The Standard - 2015 June 17 - Wednesday

ROTARY CLUB OF MANILA NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR 2015 VOL. XXIX  NO. 118  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  WEDNESDAY : JUNE 17, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Lawmaker vents ire on journalist A LAWMAKER has moved to cite a senior reporter of The Standard for contempt after she repeatedly refused to divulge her sources for stories on the alleged payoff made to members of the House of Representatives for the swift passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

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WANG’S LAWYER MET BI EXECS, MISON SAYS IMMIGRATION Commissioner Siegfred Mison confirmed Tuesday a story published by The Standard that a meeting had been arranged between a representative of the Chinese fugitive Wang Bo and Associate Commissioners Gilberto Repizo and Abudllah Mangotara.

Mison told the House committee on good government and public accountability that he received the information about the meeting from “a friend of the Chinese Embassy” in Manila, journalist Benny Antiporda.

The House panel is investigating allegations that Immigration officials issued a release order for Wang’s released in exchange for millions of pesos, some of which was allegedly used to bribe lawmakers into approving the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

In the June 9 hearing before the same panel, Mison denied The Standard’s story, insisting that he never spoke to the newspaper’s senior reporter, Christine Herrera. Next page

Wang in the House. Detained Chinese national Wang Bo is escorted by security men into the House of Representatives on Tuesday during the continuation of the hearing on his alleged bribery. Inset, Standard reporters (from left) Maricel V. Cruz, Rey E. Requejo and Christine F. Herrera testify at the hearing. LINO SANTOS

F is for Jaguar’s F-Type

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Warriors face their biggest test

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Wang’s From A1...

The hearing continues. Reps. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of Leyte and Jonathan dela Cruz of Abakada party-list attend the continuation of the House hearing on the alleged illegal activities of Chinese national Wang Bo on Tuesday. Lino SanToS

Escudero will let PNoy ‘influence’ his decision

By Macon R. araneta

SENATOR Francis Escudero admitted Tuesday that what President Benigno Aquino III tells him will greatly influence his political plans for the May 2016 elections.

In response to a question, Escudero said Aquino’s opinion would always be a big factor, not only because he was the President and the leader of the biggest political party

Lawmaker From A1...

At a hearing Tuesday, journalist Christine Herrera invoked Republic Act No. 53, also known as the Sotto Law, which states that media practitioners cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news report except for matters concerning national security.

Herrera was summoned by the House committee on good governance and public accountability, along with two other reporters from The Standard, Rey Requejo and Maricel Cruz.

“I stand by what I’ve written.

My articles are based on information obtained from credible sources and solid evidence. I exerted earnest efforts to verify and corroborate the story before submitting it for publication,” Herrera said.

Herrera told the House panel that based on her interviews with

in the country, but also because of their “deep and long” friendship.

Senator Grace Poe, who met with the President twice in the Palace, said he told her he would be meeting as well with Escudero.

Escudero, however, said no meeting had yet been scheduled.

Aquino’s meetings with Poe triggered speculation that she might be asked to run for president under the Liberal Party banner, or serve as the running mate for Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, the presumptive standard bearer for the Liberals.

Poe, however, has said she will

feel more comfortable running with Escudero.

Escudero declined to say if he would be amenable to running with Roxas, saying he could not comment on the suggestion from Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice because he was not a Liberal Party member.

“It’s difficult to give any comment on that matter. That’s only the opinion of Erice [and not the LP official stand],” he added.

“I have been talking to most of the LP members and they are still waiting and looking up at President Aquino as the leader of their party. They are waiting for his de-

cision,” Escudero said.

Escudero said he had not yet made up his mind if he will seek the presidency or the vice presidency next year.

While he said he was open to all forms of assistance, he said he would not be returning to the Nationalist People’s Coalition, which he left.

“My relationship with the party remains good. I still have many friends in the party even if I left in 2009,” he said.

Senator Vicente Sotto III, the latest NPC member, said the party could adopt a Poe-Escudero ticket in 2016.

her sources, Chinese fugitive Wang Bo gave P100 million to Immigration officials to stop his deportation to China.

She also wrote in her stories that Wang released $10 million to bribe lawmakers into passing the Palace-backed BBL, and that some of her sources were congressmen who actually accepted baryabarya (loose change).

This angered Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., who pressed Herrera into revealing her sources, and moved to cite her for contempt after she declined to do so.

Barzaga was eventually prevailed upon by his colleagues to amend his motion and defer the move to cite the journalist in contempt until Herrera is able to produce more evidence to back the BBL payola allegation.

The Standard took the position that citing a journalist for contempt for refusing to divulge a source would have a chilling effect on the news industry. It added that

in cases of bribery, there is usually no paper trail.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines also hit the House panel for bullying the media, saying lawmakers should respect the Sotto Law. “The threat by the House committee on good government and public accountability to cite The Standard reporter Christine Herrera in contempt unless she names members of the House of Representatives who allegedly received bribes to approve the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law is a brazen act of bullying that also shows how the people supposedly entrusted to craft the law can willfully violate it on a whim.”

“Clearly, Ms. Herrera was in the right to invoke the Sotto Law and refuse to name her confidential sources. We do not see how anyone in the supposedly august chamber can invoke national security in trying to force Ms. Her-

rera to divulge any confidential information. House members would do better to undertake their own housecleaning instead of breaking the law to soothe their bruised egos,” the NUJP added.

Herrera has committed to attend the next hearing, while maintaining the position of The Standard that she will not reveal her sources.

The National Press Club of the Philippines also expressed deep concern and alarm at the lawmakers’ threat to cite Herrera in contempt for her refusal to name her sources, “an act which is allowed by law and, therefore, valid and legal.”

“May we remind Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga and his fellow lawmakers to be more circumspect as their pronouncements and actions may overstep on the boundaries of legality and reason and trample upon the higher interest of press freedom,” said NPC president Joel Sy Egco.

On Tuesday, however, Mison admitted to talking to Herrera, and said he told her he had received information about the meeting.

Both Mangotara and Repizo have denied meeting with Wang’s counsel, Dennis Manalo.

Repizo admitted, however, that Manalo tried to arrange a meeting with him, but only talked to his staff as the Immigration official was in Boracay for a senior officials’ meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told the panel that she found it curious that Bryan Bantilan, the lawyer of a certain Jose Chua who filed a complaint against Wang that effectively prevented his deportation, was the same lawyer on record who represented the Chinese fugitive.

De Lima said because of the highly irregular circumstances, she formed a special investigation team to look into the controversy.

De Lima also acknowledged that deportation proceedings usually take an average of five days to implement, but in Wang’s case, it took 47 days.

During the hearing, De Lima criticized Immigration officials for not immediately implementing their deportation order against Wang.

“None of this would have happened if they deported Wang within a reasonable period from the issuance of the March 5 summary deportation order,” De Lima told the panel.

The summary deportation order was eventually held in abeyance pending the House probe and the outcome of the Justice Department’s investigation of the bribery and corruption allegations against Immigration officials involved in the case.

“This case became so complicated and messy with all these allegations of bribery. It is still my duty to really get into the bottom of this. It is my duty to find out exactly what is the truth because as I said earlier, this has really tainted the integrity of BI as an institution and also the Justice Department,” De Lima said.

During the same hearing, Wang denied offering any bribes to the Immigration officials, and also denied bribing any lawmakers.

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, leader of the House independent minority bloc, urged the House panel to look into the supposed fabricated estafa charges against Wang.

“There are so many questions that need answers after this hearing.

Why did Bantilan represent Chua and Wang? The committee should dig deeper,” Romualdez said.

Also on Tuesday, the Palace said it will verify allegations in The Standard story dated June 16 that Immigration officials tampered with the case records of Wang to justify ordering his release on May 21. The story was based on a transcript of the May 21 meeting obtained by The Standard.

Will verify,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., through a text message.

“As this is a DOJ matter, and there is still an ongoing inquiry, it is best that we await the results of the investigation,” Coloma also said. – Sandy araneta

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Sereno, Carpio junk Binay plea CHIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Supreme Court Associate Justices Antonio Carpio and Martin Villarama on Tuesday turned down the plea of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay that they exclude themselves from the case involving his suspension by the Ombudsman arising from the alleged irregularities in a building in Makati.

The three “indicated that they are not voluntarily inhibiting from the proceedings,” high court spokesman Theodore Te told reporters.

“The motion to inhibit is denied,” he said.

In seeking Sereno’s exclusion from the case, Binay cited the alleged bias that she showed during the oral arguments on the case in Baguio City in April.

Binay said Carpio should be excluded from the case because he was a cousin of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, while Villarama should likewise be excluded because of his supposed admission that he knew “a lawyer from the Ombudsman office.”

Te said the three justices did not address Binay’s allegations in denying his appeal for their inhibition.

Binay filed his plea to exclude the three justices from his case after four other justices inhibited from his case last month: Associate Justices Presbitero

Velasco Jr., Diosdado Peralta, Arturo Brion and Francis Jardeleza.

But the Court had said the inhibition was discretionary and voluntary on the part of the magistrates. No specific official reasons were given.

But it appeared that Velasco had also inhibited himself from the graft case against former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay, Junjun’s mother, when it reached the high court’s third division.

Jardeleza cited his previous posts as solicitor general and deputy Ombudsman for Luzon where he handled Elenita Binay’s cases.

Brion excluded himself from the case since his wife Antonietta is working with appellate court Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr., a member of the CA division that issued the TRO on Binay’s suspension.

Peralta inhibited himself since his sister, Visha Peralta-Aldon, is a department head at the Makati City Hall. rey e. requejo

Another fire. Firemen try to put out a fire that hit a residential area in Malabon City that affected more than 70 families on Tuesday. MAnny PAlMero

Sandigan told: Explain denial of bail to GMA THE Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Sandiganbayan to explain its denial of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s plea to post bail in her plunder case before it.

The Court ordered the anti-graft court’s First Division to answer the petition filed by Arroyo in April questioning its October 1, 2014 and Feb. 18, 2015 rulings denying her bail petition. It gave it 10 days to comply with its order.

Arroyo on Tuesday submitted to the Sandiganbayan more information including her latest medi-

cal bulletin, photographs and details of her homes in Lubao, Pampanga, and La Vista in Quezon City in a bid to convince the First Division to grant her house arrest.

Laurence Hector Arroyo, Arroyo’s lawyer, submitted a recent medical certificate issued by Antonio Sison and Martha Nucum, her attending physicians at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center. “[Arroyo] is maintained on twice a week physical therapy and rehabilitation, sun exposure (one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon) and is

given non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs for pain as needed,” the doctors said in their June 4 certification.

They said Arroyo was still experiencing severe pain in her arms and intermittent migraine.

The Veterans Memorial Medical Center, where Arroyo is confined, has maintained its previous recommendations that “a holistic approach is the best option in her case, which includes family bonding, emotional stability and spiritual upliftment which cannot be attained in her present status.”

Arroyo cited her dete-

riorating health in asking the high court to reverse the rulings of the Sandiganbayan’s First Division in October last year and in February this year denying her petition for bail in the case involving the alleged P366-million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office fund anomaly.

She said the high court had ruled in many cases that detainees were entitled to bail “if their continuous confinement during the pendency of their case would be injurious to their health or endanger their life.” rey e. requejo and rio n. Araja

Work on Rizal ‘photo bomb’ stopped By rey e. requejo

Plea for justice. Masked members of the International People’s Tribunal hold pictures of people who have disappeared as well as pictures of the prospective candidates in the 2016 elections as they sought justice for the victims of violence and murder in Quezon City on Tuesday. MAnny PAlMero

THE Supreme Court on Tuesday stopped developer DMCI Homes Inc. from proceeding with its construction of the 46-story Torre de Manila condominium at the Rizal Park that critics say has destroyed the sight line of the monument of national hero Jose Rizal.

Voting 8-5, the justices issued a temporary restraining order against DMCI after it granted the petition filed by Knights of Rizal in September last year seeking the condominium’s demolition.

The order is effective immediately and valid until the case is resolved.

“We have yet to receive a copy of the Supreme Court order. Until then, we cannot give any comment,” DMCI

Homes said in a statement.

Manila Vice Mayor Isko Lopez the high court’s decision, saying “It could once and for all settle the issue.”

The magistrates who voted against DMCI Homes were Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Arturo Brion, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Lucas Bersamin, Martin Villarama, Jose Catral Mendoza, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Francis Jardeleza.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and Associate Justices Mariano del Castillo, Jose Perez and Bienvenido Reyes opposed the issuance of a TRO against DMCI Homes, saying the oral arguments for and against the case should first be heard.

Associate Justices Dios-

dado Peralta and Marvic Leonen were on leave.

The TRO aside, the high court also resolved to hear the petition against DMCI Homes’ condominium in oral arguments on June 30.

It also ordered the National Commission for Culture and the Arts to explain its order in January stopping the construction of the project.

In their petition, the Knights of Rizal claimed that by defacing the visual corridors of the monument, DMCI violated several laws mandating the protection and preservation of the Rizal Monument.

They also argued that the project could be considered a nuisance as defined under the Civil Code of the Philippines, and that it also violated Manila’s zoning ordinance.

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MILF retires men, arms SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao—The Philippines’ largest rebel group retired nearly 150 guerrillas and handed over 75 firearms for decommissioning Tuesday to encourage parliament to pass a proposed law giving minority Muslims self-rule.

Symbolic turnover. President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects two mortars that were among the weapons that were turned over by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front during the decommissioning of combatants and weapons at the old Maguindanao capitol in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

China: Reclamation almost done

By Vito Barcelo DESPITE calls by the United States and the Philippines for China to stop its reclamation activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea, Beijing announced that it is about to complete some of its land reclamation in Spratly Islands.

“We’ll wait to get official confirmation first,” DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said in a text message after the Chinese Foreign Ministry made the announcement in Beijing.

But the DFA had repeatedly said “China’s massive reclamation activities are causing irreversible and widespread damage to the biodiversity and ecological

balance of the South China Sea/ West Philippine Sea.” We cannot accept China’s claim that its activities has not caused damage to the ecological environment of the South China Sea,” the DFA earlier said.

The DFA also expressed concern at the statement of the Chinese Foreign Ministry that after completion of their reclamation activities in the South China Sea, the islands and reef would provide “comprehensive services to meet civilian demands and satisfy the need of necessary military defense.”

“Such statements by China only serve to raise the spectre of increasing militarization and

threaten peace and stability in the region,” the DFA said.

“We should not allow China to distract us from the real issues in the South China Sea, which are China’s illegitimate “ninedash line” claim, and China’s unilateral and aggressive behavior in asserting that claim, as exemplified by its massive and unrestrained reclamation,” the foreign office added.

The DFA instead urged China to respect the letter and spirit of the 2002 ASEANChina Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and to cooperate in discussing constructive longterm solutions to the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.

President Benigno Aquino visited the headquarters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to witness the weapons handover, the first concrete action by the organization to abandon a decades-old rebellion that has claimed more than 100,000 lives.

Aquino and senior MILF leaders both said the largely symbolic activity was intended to spur parliament to pass a delayed proposed law giving Muslims selfrule in the Catholic nation’s south under the terms of a 2014 peace treaty.

“This is one of the most difficult decisions we have made so far in more than 40 years of struggle,” chief MILF peace negotiator Mohaqher Iqbal said in a speech.

“We want to show the world that the MILF will always comply with its obligations set forth in the signed agreement,” Iqbal added.

Aquino, who ends his six-year term in a year’s time, wants the Muslim self-rule bill to be passed soon, fearing that his successor may not pursue the peace initiative.

“Let us show them that we are worthy of their trust,” Aquino said in his speech.

Parliament failed to pass the bill before it went into recess last week amid a public outcry over the killing of 44 police commandos by MILF rebels and other armed groups on the southern island of Mindanao in January.

The police officers were ambushed after they passed through MILF-influenced areas following a raid that killed Zulkifli bin Hir, a Malaysian militant and one of the mostwanted “terrorists” sought by the United States.

Work on the Muslim self-rule bill is expected to continue when parliament resumes on July 27, but congressional leaders have said it is unlikely to be passed before October.

The 75 MILF firearms, including 24 weapons such as mortars and machine guns, were handed over to an independent decommissioning body headed by Turkey and also comprising members from Norway and Brunei.

The haul is believed by Filipino p–––olice to comprise just a tiny fraction of the arsenal of the 10,000-member MILF. – With Sandy Araneta, Francisco Tuyay and Macon Araneta

Body armor deal teeters

By Florante S. Solmerin THE Department of National Defense may terminate the P1.40-billion body armor contract it awarded to an Israeli company if it fails to deliver the first batch of 20,000 units on June 29, an official said on Tuesday.

DND public affairs director Arsenio Andolong said the supplier had already asked for a contract extension of 120 days to complete the order.

Other DND sources said there is still no travel order for members of the Technical Inspection and Acceptance team to conduct a pre-delivery inspection of the body armor, or ballistic vests.

“We have a process to follow and this is required by law. This delay in the delivery of the ballistic vests is grounds for a termination of contract when the 120 days extension has ended and they fail to

deliver the first tranche,” Andolong said.

The contract for 44,080 units of ballistics vests for individual soldiers is one of the “bigticket items” in the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and was awarded to JV Archidatex and Colorado Shipping in 2013.

Since the firm was not able to make the first scheduled delivery on February 26, the DND Contract Termination and Review Committee imposed a penalty of 10% liquidated damages.

But the failure of the supplier to deliver the first batch of body armor was kept secret until defense insiders leaked the matter to the media.

Among DND officials who are knowledgeable of the matter, only Andolong agreed to be interviewed but he also declined to give more details because he was not authorized to speak about the project.

Intercepted contraband. Customs police division chief Marlon Almeda (left) and Customs examineer Fe Serna (right) inspect the P13-million worth of sugar smuggled from Hong Kong that was seized at the Manila International Container Port on Tuesday. EY ACASIO

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Teachers deserve incentives – Binay

By Macon R. Araneta SENATOR Nancy Binay has questioned the government on the commitment of the Departments of Education and the Budget and Management to release the Productivity Enhancement Incentive (PEI) before June 1, 2015.

Binay expressed surprise that even after a month the enabling Executive Order No. 181 was signed by President Aquino, public school teachers have not received this year’s PEI which is equivalent to either P5,000 or one month basic salary.

The senator hopes the DBM and DepEd can fast-track the processing of the PEI without the deductions.

Last week, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition’s (TDC) called on the government to release the teachers’ PEI and clarify if DBM would be giving a month’s salary or only the P5,000 equivalent.

“It’s almost a month and classes have already started. It’s unfair that they’re working, but they’re not getting the bonus which they worked hard for,” said Binay.

Binay also supported TDC’s appeal for their PEI to be equivalent to their one-month salary so that the varying amounts would not cause division and comparison among employees.

“The teachers should be the government’s priority and they deserve to receive the highest compensation and benefits due them,” Binay added.

According to TDC, the PEI was cut to P5,000 from 2012 to 2014 as the government implemented another incentive, the performance-based bonus (PBB).

“Many of our teachers are enduring the small pay they are getting. I just hope they will not be deprived of this bonus that can be a big help to them,” Binay said.

“Since they serve as second parents of our children in school, I just hope the government can help them improve their living condition,” the senator said.

Classes started last June 1 for public elementary schools and high schools.

FIGHT (ing) mood. Businessmen join hands to combat smuggling under the FIGHT IT (Fight Illicit Trade Movement, among them Federation of

Philippine Industries chairman Jesus Arranza,3rd from right, Ceramic Tiles Manufacturer Association represented by Frank Saavedra,Steel Angles,Shaper & Sections Manufacturers ‘ Ramon Khu,Cement Manufacturers’ Dr. Ernesto Ordoñez, Tobacco Manufacturers Association representated by Dave Gomez and Philippine Sugar Millers’ Frank Varua during the movement’s launching rites in Makati City. EY ACASIO

High court upholds PNoy EO on ‘midnight appointments’

By Rey E. Requejo

The Supreme Court has sustained the constitutionality of President Aquino’s second executive order in 2010 that revoked the “midnight appointments” made by the previous administration.

Voting 8-6, the high tribunal resolved to dismiss the petitions of five appointees of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo questioning earlier rulings of the Court of Appeals that upheld the revocation of their appointments.

The tribunal affirmed the CA rulings and declared as null and void the appointments of former Subic Bay Metropolitan Board Authority board member Eddie Tamondong, former National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) commissioner Francisca Rosquita, former

Department of Finance Board of Administrators of the Cooperative Development Authority administrator for Visayas Irma Villanueva, former Quezon City Prosecutor Dindo Venturanza and former State Solicitor Cheloy Garafil.

“Executive Order No. 2 in its entirety is constitutional, especially as to its definition of midnight appointments and its recall, revocation and withdrawal of midnight appointments,” the SC through its spokesman Theodore Te said.

The SC issued the decision during the resumption of its

en banc session yesterday after a six-week decision-writing recess.

The tribunal ruled that the ban on midnight appointments is very clear under Section 15, Article VII of the Constitution which states “that two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service and endanger public safety.”

“Thus, for purposes of the May 2010 elections, March 10, 2010 was the cut-off date for the valid appointments and the next day, March 11, 2010, was the reference date for midnight appointments,” the Court stressed.

The SC also held that appointment to a government

post is a process consisting of several steps to be complete and valid, from the President’s signing of appointment paper to acceptance of appointment by oath taking or assumption of duties.

“Petitioners have failed to show their compliance with all four elements of a valid appointment.

They cannot prove with certainty that their appointment papers have indeed been issued before the period covered by the appointment ban (March 10, 2010 for the 2010 May elections),” the SC stressed.

The petitions were originally filed in 2010 before the SC, which remanded the cases to the CA for hearing and resolution. The CA dismissed the petitions in 2012, prompting petitioners to elevate the case again to the high tribunal.

The SC rendered the decision with less than a year left in the term of President Aquino.

19 schools among weak spots if quake hits

By John Paolo Bencito NINETEEN metro schools were identified as vulnerable should the feared Valley Fault System moves, according to a joint statement issued on Tuesday by the Department of Education, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP).

A list released by the Phivolcs said the schools identified with buildings transected by the West Valley Fault are Sitio Karahume Elementary School in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Filinvest II Ideal Montessori School in Batasan Hills, Quezon City; Barangka Elementary School & Barangka National High School in Marikina City; Army’s Angels Integrated School, Sto. Nino Catholic School & Ann-Claire Montessori School – all in Taguig City; St. Therese of the Child Jesus School –

Annex in San Pedro, Laguna; and Pedro Diaz High School, Buli Elementary School, Our Lady of the Abandoned Catholic School & APEC Affordable Private Education Center – Muntinlupa Annex in Muntinlupa City.

School grounds also transected by the West Valley Fault are Macabud High School in Rodriguez, Rizal; Alabang Elementary School and Muntinlupa Institute of Technology, both in Muntinlupa City; Ateneo de Manila University - Grade School in Quezon City; Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Taguig; and St. Scholastica’s College in Silang, Cavite.

Meanwhile, only Mascap High School in Rodriguez, Rizal were identified with buildings transected by the East Valley Fault System.

The Education Department assured the public that it is taking all necessary actions to avoid or at least minimize damage in case a powerful earthquake hits the metropolis.

Fault line. Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum shows a map of the West

Valley Fault System that can trigger a powerful earthquake. File photo by MANNY PALMERO

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Illegal drugs worth P205m up in smoke

By Rio N. Araja

Formula for chaos. Road repairs along Edsa coinciding with the staging of the Apec Summit in November will bring about chaos in Metro Manila’s major thoroughfare, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority. File photo by MANNY PALMERO

MMDA: Chaotic Edsa if repairs forge ahead

By Joel E. Zurbano

The Metro Manila Development Authority has asked the Department of Public Works and highways to put on hold the planned repair work along epifanio de los Santos Avenue which will coincide with the holding of the Asia Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC) summit this November.

MMDA chairman Francis Tolentino said if the road repairs will push through, the traffic scenario along EDSA and other major thoroughfares will be “chaotic” and the public would suffer more.

“I don’t understand. Most of the (APEC) activities will be held in the area of Macapagal (President Diosdado

Macapagal Avenue) and MOA (SM Mall of Asia).

Hindi naman everyday dadaan sa EDSA,” he said in a television interview.

Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson said earlier he would discuss with the MMDA if they could repair some portions of EDSA, from Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, or Gil Puyat Avenue to

Guadalupe in Makati City.

He said the DPWH-National Capital Region Office under the supervision of director Engineer Reynaldo Tagudando needs from 60 to 90 days to repair damaged portions of EDSA. But Tolentino said “This is not the time (to repair EDSA) because of the onset of the rainy season.”

“Just like what happened to Ayala Bridge (rehabilitation), it shoud be completed this June, but until now it is not yet finished,” Tolentino added.

Lawyer Emerson Carlos, MMDA assistant general manager for operations, had cautioned the DPWH against pushing through with the rehabilitation of EDSA without the agency’s approval.

The MMDA has the final say on the issuance of permits for government road projects in Metro Manila.

