The Standard - 2015 July 06 - Monday

VOL. XXIX NO. 136 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 mONday : JULy 6, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Poe: How did Abaya escape charges?

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‘EgAy’ slAms nortH, isolAtEs HugE ArEA

Egay’s fury. A mother and her children brave the strong winds at the Bay Walk in Manila being whipped by tropical storm Egay on Sunday. Danny Pata

Motel-chain owner killed in Batangas chopper crash THE owner of the Victoria Court chain of motels and the pilot of the helicopter he was riding died in a crash near Mount Baculot in Cuenca, Batangas Sunday.

The Civil Aviation Authority said Archimedes King, the owner of the motel chain, and the pilot, Capt. Felisisimo Taborlupa, died while six others were injured.

Hurt in the crash were King’s wife Ling-ling; fashion designer Tina Ocampo and her husband Rico, Philippine Tatler editor Anton San Diego; Standard Insurance president Patricia Chilip and her husband Christopher.

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By Francisco tuyay

TROPICAL storm Egay pounded Northern Luzon with heavy rains, inundating at least 11 coastal towns in La Union, taking down power and communication lines and flooding communities where trapped residents sought safety on their rooftops.

The Office of Civil Defense director for Region 2, Chito Castro, said the heavy downpour since Saturday night turned La Union into a virtual ocean, submerging thousands of houses and farmlands and rendering all roads impassable.

“We have massive flooding here in La Union and 11 coastal municipalities are under water because the major river basins are swollen,” Castro said.

He called on emergency rescuers in the adjacent province

of Pangasinan for help.

The towns of Agoo, Caba, Aringay Bauang, San Fernando, San Juan, Bacnotan, Luna. Sto Rosario, Balaoan and Bangar were all heavily flooded, with some houses disappearing under the rising flood waters.

Castro said all power and communications were also out in the province as joint rescue efforts were being coordinated through Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino and Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Luis Singson.

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Sunk ferry’s death toll reaches 61

THE death toll from a ferry that capsized near Ormoc City has risen to 61, the Coast Guard said Sunday, indicating that the vessel was overloaded.

Whether the ferry was carrying too many people will be part of an investigation into last week’s disaster off the city of Ormoc, which has seen the boat’s owner and crew charged with murder.

Coast guard figures showed that 61 people had died when the wooden Kim Nirvana, a motorized outrigger, capsized. At least 145 people are listed as survivors.

This would mean at least 206 people were onboard, exceeding the 194 passengers and crew the boat was authorized to carry. The heavy cargo the ferry was transporting may also have played a role, authorities have said.

“The number of bodies is more than we expected,” said Captain Pedro Tinampay, the regional Coast Guard chief, refusing to speculate how many might still be missing.

Only 173 passengers and 16 crew were listed on the boat’s manifest.

The crew have been accused of reckless behavior, with an initial police investigation and interviews with survivors indicating the vessel turned abruptly causing it to capsize.

The police investigation is separate from a coast guard enquiry, which will primarily determine the cause of the mishap. However, the coast guard may also recommend criminal and administrative charges.

On Sunday, a Coast Guard search and rescue vessel transported the bodies of 42 residents of Camotes — where the ferry had been heading — back to their island home for burial.

Relatives watched gravely as rescue personnel carried dozens of white coffins onto the ship.

The Kim Nirvana, which has been lifted

‘Egay’ From A1...

“We are solely dependent on a generator set to sustain our routine activities, especially in our coordination for rescue operations,” Castro said.

In Kalinga province, the road from Babalag to Kinama in Rizal was still open to traffic. The Baguio-Bontoc national road in Mountain Province was also still open.

In Isabela, there were no reports of severe damage when Egay landed in the coastal town of Palanan.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported a landslide at Km 35 and 37 at the Montible-Napsan Road in Puerto Princesa City 5 p.m. Saturday, while flood waters were 20 inches deep in Barangay San Jose in Puerto Princesa.

As of Sunday night, Egay had left 1,027 people stranded in major ports in Central Visayas and Luzon.

President Benigno Aquino III and the NDRRMC said Sunday measures were being taken to ensure “zero casualty” from tropical storm Egay.

“President Aquino and the whole government, led by the Na-

out of the water with a crane, lay on a ramp in the background.

The boat had also been transporting sacks of cement, rice and fertilizer which would have weighed as much as 7,500 kilos.

Poorly-maintained, loosely-regulated ferries form the backbone of inter-island travel and frequent accidents have claimed thousands of lives in recent decades, including the world’s worst peacetime maritime disaster in 1987 when the Dona Paz ferry collided with an oil tanker, leaving more than 4,300 dead.

The Public Attorney’s Office said its district office in Ormoc was providing legal assistance to the families of the victims.

PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said PAO lawyers were preparing affidavits of loss and procuring birth certificates for the victims.

“PAO Ormoc District office is now ready to provide free legal aid to the victims of the sunken MB Kim Nirvana,” Acosta said in a text message.

She also said the Philippine National Police has filed murder charges against the owner and crew of the ferry.

A total of 19 people were charged, including ferry operator Jorge Bong Zarco, captain Warren Oliviero, and 17 crew members, said Asher Dolina, chief superintendent for Eastern Visayas. All are in police custody.

Murder is punishable by up to 40 years imprisonment.

The police investigation is separate from a Coast Guard inquiry, which will primarily determine the cause of the mishap. AFP, Rey E. Requejo

tional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, are monitoring typhoon Egay, in order to ensure the safety and protect the welfare of our citizens who will be affected by the typhoon. The aim is to have zero casualty,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said over state-run radio station dzRB. Coloma also said there was enough funding to help residents cope with the possible effects of the storm.

“All government agencies have prepositioned equipment, relief goods and resources. The government also has quick release funds immediately available to the residents affected. The public does not need to worry because we have enough funds for all that is needed to be done by the government,” he said.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) said in an advisory that the cyclone has maximum winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts of up to 120 kph.

It is forecast to move northwest at 7 kph northwest towards Aparri, Cagayan and Basco, Batanes.

The storm is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesay afternoon, Co-

The ferry’s captain. This handout photo released by the Coast Guard on July 4 shows Warren Oliviero, the captain of the ferry that sank in Ormoc and killed more than 59 people. AFP

loma said.

Signal No. 2 was raised in Kalinga Apayao, Isabela, Quirino, Hilagang Aurora, Cagayan, including Babuyan and Calayan.

Signal No. 1 was raised in Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra and Batanes, said Coloma.

The government reminded fishermen and those with small boats not to travel due to strong waves brought about by the typhoon.

The government also advised residents of low lying areas, especially those located in the path of the storm, to be ready and avoid any possible landslides due to the typhoon.

The government urged the public to be observant and monitor regular weather updates and bulletins from their local disaster risk reduction management councils, Coloma said.

Officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport said 14 domestic flights have been cancelled because of Egay.

PAL Express canceled six flights including Manila–Laoag-Manila, Manila-Basco-Manila and ManilaTuguegarao-Manila while Cebu Pacific canceled their eight domestic flights from Manila to San Jose-Manila, Manila-Virac-Manila

and four flights from Manila to Tuguegarao-Manila.

Tropical storm Egay maintained its strength and is forecast to move northwest, the weather bureau said.

The center of the typhoon was located 480 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora at 2 p.m. on Friday.

The weather agency said that most parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will experience rains due to the southwest monsoon enhanced by Egay.

PAGASA also issued heavy rainfall advisory in Metro Manila and nearby provinces due to the stormenhanced southwest monsoon.

It said a “yellow” rainfall warning was issued in Metro Manila (Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Parañaque, Taguig, Makati, Manila), and the provinces of Cavite and Batangas at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Under the heavy rainfall warning system, a yellow rainfall advisory is raised when the expected rainfall amount is between 7.5 millimeters and 15 mm within one hour and likely to continue.

Communities given this advisory are advised to be aware of the weather condition and warned that flooding may be possible in low-lying areas. – With Rudy C. Santos, Sandy Araneta, AFP, PNA

Motel-chain From A1...

Aviation authorities said the August 109E helicopter operated by Malate Tourist Development Corp. crashed past noon near Mount Maculot, on its way to Manila from Puerto Galera in Mindoro Oriental.

The Philippine Information Agency reported that bad weather forced the chopper to crash land in the area. Residents there said it was raining and the mountaintop was foggy when the chopper crashed.

The pilot was killed immediately, while King died at the Martin Marasigan Hospital where the victims were taken.

The injured were later taken to St. Luke’s Medical Center.

The crash occurred as tropical storm Egay hovered near Cagayan in the north.

The weather bureau said in its Sunday 11 a.m. bulletin that Egay’s winds were at 95 kilometers an hour at its center with gusts of up to 120 km/h.

Accident investigators led by Col. Romel Ronda were on site to determine the cause of the crash.

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Smuggling ring’s take: P100b

By Christine F. Herrera

THE operation of the “high-level syndicate” in the Bureau of Customs smuggling P20-billion worth of meat, poultry and rice products a year is continuing under the Aquino administration, resulting in P100 billion worth of lost revenue in the past five years, Rep. Nicanor Briones told dzBB radio on Sunday.

He said Customs Deputy Commissioner Jessie Dellosa, head of the bureau’s intelligence group, had already reported to President Benigno Aquino III the rampant corruption at Customs.

He said Dellosa had informed Aquino that the syndicate involved “highranking officials” in the bureau who were colluding with smugglers.

“The syndicate involves the highest officials in the [Bureau of Customs],” Briones said.

“That’s why it’s called the Tara system. No inspections—and very high officials are involved. No one was admitting that the syndicate existed until Deputy Commissioner Dellosa made an admission that the tara system was still in place.”

Briones said the syndicate was earning P140,000 per container van under the tara system in which no van was being inspected.

He said some 20 container vans of meat products alone were being smuggled into the country every day, or a total of 7,300 vans a year with the bribe money reaching up to P1.02 billion a year for the syndicate.

“Every container van that is being smuggled into the country has undeclared or undervalued products worth P1 million,” Briones said.

“So it is easy for the smugglers to shell out the P140,000 in bribes to Customs officials to ensure the vans will not be opened and subjected to inspection.”

Briones said some P8 billion in revenues were being lost each year due to smuggled meat products alone.

That was on top of the technical smuggling of rice amounting to P12 billion a year, bringing the total amount of smuggled meat and rice products to P20 billion a year, he said.

Briones said the technical smugglers were not paying the right tariff of 40 percent especially if outside of the minimum access volume.

By declaring the products as farm tools and farm equipment, the smuggled rice was only being levied five percent instead of the right tariff of 40 percent.

Briones said the smugglers had become so bold that they were no longer shipping products in container vans but in the whole ship.

Inspection. Workers check out a ceiling for water leaks at the airport as a result of the rain being brought by tropical storm Egay. Rudy C. SantoS

7.1m Filipinos have phones, but no toilets

By Macon R. araneta ABOUT 7.1-million Filipinos defecate in the open because they have no toilets, Senator Ralph Recto said Sunday as he quoted a joint report that the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund issued on Wednesday.

“The family cellphone ownership rate in this country is higher than toilets per household,” Recto said.

The joint report, “Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water: 2015 Update and MDG [Millennium Development Goals] Assessment,” says 570,000 Filipinos use “unimproved sanitation facilities” like buckets and open-pit latrines when defecating.

It says more than half a million Filipinos have no toilets, 8.4 million have no access to clean drinking water, and about 2.3 million use untreated “surface water” from rivers, dams, canals for

drinking.

In addition, 6.1 million Filipinos get their drinking water from “unimproved drinking water sources” like unprotected dug wells and unprotected springs.

Recto said the report, which tracks the access to drinking water and sanitation against the Millennium Development Goals, should prompt the government to increase its investments on clean water and sanitation.

“This should be part of the assumption of the 2016 budget,” Recto said.

The Aquino administration’s sixth and final budget, which reportedly will breach P3 trillion, is expected to be submitted to Congress by the end of the month.

In the annex of the WHOUNICEF report is the scorecard on how countries have progressed in bringing clean water and sanitation to their citizens.

“To our credit, we have made great progress on these

two items,” Recto said.

He said the government had brought clean water to 40 million people since 1990 and 41 million Filipinos had also gained access to clean toilets since that year.

He said that had prompted the WHO and UNICEF to rate the Philippines as having “met [the] target” on MDG goals on clean water.

But on sanitation facilities, “due perhaps to the number of people resorting to ‘open defecation’”, the Philippines was graded as having merely made “good progress.”

To wipe out the backlog of homes needing piped in water, Recto called “for the opening of the budget taps for clean water and sanitation projects.”

Among the ongoing projects that should get more funds next year is the construction of toilets and communal drinking faucets in public schools, a component of the Basic Educational Facilities program of the De-

partment of Education this year.

The Interior Department is also administering grassroots-identified water projects under the SALINTUBIG program.

“To truly gauge how much we are spending for clean water, I think we should identify in the national budget the amounts for clean water because, at present, it is lumped together with flood control,” Recto said.

He said clean-water projects must be pursued “because water-borne diseases cost Filipinos P2.8 billion annually in treatment costs and lost economic opportunities.

“Hand-washing cuts by one-third to one-half the number of diarrhea cases. If we use the number of people diarrhea downed in 2010, which was 269,000, imagine how many cases will be avoided and lives saved if we can bring more clean piped water to homes.”

3 branches unite to plead PH case

Reforestation. Workers from PTT Philippines plant trees in a denuded portion of the

Bataan National Park in Morong, where it has pledged to plant 30,000 trees to reforest the area. Manny PalMeRo

THE three branches of government have united with state lawyers to defend the country’s sovereignty in the South China Sea, Malacañang said Sunday.

“The executive, legislative and judiciary have joined forces to manifest their concrete support to the Philippine Republic’s position in the West Philippine Sea [South China Sea],” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told the state-run dzRB radio.

“The Hague will formally open the hearings on the petition filed by the Philippines in order to resolve the maritime entitlement issues under the United

Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. “The government is confident on its position which is based on the principles of the UNLCOS. Once the decision of the arbitral tribunal [favors] the Philippines, the country will be given a chance to present its oral arguments based on the merits of the petition.”

The United Nations arbitral tribunal will begin hearing the Philippines’ arguments on July 7 to July 13.

The Philippine delegation will head to The Hague to observe the oral arguments that will delve initially on the arbitral tribunal’s jurisdiction in han-

dling the case.

The executive branch will be represented by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Undersecretary for the Security Cluster Emmanuel Bautista, and deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte.

The legislative branch will be represented by Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. The judiciary will be led

by Supreme Court Justices Antonio Carpio and Francis Jardeleza. Sandy araneta

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Grace: Why no raps vs Abaya?

Senator Grace Poe demanded to know on Sunday why Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, a close ally of President Noynoy Aquino and acting Liberal Party president, was not among those charged by the Ombudsman over the alleged anomalous P11.5-million maintenance contract for Metro Rail Transit Line 3.

“While I respect the findings and recommendations of the Ombudman in the indictment of [former MRT general manager Al] Vitangcol and his cohorts, I would like to read the text of the resolution in full to find out why Secretary Abaya was not included,” said Poe in a statement issued.

Poe is the chairman of the Senate committee on public services, which conducted hearings on the MRT’s operations recently.

Also charged in the case were Philippine Trans Rail Management and Services Corp (PH Trams) incorporators Wilson De Vera, Arturo So-

riano (an uncle of Vitangcol’s wife), Marlo dela Cruz, Manolo Maralit and Federico Remo.

Vitangcol is also an incorporator of PH Trams.

All of them were also accused of extorting $30 million from Inekon Group CEO and chair Joseph Husek at the residence of then Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Josef Rychtar in exchange for granting Inekon a P3.7-billion contract to supply 48 coaches to the MRT 3. The demand was later allegedly reduced to $2.5 million.

Ombudman Conchita Morales said Vitangcol and the others should

be charged with violation of the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Government Procurement Act. However, the Office of the Ombudsman dropped the graft complaint against Abaya after failing to find probable cause against him.

Poe asked why Abaya was spared despite having allegedly signed the maintenance contract.

But Poe said she welcomed the indictment by the Ombudsman of Vitangcol and the others for awarding the maintenance contract without a bidding to PH Trams.

“This should serve as a severe warning to the current MRT administrators to get their act together,” said Poe, who is reportedly being wooed to run for President by the administration LP in the coming presidential elections.

Meanwhile, Senator Nancy Binay

on Sunday said she was not surprised when Abaya was not included by the Ombudsman in the filing of charges even if he signed the contract.

“This is an evidence of the prevailing selective justice system in this administration. Remember, as DOTC secretary, he was among the signatories in the contract as head of the agency,” Binay said.

“It would be better if the Ombudsman is asked about the rush to dismiss charges against Liberal Party members. This is not the first time, and their common denominator [is they are] members of the LP,”” explained Binay.

Meanwhile, over 7, 000 meters of brand-new steel rails for the MRT-3 have been acquired by the Department of Transportation and Communications last week, the agency said on Sunday. Macon Ramos-Araneta, PNA

Copycat love. Lovers prepare to add a padlock to a grotto outside Baclaran Church, where smitten locals can profess their love in imitation of a longtime practice at the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris, France. DANNY PATA

‘Mar is last person to talk about rule of law’ INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas should be the last person to talk about respect for rules and the “rule of law” because he is a violator of the law, a spokesman of Vice President Jejomar Binay said on Sunday.

“Secretary Roxas has a habit of invoking the rule of law when it comes to his political opponents,” said Joey Salgado, head of media affairs of the Office of the Vice President.

Roxas earlier told Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay to abide by the rule of law after the Office of the Ombudsman issued a second suspension order on him over the alleged overpricing in the construction of the Makati Science High School building.

Salgado said Roxas willfully ignored the Court of Appeals when it issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) stopping the first suspension order issued in March on the mayor.

He said Roxas treated the PNP as his private army, sending hundreds of policemen, including SAF members, to surround Makati City Hall, in clear defiance of the courts.

“Clearly that is not respect for the rule of law,” said Salgado.

The spokesman said Roxas couldn’t even follow the rules of Wack-Wack Golf Club, which sanctioned him for bringing in a non-member whose fees he would not pay for.

Macon Ramos-Araneta and Sandy Araneta

Supreme Court moves to The Fort by 2019 A new complex of buildings to house the Supreme Court will rise in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City by 2019.

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno said that the acquisition of the land for the new state-of-the-art offices of the tribunal is already underway.

According to Sereno, the court has already found a property in the BGC that it will purchase using funds provided by the Department of Budget and Management.

“We were already issued a certificate of clearance that [the land] is not within the [West Valley] fault area,” Sereno said in an interview over the weekend.

She said the court will acquire a 21,000 square meter-lot in Fort Bonifacio worth P1.28 billion, payable in 10 years at P128 million annually. “[The project] is at the stage now where we are asking money for the building itself because the government has already agreed to fund the acquisition of the land,” Sereno said.

With the approval of all necessary funding, Sereno said she expects the transfer to happen in 2019.

“Modern construction will enable us to have a building in three to four years, assuming that there is no major hitch. Hopefully in about four years or up to five years, we will have our own building,” the chief magistrate stressed.

She said the court approved the transfer because it does not own the land in which the court stands.

The lot and buildings occupied by the court throughout its 114-year history, just like those of Court of Appeals and the Department of Justice, belong to the University of the Philippines.

“We should really have land in the name of the court and a building that is modern, disaster resilient, technology enabled, and that will stand as the symbol of the Filipino’s sense of justice,” Sereno said.

Top architect and urban planner Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr. is being considered to construct the high court’s proposed building and compound.

Muslim garb for sale. A vendor arranges an abaya, the traditional Muslim women’s dress, on a mannequin at Globo de Oro Street in Quiapo, Manila on Saturday. Muslims all over the world are now on their third week of celebrating the Ramadan high holidays. DANNY PATA

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Mindoro’s Valencia hits unfair ‘decision’

By Rio N. Araja FORMER Congressman Rodolfo Valencia of Oriental Mindoro has chided the Office of the Ombudsman for an alleged “unjust, unlawful and unfair” decision indicting him for graft and malversation of public funds in connection with the pork barrel scam.

In an urgent manifestation, Valencia through his lawyer Marita Anna Mina challenged the anti-graft court’s decision, saying it was prematurely issued.

Valencia said such indictment encroaches on the exclusive powers of the Commission on Audit that is yet to rule on his liabilityfor three special allotment release orders (SAROs) subject of his Priority Development Assistance Fund allocations.

Asking for fairness, Valencia, pointed out that SAROs 07-07842 and 08-00576 were still pending audit, while SARO 08-03854 had a pending appeal. “(The) said Resolution encroaches on the exclusive Constitutional jurisdiction of the COA ‘to examine, audit, and settle’ all government financial accounts,” his motion read.

