The Standard - 2015 June 16 - Tuesday

RotaRy club of manila newspapeR of the yeaR 2015 VOL. XXIX NO. 117 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 TUESday : JUNE 16, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

don’t join any party, Poe urged

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BI execs doctored wang Bo’s records

By Christine F. Herrera

Binay’s old party also decides to junk him

I M M I G R AT I O N officials fabricated case records of suspected Chinese crime lord Wang Bo to justify ordering his release on May 21, official government documents show.

By Macon R. Araneta PDP-LABAN, the party that launched the political career of Vice President Jejomar Binay in the 1980s, will not support his presidential bid in 2016, party president Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Monday.

At the sidelines of the Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel, Pimentel told reports that Binay was not in the list of candidates that the party will support in the coming elections.

“If Davao City Mayor (Rodrigo) Duterte will not run, the party will look for other candidates to endorse. But definitely, Vice President Binay will not be on that list,” said Pimentel, who had a falling out with Binay in 2013 over his recruitment of Pimentel’s political rival, former senator Miguel Zubiri, into the United Nationalist Alliance senatorial slate.

At the time, Pimentel said he would not share the stage during the campaign period with somebody who robbed him of his votes and deprived him of his Senate seat in 2010.

Pimentel filed a protest with the Senate Electoral Tribunal, which ruled in his favor toward the end of his term, most of which was served by Zubiri.

Binay left the PDP-Laban in 2014.

Pimentel, who chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee investigating corruption charges against Binay, has come out with a partial report recommending the filing of plunder charges against the vice president.

Asked if those charges were the reason PDP-Laban would not back Binay, Pimentel said “yes.”

The senator said they will support Duterte if he decides to seek the presidency. In the meantime, they will have to wait for his decision and give him enough space to pick his running mate, Pimentel added.

Pimentel said PDP-Laban was open to a vice presidential candidate from outside the party.

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A nine-page transcript of the May 21 Board of Commissioners’ meeting showed Commissioner Siegfred Mison and Deputy Commissioners Abdullah Mangotara and Gilberto Repizo agreed to make it appear that Wang had been admitted into the country so he could be charged as an “undesirable and undocumented alien, in possession of a cancelled passport, involved in illegal gambling in China.”

Wang was intercepted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Malaysia on Feb. 9 and had not been admitted into the country until May 21.

Instead of being sent back to Malaysia on the first flight out, Wang was held under custody, even though the bureau had never admitted him.

“What will we do now? How can we deport someone who is not admitted here in our country,” Mison asked.

“And we even detained him.

How do we explain that? Why don’t you answer that first? Because we might be exposed and the Chinese Embassy will get angry. They want to get a hold of this person.

That’s why we did that. Instead of excluding him, we let him in so that we can turn him over to the Chinese. But now we can’t turn him over based on that resolution (the May 21 releae order),” Mison said in Filipino.

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carpio: arbiters can stop chinese

Found him. After claiming that his client was missing, lawyer Dennis Manalo prepares to meet with

Chinese businessman Wang Bo, who is at the center of a multi-million-peso bribery scandal. Wang turned out to be held in isolation at the Bureau of Immigration detention facility in Taguig City. LINO SANTOS

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Not at all panicky. Senate President Franklin Drilon of the Liberal Party and Senator Aquilino Pimentel of the Partido ng Demokrating Pilipino-Laban explain to journalists some of their political plans in 2016 amid speculations that the parties are panicking because of the lack of winnable candidates. DANNY PATA

Binay’s old From A1...

“We just have to wait. Let us not preempt him... Anything is possible in politics, and of course, Mayor Duterte will be our standard bearer. We have defer, give him some elbow room in choosing his preferred running mate,” Pimentel said.

He said the party leadership will advise him to reach out to other parties or organized groups for a vice presidential candidate on the basis of shared political philosophy and program of government.

Speculation about a possible team-up of Duterte and Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Nacionalista Party was fueled Sunday when the two appeared on a Davao-based radio talk show.

Marcos said they have not talked about a possible partnership in 2016.

BI execs From A1...

Mison castigated his men and demanded answers and insisted that Wang should have been admitted first before he was charged with the issues raised by the Chinese Embassy.

A person identified as HRA— who turned out to be the bureau’s hearing officer, lawyer Homer Arellano, replied that Wang was not admitted because he was blacklisted.

Mison then said Repizo wanted to grant Wang’s motion for reconsideration to reverse the bureau’s summary deportation order, but said also said Wang could not be deported if he was not admitted.

Run as an independent, Osmena advises Grace

Osmena, who has been critical of the President, said running as an independent would shield Poe against “KKK” – the term used to describe Aquino’s former class-

mates, relatives and shooting buddies who occupy juicy posts in the administration.

He added that as an independent, Poe could avoid becoming a captive of any political group.

“You know, our political parties... they are just political cliques....they’re just temporary.

One year, he is with Lakas, the next year, he will join the Liberal Party,” Osmena told reporters in an ambush interview.

If ousted President Joseph Estrada had won in 2010, he added, all the politicians would have joined his Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino, Osmena added.

The only permanent interest among politicians is their own personal interests in their bailiwicks, the senator added.

“That’s a shifting alliance and you don’t want to be a captive of any group,” he added.

“You want to be independent.

You want to bring up your own set of bright men to serve the country with you in the Cabinet… so there’s no KKK,” Osmena advised Poe. The President has already met with Poe twice, and told her the Liberal Party was looking for an “alternative candidate” who could continue the reforms under his Daang Matuwid (straight path) program.

During their second meeting, the President advised Poe to be ready—although he made no offer to her to run under the Liberal Party banner, either for president or vice president.

Osmena also said Poe should not package herself with Senator Francis Escudero for 2016, saying she should “sell herself first.”

Poe has said she would be comfortable running with Escudero.

On Monday, Senate President and LP vice chairman Franklin Drilon refused to say if the Liberals would endorse their presumptive presidential candidate, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II. “Our party has a deep bench and the President is our chairman, our titular head. It is our view that the President [should] look at party members, but he consults everybody and it is within his prerogative to determine who can best continue the reforms he has started,” Drilon said.

“How can we deport someone who was not admitted in our country?” Mison said.

Arellano said there were instructions at the airport to bring Wang to the bureau immidately, but Mison said he should have been admitted first.

Arellano then proposed a “deferred admission.”

“Sir, what if we say there was no res judicata (a matter judged) and then furnish the Chinese Embassy with the resolution?”

Mangotara suggested.

Mison agreed.

“If the other members of the board will be comfortable, I agree with the proposed resolution, except that before we sign it we need to fix the paperwork. We cannot deport someone who was not admitted,” Mison said.

The May 21 release order, writ-

ten by Repizo, directed acting chief of the Immigration Regulation Division to “make a deferred admission on the respondent Wang Bo’s Passport G28622643 with date of arrival on 10 February 2015.”

But documents marked as Annex F and G showed the recall of an exclusion order and effected admission over Wang in order to initiate deportation proceedings.

Based on detention records, Wang was already committed at the BI Warden’s Facility on Feb. 10 or before the recall exclusion was issued.

All three commissioners signed the May 21 release order that reversed the summary deportation order and lifted the blacklist order issued against Wang.

The release order also directed the release and return of Wang’s passport.

It also directed Wang to update his stay and visa within 30 days from receipt of the May 21 resolution.

“Can we decide and sign the resolution as written? Are we comfortable with that? Mison asked Mangotara and Repizo.

“Since I’m the proponent, Sir… Of course I’m pushing for this and this is without prejudice,” Repizo replied.

“Let’s include in the order a directive to admit this person on this on such a date,” Mison told the board.

On Monday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima debunked claims

by Wang’s lawyer that his client had gone missing.

Wang remained detained in isolation at the Bureau of Immigration’s facility in Bicutan, she said.

De Lima also denied that Wang was also being kept from his law-

yer, Dennis Manalo.

She said Wang’s lawyer can always rask her permission and she would allow him to see his client.

De Lima said she provided strict instructions that no one would have any access to Wang unless there was clearance from her.

“I just want to make sure that he (Wang) is not being accessed by the wrong people... that would exploit this issue. This issue only became controversial because of the first speculation that came out, which is… absolutely preposterous,” she said, referring to allegations that money that Wang paid for his release went to bribe lawmakers to approve the Bangsamoro Basic Law and to Liberal Party campaign funds.

“That one I can assure you is totally without any basis or truth,” she added. – With Rey E. Requejo

By Macon R. Araneta

SENATOR Grace Poe should run as an independent if she decides to seek the presidency in 2016 to avoid undue influence from friends and allies of President Benigno Aquino III, Senator Sergio Osmena III said Monday.

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Carpio: Arbiters can stop China SUPREME Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Monday said the Philippine government should ask the Netherlandsbased Permanent Court of Arbitration to issue a provision measure ordering China to stop its reclamation and construction activities in the disputed South China Sea.

Presidential legacy. Former President Fidel Ramos and Centro Escolar University president Dr. Ma. Cristina Padolina unveil the Fidel Ramos Collection at the CEU library. DANNY PATA

Will MILF surrender SAF 44’s guns?

THE authorities still do not know whether today’s initial decommissioning of the MILF’s combatants and firearms will include the 38 highpowered firearms out of the 44 taken by its fighters from the 44 police commandos slain in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Jan. 29 this year, an official said Monday.

PNP Public Information Office Chief Wilfredo Franco said they had no specific knowledge whether the 38 weapons of the 44 commandos would be included in the turnover of MILF firearms to the international Independent Decommissioning Body.

So far, the MILF has only returned 16 firearms to the government, but the authorities hope the group will finally surrender those weapons in the decommissioning process.

Franco expressed optimism that the MILF would return the slain commandos’ firearms in the symbolic turnover,

a move that he said “will build trust and confidence.”

“We hope the MILF will be moving towards that by unilaterally giving the firearms of SAF,” Franco said.

President Benigno Aquino III will lead today’s turnover of weapons and decommissioning of the combatants of the MILF in Sultan Kudarat.

“As part of our ongoing peace-building efforts, the government and the the Moro Islamic Liberation Front will hold tomorrow [Tuesday] the first phase of the decommissioning of the MILF’s weapons and combatants,” presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

He said phase 1 involved the ceremonial turnover of 75 high-powered and crewserved weapons and the decommissioning of 145 members of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

Armed Forces Chief Gregorio Catapang Jr. on Mon-

day said Tuesday’s decommissioning was a historic event and praised what he described as the MILF’s commitment to peace.

“What is laudable here is that the MILF is voluntarily turning in their firearms in an environment that continues to have other armed groups,” Catapang said.

The Joint Verification and Monitoring Team of the Independent Decommissioning Body its still validating the total number of firearms in the MILF’s inventory to know whether those firearms are government-owned.

Sources said most of the MILF’s firearms were secured from several ambush operations against government forces at the height of the MILF’s secessionist movement in the 198’s.

“Inventory is taking place, and we are validating the total firearms in the inventory of the MILF,” Franco said.

The PNP will took part in

the symbolic turn-over by designating three police commissioned officers who will assist the four members of the Independent Decommissioning Body what will oversee the decommissioning of the MILF’s forces and weapons.

Franco identified them as Chief Inspectors RandallLyon Bueno, Filmore Calib and Christopher Muego.

The Joint Verification and Monitoring Team is led by a foreign independent expert with a member each from the government and the MILF. The JVMT will supervise the 30-member Joint Peace and Security Team or JPST that is responsible for securing the mutually-agreed upon Weapons Storage area.

The JPST is made up of 15 members from the government’s army and police and an equal number from the MILF. Francisco Tuyay, Sandy Araneta and Florante S. Solmerin

Carpio in a forum bewailed China’s continuing reclamation and construction activities, saying it was able to destroy the reefs in less than two months.

China has created about 2,000 acres of reclaimed land on seven reefs—Subi Reef, Gaven Reef, Mischief Reef, Johnson Reef, Fiery Cross Reef, Chigua Reef and Calderon Reef.

Reports have also indicated that China has transitioned from reclamation to infrastructure development, insisting it was doing its activities in its territory.

“Seventy percent of fish in the Philippines are spawned here…Carried by the tides to Palawan and even Vietnam. So this is our food source and China doesn’t care,” Carpio told the forum “Towards Common Actions on Maritime Commons— Safeguarding Maritime Security in Asia Through Regional Cooperation,” in Ortigas.

“The Philippines can ask the Tribunal to issue a provisional measure directing China to stop its reclamation to prevent serious harm to the marine environment…Even if China ignores it, the world will know China is defying an international order,” Carpio said.

He said only the Philippines could put up structures and artificial islands at Subi Reef.

In Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Chinese envoy who claimed that the

Philippines’ claim to the South China Sea was “erroneous and totally wrong” was himself “erroneous” in coming out with his statement.

“The Chinese envoy [Wang Min] is entitled to his erroneous opinion,” Lacierda said.

Wang claimed that China’s reclamation in the South China Sea would not undermine the other countries’ lawful right to freedom of navigation in the area.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Monday the Philippine government will aim to settle its dispute with China peacefully through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The United Nations Arbitral Tribunal will hold a hearing in July to decide if it should handle the Philippines’ protest against China over the latter’s activities in the South China Sea, Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said.

On Jan. 22, 2013, the Philippines filed an arbitration case before the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, arguing that China’s so-called “nine-dash-line” claim—a tongue-shaped encirclement that covers nearly the entire South China Sea—did not conform with the UNCLOS and therefore was not valid on the basis of internationally-accepted maritime laws. Rey E. Requejo, Sandy Araneta and Vito Barcelo

Miriam follows up with ‘More’

By Macon R. Araneta SENATOR Miriam Defensor-Santiago launched Stupid is Forevermore, the second installment in her best-selling collection of jokes, quotes and anecdotes, on her 70th birthday on Monday.

The senator, who was diagnosed with stage-4 lung cancer in June last year, released the book following the success of Stupid is Forever, her first book on humor.

And like that book, Stupid is Forevermore was produced by ABS-CBN Publishing Inc. and is now being distributed exclusively

by National Book Store.

“I was pleasantly surprised with the strong public support for Stupid is Forever, so

I decided to publish a second book,” Santiago said.

National Book Store said Stupid is Forever sold more than 350,000 copies, a record for a local publication.

And like Stupid is Forever, the 140-page Stupid is Forevermore highlights Santiago’s sharp wit and, at times, dark humor.

The longest chapter in the second book, Overheard at the Senate, was taken from her privilege speeches and the transcripts of her press conferences.

“We should never underestimate the power of humor especially among Filipinos, and most especially in politics,” Santiago said.

“When the debates turn ugly or the legalese is too

hifalutin, humor is a way for us all to see eye to eye.”

But Santiago urged the public to remain wary of politicians who always resort to jokes to evade serious questions.

“Humor has its limits: those who overly use it show that they should not be taken seriously as public servants,” she said.

Santiago has said running for President will be one of her options in case she is cured of cancer.

She remains on medical leave as a result of it, but she continues to fulfill her duties as a senator when necessary.

She also remains the senator who has filed the most number of bills and resolutions in the Senate.

Bangsamoro land reform. Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao officials Amihilda Sangcopan (right) and Laisa Alamia (left) launch a website during the 27 th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. OMAR MANGORSI

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PH still not ready for viral contagion

By Macon R. Araneta

TB screening. Inmates of the Quezon City Jail undergo screening for tuberculosis in a joint project of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the International Committee on Red Cross. LINO SANTOS

Number of Pinoy maids abroad goes down by 20%

By Vito Barcelo and Julito Rada THE number of Filipinos who have gone abroad to work as domestic helpers has declined by 20 percent over a five-month period, indicating the many of the Filipino household workers now prefer to work here, according to the Department of Labor and Employment.

“I have received a report from Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Hans Leo J. Cacdac that the deployment of newly-hired OFWs who are working as household service workers have decreased by 20 percent from January to May 2015,” Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

In his report, Cacdac said the number of newly-hired HSW went down from 70,034 to only 55,961 during the period.

“Saudi Arabia leads the countries

with decreased number of newlyhired HSWs, registering only 20,949 compared to 26,570 in 2014; followed by United Arab Emirates which hired only 215 HSW in 2015 compared to 13,440 in 2014; and Hong Kong, which received only 5,825 HSWs compared to 8,409 in 2014,” Cacdac said.

Other countries which posted a decrease in the number of Filipino maids hired during the period are Singapore with only 3,798 in 2015 from 4,853 in 2014, Bahrain from

2,029 to 1,982, Malaysia from 4,179 to only 1,725, Cyprus from 424 to only 322, Brunei from 273 to only 147 and Macau from 143 to only 75.

“While the data is preliminary, it is very encouraging,” Baldoz said, attributing the decrease to the reforms being implemented by the government to enhance the welfare and protection of OFWs. Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported on Monday that the money sent home by Filipinos working overseas in April grew by 5.1 percent to $2.015 billion from $1.918 billion in 2014.

This brought cash remittances in the first four months to $7.807 billion, 5.4 percent higher than the $7.409 billion in the same period last year.

“Cash remittances from landbased [$5.9 billion] and sea-based [$1.9 billion] workers increased by 5.3 and 5.6 percent, respectively. The major sources of cash remittances were the United States, Saudi

Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Canada,” the Bangko Sentral said.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, grew by 4.9 percent to $2.233 billion from $2.128 billion on year. This brought personal remittances in the first four months to $8.647 billion, 5.1 percent higher than the $8.228 billion a year ago.

The bulk of these inflows, or 74 percent, consisted of remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more which amounted to $6.4 billion.

About one-fourth (24 percent) of personal remittances came from seabased and land-based workers with work contracts of less than one year, while nearly 2 percent were other household-to-household transfers such as those from migrants sending money to their relatives in the Philippines.

A YEAR after raising concerns about the health sector’s ability to control highly-contagious diseases like Ebola or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) viruses, private hospitals still doubt the country’s readiness to stop a local contagion.

Physician Rustico Jimenez, president of the Private Hospital Association Philippines (PHAP), made the assessment as South Korea on Monday reported its 16th death in an expanding MERS outbreak with five new patients from the total number of cases of 150.

“I think not all hospitals are ready,” Jimenez said in Filipino during an interview with radio station dzMM. “Some hospitals may have infection control committees, but only a handful are sufficiently knowledgeable about that.

So if we get many patients, we may not be able to handle it,” Jimenez added.

As early as last year, Jimenez raised the hospital group’s concerns about the country’s ability to control an outbreak of contagious diseases, like Ebola or MERS, because of the lack of quarantine facilities.

The government itself admitted that it could not claim to be 100 percent ready highly-contagious diseases but the Department of Health has undertaken measures in case a deadly virus emerges in the country.

The DOH has already identified facilities and started to gather the logistics that will be needed in the event a case of MERS or Ebola arises from the hundreds of thousands of Filipinos overseas. - With AFP

SC resumes session today

Seeking the presidency. Former Presidential Commission on Good Government chairman Camilo Sabio files a petition asking the Supreme Court junk an Ombudsman and Court of Appeals decision barring him from public office. Sabio is seeking the reinstatement of his political rights so he can run for president in 2016. DANNY PATA

THE Supreme Court will resume today its session after a six-week decision-writing recess, with its hands full of controversial cases, including a petition questioning the constitutionality of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. However, an SC insider revealed that petition filed by a certain Rolando Mijares against the proposed BBL would likely be dismissed outright for being premature.

“There’s no law passed yet to challenge.

That’s an obviously premature petition,” the Court official who requested anonymity said.

The high court is also expected to deliberate on the petition of detained Senator Juan Ponce Enrile questioning the denial of the Ombudsman office for his request for bills of particulars in the plunder case against him in connection to the pork barrel fund scam.

Other pork barrel cases-related petitions of detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Enrile’s

former chief-of-staff, lawyer Gigi Reyes, are also included in the long agenda of the justices today.

The SC will also tackle the plea of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macagapagal-Arroyo to be allowed to post bail in her remaining plunder case that was rejected by the Sandiganbayan.

Also in the agenda are the separate cases involving the Anti-Money Laundering Council probe against Vice President Jejomar Binay and the Ombudsman’s suspension order against Makati Mayor Junjun Binay Jr., both over the construction of the Makati City Hall Building 2.

The SC will also discuss the petition filed last month by lawyer Jesus Nicardo Falcis III seeking to allow same-sex marriage in the country by declaring as unconstitutional provisions of the Family Code that laid down the legal framework for the ban on same-sex marriage.

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Palace bucks Recto spending scheme

By Sandy Araneta MalacaÑang on Monday opposed Senator Ralph Recto’s proposal to rechannel a chunk of unutilized funds to health as a cure for chronic government underspending.

“In the recent Cabinet meeting, the President (Benigno Aquino III) instructed all relevant agencies to make sure that funds allocated to them be spent in a manner as intended in their respective budgets,” said Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.

“We expect a higher government spending in the next quarters,” Lacierda also said.

Recto earlier pointed out that state funds should be specifically given to indigent patients because “this is one kind of expenditure which will not be bogged down by absorptive issues.”

Recto’s statement followed findings that five years into its term, the Aquino administration is still grappling with the problem of spending chokepoints.

“If money is not optimized in projects which are slow-moving, then shift it to the sick who need money for fast-acting cure,” he said.

Recto said mechanisms are already in place in the Department of Health (DoH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local governments – which run provincial, district, and municipal hospitals – to handle funds which can be given as direct aid to indigent patients.

“For example, in public hospitals, there’s a shortage of chemotherapy drugs, dialysis machines.

In wards, the buy-your-owndextrose rule prevails,” he said.

Recto said that there are things which are not complicated to procure.

“It is easier to buy a hospital bed than an MRT train. Or the other alternative is to augment funds that DWSD, DoH and local governments give out as financial assistance to the sick,” he said.

“I’m not saying that health should be the default recipient of stuck-up funds. My prescription is to shift maybe a portion of hard-to-obligate allotments to health because there are waiting, deserving, visible recipients who can spend these fast,” he said.

Public hospitals, he said, are crammed with people in need of government aid.

In the first quarter of the year, government expenditures fell 13 percent of target, following last year’s trend of scrimping which resulted in a budget deficit of P73.1 billion, or about a fourth of what was programmed.

Ramadan-ready. The Muslim community in Quiapo sets up booths displaying Muslim wares as it prepares for the month-long feast of Ramadan this week. DiAnA B. nochE ‘

‘Arroyo poll bid up to Sandiganbayan, Comelec’ MALACAÑAng is leaving it up to the Sandiganbayan and the Commission on Elections to decide whether or not to allow former President and now Pampanga Rep. gloria Macapagal Arroyo to run for re-election in next year’s polls.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that “As she (Arroyo) is presently under hospital arrest, it is not within the authority of the Executive branch to decide or adjudicate that matter.”

Arroyo lawyer Raul Lambino said she will seek reelection for a third and final term despite her continued detention at the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center.

“We’re confident that her cabalen (town mates) will continue to give her their trust in 2016,” said Lambino.

Arroyo has been under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center since 2012 pending the resolution of her plunder case at the Sandiganbayan

over her alleged misuse of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) intelligence funds.

Lambino declined to give details as to how Arroyo plans to campaign in the second district of Pampanga, which she represents in Congress.

Lambino said that Arroyo was already detained when she won a second term.

Arroyo won by a landslide in the 2013 local polls against three other candidates, one of whom was fielded by the ruling Liberal Party.

For the past few years she has been detained, she continued to perform well in Congress and wrote several bills. She also continued to attend to the needs of her district and her constituents, Lambino said.

The House of Representative’s legislative information system showed Arroyo has authored or co-authored a total of 257 national and local bills in the 16th Congress

from July 1, 2013 to June 11, 2015.

Earlier this month, Congress formally adopted House Resolution 2153 recommending house arrest for Arroyo.

While the resolution is non-binding and will have no effect on her pending petition for house arrest before the Sandiganbayan, Lambino said the measure may have some persuasive effect, if at all, because it is an expression of the public’s current sentiment about Arroyo’s situation as coursed through their representatives.

Arroyo’s allies have been appealing for the Sandiganbayan to allow the former President to be detained at either of her residences in La Vista, Quezon City or Lubao, Pampanga, citing her frail health.

The former President is suffering from cervical spine radiculopathy and degenerative lumbar spine disease.

Sandy Araneta

Ex-boxer wins collection suit vs ex-justice

By Rey E. Requejo

ESpinoSA

THE Court of Appeals has ordered the family of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Minita Chico-nazario to pay former world boxing champion Luisito Espinosa more than P17 million, representing his guaranteed purse plus interest for successfully defending his World Boxing Council featherweight title in 1997.

In a 29-page decision, the CA’s Second Division Associate Justice Ramon Cruz set aside the ruling issued by the Manila City Regional Trial Court dismissing Espinosa’s complaint for sum of money with damages against the promoters and organizers of his fight.