The DPWH’s planned major rehabilitation of EDSA has been put on hold due to, among others, traffic-related issues raised by the MMDA. Carlos said that apart from the traffic management plan, the DPWH should also consult with the stakeholders who will be affected by the EDSA repair works.

DPWH officials said the major rehabilitation of the 23-kilometer EDSA would be completed before the end of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III in June 2016.

One of these road reha-

bilitation technologies is the high-grade polymer modified bitumen, or PMB asphalt from Singapore.

The DPWH said it had completed the Detailed Engineering Design of the EDSA project as early as April 2013.

Meanwhile, airport authorities laid down their plans for thecountry’s hosting of the Apec Summit when state officials are expected to start arriving days before the summit date on Nov. 18, 2015.

MIAA general manager Jose Angel Honrado in a meeting with airline operators Tuesday set a protocol where runways will be closed as soon as jets bearing the heads of state have parked. With Eric Apolonio

Parañaque banks on gaming firms, malls to hit 30,000 jobs It will be more fun in Paranaque if the city government achieves its goal of creating 30,000 new jobs. The city hopes that business establishments such as first-class hotels and entertainment venues become fully operational next year to be able to generate that many jobs.

Among the companies the city expect to provide employment opportunities by next year are Manila Bay Resorts owned by Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment, and property developer Ayala Land Inc. Ayala Land will provide 10,000 jobs with its planned construction of a 500,000 square meter shopping mall while Manila Bay Resorts and the Aseana City are expected to generate the additional 20,000.

“Now more than ever, there are plenty of opportunities for local residents to find jobs and consequently give them better chances in life,” said Mayor Edwin Olivarez during Monday’s flag raising ceremony.

Olivarez said he is confident the city will continue its growth momentum even as it is now well on its way into becoming one of the top business and tourist destinations in the country.

“I promise together with all my fellow officials that we will serve with utmost honesty and dedication and to deliver to our people the necessary basic services like free education, affordable housing, food in every table, care for the elderly and the sick and others,” he added.

The city government is banking on recent development in the economic front in which investors and business locators continue to express their interests to move in and put their investments in Parañaque.

Olivarez ordered local public employment and services officials to strictly enforce the city government’s policy of requiring companies to hire at least 20 percent of their employees from the pool of local applicants. Joel E. Zurbano

Skills tilt. John Clifford Asis(second from left), an automotive servicing national certificate Level IV student of Toyota Motor Philippines School of Technology, was hailed as the gold medalist in the 2015 Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Provincial Skills Competition.

Asis will represent Laguna in the forthcoming Regional Skills next month.

He is joined during the school’s special commendation ceremonyby (from left) TMP Tech technical director Loreto San Pedro, TMP Tech president Dr. David Go, and training program coordinator Joel Llanes.

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Tuesday destroyed P205.37 million worth of dangerous drugs in Cavite.

Destroyed were a total of 119,690.9 grams or 119.6909 kilos of assorted pieces of drug evidence composed of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, cocaine, marijuana, diazepam or valium, alprazolam and expired medicines,” Undersecretary-Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr. said.

The destruction was held at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Barangay Aguado, Trece Martirez City.

The volume of illegal drugs and expired medicine were properly turned over and endorsed with corresponding documentation to PDEA by other law enforcement agencies, such as the Bureau of Customs and lower courts in the cities of Antipolo, Las Piñas, Makati, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Manila, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon City and Valenzuela, and in the provinces of Batangas, Nueva Ecija and Rizal, for destruction.

Among the illegal drugs destroyed through thermal decomposition were 44,506.5 grams of shabu worth P178,026,000; 4,526.9 grams of cocaine worth P27,161,400; 3,554.7 grams of marijuana worth P177,735; 2.8 grams of valium worth P108.50, and 67,100 grams of alprazolam and expired medicine.

Tuna workers assured of P15-m perks

By Vito Barcelo AT LEAST 6,000 workers of the country’s biggest tuna canning firm will receive P15 million in non-cash benefits under the company’s expansion program, according to Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

“Six thousand canning workers of General Tuna Corporation will receive non-cash benefits in the form of uniforms, personal protective equipment (PPE), and annual medical examination services, all for free starting this year.

This is because the company is expanding its global operation and so it has to comply with general labor standards. I am glad it is voluntarily doing this to its workers. It is good business. It is good corporate citizenship,” Baldoz said.

General Tuna Corporation plant manager Ricardo Magnayon said the workers’ uniforms and PPE provision is in compliance with government regulatory requirements and for its planned international market expansion.

“With our plan to expand our international operation, we need to comply with these requirements for our workers as part of our social responsibility,” Magnayon said.

“We will cover the cost of medical examination of each worker. We will make the main production area fully air-conditioned to provide them better working conditions,” Magnayon said.

W E D N E S D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 5

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Cordillera wage board increases basic pay

Abu Sayyaf’s roadside bomb kills 1, injures 8

By Dexter A. See

By Florante S. Solmerin

BAGUIO CITY—The Cordillera Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board has adjusted the minimum wage by incorporating the Cost of Living Allowance to the basic pay of workers.

Augusto Aquillo, RTWPB-CAR board secretary, said the approval of the new wage order and its upcoming implementation is the realization of the government’s new policy on wage fixing.

The Two-Tiered Wage System (TTWS) sets a floor wage rates for the workers, one for BLIST and another for other areas in the region, and by granting a productivity-based pay for performing workers in the company in order to distinguish workers who are really doing their job and deserve additional pay and those who are simply working for compliance sake.

The minimum daily wage in the region was increased from P255 to P285, depending on the sector where the employees belong. Under Wage Order No. 17 which was approved on 14 May 2015 and will take effect on 29 June 2015, daily minimum wage earners in the industry sector or those in the non-agriculture sector and retail/service with 11 workers or more in the Baguio-La TrinidadItogon-Sablan-Tuba (BLIST) area will be receiving P280 from P270.

Those in the other areas of the region will be receiving P265 from the previous P255.

Daily wage earners in the agriculture and retail/service with 10 workers and below will be receiving P270 from P260 while those in other areas will be receiving P255 from P245.

By January 1, 2016, daily minimum wage earners in the industry sector in the BLIST will be receiving P285 from P280 while those similarly situated in other areas of the region will still receive P265.

Employees in the micro-enterprises in the BLIST will still be receiving P270 while those in other areas will be getting P2555 daily wage.

He pointed out the role of the wage board is to set the lowest standards in terms of fixing the minimum wage of workers in the private sector, thus, it is up to the employers who can afford to grant higher wages considering that what was fixed was only the minimum wage.

A SOLDIER was killed while eight others were wounded Tuesday after their military vehicle hit an improvised explosive device planted by the Abu Sayyaf Group in Barangay Limbungasani, TipoTipo, Basilan, according to a report from the Task Force “Zambasulta” (Zamboanga-Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi).

TF Zambasulta is under the operational command of Rear

Admiral Reynaldo Yoma, commander of the Naval Forces

Western Mindanao.

Captain Roy Trinidad, Yoma’s chief of staff, said the ambush happened at around 8:15 a.m. on troops of the 18th Infantry Battalion on board a KM450 truck.

“Our soldiers were travelling when hit by the roadside bombing. One soldier was killed and eight others were wounded in the incident. The casualties were brought to Zamboanga City for medical treatment,” Trinidad said.

He said intelligence reports showed it was the group of ASG sub-leader Furuji Indama who was behind the ambush.

A brief firefight ensued after the explosion and the soldiers defended themselves from the assaulting bandits until reinforcement arrived. The bandits withdrew.

A company of elite forces was inserted in the area to conduct manhunt operation against the bandits.

Out to dry. Danggit, a kind of salted fish, is being dried alongside clothes on Bantayan Island, Cebu. MICHELLE ALVAREZ

Region I agriculture officials prepare for rainy season delay

By Johanne Margarette Macob

Ribbon cutting. ARMM officials lead the unveiling of the Sulu village at the ARMM Compound in Cotabato City on Monday. OMAR MANGORSI.

LINGAYEN—With the mild El Niño that is now being experienced in the country, the Department of Agriculture – Region I has lined up possible interventions in case the arrival of the rainy season is delayed.

Valentino Perdido, officer-in-charge regional director of DA Region 1, said this week they might be resort to inducing rain through the process of cloud seeding.

“We will consult our colleagues from the provinces if we can request rain (cloud seeding) especially in water-fed areas or anywhere there is seedable cloud,” he remarked.

Perdido said in case the mild El Niño worsens, they would distribute the green super rice, the rice variety which is droughttolerant as well as the climate changeresilient variety seeds particularly to areas

vulnerable to El Niño.

There will also be seed distributions as buffer seeds in times of calamities and hybrid seeds in irrigated areas, he added The agriculture executive said high breed seeds to be planted this wet season cover 64,000 hectares for the whole region; of which 32,000 hectares are in Pangasinan.

Last year, the region has produced a total of 1.79 million metric tons palay last year, amounting to 181 percent sufficiency level.

“The province of Pangasinan alone has 194-percent sufficiency level contribution,” he said, citing Pangasinan is the third top rice producing-province in the country, next to Isabela and Nueva Ecija.

He added that if there is more source of irrigation in Pangasinan, like Isabela and Nueva Ecija, the province can do better in its production.

W E D n E s D Ay: J u n E 17, 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDItor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

bacK channel alejanDro Del roSarIo

Stemming the tide of refugeeS in hungary

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Secretary abaya, have you no Shame?

ANY government official with a sense of propriety would have resigned by now in shame.

But Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, one of President Aquino’s golden boys, has clung to his office for more than two years, even as the transportation system that he is supposed to manage goes to hell in a hand basket.

Where do we begin?

In August 2014, an MRT coach derailed, rammed through a barrier and crashed into a busy intersection, injuring 38 people. A subsequent investigation blamed human error, but it was clear that the commuter rail system had begun to deteriorate as a result of years of neglect and poor maintenance. None of this could be rightfully blamed on the previous administration because four years had already passed since the President took power.

The embarrassing accident should have spurred the Department of Transportation and Communication under Abaya to take swift, remedial action, but it did no such thing, and tens of thousands of commuters continue to suffer for it even today.

A coach stalled as it approached the Ortigas Avenue station on the first day of 2015, setting the stage for a string of system breakdowns that now happen with alarming regularity. In fact, not a month has gone by since without a major breakdown in service.

Breakdowns were also reported on Feb. 17, March 11, April 30, May 25 and just this week, on June 15, when hapless passengers on the stalled train were made to walk along Guadalupe Bridge to find some other form of transportation.

Throughout all this, the Palace’s idea of solving the problem has not been to fire Abaya and to appoint someone more competent, but to ask long-suffering commuters to be more patient. It is a plea that has gone back to as early as March 2014; this month, the President’s deputy spokesperson made the same shopworn appeal as the number of trains that remained in operation dwindled to only nine, creating long lines and extending the time commuters had to wait to board their train.

Nor has the Philippine National Railways (PNR) done much better under Abaya’s watch.

On April 29, at least 80 people were injured after a PNR train was derailed near Magallanes. Pending an investigation, train service to Metro Manila was supsended until this month.

At the Land Transportation Office (LTO), another agency under Abaya, car owners are being made to pay for new license plates that the agency is unable to supply.

Even drivers licenses are no longer issued in a timely manner, as they were during the previous administration.

Finally, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, adjudged one of the worst airports in the world since President Aquino took over, the ceiling leaks when it rains despite a recent P1.3 billion facelift.

With such a dismal record of failure, we feel compelled to borrow the famous words that American lawyer Joseph Welch said to the red-baiting Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s: Secretary Abaya, have you no sense of decency?

Self-deluSion lowDown jojo a. robleS ThOSE who cannot remember the past, the philosopher George Santayana famously noted, are condemned to repeat it. Yes, including the mistakes.

In the history-free fantasy world inhabited by President Noynoy Aquino, the turnover of about one percent of the known – not actual, mind you – firearms of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is a “ground-

breaking” event. The surrender of rebel arms to the government, of course, has been going on since there have been internal rebellions in modern times, including those of the hukbalahap, the Moro National Liberation Front or the New People’s Army.

Of course, yesterday’s ceremony in Sultan Kudarat, where Aquino himself witnessed the “decommissioning” of the rebel guns, is new to him, because this is the only time that he has become President. And because Aquino will no longer be President in about a year from now,

it’s safe to say that he won’t be able to guarantee that the same firearms that were surrendered to the government now won’t return to rebel hands later.

Then there’s the small matter of the money and other benefits given by the Aquino government to the rebels who gave up their firearms. Given the illicit trade in firearms that has gone on for generations in Mindanao, where they say the locals would rather part with their spouses before surrendering their guns, how can the government – any government, not just this – guarantee that the Sultan Kuda-

A9

aquino can’t guarantee that the firearms that were surrendered to the government won’t return to rebel hands.

rat event will end the proliferation of such weapons there?

In other words, how can anyone be sure that the rebels will not use the P25,000 each that they received from the government to buy new and more lethal weapons? And how many international monitoring teams will be needed to stop the Moro rebels from upgrading the vintage Garand rifles and other ancient guns like the ones they surrendered into better killing implements?

If, like Aquino, everything that happens to you is new, then you may be forgiven if you’re as optimistic as he is.

But because we’ve had so many such “symbolic” surrenders in

the past, many of us take a more realistic, historical view.

For instance, has the government ever come up with an audit or a study that tracked the surrender of rebel firearms in the past, found out what the rebels who got money in exchange for yielding their guns did with their stategiven windfalls and even discovered how many of the weapons that were actually turned in got “lost” or were returned eventually to insurgent hands?

In all likelihood, there has never been such an audit or study, which is why

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-

Aquino can tell everyone who cares to listen that what he witnessed yesterday was actually something new.

Needless to say, Aquino probably believes that his negotiations with the MILF are unique, as well, forgetting that so many of these talks have been conducted, with varying levels of success before. In the case of the previous administration, the bid to carve out a new homeland for the Moro rebels in Mindanao even got as far as the holding of a plebiscite and a suit in the Supreme Court, where the Memorandum

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

of Agreement on Ancestral Domain was struck down as unconstitutional.

Aquino and his administration can’t even guarantee that their draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, the contemporary version of Gloria Arroyo’s MoAAD, will pass in Congress, be voted upon in a plebiscite or be questioned in the high court in the time that he has remaining in Malacanang. And yet they can claim with straight faces – yes, including people like top government peace process official Teresite Deles, 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

Hungary, a central European country with a population of 10 million, has been getting a lot of attention lately from the European community for its hard-nosed – almost xenophobic -immigration policy.

The recent wave of refugees coming in by boats from Syria, Somalia and West african countries into Italy, Spain and France has sown anxiety among Hungarians who hear horror stories of migrants taken in by the uS and uK who turn into home-grown terrorists.

Many of these boat people are f leeing from oppressive governments, economic hardship or are themselves refugees from terrorist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram.

Having been assigned as Philippine ambassador to Hungary from 2002 to 2008, I will be the first to tell you that Hungarians are not racists. Majority are god-fearing Catholics who will readily take strangers into their homes.

Many of the Philippine embassy staff and myself have been invited to Hungarian homes or to family outings.

There, we were served the traditional hearty Hungarian goulash soup. There is a small thriving asian community of Chinese, Vietnamese and Indians who are mostly in the restaurant business or stores selling asian goods and other food commodities.

Hungarians do not have a morbid fear of foreigners even if Prime Minister Viktor Orban of the ruling conservative party Fidesz expressed his concern to the Brussels-based European union that “migration is a threat to the civilization of Europe.” a more ultra-nationalist political party, Jobbik, is gaining supporters and taking away votes from the conservative Fidesz. Hungary, whose language Magyar is like no other and spoken only by Hungarians, is the most vulnerable. With a population of 10 million (and declining), a wave of migration could upset this delicate demographic.

Why is the population decreasing instead of increasing? Some of the reasons can be traced to Hungarians who are themselves leaving for other European countries where the salary scale is much higher. With Hungary joining the European union and the Schengen Treaty which does not require visas for citizens of Eu member countries—London, Berlin and Paris— offer more excitement for Hungary’s young people. This demographic trend has left a graying population whose 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

W E D n E s D Ay: J u n E 17, 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDItor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

bacK channel alejanDro Del roSarIo

Stemming the tide of refugeeS in hungary

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Secretary abaya, have you no Shame?

ANY government official with a sense of propriety would have resigned by now in shame.

But Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, one of President Aquino’s golden boys, has clung to his office for more than two years, even as the transportation system that he is supposed to manage goes to hell in a hand basket.

Where do we begin?

In August 2014, an MRT coach derailed, rammed through a barrier and crashed into a busy intersection, injuring 38 people. A subsequent investigation blamed human error, but it was clear that the commuter rail system had begun to deteriorate as a result of years of neglect and poor maintenance. None of this could be rightfully blamed on the previous administration because four years had already passed since the President took power.

The embarrassing accident should have spurred the Department of Transportation and Communication under Abaya to take swift, remedial action, but it did no such thing, and tens of thousands of commuters continue to suffer for it even today.

A coach stalled as it approached the Ortigas Avenue station on the first day of 2015, setting the stage for a string of system breakdowns that now happen with alarming regularity. In fact, not a month has gone by since without a major breakdown in service.

Breakdowns were also reported on Feb. 17, March 11, April 30, May 25 and just this week, on June 15, when hapless passengers on the stalled train were made to walk along Guadalupe Bridge to find some other form of transportation.

Throughout all this, the Palace’s idea of solving the problem has not been to fire Abaya and to appoint someone more competent, but to ask long-suffering commuters to be more patient. It is a plea that has gone back to as early as March 2014; this month, the President’s deputy spokesperson made the same shopworn appeal as the number of trains that remained in operation dwindled to only nine, creating long lines and extending the time commuters had to wait to board their train.

Nor has the Philippine National Railways (PNR) done much better under Abaya’s watch.

On April 29, at least 80 people were injured after a PNR train was derailed near Magallanes. Pending an investigation, train service to Metro Manila was supsended until this month.

At the Land Transportation Office (LTO), another agency under Abaya, car owners are being made to pay for new license plates that the agency is unable to supply.

Even drivers licenses are no longer issued in a timely manner, as they were during the previous administration.

Finally, at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, adjudged one of the worst airports in the world since President Aquino took over, the ceiling leaks when it rains despite a recent P1.3 billion facelift.

With such a dismal record of failure, we feel compelled to borrow the famous words that American lawyer Joseph Welch said to the red-baiting Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s: Secretary Abaya, have you no sense of decency?

Self-deluSion lowDown jojo a. robleS ThOSE who cannot remember the past, the philosopher George Santayana famously noted, are condemned to repeat it. Yes, including the mistakes.

In the history-free fantasy world inhabited by President Noynoy Aquino, the turnover of about one percent of the known – not actual, mind you – firearms of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is a “ground-

breaking” event. The surrender of rebel arms to the government, of course, has been going on since there have been internal rebellions in modern times, including those of the hukbalahap, the Moro National Liberation Front or the New People’s Army.

Of course, yesterday’s ceremony in Sultan Kudarat, where Aquino himself witnessed the “decommissioning” of the rebel guns, is new to him, because this is the only time that he has become President. And because Aquino will no longer be President in about a year from now,

it’s safe to say that he won’t be able to guarantee that the same firearms that were surrendered to the government now won’t return to rebel hands later.

Then there’s the small matter of the money and other benefits given by the Aquino government to the rebels who gave up their firearms. Given the illicit trade in firearms that has gone on for generations in Mindanao, where they say the locals would rather part with their spouses before surrendering their guns, how can the government – any government, not just this – guarantee that the Sultan Kuda-

A9

aquino can’t guarantee that the firearms that were surrendered to the government won’t return to rebel hands.

rat event will end the proliferation of such weapons there?

In other words, how can anyone be sure that the rebels will not use the P25,000 each that they received from the government to buy new and more lethal weapons? And how many international monitoring teams will be needed to stop the Moro rebels from upgrading the vintage Garand rifles and other ancient guns like the ones they surrendered into better killing implements?

If, like Aquino, everything that happens to you is new, then you may be forgiven if you’re as optimistic as he is.

But because we’ve had so many such “symbolic” surrenders in

the past, many of us take a more realistic, historical view.

For instance, has the government ever come up with an audit or a study that tracked the surrender of rebel firearms in the past, found out what the rebels who got money in exchange for yielding their guns did with their stategiven windfalls and even discovered how many of the weapons that were actually turned in got “lost” or were returned eventually to insurgent hands?

In all likelihood, there has never been such an audit or study, which is why

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-

Aquino can tell everyone who cares to listen that what he witnessed yesterday was actually something new.

Needless to say, Aquino probably believes that his negotiations with the MILF are unique, as well, forgetting that so many of these talks have been conducted, with varying levels of success before. In the case of the previous administration, the bid to carve out a new homeland for the Moro rebels in Mindanao even got as far as the holding of a plebiscite and a suit in the Supreme Court, where the Memorandum

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

of Agreement on Ancestral Domain was struck down as unconstitutional.

Aquino and his administration can’t even guarantee that their draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, the contemporary version of Gloria Arroyo’s MoAAD, will pass in Congress, be voted upon in a plebiscite or be questioned in the high court in the time that he has remaining in Malacanang. And yet they can claim with straight faces – yes, including people like top government peace process official Teresite Deles, 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

Hungary, a central European country with a population of 10 million, has been getting a lot of attention lately from the European community for its hard-nosed – almost xenophobic -immigration policy.

The recent wave of refugees coming in by boats from Syria, Somalia and West african countries into Italy, Spain and France has sown anxiety among Hungarians who hear horror stories of migrants taken in by the uS and uK who turn into home-grown terrorists.

Many of these boat people are f leeing from oppressive governments, economic hardship or are themselves refugees from terrorist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram.

Having been assigned as Philippine ambassador to Hungary from 2002 to 2008, I will be the first to tell you that Hungarians are not racists. Majority are god-fearing Catholics who will readily take strangers into their homes.

Many of the Philippine embassy staff and myself have been invited to Hungarian homes or to family outings.

There, we were served the traditional hearty Hungarian goulash soup. There is a small thriving asian community of Chinese, Vietnamese and Indians who are mostly in the restaurant business or stores selling asian goods and other food commodities.

Hungarians do not have a morbid fear of foreigners even if Prime Minister Viktor Orban of the ruling conservative party Fidesz expressed his concern to the Brussels-based European union that “migration is a threat to the civilization of Europe.” a more ultra-nationalist political party, Jobbik, is gaining supporters and taking away votes from the conservative Fidesz. Hungary, whose language Magyar is like no other and spoken only by Hungarians, is the most vulnerable. With a population of 10 million (and declining), a wave of migration could upset this delicate demographic.

Why is the population decreasing instead of increasing? Some of the reasons can be traced to Hungarians who are themselves leaving for other European countries where the salary scale is much higher. With Hungary joining the European union and the Schengen Treaty which does not require visas for citizens of Eu member countries—London, Berlin and Paris— offer more excitement for Hungary’s young people. This demographic trend has left a graying population whose 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

W e d n e s d ay: J U n e 17, 2 0 1 5

a10

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

What makes candidates Win This coming May 2016, the biggest issue, like in former presidential elections, is corruption. it’s a gut issue because when public officials steal the money of the people, this is money that could have improved their lives.

That’s precisely why the administration’s ruling Liberal Party, together with its coalesced political parties, have zeroed in on Vice President Jojo Binay.

They are hoping that the corruption charges will diminish his chances at the presidency.

With the possibility of senator Grace Poe becoming the running mate of interior secretary Mar Roxas, the presumptive presidential candidate of the LP, honesty and integrity will also become an issue. in all likelihood, there will be those who will emphasize that competence and experience are needed to lead the country. These things will confront Poe.

Competence, integrity and popularity may not be enough.

But the issue of corruption can cut both ways.

Corruption continues to exist in all levels of government. And no amount of rhetoric on the part of President Aquino can deny the double standard of justice he plays. his close allies and supporters can do no wrong and are not corrupt. On the other hand, he is always ready to prosecute and indict his political enemies. santa Banana, it becomes worse when President Aquino misuses public funds to get what he wants from Congress.

To me, that’s the worst kind of corruption. When the President is out of Malacanang, he will surely be indicted. still, there are other imponderables that can make or break a presidential hopeful.

Grassroots following or

to the point emil p. jurado the so-called “masa base” and political machinery are essential. Those who have gone through national elections can attest to it. These essentials are not built overnight. They come with years of being in public service. This was what made Binay win in 2010.

With grassroots following and political machinery, a presidential candidate can be assured that there would be funds when he or she needs them.

No doubt, a sitting administration also has the built-in advantage of grassroots following and political machinery. it has local government units under its control. This is why President Aquino made Mar Roxas DiLG secretary.

But, santa Banana, this is where the problems of the party in power begin. While integrity and competence are national issues, it’s different in the local scene. Foremost in their minds are: Which candidate can i run to in times of need? Can this candidate assure me of a job? Will my family be better off with him or her? in other words, local issues become personal to the voters. That’s the reason why people flock to houses of politicians not only during the campaign period, but more so when they get elected. People ask for money to travel, to establish a basketball court or provide uniforms for the players, to bury the dead.