“With all due respect to the Ombudsman, said honorable office could not encroach on or usurp the Constitutional duties of the CoA as the supreme audit body of government. The Ombudsman should not anticipate or pre-empt the determination of financial liability by the CoA in accordance with the Constitution and Presidential Decree No. 1445,” he said, referring to the Government Auditing Code.

Imported. Workers unload rice from a Vietnamese vessel at the Harbor Center in Tondo Manila on Monday June 8 in this file photo.

Fake rice triggers call for safety nets

By Sandy Araneta

As government agencies are finding it difficult to pinpoint the source of fake rice, Malacanang has warned the public to be careful in buying the staple and to purchase only from accredited and reliable stores.

Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero also called for the convening of the food safety regulation coordinating board whose members will have to map out plans to prevent the entry of ‘synthetic rice’ and other unsafe food items.

Escudero also asked the Palace to include in the 2016 national budget the funds required to enforce the Food Safety Act of 2013.

“We are calling on the public to be careful and purchase rice

only from accredited and reliable sellers, from real authorized rice dealers or stores with permits from the NFA (National Food Authority) and governent authorities,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on state-run radio station dzRB. On Friday, President Benigno Aquino III directed Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and I Local Government chief Manuel Roxas II to investigate the source of fake or

synthetic rice. in cosmetics and toys.

Presidential Assistant for Food Escudero for his part sought a Security and Agricultural Moderni- probe of the safety regulatory system zation Secretary Francis Pangilinan for loopholes. “Do food safety standwas also tasked to look into the mat- ards, inspection, testing, data collecter, Coloma said. tion, monitoring and other activities The NFA, through the Food eliminate risks in the food supply Development Center, is conducting chain? In this regard, we have to set laboratory tests of samples of syn- up a traceability system pursuant to thetic rice. international protocols,” he said.

The samples were submitted to EcoWaste said there were consumNFA by parties who were puzzled by ers who complained that they had the nature of the rice when cooked: bought fake rice in Davao City.

Unlike regular NFA rice which is “We are deeply alarmed by the dis“pasty” when squeezed between the covery of toxic DBP in synthetic rice fingers, the “fake rice” breaks like that has reportedly penetrated the local chalk in one’s hand. market, particularly in the south,” said The EcoWaste Coalition said the Sonia Mendoza, a retired chemist and chemical contaminant found in president of the EcoWaste Coalition. samples of the fake rice is prohibited With Macon Ramos-Araneta

Teener: Second chance in life

Surgery in Sudan. Filipino siblings, Sarah (L) and Reynaldo Joy, sit in a hospital room in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, on July 1, 2015. Reynaldo, who suffers from rheumatic heart disease, has gone through a five-hour surgery on June 16. Afp CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A dressing covers the scar where surgeons cut open Reynaldo Nilo’s chest for life-saving heart surgery, but the Philippine teenager feels stronger than he has for years after his operation in Sudan.

The 17-year-old arrived in Khartoum last month after his sister saw a television report about a hospital run by an Italian medical charity that offers free treatment.

Sitting in his spotless hospital room, his voice still hoarse after his five-hour surgery on June 16, Reynaldo said he was on the mend.

“I am feeling better, not like before. I feel stronger,” he said, smiling weakly as he

sat up on his bed, his sister Sarah Joy by his side.

Reynaldo, the son of impoverished farmers, dropped out of school two years ago after developing rheumatic heart disease.

He had strep throat as a child which developed into a deadly heart condition because it was not treated with antibiotics.

Distraught that the family could not afford the $25,000 (22,500 euro) surgery at the hospital near their home in the north of the Philippines, Reynaldo’s sister spotted the opportunity that saved his life.

Sarah Joy, 25, who had become his full-time carer,

saw a television report on a documentary featuring Gino Strada, the surgeon who founded the humanitarian organisation Emergency during the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

“I saw it on CNN that Dr Strada performs open heart surgery for free,” she said. “I found hope again.”

After contacting Emergency by email and telling the charity about Reynaldo, they agreed to treat him for free.

When Turkish Airlines offered to cover the flights for Reynaldo and his sister, they prepared to travel for the surgery, but not without worries. Afp

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Ultimatum on GPS for bus units

By Darwin G. Amojelar Transport regulators are requiring all public utility bus operators to install Global Positioning System device on all their units in a move to modernize public transportation services while promoting safety.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board said provincial buses entering Metro Manila are required to install and register the GPS on their units from September 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016; Metro Manila city buses, on January 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016 and interregional buses not entering Metro Manila – April 1, 2016 to July 31, 2016.

For intra-regional buses the GPS should be installed on or before July 1, 2016 to October 31, 2016, LTFRB said.

Before the GPS devices are installed, bus operators must strictly adhere to LTFRB’s registration procedures.

Only GPS devices procured from the Board’s accredited providers can be enrolled or registered. Installation of the device will only be done by the accredited provider under the supervision of Board’s personnel.

Once the GPS is installed on the unit, the device provider will set up the GPS using a software application to activate the GPS using a password.

Once registration is complete, using a unique ID assigned to the device, the GPS will be able to send data to GPS log server that will enable LTFRB to determine the unit’s exact location and if it is maintaining the prescribed speed limit.

The current speed limit along expressways is 80km/hour while in urban areas the speed limit is 60 kilometers per hour.

“The Board’s main aim is to protect the safety of the riding public by regulating the speed limit of buses traversing our national roads and highways. With the use of latest and innovative technology, we believe we can modernize our transport system and provide the commuters with reliable, convenient and safe transportation services,” LTFRB chairman Winston Ginez said.

Drying up? A steady decline in the water level of Angat Dam has prompted lawmakers to call for a legislative probe. File photo by Danny

Pata

Probe govt inaction on Angat A LAWMAKER from Central Luzon is seeking a probe to determine the courses of action that government agencies will take to mitigate the adverse effects of the steady drop of the water level at Angat Dam. Rep. Gavino Pancho of Bulacan’s District 2 filed House Resolution 2118, directing the House committee on agriculture and food chaired by Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza of Batangas’ 4th District to look into the contingency measures in light of Angat’s dwindling water supply.

“There has been no declaration regarding a concrete program or course of action by cognizant agencies of our national government

namely, the National Irrigation Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, National Power Corp. and Department of Social Welfare and Development to address and mitigate the impact of the dwindling water levels of the Angat Dam,” he said.

Pancho, vice chairman of the committee on cooperatives Development, said the continued fall of the Angat Dam’s water capacity beyond its minimum operating level would severely affect the continued supply of energy and 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water supply.

In addition, he said, as a

matter of policy of Angat Dam’s administrators, should the water reservoir breach its 180-meter minimum operating level, water releases for irrigation for some 27,000 hectares of farmlands in Central Luzon would be stopped as a precautionary measure from the dry spell triggered by the current El Niño phenomenon.

“Stopping the water releases for irrigation will drastically affect the livelihood and welfare of the farmers and their families who are considered among the poorest and most vulnerable sector of our society,” he added.

According to Pancho, the Angat River is the largest and most important source of

water for the region because through the Angat Dam, it supplies water for Metro Manila’s 12 million residents, and provides irrigation water to 26, 791 hectares of farmlands in Pampanga and Bulacan provinces, and 10 percent of the country’s hydroelectricity.

“The rapid increases in population and industrialization have negatively impacted on this important water resource, which together with the effects brought about by climate change, longer drought and intense weather events have exacerbated the challenge of addressing the current and projected future water demand,” he said in a statement. Rio N. Araja

PH sailors unfazed by Greek crisis

Staying afloat. Filipino sailors are among the biggest remittance contributors.

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines is hopeful that thousands of Filipino sailors aboard the Greek merchant fleet will be fine regardless of the Hellenic Republic’s governmentdebt crisis.

“We are counting on Greek trading ships, which are earning quite a lot in US dollars, to stay afloat. They are fairly insulated from the Greek government’s extreme financial distress,” said former Senator and TUCP president Ernesto Herrera, a key founder of the Philippine Seafarers’ Union.

Herrera said the Greek merchant fleet is a vital cog of global trade.

Greek companies run 16 percent of the world’s ocean-going trading vessels.

Greece is the Philippines’ fifthlargest source of dollar remittances from sailors, after the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan, according to Herrera, former chairman of the Senate committee

on labor, employment and human resources development.

Some 53,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are in Greece, and Herrera said the majority of them are sailors on merchant ships operating out of Athens.

The former senator said OFWs in Greece remitted a total of $335.45 million to their families in the Philippines in 2014, and 87 percent of the cash came from sailors.

He said OFWs in Greece sent home another $105.43 million from January to April this year, and 88 percent of the money came from sailors.

Citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas statistics, Herrera said sailors now generate 25 cents out of every dollar that the Philippines receives by wire from an OFW. Filipinos sailors around the world sent home a record-high $5.755 billion in 2014, up $540 million, or 10.3 percent, from $5.215 billion in 2013.

m o n d ay : J U ly 6 , 2 0 1 5

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

A7

Health office: no to surgery outside hospitals LINGAYEN - The Pangasinan provincial health office has discouraged the public from undergoing surgical operations outside hospitals to prevent unnecessary deaths.

The warning came following a recent medical-surgical mission held recently at Barangay Banaga in Bugallon town believed to be sponsored by a local politician.

In an interview over Aksyon Radyo’s Say Pangasinan Natan (SPN) on Saturday, Provincial Health Officer Anna Teresa de Guzman said the medical-surgical mission had no permission from the local health authority.

She urged local residents to be careful in seeking medical treatment for their illnesses. “Visit the nearest hospital which are equipped with complete health facilities and skilled doctors,” she said.

Citing Administrative Order No. 30-2009 of the Department of Health, De Guzman disclosed the revised policies and guidelines in the conduct of medical-surgical missions anywhere in the country saying that “it must be properly coordinated with the LGUs and it should be conducted in the hospital.”

With this new policy, de Guzman said the PHO is now vigilant in this kind of activity especially during political season to prevent an incident similar to what happened in the surgical mission which was held only in an improvised medical clinic.

“Because of this, we are no longer allowing the conduct of medical missions in schools or basketball courts to protect out people from complications that would lead to unwelcome developments,” she said.

De Guzman added that patients who want to get operated on for their lumps or cataract should go to the nearest hospital where there is adequate equipment and expert medical attention.

Apart from improved health care facilities and highlytrained medical staff, all 14 provincial government-owned and managed hospitals are also implementing PhilHealth’s Point-of-Care program which enrolls and guarantees poor inpatients to avail of the “No Billing Policy” during confinement.

Favorite fruit. Strawberries remain Baguio’s favorite fruit, whatever the weather. DAVID CHAN

Cracks found on buildings after Friday’s earthquake

By Alvin T. Guanzon SURIGAO CITY—Three commercial buildings in this city are now being monitored after authorities found cracks on them following a magnitude 6.1 earthquake that jolted some parts of Mindanao and Visayas on Friday afternoon.

The cracks were found on the building of Absolute Essentials Trading along

Rizal corner Amat Street. Minor cracks were found on Gaisano Mall and Parkway Mall and Hotels, both located at Barangay Luna.

Absolute Essential’s building has been cordoned off to protect pedestrians from debris that may fall.

According to Annette Matugas Paulines Villaces, deputy city disaster risk reduction and management officer, and Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas, the discovery of the cracks prompted the City Engineering Office to inspect the extent of the quake’s damage and monitor the buildings for the safety of the public.

Aside from these buildings, the IFI

Church’s wall fence in Burgis, Surigao del Norte, was also damaged in Friday’s quake.

Philvolcs-Surigao City’s engineer Tony Madrio said the quake occurred at 2:43 p.m on July 3 with the epicented 41 kilometers east of Burgos.

Madrio said the quake was felt at Intensity 5 in Surigao City, Talacogon in Agusan Sur and Carrascal in Surigao del Sur. It was felt at intensity 4 in Dinagat Islands; Intensity 3 in San Juan in Southern Leyte; Tacloban and Palo in Leyte, and Lapu-Lapu City.

The quake was also felt at Intensity 2 in Bislig City, Hinatuan in Surigao Sur and Davao City.

Cebu town has first shark sanctuary extinction due to overfishing and the general lack of awareness on the importance of these THE municipality of Daanbantayan, Cebu highly endangered species,” said Corro. has established the country’ first shark and He said hosting the sanctuary is also one of ray sanctuary, located close to Malapascua the best ways in which the local community Island in line with its commitment to protect can give back to these creatures for bringingshark and ray species after the Philippine in tourism revenues which boosts their Shark Summit almost a year ago. livelihood.

Through Executive Order 16-2015, ThenewEOwaswelcomedbyenvironmentalists, Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro has marine conservationists, tourism executives, and designated the world-renowned dive sites of local government agencies that gathered at the Monad Shoal and Gato Island as the sanctuary. Cebu Provincial Capitol for a three-day forum on The order prohibits the catching and strengthening and implementing the order. trading of all shark and ray species within “For a country blessed with unique marine these waters. Rare species, such as thresher biodiversity, it is high time that we establish a sharks, white-tip sharks, manta rays, and shark and ray sanctuary. We are pleased that devil rays, can be found in these areas.

Cebu is continuing its great work on shark and “Our landmark decision to create the ray conservation by establishing sanctuaries country’s first shark and ray sanctuary that ensure the sustainability of these will ensure the protection and conservation critical species,” said Vince Cinches, Oceans of sharks and rays which are threatened to Campaigner for Greenpeace Philippines.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Night market. People flock to the ARMM compound to shop, dine and visit the mock villages showcasing seven distinct tribes. OMAR MANGORSI

M O N D AY : J u LY 6 , 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDitor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

Plumbline Pastor aPollo quiboloy

PreParing to vote

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Protesting too much tHeRe has been a flurry of activity at the Office of the Ombudsman, which has not only suspended the opposition mayor of makati twice, but has also ordered the dismissal of the President’s good friend, the Philippine National Police chief who resigned earlier this year in disgrace.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio morales, handpicked by President Benigno Aquino III to replace the her predecessor who was hounded from office by administration allies in Congress, also indicted the former metro Rail transit system’s general manager over allegations that he signed off on an anomalous maintenance contract in 2012.

All this enabled the Ombudsman to declare that there was no selective justice in the Aquino administration.

“That’s the best argument [against allegations of] selective justice was the dismissal of Purisima,” morales told a press conference last week, referring to resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima, who was ordered sacked over an anomalous courier service contract for the delivery of gun licenses in 2011.

The dismissal order came a day after morales ordered the suspension of makati mayor Jejomar erwin Binay Jr. and 14 other city officials in connection with the alleged anomalies in the construction of a building in makati Science High School.

There is no question that Purisima should have been dismissed. We have argued that point many times in this space. But the timing of the Ombudsman’s action—and her own use of the Purisima case as convenient cover—suggests that impartial justice is perhaps not the foremost consideration in morales’ disposition of cases.

But at the same press conference, morales bristled at suggestions that her decision against Binay was driven by politics.

“I’m fed up with this. every time I file a case, they say it is politically motivated. I am apolitical. I don’t favor anyone,” she said.

She added that the investigation against Binay was driven by evidence and not politics, and she dared her critics to file an impeachment case against her if they thought otherwise.

Unfortunately, instead of addressing a very real complaint—that the latest complaint against the mayor relied heavily on hearsay evidence that referenced only a deceased person—morales managed only to make the Purisima case look like a smokescreen— even if it was not. morales says she is not vindictive, yet this is the second suspension order she has filed against the same person—Binay--after the first one was stopped by the Court of Appeals. If memory serves, she refused to respect the temporary restraining order issued by the court against her office, arguing that it was moot and academic because it came too late.

It is also worthwhile to note that while morales claims that justice in this administration is impartial, she has not indicted other officials—including Cabinet secretaries—who were implicated in the mRt anomalies.

Given the sum of her actions, we do think the lady doth protest too much.

WHERE RIGHTS LIE Pensées fr. ranhilio callangan aquino A teAm representing the Republic of the Philippines will soon appear before an arbitral tribunal at the Hague. I smirked though at the proud announcement of one national daily that a “power team” constituted the Philippine contingent. except for the Solicitor General and Justice Antonio

Carpio -- who has given lectures around the country on the dispute -- I failed to appreciate any “power” in the rest of the team, except that they occupy powerful positions under the present dispensation.

A team of international law professors and authors would have been of more help to the national cause than the likes of the politicians eager to go on a junket, unless the tribunal allows cheerleaders in the chamber! the issue will of course be

the dispute between the Philippines and the Peoples Republic of China over portions of the South China Sea. Arbitration is the “default setting” for dispute resolution under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, when there is no agreement between the parties regarding the settlement mechanism.

In this respect, the proceedings are compulsory on the PROC by virtue of its status as a party to UNCLOS, even if it has stubbornly announced that it will not participate in the proceedings.

So, of what good will all the flair and the fury be, the argu-

A9

of what good will all the flair and the fury be, the argument and the rhetoric, if china takes no part?

ment and the rhetoric, if the PROC takes no part? One thing that an arbitral judgement will achieve, we can all hope, is a clear pronouncement as to where the rights

lie. Presently, the Philippines is unable to muster regional— not to say international—support for its claims because the claims and counter-claims fly fast and thick, and in the haze

of the often acrimonious exchange, it is not easy to say where the rights lie.

In the international sphere, the only reasonable alternative to strategic action (for which not even the PROC is eager, I am sure) is the discourse of international law. even the most contumacious of violators of international law cloak their egregious trespasses under one or the other title of law.

While the evidence and the argu-

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-

ments before the international arbitrators will be limited to what the Philippines presents (-- and we will be represented by American lawyers actually!), a pronouncement by the tribunal will go a long way either to vindicating or repudiating the Philippine position.

If, despite a declaration that rights lie on our side, China should proceed with activities that would then clearly constitute an intrusion into our coun-

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

try’s sovereignty or sovereign rights, then the PROC would clearly and flagrantly be in violation of international law. Aside from the enforcement mechanisms available to the international community, more important will be the pressure the ASeAN and AsiaPacific regions, as well as the global community, can bring to bear on the PROC. No State, its humongous size and its economic clout notwithstanding, can 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. Verzosa Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

LIke scientists in search of a cure, officials of Commission on elections tried last week yet another formula on how ballots will be counted.

This time, they experimented on what they dubbed as a hybrid formula which counted the ballots by hand – which a wag jokingly called as still “digital” for it involves the digits of the hand – and transmitted the results electronically.

The mock elections in Bacoor was essentially a time-motion study, whether the tally of ballots the hybrid way would crawl in slow-motion or, at least, zip in a speed that would leave no opening for saboteurs to hijack the results.

But what is certain is that with its state of electoral hardware the Philippines cannot do a Greece – which is to call a snap referendum in a jiffy, using perhaps plug-and-play equipment.

Of course, the comparison is unfair.

The land which incubated democracy only had 9.1 million voters, one-sixth of our 54 million electorate, now biometricized so they wouldn’t grow wings during voting day.

But if you’ll notice, the constant search for voting technology centers on one which can count and report the votes clean and fast. So far, there is no hunt for one which could achieve the two – while costing less.

I think that should be the next object of national curiosity, to search beyond what is hybrid or hyper and to find what is affordable. Drowned out, it seems, by all the chatter about speed is the cost.

What’s being discussed is the ballot count per minute. Nobody’s talking about the cost per capita.

If election every three years is the price we have to pay for democracy, then the amount being billed us is simply astronomical.

I read in the papers the other day that the Commission on elections has a 2015 budget of P16. 8 billion This, in a year when not a single ballot will be counted.

It is akin to plunking that amount in a plant that will not generate a single watt of electricity.

But what can it do? In the land of the perpetual campaign , where officials begin their reelection drive the moment they are sworn into office, then its poll body is condemned to do endless preparations take for example the to-do list for 2015, when the polls are a year away.

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

M O N D AY : J u LY 6 , 2 0 1 5

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDitor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

Plumbline Pastor aPollo quiboloy

PreParing to vote

[ EDI TORI A L ]

Protesting too much tHeRe has been a flurry of activity at the Office of the Ombudsman, which has not only suspended the opposition mayor of makati twice, but has also ordered the dismissal of the President’s good friend, the Philippine National Police chief who resigned earlier this year in disgrace.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio morales, handpicked by President Benigno Aquino III to replace the her predecessor who was hounded from office by administration allies in Congress, also indicted the former metro Rail transit system’s general manager over allegations that he signed off on an anomalous maintenance contract in 2012.

All this enabled the Ombudsman to declare that there was no selective justice in the Aquino administration.

“That’s the best argument [against allegations of] selective justice was the dismissal of Purisima,” morales told a press conference last week, referring to resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima, who was ordered sacked over an anomalous courier service contract for the delivery of gun licenses in 2011.

The dismissal order came a day after morales ordered the suspension of makati mayor Jejomar erwin Binay Jr. and 14 other city officials in connection with the alleged anomalies in the construction of a building in makati Science High School.