The appellate court instead directed the estate of deceased Rodolfo nazario and his legal heirs namely his wife, Minita, and their children Roderick nazario, Rommel nazario and Karen Patricia nazarioBouzaid, to pay Espinosa the amount of

$130,349; interest thereon at the rate of 12 percent per annum counted from the date of judicial demand on May 25, 1998 until June 30, 2013; and interest thereon at the rate of six percent from July 1, 2013 until full satisfaction.”

The appellate court gave weight to the letter of guarantee submitted by the boxer as proof of the defendants’ obligation to pay.

The CA did not give merit to nazario’s defense that he merely signed the agreement as an accommodation party.

Associate Justices Remedios SalazarFernando and Marlene gonzale-Sison concurred with the ruling.

The controversy arose from the complaint filed by Espinosa along with his manager Joe Koizumi on May 26, 1998 for sum of money against governor Hilario de Pedro III, nazario and Joselito Mondejar.

The complaint alleged that on October 16, 1997, Koizumi, de Pedro, nazario

and Mondejar entered into a contract for staging of the WBC World Featherweight title bout between Espinosa and contender Carlos Rios of Argentina to be held in Koronadal, South Cotabato on December 6, 1997.

Under the contract, defendants de Pedro, nazario and Mondejar as local promoters and organizers of the title fight, were bound to pay Espinosa’s camp the guaranteed purse of US$150,000 and the training expenses of US$10,000.

The contract also stipulated that by the end of October 31, 1997, defendants agreed to pay the boxer the advance of US$50,000 which is one-third of the purse plus the training expenses of US$10,000, totaling to US$60,000.

A few days before the scheduled fight, inly US$29,651 was paid by defendants to Espinosa’s camp, which is not even one-half of the US$60,000, which the defendants were supposed to pay in advance.

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A6 Businessmen back MMDA’s quake drill SEVERAL business organizations on Monday agreed with the plan of the Metro Manila Development Authority to conduct a metro-wide earthquake drill on July 30.

In a meeting held at the Thai Dusit Hotel in Makati City, MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said active participation of the business sectors are needed for their people to be prepared in time of a big disaster.

“They fully agreed with this event and we are very thankful for their support,” said Tolentino.

The MMDA chief said the July 30 event will be similar to the “Great California ShakeOut”, an earthquake preparedness drill that took place on November 13, 2008, where 5.3 million people participated.

The drill involved homes, businesses, schools, churches and communities across Southern California and also featured week-long events to connect communities with preparedness resources and the information and knowledge to prepare, respond, and recover in the event of a disaster.

Among the business groups who attended the meeting were Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Management Association of the Philippines and Bankers Association of the Philippines and Industry. Joel Zurbano

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Witness testifies: I gave Jinggoy P19m

By Rio N. Araja FOR the first time, state witness Ruby Tuason on Monday took the witness stand and said she delivered P19 million to Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada from his Priority Development Assistance Fund that went to Janet Lim Napoleslinked ghost foundations.

During the hearing on Estrada’s bail plea, Tuason told the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division that she was the bagman for Estrada.

She said she was a close and long-time friend of former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

The younger Estrada used to call her as “Tita Ruby,” she added.

She said she handed over a total of P19 million to Estrada on several occasions at the house of the Estradas in Greenhills, San Juan City; in his office at the Senate, and his satellite office at the Pacific Star Building. But she said she could not remember the individual amounts of her delivered money.

Despite her closeness with the Es-

trada family, she distanced herself when news about the P10-billion pork barrel fund scam broke out.

“I choose the truth,” she told the court.

She said there was a time when the senator refused to accept his supposed P5.7-million commission when the Department of Budget and Management had released his Special Allotment Release Order for his pork barrel fund.

According to Tuason, Estrada told him to inform Napoles that he was no longer interested to push through with another project with her.

But a friend of Napoles, one Tet, told her that Estrada’s P37.5-million project had actually material-

ized, she said.

The Fifth Division has set the continuation of Tuason’s testimony on June 29.

Estrada was accompanied by his parents, sister Jackie, brother Jude, son and wife Precy.

After the bail hearing, Estrada said Tuason was telling lies just to “save herself.”

The Manila mayor, for his part, said he was close to the late husband of Tuason, and not to Tuason herself.

Senator Estrada is facing plunder and 11 counts of graft raps for allegedly receiving kickbacks from his PDAF allocations channeled to non-government organizations engineered by Napoles.

Samahang Plaridel launches campaign THE Samahang Plaridel has mounted a campaign, “Boto Mo Future ko”, calling on all Filipino voters to always consider the welfare of their children, in particular, and the coming generation, in general, in their individual decisions on political and national issues.

The group, officially known as the Association of Philippine Journalists Samahang Plaridel Foundation, Inc., hopes to instill in the voters’ mind-and-heart that their decisions today will always affect the fate of the coming generation.

Samahang Plaridel hopes to achieve its objective via a nationwide information drive in partnership with individuals, non-government organizations (NGOs), the academe and other public and private entities that share its commitment to work for a better tomorrow for the present and coming generations of Filipinos.

“With this advocacy, we’re hoping to generate a strong consciousness among voters of today to constantly take into account the welfare of the young when deciding on who and what to vote for,” says Samahang Plaridel chairman, Neal H. Cruz of Daily Inquirer.

Manila Standard publisher and association president, Rolando G. Estabillo, explains the advocacy is a “non-partisan, non-sectarian effort, the sole intention of which is to act as a catalyst in creating a pro-future mindset among Filipino voters.”

A five-man group tasked to manage the “Boto mo Future ko” drive is chaired by Lito Gagni of Market Monitor, with the following as members: Jimmy Gil of DZBB; Ariel Ayala of Radyo Veritas; Twinkle Valdez, formerly of ABS-CBN, and Ernesto Y. Tolentino, managing director of Kontra-Partido Productions, who will also serve as project director.

Railways repair. Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, left , oversees the rehabilitation of a portion of PNR tracks in Paco district of Manila on Monday June 15. PNR suspended regular operations to make way for much-needed maintenance check and repairs. DANNY PATA

Banned items, phones seized from inmates, scam suspects

By Rey E. Requejo MORE contraband and other prohibited items such as cellular phones were found not only in the detention cells of the 19 inmates from the New Bilibid Prison who were temporarily isolated at the National Bureau of Investigation, but also of other highprofile inmates.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said cellular phones, chargers and communication devices were also recovered from the regular detention cells housing former Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co and pyramiding scam suspect Jachob “Coco” Rasuman.

De Lima said the items were recovered during a surprise inspection on Sunday.

“Yesterday, we conducted a surprise inspection after I got a tip a few days ago so we went there with the counter-intelligence division of the NBI and lo and behold, the information was positive. Both Detention

Rooms 1 and 2, we confiscated cellular phones, chargers ay Wi-fi. The information provides that iphones were hidden in washing machines,” De Lima said, in an interview.

According to De Lima, the Detention Rooms 1 and 2 were just beside those housing the 19 Bilibid inmates and where Co and Rasuman are being held.

Co and his wife, Priscilla, were charged with syndicated estafa in connection with their alleged involvement in the multi-billion Aman scam perpetrated by Manuel Amalilio.

Rasuman was also charged with the same offense though for another pyramiding scam also in Mindanao.

De Lima said she would meet with NBI Director Virgilio Mendez and Deputy Director Jose Doloiras to address the problem, adding that if the guards were serious in doing their duty, then the smuggling of such prohibited items would not have taken place.

Clean water. Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos signs an agreement with Manila Water for cleaning the esteros going to the Pasig River during a ceremony held at the Mandaluyong City Hall. City residents are taking part in the campaign to clean up the esteros under a “Toka-toka” arrangement. MANNY PALMERO

T u e s d ay : J u n e 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

A7

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Standing in line. A boy walks among mats made in Bohol.

MICHELLE ALVAREZ

Survivors relive Ilocos battle 10 guerillas who fought on Bessang Pass attend 70th anniversary

By Ben Cal CERVANTES, ILOCOS SUR—Despite their advancing age, 10 of the few remaining Filipino guerrillas who saw action during the battle at Bessang Pass on June 14, 1945, showed up at the 70th anniversary celebration on Sunday on the very spot where the epic battle took place that crushed the last Japanese stronghold in the Philippines and hastened the surrender Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita three months later.

The former guerrilla fighters now in the 90s who attended the historic celebration were Sgt. Hilario H. Nisperos, Pvt. Enrique V. Malag, Pvt. Vicente E. Elefante, Pvt. Trionidad B. Galutan, Pvt. David Pascua, Pvt. Emiliano

G. Padac, Pvt. Marcos M. Timidan, Pvt. Sanson V. del Rosario, Pvt. Jose F. Tadifa, Pvtt. Leandro R. Garrino and Pvt. Eufrosino T. Torrado.

The former guerrillas went up the towering 5,250-foot Bessang Pass Mountain where the

Japanese Imperial Forces had established their fortress shortly after they invaded the Philippines on Dec. 8,1941.

The celebration was spearheaded by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) headed by Lt. Gen. Ernesto G. Carolina (ret.), in coordination with the Ilocos Sur provincial government.

Ilocos Sur officials who attended the historic celebration were Congressman Eric D. Singson (2nd District, Ilocos Sur),Vice Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano, and Mayor Ben Maggay of the town of Cervantes.

Following the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942, Filipino and American forces regrouped as guerrilla fighters and attempt-

ed time and time again to capture Bessang Pass to no avail.

But they never gave up, always making probing attacks on the mountain fortress and in 1944, the Americans secretly unloaded thousands of arms and ammunition in Darigayo Point in La Union and distributed them to the Filipino guerrillas to continue the war against the Japanese invaders.

Now fully armed to the teeth, the Filipino guerrillas launched their attacks on the Japanese fortress in January 1945 until June 14, 1945 when the thousands of Japanese forces retreated after Filipino guerrillas stormed and captured Bessang Pass following a bloody fierce battle and air assault by American planes.

The Battle at Bessang Pass was the biggest victory scored

by Filipino guerrillas against the Japanese during World War 2.

During the 70th anniversary of the historic Bessang Pass battle, Sgt. Nisperos related to this writer what transpired during the bloody fighting.

At 93, Sgt. Nisperos vividly remembers the fighting that occurred 70 years ago.

“As we moved up towards the summit of the mountain fortress where the Japanese had positioned, we received machine fire. We took cover behind big bolder of stones and along the way and engaged the Japanese in close quarter fightijng,” Nisperos said.

Despite the great odds the

freedom fighters pushed their luck to the limits even if it meant they had to sacrifice their lives for the sake of the Filipino people who wanted their freedom back. For the guerillas they had reached the point-of-no-return fighting the foreign invaders until they were driven away. It was a passion every guerilla fighter had nurtured in their heart even if many of them were only armed with bolos. But these bolo men had helped much supporting the guerilla movement by doing other chores such as intelligence work, relaying vital documents t the next unit even it meant they had to cross mountains and rivers because they had no radio communications system. PNA

Ecija gov sets condition before recognizing new town mayor

By Ferdie G.Domingo

PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija—Gov. Aurelio Umali said yesterday the provincial government is not recognizing the assumption as mayor of Vice Mayor Ruben Huerta in place of dismissed Mayor Lucio Uera without any directive from higher authorities such as the Department of the Interior and Local Governments and the Court of Appeals.

“The DILG has to step in and tell us to recognize Vice Mayor Huerta. You cannot go by inference (educated guess) in implementing the law,” Umali, a lawyer said.

Umali was explaining the refusal of the provincial gov-

ernment to give recognition to injunction that would disallow Huerta as the lawful mayor af- Huerta from assuming the post.

Huerta has been holding office ter the expiration of the 60-day Temporary Restraining Order and discharging his functions as issued by the CA last May 24 mayor at the vice mayor’s office and Uera’s failure to obtain a since May 25, a day after the TRO granted Uera expired. He previwrit of preliminary injunction.

He said when the CA issued ously assumed office as mayor last the TRO, it told Huerta to com- March 18 but left on March 24 afply with the order “until further ter Uera’s camp secured the TRO. In a memorandum issued notice.”

“You can’t just remove an of- to his own sets of chiefs of official without the notice from fices, Huerta informed them the CA and the DILG. And so that he reassumed as mayor my advice to Vice Mayor Huerta while First Councilor Vincent is why does he not wait for these Uera has assumed his post as orders to come out?” he said. vice mayor based on a direcUera, dismissed by the Of- tive from DILG Undersecrefice of the Ombudsman, refused tary Austere Panadero.

He also informed Umali of to vacate his office even in the absence of a writ of preliminary his assumption.

Long day. Farm boys and their animals trek home after a working the whole day in Tabuk, Kalinga. DAVID CHAN

A8

T u E S D AY : J u N E 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDitor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

eaGle eyes Dean tony la ViÑa

Before PoPe francis, our BishoPs sPoke

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Ceremonial sinCerity tHE Bangsamoro islamic Armed Forces of the Moro islamic Liberation Front will turn over 38 high-powered firearms to the independent decommissioning Body as part of the peace agreement it signed with the Philippine government.

The body is still determining the total number of firearms that should be turned over and whether or not those firearms are owned by the government. it is said that part of the rebel group’s cache of firearms were obtained from slain soldiers and policemen, including the 44 police commandos killed in Mamasapano in January.

President Benigno Aquino iii will lead the first phase of the decommissioning process in a ceremony today.

MiLF panel chairman Mohagher iqbal said the decommissioning process was one of the most difficult decisions of the MiLF, but was quick to add that “for the sake of peace, for the sake of having real peace in Mindanao and for the sake of the need for normalization [of] the lives of the people including the combatants, we have to undertake decommissioning and put them [arms and forces] beyond use.”

We understand how difficult getting rid of their firearms could be for the MiLF, which is why we also doubt whether iqbal speaks for the many other leaders and members of their organization.

The administration is upbeat. “The event marks a significant step forward in the peace process, not only because it fosters mutual trust, but also because this decommissioning is in itself unprecedented. Apart from the MiLF, no other armed organization in conflict with the Philippine government has voluntarily agreed to turn over its weapons as part of a peace agreement,” according to Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

“With this, we remain optimistic that the future will bring more positive developments, cognizant that—together with our brothers and sisters in Mindanao—we can achieve peace and inclusive prosperity through unity,” Lacierda added.

Nice words, but we doubt too whether the symbolic turnover guarantees that the MiLF would follow through on its commitment to extend its hand to surrender its firearms and other weapons to the government. it’s a good start, but we would like to see other acts which tell us the MiLF is sincere not just about putting on a show of peace but achieving it, not only for its members but for all the people of Mindanao. it can start with acknowledging its role in the Mamasapano massacre – especially since the terrorists had been living in its lair for years and since an autopsy of many of the 44 killed showed they were shot at close range. it can then also come clean about the aliases of iqbal and its other top leaders, because identity is crucial to accountability. The agreements they sign and bind themselves to are only as effective as the names they use and the good faith they had during the act of signing. it can tell us how it intends to rein in its renegades and splinter groups, who can just as easily say they are not bound with what the MiLF promised.

We’ll be watching the decommissioning, but it will take more than a ceremony to convince us that inclusive peace in Mindanao is what truly drives its actions.

Mar’s destiny lowDown jojo a. robles A gRAduAtiNg BS Biology student from the university of the Philippines in diliman has set an academic record that will be awfully hard to beat. tiffany grace uy, summa cum laude, garnered a general weighted average of 1.0049 after earning perfect 1.0 grades in all the courses she took towards her

diploma, with the exception of one subject, where she received a grade of 1.25.

Hey, nobody’s perfect. *** Everybody keeps talking about Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator grace Poe and, increasingly, davao City Mayor Rodrigo duterte.

Nobody, it seems, wants to talk about interior and Local government Secretary Mar Roxas. it must really be hard to be Roxas, whom everybody is calling the presumptive

presidential candidate of the ruling Liberal Party, these days. Right now, it seems as if only his mother – who reportedly started campaigning for him recently in their eponymous hometown of Roxas City – actually believes he will win.

President Noynoy Aquino will not categorically endorse Roxas this late in the game, something that is keeping the diLg secretary from actually launching his campaign.

And Roxas will probably not run unless he has Aquino’s

A9

it’s roxas’ destiny, it seems, not to become President, no matter how much he desires the job.

endorsement – and the resources that come with his anointing as the chosen successor and the sole inheritor of “daang matuwid.”

Aquino, of course, has already said that he will most likely identify his anointed one during his last State of the Nation Address next month, when he will preside over the formal reopening of the current Congress at the Batasang Pambansa.

And despite Aquino’s claim that Roxas remains at the top of his list for successors, there simply is no guarantee that Aquino’s former running mate, best bud and

loyal spear-carrier is going to be it.

And it really has to do with the failure of Roxas to make any headway in the popularity surveys, where he has languished in the low single-digit territory for the longest time. Roxas simply doesn’t seem to have the charisma that will connect with voters, and Aquino can’t really be faulted for fearing that his vaunted endorsement powers will be wasted on a candidate who will not win in the

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-

presidential elections next May. Aquino is by no means the only one in the administration party who thinks that he will be backing the wrong horse—and suffer all the dire consequences of that decision —if he supports Roxas. in fact, the continuing courtship by Aquino of Senator grace Poe has been taken by many within the Liberal Party and its allied groups as a sign that perhaps they, too, shouldn’t put all their eggs in the basket labeled

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

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can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

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“Mar.” Some LP bigwigs have actually declared in public that Roxas should not wait for Aquino’s endorsement and declare his intentions right now. Apparently, if Roxas declares for the presidency, the turncoats in the LP will have an opportunity to see if his campaign will gain any traction, before they decide to join him or junk him in favor of Poe or somebody else.

Continued on A11

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

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

Ma. Isabel “Gina” P. Versoza Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

tHuRSdAy, June 18, 2015, is a big day for the Catholic Church, and an important and good day for the world, many are saying. With the release of the papal encyclical, “Laudato sii: On the Care of our Common Home”, Pope Francis speaks truth to power and teaches the faithful and all persons of good will about our responsibility for god’s creation and for each other. i must confess that i am filled with desire and anticipation as i wait for the release of Laudato Sii. i have worked on environmental issues for 30 years now (and on climate change for the past 27 years when i chose it as my dissertation topic in yale Law School). i believe the papal encyclical will affirm this life work and will also be a fresh breath of the spirit renewing not just myself as an individual but the environmental community to which i belong. Hopefully, Laudato Sii will also change hearts and minds in all countries and finally we will be able to take effective action to address climate change and other serious sustainable development challenges.

Pope Francis will surely speak clearly and prophetically about the environment on thursday. But decades before, in 1988 to be precise, our very own bishops also did this. to honor the leaders of our local Church and a way of preparing for the release of the papal encyclical, i use below the most important ideas in “What is happening to our beautiful land?” – the pastoral letter on ecology issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on January 29, 1988.

The CBCP letter did not mince words about what we were already facing at that time: “to put it simply: our country is in peril. All the living systems on land and in the seas around us are being ruthlessly exploited. The damage to date is extensive and, sad to say, it is often irreversible.

One does not need to be an expert to see what is happening and to be profoundly troubled by it. Within a few short years, brown, eroded hills have replaced luxuriant forests in many parts of the country. We see dried-up river beds where, not so long ago, streams flowed throughout the year. Farmers tell us that, because of erosion and chemical poisoning, the yield from the croplands has fallen substantially. Fishermen and experts on marine life have a similar message.

Their fish catches are shrinking in the wake of the extensive destruction of coral reefs and mangrove forests. The picture that is emerging in every province of the country is clear and bleak.

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

A8

T u E S D AY : J u N E 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDitor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

eaGle eyes Dean tony la ViÑa

Before PoPe francis, our BishoPs sPoke

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Ceremonial sinCerity tHE Bangsamoro islamic Armed Forces of the Moro islamic Liberation Front will turn over 38 high-powered firearms to the independent decommissioning Body as part of the peace agreement it signed with the Philippine government.

The body is still determining the total number of firearms that should be turned over and whether or not those firearms are owned by the government. it is said that part of the rebel group’s cache of firearms were obtained from slain soldiers and policemen, including the 44 police commandos killed in Mamasapano in January.

President Benigno Aquino iii will lead the first phase of the decommissioning process in a ceremony today.

MiLF panel chairman Mohagher iqbal said the decommissioning process was one of the most difficult decisions of the MiLF, but was quick to add that “for the sake of peace, for the sake of having real peace in Mindanao and for the sake of the need for normalization [of] the lives of the people including the combatants, we have to undertake decommissioning and put them [arms and forces] beyond use.”

We understand how difficult getting rid of their firearms could be for the MiLF, which is why we also doubt whether iqbal speaks for the many other leaders and members of their organization.

The administration is upbeat. “The event marks a significant step forward in the peace process, not only because it fosters mutual trust, but also because this decommissioning is in itself unprecedented. Apart from the MiLF, no other armed organization in conflict with the Philippine government has voluntarily agreed to turn over its weapons as part of a peace agreement,” according to Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

“With this, we remain optimistic that the future will bring more positive developments, cognizant that—together with our brothers and sisters in Mindanao—we can achieve peace and inclusive prosperity through unity,” Lacierda added.

Nice words, but we doubt too whether the symbolic turnover guarantees that the MiLF would follow through on its commitment to extend its hand to surrender its firearms and other weapons to the government. it’s a good start, but we would like to see other acts which tell us the MiLF is sincere not just about putting on a show of peace but achieving it, not only for its members but for all the people of Mindanao. it can start with acknowledging its role in the Mamasapano massacre – especially since the terrorists had been living in its lair for years and since an autopsy of many of the 44 killed showed they were shot at close range. it can then also come clean about the aliases of iqbal and its other top leaders, because identity is crucial to accountability. The agreements they sign and bind themselves to are only as effective as the names they use and the good faith they had during the act of signing. it can tell us how it intends to rein in its renegades and splinter groups, who can just as easily say they are not bound with what the MiLF promised.

We’ll be watching the decommissioning, but it will take more than a ceremony to convince us that inclusive peace in Mindanao is what truly drives its actions.

Mar’s destiny lowDown jojo a. robles A gRAduAtiNg BS Biology student from the university of the Philippines in diliman has set an academic record that will be awfully hard to beat. tiffany grace uy, summa cum laude, garnered a general weighted average of 1.0049 after earning perfect 1.0 grades in all the courses she took towards her

diploma, with the exception of one subject, where she received a grade of 1.25.

Hey, nobody’s perfect. *** Everybody keeps talking about Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senator grace Poe and, increasingly, davao City Mayor Rodrigo duterte.

Nobody, it seems, wants to talk about interior and Local government Secretary Mar Roxas. it must really be hard to be Roxas, whom everybody is calling the presumptive

presidential candidate of the ruling Liberal Party, these days. Right now, it seems as if only his mother – who reportedly started campaigning for him recently in their eponymous hometown of Roxas City – actually believes he will win.

President Noynoy Aquino will not categorically endorse Roxas this late in the game, something that is keeping the diLg secretary from actually launching his campaign.

And Roxas will probably not run unless he has Aquino’s

A9

it’s roxas’ destiny, it seems, not to become President, no matter how much he desires the job.

endorsement – and the resources that come with his anointing as the chosen successor and the sole inheritor of “daang matuwid.”

Aquino, of course, has already said that he will most likely identify his anointed one during his last State of the Nation Address next month, when he will preside over the formal reopening of the current Congress at the Batasang Pambansa.

And despite Aquino’s claim that Roxas remains at the top of his list for successors, there simply is no guarantee that Aquino’s former running mate, best bud and

loyal spear-carrier is going to be it.

And it really has to do with the failure of Roxas to make any headway in the popularity surveys, where he has languished in the low single-digit territory for the longest time. Roxas simply doesn’t seem to have the charisma that will connect with voters, and Aquino can’t really be faulted for fearing that his vaunted endorsement powers will be wasted on a candidate who will not win in the

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-

presidential elections next May. Aquino is by no means the only one in the administration party who thinks that he will be backing the wrong horse—and suffer all the dire consequences of that decision —if he supports Roxas. in fact, the continuing courtship by Aquino of Senator grace Poe has been taken by many within the Liberal Party and its allied groups as a sign that perhaps they, too, shouldn’t put all their eggs in the basket labeled

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

“Mar.” Some LP bigwigs have actually declared in public that Roxas should not wait for Aquino’s endorsement and declare his intentions right now. Apparently, if Roxas declares for the presidency, the turncoats in the LP will have an opportunity to see if his campaign will gain any traction, before they decide to join him or junk him in favor of Poe or somebody else.

Continued on A11

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

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

Ma. Isabel “Gina” P. Versoza Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

tHuRSdAy, June 18, 2015, is a big day for the Catholic Church, and an important and good day for the world, many are saying. With the release of the papal encyclical, “Laudato sii: On the Care of our Common Home”, Pope Francis speaks truth to power and teaches the faithful and all persons of good will about our responsibility for god’s creation and for each other. i must confess that i am filled with desire and anticipation as i wait for the release of Laudato Sii. i have worked on environmental issues for 30 years now (and on climate change for the past 27 years when i chose it as my dissertation topic in yale Law School). i believe the papal encyclical will affirm this life work and will also be a fresh breath of the spirit renewing not just myself as an individual but the environmental community to which i belong. Hopefully, Laudato Sii will also change hearts and minds in all countries and finally we will be able to take effective action to address climate change and other serious sustainable development challenges.