The late La Union Rep. Jose Aspiras told me, when i saw hundreds of people lining up at his front door in Quezon City where he lived and in Agoo, La Union: “That’s the way it is.” Joe told me that some of his constituents had their birthdays not once, but three times a year. They buried their dead more than once, too.

Grassroots following and political machinery boil down to money and funding. Every year, elections become more expensive. Years ago, to run for president, you need to have at least P2 billion. Now, i am told it’s no less than P3 billion – and that’s without an assurance of winning. Recall that senator Manny Villar

marcos Jr. for President FOR 2016, the most qualified president of the Philippines is another Marcos, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., 57. it’s may be a curse or a blessing, but next year’s election will be another dynasty play. Just like the presidential races in 2010 when Benigno simeon Cojuangco Aquino iii, the only son of President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino and senator Benigno s. Aquino Jr., won, and in 2004, when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the daughter of President Diosdado Macapagal, was elected.

Post-1986 dynasties need not be bad. Cory Aquino “restored” democracy. her son Noynoy Aquino pursued Matuwid na Daan (straight Path), removed a sitting chief justice, jailed three of the most powerful senators of the land for alleged graft, and placed under hospital arrest his predecessor, for alleged plunder and electoral fraud, both charges still unproven. As president, Mrs. Arroyo tripled per capita income and presided over the longest economic expansion in this country’s history, 38 quarters of consecutive economic growth.

For 2016, up to four major political dynasties will contest the presidency—Jejomar Binay, Manuel Araneta “Mar” Roxas, and Bongbong Marcos. The fourth dynasty could be that of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the current Manila mayor. Estrada’s wife, Dr. Loi Ejercito, is a former senator. Two of his sons, Jinggoy Estrada and Joseph Victor (JV) Ejercito, are incumbent senators.

Jejomar Binay is the current vice president and the logical successor to Bs Aquino. he is already the second-highest official of the land, one heartbeat away from the presidency, and the most experienced among the current crop of presidential aspirants, having been mayor of the premier business city Makati for 23 years and vice president for three years, with responsibility for housing and overseas workers welfare under the present administration.

Jojo heads a formidable dynasty. his son and namesake, Jejomar Binay Jr. is the incumbent mayor of Makati. A daughter, Abigail, is a congressman, representing one of the two Makati districts. Another daughter, Nancy, is senator of the land. if you believe reports, the Binay dynasty is one which is well-entrenched and well-endowed financially, amid allegations of massive graft. That is precisely the problem with Jojo Binay. he has not fully explained his so-called unexplained wealth, part of which has been uncovered by 22 hearings in 20 months by the senate anti-graft committee called Blue Ribbon.

Meanwhile, Mar (from Manuel Araneta) is the grandson is a famously pro-American president, Manuel A. Roxas, and son of a popular senator in the 1960s and 1970s, Gerardo Roxas who was narrowly defeated by another dynastic scion, Fernando Lopez, in the elections of 1969. Educated at Wharton and a former investment banker, Mar is an heir to the vast Araneta urban hacienda fortune. he is actually the man behind the call center and business process outsourcing (BPO) boom, having authored the law for it and executed it when he was a Trade and industry secretary to President Joseph Estrada and President Arroyo.

Mar has never been associated with any largescale corruption but he sometimes is perceived as a bumbling bureaucrat, having mismanaged the govwith all his billions lost in 2010 as a poor third. if the iglesia ni Kristo had sided with Erap, he could have won. This affirms the fact that Erap continues to enjoy his own “masa base.”

Popularity is another thing. While a presidential candidate may be popular, it’s no assurance of getting elected. We can only recall that when movie icon Fernando Poe Jr. ran against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, people thought that the popularity of FPJ assured

him of the presidency.

Even in provinces where FPJ did not campaign, he came out No. 1.

The problem came during the last two weeks of the 2004 campaign. FPJ ran out of funds. This is the most crucial period of the campaign. As a result, campaign managers in Cebu and other Visayan provinces who knocking on FPJ’s door were disappointed. Knowing this, Gloria poured funds in Cebu and other provinces, gaining over a million

ernment’s two most important cabinet departments – the Virtual Department Transportation and reality Communications, where incompetence, corruption and red tony tape are the new normal, and the lopez Department of interior and Local Government, where incompetence, corruption and red tape, was the original norm.

Against Jojo and Binay, Bongbong Marcos can easily hold his own and has nothing to apologize for. he trained at the feet of the late strongman Ferdinand E. Marcos, who by today’s reckoning should be the best president the Philippines ever had, in terms of intellectual heft (bar topnotcher), heroism (the most bemedalled soldier of World War ii), vision (he said this country can be great again), and love for country and people (he rejected the bombing of Camp Aguinaldo to end People Power of 1986 that ousted him from office).

As president, Marcos achieved rice sufficiency, built more infrastructure than all previous presidents before him, enforced an honest to goodness agrarian reform, solved the most serious energy crisis and the most serious foreign currency crisis, prevented the communists and Muslim separatists from dismembering the republic, and gave his countrymen a sense of purpose, vision, and their place in the family of nations.

Marcos recognized China and the UssR far ahead of the United states. he reduced the 99-year lease on the Us bases to 25 and made the Americans pay up to $2.5 billion per year for their use. This bases deal plus the end of the Laurel-Langley parity agreement that gave Americans the status of Filipinos, ultimately prompted the Us to help plot his removal.

Bongbong named his first born Ferdinand Alexander, now 21, after he says, “the world’s best two leaders.” Learning from the best, Marcos, by osmosis, is Bongbong’s education. Add of course, the political savvy of his mother, the legendary imelda Romualdez Marcos.

Bongbong himself has had excellent formal education – business administration at Wharton (1979-1981), political science, philosophy and economics at Oxford, England (1975-1978); high school at Worth boarding school, England, 1970-1974; elementary school at La salle Greenhills; and pre-school in what is now Poveda. he trained himself to be a mathematician and a scientist but his dad forced him to enter politics, “as a matter of duty to the nation”.

Bongbong’s best achievement, he says, was being governor for 12 years (1983-1986) and (1998-2007). As CEO of ilocos Norte, FM Jr. achieved energy self-sufficiency (with 50 windmills producing 150 megawatts), rice selfsufficiency (harvest per hectare was as high as 12 tons, he says, vs. the 4 tons average), promoted cooperatives (200 of them), and gave his people additional income, with tobacco, garlic and other cash crops, and tourism.

“As governor,” he says, “you don’t talk and talk. You just do it.” he winces that the Philippines today suffers from three major problems – massive unemployment and massive poverty, lack of infrastructure, and one of the worst income inequality ratios in the world.

Remember iNRi – the letters on Jesus’s cross? it stands for ilocos Norte, Region i. Quite possibly in 2016, Marcos could just mean salvation. biznewsasia@gmail.com votes over FPJ. The truth of the matter was that FPJ was not cheated. he ran out funds at the last minute, and the rest is history.

President Aquino and the ruling Liberal Party are trying very hard to have a Mar Roxas-Grace Poe tandem.

They rely on Grace Poe’s popularity. But, while Grace is popular, this is not a guarantee for Mar. Grace Poe may want to run as an independent.But, as an independent candidate, despite her popularity, Grace Poe will surely lose.

As an independent, she will have no watchers in precincts to ensure her votes would be counted. That’s a reality in our kind of national elections. No independent ever wins the presidency. We can only recall the likes of the late Raul Manglapus and the late Manny Manahan who ran as independents under the so-called Grand Alliance.

All things considered, it takes more than honesty and integrity and even popularity to win in our kind of elections.

W e d n e s d ay: J u n e 17, 2 0 1 5

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

SO I SEE LITO banayO

NUMERO DOS Now comes Jojo Binay, loyalist of PNoy’s mother Cory, whom PNoy appointed chair of the housing cluster, with cabinet rank. he has since moved from province to province, engaging common folk in hand-tomouth celebratory food fests, as contradistinguished from his expected competitor, the Liberal heredero Mar Roxas, who would not, and could not, “condescend” to such early campaigning practices.

Let us take a look at the names which the surveys poll. Aside from the four likely candidates, namely Binay, Roxas, Duterte and Poe, there are former president, now Mayor erap, whom Binay lately proposed to be his vice-president, after being rejected by several others. There is Senadora Miriam, who does not seem, quite sadly, in the pink of health.

There is Senador Bongbong. And Senators Allan and Chiz, as well as Trillanes. There is Ping Lacson as well.

Will erap accept to be Numero Dos to Binay? Not likely. even if he were to be treated regally by a President Binay, shared with powers befitting a patron and kingmaker, being king of one’s own kingdom, Manila, is a far more enticing prospect than being Numero Dos twice over after a brief interlude as Numero Uno. erap has politely rejected Binay’s offer. earlier, Grace rejected her father’s presidential campaign manager with a “you don’t deserve me” condescension. health issues may prevent a Senadora Miriam from being a candidate in 2016, even as she would be a perfect fit for a Rodrigo Duterte. Bongbong Marcos can count on strong support in what was once the Solid North of his father Ferdinand, as well as the Waray-speaking voters of his mother Imelda. Who among the four will court him as their team-mate? In Davao over the week-end, he was Duterte’s guest in his Gikan sa Masa teleradyo program, and this fuelled speculations about a DigongBongbong tandem.

Chiz has painted himself as a Grace Poe second, or better yet, her eminence gris, and will stick it out with her as Numero Dos. Alan Cayetano, if his numbers improve considerably, might likewise run for president. If the tale of the June tapes proves dismal for that run, he can offer himself as vice-president to Mar, or Grace, or Digong. Or just stay in the Senate for the next three years, and then succeed his wife Lani as mayor of Taguig, assuming a President Binay does not re-take the money fortress which is BGC back into Makati.

Trillanes has publicly affirmed he is gunning for numero dos; to whom remains to be seen. Ping Lacson, if his poll numbers do not put him within striking distance of the presidential race, will either run as senator once again, a sure and easy win, or who knows, be Mar’s vice-presidential candidate.

Duterte, per ex-Gov. Manny Pinol, intimated a preference for Governor Vilma Santos of Batangas, for team-mate. But Vilma demurs while wondering whether the feisty Davao mayor will run despite all his denials.

Of course, everyone wants Grace Poe to be their Numero Dos, whether it be Binay whom she has spurned publicly, or Mar who has resigned himself to the prospect of having her as competitor for Numero Uno, or Duterte.

She is a shoo-in for vice-presidential winner, bar only a potential disqualification case from the likes of Raymond Fortun or harry Roque.

The fortunes of vice-presidents in this country have been quite happy. Most of them eventually became presidents, whether by election (Macapagal I and erap), machination (Macapagal-Arroyo), or death of the incumbent (Osmena, Quirino and Garcia).

Numero Dos just has to wait.

Will Grace wait? She will be 47 come September, younger than Mar (58), or Duterte (70), even Binay (72). But would Chiz, now a young 45, wait as well?

Self-delusion..From A9

Because I don’t really know if anyone in his right mind will accept that the same MILF that can’t even return the guns of the Fallen 44 is really sincere when it takes the government’s money for antique guns that no self-respecting rebel will even touch.

Aquino can persist in his delusion – as for me, I’m not biting. *** The performance of Philippine athletes in the just-ended Southeast Asian Games in

Singapore is like the performance of the entire country under the Aquino administration: People are asking us to be happy about rising a notch from the previous seventhplace finish overall to sixth overall, like it’s the best thing that ever happened to us.

Of course, we used to always dominate our neighbors in sports before, like we used to dominate the Asean economy. No more.

Now we’re supposed to overjoyed to be sixth in a field of 11. hooray.

#failocracy

EDITOR

A11

Stemming..From A9

The office of the vice-president is a take-off from American political practice. But there is a major difference. Theirs is a federal form of government; ours is a highly-centralized, unitary form.

They have state legislatures; we have only one national Congress with two houses, similar to their federal Congress. Their Senate is presided over by the elected Vice-President, and other than that ceremonial position, he merely waits for the President to die, resign, or be impeached from office. he and the president belong to the same political party, for in the US of A, one votes for a team. In the Philippines, we can, and often, elect a president while choosing a vice-president from another team.

Thus it was in the case of the NP’s Carlos P. Garcia 58 years ago, when we elected LP Diosdado Macapagal as his vice-president.

Then again, FVR of Lakas in 1992, whilst electing NPC’s Joseph estrada as Numero Dos. Once more, in 1998, LAMMP’s estrada overwhelmingly, and Lakas’ Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, just as overwhelmingly. In 2010, we did it again. We gave Benigno Simeon Aquino III an astounding victory, while giving a surprise squeaker in favor of Jejomar Binay.

Garcia treated Macapagal as a non-entity, which the latter used to full advantage, going to every island where there was a Filipino voter, including far-away Turtle Islands, and after four years, reaped the reward of the presidency. FVR named estrada his anti-crime czar, and the movie actor turned politico cut a larger-than-life picture of his role. When he was elected president, he gallantly took in Arroyo as his secretary for social welfare, from which post she likewise pumped flesh all over the country. She succeeded him when a cabal of conspirators succeeded in foisting an edsa Dos and deposed the duly-constituted president outside of the rules of constitutional impeachment.

who has really seen all of this before – that what is going on is really something new.

It’s bad enough that Aquino and his minions have deluded themselves into believing that they have invented the peace process and that they will be the ones who will silence the guns in war-torn Mindanao. But when they start asking us to buy into the delusion, as well, that’s when the trouble really starts.

adelle chua

longevity is causing a problem for the social security system when very few enter the work force to replenish and support the base of the pension pyramid.

Majority of hungarians are Catholics and Budapest’s magnificent churches such as the cathedrals of St. Matthias and St.Stephens attest to this faith. hungarians, however, are also mindful of unwanted pregnancies .The brisk sales of contraceptives by Germany’s biggest condom distributor in europe run into millions of zlotys, the hungarian currency. Converted into euros (hungary is not yet in the eurozone), it’s still a hefty sum. hungary has reasons to be wary of migration, particularly from African and Muslim countries linked to terrorism.Terrorist bombings of London’s underground trains, street buses and the attack by Islamic gunmen on a Paris newsmagazine office left a chilling message to hungarians. hungary, which was not affected by the Balkan wars launched by Serbia in the 1990s, is wary of migration from Kosovo and Bosnia herzegovina whose population is mostly Muslim.

Agence France Presse, in a report datelined Budapest, gives an account of this growing anxiety against letting migrants into hungary. Some excerpts from the AFP dispatch: “From billboards warning refugees not to steal hungarians’ jobs to a government survey linking migrants to terrorism, hungary’s government has stepped up its anti-immigration rhetoric in recent weeks, sparking international concern. The country is experiencing a surge in asylum seekers as thousands of desperate migrants fleeing war and conflict try to reach european shores.”

“Last year, hungary received more refugees per capita than any other eU city apart from Sweden, up to almost 43,000 people from 2000 to 2012. In response, the government put up state-funded billboards and posters around the capital Budapest reading: ‘If you come to hungary, you cannot take the jobs of hungarians‘and ‘If you come to hungary, you have to respect our culture!” except for associating the River Danube and actress Zsa Zsa Gabor to hungary, not too many people know that there are 12 hungarian winners of the Nobel Prize (as of latest count) ranging from the field of medicine to literature. Global financial money man George Soros is hungarian.

Other famous hollywood icons who are of hungarian descent include Paul Newman, Tony Curtis, Adrien Brody (Academy Award winner for his role in The Pianist), Bela Lugosi (the original Dracula) and arch villain Peter Lorre.

chong ardivilla

A12

WE DN E S DAY : J UN E 1 7 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Curry, Dubs face biggest game of their NBA careers C L EV E L A N D — S t e p h Curry and his Golden State teammates face the biggest game of their careers Tuesday as the Warriors visit Cleveland with a chance to capture their first NBA title in 40 years.

Coming off a 104-91 home triumph Sunday, the Warriors own a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven championship series with the Cavaliers needing a game-six victory to force a seventh game Friday back in California.

“This is going to be the biggest game any of us have ever played in our careers,” said Warriors forward Andre Iguodala.

“It’s all about staying locked in, about knowing it’s not going to be given to us.

We have to earn it.”

NBA Most Valuable Player Curry has recovered from dehydration after a 37-point performance in game five and will be ready Tuesday.

“The closeout game is always the hardest game in every series, but particularly in the finals,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

“There’s a lot of emotion. You’re right there on the cusp of something, but you still have to get the job done, and in this case we’ll be on the road against a great team.”

None of Golden State’s players were alive in 1975 when the Warriors last won the NBA Finals. And the lineup could become the first with no prior NBA Finals experience to take the crown since the 1991 Chicago Bulls.

“Treat it like game seven,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. “As much as we would love to win it in front of our fans, we really want to finish it in Cleveland.”

But LeBron James, carrying the scoring and set-up load for the injury-hit Cavaliers around a set of role players, has other ideas.

“We don’t want them celebrating at all, no matter if it’s on our home floor or their home floor,” James said. “We’ve come this far and we’ve been very good at home.”

Fatigued by a fast-paced Warriors lineup and limited substitution options, the Cavaliers were beaten handily at home in game four, something they hope to avoid repeating. AFP

A young Golden State Warriors’ fan holds up giant cutout photos of Steph Curry and Klay Thomson during the Warriors’ 2015 NBA Finals with the Cleveland Cavaliers at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

Nobel center severs ties with FIFA OSLO, Norway—The Nobel Peace Centre in Oslo announced Monday that it will end its partnership with football’s world governing body FIFA, which has been engulfed by an unprecedented corruption scandal.

The Nobel centre and FIFA have been partners in the “Handshake for Peace” initiative between team captains and officials since 2012.

“The board of directors asked management to end cooperation with FIFA as soon as circumstances permit,” said centre, an offshoot of the Nobel Committee which awards the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel statement did not explicitly refer to the accusations of corruption at FIFA that have delivered a body blow to the organisation’s prestige.

FIFA has been increasingly isolated since May, when a US investigation into the corruption allegations brought charges against 14 people.

The scandal spectacularly brought down FIFA boss Sepp Blatter and has also cast doubt on the fairness of the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, to be staged in Russia and Qatar respectively.

AFP

LeBron still confident he can carry Cavs CLEVELAND—Despite his spectacular all-around performance in the NBA Finals, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James knows he must do even more to prevent the Golden State Warriors from capturing the title.

The Warriors are on the brink of their first crown since 1975, leading the best-of-seven championship series 3-2 entering Tuesday’s game six in Cleveland. But James has faith in himself and his team to answer the must-win challenge and force a seventh game Friday back in California.

“I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world. It’s that simple,” James said.

“We’ve got enough to win it. We’ll worry about Tuesday first. But if we protect home like we’ve been capable of doing, we force a game seven.”

James has carried an injury-hit squad on his back in the finals, averaging 36.6 points, 12.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists. But the Warriors have won the past two games, wearing

down the Cavs with a fast lineup in game three and having NBA Most Valuable Player Steph Curry outshoot James in the final decisive minutes of game five.

“I’ve got to be better,” James said. “I don’t put a ceiling on what I’m capable of doing. I know I’m shouldering a lot of the burden, but it is what it is.

“I want to do whatever it takes to help our team win. I haven’t been able to do that the last two games.”

James has been the finisher on more than half of every Cleveland possession in the finals, his heavy scoring load mandated by the loss of Kyrie Irving to a fractured left kneecap in the finals opener and forward Kevin Love to a separated shoulder in the first playoff round.

“Tremendous is even an understatement for how he’s played in the series,” Cavaliers coach Dave Blatt said of James. “Under the current set of circumstances, that’s what we’ve got to get and he’s bringing it. You don’t

see that every day, what he’s doing. You’ve got to take your hat off to him.”

As far as James doing more after scoring 40 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and dealing 11 assists, Blatt said: “Should I expect more than 40 (points) and a triple-double? I don’t know.

You tell me.”

James could join Jerry West of the 1969 Los Angeles Lakers as the only NBA Finals Most Valuable Player from the losing side if w he cannot rally the Cavs, the hometown club he vowed to make a champion when he left Miami for Cleveland last July.

“He’s doing whatever he can to win a championship. That’s what the best player on the planet does,” Cavaliers guard Mike Miller said. “We have to continue working and when he plays like that we have to find ways to win.”

- LeBron rallied Miami James has won a title in this situation before. Just two seasons ago, San Antonio led Miami 3-2 but the Heat rallied to win the last two games to take the crown. AFP

Blackhawks clinch Stanley Cup

Kimmo Timonen of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates by hoisting the Stanley Cup after his team defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 2-0 in Game Six to win the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Final at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. AFP

CHICAGO—Duncan Keith scored the eventual winner as the Chicago Blackhawks clinched their first Stanley Cup title on home ice in almost eight decades with a 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.

Defenseman Keith fired his own rebound into the back of the net to give the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead late in the second as Chicago won the series 4-2 for their third NHL championship in six seasons.

“It feels so good to be a part of a group of guys willing to do whatever it takes,” Keith said. “It is awesome. We did it at home. It is special to win it, but to do it in front of our home fans is so much fun now.”

Corey Crawford made 25 saves to earn the shutout and Patrick Kane got the insurance

marker in the third period for Chicago, who won one of the most closely contested finals in league history as game six was the first contest that saw either club take a multi-goal lead.

The win touched off a wild celebration on the ice by the Blackhawks in front of their home crowd of 22,400 at United Center arena.

“It is unreal right now. I don’t want to leave the ice,” American Kane said. “Tonight was my night.”

Let’s not forget Keith as well. The 31-yearold Canadian was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the 2015 NHL playoffs.

Kane won the Conn Smythe the last time Chicago won the title. AFP

WE DN E S DAY : J UN E 1 7 , 2 0 1 5

A13

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Spieth chasing major titles, not accolades TACOMA—Masters champ Jordan Spieth enjoys slipping on his green jacket while watching television around the house, but he says winning the first Grand Slam of his career isn’t going to change who he is.

The 21-year-old American showed he can shine on the brightest stage at The Masters in April, rolling to a record-setting triumph after being runner-up in 2014.

“I put it on last week,” Spieth said Monday of the jacket which traditionally goes to the winner of the first major of the season.

“Why? Just to make sure it was still in the case. No, I was just watching TV and wanted to slip it on, just kind of felt like it.

“Why wouldn’t I put it on, to be honest with you?”

Spieth became the second youngest Masters champion behind Tiger Woods and the first player since Raymond Floyd in 1976 to post a wire-to-wire victory.

Spieth is seeking another Grand Slam win this week at the 115th US

Open which begins Thursday at the par 70 Chambers Bay course in the US Pacific Northwest.

Spieth has played 16 PGA Tour events this season and along with his two victories he has three runner-ups and nine top ten finishes.

The Texan is the most promising American at his age since Woods, but you can’t tell that from talking to him. Winning the Masters isn’t going to make him complacent or give him a big head and don’t even think about calling him the next great American hope.

“I don’t put a title on myself as the American guy,” he said, following his practice round at Chambers Bay on Monday. “I don’t think much of titles. I just try and work towards the next goal.

“I don’t look at myself or my game much differently since The Masters.

“It was a life-changing event for me off the course. On the course, when I get inside the ropes, I don’t feel any different. AFP

Chihiro Ikeda opens a two-shot lead over Sarah Ababa and Korean amateur Hwang Min Jeong.

Ikeda takes control with a 71 CHIHIRO Ikeda cashed in on calm conditions to card a one-under 71 then pounced on Cyna Rodriguez’s shaky finish to open a two-stroke lead over Sarah Ababa and Korean amateur Hwang Min Jeong at the start of the ICTSI Sherwood Ladies Championship at Sherwood Hills Golf Club in Cavite yesterday.

Ikeda, a former amateur hotshot still in search of a breakthrough win on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour, actually blew a two-under card after eight holes with back-to-back bogeys linking both nines. But the former SEA Games gold medalist birdied the par-3 16th to turn in the lone under-par round and upstage Rodriguez, who hobbled with a 76, in the featured threesome.

Rodriguez, seeking a follow-

up to her six-shot romp at ICTSI Riviera last month, matched Ikeda’s birdie on the par-5 No. 4 but fell back with bogeys on Nos. 6 and 7. She birdied No. 8 but dropped another stroke on the ninth and reeled back with two more bogeys on Nos. 11 and 12.

Recovering her form, the reigning two-time Order of Merit champion birdied the par-5 15th, only to flounder at the finish with bogeys on Nos. 16 and 18 for that four-over card in a tie

with Thai ace Amolkan Phalajivin and Korean Kim So Un. Ababa, who finished second at Riviera, birdied Nos. 7 and 8 to put in a 35 at the turn in a flight ahead of Ikeda’s and momentarily seized the lead with another birdie on the par-3 11th. But she fumbled with three straight bogeys rom No. 15 and ended up with a 73, dropping to joint second with Hwang, who also wavered in the tough finishing holes of Sherwood.

Hwang, joint fourth with absentee Jayvie Agojo at Riviera, put herself back into contention after a 37 with birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 but bogeyed the next two.