There is no question that Purisima should have been dismissed. We have argued that point many times in this space. But the timing of the Ombudsman’s action—and her own use of the Purisima case as convenient cover—suggests that impartial justice is perhaps not the foremost consideration in morales’ disposition of cases.

But at the same press conference, morales bristled at suggestions that her decision against Binay was driven by politics.

“I’m fed up with this. every time I file a case, they say it is politically motivated. I am apolitical. I don’t favor anyone,” she said.

She added that the investigation against Binay was driven by evidence and not politics, and she dared her critics to file an impeachment case against her if they thought otherwise.

Unfortunately, instead of addressing a very real complaint—that the latest complaint against the mayor relied heavily on hearsay evidence that referenced only a deceased person—morales managed only to make the Purisima case look like a smokescreen— even if it was not. morales says she is not vindictive, yet this is the second suspension order she has filed against the same person—Binay--after the first one was stopped by the Court of Appeals. If memory serves, she refused to respect the temporary restraining order issued by the court against her office, arguing that it was moot and academic because it came too late.

It is also worthwhile to note that while morales claims that justice in this administration is impartial, she has not indicted other officials—including Cabinet secretaries—who were implicated in the mRt anomalies.

Given the sum of her actions, we do think the lady doth protest too much.

WHERE RIGHTS LIE Pensées fr. ranhilio callangan aquino A teAm representing the Republic of the Philippines will soon appear before an arbitral tribunal at the Hague. I smirked though at the proud announcement of one national daily that a “power team” constituted the Philippine contingent. except for the Solicitor General and Justice Antonio

Carpio -- who has given lectures around the country on the dispute -- I failed to appreciate any “power” in the rest of the team, except that they occupy powerful positions under the present dispensation.

A team of international law professors and authors would have been of more help to the national cause than the likes of the politicians eager to go on a junket, unless the tribunal allows cheerleaders in the chamber! the issue will of course be

the dispute between the Philippines and the Peoples Republic of China over portions of the South China Sea. Arbitration is the “default setting” for dispute resolution under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, when there is no agreement between the parties regarding the settlement mechanism.

In this respect, the proceedings are compulsory on the PROC by virtue of its status as a party to UNCLOS, even if it has stubbornly announced that it will not participate in the proceedings.

So, of what good will all the flair and the fury be, the argu-

A9

of what good will all the flair and the fury be, the argument and the rhetoric, if china takes no part?

ment and the rhetoric, if the PROC takes no part? One thing that an arbitral judgement will achieve, we can all hope, is a clear pronouncement as to where the rights

lie. Presently, the Philippines is unable to muster regional— not to say international—support for its claims because the claims and counter-claims fly fast and thick, and in the haze

of the often acrimonious exchange, it is not easy to say where the rights lie.

In the international sphere, the only reasonable alternative to strategic action (for which not even the PROC is eager, I am sure) is the discourse of international law. even the most contumacious of violators of international law cloak their egregious trespasses under one or the other title of law.

While the evidence and the argu-

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-

ments before the international arbitrators will be limited to what the Philippines presents (-- and we will be represented by American lawyers actually!), a pronouncement by the tribunal will go a long way either to vindicating or repudiating the Philippine position.

If, despite a declaration that rights lie on our side, China should proceed with activities that would then clearly constitute an intrusion into our coun-

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

try’s sovereignty or sovereign rights, then the PROC would clearly and flagrantly be in violation of international law. Aside from the enforcement mechanisms available to the international community, more important will be the pressure the ASeAN and AsiaPacific regions, as well as the global community, can bring to bear on the PROC. No State, its humongous size and its economic clout notwithstanding, can 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. Verzosa Head, Advertising Solutions Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

LIke scientists in search of a cure, officials of Commission on elections tried last week yet another formula on how ballots will be counted.

This time, they experimented on what they dubbed as a hybrid formula which counted the ballots by hand – which a wag jokingly called as still “digital” for it involves the digits of the hand – and transmitted the results electronically.

The mock elections in Bacoor was essentially a time-motion study, whether the tally of ballots the hybrid way would crawl in slow-motion or, at least, zip in a speed that would leave no opening for saboteurs to hijack the results.

But what is certain is that with its state of electoral hardware the Philippines cannot do a Greece – which is to call a snap referendum in a jiffy, using perhaps plug-and-play equipment.

Of course, the comparison is unfair.

The land which incubated democracy only had 9.1 million voters, one-sixth of our 54 million electorate, now biometricized so they wouldn’t grow wings during voting day.

But if you’ll notice, the constant search for voting technology centers on one which can count and report the votes clean and fast. So far, there is no hunt for one which could achieve the two – while costing less.

I think that should be the next object of national curiosity, to search beyond what is hybrid or hyper and to find what is affordable. Drowned out, it seems, by all the chatter about speed is the cost.

What’s being discussed is the ballot count per minute. Nobody’s talking about the cost per capita.

If election every three years is the price we have to pay for democracy, then the amount being billed us is simply astronomical.

I read in the papers the other day that the Commission on elections has a 2015 budget of P16. 8 billion This, in a year when not a single ballot will be counted.

It is akin to plunking that amount in a plant that will not generate a single watt of electricity.

But what can it do? In the land of the perpetual campaign , where officials begin their reelection drive the moment they are sworn into office, then its poll body is condemned to do endless preparations take for example the to-do list for 2015, when the polls are a year away.

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

M O N D AY : J U LY 6 , 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

WHEN IT RAINS SO I SEE LITO BANAYO

IT POURS. What’s happening to the Binay family is a case of rain pouring all over the place, and it’s just so difficult to plug the leaks in several places all at the

same time.

Now comes the revelation by Makati’s acting Mayor Kid Pena that Eduviges Baloloy, the personal secretary to then-Mayor Jejomar Binay, has been receiving salaries while she was not reporting for work. She has been in hiding for months, whereabouts allegedly unknown even to the Binays. Yet she collected salaries, lamely explained by the human resource department of the city as entitlement to leave credits.

How can such reasoning wash insofar as public opinion is concerned? Moreover, collecting her “early” retirement gratuities, ostensibly released a day or two before Junjun Binay relinquished his office? *** On the day Mayor Junjun stepped out of City Hall for a sixmonth forced furlough, his father the Vice-President was It’s just so difficult launching his new to plug the leaks in political party—the several places all at United Nationalist the same time.

Alliance.

The speech of the embattled veep was fighting, actually denunciatory of the administration he had been part of until a week before. People, however, were more interested in looking at the faces of those who shared in the momentary glow of his presidential campaign debut.

We were informed that there were frantic phone calls from noon to some political bigwigs to please be present. Some obliged.

But the attendance of so-called political stars was quite paltry. And the unkindest cut of all was the absence of Mayor Joseph Estrada, former President of the Republic, under whose ticket Jojo Binay ran for numero dos in 2010.

No matter what explanations emerged from Arroceros thereafter (a prior engagement, not feeling well— whatever), the Erap absence doused very, very cold water on Veep Binay’s political circus. *** Is Mar Roxas hoping to win the presidency in 2016 by eliminating his enemies? Talk is rife about the Sandiganbayan soon convicting former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay. And the Supreme Court releasing its decision very, very soon, favoring the Ombudsman versus the Court of Appeals on the injunction against the first suspension order against Mayor Junjun. If so, then Mayor Junjun will not be around the J.P. Rizal offices for a year and not just six months.

Deprived of the wealthy fiefdom lorded over by his prince, that should hobble Binay’s presidential run until after E-Day next year. Or so Mar’s people hope. Worse, there is talk that the vice-president himself will soon be charged over the Makati parking building overprice. *** Sometime last year, a businessman rued: “Come 2016, we the people are going to choose between one who should not win, and one who cannot win.”

In 2014, just when Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Sonny Trillanes were beginning the Senate charges against the Binays, there were only two “certain” presidential candidates—VP Binay and Sec. Mar Roxas.

Who should not win? Who cannot win?

A DISSERVICE TO COMMUTERS IN THE past few years, the cries of Metro Manila commuters have become louder and more desperate.

I make special mention of the riders of the Metro Rail Transit-3, for which frequent breakdowns, kilometric queues and unreasonable delays have become a daily occurrence.

Then again, what can you do when you have no other choice? As the saying goes, beggars cannot be choosers.

The train is supposed to take passengers to their destinations faster.

The MRT was envisioned to be an alternative to traveling along Edsa, traffic on which had become unbearable on certain hours and on certain days.

With what is happening now, however, the train experience is becoming even a worse ride than the on-Edsa travel it sought to free the people from.

Last year, there was a fad called “the MRT challenge” where government officials supposedly shed their VIP habits and braved the MRT coaches to get to know what people go through every day. There was also an online petition that circulated, urging public officials to do the same so they would be able to push good policies to improve the lot of the ordinary passengers.

Whatever the result, nobody else among our officials have pulled this feat recently, when there seems to have been more frequent breakdowns, longer lines, and more irate commuters.

And now that the rainy season is beginning, we must brace ourselves for more difficult journeys.

Unfortunately, several politicians have used the MRT issue to

CHASING HAPPY ADELLE CHUA lay blame on one another. This is not amusing at all. Regardless of their political affiliations, these officials have been in their posts long enough to observe that the public is suffering and desperate for some action from the government.

The bottomline is, it’s been years, and the situation is still dire. Now what are they going to do about it?

Public transportation is not some handy political tool to use against the enemy. We bristle at the way they trivialize it into a political issue just so they could throw muck at their opponents. The MRT issue is much too dear to our hearts for that, because it defines our daily routines and allows us to gauge whether this government truly cares as it says it does.

Because of this, we refuse to take seriously any reference to the commuting inconveniences – nay, danger – that people have to face every day unless real solutions are offered and real effects are felt.

What do we mean? Answer us, please.

Only several trains out of dozens are running. This is the usual reason given on especially difficult days.

Where are the other trains and what is being done to bring them back to good condition? Who is doing the work and what is the progress?

What is the quality of the work and why does the problem recur?

The infrastructure on stations is equally deplorable. Anybody who has taken the MRT will tell you that it is not just the trains that are prob-

lematic. Elevators and escalators are often not working. This is already a disservice to the healthy, prime-oftheir life segment of the population.

Imagine how much more difficult it is for young children or senior citizens who must not only squeeze themselves into crowded trains; they must also climb several flights of stairs.

New trains are coming. Oh yeah?

It is said that new trains have been ordered and are coming early next year. Had the people in charge had the foresight to order them sooner, they would have arrived earlier, too. At any rate, there has to be sufficient communication to the riding public. By how much will the coming batch address the present situation? Is it worth looking forward to?

Rails are broken. Another saying comes to mind. Don’t fix something that is not broken. Conversely, fix something that is. And we mean really fix, not just stop-gap solutions good for a day or a week. Rails are fundamental, not just for convenience but for safety. This is non-negotiable.

That overshooting incident last year was a warning – should we push our luck some more?

We are insulted by attempts to use the MRT and other transport woes as campaign issues, debate topics and material for blame games. Commuters are already mired in their daily struggle. We don’t need to hear how bad the situation is because we know. We feel. We experience.

The least officials can do is to make our lives easier before they even open their mouths. adellechua@gmail.com

afford to be a pariah among nations. And countries of the world, no matter their dependence in different ways and in varying degrees on an aspiring superpower, will have more than second thoughts about sharing the same bed with a country that flouts law and is, for that reason, given its enormity, dangerous!

I am almost sure that Justice Tony Carpio will not argue. It is not clear that his position as a senior member of our High Court allows him to. He would be, among the members of that team, in the best po-

sition to do so. On the subject, his competence is accepted. I do not know how familiar the present Solicitor General is with the case, given the voluminous memorials and documents submitted. But provided the rest of the “power team” shut up, and confine themselves to doing a jig in tutus either before or after the arguments, all should be well!

But it does behoove us all to pay heed to the arguments and to know why we advance the claims that we do, and why maps, supposedly from as far back as the Tang dynasty, do not necessarily settle matters!

*** But that was until the pollsters floated the name of Grace Poe, the neophyte senator who topped the midterm elections in 2013.

And later, starting March this year, the mercurial and largely unpredictable city mayor of Davao, Rodrigo Duterte, placed his name in the presidential tambiolo.

The poll numbers of the two have grown by leaps in the case of Poe, by bounds in the case of Duterte. Suddenly, people have alternatives. The businessman who rued over the dinner table between one who shouldn’t and one who cannot, is now all smiles. *** With the Binay fortunes mortally hounded by legal charges hurled with missile-like frequency, supporters of Manila Mayor Erap are enticing the former president

with another presidential run. Will he bite, and make the 2016 contest more interesting?

He keeps saying he is running for re-election, while his vice-mayor Isko is moving around the country peddling good looks for a senatorial run. But when it comes to Erap, it’s never a never until the fat lady sings in his political opera.

Just like Davao’s Digong Duterte, declaring “finis” to a presidential run before the Asian CEO Forum Thursday last week, and then on Monday night in Davao, before 47 Cebu City barangay chairpersons (out of 80), he reminds them that his father was a native of Danao in northern Cebu province, and his uncle was once mayor of the Queen City.

“Ato ini, bai!”, the chairmen chanted, and declared, “Bisaya na pud!”.

In politics, you never say never.

WHERE RIGHTS LIE From A9

M O N d aY : J u lY 6 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

adelle chua EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

A11

China’s boom has World bank Worried

by William Pesek The World Bank has a timely warning for chinese President Xi Jinping: don’t let all that money go to your head.

The global lender didn’t refer directly to Shanghai’s stock boom or the asian infrastructure investment Bank (Beijing’s attempt to develop a World Bank of its own). nor did it have to. By urging Beijing to clamp down on wasteful investment, unsustainable debt, and a shadow banking industry run amok, it was delivering a clear enough warning that President Xi should stop fanning china’s giant asset bubble. The World Bank was also implying china should get its own economic house in order before trying to change the global economy. “china has reached a critical phase of its economic and social development path,” the lender said in a new report released Wednesday. The economy “will need to be transformed to increase the efficiency of new investments and widen access to finance,

PREPaRInG... From A9 There’s a shopping list for P11.43 billion worth of assorted new equipment.

The original plan was to buy 41,800 precinct count machines for P3.8 billion, at a cost of P90,000 per. i don’t know if this has been scuttled. What i know is that this procurement was the object of a bidding war.

What i also know if that for P90,000 you can outfit one school with an audiovisual pack consisting of an lcd projector, a led Tv, a computer.

But because we have to elect our officials every 1,000 days, we have to keep in storage

enabling china to sustain solid growth and rebalance its economy.”

The World Bank’s admonishment was amplified by a fascinating milestone the chinese economy reached this week—one that presents Xi’s government with a complicated image problem. china’s 90 mainland stock traders now outnumber its 87.8 million communist Party members.

This changing of the guard, if you will, is taking place the same week the party celebrated its 94th anniversary —hardly what Mao Zedong had in mind when he led the communists to power in 1949. in truth, china’s fast-growing legions of stock traders are betting on a type of financial communism. everyone knows the chinese economy is slowing and deflation is approaching, but markets have generally stayed aloft amid perceptions Xi will use the full power of the state to protect investments. along with weekend interestrate cuts, authorities have just made it easier to take on even more leverage.

Brokerages now have leeway to boost

an election equipment which we use only once every three years. for that amount we can transform a classroom into an avr that can be used every day. it is not only the acquisition of equipment that is frontloaded, preparations are made long before the starting gun is fired.

This year, the amount earmarked for “2016 preparatory activities” is P1.2 billion. a chunk of this will go to reeling in voters for that selfie that will also record their biometrics in the comelec data base. i texted a davao congressman if there is one public hospital which gets

#failocracy

lending by about $300 billion. yet recent stock market declines suggest those steps aren’t working their usual magic. Part of the problem is traders have realized nobody is shoring up the shaky pillars of the world’s second-biggest economy. as that awareness sinks in, the 24 percent decline in the Shanghai composite index from its June 12 peak (which wiped out more than the equivalent of Brazil’s annual output) will only intensify.

So will the headwinds bearing down on the broader economy as plunging shares dent business and household confidence. and that will mean china will have less money available to pursue its global aspirations, including through its new infrastructure bank. in that sense, the World Bank is right to suggest the best way for Beijing to achieve its international goals is to shore up its domestic economy.

That means overhauling a banking system that subsidizes state-owned enterprises at the expense of entrepreneurs and savers. virtually all of chi-

a P1.2 billion government subsidy for indigent patients every year. “none” was his answer. “ not even the Pgh.” yet, we are shelling out this amount to instagram our voters.

The problem is that we have too many people voting for too many candidates for too many positions in too many offices in elections held too often.

There were already 54,051,626 voters as of last September. next May, they will elect those who will serve in 18,051 positions. if, on the average, there will be three aspirants per post, which is on the low side, then there will be 56,000 of them knocking on our

na’s worst economic excesses emanate from its corrupt alliance of top financiers, regulators, executives and their benefactors in the government. curbing government interference in credit allocation would be the first step to reducing the imbalances the World Bank says could “deflect” china’s “economic trajectory.”

But for all his talk about trusting market forces, Xi has made only modest moves to make more credit available to the private sector and loosen controls on interest rates.

Meanwhile, his government has been tossing more fuel at the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets by loosening margin financing. far from being chastened, mainland traders can now buy even more stocks with even greater leverage in an already wildly over-leveraged system. The World Bank will no doubt continue telling chinese officials why that strategy is a mistake. But, to the detriment of the country’s economy, it can’t make them listen.

Bloomberg

doors, dancing on the stage, and buying P1-million-perminute ads during telenovela commercial breaks. and that is not only the elections scheduled in this country. By law, we must also elect 672, 442 barangay level officials every three years – eight persons each for the SK and Barangay council in our 42,028 barangays. and all of these cost money —tons of it. and as the population increases, so does the number of congressmen whose number is indexed to population.

There’s also no stopping the creation of provinces, the metamorphosis of towns to

cities, and local governments being gerrymandered to jell together new congressional districts.

So the challenge is , first, to find a system of voting that will not burn a huge hole in our pocket, and , second, stop lgUs from multiplying like amoeba for it inflates the number of positions in which many in this election-mad country would gun for.

OuT Of ThE bOx RITa lInDa v. jImEnO atty. Jimeno’s column will resume next week.

chong ardivilla

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A12

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Parrenas settles for a draw

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WORLD Boxing Organization Oriental super flyweight champion Warlito Parrenas was forced to settle for a questionable draw in his WBO Interim title fight against David Carmona in Hermosillo, Mexico, on Sunday.

Parrenas, who is ranked No. 1 in the world, dropped the 24-year-old, No. 2-ranked Carmona late in the second round and appeared headed to fulfilling his dream of earning a title shot against Japan’s Naoya Inoue, who is recovering from a hand injury, when he had the Mexican in trouble.

But somehow, Carmona survived and came back in the last couple of rounds to earn the draw which Filipino

fight fans found hard to accept.

Jake Donovan, managing editor of boxingscene.com, reported that Carmona was “valiant in fighting his way back from what was well on its way to becoming a major upset. The fringe contender from Mexico was floored late in Round 2, digging an early hole before rallying late in the fight. Carmona can consider himself lucky to have escaped without a loss.”

By all accounts, it was an action-packed fight with Parrenas the aggressor, but in his desire to score a knockout, the Filipino apparently was willing to take punches, which in the end helped Carmona pile up points.

One report said the Mexican commentators had Parrenas the winner on their unofficial scorecards.

However, Panama’s little-known judge David Sigh scored the fight, 115-112, for Carmona, while his fellow Panamanian Julio Alvardo had Parrenas ahead, 115-114, with Gerardo Martinez of Puerto Rico scoring it an even 114-114.

It was a disappointing end to a fight Parrenas had trained long

and hard for and wanted to leave as a world champion, but despite his punching power as evidenced by his record of 21 knockouts in 24 wins, he failed to put Carmona away and paid the price.

It was a fairly close fight, but if you watch it carefully, Parrenas should have won, while the 115-112 scorecard of Sigh could be seriously questioned especially in the light of the second-round knockdown scored by Parrenas.

While a rematch would be logical, boxingscene.com said that should Inoue recover soon enough, he could enjoy an optional defense, thereby killing the chances of a Parrenas-Carmona rematch.

Filipino Warlito hits David Carmona with a left hook during their interim WBO fight in Hermosillo, Mexico on Sunday. Parrenas settled for a draw.

France reaps Olympic reward for Gay doping PARIS—France were on Saturday belatedly awarded bronze medals for the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2012 Olympics after the United States were disqualified due to Tyson Gay’s doping ban.

The US quartet initially placed second three years ago behind an Usain Bolt-led Jamaica foursome that won in a blistering new world record of 36.84 seconds, with Trinidad and Tobago in third and France fourth, just four-hundredths of a second adrift.