Pope Francis will surely speak clearly and prophetically about the environment on thursday. But decades before, in 1988 to be precise, our very own bishops also did this. to honor the leaders of our local Church and a way of preparing for the release of the papal encyclical, i use below the most important ideas in “What is happening to our beautiful land?” – the pastoral letter on ecology issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on January 29, 1988.

The CBCP letter did not mince words about what we were already facing at that time: “to put it simply: our country is in peril. All the living systems on land and in the seas around us are being ruthlessly exploited. The damage to date is extensive and, sad to say, it is often irreversible.

One does not need to be an expert to see what is happening and to be profoundly troubled by it. Within a few short years, brown, eroded hills have replaced luxuriant forests in many parts of the country. We see dried-up river beds where, not so long ago, streams flowed throughout the year. Farmers tell us that, because of erosion and chemical poisoning, the yield from the croplands has fallen substantially. Fishermen and experts on marine life have a similar message.

Their fish catches are shrinking in the wake of the extensive destruction of coral reefs and mangrove forests. The picture that is emerging in every province of the country is clear and bleak.

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

T U E S D AY : J U N E 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

DECOMMISSIONING IS A JOKE THE so-called decommissioning or disarmament of the Moro Islamic LiberEMIL P. ation Front as part of JURADO the peace process, to be witnessed today by no less than President Aquino and other government officials in Cotabato City, is a big joke.

Santa Banana, would the MILF really surrender their firearms when they know that their hold on power and their lives depend on their guns and their sophisticated weaponry?

Ask any Mindanaoan and he will only laugh. They know that Moros would rather sleep with their guns than with their wives. That may be a joke in Mindanao, but in their tribal culture, money and power emanate from the barrel of a gun.

Think about this: About 55 high-powered and 20 crew-served weapons will be surrendered by the MILF to the Independent Decommissioning Body. The President, together with peace panel head Miriam Coronel Ferrer and peace adviser Teresita Deles, naive as they are about the history and culture of the Moro rebels and so enamored with the MILF, will be praising them.

The MILF claims it has 30,000 fully-armed Moro combatants.

To make matters worse, government agencies will be distributing Philippine Health Insurance cards and P25,000 cash assistance to the rebels for their show of sincerity. Santa Banana, they are having their cake, and eating it, too.

Show of sincerity, my foot! What they will surrender are their old firearms and weaponry, most of them stolen Does the from slain army and pogovernment not lice personnel. The highpowered firearms and know the culture weaponry that the Moro rebels now have were acof the Moros? tually shipped to them from Malaysia -- the country now brokering the peace process.

It’s a sham!

All we have to recall is that slaughter of 44 police commandos. Their families are still crying out for justice, which has not come. *** President Aquino keeps telling us that he’d like the next President to continue with his legacy of reform and good governance, meaning his “daan matuwid” or straight path mantra.

I don’t know what reforms and good governance the President is talking about. From where I sit, there has not been any change in government since he took over in 2010. Corruption exists in all levels of government from top to bottom, and yet, when members of his Cabinet, his friends and his allies are caught red-handed stealing from the money of the people, he defends them. He would not lift a finger to indict them.

But, my gulay, when it comes to his political enemies, like his predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the three opposition senators languishing in Camp Crame’s detention facilities, he’s quick to have them charged. These are acts of vindictiveness. The President even went to the extent of bribing senators and congressmen to impeach, convict and oust a former Chief Justice simply because he voted against Hacienda Luisita.

The President’s so-called reforms and good governance are baloney. *** About a couple of months before former President Arroyo stepped down, the former Presidential Commission on Good Government entered into a joint venture between the sequestered television network IBC-13 and the Reghis Romero RII Builders-Primes-

TO THE POINT

LET’S START TALKING ISSUES FORMER First Lady, Senator and Secthey commit. And yet they all fancy ARE WE retary of State Hillary Clinton officially themselves as nationalists who will do THERE YET? anything for the country. launched her bid for the highest post in the United States of America over the In the meantime, they make apBONG C. weekend with a rally and a speech that pearances here and there, refuse to AUSTERO clearly outlined what a second Clinton confirm nor deny their candidacy but presidency would be about. She prenevertheless go our of they way to sented her vision and defined her major advocacies. answer issues, and pretend that they have nothing to But more importantly, she put herself out there, pre- do with those ads and posters. Many are shamelessly senting herself unequivocally as the person America courting the President, or the political parties, or some should vote as its first woman (and grandmother) Pres- influential groups, using personal relationships as basident. In so doing, she defined herself and what she es for the discussion rather than issues or platforms. stands for rather than allowed others to do it for her.

This predilection reaches ridiculous heights when peoOne wishes the people in this country who want to ple start talking about personal loyalties, family ties, be president would learn a thing or two about leader- and about continuing supposed legacies as if it is a conship, purpose, and forthrightness from the woman be- firmed fact that people want an Aquino, or a Poe, or a cause it really is time to talk about the important issues Marcos clone in the Palace. For crying out loud, if we in this country. truly want someone who thinks and acts like Aquino, Of course there are people who are turned off by we might as well amend the constitution and re-elect the seeming aggressiveness; in fact, that has always him rather than settling for a copycat. been one of the criticisms directed at Clinton – that It is time to start talking about issues because that she seems to want it all. I think that the criticism is is the only way we can separate the myth from the fact. actually a reaction to her gender, there are still people It is time for Senator Grace Poe to respond to queseven in America who thinks a woman should not be tions around her acquisition of a US citizenship – why too aggressive; after all, the same criticism would not did she renounce Filipino citizenship when it is an esbe made of a candidate who happens to be a man. But tablished fact that she and her family were not exactly we’re in the Philippines where people are not necessar- deprived of opportunities in this country? ily threatened by strong women – we’ve produced two Senator Panfilo Lacson should squarely address the women presidents, for crying out loud, not to mention issues of his seeming distrust of the Philippine justice the fact that some of the most feared people in govern- system and his fellow Filipinos that he had to go into ment today are women. My point is simply this: I wish hiding rather than subject himself to the very laws he our so-called presidentiables would take their cue from helped create and swore to uphold.

Clinton and declare once and for all their desire and Mayor Duterte must tell us how exactly he plans to interest in running for president. Even better, it would replicate the Davao City success story on a nationwide be great if all these politicians actually define them- scale without turning the country into a garrison state, selves and the issues they represent and allow these to transforming the military into a monster, and without propel them forward. I wish someone with enough grit trampling on the rights of citizens. comes forward to bravely talk about issues and answer Vice President Binay should present a fool-proof the critical questions: What exactly are you bringing to plan of action that would convince people that corrupthe post of president of this country? What issues de- tion will not be a hallmark of his proposed presidency. fine you and your proposed presidency? Why are you Of course he must also present incontrovertible proof running for president? Why should we trust you and that he is not corrupt, contrary to what his accusers say. not someone else?

And Secretary Roxas should come into his own, Unfortunately, what we have - with less than a year emerge from the shadow of the President, and declare towards the elections – is a bunch of people who have exactly what his own plan of action is – independent of mastered the art of playing coy and obfuscating facts the Aquino administration. Come to think of it, Roxas but all the while keeping a keen eye on the results of must simply start telling us who he really is without his surveys. In short, we have a bunch of siguristas who all surname, his wife, and his connections to all the previwant some assurance of support and winnability before ous administrations. tate Ventures Inc. for the construction of a mixed-use business and residential complex on a 4.4-hectare lot in Broadcast City in Quezon City.

I dubbed it a “midnight deal,” an anomalous one. It was not only below the price level of properties surrounding the areas bounded by Ayala Heights subdivision and Capitol Golf course, whose price per square meter at that time was already P17,000. The PCGGRomeo deal was only P9,999 per square meter. I recall castigating the PCGG at the time, and my reaction was based on a Commission on Audit report.

When the scandal broke out and the Senate investigated it, the case against the PCGG and the Romero Group was brought to the Ombudsman. That was the last time I heard about it, except in 2011 when I sought an update on the case, and the Office of the Ombudsman informed me that it was still investigating it. Now, I was informed that the case against Romero Group and the PCGG had been dismissed.

Dismissed? How could that be when the joint venture was clearly anomalous and grossly disadvantageous to government?

Anyway, a consumer group sought another Senate investigation, and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales should be asked why she dismissed the case and on what grounds.

It’s now in the hands of the senators. *** Some of my friends who have read former National Security Adviser Joe Almonte’s book, “Endless Journey: A Memoir,” have asked me if whether the so-called Wednesday Club, wherein now-Pangasinan Rep. Rose-

marie “Baby” Arenas hosted dinners at Dasmarinas Village after President Fidel V. Ramos won in 1992, was truly a “power center.”

Joe Almonte had written: “When Ramos won demands of public office took a lot of my time and our meetings were reduced to Wednesday dinner which she (Baby Arenas) hosted, and which some cabinet members and businessmen attended. Vice President Estrada joined us, at times. The regulars included Tony Carpio (who was later on named presidential legal counsel), and became justice of the Supreme, now the most senior). Anabelle Abaya (who became a presidential spokesperson) and Tony Abaya and myself. Artemio “Art” Panganiban, when he was still businessman (who became an associate justice of the Supreme Court and later on Chief Justice), dropped in occasionally, as did General Rene Cruz and Charlie Tanega, both campaign stalwarts, and columnist Emil Jurado. This group became known as the “Wednesday Club,” and the media looked at it as a unofficial power center outside of Malacanang.

Indeed, as Joe Almonte said, it was the unofficial power center outside Malacañang. In fact, then elected President Ramos, after a press conference at Manila Hotel sought me out and made me an offer to be press secretary. I refused. I never wanted to be in government.

I pointed to FVR my colleague Rod Reyes, who was with ABS-CBN at time. The President said he would talk to Lopezes to let Reyes go. That was the second time I refused to be press secretary. The first was during the Marcos regime.

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA LONG before Manny Pacquiao became an international boxing sensation, there was Luisito Espinosa of Tondo, Manila. Fight after fight, Espinosa gave his all, and in the 1990s, his efforts were rewarded with the World Boxing Council featherweight crown.

Pacquiao, who was still a struggling boxer at that time, was among Espinosa’s admirers.

In October 1997, Espinosa’s manager Joe Koizumi entered into a contract with then South Cotabato Provincial Governor Hilario de Pedro III and boxing promoters Rodolfo V. Nazario and Joselito Mondejar. Their contract stipulated that Espinosa will defend his title against challenger Carlos Rios of Argentina in a match to be held at Koronadal, South Cotabato on December 6, 1997. Under the contract, Espinosa is entitled to a guaranteed purse of US$150,000, as well as US$10,000 for training expenses. It was also stipulated that by October 31, 1997, US$50,000 (representing one-third of the guaranteed purse) and the US$10,000 training expenses will be paid to Espinosa.

In the boxing world, prize fighters are paid their guaranteed purse in full on the eve of the boxing match.

Espinosa was paid almost US$30,000 a few days before the scheduled boxing match. On the eve of the fight, the balance remained unpaid. Koizumi protested but local boxing authorities allowed the match to push through. At any rate, Espinosa knocked out Rios in their title fight. His victory notwithstanding, the local promoters never paid Espinosa what was due him under his contract.

Because of technical problems in

Before..From A9 The attack on the natural world which benefits very few Filipinos is rapidly whittling away at the very base of our living world and endangering its fruitfulness for future generations.”

Our bishops also spoke clearly on what this was all about: “As we reflect on what is happening in the light of the Gospel we are convinced that this assault on creation is sinful and contrary to the teachings of our faith.”

The CBCP pastoral letter acknowledged the positive role of indigenous peoples: “Tribal people all over the Philippines, who have seen the destruction of their world at close range, have cried out in anguish. Also men and women who attempt to live harmoniously with nature and those who study ecology have tried to alert people to the magnitude of the destruction-taking place in our time. The latter are in a good position to tell us what is happening since they study the web of dynamic relationships

A11

JUSTICE FOR LUISITO ESPINOSA AFTER 18 LONG YEARS South Cotabato, the boxing match was not shown on national television that same day. An attempt to get a video recording of the fight flown to Cebu for transmission to Manila was unsuccessful. Obviously, revenues were lost, but this was not attributable to Espinosa.

He delivered his end of the bargain, but he was not paid in full.

Despite repeated demands made

by Espinosa, de Pedro, Nazario, and Mondejar never paid Espinosa the balance of the money promised to him.

On May 26, 1998, Espinosa lodged a civil complaint against the governor and the two local promoters before the Regional Trial Court in Manila.

During the pendency of the case, the defendants filed numerous pleadings seeking the outright dismissal of the complaint. A collateral issue was even raised before the Court of Appeals, which ended up with the trial court. Meanwhile, Nazario passed away on September 24, 2009. He was substituted by his estate and his heirs, including his widow, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Minita ChicoNazario.

As the litigation dragged on, Espinosa was losing his viability as a prize fighter. With his earning capacity substantially diminishing, he migrated to the United States to take on menial jobs to support his family.

Finally, on August 6, 2011, and after 13 years of litigation, the trial court ruled against Espinosa on the ground that the documents Espinosa presented were insufficient evidence, and that the local promoters did not bind themselves to pay the purse guaranteed to Espinosa.

that support and sustains all life within the earthly household. This includes human life.”

In their letter, our bishops reflected on “the original beauty of our land, rivers and seas”. They asked: “How much of this richness and beauty is left a few thousand years after human beings arrived at these shores?” Not much, the bishops pointed out, because we have indiscriminately destroyed the beauty of creation. According to the letter: “Most of this destruction has taken place since the beginning of this century, a mere wink of an eye in the long history of our country. Yet in that time we have laid waste complex living systems that have taken millions of years to reach their present state of development.”

Our bishops then called on all Christians and all people of goodwill to reflect with them “on the beauty of the Philippine land and seas which nourish and sustain our lives.” According to them: “As we thank God for the many ways He has gifted our land we must also resolve to cherish

Undaunted, Espinosa appealed his case to the Court of Appeals. Again, numerous pleadings were filed by the defendants. After four years, the Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Espinosa. In its decision released last May 26, the appellate court sustained the documentary evidence submitted

by Espinosa, ruled that the stipulations in it clearly bound Nazario as a guarantor of the purse, and held the estate of Nazario liable to Espinosa for the amount of US$130,349, annual interest of 12 percent from May 1998 until June 30, 2013, and annual interest of 6 percent from July 1, 2013 until actual payment.

Justice Ramon A. Cruz wrote the decision, while Justices Remedios Salazar-Fernando and Marlene GonzalesSison concurred.

Espinosa’s lawyer, Atty. Ramon Maronilla, hopes that in view of the decision of the Court of Appeals, the Nazario family will consider an amicable settlement of the case so as not to deprive Espinosa of what is rightfully his under a contract voluntarily entered into by the parties concerned. It’s the least that can be done to an ex-prize fighter who, once upon a time, brought international honor to the country, and is now virtually impoverished, doing odd jobs abroad. The long-overdue purse will certainly help Espinosa and his family now that the boxer is beyond his prime.

Of course, ex-Supreme Court Justice Minita Chico-Nazario and her family have the right to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeals in the Supreme Court by way of a petition limited to pure questions of law.

and protect what remains of this bounty for this and future generations of Filipinos. We are well aware that, for the vast majority of Filipinos, the scars on nature, which increasingly we see all around us, mean less nutritious food, poorer health and an uncertain future. This will inevitably lead to an increase in political and social unrest.”

In the letter, the bishops called on all Filipinos “to recognize the urgency of this task and to respond to it now.” They reminded us of our responsibility as citizens of this country and world: “As Filipinos we can and must act now. Nobody else will do it for us. This is our home; we must care for it, watch over it, protect it and love it. We must be particularly careful to protect what remains of our forests, rivers, and corals and to heal, wherever we can, the damage which has already been done.”

Finally, our bishops proposed a new vision: “We will not be successful in our efforts to develop a new attitude towards the natural world unless we are sustained and nourished

by a new vision. This vision must blossom forth from our understanding of the world as God intends it to be. We can know the shape of this world by looking at how God originally fashioned our world and laid it out before us.”

The pastoral letter ends with concrete suggestions for individuals, churches, and the government.

According to our bishops: “There was an urgency about this issue which calls for widespread education and immediate action.”

Twenty-eight years later, things are much worse in the Philippines and in most parts of the world.

And with climate change upon us, the issues we are facing are now even more complex and challenging. Perhaps if we listened to our bishops in 1988, it would not be as bad as it has become – what is happening to our land today.

Now it’s the Pope’s turn, will we listen? Will the world listen?

Email: Tonylavs@gmail. com Facebook: tlavina@yahoo.com Twitter: tonylavs

Espinosa’s lawyer believes that such a move will only delay the inevitable – that Espinosa is entitled to his guaranteed purse. He maintains that since Espinosa’s right arises from a contract, and the contract itself is very clear, it is unlikely that a genuine question of law may arise from the ruling of the Court of Appeals enough to warrant a review by the Supreme Court.

This recent development in the unpaid Espinosa purse will certainly attract the attention of the international boxing community. At the end of the day, it will not be good for the Philippines if the country develops a reputation of dealing above-board with foreign athletes, but treating its own athletes underhandedly. * * * * * * Not all is lost, however, for the family of ex-Justice Nazario. Since the 1997 boxing match between Espinosa and Rios was never appropriately broadcast in the Philippines, a nationwide telecast of this historic encounter, possibly before the end of the year, will certainly attract audiences throughout the country and, ultimately, the needed sponsors. Even Manny Pacquiao may be open to sponsoring the telecast as a tribute to Espinosa.

The Nazario family can enter into an amicable settlement with Espinosa by sharing the proceeds of the telecast equitably. Although the proceeds will not be anywhere near the total receipts in the Pacquiao-Mayweather championship match, there should be enough revenues to make both sides happy.

This arrangement can also spare the Supreme Court the burden of having to resolve another case.

Mar’s.. From A9 Roxas, meanwhile, must be constantly reminded of his own failure to capitalize on his closeness to the President and the various high-profile jobs he took on in his administration. Next year’s election, after all, was supposed to be his rematch with Binay, the man who unexpectedly beat him for the vice presidency in 2010; but now all his work has been for nothing, as everyone from the President on down seems convinced that only Poe or perhaps Duterte is the most viable alternative to the Vice President.

It’s Roxas’ destiny, it seems, not to become President, no matter how much he desires the job and no matter how hard he works to get it. Some people just aren’t born for the presidency – or even become seriously in the running for it, ever.

Roxas stepped aside for Aquino in 2009 because he knew he had no chances of winning in the last presidential election, either, and because Cory’s son suddenly became “winnable” after the death of his mother.

Now Roxas is probably going to step aside once again, for the same reason – and nobody had to die for some other candidate to shoot up in the ratings game.

Of course, Mar can always decide to take matters into his own hands and run for the presidency, whether or not he has Aquino’s endorsement and machinery and regardless of his standing in the polls and his chances of actually winning. He’d be his own man, for once, and maybe that’s achievement enough, for him. *** Speaking of Duterte, former North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pinol, one of the biggest boosters of the Davao City mayor, has confirmed that Roxas has approached the feisty local executive for a possible team-up next year. Duterte, Pinol said, shut the door on Mar, declaring that he will not run with the DILG secretary in any position or in any permutation.

Mar’s search continues, I guess.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Asia’s big hitters enter 2018 World Cup fray SINGAPORE—Guam’s historic World Cup qualifying win over Turkmenistan stole the limelight last week but Asia’s heavy hitters enter on Tuesday looking to make a quick start on the road to Russia 2018.

After sitting out last Thursday’s opening group fixtures, Asian champions Australia and fellow World Cup 2014 teams Japan, South Korea and Iran enter the fray along with China, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Australia’s first competitive match since they lifted the Asian Cup in January is in remote Bishkek for a Group B clash against Kyrgyzstan.

The Socceroos followed up that memorable win in Sydney with a 2-2 draw against World Cupholders Germany in March, but head coach Ange Postecoglou is wary of their Central Asian opponents despite their FIFA ranking of 173.

Although injuries have ruled out Trent Sainsbury, Massimo Luongo and Robbie Kruse, Postecoglou has named a strong squad for Australia first-ever match against the Kyrgyz side, who won 3-1 in Bangladesh in their opener last week.

“It is probably the most challenging of the games but I’m still pretty confident we will be well prepared for it,” said the Australia coach who gathered his squad for a

A supporter of Japan is shown prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 Group C match between Japan and Switzerland at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. AFP

training camp in Dubai last week.

“We don’t have a lot of intel on the opposition because they haven’t played many games.

Where we’re going—it’s the first time for us as a nation.

“But again, we have done a lot of work in the preparation to make sure that once we get there, we will be comfortable.”

South Korea will begin their bid to qualify for a ninth consecutive World Cup with a visit to Myanmar in Group G without forward Kang Soo-Il, who failed a doping test.

The 27-year-old made a public apology after he tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid, a result he blamed on a moustachegrowing cream.

Japan will kick off their campaign by hosting Singapore at Saitama in Group E, while Iran will begin in Group D with a visit to Turkmenistan.

The Central Asian side will be smarting after their stunning 1-0 defeat in Guam made them the first team ever to lose a World Cup qualifier to the tiny Pacific side.

Guam will host India in their second game knowing that a draw would send them to the top of Group D before the next round of fixtures in September.

However, Asian Cup semi-finalists Iraq will sit out this round of games after their intended opponents Indonesia were suspended by FIFA over political interference.

The second round of Asian qualifying features 39 teams and is also part of the qualifying process for the 2019 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates. AFP

Argentina must win vs Uruguay, says Messi LA SERENA, CHILE—Lionel Messi has warned his Argentina team-mates that Tuesday’s Copa America clash with Uruguay is a must-win encounter after their stumbling draw with Paraguay.

The tournament favourites were left stunned on Saturday after they let a 2-0 lead slip as Paraguay snatched a 2-2 draw with a last-gasp equaliser in Group B. Argentina’s shaky defensive display in the second half has reawakened doubts about their ability to produce a title-winning performance in Chile, where they are chasing a first major championship in 22 years.

Messi, who had a hand in one of Argentina’s goals before scoring the second from the penalty spot, could not hide his fury after what looked like being a comfortable opening victory ended in a draw.

“To be leading 2-0 and to end up with a draw makes me angry,” the Argentina captain said.

“Looking at it now, you have to say that the Uruguay match is one we absolutely have to win,” he added.

Defending champions Uruguay opened their campaign with a lacklustre 1-0 win over Jamaica on Saturday.

With Argentina still to play Jamaica in their final game, a win over Uruguay on Tuesday could give Messi’s men a strong chance of topping the group—and avoiding a possible quarter-final meeting with Brazil.

But the Argentinians will be wary of the threat posed by Uruguay, who knocked out their neighbors on home soil four years ago. AFP

Park In-Bee wins major to return to golf’s no. 1 HARRISON—South Korean star Park In-Bee won the Women’s PGA Championship for the third year in a row on Sunday to return to number one in the world in dominant style.

Park finished with a fiveunder-par 68 for a recordequaling 19-under total of 273 and a huge five-shot victory over compatriot

Kim Sei-Young in the second major of the LPGA season.

Park joined Swedish great Annika Sorenstam as the only players to win three successive editions of the tournament which was formerly known as the LPGA Championship and was rebranded this year in a collaboration between the LPGA and the PGA of

America.

And the 26-year-old did it in commanding fashion, chipping to five feet at the final hole and rolling in the putt for her fifth birdie of another bogey-free day.

“I don’t know what word can describe how I feel right now,” said Park, whose 19-under total matched the lowest score in relation to par in the tour-

nament’s history, achieved previously by Cristie Kerr in 2010 and Taiwan’s Yani Tseng in 2011.

“I played great,” added Park. “The last three days I couldn’t believe myself -- I made no bogeys for three days!”

Kim, who started the day two strokes behind Park, tried to keep the pressure on. But Park’s pre-

cision—she played the last 56 holes of the tournament without a bogey—left Kim no room for error.

The LPGA rookie was keeping pace when her string of four birdies in a row ended with a doublebogey at the par-five ninth —where her bogey putt circled inside the edge of the hole and popped out.

Park birdied the same

hole, and the three-shot swing proved too much to overcome.

“Everything fell apart at the ninth hole,” Kim said.

Kim—who shocked Park in a playoff at the Lotte Championship this season—finished with a two-under 71 on the par73 Westchester Country Club’s West course for 278.