Apple Fudolin fought back with a 36 at the back to card a 74 for solo fourth while Anya Tanpinco bogeyed No. 14 and dropped two strokes on the 18th for a 75.

Phalajivin, back in the local circuit after skipping the Riviera leg, rammed in a birdie to open her campaign but failed to come up with another the rest of the way, missing a couple of chances from close range. Worse, she stumbled with three bogeys and made a double-bogey on the par-4 No. 5 to drop to joint sixth with Rodriguez.

Kim, eighth placer at Riviera, matched Phalajivin’s opening hole birdie and like the Thai ace, never got the chance to drill in another one while fumbling with five bogeys.

American Cristina Corpus stayed in the mix with a gutsy 37 at the front but lost her touch with a fat closing 40, slipping to ninth with a 77, a stroke ahead of Korean amateur Koh Eu Na an local amateur Felicia Medalla.

Santos rules HEAD netfest final leg

Alexie Santos blanks Princess Katindig, 6-0, 6-0.

ALEXIE Xira Santos recently ruled the final leg of Globe 17th HEAD Graphene XT Junior Tennis Satellite Circuit Metro Manila leg after winning two singles’ trophies at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Courts in Malate, Manila.

Santos, who also captured two crowns in Baguio City last week, swept Princess Catindig, 6-0, 6-0, to grab the girls’ 18-under title, then blasted Rafaella Jean Villanueva, 6-4, 6-1, to win her second crown – the girls’ 16-under crown.

Gennifer Pagente outsmarted Kristine Janine Martin, 6-0, 6-4, to bag the girls’ 14-under crown and Alex Eala crushed Macie Carlos, 6-3, 6-1, to seize the girls’ 12-under title in the age-group competition organized by Dynamic Sports.

The competition was sponsored by Globe Telecommunications, Chris Sports, Head ATP Tennis Balls, Graphene XT, Toalson, Philippine Sports

Commission and the Philippine Tennis Association, along with Sports Radio 918AM, Home Radio 97.9FM Natural, Boracay Informer, Todo 88.5FM Aklan, Radyo Inquirer 990AM, Power Wheels Magazine, Motorcycle Magazine, Balikbayan The Asian Journal Magazine, Wazzup Pilipinas, Reach Magazine, Oishi and AMAX Inn Makati.

In the boys’ finals singles’ results, Andre Tuazon won over Andrei Rodriguez, 6-4, 5-7, 10-8, for the boys’ 18-under title; Manuel Balce whacked Justine Suarez, 6-2, 6-3, for the boys’ 16-under crown; and Aljohn Talatayod whipped Jules Lazaro, 6-3, 6-4, for the boys’ 14-under crown; Raven Lance Hitosis beat Sebastian Santos, 6-4, 6-3, to bag the boys’ 12-under crown, and Samuel Rean Nuguit bashed Mark Andrei Jarata, 5-4, 4-2, to claim the unisex 10-under crown.

San Juan cagefest lures 8 squads

By Peter Atencio A TOTAL of eight teams will take part in the first San Juan City Invitational Basketball Tournament on July 4.

Tournament director Jun Usman said this after confirming the participation of new entries Rover Inc., Accezz Inc. and Alert Inc. in the basketball tournament, which will also be known as the Intercorporate 6-feet below basketball league.

“Yes, we have additional entries to the tournament,” said Usman, saying that DN Steel, Baguio Oil, MAA General Assurance, New Menton Builders and Fronte Motors were among the first to sign up.

The cagefest is set to begin tentatively on on July 4 at the San Juan Knights gymnasium in N. Domingo.

The basketball tournament is organized for employees of corporate teams and will have a height limit of 6-feet.

Usman said they are organizing the cagefest with the support of organizing committee chairperson, councilor Janella Ejercito Estrada, and the San Juan City Athletic Association.

“We are looking forward to a fun and at the same time, competitive basketball tournament from the corporate world. We have set a height limit of 6-feet to sort of level the playing field,” said Usman.

W E D N E S D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 5

A14 Hagdang Bato and Pugad Lawin in PCSO Silver Cup ARCHRIVALS Hagdang Bato and Pugad Lawin will renew their feud on Sunday (June 21) in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Silver Cup at Metroturf Racecourse in Malvar, Batangas.

Both are carrying the same burden of 59 kgs. handicap, on account of their having been previous winners of this race – Hagdang Bato in 2013 and Pugad Lawin last year.

They also faced off in three consecutive years of the PCSO’s flagship event, the PCSO Presidential Gold Cup held every December, with Hagdang Bato winning in 2012 and 2014 and and Pugad Lawin in 2013.

Also entered in the 2,00-meter PCSO Silver Cup on Sunday are Kanlaon (55), Malaya (55), Dixie Gold (55), Hot and Spicy (55.5), Kaiserslautern (54), Low Profile (55), and Sky Way (54).

How are Hagdang Bato and Pugad Lawin going to fare with their 59-kg handicap? Here’s how I described, in my THW column of Dec. 24 last year, their battle in the 2014 PCSO Gold Cup: “Hagdang Bato, despite carrying 58.5 kilos (same as Pugad Lawin), needed no whipping.

He galloped steadily, like a machine, eating up yards of dirt and spitting them out at his rivals who could see only his flashing heels.”

Pugad Lawin ran off the pace and managed third place.

This time around, Hagdang Bato, owned by Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur C. Abalos, will be guided by regular jockey Jonathan Hernandez. With the sidelining due to injury of usual jockey Jesse Guce, the Tony Tan and Jun Ferrer-owned Pugad Lawin will be steered by Patricio Dilema, who rode the horse to victory in the 2013 Gold Cup. ***** Fourth choice Court of Honour upstaged the favorite Incredible Hook in the second leg of the Philippine Racing Commission Triple Crown series last Sunday (June 14) at Santa Ana Park in Naic, Cavite.

The race was held in honor of the memory of the late longtime horseowner and breeder Tarlac Representative Enrique “Henry” Cojuangco Sr. Superv, the longshot victress of the series first leg last May 17 at San Lazaro Leisure Park, led for most of the 1,800-meter race and looked like a sure winner.

But Court of Honour, owned and bred by Honorato Neri, rallied from fourth on the outside, racing five wide down the stretch to gain on a fading Superv and win by half a length.

The filly sired by Manny Santos’s stallion Sir Cherokee out of Neri’s broodmare Twelve or Never stopped the clock at 1:54.2 (13’-23’-24’25’-27’).

In his excitement over his first Triple Crown win, jockey John Paul A. Guce stood in the irons a few meters before the wire and fist-pumped, a gesture that cost him a P1,000 fine for violating PR (racing rule) 76-L which forbids “grandstanding”.

Breaking Bad placed second. Superv settled for third and Diamond’s Best fourth.

Court of Honour’s trainer Nestor E. Manalang accepted his trophy and that for the winning breeder from Tarlac Vice-Governor Enrique “Kit” Cojuangco Jr. and Roberto Cojuangco, sons of the race honoree.

Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez received the owner’s trophy in behalf of Neri.

Also with him at the awarding ceremony were Philracom Commissioners Bienvenido C. Niles Jr., Victor Tantoco, and Wilfredo de Ungria, and, from the host club, President & CEO Simeon Cua and EVP & COO Allan V. Abesamis.

The third leg of the Philracom Triple Crown is on July 11 at Metroturf. ***** In the second of the year’s three Hopeful Stakes races, held last Saturday (June 13) also at Santa Ana Park, Princess Ella (Prize Cat x Don’t Tell Ella) edged out Jazz Wild, Icon, and Showtime in that order.

The filly owned by SC Stockfarm, trained by Chito Santos, and ridden by Val Dilema clocked 1:40.8 (26’-24-23’-26’) for the mile and earned P600,000. ***** Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @gogirlracing, Instagram: @jensdecember, Blog: http://jennyo.net

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

PH chessers capture 18 golds in Asean tilt

By Arman Armero

SINGAPORE—The Philippine chess team won a total of 10 golds in the rapid event and added eight more in the blitz’ side at the close of the 16th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships held at the Nanyang Technological University here.

WIM Janelle Mae Frayna, finally flashing the form that gave her two GM norms in previous tournaments, tied for first with WFM Antoinette San Pedro at five points each, while anchoring the girls’ Under-20 team, counting Jean Karen Enriquez’s 4.5 points, for the team gold.

Enriquez, meanwhile, bounced back with a gold medal in the blitz’ side (6.5) in a tie with Cherry Ann Mejia (6.5). WIM Bernadette Galas added 5 points for the team gold.

In the rapid event, the Under-20 men’s team also collected three gold medals with

IMs Emmanuel Jan Garcia and Paulo Bersamina tying for the gold with 5 points each, and Austin Jacob Literatus adding 4 points for the team gold.

The team also took the team gold in the blitz’ event, but Garcia and Literatus settled for the silver with (6.0) points apiece.

But it was Fide Master Alekhine Nouri, who after dismal finishes in the standard and rapid event, bounced back big by scoring a sweep of nine points in the boys’ Under-10 and leading his team to a silver finish.

Meanwhile, Shania Mae Mendoza won a

gold in the girls’ U-18, her second in a week, but settled for the silver.

Also in the rapid event, Rome Pangilinan scored six points for the gold in the boys’ U-14. Pangilinan, who also won a gold in the standard event, teamed up with Lee Roi Palma and Emmanuel Van Paler to add the boys’ U-14 gold medal in the blitz side.

In the boys’ Under-16, John Merill Jacutina settled for the silver, and along with Daryl Unix Samantila and Kyle Rhenzie Sevillano won the team gold in the rapid event. The same practically happened in the blitz’ side, as Jacutina again won the silver and the three combining for the gold medal.

In the seniors’ side, Edmundo Gatus scored 5.5 points to end up tied for the gold medal in the rapid event, then scored another gold alongside NM Alex Milagrosa in the blitz event.

In all, the 63-man Team Philippines collected 26 gold medals in the three tournaments it participated.

FM Alekhine Nouri scored a sweep of nine rounds to capture gold in the boys’ U-10.

Fil-British gets green Discovery Networks acquires Setanta Sports light to play for Azkals DISCOVERY Networks Asia-Pacific, a division of the no. 1 pay-TV programmer Discovery Communications, on Tuesday announced its acquisition of Setanta Sports Asia Limited, a premium sports channel specializing in rugby.

Reaching more than 42 million homes across 16 countries, Setanta Sports Asia is one of the fastest-growing sports channels in Asia. It super serves passionate fans with some of the best rugby league and union events from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The acquisition is bolstered by Setanta’s five-year renewal of SANZAR (South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) rights, including all home international matches, plus Super Rugby —both of which represent some of the most sought-after rugby union properties. In addition to the SANZAR rights, key programming includes European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, National Rugby League, Aviva Pre-

miership and Guinness Pro 12. In the Philippines, Setanta Sports Asia is available on Skycable and local operators.

“The acquisition of Setanta Sports Asia is an important investment for Discovery as we further build scale and expand our business in Asia. Just over a year ago, Discovery gained a controlling interest in Eurosport—a bold play that took our company into the exciting arena of sports,” said JB Perrette, President of Discovery Networks International.

“Similar to the strategy we have adopted for Eurosport, we will look to build on the strengths of Setanta and fortify its leadership as a must-have sports channel across Asia.”

In total, Setanta Sports Asia airs more than 500 rugby matches per season on HD and SD feeds across the region. The channel’s multi-device player, Setanta Sports Plus, is widely accessible through online, tablets and smartphones.

By Peter Atencio

FIL-BRITISH booter Luke Woodland is excited to play for the Philippine Azkals national men’s football team.

He finally got the green light to see action for the Azkals after the Philippine Football Federation confirmed yesterday that the FIFA Players’ Status Committee has provided clearance for Woodland to represent the Philippines in international meets General Secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes said at the PFF’s official website that they have received the committee’s acceptance of the request of PFF and Woodland for the latter’s change in Association team.

This decision came just before the Azkals and Yemen were to meet in their scheduled second round World Cup Qualifying in Doha, Qatar.

“I’m looking forward to the game. The team is blessed with the win against Bahrain,” said Woodland right after the Azkals beat Bahrain, 2-1, last Thursday in Bulacan.

Woodland added that he has bonded with the team. “We now have chemistry.”

Gastanes said they needed time to confirm Woodland due to required clearances from the English, Scottish, Northern Irish, and Welsh football associations.

The 19-year-old Woodland used to play for the English national youth team at the under-16, under-17, and under-18 levels.

The Azkals, who are looking for a second straight win, will confront a struggling Yemen national men’s football team, which is hoping to do their best in their showdown at 7 p.m. today (12 midnight Manila time) at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

W E D N E S D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS

Sandy Febrianysah Kurniawan of Indonesia (right) attempts to block the path of a driving Kiefer Ravena of the Philippines during the men’s basketball gold medal match at the 28th SEA Games.

The Filipinos won against the Indonesian pros, 72-64. AFP

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 6 DIGITS 0-0-0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0.0 M+ P0.0 M+

Chua named new BCAP president

PH 6 in SEA Games th

SINGAPORE—The Philippines achieved the modest target it set for the 28th edition of the Southeast Asian Games, winning 29 gold medals to improve one notch up to sixth place in the overall medal tally.

And although bold predictions of gold medals that ranged from 41—the harvest in Nakhon Ratchasima—to the boldest of 50 were not met, Chief of Mission Julian Camacho still praised the 466 athletes, who battled an opposition that has gone stronger each SEA Games.

“I am proud of everyone on Team Philippines, I am proud of all our athletes,” Camacho, also head of the national wushu federation, said.

“There are performers and non-performers, there were achievers and non-achievers, but all of our athletes did their best in these games,” Camacho added.

The Philippines matched its gold-medal output of 29 in Myanmar two years ago to finish a forgettable seventh place overall, but this time around, there were

more silver medals here—36 to 34 in Myanmar—and much more bronze medals—66 to 38.

“Those are the numbers that make us think that despite the other countries being superior on how they spend for their sports programs, our athletes still fought them with all they’ve got,” Camacho said.

The Philippines closed out its campaign with the sweetest of all its victories here.

Sinag Pilipinas, a team of collegiate stars backstopped by naturalized player Marcus Douthit, walked the tightrope for the second straight night and survived the pros of Indonesia, 72-64, to retain the men’s basketball gold medal.

It was no walk in the park for Kiefer Ravena and company as the Indonesians, regulars on the regional professional tournament

Asean Basketball League, gave the nationals the same scare that they got from Thailand, whom they narrowly beat, 80-75, in the semifinals.

No other gold medal was won on Monday and Tuesday by Team Philippines, which managed to sweep triathlon and softball, snatched one gold in cycling courtesy of a first-timer on the global arena Marella Vania Salamat and dominated boxing with all 10 boxers having gone home with a medal each—five golds, three silvers and two bronzes.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Ricardo Garcia said predicting the outcome here was difficult because “the number of (gold) medals were dependent not only on the number of events, but also the kind of events that were expected in these Games.”

“From the beginning, Singapore was putting more events (in their favor), while deducting from our potential sources,” said Garcia, pointing to floorball and netball where the hosts swept all

of the three golds at stake.

There were a total of 402 gold medals staked in these games, less than the 461 offered on the Myanmar program and much smaller than the 554 Indonesia set when it played host—and emerged No. 1 with 182—in 2011.

The Singaporeans reigned supreme in swimming behind the phenomenal Joseph Schooling, who went 9-for-9, garnering 23 out of a possible 43 golds. But their effort to run away with the overall championship still fell short.

Thailand emerged No. 1 anew with 95 golds, 83 silvers and 69 bronze medals to be out of reach of the Singaporeans, who still came out with their strongest finish in the SEA Games of 84-73102 (gold-silver-bronze) harvest.

Vietnam switched places with Malaysia at third place from the 2013 games. The Vietnamese garnered 73-53-60, while the Malaysians had 62-58-66. Indonesia, which the Philippines wanted to surpass, held on to fifth with 47-61-74.

INCOMING Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Chito Narvasa stepped down Sunday as president of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines after 17 years, paving the way for the ascension of former Barangay Ginebra San Miguel coach Alfrancis Chua during a board meeting at Club Filipino in Greenhills.

Narvasa, a long-time collegiate and pro mentor, was unanimously chosen last month to take the place of PBA commissioner Chito Salud, who ends his five-year term this season to become the league’s first president and chief executive officer.

Chua, the BCAP vice president and now governor and team manager of Barangay Ginebra, was nominated by basketball great Val Rosabal to succeed Narvasa, with the move seconded by lawyer Ogie Narvasa, Chito’s younger brother and onetime commissioner of the defunct Philippine Basketball League.

The elder Narvasa then proposed that the nominations be closed.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be able to serve with a special group of men and women with whom I share a common bond with,” said Chua, a Grand Slam champion coach in the Philippine Basketball League before steering the Kings to the finals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup three years ago.

“These will be big shoes to fill, coming from coach Yeng [Guiao] and coach Chito [Narvasa] after him. But with their guidance and direction and the support of our fellow coaches, we hope to continue BCAP’s plans and programs with the goal of further advancing the interest of the basketball coaching profession.”

Elected executive vice president and legal counsel is Atty. Ogie Narvasa, with former Crispa Redmanizer Itoy Esguerra as vice president for internal affairs, Louie Gonzales secretary-general, Val Rosabal treasurer, Jay Serrano corporate secretary, and Adonis Tierra, Felix ‘Boy’ Tiukinoy Jr., Fr. Nong Realuyo, Fr. Nonie Dolor and former Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez as board members. Named senior advisors are former BCAP president and Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao and PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa.

The BCAP has 13 board members, two of them holding non-voting status.

Despite SEA Games success, Singapore won’t bid to host Asiad SINGAPORE—A Singapore bid to host the Asian Games appeared unlikely on Tuesday despite its successful Southeast Asian Games held in state-ofthe-art facilities this month.

Senior sports officials gave a thumbs-down to an Asiad in Singapore, signalling that hosting Asia’s version of the Olympics was not in the citystate’s sights.

While Singapore could celebrate amassing a national record of 84 gold medals at the SEA Games, similar success

would be unlikely at the bigger, pan-Asian version.

And the costs of organizing an Asian Games are prohibitive, as seen last year when Hanoi pulled out of hosting the 2018 edition.

“I do not see us spending a lot of money just to hold the Asian Games,” Team Singapore chef de mission Tan Eng Liang told reporters on the SEA Games’ final day.

“Personally I do not see how Asian Games will contribute very significantly despite the

amount of cost and the organization that are needed,” he added. “So personally I do not see the need of the Asian Games.”

Singapore already has much of the infrastructure for major sports events after the completion of its billion-US-dollar Sports Hub last year.

The riverside complex not far from the city centre includes the 55,000-seat, domed, air-cooled National Stadium, a swimming and diving venue and a number of competition-

ready gym halls and arenas.

But Bob Gambardella, head of the Singapore Sports Institute, said Singapore’s strategy was to host single, high-level events rather than multi-sport showpieces.

“I think what we’re looking at (is) single major international events like the WTA (Finals) and ways in which we can leverage off that kind of a tournament over the next four years to catalyse the sport in the country,” he said.

“So we see those kind of

events coming fast and they will help us build out that sport ecosystem itself,” Gambardella added.

After establishing a popular Formula One night race, Singapore also now hosts the annual WTA Finals featuring the top eight women’s players.

Gambardella said representatives from swimming body FINA had also visited to discuss holding the world junior championships in Singapore.

Singapore officials were delighted with their medals

haul, led by star swimmer Joseph Schooling’s nine golds, at a Games where the line-up of sports is unashamedly tailored by the hosts.

“If you’re going to spend 300-odd million dollars you want to end up at the end of the day doing pretty well,” said Singapore National Olympic Committee (NOC) secretarygeneral Chris Chan.

“Otherwise how do you justify spending? You’re not organising the Games to make the other NOCs happy.” AFP

W E D N E S D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 5

A16

RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SMB’s June Mar Fajardo (right) tries to stop Blackwater’s Marcus Cousin from making his move inside the lane in a PBA Governors’ Cup game won by the Beermen, 115-83.

Games Wednesday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. • Rain or Shine vs. Kia 7 p.m. • Barangay Ginebra vs.

Barako Bull

Rampaging SMB claims victim no. 8

By Jeric Lopez

SAN Miguel Beer, the league’s hottest squad, emphatically coasted to its eighth straight victory, cruising past abysmal Blackwater, 115-83, to regain solo first place, and securing a Top 4 finish in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Arizona Reid did a LeBron James impersonation, pouring in a tripledouble with an amazing stats line of a game-high 39 points, including four triples, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as he powered San Miguel Beer to yet another dominant win.

The onslaught just continued for the Beermen, who lead the league

Dubs face their biggest game TURN TO A12

with an 8-2 slate. Already with a guaranteed spot in the Top 4 now, the Beermen will enjoy an important twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals as well.

Despite being in a good position heading into the next phase, San Miguel coach Leo Austria emphasized the importance of finishing the

elimination round on a high note. ‘’They say we don’t need these final games anymore, but we want to be in a good momentum. Every game is important to us. We want to develop this kind of habit,’’ said a very satisfied Austria.

San Miguel Beer now gears up for its much-anticipated final game of the elimination round against second-running Alaska on Saturday in Panabo City, Davao, with the victor most likely locking up the top seed.

Right out of the gates, San Miguel Beer showed that it meant business.

The Beermen used a blistering 28-8 blast in the first 10 minutes of play to break the game wide

open. They were never in any sort of trouble from that point forward, keeping their double-digit lead for good the rest of the way.

San Miguel even soared to its largest lead of 31 points, which also happened to be the final tally.

June Mar Fajardo backed up Reid ably, scoring 20 points and hauling five rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter was also hot from downtown with five triples on his way to 17 points.

The Elite are now officially eliminated, further sinking to 1-8 at the cellar with this fifth straight setback. It still has two games left to play before it finishes its lethargic rookie season in the league.

Ikeda takes charge TURN TO A13

Nietes title defense pushed by a week

By Ronnie Nathanielsz THE title defense of the longestreigning Filipino world champion, World Boxing Organization light flyweight king Donnie Nietes, has been reset by one week to July 11 after mandatory challenger Francisco Rodriguez suffered a minor ankle injury in training.

ALA Promotions’ president Michael Aldeguer told The Standard/ boxingscene.com that the handlers of Rodriguez, headed by Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran, informed him of the injury to Rodriguez and submitted a medical certificate, while seeking the postponement. ßThe fight will take place at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on the new date, which is unlikely to make a difference to Nietes, who has been training since April and looked in terrific condition when Viva Sports watched him spar at the ALA Gym in Balete Drive, Quezon City last week.

The 33-year-old Nietes made it clear he would like to shut the mouth of the cocky Rodriguez and avenge the loss of his close friend Merlito Sabillo, who lost the minimum weight title to him by a 10th-round TKO on March 22, 2014.

Trainer Edmund Villamor said that Nietes’ training is continuing.

“There’s no problem with the oneweek postponement,” said Villamor.

B1

WEDNESDAY: JUNE 17, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

LandBank’s dividends. President Benigno Aquino III (second from right) received a check for P6 billion from Land Bank of the Philippines which remitted the highest cash

dividend among government-owned and -controlled corporations this year. The bank’s cash dividend represents 51 percent of its total earnings in 2014 which grew to P12.1 billion from P11.7 billion in 2013. With the president are (from left) Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Senate President Franklin Drilo and LandBank executive vice president Andres Sarmiento.

CEB buying new jets for $673m

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CEBU Air Inc., the operator of Cebu Pacific, is acquiring 26 turboprop jets for $673 million, as a part of the budget airline’s fleet renewal program for inter-island services.

Cebu Air said it placed orders for 16 ATR 72-600, with options to acquire another 10 ATR 72-600 from ATR, the European turboprop aircraft manufacturer for $673 million, based on current list prices.

The transaction will see Cebu Pacific double its turboprop fleet size, subject to the execution of final purchase documents.

“We have been operating ATR aircraft since 2008, and they have enabled us to bring safe, reliable, and affordable air transport to smaller cities and islands

throughout the Philippines.

This order is an affirmation of our commitment to extend the convenience of affordable air travel to even more communities,” Cebu Pacific president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei said.

“We are very pleased to be the launch customer of this new configuration of the ATR 72-600, as this will allow us to offer our customers more seats at even lower fares,” he said.

Cebu Pacific currently operates a fleet of eight ATR 72-500 air-

craft, which will be retired as the new aircraft enter the service.

ATR chief executive Patrick de Castelbajac said ATR was “very happy to continue our partnership with one of the leading airlines in Southeast Asia and to contribute to the expansion of its network throughout the islands of the archipelago.”

“Cebu Pacific will also be able to benefit from the vast support network for ATR operators in Asia. When their first ATR 72-600 arrives, there will be five ATR pilot training centers in the region,” Castelbajac said.

The entry into service of the new ATR 72-600 will provide Cebu Pacific with new generation aircraft to meet growing demand in the Philippines for inter-island services.