Gay had already returned his own medal after accepting a year’s suspension in June 2013 after testing positive for a banned anabolic steroid in two out-of-competition tests.

The 2007 treble world champion had also accepted the disqualification of all results to July 15, 2012, the date he first used a product that contained the banned drug -- forfeiting all prizes obtained from that date.

The US team also comprised Justin Gatlin, who was running after having served two doping bans, Trell Kimmons, Ryan Bailey and heat runners Jeff Demps and Darvis Patton. AFP

Messi-Maradona debate rumbles on SANTIAGO, Chile—Another tournament, another shattering defeat, and another round of unfavourable comparisons to Diego Maradona.

Lionel Messi was left reflecting on another bitterly familiar failure here Saturday after Argentina suffered an agonizing penalty shoot-out defeat to Chile in the Copa America final.

It was the second time in 12 months Messi had finished on the losing side in a major final following Argentina’s extra-time loss to Germany at the World Cup last year.

“This generation is desperate to win a title with the national team,” Messi had said before this year’s Copa America.

“As a team, we deserve to win something and it would mean so much after the World Cup where we came so close.”

Saturday’s defeat will reignite the debate about where Messi deserves to be ranked in the pantheon of the very greatest players to have graced the sport.

For many, his extraordinary achievements at club level with Barcelona over the past decade have already guaranteed him a place alongside Pele and Diego Maradona.

Others insist that his failure to lead his country to international glory puts him just behind Pele and Maradona, who won four World Cups between them.

Statistically at least, Messi outscores Maradona in almost every department, with 46 goals in 103 international appearances compared to Maradona’s 34 goals in 91 games.

At club level Messi has amassed 412 goals in 482 games, compared to Maradona’s 312 in 588

matches.

Messi has won three European Cups with Barcelona; the famous trophy is conspicuously absent from Maradona’s CV. Messi has been named world footballer of the year four times; Maradona earned the accolade only once.

Yet the arguments invariably circle back to trophies at international level.

Although Messi played a key role in Argentina reaching the final of last year’s World Cup in Brazil, his achievements at international level have not seared themselves in the memory in the way that Maradona’s did during his displays in the 1986 World Cup. Maradona is largely credited with single-handedly guiding Argentina to that World Cup title in Mexico, scoring a series of memorable individual goals against England and Belgium along the way.

Even in the 1986 final, when he was well-shackled

by Germany’s Lothar Matthaus, Maradona was able to prove a decisive influence, supplying the sublime first time pass to set up the game’s winning goal.

Messi can justifiably reflect, however, that the margins are impossibly fine.

In both last year’s World Cup final and this year’s Copa America final, Messi had helped create giltedged chances for Gonzalo Higuain that the striker squandered on each occasion.

Had either of those gone in -- and helped Argentina to victory instead of defeat -- Messi’s right to be bracketed with Maradona and Pele would not be in doubt. AFP

Olivarez Cup stakes WTA berths THE Olivarez Cup Open 2015 presented by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala gets going July 31 with the cream of the country’s junior tennis crop and a slew of rising stars expected to vie for top honors in various divisions at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.

But focus will be on the girls’ Under 14 and U-16 categories where the winners will represent the country in the WTA Future Stars Tournament against some of the top juniors in AsiaPacific on Oct. 20-27 at the Kallang Tennis Center in Singapore.

“The Philippine Tennis Association is designating the Olivarez-Palawan Pawnshop Open 2015 as the qualifying tournament for the WTA Future Stars.

Getting that rare chance to compete against the best in the U-14 and U-16 should be enough motivation for our young players to strive hard and dish out their best shot,” said Philta president and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

The WTA Future Stars is a series of community events featuring U-14 and U-16 tournaments produced in association with the Sport Singapore and Singapore Tennis Association featuring the top junior female talents in the Asia-Pacific region.

Hotel accommodation and meals for the duration of the tournament will be provided for the 2 players and the Philtadesignated coach with $200 subsidy for the airfare. Airport to hotel and hotel to court transfers will be provided.

With Palawan Pawnshop as chief backer, the Olivarez Cup, a Group I Philta-sanctioned tournament, also features the juniors age-group, inter-collegiate, interclub and the centerpiece men’s and women’s Open singles and doubles events.

NFL player arrested MIAMI—Green Bay Packers player Andrew Quarless was arrested Saturday after allegedly firing a semi-automatic handgun following an argument near a Miami Beach parking garage.

Police said the 26-yearold American got into an exchange of words in the early morning hours Saturday when he approached a car filled with several women.

Quarless got out of his black Porsche and approached the women’s vehicle after they left a parking garage, according to the police report obtained by the Miami Herald newspaper.

According to the report, the conversation escalated and Quarless fired his handgun into the air twice. AFP

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A13

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Crash! Cale Conley, driver of the (14) IAVA Toyota, is involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. AFP

Aldridge joins Spurs for $80m SAN ANTONIO—Forward LaMarcus Aldridge has decided to return to his Texas roots and join the San Antonio Spurs, the free agent announced on his Twitter page on Saturday.

“I’m happy to say I’m going home to Texas and will be a Spur!! I’m excited to join the team and be close to my family and friends,” wrote Aldridge, who grew up in Dallas and played basketball at the University of Texas.

The US media reported that Aldridge, who turns 30 later this month, will sign a four-year deal worth $80 million.

The Texan spent the first nine years of his career with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Sports broadcaster ESPN said Aldridge was convinced to join the Spurs after meeting with coach

Gregg Popovich, who sold him on the idea of playing alongside all-star forward Tim Duncan.

With Duncan getting ready to wind down his brilliant career Aldridge would give the Spurs a powerful one-two punch along with rising star Kawhi Leonard.

In nine seasons with Portland, Aldridge has played in 648 regular-season games and averaged 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds. In 2014-15, he averaged a careerbest 23.4 points per game and 10.2 rebounds.

Aldridge informed the Trail Blazers on Friday night that he

Aldridge

had narrowed his choices to either the Spurs or Phoenix Suns, then chose the San Antonio on Saturday morning.

After the NBA’s free-agent market opened Wednesday, Aldridge met with the Spurs, Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors. AFP

Bohn shows way; Tiger hangs on WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS— American Jason Bohn fired a nine-under 61 for the co-lead Saturday after the third round of The Greenbrier Classic while Tiger Woods is trying to hang in with a crowded leaderboard.

Woods, who is coming off a dismal performance at the US Open last month, shot one-over 71 as he played the back nine in plus-two at the $6.7 million PGA Tour event.

He is tied for 47th at fourunder-par 206, seven strokes adrift of the leaders going into Sunday’s final round.

The 42-year-old Bohn was at 11-under 199 after 54 holes with three others -- Bryce Molder (67), Park Sung-Joon and Sean

O’Hair, who both shot 66.

Bohn is trying to win his third career US PGA Tour title.

He closed his round with four birdies on the final five holes.

He rolled in five birdies on the front nine and added another on the par-four 10th. The only blemish in his round was a bogey on the 11th.

“I didn’t have much break in any of my putts and that really helped me,” Bohn said. “I struck my ball pretty solid and kept my ball in play. The scores are going to be pretty decent out there.”

There are 27 players within four strokes of the lead.

South Korean Park, who is the only golfer among the four leaders who has not won on the

US tour, has two international wins, including a victory on the Japan Tour in 2013.

Park’s bogey-free round at The Old White course included four birdies.

Justin Thomas shot four-under 66 to move into a tie for fifth place at 10-under. He stands alongside Canada’s David Hearn, Chad Collins and Kiwi Danny Lee, who all shot 68.

Jonathan Byrd (69), Brendon Todd (67) and Swede David Lingmerth (64) are one stroke back.

Woods finished with four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey as his struggles on the back nine derailed the great start he had to the tournament. AFP

Chicano rules Tri United 2, keeps Benedicto winless JOHN Chicano kept overall defending champion August Benedicto winless in the 2015 Unilab Active Health TRI-United series as he topped Sunday’s TRI-United 2 male elite division, disputed at a shortened race course at Playa Laiya in San Juan Batangas.

The 23-year-old Chicano, a member of the national team and also part of the ULAH-sponsored triathletes, rode the pace set by Benedicto in the 90-kilometer bike leg, before turning on the heat in the first of the three-loop, 15-k run leg to win the elite male category with a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes and 36 seconds.

“I was able to take the lead in the first loop of the run leg and then, I just maintained the pace,” he said.

Benedicto, who is also a member of the ULAH triathlon team, fell short by more than four minutes with 2:33:46, while another ULAH triathlete in Benjamin Rana took third at 2:35:45 in the event organized by Bike King, headed

by Raul Cuevas, and presented by Unilab Active Health.

The race was originally set at a long distance of 2k swim, 60k

bike and 15k run, but the organizer was forced to forego the swim leg due to strong and big waves at the Playa Laiya Beach front.

The sprint distance earlier set at 750m swim, 20k bike and 5k run was also reduced to a bike and run event.

“We put premium on the participants’ welfare, that is why we decided to cancel the swim leg,” said Cuevas in the decision that was met by resounding approval from the close to 800 triathletes that took part in the race also supported by ULAH, Landco, Enervon Activ, Hydrite, Enervon HP, ORBEA, Pocari Sweat, Saucony, TIMEX, Playa Laiya, WeatherPhilippines, SwimBikeRun.ph, Multisport Magazine, RaceDay Magazine and SPIN.ph.

Chicano, Benedicto and Rana received a cash prize of P10,000, P6,000 and P4,000, respectively, with Chicano placing himself at prime spot of bagging this year’s overall title.

A second placer in the TRIUnited 1 last March at Subic Bay, Chicano needs a decent showing in the TRI-United 3 this September to officially dethrone Benedicto.

Universiade. Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire Secretary General Eric Saintrond (middle) is shown with Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines president David Ong and Philippine head of delegation Sen. Antonio Trillanes during a lunch-meeting in the 28th Summer Universiade in Gwangju, South Korea. Fessap received a plaque of appreciation for its participation in the Universiade. With them are FESSAP deputy secretary-general Col. Ariel Querubin of San Miguel Corp. and Danilo Madlansacay of Megaword Property Corporation.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

m o n day : J uly 6 , 2 0 1 5

A14

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Federer, Murray reach last 16 LONDON—Petra Kvitova, the defending champion, crashed out of Wimbledon on Saturday while Roger Federer and Andy Murray both needed four sets to secure their passage into the second week.

F R I D AY : J U N E 1 2 , 2 0 1 5

SPORTS

Switzerland’s Roger Federer returns against Australia’s Samuel Groth during their men’s singles third round match on Day 6 of the 2015

sports@thestandard.com.ph Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London. AFP

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Black in an interview with in Macau?

The most painful among their Asiad misfortunes.

DENNIS PRINCIPE It is my understanding that Gregorio’s Why is the International Premier TenHowever, our fighters bethem involved 2012 London purpose is really not to pit local players nis League based in Asia?

SPORTS CHAT Olympian Mark Anthony Bar- ing victims of unfair judging, against the best players in Asia.

The FIBA World Cup hosting rights in FOR the longest time, our box- riga and young flyweight pros- still seemed evident during WHEN the semifinal cast of the ongoTrue, no Asian player was able to help 2019 is down to two Asian candidates in the Finals where eight of our pect Ian Clark Bautista who, ers have suffered countless ing Basketball his team enter the Final this conferChina 10Four boxers went on to battle forand Philippines. despite pummeling their Korean lossesPhilippine in major bouts that theyAssociation Governors’ the itgold. foes,were still lost respective ence,their making others call as a failed exBeing one of the country’s Ten Young should have Cup won was if notsettled, for the there those who immediately pouncedmatches. on the periment.

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Velasco’s situation, however, Vargas told media covering the decision win against hometown Before the season started, PBA ChairIf Filipinos will get consistent awareness bets Mohamed HanurdeenAlso Ha-to be discussed are the upcoming was a combination of the Games Asiad. man Patrick “Pato” Gregorio came up about Asians playing in the PBA, it will also fights of the country’s only remaining mid.

Apart from Barriga and Bauusing computerized scoring for with thetime, concept making driblightweight Cantista, 2013 give SEAthem Games gold a solid reason Only why they should Junel world champion Donnie Nietes and forthe first whileofthe secondAsian blers play as reinforcements, wasMario and lightflyweight winner nowFernandez follow and was watch tancio other Asian leagues merJosie five-division world champion Noand probably the most contro- which Gabuco shake oustedlike viain controversial given by some also coaches versialthe onecold was shoulders that a Bulgarian China, Korea and Japan. got some fairnito Donaire, Jr. in scoring inatheir was assigned and players. by the sport’s inter- scoring.

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Five golds in boxing are defiWhile AIBA rules and of1992 Olympic bronze winner ficials are being used in SEA nitely something to cheer about Roel Velasco.

During Tomic was informed of his SYDNEY—Tennis Australia Bernard in meeting this biennial meet.

Games totournaments, they are that Almost two decades later, have the reacted whatfor Tennis as Tomic’s extraordinary at thenotorganisation by punishment our Australia officials, described the officially in charge of the bi- forBut Philippines continues totirade get vicand disrespectful comments”. dumping him from this month’s Cup meet. home quar- “disparaging scoring pattern in Singapore ennial timized by bum scoring when aDavis “Hisand behavior was unacceptable,” ter-final Kazakhstan, reports said is something to think Healy about told reInSunday. a lot of ways, Bautista bunch ofagainst well-trained and wellafter as thewemeeting, and other Tomicpugilists was knocked outbyofone Wimbledon by defendprepare Fairfax for the Media 2016 Rio Fernandez were able toporters use their traveled fell one Olympics. efforts Australian as the ul- outlets said. ing champion Djokovic Friday but most during the 2014Novak Asian Games in ongold-winning

Czech second seed Kvitova, who also won the 2011 title, lost 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to veteran campaigner Jelena Jankovic who goes on to play 2012 runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska for a spot in the quarter-finals.

Kvitova’s earliest loss at the All England Club since 2009 leaves just Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki and Lucie Safarova as the last remaining top 10 seeds going into the second week.

“I’m overwhelmed. I’m so excited. My heart is still pumping,” said the 30-year-old Jankovic on reaching the last 16 for the fifth time.

Kvitova has now bowed out of the last four Grand Slams before the quarter-finals.

“It’s not great to lose in the third round. Not to be in the second week of the favourite tournament for me is really sad,” she said.

Seven-time champion Roger Federer defeated big-serving Australian Sam Groth 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2.

The 33-year-old Swiss, chasing an 18th major title, will next face Spanish 20th seed Roberto Bautista Agut.

Groth had the consolation of hitting the second fastest serve ever at the tournament -147.2-miles (236.9-kilometres) per hour.

- Murray faces golden oldie Murray survived a shoulder injury scare to make the last 16 with a 6-2, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 win over Italy’s Andreas Seppi.

Murray, the 2013 champion, required a medical time-out for treatment on his right shoulder after dropping the first game of the fourth set.

But the world number three then reeled off six games in succession to set up a clash against Croatian giant Ivo Karlovic on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.

“The shoulder is fine. The trainer came out and manipulated my back. He gave it a few good cracks,” said Murray.

“It’s a 90-kilo guy lying on top of me so it’s not that pleasant. He said the shoulder was like a machine gun going off when he laid on top of me.”

Karlovic became the oldest man in 39 years to reach the last 16 when he beat French 13th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

The 36-year-old giant fired 41 aces in a 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (11/9) win.

The 2010 runner-up Tomas Berdych, the Czech sixth seed, saw off Spain’s Pablo Andujar 4-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-6 (7/3).

He next faces Gilles Simon who beat Gael Monfils 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 2-6, 6-2.

Their all-French clash started on Court One but was completed at 10:30pm (2130GMT) under the roof and lights of Centre Court after darkness fell. AFP

Tomic dumped from Davis team after rant

“Playing for our country is an absolute privilege, of his post-match news conference was consumed by a lengthy rant which accused Tennis Australia of and with that privilege comes an obligation to behave penny-pinching Republic and claimedof hethe had been charged for appropriately. He didn’t.

Philippines “The allegations are misinformed and untrue and practising on their courts.

Province of Bohol Fromoutstanding A16 people.

The 22-year-old Municipality also insulted former Davis Cup he publicly derided some of Sevilla “We are trying to build a strong culture undercaptain Pat Rafter, one of the country’s sports icons.

Wakeboarding, of opportunity,a nonnot entitle“Pat is a nice guy. IfInvitation the Australian public don’t pinned by a philosophy to Bid Olympic just notsport on.” but a medknow Pat, he’s a good actor, he’s well-spoken, always ment. This behavior is REHABILITATION OF SEVILLA HALL, ANNEXTomic BUILDING al discipline Games, also complained aboutinathe lack of financial prepared and knows what to MUNICIPAL say,” Tomic said at the ANDconference.

MUNICIPAL MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT CENTER gold-medal po- antics support from Tennisshowed Australia, but his latest media tentials in Mark Howard may have cost him any chance of future funding.

“He’s prepped by Tennis Australia to know what to 1. The Local Government Unit of Sevilla, Bohol is a recipient of an aid from the and Maquel John Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the Earthquake “He’s enjoyed greatGriffin support from the organisation say.”

Assistance for thewas Rehabilitation Sevillawith Municipal Annex Selga, advanced to fromHall, the age of 11-12,” Tileywho told reporters.

ReportsFund said Tomic called into a of meeting Building and Municipal Manpower Development Center. The Approved the men’s itsand women’s “The organization, through support and fundTennisforAustralia chiefisexecutive Craig Tiley andHUNDRED presBudget the Contract TWO MILLION SEVEN THIRTY FOUR the Bedok Resering,2,734,613.00) really helped himfinals get toatwhere he is today. ident Stephen at Wimbledon on Saturday.

THOUSAND SIXHealy HUNDRED THIRTEEN PESOS ONLY (Php

SEAG...

The Municipality of Sevilla, Bohol now invites sealed bids from eligible Bidders for the supply and delivery of various construction materials on site within 30 calendarCYAN days MAGENTA upon receipt of the Notice YELLOW BLACKto Proceed.

2. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedure as

voir on Thursday.

Griffin earned 68.33 points in the semifinals topped by Thailand’s Jaem-

Australia’s Bernard Tomic returns to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during their men’s singles third round match on day five of the 2015 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London. AFP

M O N DAY : J ULY 6 , 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Knights riding on Nambatac’s back

By Peter Atencio

ONE of the Letran Knights’ top guards, Rey Nambatac, is fast emerging as one of the top performers in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

Last Friday, Nambatac struck with 25 points for the Knights after they waylaid the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers with their running game and came away with a 78-62 victory at the Arena in San Juan.

The 5’10” Nambatac averages 18 points, two steals and 6.5 rebounds for the Knights, who surprised even themselves when they posted their second straight win.

Nambatac said he is just starting to hit his stride following a change in coaches early this year, with Aldin Ayo taking over Caloy Garcia at the end of January.

“Seventy percent na ako sa paglalaro. Kailangang ayusin ko ang kundisyon ko,” said the 21-year-old Nambatac.

The Knights, who are sharing the lead with the San Beda Red Lions and the University of Perpetual Help Altas, posted their first win at the expense of the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 82-53, with Nambatac tallying 17 points and nine rebounds.

His teammate Mark Cruz is the second bestperforming Knight with 14 points and three boards per game.

Ayo said the support by multi-titled boxer Manny Pacquiao has inspired the players to be at their best.

“Si Pacquiao iyun. Pangalan pa lang, motivation na sa mga players. Malaking bagay sa amin iyun,” said Ayo. The Knights are bracing themselves for a clash with the Mapua Cardinals on Friday.

Nigerian big man Bright Akhuetie played a monster game, banging in 44 points and hauling down 19 rebounds to power the University of Perpetual Help Altas to 77-69 victory over the College of St. Benilde Blazers. The Altas posted their second straight triumph.

The Arellano University Chiefs squandered a big lead and relied on defensive plays

by Joseph Gabayni and Mer Ayaay to escape with an 80-78 triumph victory at the Arena in San Juan.

This handed the Chiefs their first win in two games in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association.

NAMBATAC

Golf champ. Miguel Tabuena (right) receives the ICTSI Rancho Palos Verdes crown from Palos Verdes golf manager Vincent Lopez after nipping Elmer Salvador by one for his second leg win on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

SEA Games bronze medalists Ronel Estanislao (left)and Joper Escueta (right) are shown with coach Arolas Amahit Jr.

PH badminton slowly making its mark in Asia ALTHOUGH its Southeast Asian Games campaign in Singapore ended only with a bronze medal, the Philippine Badminton Association Smash Pilipinas considered the achievement a start of something bigger for Philippine badminton, particularly in the Southeast Asian region.

PBA Secretary General and Negros Occidental Congressman Albee Benitez said the bronze medal finish of Philip Joper Escueta and Ronel Estanislao in the recent 28th edition of the biennial meet only shows that the program for the national team is on the right track.