AFP

Federer looks for Wimby boost GERMANY—Roger Federer begins his bid for a record eighth Wimbledon title in the familiar surroundings of Halle on Monday admitting he’s still surprised by his staggering success on grass.

The 33-year-old needs one more Wimbledon triumph to go clear of Pete Sampras who also won at the All England Club on seven occasions.

As he prepares for his assault on an eighth title in Halle, Federer said his career record of 14 grass-court trophies -- more than any other

active player—still surprises him.

“I never thought that I could ever play so well in my career on grass. It was always a dream to play such good tennis on grass or even be able to play on a grass court,” he told reporters on Sunday.

“Where I grew up in Switzerland, there was only sand, carpet or dirt. So a grass court was always a dream.”

The last of Federer’s seven Wimbledon crowns came in 2012 while he was runner-up

to Novak Djokovic last year.

If he were to capture an eighth title in London next month, he would also become the tournament’s oldest champion of the modern era, surpassing Arthur Ashe who was still a month short of his 32nd birthday when he was the winner in 1975.

“At this stage of my career I want to have the perfect preparation for Wimbledon,” said Federer, who begins his Halle campaign against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber on Monday. AFP

Roger Federer still surprised by his staggering success on grasscourt.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Reyes to engage Magsayo in slugfest

By Ronnie Nathanielsz MEXICAN toughie Rafael “Guerrerito” Reyes is bound to engage promising ALA Gym prospect Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo, who is unbeaten in 10 fights with 8 knockouts to his name, in a slugfest when they clash in Pinoy Pride XXXI at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on July 4.

Magsayo, who looked sharp in training at the ALA Gym in Balete Drive, Quezon City last week, is now sparring with five-division world champion Nonito Donaire in Cebu, as the Filipino himself prepares for his showdown with Frenchman Anthony Settoul on July 17 in Macau.

The 24-year-old Reyes is a typical Mexican warrior, who comes to fight and has a record of 12 knockouts in 16 wins with four losses.

In his last fight on March 30, Reyes scored a rousing second-round knockout over Reyes Lopez, but in what is a typical roller-coaster ride, retired in the fourth round against undefeated Carlos Diaz Ramirez, who dropped Reyes in the third round with a vicious uppercut. Ramirez was undefeated in 16 fights, with 9 knockouts.

Cyna Rodriguez wants a repeat of the victory she pulled off against the same field in ICTSI Sherwood Ladies Championship at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martirez, Cavite.

Cyna favored as Sherwood golf starts CYNA Rodriguez seeks to chalk up another win against a field she dominated the last time out as the ICTSI Sherwood Ladies Championship gets under way today at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Trece Martirez, Cavite.

Rodriguez rallied to beat Sarah Ababa by six at ICTSI Riviera last month, a victory that did not only snap a three-leg slump in this year’s ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour but also put her back on track for another dominant run on the

country’s first ladies pro circuit.

But the reigning back-to-back Order of Merit winner wants to take it one tournament at a time and not rush things up since the entire compact field is also out to stop her charge while fueling their

own respective title drives in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. “I’ll just try to keep it simple on the course, post low scores and hopefully come out with another win,” said Rodriguez, who will start out with title-hungry Chihiro Ikeda and amateur Felicia Medalla in the 7:30 a.m. flight.

Amolkan Phalajivin, who foiled Rodriguez’s bid for a fifth-straight win at LPGT Splendido last year, is back in the title hunt after skip-

ping the Riviera stage to honor a previous commitment with the Thai ace tipped to provide a serious challenge for the Filipina ace’s drive for a second straight championship.

Phalajivin, also hoping to atone for her so-so joint 19th place finish at ICTSI Wack Wack won by amateur Princess Superal last April, tees off at 7:40 a.m. in the company of Apple Fudolin and amateur Marvi Monsalve.

Two other Thais were actually set

to join the title chase in the event sponsored by ICTSI but begged off at the last minute due to travel document woes and injury.

Jayvie Agojo, a former leg winner, also pulled out of the tournament due to wrist injury that has hampered her campaign but the likes of Anya Tanpinco, Lovelynn Guioguio, Eva Miñoza, Lucy Landicho, Majorie Pulumbarit and Lina de Guzman are in the fold, all hoping to finally hit paydirt in the P500,000 event.

Parrenas to go for KO Dumaguete football lures big field if he sees an opening

By Ronnie Nathanielsz WORLD Boxing Organization super flyweight champion Warlito “Cowboy” Parrenas will go for a knockout if he sees an opening, when he faces Mexico’s David Carmona in their interim title fight on July 4 in Mexico City.

Parrenas, who is ranked No. 1 and is training very hard at the United Boxing Promotions Gym in Tokyo, told The Standard/ boxingmirror.com, that he’s been training extremely hard and is determined to win the interim crown from Carmona, who is ranked No. 2 and is a good fighter.

Parrenas realizes that it could be difficult to earn a decision in Mexico and that while the impression is one must win by a knockout, “it’s a question of timing and if it comes, I’ll go for it.”

Parrenas said he continues to spar with former Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation champion, 30-year-old Takuya Kogawa.

“Kogawa is a smart fighter with very fast hands and you have to be in condition, which is good for my stamina,” said Parrenas.

Kogawa won the OPBF title with a sixth-round technical decision over Danilo “Pit Bull” Pena on Oct. 28, 2010, and holds a record of 23-4, with 13 knockouts.

The 31-year-old Parrenas, who has a record of 24-6 with 21 knockouts said: “You must believe in yourself.”

Parrenas, however, said he is not being over-confident, even as British trainer Warren Evison who works alongside Filipino trainer Sammy Bernabe said Carmona is a good fighter, who has speed and technique, which is the reason for getting Parrenas to spar with Kogawa.

Evison said Parrenas was looking good and is eager to get into the ring for the fight, which was originally scheduled for June 27, but was moved to July 4.

Kogawa is coming off an eight-round unanimous decision over two-time world title challenger Hiroyuki Hiataka last Oct. 10 and also scored a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Sonny Boy Jaro on April 7, 2013.

Team Parrenas is scheduled to leave for Mexico on June 29, with Evison confident that Parrenas who went through simulated altitude training in order to be able to handle the altitude in Mexico, will apply pressure on Carmona and is motivated to capture the interim crown.

HOST organizer Negros Oriental Football Association described the turnout of young football players in the recent free football clinic sponsored by PRU Life UK under its Football for a Better Life program as the biggest in terms of number of participants .

Close to 300 players from all over Negros Oriental joined the clinic conducted by former Azkal team captain Chieffy Caligdong, assisted by former Azkal Reffix Cuaresma, who hails from Dumaguete City, together with Little Azkals from the region, led by local player DJ

Valencia, the duo of Shemrei Marabillo and Chevey Deo Celeste from San Carlos, Negros Occidental, and Tristan Karl Enad and Charles Clarence Unabia, both from Cebu City.

“Their presence should inspire participants to aspire for the same thing that these Little Azkals have achieved already, validating the objectives of PRU Life’s program of improving lives of young players through football,” said event organizer Alberto Almendralejo, also the Little Azkals’ team manager, who cited Caligdong as the perfect example of the program.

Even the parents of the Little Azkals confirmed that there has been a marked improvement in their children, with their involvement in football, citing a higher sense of self confidence, more focus, discipline and leadership as the highlight traits aside from providing free educational opportunities to the players. Some of the members of the Little Azkals have already been getting offers for athletic scholarships from National Capital Region-based colleges and universities as the players’ level of skills continue to go up.

Future and former Azkals got together in Dumaguete City for the fifth leg of the PRU Life UK- sponsored Football for a Better Life, a nationwide grassroots football program, where close to 300 young football players in Negros Oriental joined a free football clinic. The soccer classes were conducted by former Azkal team captain Chieffy Caligdong, assisted by another former Azkal Reffix Cuaresma, who hails from Dumaguete, and Little Azkal DJ Valencia, also from the host city. They were joined by Shemrei Marabillo and Chevey Deo Celeste from San Carlos, Negros Occidental, and Tristan Karl Enad and Charles Clarence Unabia, both from Cebu City. Photo shows Caligdong with his assistants.

T UE S DAY : J UN E 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

A14

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Ravaged by war, Yemen still confident vs Azkals

Sol Mercado (left) of Ginebra tries to stop a driving Andre Emmett of Meralco in a PBA Governors’ Cup game won by the Bolts, 102-99.

By Peter Atencio THE Yemen national men’s football team vows to do its best in its showdown with the Philippine Azkals on Tuesday at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

They have not been able to play a home game for three years, after a Saudiled airstrike damaged their pitch and the federation headquarters.

The Al-Yemen A’Sa’eed squad, which will miss to two players due to ongoing conflicts back home, has been in Doha for the last five days to get ready for their second round 2018 World Cup qualification match against Philippines today.

For security reasons, authorities from FIFA disallowed a home game for Yemen, which agreed to have their match with the Azkals be played in Doha.

Yemen took a 0-1 loss to Korea last Thursday and needs a win to remain in contention.

The team’s journey to Doha was difficult, according to Czech coach Miroslav Soukup in a video interview with Al-Jazeera.

With their airport shut down and shunning a road trip they considered dangerous, they started their travel by boat, enduring an 18-hour journey to Djibouti from where they boarded a plane for Doha.

Soukup said he was only able to meet up with the players in Doha since the conflict began in March, and with two members of the team unable to make the trip.

“We suffer from the war that is currently going on.

Playing in your own land, and in front of your fans give you the motivation to progress further,” said Yemen team skipper Ala Mohammed Al Sasi.

Meanwhile, members of the Azkals national men’s football team expressed confidence in their showdown with Yemen.

Beermen shoot for 8 straight PBA triumph

th

By Jeric Lopez

EVERYTHING is clicking well for the sizzling San Miguel Beer, but coach Leo Austria doesn’t want his squad to put its foot off the gas pedal at any point.

Already secured of a quarterfinals berth and riding high on a sevengame winning streak, the next aim for the co-league leading Beermen now is to guarantee themselves a Top 4 finish as they shoot for an eighth straight win in the continuing 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

San Miguel Beer (7-2)

will be heavily favored when it attempts to close in on a Top 4 finish against lowly Blackwater, (1-7), who will be fighting for dear life, at 4:15 p.m. today.

In the main event, two struggling powerhouses cross paths as Talk ‘N Text (4-5) and Star Hotshots (35) figure in an all-important clash at 7 p.m., with both of them in dire need of a win to boost their chances of

Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. • San Miguel vs. Blackwater 7 p.m. • Star Hotshots vs. Talk ‘N Text

making it in the next phase.

Should the Beermen keep their streak going, they will earn a Top 4 finish and a twice-to-beat incentive along with it heading to the quarterfinals and that’s what the motivation is for them according to Austria. ‘’We need to continue winning so we can avoid any complications for the Top 4 and also to keep our momentum going to the playoffs,’’ said Austria. ‘’We’re playing really well and we just want to keep it that way.’’

San Miguel Beer knocked off Talk ‘N Text, 101-96, in its last assignment last week, pushing its winning run to seven games after opening the conference with a 0-2 start.

While the Beermen handled the Tropang Texters, the contrary happened to the Elite as they absorbed a 98-91 defeat at the hand of Talk ‘N Text last Friday.

Blackwater, which is on a four-game slide, is fighting for survival and only has a bleak chance of making it in the Top 8. It needs to sweep its remaining three games to at the very least hope for a tie and a slim chance of cracking the playoffs.

While San Miguel is

coasting along at the top of the heap, the same can’t be said to fellow perennial contenders Talk ‘N Text and Star as both squads find themselves in an unfamiliar territory and are in danger of missing out on the playoffs, something neither is accustomed to.

Whoever loses here will have a difficult time of making it to the quarters as a defeat will sink the loser further down.

After taking care of business against Blackwater last Friday to snap a four-game losing streak, the Tropang Texters are hoping that they can finally get their groove now when it matters the most.

GlobalPort’s Romeo named PBA Best Player of the Week AMERICAN import Jarrid Famous is making things happen on both ends of the floor. But one can’t take away Terrence Romeo’s significant contributions in GlobalPort’s strong playoff push in the PBA Governors Cup. The sophomore gunner out of Far Eastern University has been one of the most consistent locals for the Batang Pier, who ended the past

week with back-to-back victories to enhance their playoff bid.

While the 6’11” Famous was doing his usual damage in the paint and on the defensive end, Romeo provided the scoring sock with his drives to the basket and outside shooting.

The former University Athletic Association of the Philippines Most Valuable Player dropped

22 points, contributing to GlobalPort’s early breakaway as the Batang Pier rolled past a listless NLEX Road Warriors, 108-80, marking the biggest winning margin in franchise history.

Two days later, Romeo sustained his torrid shooting, sparking GlobalPort’s fourth-quarter run after scoring 13 of his 27 points as the Batang Pier subdued KIA Carnival,

102-94 for a new franchise-record sixth win in 10 games.

Romeo averaged 24.5 points, 5.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds in the team’s 2-0 record last week to earn his first Accel-PBA Press Corps.

Player of the Week for the period of June 8-14.

The 23-year-old GlobalPort young star, who currently averages 30 percent from the three-

point zone, is the top local scorer for this conference.

GlobalPort is currently at solo fourth spot with their 6-4 record, behind Alaska and San Miguel, both at 7-2 and Barako Bull (6-3).

The Batang Pier will take a week off, before returning on June 23 to play the Aces in their last elimination-round schedule.

T UE S DAY : J UN E 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Filipinos get 3 more chances to win golds SINGAPORE—The Philippines stared at three more possible gold medals after the men’s doubles teams in sepak takraw and badminton advanced to the medal rounds in the 28th Southeast Asian Games on Monday.

A day before the curtains are lowered on Tuesday on the games that could probably go down as a benchmark for future editions of the biennial meet, Jason Huerte, Emmanuel Escote and Rheyjey Ortuoste frustrated the Singaporean side of Asfandi Bin Ja’al, Muhamad Safie and Mohamed Amran, 21-12, 19-21, 21-16, at the Singapore Expo Hall to earn a ticket to the men’s doubles of sepak takraw finals which was played

staring at 7 p.m. on Monday.

The Filipinos faced Myanmar’s Aung Zaw Zaw, Aung Myo Swe and Zaw Lah—21-7, 21-9 winners over Laos, in the battle for the gold medal.

In badminton, Ronel Estanislao and Philip Joper Escueta gave the Philippines a chance for a gold medal after they got past Cambodia’s Kanora Nguon and Yong Vannak Teav, 21-8, 21-10, in the quarterfinals on Sunday

to reach Monday’s semifinals, where they faced a pair ranked five notches below them at No. 73 in the world.

Marcus Fernaldi and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo eliminated the Thai pair of Bodin Issara and Nipitphon Puangpuapech, 14-21, 21-15, 21-11, in the other quarterfinal also the other day to earn the right to face the No. 68 Filipinos.

In case the Filipinos get past the Indonesians in the semifinal set at 7:20 p.m. on Monday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, they would play opposite tougher opponents in the finals set on closing day Tuesday.

The other semifinal pits world-class Indonesians Ricky

Karanda Suwardi and Angga Pratama against Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Chayut Triyachart, who are expected to go all out in shooting for the gold medal that could help host Singapore in its bid to win the overall championship of the games.

The Philippines also looked to snatch the men’s basketball gold medal—always considered as the most important gold for the country in the Sea Games—in the event’s finals played at 8 p.m. on Monday at the OCBC Arena.

The Filipino dribblers, called Sinag Pilipinas, were expected to play more cohesively against the Indonesians after giving the entire country a scare when they barely got past Thailand, 80-75.

Trung Duc Phan of Vietnam (left) competes against Samuel Thomas Morrison of the Philippines during the men’s under 68kg taekwondo final at the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore on Sunday. AFP

Hot-shooting...

From A16

with triple doubles in multiple games of multiple NBA Finals, but his heroics were not enough and Cleveland must win Tuesday to force a seventh game Thursday at Oakland.

“You cope with it by understanding it’s just one game and looking at the opportunity we have on Tuesday to force a game seven,” James said. “We’re going home with a game six and we’ve got enough to win it. I feel confident.”

Asked what gives him confidence in his playmaking skills, James matter-of-factly replied: “I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world. It’s that simple.”

But even James had to tip his hat to Curry catching fire.

“Steph got it going. He hit some huge shots which kept us at bay,” James said. “We needed our best defensive quarter tonight in the fourth quarter and we didn’t get it. We gave up 31 points in the fourth. Some of them were free throws, but a lot of them were them just breaking us down. So we’ve got to do a better job of that.”

Kerr: best yet to come James-led teams in a 2-2 playoff series had not lost a game five in five tries since his Miami squad fell to Dallas in the 2011 NBA Finals.

That’s also the last time his team dropped a playoff series after splitting the first four games.

Teams that have won game five of a deadlocked finals have won the title in 20 of 28 tries.

“What I’m excited about is I think we can play a lot better,” Kerr said.

Draymond Green added 16 points and nine rebounds for Golden State, which had 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists from Iguodala. Leandro Barbosa came off the bench to score 13 points.

Tristan Thompson had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which also had 14 points from reserve J.R. Smith, who quickly replaced Russian big man Timofey Mozgov as the Cavaliers matched the smaller but faster Warrior lineup.

“I felt that the best chance for us to stay in the game and to have a chance to win was to play it the way that we played it,” Cavs coach Dave Blatt said. “It’s no disrespect to anyone, certainly not to Timo who has done a great job for us.” AFP

A15 LOTTO RESULTS

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

Cagebelles end stint with a win

SINGAPORE—The Philippines defeated Singapore, 82-72, on Monday but failed to get a medal at the close of the 28th Singapore Southeast Asian Games women’s basketball tournament at the OCBC Arena here on Sunday.

The Filipina cagers, who dropped a heartbreaking 56-61 decision to Indonesia last Friday, finished the five-team, single-round series with a record of three wins and two losses.

Malaysia, which beat Vietnam, 82-50, in the other game yesterday, took the gold medal, while Indonesia settled for the silver, and Thailand the bronze.

Both the Malaysians and Indonesians finished the tournament with identical 4-1 records, but the former took the championship after they beat the latter, 70-45, last June 9.

Although both with the same 3-2 slates, the Thais took the bronze after beating the Filipinas, 62-57, six days ago.

The Nationals failed to gain a podium finish for the first time after bagging a silver medal each in the 2011 Indonesia and 2013 Myanmar editions of the sportsfest “We’re going home with some pride, but going back to the drawing board,” said businessman Dioceldo Sy, the team’s benefactor, after the match. “We hope to have a massive recruitment program after this.”

Annalyn Almazan and Allana May Lim shared scoring honors with 17 points each while Merenciana Arayi, a veteran of the previous PH SEAG quintets, added 16.

Shuwen Shery Poon paced the hosts with 17 points, while Yukie Yoshida and Jia Min Lim chipped in with 16 and 10, respectively.

Bulls fight during the traditional Kafkasor Bullfighting festival in Artvin, northeastern Turkey. AFP

A16

T U E S D AY : J U N E 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

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

Hot-shooting Curry lifts Dubs OAKLAND—Steph Curry stepped up with the NBA Finals teetering on a razor’s edge Sunday and sparked Golden State over Cleveland 104-91, putting the Warriors on the brink of their first title since 1975.

The NBA 2015 Most Valuable Player scored 37 points, 17 of them in the fourth quarter, as Golden State seized a 3-2 edge in the bestof-seven series. The Warriors could end a 40-year title drought by winning game six Tuesday at Cleveland.

“I hope on Tuesday we can hold that trophy. That’s all I want to do,” said Curry. “We’re confident.

We’re not getting ahead of ourselves. But we know the sense of

urgency of the moment.”

Clinging to an 85-84 lead, the Warriors went on a 19-5 spurt late in the fourth quarter to secure the victory, Curry scoring 12 points in the run. The NBA’s top 3-point shooter sank two impressive shots from beyond the arc in the span and for the game made 13-of-23 from the floor and 7-of-13 from 3-point range.

“That was just Steph taking over the game,” Warriors coach

Steve Kerr said. “He took over the game down the stretch and was fantastic.”

Curry twice answered baskets

by Cleveland star LeBron James just before the decisive scoring burst, scoring 17 points in all in the final period.

“Those are plays I’ve been making all year and ones I feel confident in,” Curry said. “Obviously when they go in, it helps keep your confidence high.”

Curry was treated for minor dehydration after the game by drinking liquids and was expected to be in top form Tuesday.

James had 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists to join Magic Johnson as the only NBA players Continued on A15

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game 5 of the 2015 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. The Warriors won, 104-91, to zero in on their 1st title in 40 years. AFP

B1

TUESDAY: JUNE 16, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Cherry Foodarama a done deal

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SM INVESTMENTS Corp.’s acquisition of Cherry Foodarama’s supermarkets is a done deal, with the signing of the financial transaction with the Ong family set to be completed “very soon,” a source said Monday.

“It will be completed very soon,” an informed source told The Standard, without providing additional information so as not to jeopardize the deal. Cherry Foodarama, a company owned by the Ong family, is a pioneer in the Philippine retail industry.

The source said SM Investments was being careful in proceeding with the transaction, as Cherry Foodarama is a familyowned business.

SM Investments expressed hope it would be able to get the nod of the whole Ong family on the deal.

SM Investments last week confirmed The Standard report it was in discussion with the management of Cherry Foodarama.

“SM and subsidiaries are in discussion with the management of Cherry and both parties are in the process of signing formal agreements,” SM Investments said.

Only two of Cherry Foodarama’s supermarkets are operational, including Cherry Foodarama Congressional in Quezon City and Cherry Foodarama Antipolo.

‘Cherry Foodarama Shaw was originally rescheduled to reopen at its original site also along Shaw Boulevard in May but it did not push through reportedly because

of the entry of a new investor.

Another source said the Cherry Foodarama stores would be under new management starting June 26.

Concessionaires and tenants at Cherry Foodarama stores were also reportedly given until June 19 to pull out their products.

Despite increasing competition from other grocery chains such as Puregold Price Club Inc. of Lucio Co and Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. , SM group remains the biggest supermarket chain in the country.

SM’s retail operations had a total of 279 stores of as end-March 2015, including 50 SM Stores, 40

SM Supermarkets, 43 SM Hypermarkets, 120 Savemore stores and 26 WalterMart stores.

For the rest of 2015, SM’s retail group will open 3 SM Stores, 3 SM Supermarkets, 10 SaveMore stores and 1 SM Hypermarket.

SM group’s purchase of Cherry Foodarama marks its second acquisition in three years. In 2013, SM Investments signed a 50:50 joint venture with the Waltermart group through its subsidiaries SM Retail Inc. and SM Prime Holdings Inc. Cherry Foodarama has been in the business since the early 1950s and is considered one of the pioneers in the grocery business.

PSe comPoSite index Closing June 15, 2015

7800 7500 7200 6900 6600 6300

7,456.16 47.56

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing JUNE 15, 2015 47

P45.200

46

CLOSE

45 44 43

HIGH P45.190 LOW P45.310 AVERAGE P45.261 VOLUME 584.350M

P500.00-P650.00 LPG/11-kg tank

Shell partner. Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. has forged a partnership with the Philippine Institute for Supply Management for the 23rd

SupplyLink to be held on June 18 to 19 at the Manila Marriott Hotel. The 23rd SupplyLink is a platform for supply management professionals to strengthen and hone their expertise and initiate knowledge and trends sharing among local and international practitioners. Shown (from left) are Pilipinas Shell marketing manager for commercial fleet John Paul Bayangos, contracting and procurement manager Edgard Magpantay, vice president for-corporate affairs Mon Del Rosario, PISM president Edwin Constantino and Pilipinas Shell sales manager Manuel Castaneda.

Peso weakens further to 45.20 against US dollar THE peso further weakened to a 14-month low of 45.20 against the US dollar Monday from 45.20 Thursday, driven by the uncertainty on whether or not the US Federal Reserve will announce an interest rate hike in its meeting on Thursday.

Philippine stocks also sank after the collapse in Greece’s talks for aid overnight sapped demand for riskier assets.

The peso fell to its weakest level since 45.20 on Jan. 29, 2014. Total volume traded reached $584 million, down from $684 million on June 11.

B3

“The Fed is scheduled to hold its meeting on Thursday and the markets are uncertain on the Fed’s next move in terms of interest rates,” Nicholas Antonio Mapa, associate economist of the Bank of the Philippine Islands, told The Standard.

“Another reason was the concern on Greece,” Mapa said, adding the local currency might trade between 45 and 45.30 for the rest of the week.

Negotiations between Athens and its EU-IMF creditors collapsed on Sunday “bringing the

Maibarara confirms geothermal expansion

threat of a Greek exit from the euro closer than ever.”

The peso breached the 45-toa-dollar mark on June 8 as strong US jobs data in May boosted the greenback versus most currencies. It closed at 45.025.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said earlier the exchange rate was one of those high-frequency market indicators that react quickly to market developments as much as with market noises.

