news to Filipinos who get their news online by rounding up the stories they need to know on abs-cbnNEWS.com’s two-minute newscast In The Loop.

Before 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, a new video is uploaded to abs-cbnNEWS.com/intheloop that sums up important developments about the nation and the world, entertainment, lifestyle, sports, as well as viral content on social media.

Also adding up to abs-cbnNEWS.com’s growing video content library is “TV Patrol’s” newest segment “Tara, Grets,” anchored

by Gretchen Fullido, which is available in its online version on abs-cbnNEWS.com/taragrets.

In the segment, Gretchen tries out different types of sports adventures and troops to the newest attractions in different parts of the country. She also goes behind the scenes in the hottest events in fashion and showbiz. ➜ Continued on C7

First aired in 2000, ‘Pangako Sa’yo’ was a major milestone in Philippine television as it wasn’t only the first drama series in the Philippines, but also the first ever Filipino series to conquer and make waves around the world

In the new re-imagining of the Pangako Sa Yo, Daniel Padilla plays Angelo Buenavista, and Kathryn Bernardo is Yna Macaspac, the characters played by then lovebirds Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa

Angelica Panganiban plays Claudia Buenvastia while Jodi Sta. Maria is Amor Powers

Ian Veneration plays Eduardo Buenavista