“We just have to continue with the program. While Southeast Asia has the powerhouse countries in world badminton like Indonesia and Malaysia, we are slowly making our mark as a badminton country,” Benitez said. “The coaches and the players are all progressing.”

National team mentor Paulus Firman did not give any assurance that the country’s men’s

Weightlifter Diaz wants a return to Olympics HIDILYN Diaz is seeking a slot to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

She said she has plenty of chances to do so and has taken the steps to earn her spot.

Last month, Diaz, who dropped her weight from 58 kgs to 53 kgs, won a gold medal in the 1st Southeast Asian Weightlifting Championship in Bangkok.

Diaz, who last saw action 2008 Beijing Olympics, hoisted 98kg in the

snatch and 115kg in the clean and jerk for a 213-kg total to capture the gold in the women’s 53kg division.

She believes she has chance of making it to the Olympiad again in her new weight category.

“This is the first step, the SEA championship. My goal is Rio. In God’s time, sana,” said Diaz in a radio interview.

Diaz went to Thailand to compete after she learned that weightlifting was not

included in the calendar of the recent 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

“Ito na ang time para bumalik ako,” she said.

She weighed 56.28 kg during her first Olympic campaign.

Another Asian Games campaigner, Nestor Colonia settled for the bronze medal in the men’s 56kg of the same meet. Peter Atencio

doubles bet of Escueta, Estanislao and Paul Jefferson Vivas and Peter Gabriel Magnaye would win a medal in the biennial meet because the SEA Games has a very strong field.

“We are very happy that we’ve took home a bronze medal in the SEA Games. It’s not easy competition though,” said Escueta.

“And we did not go back home emptyhanded. We will do our best to surpass this accomplishment in the next SEA Games.”

Escueta and Estanislao defeated Singaporeans Wijaya Hendra and Hee Yong Kai Terry in the round of 16 (21-18, 21-15) to reach the quarterfinal round, where they blasted Cambodians Kanora Nguon and Yong Vannak Teav (218, 21-10) to advance into the semifinals.

Magnaye and Vivas failed to reach the semifinals after losing to their Indonesian foes. Escueta and Estanislao also lost to their Indonesian opponents in the semifinals to settle for the bronze.

LOTTO RESULTS

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A16

m o n day : J uly 6 , 2 0 1 5 RIERa u. mall aRI EDITOR

REuEl vIdal A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

sports@thestandard.com.ph

sports

Alaska’s Calvin Abueva splits the defense of Star’s Marqus Blakely and Yousef Taha in a PBA semifinal game won by the Aces, 82-77.

Aces sweep Hotshots, st grab 1 berth in finals game today

By jeric lopez

THERE will be a new champion in the season-ending conference.

For the second time this season, Alaska barged into the finals as it tripped Star, 82-77, dethroning the defending champion and completing a 3-0 sweep of their best-of-five semifinal showdown in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup playoffs at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

After a slow first half, Romeo Travis gathered himself to push the Aces to the victory, unleashing a tripledouble of 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while also providing

some clutch shots down the stretch to make sure his team pulls through.

The Best Import candidate knocked down the go-ahead triple with exactly two minutes left to put

(Game 3, Semifinals Smart Araneta Coliseum) 7 p.m. - San Miguel vs. Rain or Shine

Alaska up, 79-77, in a tight payoff period and the Aces held on from there as they finished the waning minutes strongly to eliminate the Hotshots.

From there, the Aces’ suffocating defense took over, preventing the Hotshots from scoring in the last two minutes. They also had some insurance baskets to put the game out of reach and punch the first ticket in the finals. ‘’I’m happy that we ended it now.

I don’t want to go into a Game 4 or a Game 5,’’ said Alaska coach Alex Compton. ‘’I’m just happy we’re in the finals.’’

Compton then credited his do-it-

Aldridge joining spurs for $80m

federer, murrAy reAch lAst 16

turn to A13

turn to A14

all import, who gave his squad a little bit of everything to ensure their entry in the next round. ‘’Romeo (Travis) showed that he’s just a fantastic import. He hit that huge three for us,’’ said Compton of his prized reinforcement.

The top-seeded Aces will now await the victor in the other side of the fence, where San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine, who are currently tied up at 1-1 in their own semis affair, battle it out to see which team advances in the best-of-seven finale.

While the Star, which was held scoreless in the last 2:56 of play, couldn’t buy a basket to save its life, Vic Manuel drained a key jumper from the baseline with 30.1 seconds left to make it 81-77 for Alaska, virtually icing the game.

Embattled Blatter to limit travel

BERLIN—Sepp Blatter, the head of FIFA which is mired in corruption allegations, told a German newspaper Sunday that he won’t take travel risks until the situation is “cleared up”.

“As long as not everything is cleared up, I will not take any travel risk,” Blatter, 79, said, without giving details, in comments reported by Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

He announced on June 2, just days after being re-elected, that he would step down from the FIFA presidency at an extraordinary congress to be held between December this year and March 2016.

The decision followed a crisis that engulfed FIFA with 18 people indicted in the United States on football-related corruption charges involving millions of dollars in bribes.

Blatter has repeatedly pleaded his innocence and that of FIFA. Blatter will not attend the final of the Women’s World Cup in Canada later Sunday, his US lawyer said last week.

It is the first time since Blatter’s election as FIFA president in 1998 that he has missed the climax of the showpiece event.

However, Blatter indicated to Welt am Sonntag that he did plan to travel to Russia at the end of the month for the draw for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

He also told the German newspaper there had been “political interventions” over the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar.

“Before the assignment of the World Cup to Russia and Qatar there were two political interventions,” Blatter said.

“The Misters (Nicolas) Sarkozy and (Christian) Wulff tried to influence their electoral delegates,” he said referring to the former French and German presidents.

He claimed that the German Football Association (DFB) had received a recommendation from the former president “that Germany vote for Qatar because of economic interests”. Afp

MONDAY: JULY 6, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

PSe comPoSite index Closing July 3, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,535.30 43.01

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing JULY 3, 2015 42

P45.020

43

CLOSE

44 45 46

HIGH P45.000 LOW P45.120 AVERAGE P45.076 VOLUME 452.600M

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

B1 Waterfront township.

Metro Gaisano’s real estate company, Taft Properties, and Asia’s premier real estate developer and investment group, Hongkong Land, have joined to develop a waterfront township in Mandaue City, Cebu. The development will occupy a 20-hectare prime property right along the Mactan Channel. Shown after formalizing the agreement are (from left) Hongkong Land and Taft Properties executives Finn Carew, Alan Cruz, Tan Wee Hsien, Jack Gaisano and Christopher Narciso. Hongkong Land, one of Asia’s leading property investment, management and development groups and a member of the Jardine Matheson Group, owns and manages almost 800,000 square meters of prime office and luxury retail property in key Asian cities, principally in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Shell starts leaving Pandacan oil depot

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. has started dismantling its Pandacan oil depot, finally conceding to the decision of the Supreme Court to remove all operations in the Manila district by January next year.

“We are already starting demobilization. We’re trying to meet the deadline set by the Supreme Court sometime [in] November,” Shell country chairman Edgar Chua told reporters over the weekend.

Chua said Shell had no choice but to comply with the Supreme Court ruling, which is “final and executory.”

The Supreme Court decision in November last year ordered Shell, Petron Corp. and Chevron Philippines Inc. to remove their oil

depot facilities from Pandacan, Manila, and not merely cease operations.

Shell has been resisting the removal of Pandacan oil depot, saying the relocation would raise pump prices and create logistical problems.

The SC dismissed the appeal filed by Shell, saying the relocation deadline held.

“The court denied the motion for reconsideration of Shell because the reasons given had already been decided upon by

the court and there was no need for the court to rule upon them anew,” the Supreme Court said.

Chua said the company was completing the relocation, adding it was not moving the depot elsewhere, citing the existing refinery in Batangas.

He said fuel delivery faced challenges during typhoons or calamities when roads are closed or bridges are affected from Batangas to the delivery point.

“It is very challenging because we’re coming from Batangas,” he said.

Chua, meanwhile, said the company’s refinery upgrade costing $100 million to $150 million that would make its 110,000-barrel-per-day refinery compliant with the Euro IV requirement was scheduled for completion by year-end.

“We are on schedule [for yearend commissioning]... Everything we produce by that time is Euro 4,” he said.

Shell is putting up a multi-billion peso fuel import facility in Cagayan de Oro that is expected to cater to the power and energy needs of millions of residents, motorists and other end-users and consumers in Visayas and Mindanao. “[Import facility will be] completed by October. We are advanced because it was originally planned to be completed by end of the year but the contractor is doing very well. Contractor JGC is a Japanese company and our team is working very closely with them,” he said.

Chua said the full impact of the project’s completion on revenues was expected to be felt by 2016.

Power rates expected to go up in July—Meralco

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, July 3, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

45.1630

Japan

Yen

0.008125

0.3669

UK

Pound

1.560900

70.4949

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129022

5.8270

Switzerland

Franc

1.059659

47.8574

Canada

Dollar

0.797321

36.0094

Singapore

Dollar

0.741950

33.5087

Australia

Dollar

0.763417

34.4782

Bahrain

Dinar

2.659221

120.0984

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

12.0435

Brunei

Dollar

0.739208

33.3849

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029602

1.3369

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

12.2966

Euro

Euro

1.108600

50.0677

Korea

Won

0.000894

0.0404

China

Yuan

0.161163

7.2786

India

Rupee

0.015783

0.7128

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.264823

11.9602

New Zealand

Dollar

0.672405

30.3678

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032420

1.4642 Source: PDS Bridge

POWER rates of Manila Electric Co. may go up in July, after several power plants went on forced and scheduled shutdowns, resulting in the issuance of yellow alerts in the Luzon grid last month.

The Luzon grid went on yellow alert at least twice during Meralco’s June billing period. The Luzon grid also plunged to red alert toward the end of June but no brownouts occurred.

“We are still waiting for all the billings from our suppliers, but indications are that there is strong pressure for the generation charge to adjust these restrictions, which had been forcing some of the natgas [natural gas] plants to use more expensive liquid fuel to continue

operations,” Meralco senior vice president and utility economics head Lawrence Fernandez said.

A yellow alert is issued when reserves fall below the ideal 647 megawatts, representing the output of the largest single power plant in the grid.

Brownouts occur when the red alert status is issued, as all types of reserves fall to zero.

Fernandez said the tight power supply had also affected prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, the country’s trading floor of electricity.

“For another, data from the WESM shows that the market clearing prices were persistently higher during the entire June supply month as compared to May,”

Fernandez said.

Meralco announced in June that power rates rate went down by P0.58 per kilowatt-hour due to the lower generation costs from suppliers.

For a typical household consuming 200 kilowatt-hours a month, the overall electricity bill went down by P116 in June from the previous month.

Meralco said the biggest reduction in the overall rates was due to the generation charge which went down by P0.36 per kWh to P4.45 in June from P4.81 in May. The reduction was mainly driven by lower charges from plants under the independent power producers and power supply agreements due to lower fuel costs and higher dis-

patch of the plants.

“The reductions in IPP and PSA rates more than offset a P2.85-perkWh increase in charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market,” Meralco said.

The high WESM clearing prices, which at times approached P30 per kWh, were sustained for the rest of the May supply month.

Meralco sourced 45 percent of its power requirements from the IPPs, 48 percent from PSAs and 7 percent from WESM in May. The Energy Department, for its part, said it would continue to monitor power supply as more power plants were expected to go on forced and scheduled shutdowns. Alena Mae S. Flores

MONDAY: JULY 6, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS Weekly STockS revieW STOCKS

JUNE 29-JULY 3, 2015 Close Volume

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl Reinsurance Corp.

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

7.4 73 108.00 94.25 45.4 2.50 1.74 10.2 15.94 19.4 6.43 0.7 1.79 820.00 0.415 93.5 0.98 19.06 28.40 66.05 93 306.6 38.5 160.1 1475.00 60.00 3.15

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

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

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

Lafarge Rep Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Corp.

Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

44 1.37 1.04 1.96 10.32 54.95 93.00 18.38 100 26.95 57.2 2.48 1.4 12.5 20.400 9.00 7.45 10.22 1.7 11.88 26.15 82.5 13.98 13.78 5.87 0.510 195.70 10.14 29.00 2.03 2.7 59.00 24 25.6 5.98 296.00 3.98 4.8 9.00 11.98 3.33 1.97 3.46 4.15 1.97 6.4 166 1.63 0.142 1.25 2.17 193.8 4.49 0.74 23.00 1.21

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ BHI Holdings Inc. Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

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

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Minerales Industrias Corp.

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

0.470 57.0000 22.15 1.17 7.00 0.245 0.270 772 303.00 7.62 13.44 3.43 4.40 0.214 1345 6.56 71.70 3.7 4.57 4.99 7.3 0.66 13.62 0.63 4.62 6.5 3.85 0.0330 2.010 2.69 59.45 886.00 1.20 0.75 155.10 81.300 0.3350 0.2080 0.290

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

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

Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate

7.300 0.71 1.200 0.228 36.80 3.33 5.25 6.5 5.61 0.84 1.25 1.08 0.134 0.440 0.870 0.174 1.21

Value

FINANCIAL 80,644,010.00 8,585,530.00 1,116,892,345.00 745,126,851.00 13,164,765.00 628,980.00 399,410.00 11,220.00 14,531,116.00 102,095,270.00 101,877 426,280 29,630.00 348,150.00 929,200.00 1,208,273,425.00 1,825,770.00 4,987,534.00 400,160.00 35,463,200.00 574,344.50 9,382,024.00 55,003,700.00 515,130,123.00 277,875.00 5,116,768.00 1,080,650.00 INDUSTRIAL 15,167,400 680,952,715.00 34,000 47,490.00 1,602,000 1,645,120.00 3,667,000 7,025,340.00 21,300 222,258.00 2,190 115,102.00 3,230 295,280.00 6,116,700 112,520,556.00 10 1,000.00 2,265,200 61,391,670.00 647,110 21,118,585.50 35,117,000 87,286,700.00 864,000 1,240,090.00 1,531,400 18,820,620.00 23,716,600 470,458,548.00 10,409,200 91,753,656.00 59,404,600 444,090,892.00 1,649,200 16,402,557.00 18,000 30,700.00 76,400 899,982.00 17,682,500 457,399,905.00 1,091,720 89,456,616.00 200 2,796.00 321,400 4,281,434.00 2,308,600 13,426,174.00 47,000 24,420.00 6,826,450 1,339,579,805.00 3,276,500 33,209,634.00 3,900 113,200.00 114,040 235,960.00 25,000 67,500.00 17,420 1,021,565.00 4,623,300 111,321,245.00 637,600 15,769,195.00 8,751,000 52,440,443.00 1,893,320 554,293,614.00 36,000 142,510.00 6,538,000 31,749,020.00 8,536,100 76,604,751.00 24,300 290,062.00 4,802,000 16,508,360.00 3,053,000 6,054,840.00 35,916,000 121,430,330.00 3,185,000 13,227,230.00 87,000 166,470.00 59,700 364,520.00 165,910 27,755,531.00 350,000 1,253,050.00 6,220,000 880,470.00 11,000 13,850.00 3,718,000 8,052,400.00 14,000,490 2,717,978,478.00 7,000 29,540.00 7,408,000 5,619,830.00 3,700 86,815.00 327,000 396,210.00 HOLDING FIRMS 3,790,000 1,781,600.00 16,917,970 978,002,066.50 37,249,600 823,921,555.00 23,000 28,800.00 91,700 634,529.00 2,422,000 598,290.00 220,000 51,400.00 1,886,350 1,470,061,670.00 60 18,180.00 4,146,200 31,896,351.00 58,745,900 784,172,398.00 17,000 54,980.00 1,281,000 5,471,070.00 1,140,000 236,590.00 808,335 1,103,204,110.00 65,400 429,989.00 11,025,370 789,604,639.50 11,000 40,820.00 16,300 78,541.00 400 1,996.00 10,766,500 76,465,568.00 291,000 193,910.00 12,805,100 177,404,908.00 208,000 128,300.00 127,492,000 601,663,190.00 4,429,600 28,010,538.00 53,000 202,980.00 5,800,000 189,600.00 113,085,000 164,271,932.00 83,000 218,180.00 718,600 42,877,151.00 1,617,304,965.00 1,812,720 692,000 833,940.00 172,000 129,000.00 230 31,683.00 519,680 42,331,847.50 10,090,000 3,367,050.00 2,650,000 514,760.00 300,000 87,600.00 PROPERTY 840,900 6,070,775.00 3,050,000 2,056,950.00 30,000 36,000.00 100,000 22,380.00 54,179,100 2,024,367,945.00 24,794,000 82,711,900.00 1,018,900 5,235,297.00 1,200 7,800.00 16,500 33,330.00 8,565,000 7,135,870.00 140,000 174,070.00 124,000 124,920.00 13,710,000 1,767,130.00 1,880,000 832,050.00 1,554,000 1,328,470.00 130,000 22,920.00 2,812,000 3,413,150.00 10,729,800 117,340 10,305,370 7,897,150 290,500 251,000 226,000 1,100 911,100 5,219,600 15,800 592,000 17,000 420 2,090,000 12,980,300 1,863,000 264,500 14,600 528,220 6,150 30,770 1,393,900 3,176,050 185 84,990 343,000

Close

JUNE 22-26, 2015 Volume Value

8.7 73.75 108.90 96.00 45 2.53 1.86 10.2 15.96 19.9 6.55 0.44 1.8 845.00 0.400 93.25 0.98 18.06 28.40 68.60 93 305 41.8 164.2 1520.00 59.95 3.15

649,600 82,640 13,072,830 5,674,330 97,600 642,000 40,900 500 56,200 2,966,000 3,900 2,200 194,000 1,230 30,000 17,197,320 163,000 12,100 2,400 919,410 3,820 15,470 478,100 2,331,780 500 130,170 343,000

5,389,341.00 6,074,624.50 1,431,174,308.00 551,694,209.00 4,449,905.00 1,531,070.00 121,290.00 5,100.00 891,818.00 59,312,567.00 25,572

44.8 1.46 1.05 1.95 10.6 59.8

7,032,100 108,000 1,435,000 11,869,000 13,500 10,790

313,746,435.00 153,750.00 1,484,420.00 23,193,620.00 142,526.00 611,264.50

344,500.00 1,027,950.00 12,000.00 1,581,552,317.00 161,260.00 217,980.00 66,670.00 63,101,492.00 357,104.00 4,741,610.00 20,045,765.00 382,530,729.00 750,750.00 7,834,454.50 1,080,300.00

18.7

6,269,200

115,903,700.00

28.45 56.5 2.42 1.52 11.8 19.200 9.03 7.65 10.00 1.7 11.98 25 82.8 13.30 13.40 5.92 0.530 200.00 10.08 29.00 2.01

7,520,900 527,780 34,861,000 709,000 439,800 17,153,200 8,986,200 70,814,500 1,571,200 17,000 106,400 13,767,500 4,070,580 43,500 24,300 1,690,900 69,000 3,771,570 2,854,200 100 78,000

41,998,185.00 29,845,941.50 81,569,470.00 1,071,850.00 5,078,244.00 327,578,690.00 81,378,095.00 541,487,290.00 15,688,763.00 28,690.00 1,253,688.00 350,494,005.00 340,083,531.00 596,124.00 333,930.00 10,068,660.00 36,430.00 744,853,975.00 28,511,986.00 2,900.00 158,620.00

56.00 24.95 25.65 6.2 291.00 3.91 4.88 9.00 12.00 3.73 2.03 3.39 4.20 2 6.25 179 1.64 0.146 1.30 2.18 197.5 4.5 0.79 22.50 1.29

50,410 4,393,300 373,600 3,513,500 3,129,190 6,000 9,097,000 13,788,300 24,900 2,305,000 4,747,000 53,711,000 9,040,000 483,000 25,100 103,550 362,000 5,540,000 1,000 2,290,000 12,665,610 93,000 5,938,000 6,000 44,000

2,863,924.00 109,314,860.00 9,391,565.00 21,875,596.00 906,862,910.00 23,810.00 43,151,250.00 123,482,870.00 290,750.00 8,822,450.00 9,734,390.00 142,486,780.00 38,296,410.00 934,050.00 155,460.00 17,383,645.00 590,040.00 799,710.00 1,300.00 4,973,920.00 2,466,847,564.00 401,700.00 4,703,030.00 135,640.00 56,940.00

0.480 57.9000 23.00 1.25 6.79 0.244 0.231 789.5

4,980,000 5,374,040 20,972,700 20,000 76,100 2,820,000 340,000 1,048,280

2,401,450.00 308,149,863.50 480,847,315.00 25,000.00 515,912.00 688,320.00 81,440.00 831,012,310.00

7.89 13.30

2,767,900 39,231,100

22,044,930.00 518,862,228.00

4.52 0.214 1371 6.56 71.85 3.71 5.9 5.2 7.22 0.67 13.5 0.63 4.82 6.01 3.79 0.0350 1.790 2.5 60.55 896.00 1.22 0.74

210,000 580,000 673,965 80,500 8,883,810 6,000 400 300 16,275,100 44,000 18,745,800 334,000 209,600,000 1,911,700 115,000 14,000,000 114,096,000 641,000 820,570 1,802,280 125,000 122,000

947,390.00 129,610.00 928,948,585.00 552,513.00 630,394,286.00 21,880.00 2,379.00 1,560.00 118,110,141.00 29,760.00 267,755,010.00 208,610.00 1,010,246,800.00 11,238,704.00 384,780.00 478,900.00 195,488,460.00 1,729,950.00 49,904,081.50 1,579,869,055.00 153,040.00 90,280.00

81.350 0.3450 0.2040 0.245

10,850 8,220,000 2,140,000 1,690,000

884,372.50 2,808,700.00 433,260.00 418,850.00

7.380 0.70 1.200 0.238 37.95 3.38 5.25 5.6

1,322,500 2,451,000 134,000 30,000 44,552,000 5,183,000 1,361,000 103,800

9,779,575.00 1,760,840.00 161,050.00 7,360.00 1,691,558,045.00 17,636,940.00 7,297,807.00 581,280.00

0.87 1.22 0.97 0.133 0.455 0.880 0.176 1.24

11,470,000 87,000 21,000 3,620,000 10,080,000 282,000 390,000 3,136,000

9,917,490.00 106,620.00 21,220.00 482,320.00 4,580,100.00 245,190.00 85,500.00 3,864,270.00

STOCKS

JUNE 29-JULY 3, 2015 Close Volume

Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Keppel Properties Megaworld Corp.