Victor Abola, economist of the

B4

University of Asia & the Pacific, earlier said the strong job creation numbers in US released recently pushed up 10-year bonds to 2.41 percent, a sizeable jump from 2.12 percent end of May. He said this and the more promising outlook would attract capital flows into the US and make the dollar stronger.

He also said the disappointing 5.2-percent first-quarter gross domestic product numbers provided sufficient reason for foreign investors in the local stock market to exit for now. Julito G. Rada

MetroPac eyeing 3 more PPP projects

P41.85-P47.20 Unleaded Gasoline P29.35-P32.70 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, June 15, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

45.0390

Japan

Yen

0.008106

0.3651

UK

Pound

1.556900

70.1212

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128987

5.8094

Switzerland

Franc

1.078051

48.5543

Canada

Dollar

0.812810

36.6081

Singapore

Dollar

0.744491

33.5311

Australia

Dollar

0.774473

34.8815

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

119.4668

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

12.0104

Brunei

Dollar

0.741730

33.4068

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029647

1.3353

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.2622

Euro

Euro

1.126300

50.7274

Korea

Won

0.000899

0.0405

China

Yuan

0.161080

7.2549

India

Rupee

0.015618

0.7034

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.266099

11.9848

New Zealand

Dollar

0.697983

31.4365

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032328

1.4560 Source: PDS Bridge

TUESDAY: JUNE 16, 2015

B2

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Monday, June 15, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 104 63 2.49 4.2 18.48 31.6 2.95 1.01 99.4 1.46 30.5 75 94.95 137 361.2 59 174.8 1700 127.9 3.26 47 5 1.66 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 125 32 65.8 4.57 23.35 21.6 12.98 9.13 12.34 2.89 17 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 12.5 4 45.45 33.9 90 13.98 292.4 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 2.68 226.6 5.5 1.3 2.17

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 7.3 7.01 73.5 73 108.50 105.90 98.00 96.75 45.8 45.65 2.40 2.40 1.73 1.73 15.98 15.9 20.5 20.15 1.69 1.66 0.405 0.400 88.8 86.4 0.99 0.99 17.98 17.90 29.00 29.00 69.40 68.00 94 94 306 302 44.6 41.2 158 156 1500.00 1480.00 65.00 64.70 3.14 3.14 INDUSTRIAL 35.6 Aboitiz Power Corp.

44.4 44.6 43.8 1.6 Agrinurture Inc. 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.04 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 1.05 1.03 1.03 1.41 Alsons Cons.

1.96 1.95 1.98 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.52 10.56 10.5 32 C. Azuc De Tarlac 85.00 92.00 92.00 14.6 Century Food 18.5 18.5 18.46 62.5 Chemphil 105 107 107 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 27 27.05 26.5 29.15 Concepcion 57.5 58 58 Crown Asia 2.03 2.21 2.04 1.04 Da Vinci Capital 1.59 1.58 1.5 10.72 Del Monte 12.3 12.3 11.9 8.44 DNL Industries Inc. 19.000 19.000 18.9 9.79 Emperador 9.35 9.50 9.50 5.43 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 7.28 7.37 7.18 9.54 EEI 9.99 10.10 9.98 1.06 Euro-Med Lab 1.66 1.67 1.66 8.61 Federal Res. Inv. Group 12.1 12.7 11.92 18.06 First Gen Corp.

25 25.45 25 67.9 First Holdings ‘A’ 85.5 87 85.3 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 13.82 14.00 13.84 3.12 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.08 6.23 6.02 0.395 Ionics Inc 0.540 0.540 0.540 168 Jollibee Foods Corp.

195.50 196.90 194.90 8.65 Lafarge Rep 9.77 9.8 9.71 1.63 Mabuhay Vinyl 2.59 2.55 2.55 16 Macay Holdings 53.50 55.00 53.50 24.4 Manila Water Co. Inc. 25.35 25.5 24.65 16.2 Maxs Group 24.8 25.2 24.5 7.62 Megawide 6.28 6.59 6.28 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 284.00 284.00 278.20 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 4.51 4.66 4.5 9 Petron Corporation 9.00 9.19 8.87 3.7 Phil H2O 3.8 3.9 3.9 9.94 Phinma Corporation 11.22 11.80 11.70 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.76 3.90 3.72 2.22 Phoenix Semiconductor 2.19 2.19 2.17 1 Pryce Corp. `A’ 2.2 2.3 2.1 4.72 RFM Corporation 4.41 4.40 4.36 1.65 Roxas and Co. 2.03 2.2 2.03 6 Roxas Holdings 6.5 6.5 6.4 201.6 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 178 178 177.5 4.1 SPC Power Corp.

4.5 4.5 4.4 1.67 Splash Corporation 1.6 1.6 1.58 0.122 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.153 0.150 0.147 2.01 Trans-Asia Oil 2.23 2.23 2.22 143.4 Universal Robina 185 186 179.8 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.3 4.4 4.4 0.670 Vitarich Corp.

0.76 0.82 0.76 1.39 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.29 1.27 1.27 HOLDING FIRMS 0.45 Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.455 0.455 0.450 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 56.8000 57.2000 56.0000 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 22.45 22.70 22.45 1.6 Anglo Holdings A 1.32 1.27 1.27 6.62 Anscor `A’ 6.79 6.83 6.71 1.4 ATN Holdings A 0.255 0.255 0.240 600 Ayala Corp `A’ 767 777 755 7.390 Cosco Capital 7.82 7.9 7.8 14.18 DMCI Holdings 13.38 13.90 13.30 4.25 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

4.50 4.50 4.50 0.144 Forum Pacific 0.225 0.220 0.216 818 GT Capital 1351 1373 1354 5.3 House of Inv. 6.56 6.78 6.40 46.6 JG Summit Holdings 68.00 68.20 66.10 3.52 Keppel Holdings `B’ 5.07 5.07 5.07 4.43 Lopez Holdings Corp.

7.49 7.57 7.47 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.71 0.71 0.67 12 LT Group 13.3 13.68 13.3 0.580 Mabuhay Holdings `A’ 0.62 0.64 0.61 4.22 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 4.55 4.54 4.42 4.5 Minerales Industrias Corp. 5 5 4.95 0.036 Pacifica `A’ 0.0370 0.0350 0.0310 1.23 Prime Media Hldg 1.420 1.280 1.280 0.450 Prime Orion 1.300 1.420 1.250 66.7 San Miguel Corp `A’ 59.95 62.50 59.75 709.5 SM Investments Inc. 890.00 898.50 880.00 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.21 1.22 1.21 0.93 South China Res. Inc. 0.74 0.68 0.68 170 Transgrid 268.80 268.80 268.80 85.2 Top Frontier 80.500 84.350 82.250 0.200 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3550 0.3550 0.3500 0.173 Wellex Industries 0.2090 0.2140 0.2000 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.295 0.295 0.290 PROPERTY 6.01 8990 HLDG 7.250 7.550 7.250 0.91 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.73 0.74 0.72 1.29 Araneta Prop `A’ 1.250 1.250 1.250 0.192 Arthaland Corp.

0.220 0.220 0.220

2.5 66 84.6 84.5 45.8 1.97 2.03 12.02 23.55 1.75 0.225 78 0.9 18.02 58 76.5 95 276 45 107.6 1200 66 2.65

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

7.01 73.5 108.50 96.75 45.8 2.48 1.77 15.9 20.45 1.69 0.405 88.8 0.99 18.00 28.50 69.40 94 306 42.5 153 1490.00 64.70 3.15

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

7.3 73.4 106.90 97.70 45.8 2.40 1.73 15.96 20.25 1.67 0.400 87.55 0.99 17.90 29.00 68.15 94 306 41.2 157.4 1500.00 64.70 3.14

4.14 -0.14 -1.47 0.98 0.00 -3.23 -2.26 0.38 -0.98 -1.18 -1.23 -1.41 0.00 -0.56 1.75 -1.80 0.00 0.00 -3.06 2.88 0.67 0.00 -0.32

400 30,860 3,456,560 928,620 11,200 5,000 4,000 2,400 148,400 20,000 420,000 2,371,550 14,000 15,500 5,100 16,630 10 240 24,500 489,230 375 3,210 50,000

44 1.45 1.03 1.95 10.56 92.00 18.48 107 27 58 2.2 1.54 12.2 18.940 9.27 7.23 9.99 1.67 12.7 25.3 86.5 13.86 6.02 0.540 195.00 9.74 2.55 55.00 24.65 24.5 6.44 279.80 4.61 8.89 3.9 11.70 3.76 2.18 2.23 4.36 2.17 6.5 177.5 4.5 1.59 0.147 2.22 180 4.4 0.78 1.27

-0.90 0.00 -1.90 -0.51 0.38 8.24 -0.11 1.90 0.00 0.87 8.37 -3.14 -0.81 -0.32 -0.86 -0.69 0.00 0.60 4.96 1.20 1.17 0.29 -0.99 0.00 -0.26 -0.31 -1.54 2.80 -2.76 -1.21 2.55 -1.48 2.22 -1.22 2.63 4.28 0.00 -0.46 1.36 -1.13 6.90 0.00 -0.28 0.00 -0.63 -3.92 -0.45 -2.70 2.33 2.63 -1.55

2,494,500 4,000 350,000 2 300 50 267,200 20 647,100 1,005,800 11,928,000 311,000 49,600 671,100 1,910,900 26,381,000 2,533,000 22,000 33,400 3,282,700 179,850 15,000 444,100 25,000 1,181,690 343,700 5,000 8,400 1,141,000 293,300 56,500 390,190 2,859,000 1,831,600 1,000 23,100 85,000 664,000 23,725,000 974,000 61,000 2,000 8,450 17,000 27,000 1,710,000 433,000 3,150,310 1,000 8,451,000 81,000

0.455 56.2000 22.50 1.27 6.81 0.255 772.5 7.81 13.60 4.50 0.220 1355 6.68 66.10 5.07 7.5 0.69 13.58 0.62 4.42 4 0.0310 1.280 1.280 62.50 891.00 1.22 0.68 268.80 82.250 0.3500 0.2140 0.290

0.00 -1.06 0.22 -3.79 0.29 0.00 0.72 -0.13 1.64 0.00 -2.22 0.30 1.83 -2.79 0.00 0.13 -2.82 2.11 0.00 -2.86 -20.00 -16.22 -9.86 -1.54 4.25 0.11 0.83 -8.11 0.00 2.17 -1.41 2.39 -1.69

350,000 687,570 6,922,200 6,000 54,700 1,340,000 258,690 927,200 16,500,300 38,000 160,000 214,975 33,100 1,586,180 500 1,184,000 93,000 4,822,600 187,000 7,147,000 65,000 500,000 16,000 39,643,000 215,780 216,290 200,000 1 30 21,590 230,000 680,000 150,000

7.290 0.73 1.250 0.220

0.55 0.00 0.00 0.00

500,900 608,000 100,000 260,000

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

40 6.15 5.4 1.54 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.98 1.09 0.305 2.25 1.87 6.34 4.88 0.180 0.470 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 3.6 20.6 1.02 1.96 8.59

29.1 4.1 4.96 0.89 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.445 0.85 0.188 1.4 1.42 2.8 2.75 0.090 0.325 0.39 2.57 21.35 1.64 3.08 15.08 0.69 1 5.69

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

Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Keppel Properties Megaworld Corp.

MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

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

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 12.46 15.82 0.1460 4.61 99.1 12.3 9 1700 2090 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 0.017 0.8200 5.93 2.85 2.2 3.2 5.9 1.97 2.46 15.2 22.8 6.41 110.2 14 3486 0.710 2.28 48.5 90.1 11.6 0.87 10.2 0.490

1.97 32.5 1 0.6 10 9.61 0.0770 2.95 46.55 10.14 5.88 830 1600 5.95 1.36 105 3.01 0.012 0.036 2.34 1.69 1.1 2 1.05 0.490 1.8 8.7 14.54 3 79 4.39 2726 0.380 0.32 31.45 60.55 7.59 0.63 6.45 0.305

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

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

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

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

PAL Holdings Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

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

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 1.2 1.73 10.98 4.2 0.48 0.455 0.475 0.023 0.026 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 8.65 0.236 0.61 0.78 5.99 1.08 0.330 0.2130 0.2160 0.014 0.014 3.660 20.2 2.11 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

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 Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

680.00

70 553 525 120 515 8.21 111 1047 76.9 78.95 84.8

33 490 500 101.5 480 5.88 101 1011 74.2 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

-534,135.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

-1,625,787.00

10.96 15 88 12.88

2.4 3.5 13.5 5.95

125,000.00

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

2,031,292.50 -142,276,940.00 -49,649,589.00 9,160.00

-602,720.00 1,690.00 -95,557,761.50

High

Low

Close

39.00 3.48 5.33 0.82 1.25 1.06 0.140 0.440 0.840 0.170 1.23 1.84 5.01 4.71 0.114 0.3200 0.4500 7.24 28.50 1.71 3.34 19.46 0.73 0.880 7.080

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

39.20 38.65 38.95 3.52 3.47 3.49 5.36 5.33 5.36 0.83 0.81 0.81 1.26 1.26 1.26 1.10 1.06 1.10 0.139 0.138 0.138 0.440 0.425 0.440 0.840 0.830 0.840 0.180 0.170 0.180 1.24 1.20 1.22 1.85 1.82 1.84 5.33 5.10 5.20 4.75 4.67 4.71 0.118 0.106 0.118 0.3050 0.3000 0.3000 0.4500 0.4500 0.4500 7.33 7.24 7.33 28.50 27.60 27.90 1.72 1.68 1.7 3.35 3.23 3.35 19.48 18.90 18.90 0.73 0.72 0.73 0.880 0.860 0.860 7.090 7.030 7.050 SERVICES 6.4 6.49 6.39 6.4 60.06 60.2 59.8 60 1.12 1.12 1.11 1.11 0.660 0.670 0.640 0.650 13 13.54 13.54 13.54 8.83 9.10 8.85 9.10 0.0950 0.0940 0.0940 0.0940 4.06 4.09 3.9 3.98 85.35 85.3 83.65 83.65 10 10 9.99 10 6.66 6.40 6.13 6.40 960 950 941 941 2698 2670 2640 2642 6.12 6.19 6.17 6.19 1.34 1.36 1.36 1.36 111 110.3 108.2 110 5.85 4.00 4.00 4.00 0.013 0.013 0.012 0.012 0.232 0.235 0.228 0.232 2.2 2.29 2.29 2.29 2.99 3.05 2.97 3.00 1.3 1.35 1.32 1.35 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 50.00 51.00 46.00 48.00 0.690 0.720 0.660 0.660 1.99 1.99 1.99 1.99 6.97 6.99 6.86 6.89 18.96 19 18.9 18.9 4.55 4.55 4.55 4.55 124.00 124.00 122.00 124.00 19.60 19.88 19.62 19.86 2800.00 2846.00 2800.00 2800.00 0.680 0.700 0.670 0.690 1.310 1.330 1.300 1.300 37.00 37.05 36.80 36.95 76.00 77.90 76.00 77.35 9.76 9.76 9.55 9.57 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 5.14 5.29 5.09 5.12 0.330 0.330 0.330 0.330 MINING & OIL 0.0053 0.0055 0.0053 0.0053 2.50 2.60 2.50 2.50 6.99 7.10 6.80 6.80 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.98 1 0.96 0.96 0.79 0.79 0.78 0.79 7.24 7.26 7.00 7.25 1.68 1.83 1.67 1.8 0.320 0.325 0.315 0.320 0.232 0.233 0.230 0.232 0.237 0.238 0.238 0.238 0.0140 0.0150 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 3.41 3.43 3.41 3.43 24.3 24.65 24 24.6 3.72 3.73 3.69 3.7 2.0700 2.1500 2.0800 2.0800 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 0.0140 0.1400 0.0120 0.0140 4.38 4.42 4.00 4.00 6.45 6.7 6.4 6.54 1.97 1.990 1.910 1.92 0.015 0.015 0.014 0.015 140.50 140.50 138.00 139.20 10.88 10.88 10.5 10.7 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 PREFERRED 61 61 60.4 61 524.5 524.5 521.5 521.5 528 528 528 528 123 123 122 123 520 520 520 520 6 6 6 6 111 110 110 110 1043 1046 1045 1046 75.4 75.5 75.4 75.4 81.95 85 84.1 85 87 87.95 87.5 87.9 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.800 3.850 3.720 3.760 SME 9.64 9.9 9.56 9.73 5.25 6.08 5.31 6.07 63.95 73.95 69.85 69.85 10.82 11.2 10.76 11.06 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 122.4 122.5 121.5 121.5

-0.13 0.29 0.56 -1.22 0.80 3.77 -1.43 0.00 0.00 5.88 -0.81 0.00 3.79 0.00 3.51 -6.25 0.00 1.24 -2.11 -0.58 0.30 -2.88 0.00 -2.27 -0.42

6,970,100 1,575,000 289,500 5,318,000 20,000 41,000 110,000 560,000 529,000 1,520,000 777,000 5,134,000 6,400 34,195,000 1,550,000 1,180,000 50,000 46,800 1,899,500 54,000 42,000 25,650,700 381,000 159,000 8,604,000

6,228,370.00 -267,850.00 -267,850.00 712,660.00

0.00 -0.10 -0.89 -1.52 4.15 3.06 -1.05 -1.97 -1.99 0.00 -3.90 -1.98 -2.08 1.14 1.49 -0.90 -31.62 -7.69 0.00 4.09 0.33 3.85 0.00 -4.00 -4.35 0.00 -1.15 -0.32 0.00 0.00 1.33 0.00 1.47 -0.76 -0.14 1.78 -1.95 0.00 -0.39 0.00

22,400 11,880 19,000 11,011,000 1,500 13,835,000 3,150,000 7,138,000 306,620 14,800 4,700 120 179,680 33,300 78,000 2,358,710 200 31,800,000 4,830,000 30,000 404,000 6,000 101,000 1,140 18,000 25,000 821,000 3,500 9,000 17,020 270,700 134,715 6,897,000 6,483,000 4,921,100 1,503,580 1,464,600 8,695,000 4,868,100 120,000

0.00 0.00 -2.72 0.00 -2.04 0.00 0.14 7.14 0.00 0.00 0.42 0.00 0.00 0.59 1.23 -0.54 0.48 0.00 0.00 -8.68 1.40 -2.54 0.00 -0.93 -1.65 0.00

1,106,000,000 27,000.00 522,000 335,400 -1,177,942.00 10,000 562,000 3,025,000 -5,460.00 4,500 131,892,000 4,185,430.00 250,000 3,500,000 10,000 39,200,000 1,000,000 63,000 -44,420.00 750,800 -5,862,590.00 185,000 179,000 63,100.00 1,100,000 66,000,000 393,000 147,600 205,032.00 3,587,000 69,540.00 17,800,000 579,540 10,996,339.00 363,500 -92,552.00 100,000

0.00 -0.57 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.90 0.29 0.00 3.72 1.03

65,120 22,070 3,400 150 890 180,000 100 1,050 27,080 2,630 21,770

-1.05

250,000

0.93 15.62 9.23 2.22

835,000 2,700 90 2,498,700

242,128.00

-0.74

5,020

12,210.00

-8,800.00 -3,600.00 -1,230.00 2,201,310.00 20,800.00 -7,661,430.00

MST

0.7 59.2 31.85 2.16 7.39 3.4 800 11.06 84 5.14 0.66 1380 6.68 72.6 6.66 9.25 0.9 18.9 0.73 5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 0.84 87 934 2.2 1.39 390 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 1.99 2.07 0.375

STOCKS

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

SHARES 9,479,434 104,403,441 86,110,843 112,579,953 112,810,909 1,377,568,062 1,806,294,172

429,805.00

21,200.00 -190,340.00 -5,967,147.00 267,550.00

-41,820,945.00 1,125,680.00

-3,750.00

-108,200.00

-119,620.00 39,250.00 7,380.00 -2,635,920.00 11,626,527.00 -89,244,527.00 -7,021,567.00 -15,030.00

-24,810,625.00 1,293,219.50 156,520.00

-2,700.00 85,279,182.00 -70,986.00

-6,400,875.00 -1,808,270.00 282,355.00 -28,126,294.00 10,506,830.00 -4,019,666.00 115,830.00 33,950.00 32,700.00 -373,040.00 -292,260.00 875,702.00

22,400.00 -11,150.00 -41,028,440.00

-260,500.00 1,270.00

-11,571,889.00 26,302,240.00

46,456.00

-16,028,040.00 407,868.00 36,011,706.00 171,000.00

25,923,715.00 79,432.00 -14,244,581.00 -264,846.00

-17,556,160.00

-9,227,100.00

3,457,680.00 -10,215,546.50 -540,325.00

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp.

IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

T op g ainerS VALUE 907,051,459.4195 1,663,333,946.536 1,620,465,004.296 1,137,471,716.28 1,731,952,867.8415 359,576,532.197 7,456,092,947.073

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,708.97 (down) 4.63 INDUSTRIAL 11,251.84 (down) 123.65 HOLDING FIRMS 6,676.66 (down) 16.35 PROPERTY 3,042.78 (down) 30.51 SERVICES 2,090.12 (down) 4.64 MINING & OIL 13,835.17 (down) 17.86 PSEI 7,456.16 (down) 47.56 All Shares Index 4,294.27 (down) 19.97 Gainers: 72 Losers: 91; Unchanged: 56; Total: 219

-22,500.00 -42,086,385.00

383,146,510.00 -50,700,329.00

-3,452,230.00 20,310.00 9,101,450.00 84,500.00 -12,370,554.00 -113,255.00 -149,973,070.00

99,280.00 -38,887,243.00 -37,280.00

15,621.00

0.00 875,692.00 10,069,770.00 -1,982,420.00 11,319,125.00 84,532,204.00 70,933.00 -5,416,950.00 11,795,431.00

-2,770,410.00 0.00

573,794.00

10,001,232.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Makati Fin. Corp.

6.07

15.62

Imperial Res. `A'

4.00

-31.62

IRipple E-Business Intl

69.85

9.23

Pacifica `A'

0.0310

-16.22

Crown Asia

2.2

8.37

Prime Media Hldg

1.280

-9.86

C. Azuc De Tarlac

92.00

8.24

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

4.00

-8.68

Ferronickel

1.8

7.14

South China Res. Inc.

0.68

-8.11

Roxas and Co.

2.17

6.90

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.012

-7.69

Ever Gotesco

0.180

5.88

Phil. Estates Corp.

0.3000

-6.25

Federal Res. Inv. Group

12.7

4.96

Manila Bulletin

0.660

-4.35

Phinma Corporation

11.70

4.28

Manila Broadcasting

48.00

-4.00

San Miguel Corp `A'

62.50

4.25

Swift Foods, Inc.

0.147

-3.92

TUESDAY: JUNE 16, 2015

B3

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

Maibarara confirms expansion

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Maibarara Geothermal Inc. said Monday it completed tests supporting an output expansion of the 20-MW Maibarara geothermal project in Sto. Tomas, Batangas province by another 10 MW. Maibarara said in a statement it finished bore output testing that confirmed sufficient steam supply to support the 10-MW Maibarara-2 expansion project.

Maibarara is a joint venture among PetroGreen Energy Inc., which owns a 65-percent interest, Trans-Asia Oil & Energy Development Corp., 25 percent; and PNOC Renewables Corp., 10 percent. PetroGreen is a subsidiary of PetroEnergy Resources Corp.

of the Yuchengco Group.

Maibarara currently operates an integrated 20-MW geothermal power facility in Sto. Tomas, Batangas that started commercial operations on February 8, 2014.

The company started its expansion project in the second half of 2014 by drilling two new wells which were successfully completed five days and 14 days ahead of schedule, respectively.

Maibarara said it tested MB16D

well from December 2014 to February 2015 and MB15RD well from April to May 2015.

Maibarara said MB15RD, which was originally designed and drilled as an injection well, attained commercial well-head pressure, mass flow and MW output at full-bore opening at the end of May. Energy Department director Mario Marasigan of the Renewable Energy Management Bureau welcomed the outcome of Maibarara’s drilling and testing programs for the expansion project.

“The DoE looks forward to a new 10-MW power station in MGI in 2017. Despite its modest size, MGI’s expansion unit combines the advantages of being base-loaded, renewable and free of harmful greenhouse gas emis-

sions. Just as important, the host LGUs [local government units] can expect additional royalties and benefits when the new plant becomes operational,” Marasigan said.

The 10-MW expansion is estimated to cost P1.3 billion, company officials said earlier.

Maibarara president Francisco Delfin JR. earlier said the company would proceed with the financial closing on 70 percent of the project cost by August and shortly after construction started.

Delfin said talks were ongoing with potential buyers of the additional 10-MW geothermal output.

The Maibarara project is an integrated power facility comprising of steam field, power station and transmission line.