This will allow Cebu Pacific to expand its operations not only on

main airports but also to several other airports around the country, contributing to the development of regional transport, tourism, and local economy.

The ATR 72-600 ordered by Cebu Pacific will be equipped with the high-density Armonia cabin, the widest cabin in the turboprop market.

It will be equipped with 78 slimline seats and wider overhead bins with 30 percent more stowage space. These new technological innovations further enhance space and comfort for passengers.

Cebu Pacific currently operates a fleet of 55 aircraft comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 31 Airbus A320, 6 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft.

Cebu Pacific expects to take delivery of 7 more brand-new Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft between 2015 and 2021.

BDO boosts cash holdings to acquire stocks

By Ian Sayson THE Philippines’s largest money manager has increased cash holdings, expecting the nation’s benchmark stock index will extend its decline from a record before the US considers raising interest rates this year.

Frederico Ocampo, who helps manage $18 billion as chief investment officer at Manilabased BDO Unibank Inc., is betting he’ll be able to buy shares cheaper as global equities drop if the Federal Reserve signals this year it will raise rates this year.

The Federal Open Market Committee, which starts a two-day meeting Tuesday, is predicted by economists to increase rates by the end of 2015.

“We have raised cash levels and we are still holding on to our cash, anticipating a change in the FOMC’s tone could trigger a continued correction,” Ocampo said in an interview.

“We are holding cash because we expect there will be more attractive levels to pick up

stocks,” he said.

About 15 percent to 20 percent of holdings are now in cash, compared with the end of 2014, when it was fully invested, he said.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index has lost 8.3 percent since closing at a record 8,127.48 on April 10 as first- quarter economic growth weakened to a three-year low and fueled foreign capital withdrawals.

The gauge has rebounded 1.8 percent since touching a five-month low last week.

Ocampo said Philippine stocks could repeat what happened two years ago, when then-Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke said in May 2013 the US was considering cutting bond purchases. From a peak that month, the benchmark tumbled 20 percent, paring the year’s gain to 1.3 percent. The measure advanced 23 percent last year.

While the Fed is expected to keep interest rates unchanged in this month’s meeting, improving economic reports since its last session have pushed the probability for a Sep-

tember increase to 53 percent, data compiled

by Bloomberg show.

“Once the Fed changes its tone and signals that it’s ready to raise rates, we will see a global correction,” Ocampo said.

“After the uncertainties are gone and investors get their bearings, share prices will go up again,” he said.

The Philippine stock index could fall to between 7,200 and 6,800, making valuations more attractive, he said. It closed at 7,456.16 on Monday.

The benchmark index is valued at 18.3 times projected 12- month earnings, the most expensive in Southeast Asia, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The MSCI Emerging-Markets Index is valued at 11.8 times.

Foreign funds have sold a net $582.6 million of the nation’s stocks so far this quarter, double the combined $292.7 million withdrawals from Indonesia and Thailand since April 1, based on data compiled by Bloomberg. Bloomberg

PSe comPoSite index Closing June 16, 2015

7800 7500 7200 6900 6600 6300

7,505.48 49.32

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing JUNE 16, 2015 47

P45.140

46

CLOSE

45 44 43

HIGH P45.100 LOW P45.225 AVERAGE P45.157 VOLUME 829.300M

P480.00-P680.00 LPG/11-kg tank P41.20-P47.85 Unleaded Gasoline P28.85-P32.20 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, June 16, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

45.2610

Japan

Yen

0.008105

0.3668

UK

Pound

1.555000

70.3809

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128987

5.8381

Switzerland

Franc

1.077006

48.7464

Canada

Dollar

0.812612

36.7796

Singapore

Dollar

0.742997

33.6288

Australia

Dollar

0.776096

35.1269

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652379

120.0493

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

12.0696

Brunei

Dollar

0.740247

33.5043

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029674

1.3431

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.3226

Euro

Euro

1.128400

51.0725

Korea

Won

0.000897

0.0406

China

Yuan

0.161057

7.2896

India

Rupee

0.015616

0.7068

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.266028

12.0407

New Zealand

Dollar

0.698714

31.6245

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032334

1.4635 Source: PDS Bridge

WEDNESDAY: JUNE 17, 2015

B2

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Tuesday, June 16, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 104 63 2.49 4.2 4 31.6 9.5 2.95 890 1.01 99.4 1.46 30.5 94.95 361.2 59 174.8 1700 127.9 3.26 47 5 1.66 2.36 15.3 113 20.6 32 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 3.95 4 33.9 90 13.98 292.4 5.25 13.04 6.8 14.5 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.68 8.1 253 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.68 226.6 5.5 1.3 2.17 0.7 59.2 31.85 7.39 3.4 3.35 800 11.06 84 3.35 5.14 0.66 1380 6.68 72.6 9.25 0.9 18.9 0.73 5.53 6.55 0.84 2.99 87 934 2.2 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 26.95 1.99 2.07 0.375 40 6.15

STOCKS

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 7.5 7.45 73.7 73 107.90 106.90 99.00 98.00 45.8 45.75 2.46 2.45 1.73 1.73 9.5 9.5 20.95 20.05 6.45 6.32 1.76 1.68 845.00 845.00 0.400 0.400 90.2 87.9 1.01 1.01 17.90 17.80 69.00 68.10 306 302.2 41.8 41.1 160 157.6 1495.00 1495.00 64.70 63.50 3.15 3.14 INDUSTRIAL 35.6 Aboitiz Power Corp.

44 44.15 43.75 1.6 Agrinurture Inc. 1.45 1.45 1.35 1.04 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 1.03 1.07 1.03 1.41 Alsons Cons.

1.95 1.97 1.95 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.56 10.6 10.5 40.3 Bogo Medelin 52 51.5 51.5 14.6 Century Food 18.48 18.48 18.36 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 27 27.15 26.1 Crown Asia 2.2 2.27 2.1 1.04 Da Vinci Capital 1.54 1.6 1.5 10.72 Del Monte 12.2 12.2 11.86 8.44 DNL Industries Inc. 18.940 18.920 18.64 9.79 Emperador 9.27 9.45 9.17 5.43 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 7.23 7.31 7.22 9.54 EEI 9.99 10.10 9.99 1.06 Euro-Med Lab 1.67 1.73 1.73 8.61 Federal Res. Inv. Group 12.7 12.9 12.5 18.06 First Gen Corp.

25.3 25.8 25.15 67.9 First Holdings ‘A’ 86.5 87 85.7 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 13.86 13.88 13.70 3.12 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.02 6.06 5.91 0.395 Ionics Inc 0.540 0.550 0.500 168 Jollibee Foods Corp.

195.00 197.40 195.00 8.65 Lafarge Rep 9.74 9.86 9.71 2.3 LMG Chemicals 2 2.02 2 1.63 Mabuhay Vinyl 2.55 2.55 2.51 24.4 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24.65 25.1 24.6 16.2 Maxs Group 24.5 24.75 24.5 7.62 Megawide 6.44 6.44 6.22 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 279.80 285.00 279.60 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 4.61 4.75 4.6 9 Petron Corporation 8.89 9.15 8.85 3.7 Phil H2O 3.9 4.14 3.9 9.94 Phinma Corporation 11.70 11.70 11.20 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.76 3.99 3.76 2.22 Phoenix Semiconductor 2.18 2.24 2.18 1 Pryce Corp. `A’ 2.23 2.44 2.2 4.72 RFM Corporation 4.36 4.36 4.31 6 Roxas Holdings 6.5 6.2 6.2 201.6 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 177.5 178 177 4.1 SPC Power Corp.

4.5 4.5 4.5 1.67 Splash Corporation 1.59 1.61 1.59 0.122 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.147 0.149 0.147 2.22 2.19 2.22 2.01 Trans-Asia Oil 143.4 Universal Robina 180 183 176 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.4 4.4 4.3 0.670 Vitarich Corp.

0.78 0.8 0.77 1.39 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.27 1.27 1.27 HOLDING FIRMS 0.45 Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.455 0.455 0.450 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 56.2000 56.3500 55.5500 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 22.50 22.50 22.40 6.62 Anscor `A’ 6.81 6.88 6.80 1.4 ATN Holdings A 0.255 0.255 0.225 1.6 ATN Holdings B 0.260 0.250 0.230 600 Ayala Corp `A’ 772.5 776 769 7.390 Cosco Capital 7.81 7.82 7.66 14.18 DMCI Holdings 13.60 14.08 13.58 2.6 F&J Prince ‘A’ 3.1 3.15 3.1 4.25 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

4.50 4.50 4.50 0.144 Forum Pacific 0.220 0.221 0.202 818 GT Capital 1355 1386 1355 5.3 House of Inv. 6.68 6.78 6.68 46.6 JG Summit Holdings 66.10 67.50 66.00 4.43 Lopez Holdings Corp.

7.5 7.49 7.4 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.69 0.71 0.66 12 LT Group 13.58 13.7 13.38 0.580 Mabuhay Holdings `A’ 0.62 0.62 0.61 4.22 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 4.42 4.46 4.4 4.5 Minerales Industrias Corp. 4.95 5 4.95 1.370 1.280 0.450 Prime Orion 1.280 2.26 Republic Glass ‘A’ 2.5 2.58 2.42 66.7 San Miguel Corp `A’ 62.50 62.30 60.00 709.5 SM Investments Inc. 891.00 892.50 889.00 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.22 1.22 1.20 0.93 South China Res. Inc. 0.68 0.68 0.68 85.2 Top Frontier 82.250 83.500 80.100 0.200 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3500 0.3500 0.3500 0.173 Wellex Industries 0.2140 0.2130 0.1990 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.290 0.290 0.290 PROPERTY 6.01 8990 HLDG 7.290 7.500 7.300 12 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 8.70 8.50 7.62 0.91 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.73 0.72 0.70 1.29 Araneta Prop `A’ 1.250 1.290 1.240 0.192 Arthaland Corp.

0.220 0.220 0.220 29.1 Ayala Land `B’ 38.95 38.90 38.50 4.1 Belle Corp. `A’ 3.49 3.52 3.46 2.5 66 84.6 84.5 45.8 1.97 2.03 8.7 23.55 6.3 1.75 625 0.225 78 0.9 18.02 76.5 276 45 107.6 1200 66 2.65

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

7.3 73.4 106.90 97.70 45.8 2.40 1.73 9.2 20.25 6.75 1.67 846.00 0.400 87.55 0.99 17.90 68.15 306 41.2 157.4 1500.00 64.70 3.14

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

7.5 73.7 107.10 98.45 45.8 2.45 1.73 9.5 20.2 6.45 1.76 845.00 0.400 90 1.01 17.90 68.15 306 41.1 160 1495.00 63.90 3.15

2.74 0.41 0.19 0.77 0.00 2.08 0.00 3.26 -0.25 -4.44 5.39 -0.12 0.00 2.80 2.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.24 1.65 -0.33 -1.24 0.32

21,000 31,230 3,825,280 1,681,450 8,600 4,000 10,000 1,600 121,000 600 36,000 180 290,000 3,195,280 20,000 34,600 66,160 500 92,000 420,140 850 16,170 96,000

43.8 1.45 1.03 1.96 10.5 51.5 18.36 27.15 2.1 1.6 11.86 18.700 9.19 7.26 10.08 1.73 12.7 25.15 85.7 13.70 6 0.550 197.00 9.86 2 2.55 24.8 24.75 6.39 285.00 4.61 8.87 4.14 11.20 3.80 2.19 2.44 4.36 6.2 177 4.5 1.61 0.149 2.20 182 4.4 0.77 1.27

-0.45 0.00 0.00 0.51 -0.57 -0.96 -0.65 0.56 -4.55 3.90 -2.79 -1.27 -0.86 0.41 0.90 3.59 0.00 -0.59 -0.92 -1.15 -0.33 1.85 1.03 1.23 0.00 0.00 0.61 1.02 -0.78 1.86 0.00 -0.22 6.15 -4.27 1.06 0.46 9.42 0.00 -4.62 -0.28 0.00 1.26 1.36 -0.90 1.11 0.00 -1.28 0.00

1,363,400 40,000 333,000 1,374,000 300 270 116,000 521,000 9,204,000 155,000 44,000 3,345,700 612,900 29,998,700 664,600 4,000 15,200 3,470,300 53,810 116,500 227,200 29,000 498,280 274,100 20,000 42,000 809,700 398,400 91,300 310,980 2,631,000 2,510,800 5,000 14,000 70,998,000 492,000 1,419,000 16,793,000 1,800 4,520 15,000 124,000 650,000 1,806,000 4,469,940 209,000 1,645,000 332,000

0.450 56.1000 22.50 6.88 0.240 0.250 775 7.77 13.84 3.1 4.50 0.221 1373 6.70 66.90 7.44 0.66 13.46 0.61 4.43 5 1.350 2.58 62.30 890.50 1.20 0.68 81.000 0.3500 0.2130 0.290

-1.10 -0.18 0.00 1.03 -5.88 -3.85 0.32 -0.51 1.76 0.00 0.00 0.45 1.33 0.30 1.21 -0.80 -4.35 -0.88 -1.61 0.23 1.01 5.47 3.20 -0.32 -0.06 -1.64 0.00 -1.52 0.00 -0.47 0.00

380,000 1,187,180 9,173,000 41,000 4,440,000 100,000 230,210 725,200 9,923,900 100,000 39,000 30,000 336,605 506,000 1,288,090 950,600 849,000 2,437,400 198,000 6,056,000 20,000 15,624,000 30,000 145,970 299,130 13,000 9,000 5,700 1,730,000 1,030,000 1,000,000

7.440 7.66 0.72 1.290 0.220 38.85 3.46

2.06 -11.95 -1.37 3.20 0.00 -0.26 -0.86

31,500 1,600 2,237,000 27,000 570,000 6,598,900 1,329,000

1,639,275.00 -111,564,861.00 -68,926,938.50

-764,240.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

High

Low

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

5.4 1.54 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.98 1.09 0.305 2.25 1.87 1.8 4.88 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 3.6 20.6 1.02 1.96 8.59

4.96 0.89 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.445 0.85 0.188 1.4 1.42 1.19 2.75 0.090 0.325 0.39 23 2.57 21.35 1.64 3.08 15.08 0.69 1 5.69

Cebu Holdings 5.36 Century Property 0.81 City & Land Dev. 1.26 Cityland Dev. `A’ 1.10 Crown Equities Inc. 0.138 Cyber Bay Corp.

0.440 Empire East Land 0.840 Ever Gotesco 0.180 Global-Estate 1.22 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.84 Interport `A’ 1.38 Megaworld Corp.

4.71 MRC Allied Ind. 0.118 Phil. Estates Corp.

0.3000 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.4500 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 24.00 Primex Corp.

7.33 Robinson’s Land `B’ 27.90 Rockwell 1.7 Shang Properties Inc. 3.35 SM Prime Holdings 18.90 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.73 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 0.860 Vista Land & Lifescapes 7.050

5.36 5.34 5.36 0.83 0.81 0.82 1.27 1.27 1.27 1.10 1.10 1.10 0.139 0.138 0.139 0.450 0.435 0.435 0.900 0.830 0.890 0.180 0.180 0.180 1.21 1.20 1.21 1.85 1.83 1.84 1.33 1.31 1.31 4.75 4.7 4.72 0.119 0.112 0.116 0.2900 0.2900 0.2900 0.4400 0.4400 0.4400 24.00 24.00 24.00 7.4 7.33 7.4 28.20 26.95 27.25 1.7 1.68 1.7 3.36 3.26 3.36 19.28 18.88 19.24 0.73 0.71 0.73 0.860 0.850 0.850 7.100 6.920 6.990 SERVICES 6.4 6.45 6.3 6.3 60 60.25 59.8 60 0.650 0.650 0.630 0.640 13.54 13.6 13.6 13.6 9.10 9.63 9.07 9.50 0.0940 0.0960 0.0930 0.0930 3.98 4.18 3.89 4.1 83.65 85 83.85 84.55 10 10 10 10 1.81 1.69 1.69 1.69 941 941.5 941 941 2642 2640 2600 2618 6.19 6.20 6.18 6.18 1.36 1.34 1.34 1.34 110 111.4 110 111.1 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.232 0.232 0.224 0.228 1.2800 1.2800 1.2300 1.2800 9.35 9.38 9.35 9.37 3.00 3.03 2.95 3.00 1.95 1.98 1.98 1.98 48.00 50.00 46.50 50.00 0.660 0.700 0.700 0.700 1.99 1.99 1.93 1.99 6.89 7.08 6.73 6.86 0.500 0.485 0.470 0.482 18.9 18.88 18.88 18.88 4.55 4.42 4.41 4.41 124.00 124.00 124.00 124.00 19.86 20.00 19.80 19.98 2800.00 2866.00 2802.00 2850.00 0.690 0.690 0.670 0.680 1.300 1.330 1.270 1.290 36.95 37.80 36.95 37.50 77.35 78.00 77.30 78.00 9.57 9.80 9.58 9.70 0.67 0.69 0.65 0.65 5.12 5.18 5.04 5.1 0.330 0.335 0.320 0.335 MINING & OIL 0.0053 0.0053 0.0051 0.0053 2.50 2.50 2.40 2.40 6.80 6.89 6.70 6.84 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.255 7.0800 7.0200 7.0200 7.0200 0.96 0.96 0.95 0.95 0.79 0.8 0.79 0.8 7.25 7.26 7.10 7.10 1.8 1.78 1.70 1.71 0.320 0.320 0.310 0.310 0.232 0.231 0.229 0.230 0.238 0.235 0.235 0.235 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 3.43 3.45 3.41 3.41 24.6 24.7 24.05 24.25 3.7 3.76 3.67 3.73 0.6700 0.6600 0.6600 0.6600 2.0800 2.0800 2.0700 2.0700 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 4.00 4.31 4.31 4.31 6.54 6.6 6.44 6.58 1.92 1.980 1.900 1.94 0.015 0.015 0.014 0.015 139.20 143.00 139.00 141.20 10.7 11.84 10.5 11.8 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 PREFERRED 61 61 60 60 521.5 526 522 522 528 528 528 528 123 123 123 123 520 520 520 520 6 6 6 6 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 110 110.5 110 110 1120 1120 1120 1120 75.4 75.45 75.3 75.4 85 85 85 85 87.9 87.9 87 87 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.760 3.830 3.750 3.750 SME 9.73 9.79 9.7 9.7 6.07 6.08 6.08 6.08 69.85 69.55 69.55 69.55 11.06 11.36 11.06 11.1 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 121.5 122.4 121.5 122.4

0.00 1.23 0.79 0.00 0.72 -1.14 5.95 0.00 -0.82 0.00 -5.07 0.21 -1.69 -3.33 -2.22 0.00 0.95 -2.33 0.00 0.30 1.80 0.00 -1.16 -0.85

61,300 6,603,000 1,000 5,000 560,000 4,640,000 1,335,000 100,000 1,156,000 5,295,000 238,000 21,494,000 200,000 100,000 120,000 700 49,900 3,437,900 123,000 9,000 9,213,100 269,000 7,000 17,632,400

-40,736.00 281,300.00

10.5 66 1.09 12.46 15.82 0.1460 4.61 99.1 12.3 2.6 1700 2090 8.41 1.97 119.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 12.28 2.85 3.2 5.9 1.97 2.46 15.2 1.040 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 0.6 10 9.61 0.0770 2.95 46.55 10.14 1.6 830 1600 5.95 1.36 105 0.012 0.036 1.200 6.5 1.69 2 1.05 0.490 1.8 8.7 0.37 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 APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

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

Discovery World FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown NOW Corp.

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.

-1.56 0.00 -1.54 0.44 4.40 -1.06 3.02 1.08 0.00 -6.63 0.00 -0.91 -0.16 -1.47 1.00 0.00 -1.72 0.00 0.21 0.00 1.54 4.17 6.06 0.00 -0.44 -3.60 -0.11 -3.08 0.00 0.60 1.79 -1.45 -0.77 1.49 0.84 1.36 -2.99 -0.39 1.52

13,600 8,320 862,000 9,800 22,334,600 8,900,000 1,154,000 136,170 11,100 5,000 370 169,735 57,100 1,000 1,317,330 400,000 2,310,000 426,000 37,800 395,000 6,000 1,100 1 12,000 2,490,500 128,000 200 2,000 1,600 501,900 111,930 2,036,000 11,515,000 1,223,700 2,334,560 8,820,800 6,906,000 6,537,300 360,000

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.8 1.2 1.73 10.98 4.2 0.48 0.455 0.475 0.023 0.026 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 8.65 0.236 6.98 0.61 0.78 5.99 1.08 0.330 0.2130 0.2160 0.014 0.014 3.660 20.2 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

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

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.00 -4.00 0.59 0.00 -0.85 -1.04 1.27 -2.07 -5.00 -3.13 -0.86 -1.26 0.00 0.00 -0.58 -1.42 0.81 -1.49 -0.48 0.00 7.75 0.61 1.04 0.00 1.44 10.28 0.00

199,000,000 11,000 123,800 -517,686.00 60,000 12,750.00 3,300 23,166.00 410,000 801,000 1,400 124,899,000 -7,282,960.00 810,000 7,950,000 490,000 52,400,000 3,700,000 213,000 -157,390.00 833,400 -4,502,435.00 536,000 -37,100.00 72,000 112,000 200,000 6,000 229,200 290,270.00 2,751,000 669,500.00 15,300,000 -68,500.00 1,510,130 37,523,692.00 760,800 -144,300.00 100,000 1,000.00

70 553 525 120 515 8.21 12.28 111 1060 76.9 78.95 84.8

33 490 500 101.5 480 5.88 6.5 101 997 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. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C

-1.64 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.02

6,057,400 4,100 580 310 2,010 11,000 83,000 4,600 870 181,630 20 29,290

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

-0.27

132,000

10.96 15 88 12.88

2.4 3.5 13.5 5.95

-0.31 0.16 -0.43 0.36

370,300 400 40 3,204,800

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

0.74

84,660

-374,000.00 -5,340.00 -16,200.00 -3,304,590.00 -22,067,020.00

MST

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

SHARES 9,973,074 158,404,061 59,326,705 83,468,881 85,128,037 413,441,431 813,402,395

156,126,457.00

-1,931,613.50 36,708.00 -1,632,990.00 31,514,390.00

-35,795.00

-2,300,315.00 989,800.00

-1,104,282.00 434,430.00

-31,708,778.00 -1,005,474.00 -111,592,234.00 6,172,032.00

-7,930,770.00 -2,117,639.00 601,712.00 5,920.00

-1,408,618.00

-5,388,475.00 -684,145.00 -18,660.00 -36,220,736.00 8,717,120.00 3,908,842.00 268,586,640.00 -382,390.00 -93,390.00 208,720.00 -170,014.00

17,964,158.00 872,900.00 10.00 252,730.00

-15,332,217.50 -44,100,620.00 -33,287.00

18,648,155.00 -1,054,202.00 -41,248,002.00

171,000.00

-32,526,540.00 3,050,772.00 -19,825,226.00 4,328,048.00 10,485,532.00

-8,944,670.00

-1,044,280.00

-3,371,866.00 -132,840,555.00

164,840.00

-226.00 8,500.00 81,650.00 6,787,950.00 460,900.00

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp.

IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

T op g ainerS VALUE 947,206,923.47 1,903,105,071.62 1,569,218,497.384 779,641,791.185 1,709,228,374.052 476,247,163.798 7,434,376,039.746

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,725.28 (up) 16.31 INDUSTRIAL 11,297.34 (up) 45.50 HOLDING FIRMS 6,696.82 (up) 20.16 PROPERTY 3,048.13 (up) 5.35 SERVICES 2,114.29 (up) 24.17 MINING & OIL 13,870.59 (up) 35.42 PSEI 7,505.48 (up) 49.32 All Shares Index 4,312.27 (up) 18.00 Gainers: 77 Losers: 85; Unchanged: 55; Total: 217

-32,653,485.00 48,402,348.00

-32,382,411.00

-46,620,202.00

-41,340.00 -1,260,509.00

-166,680,280.00

95,822,250.00

45,000.00

-30,100.00

2,100.00

-2,590,552.00 9,025.00

-198,400.00 379,784.00 1,837,860.00 -3,745,120.00 -19,662,275.00 11,529,344.00 64,818,116.00

-14,449,961.00

-3,065,857.00

1,559,108.00

-292,300.00 22,624,040.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

TA Petroleum

11.8

10.28

Anchor Land Holdings Inc.

7.66

-11.95

Pryce Corp. `A'

2.44

9.42

Discovery World

1.69

-6.63

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

4.31

7.75

ATN Holdings A

0.240

-5.88

Phil H2O

4.14

6.15

Interport `A'

1.31

-5.07

Manila Bulletin

0.700

6.06

Ferronickel

1.71

-5.00

Empire East Land

0.890

5.95

Roxas Holdings

6.2

-4.62

Prime Orion

1.350

5.47

Crown Asia

2.1

-4.55

I-Remit Inc.

1.76

5.39

Filipino Fund Inc.