Megaworld Prop.

MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

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

1.99 1.29 5.00 4.87 4.88 0.110 0.4400 23.25 7.2 29.00 1.72 3.34 20.35 0.75 7.2 0.840 6.780

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

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

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

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

Yehey

6.09 62.4 1.11 0.640 12.86 26.8 9.14 0.0800 3.52 88.7 10.12 1.68 6.65 930 2482 6.48 17.02 1.30 111.8 4.00 12 0.011 0.219 1.3000 2.2 9.30 2.66 1.21 2.16 47.00 0.680 2 5.81 0.340 0.490 18.12 4.77 3 9.49 113.50 18.78 2800.00 0.670 1.270 37.05 74.80 9.47 0.64 1.71 5.35 0.330 1.840

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

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

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.0050 2.65 6.39 11.40 0.238 6.8800 0.93 0.79 6.95 1.65 0.310 0.224 0.237 0.0130 0.0140 3.28 22.7 3.78 0.6200 2.0400 0.0120 0.0120 4.29 6.08 1.73 0.015 144.00 10.4 0.0100

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen F First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure & Resort Pref.

MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C Swift Pref

62.9 526 531 105.5 118 523 6.1 1.11 114 1080 1149 1055 75.3 85 89 2

Leisure & Resort Warr.

3.700

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp.

Ripple E-Business Intl Xurpas

10.22 6.63 65.95 11.44

First Metro ETF

123

Value

Close

118,916,000 228,914,800.00 665,000 871,120.00 200 1,000.00 135,049,000 652,714,230.00 22,745,000 110,692,010.00 2,580,000 285,710.00 70,000 30,800.00 3,000 69,375.00 91,200 655,834.00 17,132,400 500,252,965.00 2,063,000 3,562,740.00 94,000 313,340.00 87,227,200 1,746,354,705.00 2,485,000 1,842,910.00 124,800 859,571.00 266,000 220,740.00 64,837,600 395,919,983.00 SERVICES 422,800 2,514,162.00 70,820 4,416,784.50 20,000 22,730.00 2,657,000 1,666,250.00 17,700 230,590.00 200 5,360 45,152,300 407,790,420.00 76,827,410 6,913,730.00 3,406,000 12,310,770.00 28,910,586 321,736,125.50 1,000 9,895.00 2,000 3,360 106,900 675,645.00 1,190 1,161,340.00 484,170 1,219,720,850.00 448,600 2,938,286.00 2,100 35,752.00 175,000 227,560.00 5,157,720 573,837,570.00 2,000 8,000 73,300 877,888.00 88,400,000 976,400.00 92,330,000 20,064,830.00 707,000 935,450.00 15,000 33,000.00 2,214,300 20,381,294.00 2,266,000 5,884,970.00 146,000 176,350.00 255,000 532,930.00 2,800 127,840.00 449,000 296,200.00 438,000 864,900.00 36,735,200 208,836,853.00 130,000 44,050.00 70,000 32,900.00 15,600 284,488.00 96,000 439,440 51,000 153,050.00 100 949.00 437,740 51,947,525.00 558,500 10,311,974.00 724,360 2,037,123,720.00 11,989,000 8,032,710.00 371,529,000 456,721,800.00 6,197,500 229,334,830.00 3,225,090 239,546,292.00 18,544,300 177,959,165.00 5,954,000 3,860,170.00 5,000 8,550.00 7,080,500 37,362,814.00 780,000 250,400.00 5,169,000 9,716,530.00 MINING & OIL 1,856,000,000 9,355,900.00 650,000 1,743,560.00 1,527,000 9,905,820.00 400 4,488.00 490,000 113,490.00 1,000 6,880.00 26,455,000 25,201,560.00 1,577,000 1,242,120.00 13,300 92,980.00 142,657,000 233,805,910.00 2,060,000 645,250.00 12,790,000 2,850,740.00 4,590,000 1,040,990.00 292,600,000 3,806,200.00 53,700,000 751,800.00 4,951,000 15,551,020.00 13,601,300 315,336,670.00 6,578,000 25,219,330.00 310,000 187,060.00 984,000 2,015,830.00 10,600,000 117,300.00 300,000 3,600.00 133,000 571,850.00 2,707,800 16,530,133.00 16,162,000 29,595,240.00 128,200,000 1,799,300.00 2,555,570 365,966,941.00 2,124,900 22,708,906.00 2,300,000 22,200.00 PREFERRED 816,830 50,922,692.00 11,500 6,045,600.00 2,570 1,365,865 500 52,750.00 17,900 2,113,625.00 13,590 7,077,680.00 90,200 578,290.00 1,154,000 1,258,460 29,590 3,294,805.00 20,000 21,600,000.00 4,965 5,702,465.00 16,520 17,395,450.00 750,260 56,425,377.50 90,450 7,678,160.00 719,700 64,007,702.00 4,000 8,000.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 1,038,000 3,894,740.00 SME 5,655,000 56,887,977.00 25,900 166,477.00 2,490 155,919.50 9,137,200 102,501,040.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 115,790 14,204,818.00

JUNE 22-26, 2015 Volume Value

1.85 1.30 5.00 4.92

44,260,000 1,853,000 29,600 183,298,000

82,223,190.00 2,432,140.00 148,427.00 921,168,438.00

0.112 0.4400 23.50 7.17 28.50 1.72 3.35 19.96 0.75 7.19 0.820 6.300

5,580,000 210,000 700 31,900 15,369,100 417,000 192,000 89,716,500 2,256,000 8,800 1,031,000 80,377,400

631,520.00 92,450.00 16,470.00 230,360.00 427,983,175.00 709,260.00 635,540.00 1,785,442,906.00 1,668,820.00 61,096.00 875,420.00 525,716,264.00

6.25 62.4 1.13 0.630 13

209,700 64,800 1,912,000 2,455,000 520,700

1,305,899.00 4,008,125.50 2,293,780.00 1,567,400.00 6,692,130.00

8.78 0.0920 3.98 86.1 10 1.68 6.66 960 2574 6.59 17.02 1.34 111

45,191,227 15,380,000 4,010,000 1,634,390 44,200 110,000 37,700 5,060 264,475 1,296,900 9,200 433,000 3,390,310

253,189,111.00 1,391,980.00 15,934,010.00 140,014,169.50 436,620.00 184,800 243,172.00 4,711,430.00 684,081,110.00 8,400,251.00 188,223.00 541,830.00 377,899,031.00

11.88 0.011 0.210 1.3100 2.2 9.20 2.80 1.24 2.01 48.90 0.650 2 5.64 0.350 0.480 18.08 4.88 3

27,100 227,700,000 27,700,000 1,018,000 4,000 1,012,700 1,603,000 41,000 477,000 4,500 263,000 612,000 21,685,200 310,000 415,000 6,900 60,000 13,000

313,346.00 2,561,800.00 5,842,430.00 1,314,160.00 8,800.00 9,330,105.00 4,524,260.00 55,890.00 957,570.00 210,685.00 173,310.00 1,222,770.00 131,196,025.00 98,550.00 194,380.00 106,808.00 274,800 39,000.00

124.00 18.90 2842.00 0.690 1.240 37.15 74.00 9.56 0.66 1.75 5.29 0.330 1.600

173,110 637,000 640,400 42,192,000 296,719,000 8,377,400 8,950,300 4,660,000 10,771,000 91,000 12,823,000 930,000 1,077,000

21,410,101.00 11,975,980.00 1,818,848,470.00 29,678,710.00 365,160,070.00 312,645,010.00 663,836,107.00 42,385,531.00 7,031,750.00 156,390.00 67,798,641.00 307,150.00 1,726,260.00

0.0054 2.55 6.58 11.38 0.245 6.8000 0.94 0.8 6.98 1.63 0.315 0.227 0.237 0.0140 0.0140 3.49 24.45 3.87 0.5800 2.0900 0.0120 0.0120 4.31 6.09 1.98 0.015 142.50 10.8 0.0091

2,188,000,000 84,000 3,996,100 75,400 235,000 16,600 2,048,000 19,442,000 35,700 69,669,000 1,880,000 26,040,000 2,630,000 265,500,000 185,200,000 1,153,000 11,092,600 9,151,000 391,000 789,000 39,500,000 5,300,000 69,000 6,456,900 7,002,000 43,600,000 1,752,000 779,600 2,800,000

11,767,800.00 214,400.00 26,731,638.00 867,346.00 88,670.00 116,160.00 1,925,590.00 15,699,510.00 242,819.00 115,041,110.00 595,650.00 5,893,500.00 611,440.00 3,749,800.00 2,592,600.00 3,963,210.00 170,921,905.00 35,010,920.00 252,080.00 1,634,360.00 436,000.00 63,600.00 297,540.00 39,675,669.00 13,927,550.00 638,700.00 249,934,516.00 8,428,306.00 27,640.00

62.75 525 532

1,486,540 8,960 72,450

92,767,971.50 4,703,560.00 38,411,860

120 530 6.45 1.1 110.5 1057 1149 1058 75.25 84 89

15,370 3,500 108,300 1,917,000 114,790 55 8,045 17,810 876,620 88,610 554,030

1,847,730.00 1,853,000.00 673,100.00 2,146,920 12,732,185.00 58,130.00 9,243,660.00 18,748,010.00 66,029,860.50 7,496,431.00 49,336,138.00

3.750

234,000

885,870.00

10.32 5.51 67 10.92

13,501,900 8,700 1,310 3,388,100

139,794,861.00 48,235.00 85,378.50 37,275,650.00

123.7

181,590

22,446,353.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Premium Leisure Manila Mining `A’ Ferronickel Megaworld Corp.

Philodrill Corp. `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Filinvest Land,Inc. Prime Orion Island Info

VOLUME 1,856,000,000 371,529,000 292,600,000 142,657,000 135,049,000 128,200,000 127,492,000 118,916,000 113,085,000 92,330,000

STOCKS Universal Robina PLDT Common Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings SM Investments Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ Jollibee Foods Corp.

Globe Telecom Metrobank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc.

VALUE 2,717,978,478.00 2,037,123,720.00 2,024,367,945.00 1,746,354,705.00 1,617,304,965.00 1,470,061,670.00 1,339,579,805.00 1,219,720,850.00 1,208,273,425.00 1,116,892,345.00

MONDAY: JULY 6, 2015

B3

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

1890 Holdings pampers workers with travel tours EVERYONE who read a recent news about a Chinese billionaire rewarding half of his employees, or about 6,400, with a holiday trip to France, must have felt amazed by the generosity of Li Jinyuan, owner of the Tiens Group Company.

That, however, is not something new to employees of Philippinebased real estate developer 8990 Holdings Inc., which has been sending all its 300 employees abroad for their annual holiday trip.

From the president all the way down to the security guards, drivers and janitors, employees of 8990 Holdings from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are included in the once-a-year all-expensepaid holiday trip.

8990 Holdings president Jesus Januario Atencio said the company had been giving the incentive to all employees for the past several years, as they helped the company achieved its aggressive sales targets.

The only time that they did not go out of the country was in 2014, when 8990 Holdings went public. While the busy schedules did not permit the company to hold its annual holiday trip, the incentive was converted into cash instead.

Over the past four years, some 300 employees of 8990 Holdings’ employees had travelled to Hong Kong, China and Singapore. This year, they enjoyed a three-day trip to Malaysia.

Atencio said 8990 Holdings employees were already planning for next year’s trip, but this would depend on the company hitting the P10-billion sales target for 2015. Atencio said the company and its employees would try very hard to achieve the target.

On where they will travel next year, 8990 Holdings employees may start greeting each other “konnichiwa”.

PLDT negotiating with content maker

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. said it is in talks with a US-based content provider as it sees rapid growth in subscription video-on-demand or SVOD services in the Philippines.

“I just came from the US to talk to someone there,” PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan said, when asked if the company was in talks with other content providers.

Pangilinan earlier said he was looking at investing in 10 Internet related-companies in Asia, Europe and the US. “We have a healthy list of investment opportunities in the Internet. It’s a whole range of Internet possibilities,” Pangilinan said.

PLDT recently invested $15 million in iFlix, an Internet TV provider in Southeast Asia. The company also invested 333 million euros or about P19.66 billion for a 6.1-percent stake in Rocket

Internet, the owner of Zalora, Lazada, Carmudi, Lamudi and Easy Taxi.

“Consumer viewing habits are going through a major shift towards online video, including video on demand. Our partnership with iFlix places us in an excellent position to meet that demand through a very affordable, high quality video on demand subscription service,” PLDT and Smart Communications president and chief executive Napoleon Nazareno said.

A recent report on the global OTT TV and video forecasts by Digital TV Research showed the number of homes globally with SVOD subscriptions would rise

by 485 percent from 20 million in 2010 to about 120 million by end-2015.

By 2020, the total number is expected to reach 250 million, up by over 1000 percent from 2010.

“The Philippines is moving in line with global trends. With iFlix, PLDT and Smart can offer the widest library of video content to more Filipino homes when and where they want it.

Our subscribers can access and enjoy more than 11,000 hours of TV and movie entertainment from the best content providers around the world,” PLDT executive vice president and group head of consumer business Ariel Fermin said.

“All this video content can be viewed at home or on the move – using their TV screens, desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones at very affordable monthly rates that start at P99 per month. It is offered exclusively to PLDT Home and Smart subscribers nationwide,” he said.

Singaporeans deny selling out of Alliance

It appears that the year-long dispute among shareholders of tuna exporter Alliance Select Foods International Inc. will not be resolved soon, contrary to what was reported in this space on June 29, 2015.

A group of Singaporean investors wrote to deny that they would sell their shares in Alliance Select to the Dee family and another major investor, Strongoak Inc. Minority shareholders of Bondeast Private Ltd., Victory Fund Ltd. and Harvest All Investment Ltd. said they would not end their campaign to install good governance and transparency and sell-out to controlling interests in the company.

Albert Hong Hin-Kay and Hedy Chua jointly issued a statement to categorically deny that minority shareholders in Alliance based in Singapore were not in any manner “now considering the possibility of selling shares to the Dee family and another major shareholder, Strongoak, Inc.” They also denied that “the parties were now looking at hiring a third party group that would make an independent valuation on the shares.”

“While it may apply to interests that are in de-facto control of Alliance or the other respondents against whom these minority shareholders have been constrained to pursue criminal and derivative cases on behalf and for the benefit of the company, it is certainly not true of the minority shareholders represented by Dr. Hong and Ms. Chua,” they said.

The Singaporean investors said despite already having been diluted and being under threat of being diluted even further by an increase in capital stock, the would “continue their fight for good governance, transparency and sound management at Alliance.”

Roderick T. dela Cruz

ChinaBank Tower gets more tenants

China Banking Corp., one of the country’s largest lenders, expects its corporate center in Cebu City to enjoy a 100-percent occupancy rate by the end of the year, an indication of Cebu’s vibrant economy and the continued growth of the business process outsourcing sector.

The bank inaugurated the Cebu Business Center in December 2014 and offered the space to potential business process outsourcing locators. A bank source said the establishment was “around 50 percent occupied or reserved,” as of end-June 2015.

“So there is a chance that more will come before the year ends and the target could be met,” the source said.

The 17-story building is located at the heart of Cebu Business Park.

It was originally planned to house China Bank’s two-story business center which was opened in 2009. But later on, the bank’s management decided to expand it to 17 floors and lease out space to BPO companies.

The China Bank Corporate Center has a gross floor area of 15,895 square meters and near the SM and Ayala Malls in the Cebu Business Park.

The building, accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, was designed and constructed with high-end finishes and a range of tenant amenities to cater to BPO companies. Julito G. Rada

Nestle expo.

Nestle Philippines Inc. joined the celebration of Nutrition Month in the country by organizing the 2015 Nestle Wellness Export, which aims to focus on the importance of a healthy breakfast at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. Shown during a news briefing are (from left) Nestle director of communication and marketing services Paolo Mercado, chairman and chief executive Suresh Narayanan and head of corporate wellness Leslie Go-Alcantara. LINO SANTOS

Greek crisis seen affecting local market

By Jenniffer B. Austria SHARE prices at the Philippine Stock Exchange are expected to move sideways this week, on volatile trading brought about by the debt crisis in Greece, analysts said over the weekend.

“We expect further volatility this week, as sentiment ebbs and flows on Greece. While the local economy’s exposure to the crisis is nil, concerns of regional spillover, especially on trade, could curb investors’ risk appetite,” F. Yap Securities investment analyst Jason Escartin said.

“Moreover, foreign investors’ selling has pulled gauges from historic highs, prompting share buybacks among local firms,” he

said.

Investors would also watch out for the release of US Federal Reserve’s minutes on July 9, as this will provide investors clues on the magnitude and timing of an interest rate hike that might happen in September.

Data showed that since the start of the year, foreign investors remained net buyers of P16.5 billion as of end-June.

“This does not necessarily spell further declines, partly since listed firms have stepped in to support valuations with share buybacks,” Escartin said.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index last week closed at 7,535.30 on Friday, down 1.1 percent from the pre-

vious week’s finish, as investors hunted for leads in preparation for a weekend of Greek bailout referendum.

All major subindices ended in the red, led by mining and oil (-1.86 percent), holdings firms (-1.48 percent) and financials (-1.16 percent).

Data showed the PSEi was still up by 4.21 percent since the start of the year.

Overseas investors were net buyers last week by P291 million as total foreign buying reached P18.4 billion while foreign selling amounted to P18.11 billion.

Average daily turnover improved to P7.15 billion from the previous week’s average of P6.3 billion.

B4 IN BRIEF May factory output up

FACTORY output in May likely increased 3.5 percent from a 1.4-percent growth in April due mainly to the stronger demand for locallymade products abroad, Moody’s Analytics, a division of Moody’s Corp., said in a report over the weekend.

“Industrial production in the Philippines likely enjoyed a partial rebound in May, after sharply cooling to 1.4 percent y/y in April,” Moody’s said.

“Oil prices finding a floor has helped chemical production, while improvements in US demand are lifting manufacturing,” Moody’s said.

It said prospects in the coming months looked bright as higher government spending would lift domestic demand and, in turn, food production, the highest component of the survey.

The manufacturing sector’s volume of production index in april slightly rose 1.4 percent, lower than the 16.1-percent expansion in March and the 10.8-percent growth a year ago. Julito G. Rada

1890 bullish on Davao Mactan modernization. Mactan Cebu International Airport has selected Rockwell Collins’ ARINC airport solutions to improve passengers’ travel experiences. The airport is currently using ARINC vMUSE™ common-use passenger processing system as well as ARINC SelfServ™ common-use self-service kiosks (inset photo), and will soon implement many of the company’s other solutions, including ARINC AirVue™ flight information display system (main photo), AirDB 7™, the latest generation ARINC airport operational database system and ARINC BagLink™, a baggage messaging server.

Rockwell Collins has teamed with Gunnebo AB to streamline the entire check-in process by implementing ARINC™ Veri Paxon Gunnebo Security Group automated gates. The gates will validate passenger flight details, enhancing security at the airport.