Isabela market project. The Trade Department successfully launched the Improved Market Operations for Vigilant, Efficient and

Responsive Service Project at the new public market in San Antonio, Delfin Albano, Isabela on May 15, 2015, in coordination with Delfin Albano Mayor Thomas Pua Jr. (sixth from left) and Sangguniang Bayan members. DTI Isabela Consumer Welfare Division Chief Clifford Gregorio (third from right) led the launching, along with municipal trade and industry officers. A certified I-MOVER market must always foster a green, honest and consumer-friendly market, be compliant to all fair trade laws and be a well-informed market.

SSI Group sees net income rising 19% this year

By Jenniffer B. Austria SSI Group Inc., the country’ largest specialty store retailer owned by the Tantoco family, plans to increase net income and sales by 19 percent to 22 percent this year amid rising consumer spending and a rapidly growing middle class.

“2015 will be a good year for the Filipino consumers and the company will benefit from increasing consumer spending,” SSI president Anthony Huang said during the annual stockholders’ meeting.

SSI Group posted net income of P998 million in 2014, up 63 percent from P613.7 million in 2013, while revenues stood at P15.2 bil-

lion, up 19 percent from a year ago.

SSI Group increased its planned capital spending this year to over P2 billion from an initial target of P1.5 billion, as the company aims to build 21,000 square meters of retail footprint.

The company is spending P1.7 billion in 2016 to develop 16,000 square meters of additional retail space.

SI Group’s retail footprint stood at 138,000 square meters as of end March 2015.

Huang said the group’s luxury brands remained stable due to favorable economic conditions, while the company’s fast fashion and beauty brands had been growing significantly because of a

strong middle-income market.

“A big chunk of sales is generated by the middle income segment. It really allows us to go into shopping mall locations that cater to broader market,” Huang said.

He said the company would continue to expand its retail portfolio by bringing in new brands. SSI Group added seven new brands in the first quarter of 2015, namely Max & Co, Charming Charlie, Radley, Amazonas, Jelly Bunny, Kurt Geiger and Lipault.

Huang said the company was also studying plans to venture into other areas like Cebu and Iloilo, given the increasing developments in the two key cities.

Its convenience store business under FamilyMart is venturing in Cebu with the opening of five outlets in July. The company operates 103 FamilyMart stores, including 12 franchised-owned outlets.

Huang said the company aimed to open 150 FamilyMart outlets this year, including 40 to 45 franchised-owned.

SSI has over 103 international brands in the Philippines, including Hermès, Prada, Gucci, Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Gap, Old Navy, Zara, Stradivarius, Bershka, Aeropostale, Samsonite, Nine West, Payless Shoe Source, Beauty Bar, Marks and Spencer, Pottery Barn and TWG.

Market sinks on Greece fallout THE stock market slumped Monday on fears Greece could tumble out of the eurozone after talks with creditors collapsed, leaving the country on the verge of a default.

“The issue over Greek debt has added more concerns among investors toward emerging-market assets,” Jeffrosenberg Tan, fund manager at PT Sinarmas Asset Management, said by phone from Jakarta.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 47.56 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,456.16 on a value turnover of P7.4 billion. Losers beat gainers, 91 to 72, with 56 issues unchanged.

Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, lost 2.7 percent to P180, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. sank 2.9 percent to P18.90.

BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender in terms of assets, fell 1.5 percent to P106.90, while Globe Telecom Inc., the second biggest telecommunications firm, retreated 2.1 percent to P2,642.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp. of port magnate Enrique Razon Jr. bucked the trend, rallying 3.1 percent to P9.10.

Emerging market losses followed a sell-off Friday in New York. US investors were spooked after European officials confirmed that they had been preparing for a worst-case scenario of Greece failing to pay its bills.

Tokyo ended marginally lower, giving up 19.29 points to 20,387.79, while Shanghai sank 2 percent, or 103.36 points, to 5,062.99. Hong Kong gave up 1.53 percent, or 418.73 points, to close at 26,861.81.

Sydney fell 0.12 percent, or 6.45 points, to 5,538.8 and Seoul lost 0.48 percent, or 9.85 points, to end at 2,042.32.

Negotiations between Greece and its creditors broke down in less than an hour on Sunday, with each side blaming the other’s refusal to back down on certain issues.

“They came with their hands in their pockets,” a furious EU source close to the negotiations told AFP, while one Greek official described the creditors’ demands as “irrational.”

With Athens due to repay billions of euros in loans by the end of the month, the latest failure raises the specter of a default, which could ultimately lead to the country crashing out of the eurozone. With Bloomberg, AFP

B4

MetroPac eyeing 3 more PPP projects

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Metro Pacific Group will bid for three more projects under the public-private partnership scheme, after securing a P35.4-billion Bayanihan. More than 70 employee volunteers from Standard Chartered Philippines recently supported Kalinga’s Bayani Challenge 2015 through volunteering and information campaign. Shown are Standard contract to construct and operate the Cavite Gawad Chartered employee volunteers repainting homes in GK San Ildefonso, Tanay, Rizal.

Laguna Expressway.

“We’ll be selective. We’re not going to participate in all. There are three areas [in] PPP projects were interested in,” Metro Pacific Investments Corp. chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan said his group was interested in bidding for the P108.2-billion Regional Airports Development, P287-billion North-South Commuter Rail and the operations and maintenance contract for the Light Rail Transit Line 2.

“We’ll look into it and if we think it’s viable, then we might participate,” he said.

The Public Works Department awarded last week the Calax project to a unit of Metro Pacific, which submitted the top offer during the government’s second attempt to bid out the project.

MPIC’s unit MPCala Holdings Inc. submitted a premium bid of P27.3 billion for the 47-kilometer toll road, beating the P22.2-billion offer by San Miguel Corp.’s Optimal Infrastructure Development Inc. The Public Works Department said MPCala had until June 29 to comply with all the requirements

in the notice of award. Contract signing is scheduled on June 29.

Construction period would cover July 2016 to July 2020, while operations and maintenance would be from July 2020 to July 2050.

Calax, one of the largest PPP projects, involves the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a four-lane, 47-kilometer closed-system toll expressway connecting ManilaCavite Expressway and South Luzon Expressway.

The P35.4-billion expressway will start from Cavitex in Kawit, Cavite and end at the SLEXMamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna.

The MPIC Group in partnership with Ayala Corp. recently secured PPP projects, including the P64.9-billion LRT Line Cavite extension project and the P1.7-billion Automated Fare Collection System.

Light Rail Manila Corp., which won the LRT Cavite extension project also plans to join the auction for the P64-billion LRT Line 1 extension to Dasmariñas from Bacoor, Cavite.

Applebee’s set to open first store in PH

By Jenniffer B. Austria APPLEBEE’S Grill and Bar, a leading casual dining restaurant chain in the United States, is set to open its first store in the Philippines next month.

Global Restaurant Concepts Inc., a Filipino-owned company that also brought International House of Pancakes into the country, signed an agreement with DineEquity Inc. to build three Applebee’s stores in the Philippines.

DineEquity is one of the world’s largest full service restaurant companies and the franchise owner of Applebee’s Grill and Bar and IHOP. GRCI president Archie Rodriquez said in an interview following the signing of the agreement the first branch of Applebee’s would open in Bonifacio Global City while another outlet would open in Eastwood City. A third location is still under review.

Average size of an Applebee’s

store ranges from 200 to 300 square meters while total investment ranges from $400,000 to $600,000 per store.

Applebee’s venture in the Philippines forms part of the DineEquity’s expansion in the Asia Pacific region.

The first branch of Applebee’s would open in Bonifacio Global City.

“The Asia Pacific is clearly one of our greatest opportunities for growth across both our brands,” DineEquity international division president Daniel del Olmo said.

Among the factors that convinced DineEquity to bring its second brand Applebee’s in the

Philippines are the continuous domestic economic growth, young population looking for experience usually tied to international brands and the Philippines’ close relationship with US. Rodriguez said for IHOP, the company was on track to achieve its target to have 20 stores, with an average investment of $300,000 to $500,000 per store, over the next three to four years.

IHOP, which opened its first store in 2013 in Bonifacio Global City, now has 7 stores in the country and plan to open 7 more outlets. Among the new locations for IHOP new stores are Eastwood City and Baguio.

GRCI also owns IHOP franchise for Southeast Asia and it plans to open in Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore in Malaysia.

Under GRCI agreement agreement with DineEquity, it should have 30 to 35 IHOP outlets in Southeast Asia over the next 7 years.

Smart teams up with Facebook to offer free access to 6 mobile sites SMART Communications Inc. and Facebook on Monday launched six new partner sites for their free mobile Internet access program.

Smart, through its value brand TNT, is the first telecommunications firm in Southeast Asia to offer the Internet.org app when it launched in the Philippines in March.

It offers free access to an initial list of 24 Web sites that feature informative and practical content, including Facebook and Messenger.

Internet.org is a Facebookled initiative that aims to

make mobile Internet services available to two-thirds of the world who are not yet connected.

The six new Internet.org partner sites are GMA News Online, the news portal of GMA Network; iMoney.ph, a website that helps Filipinos compare financial products across different banks; and Jofom (by Jobstreet), a job-hunting site for blue collar jobs.

Also included in the roster of Internet.org partner sites are PEP.ph, one of the country’s leading entertainment news sites; Sakay.ph, a site that offers information on

public transport around the country; and Sun.Star, which offers community news and information in key provinces around the Philippines.

“Talk ‘N Text’s launch of the Internet.org app has boosted our long-sustained efforts to introduce more Filipinos to mobile Internet and allow them to experience its reallife benefits,” TNT marketing head Cherish Canizares-Tupaz said.

Talk ‘N Text has 28 million subscribers.

“The overwhelming response from our subscribers shows their increasing appre-

ciation for the practical uses of mobile Internet in their life.

Our ‘Panalo ang May Alam’ campaign best sums it up: Informed people win in life.

And with these new partners, our subscribers are betterequipped to win in life every day – whether through knowing the latest news or discovering useful information that lead them to better social and economic opportunities,” Tupaz said.

TNT also launched a mobile web development challenge, a nationwide call for Filipino developers to create Internet. org-compatible websites and

apps that serve the specific needs of livelihood groups around the country.

Since 2014, Internet.org has rolled out in 13 countries, including Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Colombia, Ghana, India, Guatemala, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malawi, Pakistan and Senegal, making the app available to over 1 billion people so far.

TNT supports the Internet. org app on the back of Philippines’ largest and most advanced mobile network, with over 90,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables around the archipelago.

T U E S D AY : J U N E 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

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

The Deep Web A 31-YEAR-OLD man made the news last month, when a US District Court judge in New York sentenced him to life in prison.

The crime of Ross Ulbricht, who held two college degrees, was operating Silk Road, an online black market that became a popular platform for people to buy and sell illegal drugs anonymously.

Prosecutors said since the secret website was set up in 2011, Silk Road generated almost $214 million in sales and $13.2 million in commissions before police shut it down in 2013. By that time, the clandestine marketplace listed some 10,000 items for sale, 7,000 of which were illegal drugs, from marijuana to black tar heroin.

Ulbricht, who went by the handle “Dread Pirate Roberts” (after a character in the 1987 movie The Princess Bride) before his arrest, was convicted in February of selling narcotics, money laundering and maintaining an ongoing criminal enterprise.

During his trial, his lawyers argued that the online drug market actually provided a safer alternative to buying drugs on the street.

Before his sentencing last month, Ulbricht also begged the judge to leave “a small light at the end of the tunnel” by giving him a lenient sentence. The judge was unconvinced, and handed him five sentences handed five sentences: one for 20 years, one for 15 years, one for five and two for life. All are to be served concurrently with no chance of parole.

“The stated purpose [of Silk Road] was to be beyond the law. In the world you created over time, democracy didn’t exist. You were captain of the ship, the dread Pirate Roberts. You made your own laws,” Forrest told Ulbricht at his sentencing.

For most people who followed the story on the mainstream media, Ulbricht was a drug kingpin who got what he deserved.

A new documentary, Deep Web, tries to shed light on sides on aspects of the story that the mainstream media ignored and portrays Ulbricht as being more of a libertarian than a greedy drug kingpin.

Directed by Alex Winter (who was Bill in the 1989 movie Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure) and narrated by Keanu Reeves (who played Ted in the same cult movie), Deep Web reveals the ignorance of prosecutors, judges and gives voice to the belief that society needs for a surveillance-free zone where ideas and merchandise can be exchanged freely.

Like the mainstream coverage, however, Deep Web is also one-sided—but for Ulbricht’s side. Here, Ulbricht is depicted as the victim of a government witch hunt.

His parents, interviewed extensively, believe he was only one of many people using the DPR handle, and that the others might have conspired to frame him.

The film also interviews users of Silk Road, protecting their identities by showing them in silhouette and morphing their voices. When one of these disembodied voices claimed that Silk Road was more than just a market for illegal drugs and was home to many philosophical discussions, I was reminded of how my friends and I, in our teenage years, claimed that we read Playboy for the interviews.

The documentary’s title is also a little misleading.

Silk Road did operate in the Deep Web, but it occupied only a small portion of it called the Dark Web, which is home to anonymous networks.

The Deep Web refers to the content on the World Wide Web that is not indexed by standard search engines, such as databases and academic journals. Even deeper from the surface is the Dark Web, the portion that has been intentionally hidden and is inaccessible through standard browsers.

To protect itself from prying eyes, Silk Road used TOR, an anonymous network that can only be accessed using a TOR browser, which masks a user’s IP address. While the network is portrayed in the media as home to criminals and a platform for illicit activities, it also protects political dissidents, activists and journalists from oppressive governments.

Silk Road also used Bitcoin, an unregulated payment system through which users can transact directly with each other without going through an intermediary.

All this is detailed as well in Winter’s documentary, which makes for interesting viewing despite its apparent bias. In the end, however, it is difficult to feel too much sympathy for a man who used technology in a way that arguably put people in harm’s way.

If you’re looking for a truly tragic online personality with a more heroic bent, 2014’s documentary The Internet’s Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz does a far better job.

Column archive and blog at: http://www.chinwong.com

B5

Citicore to finish 3 big solar plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Citicore Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings said Monday it will complete 210 megawatts of solar power projects by December.

Citicore Solar is a joint venture between Citicore Power, a sister company of Megawide Construction Corp. and Solar Philippines.

Solar Philippines president Leandro Leviste told reporters one of the projects under construction was the 60-MW solar plant in Batangas province.

“It’s under construction already. Civil works has begun.

Target completion is down December. That should put it safely on schedule to make it into the 500 MW feed-in-tariff allocation,” Leviste said at the sidelines of the Asia Clean Energy Forum.

Leviste said two other projects, including a 90-MW solar plant in Central Luzon and a 60-MW solar

project in Mindanao were expected to be completed by December.

“Our next one, we can say will be in Central Luzon and it will be completed also in the same December timeline. Our third one will be somewhere in Mindanao and will be completed by December as well,” he said.

Leviste said the race was on for the additional 450-MW installation target for solar with an approved feed-in tariff of P8.69 per kilowatt-hour.

The Energy Department earlier increased the installation target for solar projects to 500 MW from 50 MW due to the strong interest in solar projects, lower cost of solar panels and short construction period.

“We’ve ordered the equipment even before the permits, even before financial close because we are taking the risks doubling down to make sure that we get in for the 500 MW,” he said.

“In a few year’s time, solar will become cheaper than fossil fuel, and one day supply the majority of this country’s energy needs,” Leviste said earlier.

“We are proud to partner with a company that shares this longterm perspective, and has made it a priority to turn this vision into a reality,” he said.

Citicore Power is a wholly owned subsidiary of Citicore Holdings Investment Inc., which has investments in airports, hospitals, schools, and other infrastructure projects.

Citicore Power was incorporated to invest in renewable en-

ergy, including solar, hydro and biomass, as part of its sustainable development program and portfolio diversification objectives.

Ad summit. The Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of the Philippines officially launched at

the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City the master plan for Ad Summit Pilipinas 2016, to be held from March 9 to 12 at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. Shown are members of the association as they launch the 2016 master plan, with the theme “Come Out and Play.”

BCDA envisions ‘city within a farm’

By Othel V. Campos STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority said Monday it envisions the development of “city within a farm,” which will include workers and communities.

Sixteen companies, including property developers Filinvest Land, Megaworld Corp. and Ayala Land attended the pre-bid conference for the first phase of the project, covering a 288-hectare property.

“The [Clark Green] City will not be an enclave of the rich adjacent to a poor district, but an entire community of empowered Filipinos,” Casanova said in a statement.

The prebid conference expanded the offered lot size to 288 hectares from the original size of 254

hectares under a 55:45 joint venture agreement. It also removed the P2.5-billion initial cash investment.

Clark Green City sits on a 9,450-hectare lot within the Clark Special Economic Zone in the province of Tarlac and is envisioned as the country’s first smart, green and disaster-resilient metropolis.

Based on the Clark Green City District Plan, the new city will have five districts including the government district; central business district; academic district, agri-forestry research and development district; and the wellness and eco-tourism district.

“If Singapore is the city in a garden, we also look forward to Clark as the city in a farm,” Casanova said.

The minimum bid for phase 1 of the Clark Green City project has been reduced to P160 million from P500 million in an attempt to attract more investors.

The development cost of the first phase is estimated at P1.3 billion.

“This will become an aspirational place that will set new standards on how Filipinos should create liveable communities,” Casanova said.

The agency expects the best utility, infrastructure and green technology developers in the country to join the bidding.

BCDA said in a joint project with Pag-IBIG (Home Mortgage and Development Fund), it would also bid out the construction of at least 2,000 units of low-cost housing units for wage earners.

TUESDAY: JUNE 16, 2015

B6

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

Palafox on urban planning Felino Palafox Jr. is one of a handful of present-day Filipino architects whose work I admire and follow. The founder of the firm bearing his name, Palafox designed Rockwell Center and has performed design and urban planning work on engagements with Middle Eastern and other foreign real-estate developers.

I like, and take note of, Palafox’s views on urban planning and metropolitan structuring. If there’s anyone in today’s Philippine architectural profession who deserves the title environmental architect, it is Felino Palafox Jr.

Palafox recently made a presentation before a real estate group titled “Philippines @ 500, Manila Megalopolis 2021 and Beyond: A Vision Plan Toward Safe, Smarter, Sustainable Cities of the Future.” The figure 500 relates to the forthcoming 500th anniversary of the founding of Manila, in 2021, by the Spanish colonizers.

Palafox began his paper by categorizing the world’s cities as green, liveable, smart, sustainable and resilient. The world’s top ten cities possessed these qualities. Metro Manila, which is composed of Manila, 15 other cities and one municipality, is not among the top ten cities, according to Palafox.

Metro Manila may even be among the Social Housing Finance Corporation world’s worst ten cities, Palafox quipped. a subsidiary of National Mortgage Finance Corporation He then proceeded to explain why this was so and how things could be turned Invitation to Bid around in the days ahead.

For starters, Metro Manila’s compoFor Project No. 2015-10: Re-bidding for the Renovation/ nent localities are surrounded by gated Rehabilitation/Improvement of HUDCC’s Lobbies, Stair communities and there is little affordable Landings, and Thirteen (13) Comfort Rooms at the 9th and 15th Floors of BDO Plaza housing for employees. Gated communi(Pursuant to Section 35.1 (a) of the IRR of RA 9184) ties should be in the suburbs. He told his audience: “If you have practical, pragmatic thinking like the progressive cities of 1.

The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) under its Corporate Budget for Year 2012 through the Social Housing Finance Corporation the world, go to the suburbs [and] if you (SHFC) intends to apply the sum of Two Million and Four Hundred Eighty Six are in the middle of a city, make it a multiThousand Seventy Eight Pesos and 48/100Only (P2,486,078.48),inclusive of all government taxes,being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) family unit.” to payments under the contract for Project No. 2015-10: Re-bidding for the Palafox said that future urbanism Renovation/Rehabilitation/Improvement of HUDCC’s Lobbies, Stair Landings, and Thirteen (13) Comfort Rooms at the 9th and 15th Floors of should be of the vertical kind. Building BDO Plaza. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at tall infrastructure was more sustainable Bid opening. because tourism, garbage collection and 2.

The HUDCC through SHFC now invites bids to apply for eligibility and to participate mixed-use residency for shopping and in the bidding of the above-mentioned project. The contract period or term for service described in the Terms of Reference (TOR) shall be sixty (60) calendar dining would revolve around one point days from the date of receipt of the Notice to Proceed issued by the SHFC to the only. “With the urban sprawl that we Contractor. have, there will be [far more] kilometers Bidders should have completed, within One (1) year from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible Bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

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

4.

Interested Bidders may obtain further information from SHFC and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below duringoffice hours between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on 16 June 2015 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of FiveThousand Pesos (P5,000.00) to the Cashier.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of SHFC, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the date of submission of their bids. The method of payment will be on cash basis.

6.

SHFC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 23 June 2015, 10:00 a.m. at the SHFC Board Room, 5th Floor, BDO Plaza 8737 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

7.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 07 July 2015 at 10:00 a.m. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 07 July 2015, 10:00 a.m.at the SHFC Board Room, 5th Floor, BDO Plaza 8737 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City. 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.

8.

SHFC assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid. SHFC reserves the right to waive any or all formal requirements, so that it shall likewise not be held liable for any defects or typographical errors in all documents received by the bidder, which shall be presumed to have been read and understood by the bidders to be mere defects in form only.

9.

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

10.

For further information, please direct your inquiry to:

ETHEL S. BUGHO Officer-In-Charge, BAC Secretariat Social Housing Finance Corporation 2nd Floor, BDO Plaza 8737 Paseo De Roxas, Makati City (T) +63 2 750 6337 (loc) 42; (02) 817 2794 procurement@shfcph.com www.shfcph.com

(TS-JUNE 16, 2015)

(Sgd.) ATTY. JOSE D. MELGAREJO Chairman, BAC

of roads, sewerage, drainage and electricity, among other things,” he said.

Palafox cited his firm’s design for Makati City’s Rockwell Center. “If you live in Rockwell, everything is within four hundred meters away.” Metro Manilans did not like to walk, he said.

The environmental architect said that he has been pushing DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) in the direction of green urbanism. With green urbanism, the allotment of roads would be one-third for pedestrians and bicycles, one-third for trees and landscaping and one-third for vehicles. “Those who have less in wheels should have more in roads,” Palafox said, paraphrasing the late president Ramon Magsaysay.

“Look at EDSA,” Palafox said. “Nothing for people, nothing for landscaping.” EDSA has 300,000 vehicles a day, [so] we should have three million trees along EDSA to recover the carbon monoxide of each car.”

As for the skyways that are being installed in Metro Manila, Palafox said that when he asked an urbanist friend what he thought of the new installations, his friend gave this answer: “It’s like cheating on your diet by just loosening your belt.”

The man behind Rockwell Center concluded his presentation by saying that the best cities in the world that he had visited had a common formula for success. The formula was “(v)isionary leadership, strong political will, good urban planning, design and architecture and good governance.”

A tall order, but one that the government of this country must seek to heed if the mistakes of Metro Manila’s past development are to be avoided as the Manila heads toward its 500th anniversary and the years beyond.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

Batangas gas pipeline study done

By Alena Mae S. Flores

REBEL Group International BV has completed a feasibility study on the Batangas-Manila (BatMan1) natural gas pipeline project, a critical infrastructure that is seen to spur the development of the country’s natural gas industry, a government official said Monday.

Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines executive director Cosette Canilao confirmed the completion of the study and that the project would require the approval of the National Economic and Development Authority- Investment Coordination Committee.

“It’s for ICC [approval],” Canilao said when asked for comment on the step to take on the BatMan 1 project.

The ICC is composed of the finance secretary as chairman; the Neda director-general as cochairman; and the executive secretary, secretaries of agriculture, trade and industry and budget and the Governor of the Bangko Sentral as members. The ICC evaluates infrastructure projects and recommends to the President the timetable of their implementation.

T U E S D AY : J U N E 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

N. Korean soldier defects to South SEOUL—A young North Korean soldier walked into South Korea Monday in a rare defection through one of the world’s most fortified frontiers, saying he deserted his camp because of habitual beating, military officials said.

The 19-year-old soldier surrendered himself to South Korean border guards around 8:00 am (2300 GMT) after crossing the frontier in Hwacheon, northeast of Seoul, the South’s defense ministry said.

“We’ve confirmed his will to defect after he reached our guard post,” a ministry spokesman told AFP. The North Korean soldier told investigators that he had decided to defect “because of habitual beating at his camp while harboring complaints about the reality of his homeland,” the spokesman added.

Croc eats another before an audience SYDNEY—A 16-foot crocodile has put on a spectacular display for a passing tour boat, attacking and chomping on a smaller croc before plunging it into an unsurvivable “death roll.”

British trainee guide Nikki Davies said one or two of the fearsome predators were usually spotted during cruises in the Kakadu region of northern Australia.