6.45

-4.44

Bloomberry

9.50

4.40

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

0.66

-4.35

Manila Broadcasting

50.00

4.17

Phinma Corporation

11.20

-4.27

WEDNESDAY: JUNE 17, 2015

B3

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

Market rebounds on bargain hunting STOCKS rebounded Tuesday, as investors looked for bargains after the benchmark index fell to a fivemonth low last week.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 49 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at 7,505.48 on Tuesday. The index was up 3.8 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, added 18 points, or 0.4 percent, to settle at 4,312.27 on a value turnover of P7.4 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 85 to 77, while 55 issues were unchanged.

Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. was the biggest gainer among the 20 most active stocks, as it climbed 4.4 percent to P9.50.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the country’s second largest lender, advanced 2.8 percent to P90, while SM Prime Holdings Inc., the largest real estate developer, rose 1.8 percent to P19.24. Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. gained 1.8 percent to P2,850.

Meanwhile, Asian markets retreated Tuesday for a second straight session, tracking a global sell-off as Greece struggles to find a compromise with its creditors, fueling fears of a default and exit from the eurozone.

Despite increasing worries about Athens’ future, the euro managed to hold up against the dollar and yen as traders await the outcome of policy meetings at the US Federal Reserve and Japanese central bank.

Tokyo lost 0.64 percent, or 129.85 points, to close at 20,257.94 and Sydney ended marginally lower, dipping 2.97 points to 5,535.8.

Seoul fell 0.67 percent, or 13.60 points, to close at 2,028.72.

Shanghai tumbled more than three percent in the afternoon on liquidity concerns as 25 firms launch initial public offerings, which drain funds from the market, while Hong Kong was 1.03 percent lower.

After the collapse of talks at the weekend, both sides in the longrunning Greek crisis were locked in a stalemate Monday, blaming each other for the impasse.

The European Union insisted the EU-IMF creditors had made “major concessions” but the antiausterity government in Athens continues to reject what it views as “irrational” demands. With AFP

PLDT’s awards. Telecom and multimedia services provider PLDT was cited in five out of eight award categories at the FinanceAsia Asia’s Best Companies Awards, including the top spot in the most committed to paying good dividends among Philippine companies for the seventh consecutive year. PLDT was also cited among the ranks of the best managed public companies, best corporate governance and best investor relations while PLDT president and chief executive Napoleon Nazareno received one of the best CEO awards. Shown receiving a plaque is PLDT group controller and Smart chief finance office Chaye Cabal-Revilla (second from left) during the awarding night in Makati City. Handing the award are (from left) ATR KimEng Financial Corp. president Manuel Tordesillas, ATR KimEng Financial Corp. chairman Ramon Arnaiz and ATR KimEng Securities president Lorenzo Roxas.

Filinvest prepares P8-b bond offering

By Jenniffer B. Austria

FILINVEST Land Inc., the property development arm of the Gotianun family, plans to issue P8 billion worth of bonds in the second half of 2015.

FLI said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission it would issue P5 billion worth of unsecured fixed-rate notes with an oversubscription option for another P3 billion.

The bonds will have 7- and 10year maturities.

The property firm hired BDO Capital & Investments Corp., BPI Capital Corp. and First Metro Investments Corp. to handle the transaction.

Proceeds from the bond sale

will be used to finance capital spending for the construction of residential projects and fund retail and office leasing projects in the fourth quarter 2015 until the fourth quarter of 2016.

“In addition to the net proceeds of this offering, the company intends to utilize internally generated funds considering that the projected total funding requirement for fourth quarter of 2015 to 2016 is greater than the net proceeds of the offering,” FLI said.

FLI plans to list the bonds with the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.

FLI earlier said it would spend P24 billion in capital expenditures this year primarily to fund construction of residential, office and shopping malls.

Around P7.4 billion of the programmed spending will be set aside for residential projects while P13.2 billion will be allotted for construction of office buildings and commercial developments.

The remaining P2.9 billion will be set aside for land banking opportunities.

FLI said it remained focused on core residential and real estate developments, including the construction of mid-rise and high rise condominium projects, residential farm estates and leisure

developments.

The company is also expanding its retail and office building portfolio to generate recurring revenues.

FLI said this year, it would launch P16.2 billion worth of new projects, including five mid-rise buildings, 10 horizontal developments, one condotel project and two high-rise buildings.

FLI posted a 15-percent increase in net income in the first quarter to P1.24 billion from P1.08 billion a year ago, supported by sustained growth in residential sales and rental income for office developments.

First-quarter consolidated revenues grew 17 percent to P4.56 billion, as real estate sales reached P3.55 billion, up 16 percent from a year earlier.

PSC plans to operate 200 7-Eleven stores in Cebu by 2017 PHILIPPINE Seven Corp., the local franchise holder of 7-Eleven convenience stores, disclosed an expansion plan to have put up 200 stores in Cebu province by 2017.

PSC said in a filing with the stock exchange it would aggressively expand operations in Cebu, which recorded strong growth in tourist arrivals and business process outsourcing sector.

“Cebu is the second largest city after Metro Manila, and, we be-

lieve, the key to the Visayas. It is a tourist favorite, has a fast growing BPO sector, and is rapidly urbanizing,” PSC said.

“Given the importance of this market, we invested in logistics and advertising, and were rewarded with sales that exceeded our expectations. We intend to have over 200 stores in our fifth year,” it said.

PSC opened its first 7-Eleven convenience store in Cebu

in 2012. It had 119 stores in Cebu and Bacolod as of March 2015.

PSC has been building the capacity of its distribution centers to support expansion in the different parts of the country, including the Visayas and Mindanao.

PSC opened its first store in Davao in April and plans to add another 30 this year. It also plans to open its first store in Cagayan

de Oro within the year.

PSC operates the largest convenience store network in the country. It targets to have 2,000 stores in the next three to four years.

SSI Group Inc., which develops, manages and operates the FamilyMart chain of convenience stores in the Philippines in partnership with Ayala Land Inc., Japan FamilyMart and Itochu Corp. also announced Monday it would venture in Cebu in July.

SSI president Anthony Huang said the company had received territorial franchise in Cebu and was set to open the first five stores in July.

The convenience store industry has been rapidly growing over the past few years, fueled by increasing economic activity, increasing disposable income of consumers and rapid expansion of the business process outsourcing industry. Jenniffer B. Austria

B4

Globe forming new company

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Tuesday it will create a wholly-owned holding company for its venture into non-core businesses.

Globel Telecom, a unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., told the Philippine Stock Exchange it secured an approval from its board to create a wholly-owned holding company through which new and strategic businesses would be consolidated.

“The creation of this holding company aims to provide more focus on developing and growing said businesses,” Globe Telecom said.

Globe Telecom vice president

for corporate communications Yolanda Crisanto said the new holding company would allow the company to “venture into strategic non-core businesses, but still leveraging on our strength as a telco.”

Crisanto, however, said “… we cannot provide details of what this new company will go into because of regulatory policies.”

Globe Telecom’s subsidiaries include G-Xchange Inc., Entertainment Gateway Group Corp.,

EGGstreme (Hong Kong) Limited, GTI Business Holdings Inc. and Kickstart Ventures Inc. The company also acquired 38 percent of Bayan Telecommunications Inc. and entered a network sharing agreement with ABS-CBN Convergence Inc. (ABS-C), which launched its mobile brand, ABS-CBN Mobile.

Globe Telecom’s net income in the first quarter jumped 43 percent to P4.2 billion from P2.95 billion a year ago, on higher service revenues.

Globe Telecom said core profit, which excludes foreign exchange and mark-to-market gains and losses as well as other non-recurring items, also grew 25 percent to P4.18 billion in the January-

March period from P3.36 billion in the same period last year.

Consolidated service revenues hit P26.2 billion in the first quarter, or 13 percent higher than P23.3 billion last year.

The sustained growth trajectory was due to Globe Telecom’s mobile business, which grew 10 percent to P20.3 billion and its broadband business, which expanded 31 percent to P3.66 billion.

Globe Telecom’s mobile phone subscriber base reached 46.2 million as of end-March, including 43.84 million prepaid users and 2.27 million postpaid subscribers.

Broadband subscribers reached 3.1 million.

New UnionBank-Visa card. Union Bank of the Philippines account holders are set to enjoy unmatched perks as UnionBank and Visa unveil the UnionBank Platinum Visa Debit Card. The new debit card will be offered to clients of UnionBank’s privilege banking program, Business Class.

The UnionBank Visa Platinum Debit card can be used as a standard ATM card to withdraw from any UnionBank, Megalink, Bancnet, Expressnet, and International Visa Plus ATMs. Shown (fromleft) are UnionBank assistant vice president Ana Aboitiz Delgado, Visa country manager for the Philippines and Guam Stuart Tomlinson, UnionBank chairman and chief executive Justo Ortiz and UnionBank senior executive vice president Edwin Bautista.

Govt sells P25b worth of bonds as rates climb

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE Bureau of Treasury on Tuesday successfully sold P25 billion worth of three-year treasury bond despite higher bid rates.

National Treasurer Roberto Tan said the board fully awarded the three-year bonds at a price of 3.061 percent, or 55.10 basis points higher than that of the previous auction.

“Market conditions are very much different now. I guess directionally interest rates are tending toward rising projector.

Last year was really a low interest period,” Tan said. “[The] volume is healthy and

it is really our internal affair as the wage base of the survey that’s why we accepted the full offer,” he added said.

Tenders for the debt facility reached P40.660 billion, P15.660 billion higher than the government’s offer of P25 billion.

The bonds sold will mature on May 23, 2018.

“I was looking at accessing the next large bid but [it’s just] a one basis point reduction in yield so it was... not meaningful if we cut.

And the distribution was quite evenly spent, so that’s a good sign it means there is a consistency at least in the pricing range,” Tan said.

EastWest Bank endorser.

EastWest Banking Corp. reiterated its faith in latest bank endorser Manny Pacquiao because he embodies the values that have made EastWest the people’s choice among the banks and the country’s fastest growing universal bank. EastWest chose boxing champion Pacquiao as its newest brand ambassador for the values of focus, belief in one’s self, courage and passion that enabled him to rise to the world stage from his humble beginnings. Shown with Manny Pacquiao (center) are EastWest executive vice president and consumer lending cluster head Jacqueline Fernandez (right) and Solar Entertainment chief executive Wilson Tieng in an event held at Dusit Thani Manila hotel.

MB closes Siargao bank

By Julito G. Rada THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, placed the Surigao-based Siargao Bank (A Rural Bank) under the custody of Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. because of its poor financial status, the seventh bank closed this year.

State-run PDIC as receiver took over the bank on June 15, 2015.

Siargao Bank is a three-unit rural bank with head office at 03406 Jose C. Sering Bldg., Borromeo St., Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

Latest available records show that as of March 31, 2015, Siargao Bank had 9,739 accounts with total deposit liabilities of P116.9 million. Total insured deposits amounted to P112.6 million or 96.4 percent of the total deposits.

Prior to shutting down Siargao Bank, the board placed six banks under receivership since the start of 2015, also due to unhealthy financial condition.

These were the Rural Bank of Sta. Magdalena (Sorsogon), a single-unit rural bank with head office located in Brangay 3 Poblacion, Santa Magdalena, Sorsogon; Community Rural Bank of Magsaysay (Davao del Sur) Inc.; Surigao City-based Surigaonon Rural Banking Corp.; Rural Bank of Labrador (Pangasinan); Rural Bank of Magsingal (Ilocos Sur) Inc.; and Alfonso, Cavite-based Community Bank (Rural Bank of Alfonso Inc.) .

The Monetary Board in 2014 placed 14 rural banks under the custody of PDIC.

W E D N E S D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 5

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

MERS-Cov can create recession THE outbreak of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus could make it difficult for the South Korean economy to recover from recession, what with tourists shunning the country and locals themselves refusing to go out for fear of contracting the deadly virus.’

Reports say the death toll has reached 19, while over 3,000 people are in quarantine—sparking serious concern that the government led

by President Park Geun-hye may not be on top of the situation. The nation’s first female president is now under fire even as the Ministry of Health is holding an emergency meeting with the World Health Organization to stem the spread of MERS. Critics continue the bashing, recalling the botched rescue and recovery operations in April last year over the sinking of a ferry that resulted in the death of 300 people, majority of whom were students.

A leftist paper described her government as “stricken with incompetence” and “beyond recovery” while business dailies also pounced, saying “the government has caused a catastrophe due to the absence of a proper reaction” and a right wing, very influential paper editorialized: “Where is the leadership in this MERS crisis?” (Huh—are they talking about the Philippines?)

Among the most vulnerable or high risk are children, the elderly and those already suffering from illness. Some are actually likening the situation today to that of the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003 which became a regional epidemic, resulting in the death of 774 while more than 8,000 were infected. During that episode, over $30 billion in terms of economic losses was recorded.

Business is certainly suffering, and one of the hardest hit has been Korea’s tourism industry with more than 100,000 airline and hotel booking cancellations from tourists—many of whom are looking at neighboring countries for their planned holidays. Not even assurances from health experts that the spread is slowing, or that it does not spread as fast as SARS, could stem the growing panic. According to Forwardkeys, a travel industry data firm, net booking until August from Chinese tourists are 75 percent lower compared to the same period in 2014.

Koreans are refusing to leave their homes and employees are refusing to show up for work. Malls are showing steady declines with sales falling by as much as 16.5 percent in the first week of June. Centum City, touted as the largest department store in the world, reported a slump of 20 percent compared to a year earlier. Movie houses also registered a drop of 52 percent in attendance since MERS was first confirmed on May 20 with a 39-year-old pregnant woman recorded as the first to be infected. Even casinos are taking a hit. Morgan Stanley says the slump from the tourism sector and the drop in retail sales could slash GDP growth by up to 0.8 percentage points.

An indication that the situation could become untenable is the decision by the Bank of Korea to cut down interest rates to a record low of 1.5 percent, noting that the MERS threatens consumer spending (naturally).

On the other hand, sales have been brisk for face masks – with almost everyone not willing to step out of their homes without one.

Some retailers are offering hefty discounts for online purchases, with luxury brands such as Armani and Vivienne Westwood offering as much as 80 percent markdowns.

Reports say that online sales at major retail stores jumped to over 60 percent even for grocery items, in particular health food (up 81 percent), with discounts of as much as 70 percent offered for hundreds of items. According to koreatimes.co.kr, online orders soared 51.9 percent, with the bestseller easily the ready-to-eat meals at 90 percent, fresh items 83 percent, and processed food up 69 percent.

Neighborhood convenience stores are also making it convenient for customers who are shunning public places and don’t want to stray away far from home for fear of contacting the virus.

An analyst at Morgan Stanley warned though that the Korean economy could “tumble into recession” if people are left with the impression that government is handling the health situation poorly since it undermines consumer confidence. Worst case scenario: MERS could kill the momentum for the Korean economy to recover from the recent recession and start a vicious downward cycle.

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

Cheers!

B5

Vietnam, 2 others offer high rice prices

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

THE Philippines may consider buying imported rice at a higher price as Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand on Tuesday offered prices beyond the benchmark set by the government.

The National Food Authority earlier invited Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam to supply 100,000 metric tons of rice under a government-to-government deal.

Vietnam through Vinafood II, offered to supply the whole volume at $417 per metric ton, while Thailand through its Department of Foreign Trade-Ministry of Commerce made a bid of at $418 per metric ton. Cambodia offered to supply 50,000 metric tons at $459.50 per metric ton.

“All offers are not acceptable because the price offered is

higher than the reference price of $408.14 per metric ton,” said NFA deputy administrator for marketing operation and chairman of bids and awards committee Joseph Dela Cruz.

Dela Cruz said the NFA gave the three countries until 3 p.m. Tuesday to resubmit another offer.

Thailand did not give a new offer during the second round, noting that the decision was relayed by its Department of Foreign Trade.

Vietnam submitted a second offer of $416.85 per metric ton

while Cambodia offered to supply 50,000 metric tons at $ 455.50 per metric ton.

“There maybe several factors that make them decide to offer these prices. One could be they have other markets, other buyers who can buy higher than our reference price. China is importing about 2 million metric tons and that is a very huge volume so if you are a major supplier, why would you supply 100,000 metric tons at lower price?” Dela Cruz asked “We have a failure of bidding because offered prices are above the reference price. We cannot accept the offers because they are still beyond the reference price.

Any price beyond the set reference price of NFA will be rejected or will not be accepted. If we accept that, we can be subject to question by the Commission on Audit,” Dela Cruz said

New ecozone exporter.

Philippine Matsuzaka Electric Manufacturing Inc. president Akihiro Matsuzaka (left) receives the company’s certificate of registration from Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general Lilia de Lima (center) as an ecozone export enterprise to engage in the manufacture of plastic products at the Laguna Technopark Special Eonomic Zone. At right is Katsuno Date of Philippine Matsuzaka

PFMTC, industries slam illicit trading

By Othel V. Campos PHILIP Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. has expressed concern over the growing network of illicit trade on tobacco and cigarettes and many other consumers products as well.

PMFTC, in a briefing Tuesday with manufacturers of consumer goods and the Federation of Philippine Industries Inc., said illicit trade was detrimental to the interest of Filipino consumers who were being cheated by buying substandard goods.

“In our industry, fighting illicit trade of cigarettes is complex and challenging. We currently estimate that 1 out of 10 cigarettes smoked world-wide is illegal,” PMFTC communications manager Dave Gomez said during the launch of “Fight IT Movement” at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati City.

The Fight IT (Illicit Trade)

Movement is an expanded advocacy of FPI in addition to the ongoing battle of Filipino companies against smuggling.

Ceramics, steel angle bars and coconut oil manufacturers and other industries that being preyed preyed upon by smugglers and illicit trading activities also joined the launch.

Gomez noted that illicit trade was big because of the potential for massive profits with little or low risk on the perpetrators.

The cigarette company cited that a container of illicit cigarettes that costs about $100,000 to $150,000 to produce can fetch as much as $2 million in Western Europe.

“The story goes for the Philippines. With excise [tax] going up by as much as 341 percent in 2013 and prices of cigarette almost doubling, market conditions make it conducive for cheap counterfeit cigarettes to prosper,” Gomez said.

FPI chairman Jesus Arranza,

who represents the coconut industry in the movement, said illicit trade was a serious economic problem that robbed the government of billions of pesos in revenues, harmed consumers and undercut legitimate local manufacturers.

“These concerns are what prompted us to take a more encompassing campaign to involve local industries and the public,” he said.

The movement calls for a number of action plans that include training of law-enforcement agencies on how to spot fake products; setting up of an informer’s reward program; giving recommendations to enforcement agencies on where and when to take action; as well as supporting bills pending in Congress.

The movement plans to conduct an anti-smuggling summit later in 2015 with emphasis on consumer protection.

WEDNESDAY: JUNE 17, 2015

B6

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

Bilateral trade with Germany surges 38%

By Othel V. Campos

DreamPlay opening. Dream Works Animation SKG chief executive Jeffrey Katzenberg (third from left), Melco Crown Entertainment chief executive Lawrence Ho (fourth from left) and Belle Corp. vice chairman Willy Ocier recently inaugurated the 5,000-square-meter ‘DreamPlay’ in the City of Dream complex in Parañaque City. DreamPlay is the world’s first Dream Works-themed, indoor interactive play and creativity center and can accommodate 1,200 people at a single time.

Remittances likely to rise 6% in 2015

By Julito G. Rada

FULL-YEAR remittances from Filipinos working overseas are likely to rise 6 percent this year from $24.3 billion recorded in 2014, despite the external challenges, a senior economist of ING Bank Manila said Tuesday.

ING Bank senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said in a report the growth in remittances would help the peso stabilize at a range of 44.85 to 45.50 against the US dollar in 2015.

“This new range is likely to hold in the near term,” Cuyegkeng said.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported ear-

lier that remittances in April rose 5.1 percent from a year ago, slower than the 11.3-percent growth registered in March.

“We expect this year’s remittance growth of 5 to 6 percent,” Cuyegkeng said.

Cuyegkeng said aside from dollar inflows, external factors would continue to affect the local currency. He said one of these factors would be the path to US monetary normalization that brought volatility in the financial markets, including the peso-dollar exchange rate.

Data from Bangko Sentral showed remittances in April hit $2.015 billion, up from $1.918 billion a year ago, driven by sustained demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad.

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

Personal remittances, which include noncash items, grew 4.9 percent to $2.233 billion from $2.128 billion year-on-year. This brought total personal remittances in the first four months to $8.647 billion, up by 5.1 percent from $8.228 billion in the same period last year.

Cash remittances posted a record-high $24.308 billion in 2014, or 5.8-percent higher than $22.968 billion in 2013.

The 2014 growth surpassed Bangko Sentral’s 5.5-percent expansion projection for the year. It also accounted for 8.5 percent of gross domestic product last year.

Personal remittances also grew 6.2 percent in 2014 to a record $26.9 billion from $25.3 billion in 2013.

Bangko Sentral said this year, it was looking at a conservative 5-percent growth in remittances, subject to review and adjustment, alongside other economic data.

BILATERAL trade between the Philippines and Germany surged 38 percent in the first quarter to $1.57 from $1.17 billion in the same period last year, data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany show.

Trade remained in favor of the Philippines which exported $860.6 million worth of goods to Germany in the January-March period, up from $758.2 million a year ago.

The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the double-digit growth was a testament to the German companies’ continuing interest in the country.

GPCCI executive director Peter Kompalla cited the latest P3.7-billion railway supply contract of German company Voith Turbo for the MRT 3 project of the Transportation Department.

Voith Turbo, represented in the Philippines by Maschinen & Technik Inc. in the last 36 years, is a leader in German drive technology.

The chamber said it was confident other German firms such as Matec Solar Power, a renewable energy company, would increase its presence in the Philippines.

Total trade between the two countries reached $5.24 billion in 2014, up from $4.48 billion in 2013.

Kompalla said many factors contributed to the growing interest in the Philippines such as governance reforms of the Aquino administration and the positive investment-grade outlook by credible institutions such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.

Top Philippine exports to Germany include data processing equipment, electrical and optical products; electrical equipment; clothing; food and fodder; as well as chemical products.

German exports to the Philippines grew 18 percent to $2.24 billion in 2014 from $1.9 billion in 2013.

Shinsung Solar of Korea seeks partner in PH power plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores SOLAR cell manufacturer Shinsung Solar Energy of Korea is looking for a local partner in building renewable energy projects in the Philippines as part of its overseas expansion, a company executive said.

Shinsung Solar senior executive vice president Young Hyun Cho told reporters at the sidelines of the Asia Clean En-

ergy Forum at the Asian Development Bank in Ortigas the company planned to provide solar technology to off-grid sites or missionary areas in the country.

Shinsung Solar, which is based in Seongnam, South Korea, produces solar cells and targets to have a production capacity of 600 megawatts by 2015.

“We have to study first, but I know you have a lot of islands

and up to now I know that your main electricity comes from diesel power plants. But you know diesel is very polluting,” Cho told reporters.

He said the company was searching for a local partner for the solar projects, but it had not yet identified a specific area and generation capacity for the projects.

“We are not just focusing on a dream project. We are more focused on realistic projects. It

really depends on the market of a local area. A few megawatts is okay, up to a hundred of megawatts is okay but it really depends on the local community and local area needs,” Cho said.

Shingsung Solar offers a more advanced silicon solar cell technology, which is considered more efficient as it allows greater power generation capacity from the solar panels.

“Basically, the same tech-

nology but we develop more advanced technology like NType cell technology so we have more power and highly efficient solar cells developed,” he said.

The company expects to start a solar project in the Philippines next year.

Cho said Shingsung Solar was also looking for partners in other countries such as Vietnam, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Thailand.

W e D n e s D aY : J u n e 17, 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

The world will experience a minute that will last 61 seconds on June 30 PA R I S — Q u e s t i o n : When is a minute not a minute?

The answer: At 2359 Greenwich Mean Time or GMT on June 30, when the world will experience a minute that will last 61 seconds.

The reason for the weird event is something called the leap second.

That’s when timekeepers adjust highprecision clocks so that they are in sync with Earth’s rotation, which is affected by the gravitational tug of the Sun and the Moon.

Few of the planet’s 7.25-billion people are likely to be aware of the change... and even fewer will have set plans for how they will spend the extra moment.

But for horologists, the additional second is a big deal, and there is a wrangle as to whether it is vital or should be scrapped.

“There is a downside,” admits Daniel Gambis, director of the Service of the Rotation of the Earth—the poetically named branch of the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service or IERS, in charge of saying when the second should be added.

To be clear, the leap second is not something that needs to be added to that old clock on your mantelpiece.

Instead, its importance is for super-duper timepieces, especially those using the frequency of atoms as their ticktock mechanism.

At the top of the atomic-clock range are “optical lattices” using strontium atoms, the latest example of which, unveiled in April, is accurate to 15 billion years—longer than the Universe has existed.

Outside the lab, caesium and rubidium clocks are the workhorses of Global Positioning System or GPS satellites, which have to send synchronized signals so that sat-nav receivers can triangulate their position on Earth.