Greek woes spare remittances—BSP

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the debt crisis in Greece will not affect the flow of remittances into the country because the financially-troubled European nation is not a primary source of money sent home by Filipinos working overseas.

“When it comes to remittances, Greece is not a major source of remittances. And most of the overseas Filipino workers [there] are seafarers in vessels that are of Greek registry.

But this means that these companies are servicing not only Greece but also other coun-

tries,” Tetangco said at the sidelines of a book launch held at the Bangko Sentral over the weekend.

Remittances fuel private consumption and is one of the backbones of economic growth.

Cash remittances last year posted a recordhigh $24.308 billion, up 5.8 percent from $22.968 billion in 2013. The figure accounted for 8.5 percent of the gross domestic product in 2014.

Tetangco said in a number of cases where the prospects for remittances might be affected by certain developments in specific countries, Filipinos have always found a way to look for other jobs in neighboring countries.

“So we see no significant impact in remittances. But we continue to watch all of these developments and assess whether there will be an impact on us. Right now, we see that the impact will most likely be on contagion in the

financial markets,” Tetangco said.

He said local monetary authorities would monitor how the different markets were responding or reacting to the latest developments in Greece.

“What is going to be crucial is the result of the referendum that is scheduled to be on Sunday. We have to assess, just like the other countries, how it will affect the talks between the European government and Greece--the European government and the other creditors on one hand, and Greece on the other hand,” Tetangco said.

Latest Bangko Sentral data showed money sent home by Filipinos working overseas in April grew 5.1 percent to $2.015 billion from $1.918 billion a year ago, driven by sustained demand for local skilled workers abroad.

The figure brought cash remittances in the first four months to $7.807 billion, up 5.4 percent from $7.409 billion on year.

DAVAO CITY--D8990 Holdings Inc., a leading mass housing developer in the country, acquired another 100 hectares in this city that will potentially raise P6.5 billion in revenues.

8990 Holdings president Jesus Januari Atencio said in an interview at the sidelines of the Davao leg of the company’s domestic roadshow for a planned P9-billion bond offering it bought a property in Toril, Davao, the company would build some 6,500 housing units in the area.

Atencio said the company would generate as much as P6.5 billion in sales at an average of P1 million per unit. This will be the fifth residential development of 8990 Holdings in Davao after successfully launching projects in Mintal, Cabantian, Indangan and Tigatto. Jenniffer B. Austria

Sardines makers eyed

THE Trade Department is looking at a possible profiteering case against sardines processors, after the price of tin declined 21 percent in 2015 and 13 percent in 2014.

Tin can approximately comprises about 16 percent of the production cost of a can of sardines.

“We are still computing the impact of tin to tin can and its impact to the cost of producing a can of sardines,” a Trade official said over the weekend.

Canned sardines are among basic goods that the Trade Department is aggressively monitoring.

The Trade Department and the National Bureau of Investigation recently launched the probe on the price of bread products after prices of world wheat declined due to a bumper harvest since 2014. Othel V. Campos

New government needs energy plan to avert another power crisis ENERGY experts and government regulators have presented plausible solutions to the looming energy shortage during the Stratbase ADR Institute Energy Forum held recently.

Victor Andres Manhit, president of Stratbase ADRI, cited the need for an energy reform agenda that would reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel and maximize the local energy supply without harming the environment.

“Not only is the cost of electricity here among the highest

in Asia, supply has always been verging on inadequate, especially in some parts of the country,” Manhit said.

“Inadequate energy resources pose a binding constraint to the country’s sustained economic growth. The unmet demand also translates into higher power costs and brownouts. Strategies must be implemented to augment the country’s energy supply in the future.” he said.

Carlos Primo David, ADRI trustee who led the roundtable discussion, said rotating brown-

outs of up to 12 hours in Mindanao, the country’s second largest island, had been a regular occurrence since 2010 due to rising demand.

Meanwhile, the supply of the Malamapaya natural gas field, a major source of fuel for power plants, is projected to run out by 2030. “This will be a major blow to the energy sector landscape as it roughly provides 40 percent to 45 percent of the Luzon grid’s current power requirements, or about 15 percent of the total power demand of

the country,” David said.

Participants stressed the prospects and challenges of adopting a balanced mix of fossil fuelbased and local renewable energy sources as a viable strategy for a stable, environment friendly and affordable energy supply.

Jose Alejandro, director for energy and power at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said the chamber had been pushing for the review of the rules of the Wholesale Electricity Sport Market amid the short supply regime. The review

aimed to develop a clear, measurable program and milestones on how to reach a competitive level in power pricing, he said.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, the biggest rated polluter [10] is transportation, followed by agricultural waste at about 5 out 6 and energy at level 3 or 4. The Philippines has the lowest per capita use of energy in the region and therefore curtailing or conserving energy use would have minimal effects unless it is addressed to the large consumers,” said Alejandro.

M O N D AY : J U LY 6 , 2 0 1 5

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

B5

Iloilo’s role in history THE town of Sta. Barbara in Iloilo City took center stage during the 117th anniversary of our proclamation of independence, with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III leading the celebrations.

It was the firs time for the annual commemoration to be held in the town where the Philippine flag was raised in 1898 to inaugurate the provisional revolutionary government of the Visayas – a fact that not many Filipinos are aware of. The vin d’ honneur was held at the ballroom of the Casa Real de Iloilo on historic General Luna Street – the first time this tradition was held outside of Malacañang Palace.

Much of the credit should go to Senate President Franklin Drilon who worked hard for the milestone event to happen in the city of his birth and make it a success. He told me about the preparations that were made such as the cleanup and restoration efforts of the Iloilo River and the Esplanade project. Because of the laser-like focus of Drilon, the Iloilo River is now one of the cleanest rivers (perhaps we should ask him to train his sight on Pasig River).

Drilon lobbied hard for Iloilo to host the upcoming APEC meetings – and one could see the city is ready for the international stage judging from the impressive, spanking new Iloilo International Airport. The recently widened roads leading to the city proper made travel almost seamless – a refreshing change from the chaos and traffic that has become daily fare in Metro Manila.

The remarkable progress that we’ve seen happen in Iloilo City is proof that political will, dogged determination and of course close consultation and coordination with the local government can get things done. Kudos to mayor Jed Mabilog and governor Arthur Defensor who turned what was once an almost impossible task into reality. Clearly, the transformation of Iloilo is proof that good governance will ultimately lead to the betterment of people’s live.

President Benigno S. Aquino III offers the traditional toast to guests during the vin d’ honneur. (Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Aquino greets Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua who was one of the guests during the vin d’ honneur. (Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

This columnist is flanked by Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Senate President Franklin Drilon during the vin d’ honneur. With us are Supreme Court Justice Francis Jardeleza, Rep. Jerry P. Treñas (lone district of Iloilo City), and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr.

President Aquino leads the celebrations of the 117th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence during the flag raising ceremony at the Santa Barbara Plaza. With him are Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. (Marcelino Pascua / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the commemoration of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence (Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MONDAY: JULY 6, 2015

B6

BUSINESS business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

Chancellor’s inaugural speech I COME before you today, humbled yet ready, to be enDR. GERARDO trusted with the JANAIRO important task of leading our great university as its fifth Chancellor. It is a daunting task, as we face the uncertainties of the K to 12 transition and the opportunities provided by the Asean integration. As we prepare to meet these challenges head-on, it is but important to take stock from the wellspring of Catholic and Lasallian tradition from which we draw our strength as a university.

Be present to young people As the late Br. Luke Salm of Manhattan College explained, “it was well known that the Christian Schools of De La Salle and his Brothers provided a quality education . . . But the Founder also wanted his schools to have a distinctive quality derived from the Christian tradition and centered on the person and message of Jesus Christ.

For that reason, no school, not even an institution of higher learning, could claim to inherit the Lasallian tradition if it were to neglect the religious development of its maturing students. In France, even today, the word Christian means Roman Catholic . . . [Lasallian institutions] now attract an increasing number of students of other faiths, or no faith at all. There is reason to hope that the tradition of the Christian schools can still propose ultimate human, ethical, and religious values to our students of whatever religious persuasion.” As Pope Francis extolled us during his recent papal visit, “Be present to young people who may be confused and despondent, yet continue to see the Church as their friend on the journey and a source of hope.”

It is from these Catholic and Lasallian traditions that we emphasize “communion in mission.” The spirit of community recalls the dynamic association by which the first Christian Brothers worked together and by association–to touch hearts, teach minds, and transform lives.

It is with this spirit that I would like to bring the university administration closer to the entire Lasallian community. Br. Luke emphasized that “this aspect of the Lasallian tradition ought to be pervasive enough to transform an impersonal education institution into an authentic community where persons meet persons, where mind speaks to mind and heart speaks to heart, where the learning experience is shared with persons who can call each other friends.” Let us not run the university by checklist. Policies should facilitate creativity and discovery of new knowledge; and enable the faculty and students to achieve excellence, never to constrain them. Let us stop throwing roadblocks at excellence.

The challenges of K to 12 In this light, we are preparing some initiatives to meet the challenges of the K to 12 transition and the implementation of the new General Education curriculum. These initiatives will be discussed in a separate forum with the Deans and Chairs. But allow me to assure you that through these initiatives, no full-time or permanent employee of the University will be put at a disadvantage. We will also continue to ensure the seamless integration of our Science and Technology campus and fast-track its development into the hub of the “next big idea.” We are ready to roll out the Lasallian Roadmap to the Asean Community to help transition our university into the Asean Community. We will strive to increase our competitiveness in the region and in the world.

In preparation for the challenges ahead of us, we must utilize all our available resources as efficiently and effectively as possible. We will implement prudent budgeting in which resources will be concentrated to achieve our key strategic targets and apply austerity measures to non-essential items. We will also address the problem of underspending in key strategic items. We will craft a dynamic budget ready to address the needs of a 21st century millennial university.

Make a difference Inspired by our logo of the Lasallian star, let me close with a story

by Loren Eiseley, There was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing.

One day as he was walking along the shore, he saw a young man picking up starfish and throwing it back gently into the ocean. The wise man asked, “why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?”

The young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out.

And if I don’t throw them in they’ll die.”

“But, young man, don’t you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can’t possibly make a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, “It made a difference for that one.”

My fellow Lasallians, let us all make a difference!

Thank you very much and a pleasant afternoon to all. Animo La Salle!

GREEN LIGHT

Dr. Gerardo Janairo was inaugurated as the 5th Chancellor of De La Salle University on June 30, 2015. This was his inaugural speech. He can be reached at gerardo.jainairo@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of De La Salle University, its faculty, and its administrators.

SSS in Alabang. The Social Security System opened its third branch in Muntinlupa City at Estrellita Bldg., Tierra Nueva Commercial Complex along Alabang-Zapote Road in Alabang. SSS Alabang-Zapaote Branch serves around 40,000 employees and 5,000 employers in the areas of Ayala Alabang, Cupang, Sucat and Almanza-Uno. Shown cutting the ribbon are Estrellita Realty and Development Corporation vice president Estrellita Santiago, Muntinlupa vice mayor Artemio Simundac and SSS president and chief executive Emilio de Quiros Jr.

MWSS disqualifies Kaliwa dam bidders

By Jenniffer B. Austria

STATE-RUN Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System will conduct another round of bidding for the P18.72-billion New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam project, after the companies that earlier submitted pre-qualification documents were disqualified.

MWSS said in a notice published on its Web site the bid documents, including information memorandum and instructions to prospective bidders would be made available on July 6 to Sept.

15, 2015 for a non-refundable fee of P250,000.

Only entitles that purchased bid documents would be allowed to participate in the pre-qualification process. Submission of bids was set on Sept. 16, 2015.

MWSS in August last year published an invitation to pre-qualify and bid for the Kaliwa Dam project.

Eight bidders submitted prequalification documents for the project, including Prime Metroline Holdings Inc., San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, Obrascon Huarte Lain S.A., Abengoa Abeinsa Business Development, DM Consunji Inc., San Miguel Holdings Corp., Filinvest Development Corp. and Megawide Construction Corp.

MWSS sources said all prospective bidders were disqualified due to non-compliance with prequalification requirements.

The NCWS project involves the

financing, design, and construction of an additional raw water supply source with a design capacity of 600 million liter per day through the commissioning of the Kaliwa Dam, including intake facilities and other pertinent facilities.

The NCWS project aims to increase Metro Manila’s raw water supply to meet future potable water demand and serve as another water source aside from the Angat Dam Reservoir.

Also part of the project is a water conveyance system with a design capacity of 2,400 MLD, in anticipation of additional inflows from Laiban Dam which is upstream of the Kaliwa Dam. Under the plan, the private partner will be responsible for the financing, detailed design and construction of the Kaliwa Dam, the intake facilities, other pertinent facilities and a water conveyance tunnel.

SkyCable’s satellite service opposed

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Multimedia Systems Inc., the operator of Dream Satellite TV, is blocking the entry of Sky Cable Inc. into satellite pay TV service.

PMSI vice president for finance Paulene Sarmiento said in a filing with the National Telecommunications Commission the entry of Sky Cable in the direct-to-home industry would make it more difficult for existing providers that had been incurring losses.

Sarmiento said direct-to-home TV players were expected to continue losing in the next two to three years as “competition becomes tougher, more so with the high possibility of Sky Cable’s en-

try into direct-to-home industry.”

Sky Cable said earlier it planned to spend P252 million for the rollout of direct broadcast satellite service across 251 cities and municipalities.

Sarmiento said net losses of Dream TV had accumulated to P1.1 billion from 2009 to 2013, due to slow subscriber buildup and declining average revenue per subscriber, which prevented the company from attaining its break-even sales revenues.

Dream’s subscriber base was below 100,000.

Cignal TV, meanwhile, incurred a net loss of P4.5 billion from 2009 to 2013. It had about 844,000 subscribers as of endMarch this year.

Global Broadcasting and Multi-Media Inc., the operator of GSat, also recorded net losses of P173 million from 2009 to 2013.

“Competition for the pay TV remains to be tough. DTH players are positioned to sell their subscriber hardware at a price below acquisition costs to eliminate the high hurdle entry cost of subscribers for DTH service as compared to cable TV,” Sarmiento said.

She said with the slow economic growth in the Philippines, the preference of subscribers to low subscription rates would continue to take a toll on the DTH players.

“Both of these factors shall translate to a longer investment recovery for the DTH players,”

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

THE SUPPLEMENT AGREEMENT

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE ENERGY SUPPLY AGREEMENT BETWEEN BUKIDNON SECOND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BUSECO) AND THERMA MARINE, INC. (TMI), WITH MOTION FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND MOTION FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION ERC CASE NO. 2015-096RC BUKIDNON SECOND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BUSECO) AND THERMA MARINE, INC. (TMI), Applicants.

10. Additional Term. The Supplement to the ESA provides that the ESA shall remain in force for an additional period of three (3) years from the expiration of the Original Term, commencing on May 18, 2015 and shall terminate on May 18 , 2018 unless either Party sends a written notice of pre-termination to the other Party at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of each contract year. The Supplement to the ESA further provides that it may be terminated effective on the Operations Effective Date defined in the Energy Supply Agreement between BUSECO and Therma South, Inc. (“TSI”) covering the supply of power from the coal-fired power plant of TSI or, if Operations Effective Date of the power plant of TSI has not yet occurred by the end of the Additional Term, the ESA shall be automatically renewed on a year-to-year basis, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the provisions of the ESA. Upon expiration of the Additional Term, and any extensions thereof, the Parties may agree to further extend the term of the Agreement under the same terms and conditions of the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement;

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on May 14, 2015, Bukidnon Second Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BUSECO) and Therma Marine, Inc. (TMI) filed a joint application for the approval of their Supplement to the Energy Supply Agreement, with motion for provisional authority and motion for confidential treatment of information.

In the said joint application, BUSECO and TMI alleged, among others, the following:

2.

BUSECO is a non-stock, non-profit electric cooperative, organized and existing under and by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 269, as amended, with principal address at Poblacion, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. It holds an exclusive franchise issued by the National Electrification Commission to operate an electric light and power distribution service in the City of Malaybalay and the Municipalities of Baungon, Cabanglasan, Impasug-ong, Lantapan, Libona, Malitbog, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao and Talakag, and in Barangay Lilingayon of Valencia City, all in the Province of Bukidnon (Franchise Area); TMI is a generation company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal office address in Mobile 2, Lawis, Sta. Ana, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.

Copies of TMI’s Securities and Exchange Commission Certificate of Registration, Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, General Information Sheet and Audited Financial Statements are attached to the joint application as Annexes “A”, “B”, “C” and “D,” respectively; 2.1

TMI owns and operates the 100 MW Power Barge No. 117 (PB 117) in Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte and the 100 MW Power Barge No. 118 (PB 118) in Maco, Compostela Valley, which it acquired from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) upon their privatization in accordance with Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA); and

2.2

TMI is joining BUSECO as co-applicant in this case in order to assist it in securing approval of the terms and conditions of the Energy Supply Agreement dated October 7, 2011 (ESA),as supplemented by the Supplement to the Energy Supply Agreement dated March 27, 2015 (Supplement Agreement), entered into by and between BUSECO and TMI;

COMPLIANCE WITH PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 3.

4.

In compliance with the pre-filing requirements under Section 2, Rule 6 of the Commission’s Rules on Practice and Procedure, the applicants furnished copies of this Application together with all its annexes the legislative bodies of the Municipality of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon where its office is principally located, as well as the Provincial Board of the Province of Bukidnon, as evidenced by the certifications issued by the Legislative Bodies aforementioned, herewith attached as Annex “E”; Further, said applicants have caused the publication of the instant Application in the Gold Star Daily, a newspaper of general circulation in the franchise area of BUSECO, as evidenced by the Affidavit of Publication executed by the Editor, and original copy of the issue showing the published application, copies of which are attached hereto as Annexes “F” and “G”, respectively; NATURE OF THE APPLICATION

5.

The instant joint application seeks approval by the Commission of the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement, entered into by and between BUSECO and TMI, pursuant to Rule 20 (B) of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (ERC Rules).

6.1

On March 5, 2012, BUSECO entered into an ESA with TMI for the supply of 5 MW for a term of three (3) years from Effective Date (Original Term). The ESA was approved by the Commission in a Decision dated 26 November 2012 in ERC Case No. 2012-057 RC, with the following applicable rates:

Cost Component

Approved Rates

Capacity Fee (PhP/kW/month)

2012

278

2013

296

2014

323

2015 Fixed O&M Fee (PhP/kW/month)

a.

2016

2017

2018

323

305

287

268

250

FOM

PhP/kW/mo

314

314

314

314

314

EF

PhP/kWh

0.15245

0.15245

0.15245

0.15245

0.15245

HFCR

L/kWh

0.23580

0.23580

0.23580

0.23580

0.23580

LOCR

L/kWh

0.00240

0.00240

0.00240

0.00240

0.00240

11.1

Board of Investments (BOI) Certificate of Registration of TMI (Annex “M” of the joint application); Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to TMI (Annex “N” of the joint application); Certification by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) (Annex “O” of the joint application); Certificate of Compliance (COC) issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to TMI (Annex “P” of the joint application); Relevant Technical and Economic Characteristics of TMI’s Power Barges (Annex “Q” of the joint application); Sources of Funds/Financial Plans (Annex “R” of the joint application); Purchased Power Rate (Annex “S” of the joint application); Cash Flow (Annex “T” of the joint application); Financial Model (Annex “U”); Fuel Procurement Process of TMI (Annex “V” of the joint application); Letter from BUSECO to the NGCP regarding their Transmission Service Agreement (Annex “W” of the joint application);and Procurement Process of BUSECO (Annex “X” of the joint application);

b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l.

19. In further compliance with the requirements of the Commission, they considered BUSECO’s supply scenario. The Rate Impact Simulation based on these considerations is attached to the joint application as Annex “Y” and may be summarized as follows:

The formula for FC in item 2 (Contract Energy Fee per month) of Schedule III (Contract Energy Fee) of the ESA shall be deemed amended to read as follows:1

BUSECO’s Existing Generation Rate with TMI

Where: INSy

=

actual insurance cost for the two barges for the current year

INS1

=

PhP43,035,782.00 for the two barges, representing insurance cost included in the FOM

Total BC

=

Total Billing Capacity for the two barges under the existing energy supply agreements and existing ancillary service procurement agreements

11.2

BUSECO’s Generation Rate Upon Renewal of TMI Rate Impact

For calendar month m = 1, 2, ..., 12 = =

FC VC CF

= = =

FOM IFf BC INS

= = = =

Where: INSy

=

INS1

=

IFv

=

Inflation factor for Energy Fee

TotalBC

=

FLR EDm

= =

Total Billing Capacity for all Energy Supply Agreements entered into by Supplier which have achieved effectivity date and for the duration of such effectivity, as such terms and conditions are defined under the respective Energy Supply Agreements Fuel oil, lube oil and related fuel rate in Php/kWh The Sum of the hourly volumes of Contract Energy as found in the Contract Energy Schedule (or as revised by the Parties or by MSO/MSO RCC) for the Billing Period primarily associated with calendar month m (for example December 26-January 25 is associated with January) (and adjusted for transmission losses, if any, imputed by the transmission service provider if measured at a meter other than the Generator Metering Point), in kWh

Contract Energy Fee in Php Energy Fee (before adding the applicable VAT) for the Billing Period in Php/kWh Fixed charge per month in Pesos Variable charge per month in Pesos the Capacity fee in Php/kW/month for the current Contract Year Fixed O&M fee in Php/kW/month Inflation factor for fixed O&M fee Billing Capacity in kW or 5,000kW INSy‒ INS1 actual insurance cost for the two barges for the current year PhP43,035,782.00 for the two barges, representing insurance cost included in the FOM

b.