But as the boat went past two crocodiles close together during Friday’s sunrise cruise, it became evident that this was no usual encounter, with the larger dominant animal holding a two-meter-long victim clamped in its jaws.

“It had its teeth sunk into the eyes, and snout and brain of the smaller one,” Davies told AFP, adding that the little crocodile was struggling in vain to escape.

The larger reptile, known as Maxi, then dragged its catch through the water in a “death roll” in which the animals spin their victims through water to subdue and dismember them. AFP

The defection sparked a tense stand-off between North and South Korean border guards across the four-kilometer-wide and 248-kilometer-long demilitarized zone , but there was no conflict, the Yonhap news agency reported.

The man identified himself as a private, the lowest rank among the North’s enlistees, the agency said.

Hundreds of North Koreans flee their isolated homeland each year but it is rare for defectors to cross the land border, marked by barbed wire and guarded by tens of thousands of troops on both sides.

Despite its name, the DMZ separating the two Koreas, which remain technically at war, is one of the world’s most heavily militarized frontiers, bristling with watchtowers and land mines.

Most North Koreans who flee repression and poverty at home cross the porous frontier with China first before traveling through a Southeast Asian nation and eventually arriving in South Korea.

In 2012, a North Korean soldier walked unchecked through

rows of electrified fencing and surveillance cameras, prompting Seoul to sack three field commanders for a security lapse.

In August last year, two North Koreans swam across the Yellow Sea border to a South Korean front-line island.

So far, about 28,000 North Koreans have resettled in the South since the end of the 195053 Korean War, mostly after the great famine in the 1990s.

But the number of escapees has decreased sharply since North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un took power following the death of his father in late 2011.

Under Kim, the isolated state has tightened border security, while China has launched a crackdown on North Korean escapees on its side of the border.

China—the North’s sole major ally—typically considers them illegal economic migrants and repatriates them despite criticisms from human rights groups.

Many face severe punishment including, rights monitors say, torture and a term in a prison camp once they are sent back to the North. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President National Irrigation Administration

Onstage in Nashville. Singers Karen Fairchild, left, and Kimberly

Schlapman of Little Big Town perform onstage during the 2015 CMA Festival on June 13 in Nashville, Tennessee. AFP

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NATIONAL TOBACCO ADMINISTRATION Scout Reyes Street, corner Panay Avenue, Quezon City Tel No. (02) 374-3987 Fax. No. (02) 374-2505

Invitation to Bid CONSTRUCTION OF CABULALAAN SMALL RESERVOIR IRRIGATION PROJECTS 1 AND 2 AT BRGY CABULALAAN, SINAIT, ILOCOS SUR 1.

The NATIONAL TOBACCO ADMINISTRATION (NTA), through the Corporate Operating Budget for CY 2015, intends to apply the sums of PhP 4,834,774.89 for Project 1, and P 1,917,004.35 for Project 2, for a total of PhP 6,751,779.24, being the Approved Budgets for the Contract (ABC), to payments under the contract for CONSTRUCTION OF CABULALAAN SMALL RESERVOIR IRRIGATION PROJECTS 1 AND 2, AT BRGY CABULALAAN, SINAIT, ILOCOS SUR, (PB 2015-03). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The NTA now invites bids for the supply of labor and materials for the construction of Small Reservoir Irrigation, at Brgy. Cabulalaan, Sinait Ilocos Sur. Delivery of Works is required for a period of 80 calendar days for Project 1, and 45 calendar days for Project 2. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

(PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) UPPER PAMPANGA RIVER INTEGRATED IRRIGATION SYSTEM Office Address : CLSU Cmpd. Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija TIN No. : 00091616114

TELEPHONE No. : (044) 456-5963 TELEFAX No. : (044) 456-5963

INVITATION TO BID No. NIA-UPRIIS-DV-ADMIN. BUILDING-2015-03 The National Irrigation Administration, Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-UPRIIS DIVISION V) CLSU Compound Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija hereby invite Contractors/ Bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the Implementation of infrastructure Project for CY 2014.

Pack. No.

Name of Project

Location

Approved Budget (P)

PCAB Category

Contract Duration

Amount of Bid Documents (Php)

CW-NIA- UPRIISDIV-ADMIN BUILDING

Construction of Administrative Building

Maturanoc, Guimba, Nueva Ecija

14,463,959.11

Small B

180 CD

25,000.00

Prospective bidders should be PhilGEPS Registered and have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last two (2) years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding, and have key personnel and equipment (owned, leased or under purchase) available for the prosecution of the project. The list of minimum equipment requirement is indicated in the Eligibility Forms. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary.

{i} Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy-five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country, the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. (ii) Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the IRR of RA 9184.

4.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders from June 16, 2015 to July 6, 2015, from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of PhP10,000.00.

Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, PreBidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A.9184 and its implementing Rules & Regulation (IRR), The compIete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: 1. Letter of Intent (Attached Company Profile)

June 16 - June 22, 2015

2. Issuance of Bid Documents

June 16 - July 07, 2015

3. Pre-Bid Conference

June 23, 2015 @ 2:00PM

4. Deadline of Submission of Bids

July 07, 2015,@ 12:00 NN

5. Opening of Bids

July 07, 2015, @ 2:00PM

Bid Documents will be available to prospective bidders upon payment of non-refundable amount to the Cashier.

The NIA-UPRJIS assume no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnity bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid. It likewise reserved the right to reject any all bids, or any part thereof, to waive any defect in the bid/s received without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders, and to accept such bid/s considered most advantageous to the government. The decision of the BAC in the evaluation of bids/ quotations is final.

For additional information, interested parties may inquire at the above office.

Approved by:

Noted by:

(SGD.) LEONARDO F. RAMOS Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee

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

Conformed:

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the NTA and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during working days from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the NTA, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

5.

The NTA will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 24, 2015, 10:00 a.m., at the 3rd Floor NTA Building, Cors. Scout Reyes Street and Panay Avenue, Quezon City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

6.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before July 07, 2015. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the Bidding Documents.

Bid opening shall be on July 07, 2015, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., at the 3rd Floor NTA Building, Cors. Scout Reyes Street and Panay Avenue, Quezon City. 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.

7.

The NTA 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.

8.

For further information, please refer to: CRISTINA C. LOPEZ, DBA National Tobacco Administration Cors. Scout Reyes Street and Panay Avenue, Quezon City Tel No. 372 3188; cclnta@yahoo.com Fax No. 373 2095 Website Address: nta.da.gov.ph (SGD) CRISTINA C. LOPEZ, DBA Chairman, NTA-BAC

(SGD.) REYNALDO D. PUNO Department Manager, UPRIIS (TS-JUNE 16, 2015)

(TS-JUNE 16, 2015)

T U E S D AY : J U N E 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Doubting legal minds slam Japan’s security bills TOKYO—Legislation that would allow Japan’s military to fight in defense of allies is unconstitutional, legal experts said Monday, as opposition to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s pet project grows.

Two of Japan’s foremost constitutional experts told journalists that the bills, which are currently being debated in parliament, must be withdrawn because they risked undermining the country’s avowed pacifism.

“The government should retract the bills because the core element of the bills—allowing the use of collective self-defense—is manifestly unconstitutional,” Yasuo Hasebe, professor of constitutional law at Waseda University, told reporters.

“It is quite likely that the bills could bring about the entanglement of [Japan’s armed forces] in unconstitutional foreign military activities.”

Abe, a robust nationalist, has pushed for what he calls a normalization of Japan’s military posture. He has sought to loosen the restrictions that have bound the so-called Self-Defense Forces to a narrowly defensive role for decades.

But unable to muster the public support to amend the constitution imposed by the United States after World War II, Abe opted instead to re-interpret it, and proposed legislation that allows the military greater scope to act.

Chief among the changes is the option for it to go into battle even if there is no direct threat to Japan or its people, something successive governments have ruled out.

Washington, which for 70 years has been the guarantor of Japan’s security, has welcomed the move, which to many foreign eyes seems relatively uncontroversial.

However, it has proved deeply unpopular among academics and Japan’s public, who are deeply wedded to the commitment to pacifism.

Setsu Kobayashi, professor emeritus of Keio University, said passing laws that violated the letter of the constitution was a slippery slope. AFP

Heritage sites open. Nepalese masked dancers in traditional costumes perform in a ceremony in Durbar Square to mark the reopening of

Kathmandu’s heritage sites in Bhaktapur on the outskirts of Kathmandu on June 15. Nepal reopened its temple-filled Durbar Square to the public despite warnings over safety, seeking to woo back tourists after a deadly earthquake that left much of the country’s cultural heritage in ruins. AFP

Debt-wracked Greece now closer to default BRUSSELS—D efault by debt-wracked Greece loomed dangerously closer after the last-ditch talks between Athens and its EUIMF creditors collapsed on Sunday, bringing the threat of a Greek exit from the euro closer than ever.

The crunch negotiations failed in their second day, heaping worry that the cash-starved Greek government was heading irreversibly into a financial abyss with a huge IMF debt payment due at the end of the month.

“They came with their hands in their pockets,” a furious EU source

close to the negotiations told AFP, while Greek officials said the failure was the fault of the International Monetary Fund, the country’s most hard-line creditor.

“The demands of the creditors are irrational, the discussions lasted 45 minutes,” an irate Greek government source said.

The deadlock drove the euro down in Tokyo morning trade Monday, with the single currency dropping to $1.1213 and 138.50 yen from $1.1260 and 138.92 yen in New York late Friday.

However, analysts said it was unlikely the euro would take a plunge as investors were in a “wait-and-see mood.”

All sides had agreed that the talks were the last chance for Athens to unlock vital bailout cash in return

for tough reforms that Greece’s 40-year-old Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras still doggedly refuses.

The IMF’s position was “intransigent and tough” because it was insisting on further pension cuts and a rise in value-added tax on basic goods, like electricity, the Athens source added.

But in a rare statement on their position in the talks, the IMF took a conciliatory approach, writing in an official blog that a deal would require “difficult decisions by all sides”—including Greece’s European partners.

Nevertheless chief economist Olivier Blanchard insisted that Greece must tackle its bloated pension system, which he said accounted for a whopping 16 percent of the country’s economy.

Greece is shattered economically after six years of crisis and despite two rescue programs since 2010, worth 240 billion euros ($270 billion), mostly in loans owed to its European partners, led by Germany and France.

The small Mediterranean nation is now buried under a mountain of debt equivalent to 180 percent of GDP, or almost twice the country’s annual economic output.

According to an EU source, savings from the reform measures put on the table by anti-austerity Greece fell short by two billion euros.

The Greek proposal “remains incomplete”, the EU source said, and was not enough to unlock the 7.2 billion euros still remaining in Greece’s international bailout, which expires on June 30. AFP

Queen leads Magna Carta celebrations

Photo call. US actress Amanda Schull poses during a photo call at the 55th Monte-Carlo Television Festival on June 15 in Monaco. AFP

LONDON—Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister David Cameron were to attend a ceremony Monday to mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the document that laid the foundation for parliamentary democracy in the West.

The queen will lead commemorations on the meadow in Runnymede, south England, where her distant predecessor King John sealed the document on June 15, 1215.

Spectators gathered for the celebrations, which included musical and spoken word performances ahead of a formal ceremony.

A replica of the document made its

way down the River Thames on board the Royal Barge Gloriana on Saturday, leading a flotilla of 200 boats.

The 3,500 word Magna Carta, Latin for “Great Charter,” made the monarch subservient to the law and is widely recognized as the first charter protecting human rights and freedoms.

It was first drafted by the archbishop of Canterbury, and approved by King John in an attempt to subdue the rebellious barons angry at his financial incompetence and treatment of noblemen.

The document was annulled by the pope nine weeks later, ruling that the king had been forced to

sign it under duress, but was later reissued after John’s death in 1216.

Four copies of the document survive, two in the British Library and one each in Lincoln and Salisbury cathedrals.

As part of the celebrations, a major new art installation comprising bronze chairs will be unveiled at the site, honoring the calf-skin document’s 39th clause, which gave the right to a jury trial.

The American Bar Association, which installed the first memorial at the site in 1957, will perform a re-dedication ceremony and a statue of the queen was revealed at the site on Sunday. AFP

T U E S D AY : J U N E 1 6 : 2 0 1 5

BING PAREL A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER life @ thestandard.com .ph

LIFE

ABLAZE WITH LOVE

C1 A Golden Family Affair (from left): Czarina Ablaza-Syquia, Consul Mellie, Consul Luis, Marc and Jun Jun Ablaza III.

An aerial shot of Amelia, a palatial estate located in Esperanza, Alfonso, Cavite, built in honor of the family matriarch.

Luis and Mellie Ablaza celebrate 50 years of bliss

BY FRANCIS DE LEON

I

t was a glorious Saturday afternoon when I headed to the hilly estate of the Ablaza family to witness a grandiose celebration on the occasion of the 50th wedding anniversary of a well-loved couple, Zambia Consul Luis Ablaza Jr. and Guatemala Consul Mellie Ablaza.

As I journeyed to the meandering road leading to the venue, I came across the threshold of Amelia – a sprawling hacienda built by Consul Luis Ablaza as a grand homage to his wife as they mark their golden years as a couple. It has a church, entertainment pavilion and a dining hall whose enchanting beauty moves the soul to profess a love that lasts forever.

“It took me a few years to have this built, but I’m glad I was able to complete it in time for the reason I built it.

And that is to present it as a golden wedding anniversary gift to the one and only woman I adore,” expressed Consul Luis Ablaza during the formal reception.

Amelia, after all, carries the namesake of the family matriarch, the respected diplomat and high society doyenne – Consul Mellie Romero-Ablaza.

“It may not even compare to a Taj Mahal… This place is simply called Amelia – my loving tribute to its beautiful and charming namesake,” he shared with guests.

A marriage spanning 50 years is a milestone worthy of such a grand celebration. If it took building a majestic edifice to affirm love to the woman his heart belongs to, then this gesture speaks profoundly about a man as a life partner, husband, and family man.

“Everyone likes a love story, especially if it lasts 50 years and more. To most of you, the love story

of Luis and Mellie is an open book. But one thing remains true – whether between couples, or among family members, or among community members, or among nations – and that is, relationships last where love and understanding become greater than their differences,” he proclaimed.

Indeed, it was one grandiose event and a milestone occasion that will be remembered. Fortunately, I was one of the many guests who embraced the romantic story, of almost epic proportions, about a man and his great love for a woman named Mellie.

“My father played an integral part in the logistics of their wedding anniversary,” shared Jun Jun Ablaza III, the creative genius behind the pomp and pageantry of the splendid occasion. Nothing was spared to celebrate the marriage of the golden couple. The seemingly larger-than-life occasion was a grand testament to 50 glorious years of wedded bliss which the Ablazas whole-heartedly shared to guests.

“Thank you for witnessing the renewal of our wedding vows… The fact that you have agreed to travel all those miles from Manila just to be with us makes you all the more special to us,” Consul Mellie Ablaza graciously thanked guests.

As the proverbial saying goes, there is more to things than meets the eye. For amidst all the intricate details and the extravaganza, what is essential is the enduring love of a great man to the only woman he adores – Amelia.

For Consuls Luis and Mellie Ablaza, theirs is a continuing fairytale etched in solid gold.

The golden couple renews their wedding vows

Fireworks add to the festive atmosphere

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PETER FRAC AND JHONG DIZON

TUESDAY : J UNE 16 : 2015

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

HONOR THE MAN OF THE HOUR Give Dad a well-deserved break on his special day

BY BERNADETTE LUNAS Our fathers play various roles in our lives: provider, protector, friend, mentor, disciplinarian, exterminator and repair guy, among many other things. Now that it’s his turn to feel extra special, urge him to forget his jobs and “side jobs” for a while and treat him to an indulgent feast and relaxing staycation fit for the king that he is.

GUSTATORY TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS No, you don’t have to board a plane with Pop just so you could enjoy the vibrant music scene and sumptuous cuisine of this Louisiana city. Head down south to Acacia Hotel on June 21 as its Acaci Coffee Shop will offer celebratory dishes inspired by New Orleans’ diverse cuisine along with other popular and international delicacies.

Lunch or dinner buffet is priced at P1,298 net per person. Fathers partaking of the buffet will enjoy a complimentary glass of the Drink of the

Month called Father’s Blue Eyes on the house.

If a relaxing and memorable weekend is what you’re gunning for, Acacia welcomes Dad and his company to an exquisite stay from June 19 to 21 for P6,588 net. The package includes an overnight stay, buffet for two at Acaci, a choice of beer or wine buffets at the Tree Top Lounge or Lobby for one, 15-minute head and shoulder massage, and more.

For reservations, call 720-2000 or email enquiry@acaciahotelsmanila.com

PROMOS FOR POP Malate’s newest boutique hotel, Amelie Hotel Manila sure knows how to say “I love you” in three ways as it offers three special rates for Dad’s special day. Spend an overnight stay and pay only P3000 net for a Deluxe 1 room for two persons with breakfast for two, bottled water, newspaper, complimentary access to Wi-Fi and gym, and a bottle of white wine; or P3400 net for a Deluxe 2 room for four persons with breakfast for four, bottled water, newspaper,

FEAST FOR FATHER

Take Dad to a gastronomic trip around the world at Marco Polo Ortigas’ inhouse buffet restaurant that offers dishes from every country. The Father’s Day Buffet at Cucina is offered for lunch on June 21 at P2,700 net per person. If he prefers authentic Cantonese cuisine, take him to Lung Hin and choose from different selections of set menus offered for lunch and dinner at P2,500 net.

After a filling meal, reserve a room at the hotel for Dad for P5,500 net, inclusive of breakfast buffet, access to indoor infinity pool and Fitness Center, and more.

For inquiries and reservations, call 720-7720 or email manila@marcopolohotels.com

complimentary access to Wi-Fi and gym, and a bottle of white wine; or P3900 net for an Executive Room for two persons with breakfast for two, bottled water, newspaper, complimentary access to Wi-Fi and gym, and a bottle of white wine.

These Father’s Day offers run from June 18 to 30.

For inquiries and reservations, call 875-7888, email hello@ameliehotelmanila.com, or visit www.ameliehotelmanila.com

DADDY DELIGHTS Enjoy a fun weekend with dad at Diamond Hotel where scrumptious gastronomic options and pampering accommodation offers await.

Indulge Dad to an overnight stay at the luxurious hotel for P6,000 net. This includes breakfast for two, one-hour sports massage and a free upgrade to a Deluxe Palisade Room.

For an exceptional culinary treat, inhouse buffet restaurant Corniche prepares delectable international selections for lunch

or dinner at P2,550 net per person, while Yurakuen Japanese Restaurant serves up Set Menus good for four, six or 10 persons. Dad dines for free when dining in a group of six, and a minimum spend of P5,000 at either restaurant entitles him to a raffle.

For inquiries and reservations on room packages, call 528-3000 local 1104 or email reservations@diamondhotel.com. For restaurant reservations, call 528-3000 local 1121.

WONDER GIFTS FOR WONDER DADS Makati Shangri-La, Manila treats fathers on their special day with a Wonder Dad room package and indulgent dining offers. Celebrate Father’s Day in one of the hotel’s exquisite rooms as accommodation package starts at P7,800 net on all weekends of June. This includes breakfast for two adults and two children and a Sage Bar voucher worth P1,200 net.

For the ultimate feast with Dad for Father’s Day, Circles Event Café offers a Father’s Day lunch and dinner buffet for P2,350 net that

can be paired with unlimited local beer for P625 net. Savor a Western buffet brunch at Sage Bespoke Grill for P2,000 net for lunch or a four-course set menu for dinner at P2,500 net per person.

Go all out on authentic Japanese fare with the utage buffet at Inagiku for P2,700 net per person. Or indulge in unlimited dim sum lunch for P1,700 net per person.

For room reservations, call 813-8888. For dining reservations, dial 814-2580.

THE WAY TO A MAN’S HEART Good food, as the saying goes, is the key to man’s heart, so with that in mind, InterContinental Manila’s executive Chef Jean Marc Veron and his culinary team come up with a four-course set menu for lunch and dinner at the Prince Albert Rotisserie for only P2,500 net per person on Father’s Day.

ERRATUM

For those who want to celebrate buffetstyle, an extra special buffet spread of local and international favorites awaits at The Jeepney for only P1,850 net per person.

Dining dads will not only feel full with good food as they will also get surprise gifts.

For inquiries, call 793-7000 local 771 to 772.

‘80S THROWBACK PARTY

Is your father a fan of the ‘80s television series Miami Vice? Well then, good news for you and for him, as Dusit Thani Manila throws a wickedly cool Miami Vicethemed shindig on Father’s Day. Pose for the cameras with Dad at the Miami Beach-inspired lobby set-up and treat daddy-o to a bodacious banquet at any of the hotel’s specialty restaurants.

Basix offers a special brunch buffet for the family. For lunch or dinner, Benjarong Royal Thai Restaurant serves up a ninecourse Father’s Day Special set menu good for four persons for P3,999 net. UMU’s special menu for Daddy’s special day includes a wide variety of sashimi, mushimono and yakimono for P2,000 net per person.

Meanwhile, Tosca is all about giving father a premium meal with its delicious Provencalstyle grilled scallops, grilled tenderloin, Sabayon Semifreddo, and more.

Special prizes such as an Ingersoll Watch, golf items courtesy of Bravo Golf, Calvin Klein perfumes and Marks & Spencer traveling bags among others await lucky Dads dining for lunch.

For inquires and reservations, call 238-8888 or e-mail dtmnresadm@dusit.com

In the article “SM Foundation sparks hope in the country’s future leaders” (June 15 issue, C2), the four Engineering Board Licensure Examination top-notchers mentioned in the article were all from the FEU Institute of Technology, not National University as mentioned. We apologize for the error.

TUESDAY : J UNE 16 : 2015

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

HONOR THE MAN OF THE HOUR From C2

A HARLEY DAVIDSON-THEMED WEEKEND

Unleash Dad’s adventure steak as you treat him to a fun weekend inspired by the dream bike Harley Davidson at Discovery Suites.

Book a Junior Suite for P5,500 net or a One Bedroom Suite for P6,500 net. Each package includes buffet breakfast for two, movie passes at any SM Cinemas for two, and complimentary Wi-Fi and Press Reader access. Dads can take a souvenir of this thrilling yet relaxing weekend by having their photos taken beside the Harley Davidson display at the lobby.

Take the bike to lunch and dinner as the hotel’s Father’s Day menu is also inspired

by Harley Davidson’s old and modern motorbikes. Start your meal with Dyna Prime’s Seafood Gumbo Soup. For the main course, diners can choose from Street Glide NY Striploin with Broccoli Gratin and Twice Baked Potato or Grilled Road King Prawns with Mixed Vegetable and Salsa Verde. End the evening by remembering funny moments with Dad while savoring Freewheeler Molten Chocolate Rum Cake with coffee or tea. This set menu is priced at P1,500 net.

For inquiries and reservations, call Discovery Suites at 719-8888, e-mail rsvn@discovery.com. ph, or visit http://discoveryhotels-resorts.com

HEARTY FILIPINO DELIGHTS SINCE 1941

BY ED BIADO

Some restaurants wow you with their interiors and excellent food presentations, only to disappoint you with the not-so-impressive quality of their dishes. Three Sisters Restaurant of Pasig is the exact opposite of that.

Located on East Capitol Drive in Kapitolyo, the casual dining establishment currently operates from the owner’s ancestral house – adobe walls, hardwood doors, antique chandeliers, and a very homey feel. From the outside, you wouldn’t think that some of the area’s best-tasting Filipino dishes are served at this nondescript venue.

(From what I’m told, this is a temporary location. They used to be in a different building on the same street and they will move to their new home on West Capitol Drive next month.)

Three Sisters is a family business started in 1941, which is why the recipes are decidedly traditional and can rightfully boast of the “home-cooked” tag. All the dishes I tried were absolutely delicious, hearty and didn’t have the “commercial” taste that’s common among more mainstream establishments.

Their crispy pata is indeed crispy all over and the meat under the crunchy skin is tender. It was so good that I hardly used any dipping sauce. The pinakbet has the right amount Crispy pata

of pork, sweet-salty bagoong and medium-cooked vegetables.

I also got to try the bangus belly sinigang sa miso that’s really, really sour and bursting with flavor – just the way I like it.

(Side note: I don’t like my sinigang mild at all.)

The bestseller, and perhaps the item that Three Sisters is best known for, is the pork barbecue. At P48 a stick, which is thrice the price of street-side barbecue, you’d expect it to be chunky and flavorful. And I’m happy to report that that’s exactly how it is.

For dessert, I highly recommend the leche flan. I know that we all have different standards when it comes to this national treasure, but if you’re looking for something super-creamy, custard-y and moderately sweet, you’ll definitely fall in love with the one at Three Sisters.