On Earth, big-data computers may be less manic than atomic clocks but still need highly precise internal timers.

The Internet, for instance, sends data around the world in tiny packets that are then stitched together in micro-seconds. Some algorithms in financial trading count on gaining a tiny slice of a second over rivals to make a profit. AFP

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

Republic of the Philippines C AV I T E S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y (C v S U ) D o n S eve r i n o d e a l a s C a m p u s I n d a n g , c av i t e (0 4 6) 415 010 /415 - 0 011 415 - 0 012

INVITATION TO BID

INVITATION TO BID

1.

Cavite State University, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites all interested bidders to bid for the following project: Proj e c t

A p p rove d Bu d g et fo r t h e Cont r ac t (A BC)

Cont r ac t D ur a t i on

Ph P 3 0,012,471.15

270 C D

1. C onstr uc tion of Five Storey C EM DS Building Phase I

Prospective 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. Instruction to Bidders.

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

Bidding Documents may also be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and CvSU Website, provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The schedule of activities is listed as follows: 1.

Is suanc e of Bidding D oc ument s

June 16, 2015 (8:0 0 A M)

2.

Pre - bid C onferenc e

June 30,2015(3:00 PM) at S. L. Lasap Hall, CvSU, Indang, Cavite

3.

Submis sion and O pening of Bids

July 13, 2015 (3:00 PM) at S. L. Lasap Hall, CvSU, Indang, Cavite

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

Interested bidders may purchase a complete set of Bidding Documents from the address below upon payment of the following nonrefundable fee: Project 1.

Constr uction of Five Storey CEM DS Building Phase I

B7

Amount of Bidding Documents PhP 22,500.00

Pre-bid Conference shall be open only to all interested bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered to the Office of the BAC Chairman, Administration Building, CvSU, Indang, Cavite on or before the above mentioned date and time. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ authorized representatives who choose to attend the bidding. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Cavite State University assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

Cavite State University 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.

(Sgd.) MA. AGNES P. NUESTRO, Ph.D. BAC Chairman 1F Administration Building Don Severinodelas Alas Campus Cavite State University Indang, Cavite (046) 862-0806 / 862-0853 / 415-0014 loc. 270 or 209

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

Supply of Various Laboratory Equipment

Supply of Various Laboratory Equipment

Supply of Various Laboratory Equipment

Requesting Unit/ Location:

College of Arts & Sciences

College of Pharmacy

College of Nursing

College of Dentistry

Approved Budget for the Contract:

Php 37,105,322.00

Php 20,298,000.00

Php 5,365,000.00

Php26,000,000.00

Bid Documents

Php 25,000.00

Php 25,000.00

Php10,000.00

Php25,000.00

Contract Duration:

Single Bid

Single Bid

Single Bid

Single Bid

PR No.:

CAS-2015

MLG15-CP014

CN-15-01

CD-2015

Source of Fund:

LRTE 2015

LRTE 2015

LRTE 2015

LRTE2015

2.

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

3.

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

4.

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows:

(TS-JUNE 17, 2015)

Activities

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

I nv i t a t i o n t o B i d f o r t h e Pr o c u r e m e n t o f Ja n i t o r i a l S e r v i c e s f o r PSA LM C o r p o r a t i o n f o r CY 2 015 (Pr o j e c t Re f e r e n c e N o. 2 015 - JS - AG S D - A02 3 - 01) 1. The Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) Corporation, through its 2015 Corporate Operating Budget, intends to apply the sum of PESOS: Eight Million Five Hundred Five Thousand and Two Hundred (PhP 8,505,200.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Procurement of Janitorial Services for PSALM Corporation for CY 2015 (Project Reference No. 2015-JSAGSD-A023-01). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2. The PSALM Corporation now invites bids for the Procurement of Janitorial Services for PSALM Corporation for CY 2015. Delivery of the Goods is required as indicated in Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed within three (3) 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 (ITB).

3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act No. 138.

4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from PSALM Corporation and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders beginning on 17 June 2015 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of PESOS: EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED (PhP8,500.00), in cash or check. The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective Bidder or his authorized representative.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of PSALM Corporation, provided that Bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

5. The PSALM Corporation will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 25 June 2015 at 10:00 AM at the 6th Floor, Bankmer Building, 6756 Ayala Avenue, Makati 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 07 July 2015 at 10:00 AM. 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 at 10:30 AM at the 6th Floor, Bankmer Building, 6756, Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address indicated.

Late bids shall not be accepted.

Supply of Various Dental Equipment

Schedule

1

Issuance of Bid Documents

Starting –JUNE 17, 2015

2

Pre-bid Conference

July, 2015 – 1:30 pm

3

Opening of Bids

July 21, 2015 – 1:30 pm

4

Bid Evaluation

Within two (2) weeks after the opening

5

Post-qualification

Within one (1) week after the bid evaluation

6

Issuance of Notice of Award

Seven (7) days after Post-qualification

5.

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

6.

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

7.

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

8.

All inquiries shall be directed to the BAC III Secretariat at tel. no. 525-4322 / 526-2275. This is also posted at the UP Manila Official Web: http://www.upm.edu.ph/procurement.

(SGD) DR. TRISTAN NATHANIEL C. RAMOS Chair, BAC 3

(SGD) ARLENE A. SAMANIEGO, MD Vice Chancellor for Administration (TS-JUNE 17, 2015)

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION (PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) Region 8, Tacloban City Office Address:

NIA Road, Marasbaras Tacloban City, Philippines www.nia.gov.ph

Website:

Telefax No. (632) 323-7596 TIN 000-916-415

INVITATION TO BID No. 10-2015 The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Region 8, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), hereby invites Domestic Contractors, registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), to bid for Sulat CIP Contract No. 01-2015 -Construction of Protection Works (Portion) along Diversion Works of Sulat CIP, Sulat Eastern Samar. The Approved Budget for Contract (ABC) is SIXTEEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED SEVENTY FOUR THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY SIX PESOS & 32/100 (P16,774,236.32). Completion of the works is required in Two Hundred Forty (240) calendar days. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Prospective Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project whose value must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations IRR) of republic Act 9184 {R.A 9184), otherwise known as the “Government procurement Reform Act”.

Prospective Bidders are not allowed to participate if they have negative slippage in their on-going contracts. Individuals with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) are not allowed to transact and participate in the procurement utilizing another construction firm. The pre-bid conference shall be open only for those who have purchased the Bid documents. No more sale of bid documents after pre-bidding conference in order for the bidders to submit a highly technical and educated bid.

The schedule of BAC activities are as follows: BAC Activities

Schedule

Time

1. Issuance of Bid Documents

Starting June 5, 2015

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

2. Pre-bid Conference

June 15, 2015

2:00 p.m

3. Receipt and Opening of Bids

June 26, 2015

2:00p.m.

7. The PSALM Corporation 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.

The BAC will issue a complete set of Bidding Documents to eligible bidders from the address above and upon payment of non-refundable amount of P15,000.00 to the Cashier.

8. For further information, please refer to: FR E D E R I C O P. Q U E V E D O PSALM Bids and Awards Committee 6 t h F l o o r B a n k m e r B u i l d i n g , 6 75 6 Ay a l a Ave n u e, M a k a t i C i t y Te l e f a x N o.: (0 2) 7 3 9 5 2 3 6 e-mail address: psalmbac@psalm.gov.ph; psalmbacsec@psalm.gov.ph PSALM website: www.psalm.gov.ph

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

(SGD.) GLORIA A. SEVILLA BAC Chairman Noted:

(Sgd.) FREDERICO P. QUEVEDO BAC Chairperson

(SGD.) ROMEO G. QUIZA Regional Manager (TS-JUNE 17, 2015)

(TS JUNE 17, 2015)

W E D N E S D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 5

B8 Skepticism as suspects are held in Hong Kong HONG KONG—Hong Kong lawmakers urged calm on Tuesday after police arrested 10 people on suspicion of making explosives in a plot they say is linked to a “radical” group, ahead of a vote on a controversial political reform package.

The allegations have been met with skepticism from security experts and commentators in the southern Chinese city, who questioned its timing ahead of the vote, expected Friday.

Police said one of the 10 suspects had claimed to be a member of a “radical local group,” but would not name the group or specify motives.

They said maps of central Hong Kong districts had been found and warned anyone taking part in public gatherings to stay away from “violent protesters.”

Daily rallies are being held at the city’s legislature ahead of the vote by lawmakers on the government’s controversial political reform package.

All 10 suspects were arrested Monday “on suspicion of conspiracy to manufacture explosives” and detained overnight. The 10th, a 58-year-old man, was taken into custody at the northern border point of Lo Wu late Monday.

Police also seized chemicals at an abandoned television studio in the eastern district of Sai Kung Monday, with some detonated at the scene.

A later house search led to the seizure of ingredients that police said could be used to make TATP, a highly-volatile explosive believed to have been used in the deadly terror attacks in London in 2005.

Air rifles and “V for Vendetta” style face masks were also found.

“I suggest we look very carefully, deeply and calmly at this case before we give this individual incident too much priority,” security expert Steve Vickers told AFP. “The timing is obviously of considerable interest.”

Vickers said it was easy to find the ingredients for TATP online― but would be difficult to manufacture the explosive itself. AFP

cESAr bArrioqUiNto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world ‘0.25m children face starvation in Sudan’ JUBA, South Sudan—A quarter of a million children face starvation in war-torn South Sudan, with an end to the 18-month conflict as distant as ever, the expelled UN aid chief warned Tuesday.

Event in West Hollywood. From left, Max Mara Brand Ambassador Nicola Maramotti and actress Moran Atias, wearing a Max Mara, attend The Max Mara 2015 Women In Film Face Of The Future event at Chateau Marmont on June 15 in West Hollywood, California. AFP

“Six months ago, we thought that violence and suffering had peaked and that peace was on the horizon. We were wrong,” said Toby Lanzer, who was barred from the country earlier this month after warning of economic meltdown.

“Political intransigence left peace ever more distant; war raged on and is leading to economic collapse.”

Civil war began in December 2013 when President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar of planning a coup, setting off a cycle of retaliatory killings across the country that has split the poverty-stricken, landlocked country along ethnic lines.

It has been characterized by ethnic massacres, rape and the use of child soldiers.

“In half of the country, one in three children are acutely malnourished and 250,000 children face starvation,” Lanzer added in a report urging donors to contribute to a $1.63-billion aid appeal, saying South Sudan ranked “lower in terms of human development than just about every other place on earth.”

Two-thirds of the country’s 12 million people need aid, with 4.5 million people facing severe food insecurity, according to the UN. “The most recent fighting has been characterized by widespread burning of homes, demolition of schools, hospitals and health posts, wholesale theft of tens of thousands of livestock, destruction of water points and other assaults on infrastructure and assets necessary for communal life,” the report read, describing rape and attacks on civilians.

“There has been no apparent effort to distinguish military from civilian targets, with shelling of population centers and indiscriminate firing of weapons into settlements.”

More than a dozen aid workers have been killed since the war began with many others missing, with compounds and aid convoys “looted with impunity” it added.

The African Union on Tuesday released a statement condemning the warring leaders and calling on the UN Security Council to slap sanctions on them. AFP

‘China has 4m millionaire households’ BEIJING—China had four million millionaire households in 2014, the second-highest in the world after the United States, as the country’s stock market boom boosted private wealth, an independent survey showed Tuesday.

One million new millionaires were created in the country last year, the highest increase among all nations, US-based research firm Boston Consulting Group or BCG said in a report.

The United States had seven million millionaire households last year, the most in the world. Japan took third place with one million, according to the report.

The growth in private wealth in China was driven mainly by investments in local equities, BCG said.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index finished 2014 as the best performer in Asia after soaring more than 50 percent.

“Strong market performance across the entire [Asia-Pacific excluding Japan] region―thanks to solid domestic demand―significantly increased the value of existing assets... compared with the increase stemming from newly created wealth,” the report said.

The rise in the value of assets accounted for 76 percent of the re-

gion’s growth in private wealth, it added.

China had 1,037 households with more than $100 million in net worth, around one fifth of the United States’ 5,201, but the second-largest in the world, the report said.

Forbes said in an April report that mainland China was estimated to have a record 400 billionaires and billionaire families thanks to “a rally in stock prices.”

A yawning income gap has become a rising concern in the world’s most populous country, where the official Gini coefficient stood at 0.469 last year. AFP

Yoga workshop. Indian school students attend a yoga workshop

conducted by teachers from The Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Institute at The FD Higher Secondary School in Ahmedabad on June 16. Some 1,300 students in the Muslim-dominated Juhapura area of the western Indian city joined the first day of a five-day workshop. Events will be held across the nation on June 21 to mark World Yoga Day. AFP

W E D N E S D AY : J U N E 17 : 2 0 1 5

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BING PAREL A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER life @ thestandard.com .ph

LIFE

F-Type Coupe

LUXURY

F IS FOR JAGUAR

F

irst things first. I know nothing about cars. I know how to change tires, jump start one, and change the oil – but that’s it.

But here’s what I know: I want the new Jaguar F- Type.

Preferably the convertible – never mind EDSA pollution.

Haven’t wanted one that badly in a very long time. The first time I read about Jaguars, I knew I wanted one. (I couldn’t drive yet at the time, but that doesn’t matter.) I read about them in the novels of the late Dick Francis – the ex-steeplechase jockey turned crime writer who always wrote about horse racing. In those novels, the leads always drove Jaguars.

It bugged me then, however, that the Jaguars often, if not always, came with drivers and bodyguards. I kept thinking: You’ve got one of those powerful cats – why wouldn’t you want to drive it yourself? Many of the types one sees on the road – long sedate creatures that are well behaved in traffic and hardly ever go above the speed limit – do require drivers. What’s the point of having one of those Jags if you kept to the speed limit? (Now this is not to glorify irresponsible driving. I was then just 16, hardly ever left the mountainous suburb we lived in, and so didn’t know any better.)

So the whole Jaguar dream fell by the wayside, replaced by other, more mundane things. College. A job. Promotions.

Overtime. Insurance.

A year ago, I saw the Tom Hiddleston ad on YouTube. You know, the one where the guy who plays Loki in the Marvel

BY SJ LAU

Avengers series discusses what makes a great villain as he revs an F-Type in an underground parking garage while quoting Shakespeare. (The Mark Strong and Ben Kingsley ones were also okay.)

And then the UK Advertising Standards Authority ruled that the ad encouraged unsafe driving and was therefore socially irresponsible. It was the noise of acceleration, they said. Apparently, the ad “appeared to suggest significant speed within a closed environment.” Bah, reality.

But the new F-Type Jaguars are now out. They’re the kind you would want to drive yourself, not leave it to anyone else.

Heck, they’re the kind of cars you would want to wash yourself. After all, they’re sports cars.

The Jaguar website calls the F-Type “Jaguar’s definitive sports car– the most dynamically capable, performancefocused sports car that Jaguar has ever produced.” (Yes, it deserves the repetitive description.)

The makers also promise an experience that’s intuitive, instinctive and driver-focused. I have yet to experience that since I am not a sports car driver. However, I know it sounds like I’d have power over thunder and lightning under the hood, and that it looks like a million bucks and seeing it makes me forget my troubles.

Where would I drive it, now that they’ve started work on the Buendia underpass? We’ll just have to burn that bridge when we get there.

JAGUAR F-TYPE COUPE AND CONVERTIBLE SPECS: • 3.0 Litre V6 340 PS Supercharged Engine • Quickshift 8-speed Automatic Transmission • Jaguar Performance Braking System With Calipers • Sports Suspension • Sports Exhaust • Bi-function HID Xenon headlamps with washers and LED signature lights • 18” Vela alloy wheels • Sports seats with leather and Suedecloth facings • 3-spoke leather steering wheel with black gearshift paddles • 8-inch colour touch-screen display • Light Hex aluminum console finisher • Meridian 380W Sound System – 10 speakers

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W E D N E S D AY : J U N E 17 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

RECOMMENDED LIST OF NEW RELEASE BAROLOS Part One

The Barolo 2010 vintage is already considered one of the classic years of this wine region following the great performing vintages of 2001, 2004 and 2007 among the outstanding years since the beginning of the new millennium. Yet to me, judging from the tasting and even talks with several Barolo wineries, this new release 2011 augured extremely well this early. It may not be 2010 quality, but it does not seem to be too far off, too.

Barolo 2011 vintage – out of 268 wines tasted from this 2011 release, I feel that this is a real winning vintage for Barolo. Across the different Barolo communes, the wines tasted very consistent with excellent fruit concentration and acid backbone. The Barolo 2011 wines I tasted are already delicious to drink, but they possess huge potential to age and further improve. I gave good scores to 41 percent of the wines. Based on the different Barolo communes (which were correctly segregated by the organizer) I tasted, I thoroughly enjoyed almost every single bottle from the smaller Novello commune. Wines from Sarralunga d’Alba and Barolo communes also got better average marks from me than those from La Morra and Castiglione Falletto on this vintage. My mammoth list (first 60 out of 108) of highly marked Barolos is stated below in no particular order – all from vintage 2011: 1. Abbona Anna Marie Barolo, 2. Sobrero Barolo Ciabot Tanasio, 3. Reva Barolo, 4.

Sordo Giovanni di Sordo Giorgio Barolo Parussi, 5. Cascina Adelaide Barolo Pernanno, 6. Vietti Barolo Rocche di

The Palladino winery has two entries in my top Barolo 2011 selection including this Parafada single vineyard; the 2009 I tasted was also excellent

Castiglione, 7. Giacosa Fratelli Barolo Scarrone Vigna Mandorlo, 8. Silvano Bolmida Barolo Bussia, 9. Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Bussia, 10. Deltetto Barolo Bussia, 11. Costa di Bussia Tenuta Arnulfo Barolo Vigna Campo dei Buoi, 12. Mauro Veglio Barolo Castelletto, 13.

Monti Barolo del Comune di Monforte, 14. Conterno Fantino Barolo Sori Ginestra, 15. Conterno Diego Barolo Ginestra, 16.

Rocche dei Manzoni di Valentino Barolo, 17. Gianfranco Alessandria Barolo, 18.

Clavesana Siamo Barolo Olo, 19. Oreste Stefano Barolo Perno, 20. Gianfranco Alessandria Barolo San Giovanni, 21. Vajra - G.D. Vajra Barolo Baudana, 22. Brovia Barolo Brea Vigna Ca Mia, 23. Giovanni

Chiara Abbona of Abbona Marziano; the Abbona Marziano Barolo 2011 Ravera from Novello commune got 95 points on my blind tasting score sheet – one of my favorites among over 300 Barolos

Rosso Barolo Cerretta, 24. Germano Ettore di Germano Sergio Barolo Cerretta, 25.

Giovanni Rosso Barolo del Comune di Serralunga, 26. Fontanafredda Barolo Vigna la Rosa Fontanafredda, 27. Gabutti di Boasso Franco Barolo Gabutti, 28. Pira Luigi di Gianpaolo Pira Barolo Marenca, 29. Gabutti di Boasso Franco Barolo Margheria, 30.

Azelia Barolo Margheria, 31. Pira Luigi di Gianpaolo Pira Barolo Margheria, 32. Paolo Manzone Barolo Meirame, 33. Guido Porro Barolo V. Lazzairasco, 34. Fontanafredda Barolo, 35. Palladino Barolo Ornato, 36. Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato, 37. Palladino Barolo Parafada, 38. Giovanni Rosso Barolo Serra, 39. San Biagio Barolo Sorano, 40. Le Cecche Barolo Sorano, 41. Grimaldi Luigino EC

Barolo San Biagio, 42. Marcarini Barolo Brunate, 43. Batasiolo Barolo Cerequio, 44.

Ravello F.Lli Barolo Conca, 45. Renato Ratti Barolo Conca, 46. Ciabot Berton Barolo del Comune di La Morra, 47. Voerzio Alberto Barolo La Serra, 48. Bosco Agostino Barolo La Serra, 49. Negretti Barolo, 50. Brandini Barolo, 51. Rizieri Barolo, 52. Trediberri Barolo, 53. Alessandro Veglio Barolo, 54.

Aurelio Settimo Barolo, 55. Demarie Barolo, 56. Rocche Costamagna Barolo Rocche dell’ Annunziata, 57. Gagliasso Mario Barolo Rocche dell’ Annunziata, 58. Serradenari - Giulia Negri Barolo Serradenari, 59.

Gagliasso Mario Barolo Torriglione, 60.

Sylla Sebaste Barolo Bussia.

Amazingly, because of multiple entries, there are 20 wineries where I selected two wines from, and there was only one winery from where I selected three Barolos. The only winery where I selected three gorgeous wines from is Giovanni Rosso. The ones with two Barolos each are: Batasiolo, Bosco Agostino, Cantina del Nebbiolo, Cantine Dei Marchesi di Barolo, Cascina Adelaide, Comm.

G.B. Burlotto, Fontanafredda, Gabutti di Boasso Franco, Gagliasso Mario, Giacomo Fenocchio, Gianfranco Alessandria, Le Strette, Michele Chiarlo, Morra Diego, Negretti, Palladino, Pira Luigo do Gianpaolo Pira, Reva, Vietti and Virna Borgogno.

The rest of the list (61 to 108) will be supplied in part two of this column. I will also discuss the Barolo Riserva 2009.

For comments, inquiries, wine event coverage, wine consultancy and other wine related concerns, please e-mail me at protegeinc@ yahoo.com. I am a proud member of the Federation Internationale des Journalists et Ecrivains du Vin et des Spiritueux or FIJEV since 2010. You can also follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/sherwinlao

Fifth generation family member Federica Boffa of Fratelli Serio & Battista Borgogno – one of three wineries I gave high ratings to on both Barolo Classico 2011 and Barolo Riserva 2009

W E D N E S D AY : J U N E 17 : 2 0 1 5

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

SMARTWATCHES ARE A LUXURY

Bracelet featuring leather strips and metal piece in silver-plated metal alloy.

BY ED BIADO You don’t need a smartwatch. You want one, but you certainly have no practical use for one. Just like the tablet (which you can describe as either a supersized phone or a keyboard-less laptop), the wearable device is an additional layer to your tech-reliant life. And just like a tourbillon, a smartwatch is judged based on its superiority and not its basic function.

Smartwatches are a luxury because analysts say so. QZ.com reveals that recent surveys on the Chinese luxury market “shows why Apple and Switzerland are on a collision course.” One found that three in five Chinese consumers “were interested in buying a watch that costs more than $800 over the next year,” and that almost four in five “want to buy” a smartwatch while just under three in 20 have “already bought” one. A separate study stated that China’s most favored luxury gift brand is Apple. These indicate that Cupertino’s smartwatch will be part of the choices when consumers are choosing a new timepiece, either for themselves or as a gift.

Smartwatches are a luxury because luxury watch brands are responding to the threat-of-the-tech. TAG Heuer has its own entry coming out in November, developed in collaboration with Google and Intel. Montblanc is innovating the watchband instead of the watch itself with the creation of the e-Strap. Others like Frederique Constant, Alpina and Breitling will be releasing watches with “smart” properties.

Smartwatches are a luxury because they’re impractical and highmaintenance. On average, you have to charge it once a day, similar to how you have to wind a mechanical watch to keep it running.

Whereas a good old trusty button cell-powered quartz will keep ticking for two years without being a burden.

Smartwatches are a luxury because they can’t pass for an of-themoment fashion accessory. A lot of smartwatch brands may promote their offerings as a style statement, but it simply isn’t going to work. Last Thursday, the New York Times’ Vanessa Friedman listed down the many cons of wearing an Apple Watch in the fashion context. “I do not want to be defined by a talking point on my wrist... and I know too well the risks of having such semiology attached to myself,” she wrote. The watch was a “big black box” that “still looks like a gadget” more than a stylish fashion must-have.

Watch with a leather watch. Watch design and mechanism by Citizen; Quartz glass and handmade adjustable watchband. The round case in silver-plated metal alloy is hand carved and waterproof.

B

Brown leather bracelet has a silver-plated metal piece that is 100% handmade in Spain.

ARTISANAL PIECES FROM UNO DE 50

old, stylish and sophisticated. These words best describe the Uno de 50 artisanal pieces designed in silver and touches of leather that will make any wearer stand out.

There are wristwatches to help one keep up with a busy schedule in style; hip bracelets with the UNO de 50 characteristic seal; belts, key rings, rings, necklaces, and cufflinks – all of them perfect gifts to make Daddy feel special not only on his special but always.

Uno de 50's 100 percent Spanish handcrafted pieces sets the brand apart from the rest.

Founded in the late 1990s by a group of designers who resolved to establish a brand of fashion jewelry and accessories that would break all existing moulds, the brand started out with the original and exclusive philosophy of creating only 50 units of each design – thus, the trade-

mark name. This unorthodox approach soon proved to be an unqualified success.

Today, Uno de 50 has more than 50 shops in Spain and over 25 branches in some of the world’s top fashion capitals such as New York, Miami, Las Vegas, Milan, Rome and Amsterdam. Just recently, the handcrafted jewelry brand partnered with SM Retail to open its very first store in Southeast Asia at the SM Aura Premier – giving Manila’s stylish set the opportunity to enjoy the exclusive and uniquely creative handcrafted pieces from the popular Spanish brand.

Uno de 50 is located at the Second Level of SM Aura Premier, the Third Floor of SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall, at the Second Level of the SM Mall of Asia ‘s ‘Main Hall, and the Ground Floor of SM Makati. Visit and like Uno de 50’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/unode50.es

Braided brown leather bracelet with silver-plated metal pieces for him, and 100% handmade in Spain.

Montblanc e-Strap

Alpina horological smartwatch

Apple Watch

A leather watch with case in silver-plated metal alloy, hand-carved and waterproof with embossed numbers on the face. Mechanism made by Citizen. Quartz glass and handmade adjustable watchband made in Spain.

Leather necklace featuring an oval silver-plated medallion like pendant Silver-plated key ring features sports icons and the distinctive padlock.

Frederique Constant horological smartwatch Withings Activé smartwatch Leather bracelet with tubular detail and clasp in silverplated metal alloy.

Dad will love this brown leather belt with silver-plated metal buckle and loop.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

GOODIES FOR DADDIES

Stumped on what to give Dad on Father’s Day? Considering another tie or coffee mug scribbled with “World’s Greatest Dad” to pick up last minute – just like last year, and the year before that? He probably wouldn’t mind whatever you wrap and give or not give him. But come on, don’t be that kid – go out and get something that he will love and make him feel special.

Here are some gift ideas for different kinds of fathers – from the Pop who always looks sharp to the Daddy who loves treats that are sugar-y.

DETAILED DAD

SWEET-TOOTHED DAD

ON-THE-GO DAD

Commemorate your father’s OC-ness that he imposes at home and on himself with fine detail accessories that he can’t leave the house without. Although small when wrapped, belts, cufflinks, bracelets, tie clips, and necklaces make for a great gift Dad will truly appreciate.

Take your usual cookie or cupcake gift idea to the next level by giving your father eye-catching ice cream cakes that look like a beer mug or a tool box.

Upgrade your tireless jetsetter father’s travel arsenal with bags and other travel essentials he can use on his next business trip.

Loewe Anton Backpack Fendi Elite Billfold Wallet

Tiebar Handle Bar Sam Cufflinks in silver Longchamp Etrier Toile Backpack

Tsovet SV3-C43

Kikkerland World Travel Laundry Bag

Hackett Flag Crest Cufflinks in multi Oleg Cassini Genuine Leather Briefcase in black Baskin Robbins' Father's Day ice cream cakes S’well 25 oz water bottle in birds of paradise

Fendi Man Classic Reversible Belt

Longchamp Racing Business Bag in terra/ burgundy/black

TIDY DAD

DAPPER DAD

GROOMED DAD

For the man who always works hard for the family, give him personal products that contain all-natural, hardworking ingredients to keep him clean and fresh all day. Human Nature launches its Pure Strength line that deeply cleanses and effectively removes dirt and grime. The line includes cleansing bar, hair shaper, deodorant, shampoo and face wash.

For the man who values the importance of looking his best, give him a shirt from renowned brands that will fit him to a T. Unleash his fun and quirky side with a pair of red boat shoes and polkadot socks or a green and pink tie (Yes, tie! But fun and stylish.)

Make sure all of Dad’s hair is in place with compact shaver, safe and efficient body groomer, and easy-touse nose trimmer.

Human Nature Hair Shaper

Thomas Pink Palm Treat Tie

Thomas Pink Bedale Check Tie

Hackett Mayfair Fine Multi Stripe Casual Shirt

Philips Aqua Touch Shaver Human Nature Face Wash

Human Nature Cleansing Bar Human Nature Cleansing Bar Hackett Printed Pocket Square in green

Fendi Elite Business Bag Fendi Signature Pouch

Philips Bodygroomer

Adolfo Dominguez Leather Driving Shoes

Ascot Chang Long Sleeves Woven Shirt

Hackett Classic Dockside

CLASSIC DAD Relaxed, understated, and timeless elegance. If these words best describe your father, contribute to his covetable closet one or two wardrobe staples in exquisite cuts and fabrics; classic footwear that can go from season to season; and bit and pieces to complete his look.

To Boot Altman 2-strap leather shoes in black

Philips Nose Trimmer

MontBlanc limited edition 4810

Dorfman Fedora

Hackett Double Monk Strap Shoes in black

W EDNES DAY : J UNE 17 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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C5

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A GUIDE TO WHAT’S IN CINEMAS THIS WEEK ENTOURAGE - NEW

Movie star Vincent Chase (Adrian Grenier), together with his boys, Eric (Kevin Connolly), Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) and Johnny (Kevin Dillon), are back in business with super agent-turnedstudio head Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven). Some of their ambitions have changed, but the bond between them remains strong as they navigate the capricious and often cutthroat world of Hollywood.

R16

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE - NEW

Entourage

PG Based from Kimberly Joy Villanueva’s pop fiction book “The Bet,” the romantic-comedy follows the story of popular guy Drake (Enrique Gil), who makes a bet with his best friends to make nerdy transferee Sophia (Liza Soberano) fall in love with him within 30 days.

ODE TO MY FATHER - NEW

PG As a child, Deok-Su (Hwang Jung-min) loses his father and youngest sister while escaping from a war-torn North Korea. Left only with the ripped sleeve of his sister’s dress, he has little hope to ever see his family reunited again. Ode To My Father is a Sine Asia feature film for the SineAsia Korean Film Festival.

(Related story on C8, June 15).

Dragon Ball Z: Ressurection F

DRAGON BALL Z: RESURRECTION F - NEW

PG One peaceful day on Earth, two remnants of Frieza’s army named Sorbet and Tagoma arrive searching for the Dragon Balls with the aim of reviving Frieza. They succeed, and Frieza subsequently seeks revenge on the Saiyans.

THE DEVIL’S CHOSEN (A.K.A. THE CULLING) - NEW

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3

This chilling prequel, set before the haunting of the Lambert family, reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl (Stefanie Scott) who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.

Insidious 3

PG

JURASSIC WORLD

Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park (1993), Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond.

But as visitor rates declining, park engineers add a new attraction to draw in more visitors to the park.

But that new attraction turns out to be far more dangerous than anyone expected.

Jurrasic World

PG

The Devil’s Chosen

R16 A group of college kids on a road trip encounter a strange little girl. They decide to help her out and drive her to her house. The little girl’s parents, when they eventually arrive, are apprehensive at first, but are then grateful for the help. But Emily and her friends soon regret their good deed after realizing that they fighting for their lives against dark forces.

THE VOICES

R16 A black comedy drama about the likeable and upbeat man Jerry Hickfang (Ryan Reynolds) who experiences severe hallucinations everyday. With the help of his court-appointed psychiatrist, Jerry pursues his office crush Fiona (Gemma Arterton), but when she stands him up for a date, the voices he hears in his head lead him into a murderous path.

COMPILED BY NICKIE WANG

‘KUNG FU PANDA 3’ IN 2016

In 2016, one of the most successful animated franchises in the world returns with its biggest comedy adventure yet, Kung Fu Panda 3. When Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. But when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible—learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas!

Produced by Melissa Cobb and directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni, Kung Fu Panda 3’s returning and new voice cast includes Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Randall Duk Kim, Bryan Cranston, and Rebel Wilson.

A DreamWorks Animation presentation Kung Fu Panda 3 kicks in cinemas in the Philippines on March 17, 2016.

W EDNES DAY : J UNE 17 : 2015

C6

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

It’s a high-five moment for TV5 Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (fourth from left) and Hi-5 World chief executive officer Kevin Balhetchet (fourth from right) during the launch of Hi-5 Philippines, the first international franchise of the Australian children’s edutainment program. . Also in photo is Mediaquest President and COOr Noel Lorenzana (third from left) and the Hi-5 Philippines cast (from left) Gerard, Fred, Aira, Rissey, and Alex.

Piolo Pascual at the opening of Essilor Sight Center in Manila Center University

The dynamic cast of Hi-5 Philippines, Gerard Pagunsan, Aira Binas, Rissey Reyes, AlexReyes and Fred Lo.

GIVING TV5 A ‘HI-5’

NICKIE WANG Kiddie shows that I grew up with are still clear in my memory. I can still recall the names of the characters that taught me how to count, tell stories, draw pictures and objects, and even sing.

Interesting enough, when I try to look back, it tells me that television isn’t completely terrible when it comes to education, at least in my generation when free TV offered Sesame Street, Batibot, Sineskwela, and ATBP. These days, most of the child-oriented shows that are entertaining and educational at the same time are only available on cable TV. And for the longest

ANNEDROIDS ON DISCOVERY KIDS Anne is an 11 year-old budding scientist who likes to push

time, we haven’t seen any local show that has the same impact as the aforementioned programs.

Hence, the launch of a new child-oriented program on TV5 is something that we can really look forward to. The media network has inked a partnership deal with an Australian television show Hi-5 and launched the local franchise of the popular kids “edutainment” program on Monday, June 15.

So what’s the difference of Hi-5 Philippines from the multi-awarded Australian kids show?

Hi-5 engages kids in music, imaginative play, social interaction, and developmental growth in a fun way. The one produced

by TV5 is practically the same thing only it features an all-Filipino cast, a first for the series franchise in Asia. It invites its young audience to sing and dance along to the show’s iconic songs and les-

sons as the cast interacts with kids in both English and Filipino.

Fely Irvine, the Filipino-Scottish actress who was part of Hi-5 from 2009 to 2011, flew in from Australia to personally introduce the Filipino cast to the media before the show’s debut. The cast is composed of Gerard Pagunsan, Aira Binas, Rissey Reyes, Alex Reyes, and Fred Lo. They all boast extensive backgrounds in performing arts.

“It’s the highest-rating and biggest brand in Disney Junior. This is the reason why we are proud to partner with Hi-5 World in introducing to millions of Filipino kids a local version of this highly interactive edutainment show. We are up to the challenge of producing the show that is at par with global standards,” said Jane Basas, Media 5 Corporation president.

Hi-5 Philippines airs weekdays on TV5 at 8:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.

PIOLO SENDS STUDENTS FANS INTO FRENZY It was a busy morning at the Manila Central University College of Optometry. Security guards and bodyguards in white barong were checking constantly the area to ensure that their guest would reach the building’s second floor without any aberration.

Their special guest that day was Piolo Pascual.

The Kapamilya actor spearheaded the ribbon cutting ceremony of the country’s first Essilor Sight Center, which offers optometry students access to the most advanced technology in optical studies and vision solutions. The sight center also features fully equipped vision screening rooms complete with clinical refraction equipment, and access to Essilor Academy’s advanced tools and practical trainings in optometry practice.

boundaries of what’s scientifically possible. You’ll hear a Pop! Bang! Splat! in her secret laboratory junkyard as she gets her hands dirty- making and breaking things to create new inventions. Tagging along her friends Nick and Shania, they will generate real-life solutions

to questions posed by scientific explorations.

Annedroids features photo-real CGI android characters in a live action world igniting viewer’s curiosity about science, technology and engineering.

Even better, each episode introduces fun-filled experiments

while unforeseen obstacles arise, along the way.

And that’s when Anne’s android creations come in for help: PAL, who’s very inquisitive and is fascinated by everything; EYES, who has the ability to see things from all angles; and HAND who is strong and dependable.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 46 48 49 50 53 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Beatle drummer 6 Planet orbiter 10 Mongkut’s domain 14 Hawaiian porch 15 Exchange fee 16 Unattractive 17 — for the ride 18 Family mems.

19 Purple vegetable 20 Vigilance (2 wds.)

22 Cats do it 23 Evens the score

24 26 30 34 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 44

Bump hard Leisure time Talkative Greek epic Duck’s feet Groundhog mo.

Dele’s undoing Rosters St. —’s fire Luau dish Feeding time cry Rocket pioneer Wernher von — Winter creature

Rural area Cached Make a salary Popular hemline Reconsider (2 wds.)

Mr. Hubbard (2 wds.)

“Othello” heavy Inches forward Croquet site Demeanor Little brooks Counting-rhyme start Blows it Metamorphic rock

DOWN 1 Burger side 2 Chaucer offering 3 Dwarf buffalo 4 Carry on 5 Corrected 6 Dented 7 Curved moldings 8 Unctuous 9 Cosmetic procedures (2 wds.)

10 Auto import 11 Disney CEO Bob — 12 Obi-Wan player 13 Bullfinch topic 21 One, in Munich

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2015

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 35 38 39 40 42 43 45 46 47 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 58

Hirt and Gore Thin clouds John of “Crocodile Rock” “Old MacDonald” refrain Krazy feline Validate Musical key (2 wds.)

Large-eyed monkey Deep black ENE opposite It comes before a deadline (2 wds.)

Charged particle Sea eagle 2001, to Ovid Some hitters Neigh Bishop’s laws Sitcom planet Alpine peak Marseilles Ms. Latin hymn word Elevator button Wig Mournful cry “La — Bonita” Druid To be, to Ovid

Although the center was built for students, they were not allowed to enter the venue (yet). It was cordoned off and only members of the press and college officials were allowed to enter the center. Outside the venue, students huddled on the corridor and nearby staircase hoping to have a glimpse of the 38-year-old actor. They couldn’t contain their excitement.

They were shouting even if Piolo was delivering a speech. Even the unintelligible words were music to their ears.

After the actor’s brief message as brand ambassador of Essilor, he went outside and was instantaneously welcomed by screaming fans. His son was there to support him, too. But Iñigo’s presence only took just a few seconds of the limelight away from his father. In fact, he was able to leave the venue without a sweat while Piolo had to be closely escorted by his security details so he could go down to the lobby.

Follow this amazing bunch of youngsters as they embark on an exciting, entertaining and educational series of scientific journey on Annedroids airing on Discovery Kids.

Annedroids on Discovery Kids airs at 5 p.m. every Monday.

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C7

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

BENJAMIN ALVES RENEWS TIES WITH GMA NETWORK

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ell-rounded actor Benjamin Alves renewed his ties with the Kapuso Network. He signed an exclusive contract with GMA 7 on June 9.

In four years as a Kapuso, Alves has appeared in numerous projects. He feels grateful that his relationship with the network has been very beneficial for him.

The actor promised to work harder and to stay focused on learning more about his craft.

“You just keep on attending workshops and things like that. You continue to grow, so when work comes in—and it does come in a lot—you’re ready. The hard work gets rewarded, so I’m glad I’m here and I’m glad that I’m going to be here for three more years.”

The network acknowledged Ben’s hard work and they have seen his talent as an actor. Lilibeth Ra-

From C8

sonable, senior vice president for Entertainment, shared her plans to hone him more as a dramatic actor, “We’re very happy that Benjamin has renewed his ties with the network.

This is where he started his acting career, and the fact that he’s renewing with us and we are renewing his contract means that both camps are happy with each other.”

HHHHH IDINA MENZEL DAZZLES PHILIPPINE AUDIENCE Renowned Broadway sensation and belter of the worldwide Frozen hit “Let It Go,” Idina Menzel finally took center stage in Manila on June 7 the weekend at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

And the people who came in droves to watch her performance left the venue knowing that her connection to the Filipino audience did not begin and end with the wildly successful movie and

the super popular song, which every Filipino child knows by heart.

The 2014 Billboard Women in Music Breakthrough Artist is currently taking on her 2015 Global Concert Tour.

Known for her powerful vocal chops and emotional connection to her music, Menzel’s performance standards are nothing short of phenomenal. Idina owned each and every person in the audience that night with her casual and witty spiels, the way she warmly regards her audience, on top of the power of her voice. Idina managed to endear herself to the Filipino audience. We will not be surprised to see her back in another successful show anytime soon.

“Idina Menzel is a name that drives music excellence to another level,” PLDT VP and HOME Marketing Head Gary Dujali said. “It is a privilege for PLDT HOME Fibr to

Benjamin Alves (third from left), renewed his contract with GMA 7

present this world-class spectacle to the Philippine audience.”

Highlights of the night included enchanting numbers such as “Defying Gravity” and “For Good” from Wicked; “No Day But Today” from Rent and “Always Starting Over” from If/Then.

Menzel also created a special moment out of catchy Rent song “Take Me or Leave Me”, where she selected three lucky audience members to sing with her onstage.

The charismatic performer showed her versatility with her own rendition of rock songs “Roxanne” and “Creep”. And as anticipated, she brought down the house with Frozen favorite “Let It Go” as her finale number, to which everyone fervently belted along.

Throughout the night, the stellar vocal chops of the multiaward-winning singer-songwriter was amplified by her amazing

band and an exceptional Philippine orchestra, completing the unforgettable music experience.

“Menzel’s talent has the ability to move people, and this was proven in her sensational music showcase,” Dujali said. “We hope to be able to bring more power acts like this to the country. The brand is committed to providing only the best experiences for its consumers, even beyond the powerful broadband.”

PLDT HOME Fibr delivers powerful Internet of up to 100 Mbps, letting users enjoy highspeed browsing of multiple websites. It is now available to 1,600 villages nationwide such as Forbes Park, Valle Verde, Wack Wack, Loyola Grand Villas, Ayala Alabang and Ayala Heights.

For more information, visit www.pldthome.com/fibr or call 101-FIBR.

Daphne Oseña and her kids are among those who enjoyed Idina Menzel's show in Manila

RUSTAN’S SUPERMARKET’S ACADEMY OF FOOD

G

oing back to school is already exciting as it is, with all the opportunities for learning.

But Rustan’s Supermarket is set to make school even cooler with Academy of Food, its back to school campaign that will feed everyone with only the choicest, freshest goodies from the top supermarket.

Jumpstarting the campaign is Supermarket Science, a smart, fun way to educate kids on the significance of supermarkets to society. Through a series of activities, Supermarket Science will let kids in on the processes involved in running a supermarket to let them see how supermarkets like Rustan’s fuel families and communities. Schools that want to participate can email their letter of intent to rustansfresh@rsci.com.ph.

Rustan’s Fresh and Star Sapphire cardholders are also in for exclusive lessons on bento box making as the supermarket holds the Lunchbox Art Class. Aimed to give moms new ideas on scrumptious packed lunches, the Lunchbox Art Class will feature the Bento Mommas who will grace Rustan’s branches to teach inventive ways to make packed lunches more exciting.

To enroll for the Lunchbox Art Class,

simply present your Rustan’s Fresh or Sapphire card to register for free or pay the registration fee of P500. The class will be held in these Rustan’s branches on the following dates: Central Square Bonifacio High Street on June 20, Makati-Glorietta on June 21, and Rockwell Powerplant Mall on June 28.

Social media followers who have a knack for whipping up creative lunch boxes can also join Rustan’s Supermarket’s #LunchboxLegend contest from June 1 to 30. Simply craft the best lunch box set featuring one-of-a-kind designs, post a photo on Facebook and Instagram with #RustansFresh and #LunchboxLegend, and get a chance to win P5000 worth of gift certificates from Rustan’s Supermarket.

Making sure that your kids get healthy meals is made easy by Rustan’s Supermarket’s Meal Math. A catalogue cum guide on how adding certain ingredients can produce enriching, nutritious meals, Meal Math is your new partner in creating balanced lunchboxes for your kids that deliver on the good stuff and yummy flavors. From filling snacks to healthy desserts, Meal Math features an array of food selections that will surely energize kids in school.

It’s always more fun to learn with music and with Rustan’s Supermarket’s Pop Quiz, shoppers get the chance to win Sol Republic Portable Bluetooth Speakers for pumped up beats from May 15 to June 30. A random player will be selected from among those who purchased p5000 worth of groceries with any participating product, and a correct answer to the pop question will win him or her a Bluetooth speaker.

With all the activities and prizes Rustan’s Supermarket has in store, kids and mommies alike surely can’t wait for when school starts with Rustan’s Supermarket’s Academy of Food.

Rustan’s Supermarkets are located at Makati Area: Glorietta, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Magallanes, Alphaland Makati Place, Paseo Center, Century City Mall, San Antonio Plaza. North Area: Shangri-La Plaza, Gateway Mall, Katipunan, Tomas Morato, P.Guevarra, Corinthian Hills, Village Center Antipolo. South Area: Ayala Alabang Village, Evia Lifestyle Center. Cebu: Oakridge Business Park, Ayala Center, Arcenas Estate CDO: Ayala Centrio Mall. Also visit Marketplace by Rustan’s at Rockwell Powerplant Mall and Central Square Bonifacio High Street.

Poster of Academy of Food

W EDNES DAY : J UNE 17 : 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Jun Lana

Perci Intalan

JUN LANA AND PERCI INTALAN FORM CREATIVE CONTENT COMPANY ISAH V. RED After over two decades, and after winning acclaim for their films not only in Manila but also in New York, London, Madrid, Brussels, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Singapore and other cities around the world, writer-director Jun Robles Lana and producer-director Perci Intalan launched a new creative content company called The IdeaFirst Company.

The new company will create and produce everything, from movies to TV shows to digital entertainment to live events and even commercials.

The IdeaFirst Company boasts Lana and Intalan’s impressive resumés. It has also begun to gather some of the most promising young talent breaking through the entertainment industry today.

“This is an exciting time to be creative because there are many platforms available to the audience looking for entertainment content in various forms,” says Lana, the youngest Hall of Famer inducted into the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 2006. He also won screenwriting awards for films like Jose Rizal, Muro Ami, and Sa Pusod ng Dagat that also won Best Screenplay at the Brussels International Film Festival.

Formerly the Creative Director for drama at GMA Network, Lana moved from writing to directing and has been reaping acclaim

for the Philippines almost every year for his films such as Bwakaw, which screened at film festivals in New York, Toronto, Los Angeles, Honolulu, London, and Vesoul, France; Barber’s Tales, which was screened in Tokyo, Abu Dhabi, Udine and won for him Best Director in Madrid, and now Shadow Behind the Moon (Anino Sa Likod g Buwan) which will have its world premiere in July in Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic.

Likewise, Intalan adds, “It is definitely an advantage that both Jun (Lana) and I have experienced working in movies, TV shows, events, stage plays…you name it. Both of us even started out in advertising and marketing so that’s a huge plus also.”

A former TV executive who worked as an Executive Producer at the Walt Disney Company and was the First Vice President for Entertainment at TV5, Intalan has won awards for everything from an Asian TV Awards as a show producer, to a Palanca Award as a playwright, to a London International Advertising Awards as an editor, to a New York Film and TV Festivals award as a promo producer.

Last year, Intalan directed his first feature film, Dementia, which won Best Foreign Language Film and (for lead actress Nora Aunor) Best Actress in Foreign Language Film at the St. Tropez International Film Festival.

The IdeaFirst Company launched last year has already produced an array of projects. First was Intalan’s movie, Dementia,

which was co-produced by TV5.

Then, the company was hired by the Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia to produce segments of its Disney Channel 2014 on-air repackaging. In December, it went into production on Lana’s feature film Shadow Behind the Moon (Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan).

In February, the company was hired by TAPE Inc to produce the trade event for the Philippines’ longest running noontime show, Eat Bulaga. And just this year, TV5 has commissioned the company to develop content for the network and its platforms – the first projects of which are the upcoming TV shows LolaBasyang. com and #ParangNormalActivity that will air in July.

In creating all this content, Lana has also conducted a 10-week Screenwriting Workshop in which he and Intalan discovered new writers/filmmakers who are now part of the IdeaFirst team. These are Prime Cruz and Jenilee Chuaunsu who, apart from being accomplished film and TV writers are now directing and producing, respectively, a film for the QC Film Festival this year; Ivan Payawal, whose film project The Comeback was selected in this year’s Cinema One Originals; Dominic Lim, who has won a film grant from the Film Development Council of the Philippines and directed a film in the 2nd Sineng Pambansa National Film Festival; Miko Livelo, whose film Blue Bustamante was a finalist at the Cinema One Originals and Cinepilipino Film Festival; Ash Malanum, who won

The people behind the new company, The IdeaFirst Company

Best Screenplay at Lana’s Cine Panulat Screenwriting Workshop and also won Best Director at the Short Film Festival of the Asia Pacific College of Advanced Studies; and Petersen Vargas, whose short film LisyunQngGeografia was just selected for the 2015 Cinemalaya Film Festival.

To help guide this young creative team, IdeaFirst Company tapped Palanca Award-winning writer Elmer Gatchalian to be Head Writer of both LolaBasyang.com and #ParangNormalActivity. The company has also gathered some of the most experienced film and TV producers and production staff to work on its various projects.

“This is the time to broaden horizons and think out of the box, there are so many opportunities out there because of new technology and changing audience behavior,” says Intalan. To which Lana

adds, “But whatever the platform is, the bottom line is you have to have a good idea that you develop into a good story or concept and execute into a good show.” ➜ Continued on C7

This is an exciting time to be creative because there are many platforms available to the audience looking for entertainment content in various forms – Jun Lana, writer-director