The eatery has combo meals priced between P135 and P195. These are all good choices, especially when you’re just out for a quick lunch. But Filipino cuisine is like soul food, which means that it’s best consumed on cheat days (extra rice, anyone?). Also, in keeping with the homey theme of the place, it’s a much more enjoyable experience to dine home-style and share the generous servings of viands with friends or family.

So the next time you’re around Kapitolyo, go to Three Sisters. And promise me you’ll have that amazing crispy pata.

Bangus belly sinigang sa miso

Facade

Pork barbecue

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ED BIADO

U

THE CULINARY RIVALRY BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH ITALY

nknown to many, Italy’s gastronomic landscape is divided into two regions: the mountainous ranges of the North bordering France and Switzerland and the Southern region which stretches towards the Mediterranean Sea. Northern Italy is home to risotto, truffle, polenta and lasagna, while the southern region is abundant in fresh produce.

In line with this, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila sets the stage for an epicurean voyage to Italy and invites Chef Denis Vecchiato from North Italy and featured Italian Chef from Singapore, Chef Toni Rossetti from South Italy, to slip on their hats and face each other in the kitchen.

In the recent gastronomic showdown at the hotel, guests and diners witnessed Executive Chef Denis Vecchiato’s culinary

expertise defined by his Northern Italian roots against guest Southern Italian Chef, Toni Rossetti. In a kitchen battle of three events, the chefs engaged in a cook off of masters. Gourmands were in for a treat as they witnessed an amazing artisans’ showdown while dining al fresco in Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila’s lush verdant grounds.

Available today until June 21, diners can indulge in the rich flavors of Italian cuisine as Chef Toni Rossetti shares his mother’s favorite recipes from the South of Italy and presents specialty dishes borne by his culinary expertise in an enriched selection at Spiral for P2,500 net per person.

For inquiries and reservations, call 832-6988 or email H6308fb12@sofitel.com

GOOD FOOD FOR THE GENTLEMAN

Treat the man of the house to a superb Sunday Brunch on June 21 at Marriott Manila’s Marriott Café for P2,800 so he can feast on an extravagant buffet selection featuring irresistible temptations displayed in the seafood bar, carving station, roasted section and foie gras corner.

For a more polished take on this special occasion, take him with the family to Cru Steakhouse and try its signature specialty: the manly 900 grams steak comes with five side dishes for P5,400.

For inquiries and reservations on Marriott Manila’s Father’s day offerings, call 9889999 or visit manilamarriott.com

Executive Chef Toni Rossetti and Executive Chef Denis Vecchiato showcase the sumptuous diversity of Italian cuisine at Sofitel.

Executive Chef Toni Rossetti

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T U E S D AY : J U N E 1 6 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARMIE DULGUIME

MAKING SENSE OF THE SENSIBILITIES OF TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY

BY CARMIE DULGUIME

I’m just a hobbyist like any DSLR-toting traveler out there, but I have already amassed a great number of digital photos and videos from my vacations in the last four years.

While I am happy with most of my output, I can’t say that I am satisfied – not because I’m a perfectionist, but because I realize now these digital memories took the fun away from my actual experiences.

I should have recorded more memories mentally rather than with my digital gadgets.

This is why I vowed to use my sensibilities more in my succeeding travels and shoot less with my cameras. Capture more; shoot less.

This way, I get to seize moments that only I can relive in my mind over and over again, anytime, anywhere, way after every trip.

Take, for example, traveling by boat rental on an island-hopping trip. Here, the horizon makes a dramatic tableau. My most memorable one was during a very early trip from Coron to Calamian for the Calauit Safari Park tour. My group set off just before sunrise, the boat steadily slicing through the sleeping water. Everything was so still, it felt like we were trying to rouse this part of the world with the noise coming from our boat’s motor.

And then the scene revealed itself to me: the sky’s majestic azure planting a firm kiss on the calm water’s glossy blue. They merge, the line separating them barely visible. Like a scene from the movie The Truman Show, it looked like we would ram against a solid blue wall. But as the day yawned to make way for a brighter passage, I knew we were off to a great start.

In another trip, I learned how to turn what could have been a disaster into a triumphal nature trip. I had the serendipitous chance of capturing the break of dawn during a camping escapade at Nagsasa Cove in Zambales.

Unable to sleep because of the heavy rains that drenched our small tent the entire night, I decided to walk around the island at around four in the morning to fight off weariness. With the tide at its lowest, I was able to reach the neighboring island. Once there, I noticed a glimmer just behind the mountains. The sun was stretching out slowly as if to greet me a good morning.

A few minutes later, it rose higher and created magnificent reflections of the mountains on the shallow waters beneath it. I scanned the entire scene with my eyes before closing them and breathed in as deep as I can, processing the image in my memory. No filter necessary; just untouched beauty. No panoramic function of any digital camera can give me this kind of rapture.

I could go on and on about how fascinating the scenes I’ve seen during my journeys from Baguio to Davao, and I could show you pictures to prove them. But nothing is better than experiencing them with your own sensibilities. The best part of it all is that there is a lot more for me to explore.

So next time you go out for a vacation, I suggest you let your senses (rather than your lenses) do more of the picture taking. And lessen the selfies – but that’s just me.

You can barely see the line that divides the calm sea from the yawning sky.

Sunrise in Nagsasa is a backlit poster – only better. Much better.

The reflection affirms the undisturbed state of Nagsasa.

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SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

PHILIPPINE FASHION WEEK’S HOLIDAY 2015 SHOW

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he country’s premiere fashion event, Philippine Fashion Week (PhFW), dressed up with the country’s 18 top sartorial talents, June 12 to 14, at the SM Aura Premier Atrium featuring their Holiday 2015 collection.

By putting the spotlight on the designs and making sure theywere made available to fashion fans right after the runway show, PhFW reshaped the industry by giving consumers the avenue for immediate access and purchase to their favorite pieces.

“We introduced this concept during our Spring/Summer 2015 show and from here on, designs will be made available for viewing and purchase right after they’re showcased on the runway. Fashion is made to be worn and not just looked at so style watchers can expect Philippine Fashion Week to actualize this new format for Holiday 2015 and in the shows to come,” said PhFW Director and Executive Producer Joey Espino.

Power Mac Center also came in as sponsor for this edition of PhFW. As the top provider of Apple products and services to Filipino consumers, Power Mac Center brought its portfolio of brands for Holiday 2015 by collaborating with some of the designers. These brands include Knomo London, which exhibits functional style with its laptop covers, bags and sleeves; Moshi, the purveyor of electronics + fashion; Happy Plugs Stockholm, a Swedish lifestyle brand that sells stylish ear buds and gadget accessories; Case-Mate, a leader in fashion-forward premium cases for tablets and smartphones; Gosh!, which crafts aesthetically-appealing power banks, and the hip and powerful audio accessories brand Beats.

The 18 designers for Holiday 2015 were spread across three nights of glamor with the first show on June 12 at 6:30PM. Gracing the debut show were the 60s and 70s-inspired frocks from EsAc (Mixy Dy, Lyle Ibañez, and Audie AE), Anthony

Nocom’s sleek menswear, Boyet Dysangco’s sensual and sophisticated pieces, Jian Lasala’s romantic collection for women, Lyle Ibañez’s modern take on Filipiniana dressing, and Sidney Perez Sio’s ode to the iconic barong.

On June 13, the show featured Arnold Galang’s abstract painting-inspired pieces, Cherry Samuya Veric’s intricate lacework, Jeffrey Rogador’s collection adorned with Pinoy superheroes, Jerome Salaya Ang’s take on easy and edgy dressing, Noel Crisostomo’s work with a retro vibe, and Roland Alzaté’s Hedy Lamarr-inspired anthology.

The final night on June 14 featured Jun-Jun Cambe’s homage to the 50s, Kaye Morales’ Samurai culture-infused designs, Pat Santos’ Sicilian pieces awash in Marsala, Philipp Tampus’ play on contrasts, Randall Solomon’s floral creations, and Raoul Ramirez’s items teeming with the colors of sunset.

Power Mac Center designers also included their collaborative pieces in the line-up with Anthony Nocom x Moshi, Boyet Dysangco x Case-Mate, Lyle Ibañez x Happy Plugs Stockholm, Arnold Galang x Happy Plugs Stockholm, Jeffrey Rogador x Knomo London, Roland Alzaté x Gosh!, and Sidney Perez Sio x Beats by Dr. Dre.

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Fashion Week featured designs by:

Lyle Ibañez

Arnold Galang

Pat Santos

Fashion is made to be worn and not just looked at, so style watchers can expect Philippine Fashion Week to actualize this new format for Holiday 2015 and in the shows to come – Joey Espino, Fashion Week Director and Executive Producer

Anthony Nocom

Jun-jun Cambe

MORE EXCITING EPISODES IN ‘MASTERCHEF AUSTRALIA’

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John Vic vies to be the next Australian Masterchef

ooking show fans are in for a treat as Lifetime dishes out the highly anticipated Season 7 of popular competitive cooking show MasterChef Australia,with a Filipino contestant vying to be crowned king of the kitchen.

John Carasig is all about “putting Filipino cuisine on the map,” and as the competition heats up, he showcases his East-meets-West cooking style that’s heavily influenced by his heritage.

Catch John, Monday to Friday, 8 p.m., as he faces the challenges from the judges – chefs Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris, and food writer Matt Preston.

Lifetime is also whetting appetites even more with “The Feast of a Lifetime” contest, where viewers get the chance to win a trip to Melbourne to visit the MasterChef Australia kitchen, and dine with George Calombaris at his restaurant.

With weekly prizes at stake as well, Filipinos should tune in and look out for the mystery box appearing on screen during the show, and enter the code on LifetimeAsia.com/MasterChefAu. Lifetime™ is available on Cable Link Ch 223, Destiny Cable Ch 44 (Analogue) Ch 65 (Digital), Dream Satellite TV Ch 10, SKYCable SD Ch 65 and HD Ch 199, and other select provincial channels.

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

GMA WELCOMES KOBE PARAS WITH A PARTY

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f you were Kobe Paras, most likely GMA Network would throw a party to welcome you back home.

And that’s what GMA Network did to welcome Kapuso Basketball Heartthrob Kobe Paras on June 11, at the Executive Lounge of GMA Network Center.

Kobe has give Filipinos reason to be proud, this time after winning the 2015 FIBA 3x3 under 18 Slam Dunk Championship in Hungary.

During welcome part, the GMA Artist Center contract star got a plaque of appreciation for his exemplary achievement in the field of basketball and for being a positive influence to the youth.

Kobe’s father Benjie Paras and brother Andre Paras were there as well, along with network offi-

cers GMA Network’s Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., and EVP and COO Felipe S. Yalong, among others.

Kobe said he is honored and overwhelmed with the warm welcome. “It’s really an honor that GMA did this for me. I feel so loved. I just want to say thank you.

The tournament wasn’t easy for me.

Not even if my daddy were there, It was really difficult. I wouldn’t have done that without my teammates, especially my coach John. I just appreciate the fact that you guys did this for me and I’m really proud to be a Kapuso because this really means a lot and no matter what happens, I’m happy na meron din akong pamilya dito.”

From left, GMA Network’s Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., Kobe Paras, and EVP and COO Felipe S. Yalong

YOUNGEST CHILD ABDUCTED BY POLTERGEIST

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tarring Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Jared Harris, Poltergeist is the story of an ordinary family dealing with extraordinary circumstances. Set in America’s nondescript suburbs, a young family-of-five moves into a new home only to find it possessed by angry poltergeists. When these angry spirits abduct their youngest daughter, Madison, they recruit a team of scientists and psychics – including a clairvoyant reality star to get her back.

This year’s Poltergeist and the 1982 original give audiences a rollercoaster ride of thrills and fright with a story about the abduction of a family’s youngest child by

supernatural and increasingly hostile forces. The rest of the clan then wages a gruelling battle to get her back safely. But the new film updates the story’s perspective, place and characters.

Unlike the original Poltergeist, which was set in a comfortable economic time during the 1980s, this film is situated in the rapidly fading, disenfranchised American ideal we know as suburbia. A rundown, cookie-cutter community of three-bedroom homes, unkempt yards and chain link fences in an Illinois neighborhood sets the scene for the unsuspecting protagonists, the Bowen family. It reminds audiences that life in suburbia can

Kennedi Clements is the kid abducted by poltergeist

sometimes be a long way from comfort and safety.

It is the children who first notice that something is off about the house, even before the Bowens take ownership.

Griffin, the middle child, catches his younger sister Maddy having a conversation with an unseen…something…in what will soon be her bedroom closet. By the time

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ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Henry VII’s navigator 6 Hot-tub material 11 Cuttlefish defense 14 Island greeting 15 Pop up 16 Whiskey grain 17 Singer — Judd 18 Underlying reason 20 Knightly title 21 Young fellas 23 Climber’s spike

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Desktop symbols Keeps digging Spa Bridle parts A Musketeer Trouser purchases Movie studio Nerve Sheriff’s star District Ron who played Tarzan

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“Hurricane” songwriter The “k” in 24-k Quart, plus Fiesta “must” Bounce back Discussion group Kate’s sitcom friend G-men This — — test Risky funds source (2 wds.)

Eye color DJ’s platters Off-limits Hunches Oater answer Long bout Sauce with basil

DOWN 1 Containers 2 Jai — 3 Like an oaf 4 Unit of resistance 5 Clothes pros 6 Funny people 7 Geologic time divisions 8 Telegraph signal 9 — — live and breathe!

10 Goes back into business

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Burnt up Synthetic fabric Wails Puppy bites Diligent insect Put in the fridge Vouchsafe Dublin’s land See red Term paper abbr.

(2 wds.)

Speed-trap device More washed-out Gets preachy Troublesome bug Physics intro Eight bits Writer — Grey Sells off Close affinity Cut of meat Walk barefoot Come from behind Wed on the run Hold tightly Black tea Kermit, e.g.

Musical chairs goal In addition “Bali —” Mr. Vigoda Lemony drink

the family moves into their new home, the stage is set for the discovery of otherworldly forces.

It makes sense that Maddy and Griffin are the first to experience these forces, says blockbuster filmmaker Sam Raimi who produces Poltergeist, because children are usually “more open to new situations and using their imaginations. So our child

characters were more likely to perceive these supernatural entities that invade their home. Adults don’t tune into new ‘frequencies’ as easily as kids do.”

Maddy, the youngest and most susceptible child, loves the house, thanks to her new “imaginary” friends in the closet. Griffin is a shy, introverted and easily frightened kid who likes the idea of moving until he learns his room is in the creepy, secluded attic – and begins thinking that a nearby tree is threatening him.

Kennedi Clements plays Maddy, the poltergeist’s main target.

“Finding Kennedi resulted from an exhaustive search of children from around the

world because, says director Gil Kenan, “she has soulfulness, brightness, and sense of humor that’s easy to love.

This is important because in the short time we spend with Maddy we need to fall in love with her, to experience the sense of loss and heartbreak that her family feels when she’s taken. “Kennedi plays an absolutely fearless Maddy,” Kenan continues.

“She’s the one who, when confronted with voices from the TV or the closet, answers back with wide eyes. Maddy doesn’t doubt and she’s not afraid, and that fearlessness makes her vulnerable.”

Poltergeist opens June 24 in cinemas from 20th Century Fox, distributed by Warner Bros.

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

IYA VILLANIA REPLACES PIA GUANIO AS‘CHIKA MINUTE’ ANCHOR

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hat a big surprise to those who watch 24 Oras (Monday to Friday, 6:30 p.m. on GMA7) to see Iya Villania (and not Pia Guanio) anchoring its showbiz news last night.

Villania, as announced by the GMA News and Public Affairs, replaces Guanio who resigned from the newscast a couple of weeks ago.

Villania’s stint started last night and she joins Mel Tiangco, Mike Enriquez, and Vicky Morales in the nightly newscast.

“Iya injects new energy to Chika Minute with her fresh and sassy news delivery. She also brings her active lifestyle to the show, and her star power as she brings us closer to the biggest showbiz personalities,” says Assistant Vice President for News and Special Programs Michelle Seva.

Villania also co-hosts the weekly lifestyle program Taste Buddies on GMA News TV and is part of the musical-variety program Sunday All Stars on GMA7.

Asked about her new assignment, Iya shares “I feel honored na sa dinami-rami ng may HHHHH SWING ‘WITH SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER’ AT SOLAIRE The much anticipated Asian tour of the Broadway-hit musical and 1977 blockbuster movie, Saturday Night Fever (SNF) kicks off at The Theatre, Solaire Resort and Casino, on July 3 and runs every weekend in July.

Mai Rodriguez anchors CNN Philippines' Global Conversations

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SNF’s jump from movie screen to Broadway made it a runaway theatre hit that celebrates the musical genius of the Bee Gees. It is now in Manila to thrill fans of the legendary musical group across all ages. The show will also be in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

In the lead roles are Brandon Rubendall, original cast member of Spider-man: Turn Off The Dark on Broadway. He plays Tony Manero, a young man who spends his weekends at the disco to take his mind off the grim realities of life. Jenna Rubaii, Green Day’s American Idiot (U.S. and International Tour) alumnus, will breathe life to the role of Stephanie Mangano, a young office worker-turneddance partner of Brooklyn’s local discotheque habitué Tony.

The Manila staging of this smash hit musical is made possible by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) in coordination with Robert Stigwood organization. Saturday Night Fever brings back the 1970’s groove and relives the decade and its pulsating beat that changed the landscape of pop music forever. It launched, via the blockbuster movie, John Travolta who essayed the role of Tony Manero in the film to superstardom.

Manila as the first stop of this Asian tour underscores the Filipinos’ musical heritage as the Asian music capital and Pinoy fans would surely groove to the rhythms of the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “More Than a Woman,” “Tragedy,” “Disco Infer-

no,” “How Deep is Your Love,” and “You Should Be Dancing, among others. Tickets are now available at TicketWorld (VIP – P6, 000.

00; P Zone A – P5, 250; Zone B – P4,500; Zone C – P3, 250; Zone DP2, 500; and Zone E – P1, 500.

SNF is giving a special package to Filipino SNF fans by offering 10 percent discount for those that luckily get the promo code “NIGHTFEVER”. The promo runs from until June 30.

To know more about the promo mechanics, visit: www.ticketworld.com.ph.

HHHHH CNN PHILIPPINES’ GLOBAL CONVERSATIONS Anchor Mai Rodriguez delivers the week’s biggest stories and issues concerning the world today. Global Conversations allows its viewers to have a second look at the top international headlines helping them understand its significance.

These stories are supplemented with reports from the CNN’s Chief International Correspondents, Christiane Amanpour and Anderson Cooper as well as other anchors and correspondents from around the world.

In the past, Global Conversations has featured issues and reports about migrant deaths, the killer quake in Nepal, Isis vs. Iraq, Caitlyn Jenner and the FIFA scandal.

Watch Global Conversations and get a different perspective on relevant issues, Fridays at 7 p.m. with replays every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. only on CNN Philippines.

Iya Villania is the new anchor of 24 Oras showbiz segment 'Chika Minute'

LIVE LIKE A SUPERSTAR WITH LG DUAL DOOR-IN-DOOR REF

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ver dreamt of living like the stars you idolize on television and the movies. Yes, you can. And you can start with an LG Dual Doorin-Door refrigerator, the kind you see in the homes of these TV stars.

Dual Door-in-Door™ makes use of LG’s award-winning door-inside-refrigerator-door concept, doubling convenience over its single Door-in-Door™ counterparts. Powered by LG’s Inverter Linear Compressor, the refrigerator is energy efficient, runs quietly, and serves as a durable, long-lasting addition to any kitchen.

The new LG Door-in-Door refrigerator

A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY PIECE Encased in a diamond black stainless steel finishing with a cutting-edge touch display system, this sophisticated appliance sports two mini-doors, each seamlessly mounted on top of the unit’s main top doors, allowing owners to store and conveniently locate frequently consumed food and drinks. The refrigerator comes in an expertly crafted design, which is aesthetically pleasing and ideal for any kitchen and home interior.

SMART AND FUNCTIONAL The Dual DID feature also allows users to open the refrigerator without exposing its entire interior, thus minimizing the loss of cold air, which is now even made crisper with the upgraded Hygiene Fresh+TM air purification system. The right Door-inDoor™ compartment is accessible from the outside with the simple push of a button allowing it to be used as a ‘family space’.

The left Door-in-Door™ compartment can be opened by a handle at the bottom of the door and serves as a designated ‘cooking space’, ideal for storing essential cooking ingredients such as previously prepared vegetables, condiments and sauces.

Accessible through both the Doorin-Door™ as well as the main door, the incredibly convenient Tilting Basket is also located within the ‘cooking space’ on the left side of the refrigerator. Both Door-in-Door™ compartments are also equipped with Moving Baskets, enabling users to easily adjust the height of the internal compartments as they see fit.

The area at the bottom of the main compartment is inefficient dead space in most refrigerators. However, LG makes use of

this dead space through its groundbreaking Extra Space™ compartment which opens up a new area in the refrigerator ideal for storing small food items such as eggs, cheese and sliced deli meats. Moreover, with the Folding and Sliding Shelves, storing food items of any shape or size has never been more convenient. LG’s comprehensive organization system also extends to the freezer section’s EZ Ice Maker and Easy Pull Drawer that is easy to open and can safely support heavy items.

LG Philippines Home Appliances Vice President Youngmin Chae said, “LG always wants to be at the forefront of technology that is responsive to consumers’ need. We don’t stop at one innovation, and the LG Dual DID refrigerator is a testament to that.”

Well-designed, convenient and energy efficient, the LG Dual DID refrigerator which retails for P159,995.00 encapsulates all that is needed from a central home appliance.

For more information about LG’s Door-in-Door Inverter refrigerator lineup, visit www.lg.com/phhttp://www.lgblog.com.ph, like LG’s official Facebook page “LG Philippines”, or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter or Instagram.

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ JC DE VERA JOINS BOARDWALK ENDORSERS ISAH V. RED

JC de Vera is the new face of Boardwalk as its pitcher of the Outerwear Collection

Boardwalk, one of the country’s leading lifestyle and direct-selling brands, launched JC De Vera as their newest celebrity endorser.

He will be the face of its Hunk and Outerwear Collections.

Considered “one of the hottest leading men today”, JC, according to Bernardo Madera, Boardwalk’s President, will surely amp up the brand.

In expanding its roster of celebrity endorsers, Boardwalk has tapped the TV and film actor because with his simple yet sleek style, he best represents the Hunk and Outerwear Collections.

De Vera leads a busy and active lifestyle. Apart from his shows and guest appearances on TV, he is also a businessman who runs his own burger joint. He also devotes time to fitness and sports.

He plays basketball, and he is into boxing and cross training. With the demands of his schedule, JC still is able to look his best without compromising comfort.

The Hunk Collection carries an assortment of graphic tees, polo shirts, shorts, and pants. The Outerwear Collection on the other hand, is Boardwalk’s line of jackets, cardigans, hoodies, and vests for men. With these, De Vera says

With the demands of his schedule, JC still is able to look his best without compromising comfort. The Hunk Collection carries an assortment of graphic tees, polo shirts, shorts, and pants Hunk Collection

you can create casual to smart casual looks depending on the occasion. The idea is to look stylish without going overboard “In today’s fluid and creative world, working, playing, and socializing often happen at the same time – or they can certainly segue from one to the other,” explains Nasia Cammayo, Product Design & Development lead for Boardwalk.

“This fast-paced world can present challenges for the modern man who juggles his many activities. What Boardwalk has done is create pieces that guys can choose from, mix and match according to their moods and occasion; and instantly transform them from a regular guy to a leading man, just like JC,” she adds.

The acclaimed PMPC Star, FAMAS and Yahoo awardee knows just as much about being stylish as he does about bringing big bucks to the box office. Boardwalk created the Hunk and Outerwear collections to showcase a perfect mix of casual, tough, and classy looks – just what JC prefers. “Just because you want to look simple and relaxed, doesn’t mean you should look plain,” says the 29-year-old actor. “You can still look well-dressed and stylish.

Boardwalk’s Hunk and Outerwear Collections allow me to dress up for anything, whether I’m in front of the camera or behind it,” he adds.

During the launch, Madera was with his wife, Imelda Madera, Boardwalk Vice-President.

Boardwalk Business Ventures, Inc. advocates social entrepreneurship and has empowered a community of business dealers with sustainable livelihood in the fashion and direct-selling industry. It has continuously provided opportunities to aspiring business owners, young entrepreneurs, models and up-and-coming fashion designers to establish themselves locally and internationally. Since its inception in 1991, Boardwalk has helped over a million Personal Shoppers with a sustainable business, creating positive social change and helping reduce poverty in the country.

For more details or to shop for Hunk and Outerwear Collections, visit www.boardwalk.com.ph or call 0929459994. ➜ Continued on C7