0.14864

Fuel and Lube Oil Rate

Pass thru cost based on fuel consumption rates of 0.2358 liter/kWh or actual, whichever is lower, for Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and 0.0024 liter/kWh or actual, whichever is lower, for Lube Oil (LO)

Details of BUSECO’s other ERC approved supply contracts are as follows:

SUPPLIER

CONTRACT CAPACITY

DATE OF EXECUTION OF SUPPLY CONTRACT

TERM

PSALM

6 MW (Depends on Availability)

26 December 2012

4 years

FDC MISAMIS

10 MW

26 December 2015

2 years

TSI

2MW

2015

25 years

It is expected that the energy requirements of BUSECO’s customers will significantly increase in the next few years as demonstrated by BUSECO’s Distribution Development Plan (DDP), and Historical and Forecasted Load Data, which is hereto attached as Annexes “J” and “K”, respectively;

8.

The expiration of the Contract for the Supply of Electric Energy with PSALM, as well as the projected increase in the energy requirements of BUSECO’s customers will result in a shortage of the energy available to it and its customers;

9.

On March 25, 2015, BUSECO and TMI executed the Supplement Agreement extending the term of the ESA for an additional period of three (3) years from the expiration of the term (Additional Term) and stipulating the rights and obligations of the Parties during the Additional Term, which shall be under the same terms and conditions of the ESA, subject to salient provisions described below. Copies of the Board Resolutions attesting to the authority of BUSECO to enter into the Supplement Agreement is attached as Annexes “L” and “L-1”; SALIENT PROVISIONS OF THE ESA AS SUPPLEMENTED BY

Mindanao Power Crisis. The power shortage in Mindanao has remained a critical problem for BUSECO, which continues to suffer rotating brownouts in the grid, with each outage lasting three to four (3-4) hours. A bilateral contract, such as the Supplement Agreement, will significantly aid BUSECO in minimizing the rotating brownouts in its franchise area to one to two (1-2) hours as well as limit the debilitating impact these outages have upon the local economy;

b.

Insufficiency of NPC/PSALM Supply. The reduction of the NPC/PSALM CSEE capacity from BUSECO’s portfolio renders imperative a bilateral supply contract to answer for the equivalent capacity, lest BUSECO be compelled to resort to the unpredictable and expectedly higher prices in the IMEM or worse, be curtailed for insufficient contracted capacity. Copies of the PSALM certification of insufficiency of supply and the letter of PSALM manifesting reduction of BUSECO CSEE are attached hereto as Annexes “Z” and “AA”,respectively; and

c.

Continuing Demand Growth. As illustrated in its DDP, BUSECO is expecting a growth in the total demand of its end-users so that, coupled with reduction of the NPC/PSALM capacity, there is a wide supply gap that urgently needs to be filled. Without the Supplement Agreement, BUSECO will be incapable of satisfying the electricity requirements of its end-users who must be forced to suffer brownouts resulting from its curtailment;

22. Under Section 13 of the ESA, each Party undertook to keep in strict confidence and not to disclose to any third party any and all Confidential Information of the other Party; 23. Under Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, the Commission may, upon request of a party and determination of the existence of conditions which would warrant such remedy, treat certain information submitted to it as confidential. Pursuant to its undertaking, BUSECO and TMI move that Annexes“R”, “S”, “T”, “U”, and “V” not be disclosed and be treated as confidential documents in accordance with Rule 4 of the ERC Rules and accordingly, not be disclosed to persons other than the officers and staff of the Commission, as necessary.

These documents contain certain non-public information, data and calculations involving business operations and financial trade secrets reflecting TMI’s investment and business calculations;

The Contract Energy Delivery days in a Billing Period are less the total number of days in the Billing Period (to adjust to first and last Billing Periods of the ESA); and

24. They submitted one (1) copy of Annexes“R”, “S”, “T”,“U” and “V” in a sealed envelope, with the envelope and each page of the document stamped with the word “Confidential”; and

The non-delivery days (or fraction thereof) in any Billing Period caused by Allowed Downtime described under Section 8 of the ESA. 11.3

a.

21. Considering the foregoing, they request the Commission for the provisional approval of the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement to enable BUSECO to draw under the said agreement. This will avoid the power interruptions which have caused irreversible losses upon economic productivity within its franchise area. The Affidavit in support of the prayer for the issuance of Provisional Authority i s a t t a c h e d t o t h e j o i n t a p p l i c a t i o n a s A n n ex “ B B ”;

The Fixed Charge (“FC”) shall be proportionately adjusted if: a.

25. They pray that the Commission: a.

Issue an Order treating Annexes “R”, “S”, “T”, “U”, and “V” and the information contained therein as confidential, directing their non-disclosure to persons other than the officers and staff of the Commission, pursuant to Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, and prescribing the guidelines for the protection thereof;

b.

Pending trial on the merits, provisionally approve the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement, effective May 18, 2015; and

c.

After trial on the merits, approve with finality the ESA, as supplemented by the Supplement Agreement, including the rates, Security Deposit and Application Costs which shall be for the account of BUSECO.

Finally, the base indices in Item 3 (Inflation Factor) of Schedule III (Contract Energy Fee) of the ESA shall be deemed amended to read as follows:3

PCPIb = Philippine CPI of 126.4 as of June 2011 UCPIb = US CPI of 225.722 as of June 2011 JCPIb = Japan CPI of 99.9 as of June 2011 10. Billing Capacity. In the event that TMI is required to reduce its installed capacity in order to remain compliant with Section 45 of the EPIRA, TMI shall have the right to reduce the Billing Capacity of BUSECO to the extent of the reduction required under Section 45 of the EPIRA, provided that, the reduction in the Billing Capacity of BUSECO shall not exceed its pro rata share in the total Billing Capacity of TMI in relation with other off takers of TMI;4 11. Contract Energy. Under the ESA, TMI shall make available, on a monthly basis, the capacity of 5 MW, to be delivered in accordance with the Schedule of Contract of Energy under the ESA; 12. Additional Energy. TMI may, at its option, make available to BUSECO such energy in excess of the contracted energy for which BUSECO shall be liable to pay the Additional Energy Fee consisting of variable and fixed charges pro-rated for the hours of delivery of the additional energy, subject to annual adjustments. The same formula for the Additional Energy Fee Rate under the ESA shall continue to be in effect; 13. Load Curtailment Adjustment. For Contract Energy subject of load curtailment, BUSECO shall pay the Load Curtailment Adjustment in lieu of the Capacity Fee component of the electricity fees. The same formula for the Load Curtailment Adjustment Rate under the ESA shall continue to be in effect; 14. Replacement Energy. TMI has the option but not the obligation to source replacement or alternative supply from its own back-up facility and/or any third party to supply all or part of the Contract Energy; 15. Security Deposit. No later than thirty (30) days before the commencement of the second (2nd) Contract Year and every year thereafter, BUSECO shall provide TMI a Renewal Security Deposit in the form of a Standby Letter of Credit in an amount equivalent to the estimated average one (1) month Invoice projected for the next twelve (12) months as agreed by TMI and BUSECO or, in case of disagreement, in an amount equal to the highest Invoice issued by TMI to BUSECO in the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the commencement of such Contract Year;5 16. Application Costs. The Supplement Agreement provides that BUSECO shall bear the costs of all filing fees, costs of publication, legal fees and similar costs arising from the preparation and filing of the instant application; 17. The extension of the Contract Term under the Supplement Agreement and the implementation thereof will redound to the benefit of BUSECO’s consumers which may otherwise be forced to bear the cost of 5 MW

4.7593 /kWh Php0.0316/kWh 6

20. They move for the issuance of a provisional approval of the Supplement Agreement, pending trial on the merits thereof, upon the following reasons:

Hence, the formula for Contract Energy Fee per Month as provided in the ESA shall be:2

Where: CEF EF

Php 4.7277 /kWh

MOTIONS FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION

ECPIb = EURO CPI of 113.10 as of June 2011

Energy Fee (PhP/kWh)

6.2

7.

305 239

2015

PhP/kW/mo

STATEMENT OF FACTS BUSECO currently sources its electricity requirements from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), and the remainder from FDC MISAMIS Power Corporation and TMI.

2014 CF

Copies of the ESA and the Supplement Agreement are attached to the joint application as Annexes “H” and “I”, respectively;

6.

SUBMISSIONS 18. In support of the instant application and in compliance with Rule 20 (B) of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, it submits the following additional documents:

11. Electricity Fees. Beginning on the expiration of the Original Term, the Electricity Fees shall be computed based on the following values:

x- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

1.

purchased from the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market (IMEM) or to suffer a corresponding amount of brownouts. In undertaking the extension of the ESA under the Supplement to the ESA, BUSECO seeks to comply with its obligation of providing stable and continuous power supply, pursuant to the Department Circular No. DC 2012-03004 dated March 19, 2012 of the Department of Energy (DOE);

The Commission has set the said application for jurisdictional hearing, pre-trial conference, expository presentation and evidentiary hearing on July 23, 2015 (Thursday) at nine o’ clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) at BUSECO’s Principal Office, Poblacion, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

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

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicants conclude the presentation of their evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

All such persons who may wish to have a copy of the application may request the applicants, prior to the date of the initial hearing, that they be furnished with a copy of the application. The applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making a request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs.

Likewise, any such person may examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the usual office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson, ZENAIDA G. CRUZDUCUT, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 22nd day of June, 2015 at Pasig City.

ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN LBB/NJS 1 2 3 4 5 6

Executive Director III

S u p p l e m e n t A g r e e m e n t , S e c t i o n 2 .1 ESA , Schedule III, Item 2, as amended by the Section 2 of the Supplement Agreement.

Supplement Agreement, Section 2.3.

Supplement Agreement, Clause 2.9 E S A , C l a u s e 6 .1. 2 , a s a m e n d e d b y S e c t i o n 2 . 4 o f t h e S u p p l e m e n t a l A g r e e m e n t .

The Applic ants note that if the PSA bet ween TMI and BUSECO is not renewed and taking into c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h e r e d u c e d c o n t r a c t e d c a p a c i t y w i t h N P C / P S A L M , t h e B U S E C O ’s m e m b e rc o n s u m e r a n d c u s t o m e r s w i l l b e e x p o s e d t o c o n s t a n t b r o w n o u t s l a s t i n g f o r t h r e e t o f o u r (3 - 4) hours each. ( T S - J U L . 6 & 13 , 2 015 )

M O N D AY : J U LY 6 , 2 0 1 5

B8

cesAr bArriOqUiNtO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Toasting Independence Day. KC and The Sunshine Band perform at A Capitol Fourth 2015 Independence Day concert at the US Capitol, West Lawn, on July 4 in Washington, DC. AFP

Greeks to decide euro future 27m tourists becoming a headache in Barcelona BARCELONA—Tourists are vital to Barcelona’s economy, but the 27 million people who visit each year have become a headache for the new mayor as she battles to save the iconic Spanish Mediterranean port from becoming a bland theme park.

“Tourists go home” is frequently found painted on the walls of buildings in the center of Spain’s second-largest city, which is struggling to cope with a surge in tourism that started when it hosted the Olympics in 1992.

The city of 1.6 million residents is now the third most visited in Europe after London and Paris, according to a 2013 study by Mastercard, and tourism contributes to 14 percent of Barcelona’s

economy.

The arrival of the summer tourist season highlights the problems of mass tourism: long snaking queues to visit buildings by modernist architect Antoni Gaudi, tour groups jamming the narrow streets of the Gothic quarter and crowded beaches with little room to put down a towel.

“Barcelona is at a crossroads.

If nothing is done, in 30 or 40 years it could become a Venice, a city completely specialized in tourism,” Francesc Munoz, a geography professor at Barcelona’s Autonomous University, told AFP. The dependence on tourism is already evident in some areas of the city, such as the tree-lined Ramblas avenue. AFP

ATHENS—Greeks voted Sunday in a tightly fought referendum on whether to accept worsening austerity in exchange for more bailout funds, or reject it in a gamble that could see it crash out of the euro.

Polling stations were open across the country of 11 million people— on far-flung Aegean islands, in the shadow of the 2,400-year-old Parthenon in Athens, to the northern border shared with fellow EU state Bulgaria.

The European Union and international investors were intently watching the poll, which was the biggest challenge to the European single currency since it came into being in 1999 and was adopted by Greece two years later.

The outcome was far from certain. Polls suggest the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps are neck-and-neck.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras insists a ‘No’ victory would strengthen his hand in negotiations with the country’s international creditors. But EU leaders

warn it would effectively be a vote to leave the 19-nation eurozone—a so-called “Grexit.”

Tsipras’s flamboyant finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, on Saturday accused Athens’s creditors of “terrorism” for trying to sow fear around the vote. He has pointed out that no legal mechanism exists to force Greece out of what is meant to be an “irreversible” monetary union.

As the sun rose in a clear summer sky on Sunday, young and old were already lining up to have their say in schools and university buildings transformed into polling stations. Voting was to close at 7:00pm (1600 GMT), with results expected hours later.

Dimitris Halatsis, a teacher, said it was “a crucial day” and he

was voting ‘No’ because “it’s the only chance the government and Greece have to apply pressure” on the creditors.

Michelis, an 80-year-old first through the doors of an elementary school being used for the vote on Skoufa street in central Athens, said he too was voting ‘No’ “because they’ll take us more seriously”.

In a room hung with children’s drawings and maps he said that he was “not voting for myself, but for my grandchildren” and their future.

Theodora, 61, a retired journalist, said she was voting ‘Yes’ because “it’s a ‘Yes’ to the European Union”.

Tsipras, a radical leftist who came to power in January, has staked his political career on the plebiscite.

The 40-year old was to vote in an elementary school in central Athens, just north of the Acropolis.

His bombshell decision last week to put the issue to a referendum stunned international creditors, who accused him of ruining five-months of intense bailout negotiations. AFP

Chinese stirring outrage in Thailand CHIANG RAI, Thailand— Accused of urinating in public, spitting on the street, or kicking a sacred temple bell—free-spending Chinese tourists are receiving a mixed welcome as their soaring numbers help the kingdom’s creaking economy.

Growing outrage over the perceived disrespect of visitors from the Asian giant saw authorities print thousands of Chineselanguage etiquette manuals earlier this year in a bid to keep their tourists in check.

Last month, it was a photo of a young girl peeing on the grounds

of Bangkok’s Grand Palace that triggered the latest round of enraged, and sometimes racist, comments as Thai social media users claimed she was Chinese.

In March, a Thai model’s video of tourists from China jumping the queue at an airport was viewed more than two million times and saw a similarly angry rant against Thailand’s largest group of foreign holidaymakers.

At the gleaming Wat Rong Khun, also known as the White Temple, in northern Chiang Rai province, owner Chalermchai Kositpipat complained about the

state of the toilets after a recent visit by a Chinese group.

“We had problems with some Chinese who defecated anywhere, so I asked the guides to explain to them that rules must be respected in Thailand,” Chalermchai told AFP, having earlier threatened to refuse the nationals entry.

But he stopped short of issuing a ban, and like Thai authorities is loath to cut out the Chinese at a time when they are bucking the trend of dipping visitor figures in the kingdom, where tourism accounts for 8.5 percent of the gross domestic product. AFP

Market day. Indian vegetable vendors sell their produce at a wholesale market in the old quarters of New Delhi on July 5. AFP

M O N D AY : J U LY 0 6 : 2 0 1 5

TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

E AT, DRINK , T R AV EL

LIFE

The wagyu and the French Charolais filet mignon; 95 percent of all SMITH’s meat is chilled, unadulterated by the freezing process.

C1

TEXT BY IZZY W. GONZALEZ PHOTOS BY SONNY ESPIRITU

THE MEAT OF THE MATTER

“S

smith is a craftsman,” Icy Mariñas told her staff before the dinner rush. “You know why we’re called SMITH? Because we take our craft, steak, very seriously.”

Five continents are represented on the menu, in terms of beef: USDA Prime Black Angus for North America, Argentinian beef for South America, Irish sirloin and French Charolais filet mignon for Europe, bone-in chops for Australia, and Japanese Matsusaka for Asia.

With those two sentences, Mariñas managed to condense the entire philosophy behind the culinary arts, and this same elegance in simplicity is woven throughout SMITH in its décor and its attention to detail. The restaurant is adorned with delightful accents of cow- and crocodile-hide, 18th century-style tufted benches, incandescent bulbs for heating lamps, and brass riveting in the warm burnished leather bar top amidst warm woods and sterile concrete.

Chef Steve Scudder of Bistro Mondo appeared almost giddy showing the aging room – even agreeing to show this writer the certificate of Matsusaka beef and the stamp on marbled fat that guaranteed its authenticity as being the real Moo-Coy. “Do you know what happens to this if it is left out of the chiller?” Scudder smiled, gingerly handling the stamp only by its vacuum-sealed packaging. “It would melt. Like butter.” Matsusaka beef, the main rival of Kobe and Omi beef in Japan, undergoes a lengthy process that includes sunlight baths, beer, regular massage, and afternoon walks for the meat to be considered Wagyu – or Japanese beef.

Meat has been intertwined with man since he was able to stand upright. Skeletal remains of a 1.5 million-year-old skull found recently support the case that eating meat helped the human species evolve large, complex brains. Furthermore, it is also posited that butchery has been around for 3.4 million years, despite animal husbandry being far younger.

“SMITH is dedicated to the craft of the butcher,” Chef Tom Hines explained, “clinically efficient, yet warm and familiar.” Much like how a side of beef is divided into the particular cuts you usually find in a cow, SMITH is greater than the sum of its parts. Separated into the deli, the bar, the raised dining area, the nook, the sunken dining area, and the aging room – a butcher couldn’t ask for a nicer Killing Floor. Beautiful form with industrial function, the entire restaurant simply exudes dominance. Like an alpha male or female, it commands attention rather than demands it.

But now to the meat of the matter: the meat. “Many deciding factors go into providing the best possible steak we can for our patrons. From the breed of the cow, its diet, its raising, its slaughter, transport, delivery, aging treatment and cooking, we are very particular about our meat,” said Hines.

An unsung provider of beef in this part of the world, the 45-day aged Irish sirloin has a bounce and a character to it that would not clash with a highball of Black Bush Irish Whisky or a heady pint of Guinness. The French Charolais filet mignon is marked by bold undertones of blood, sinew, and flesh – certainly a cut above the rest. USDA Prime Black Angus, the highest tier of most other restaurants’ offerings, could perhaps be termed as entrylevel fare at SMITH. The selling point of USDA Prime is the meat’s consistency and uniformity, and not flavor as compared to the other cuts on the SMITH block.

From left: The nook gives a nod to hedonism, with mounted busts of golden calves and luxurious tufted suede benches; Git along, little dogie: the sunken dining area that acts as a huge chefs table, right in front of the open kitchen. Not for the faint of heart.; The bar is not only well-stocked but well-endowed, a masculine display of leather, stone, brass, glass, and steel.

Chef Tom Hines against the graphic print of a bitchin’ bovine and posterised chops of meat, complete with marbling.

Starters such as the Carpaccio with kosher salt and shards of Manchego cheese might convince even the hardiest fan of welldone meat to try something a bit bluer. The Surf menu is also superbly executed; with Parma ham-encrusted scallops, Hawaiian tuna poke, scallop ceviché, and smoked oysters for the pescatarians among us.

All in all, SMITH blew all of this writers’ previous experiences of steak to smithereens – and she will keep singing their praises ‘til the cows come home.

USDA Prime Black Angus and Irish Sirloin: 45-day dryaged steaks are the height of this carnivore carnival.

M O N D AY : J U LY 0 6 : 2 0 1 5

C2

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

5 things you need to know about The Round Table

A

s an emerging foodie destination, Kapitolyo in Pasig is always abuzz with new restaurant openings. One of the latest to shake things up at the locale is The Round Table, a new dining concept described as “an all-you-can-eat tasting session.” Just what is it all about? Read on because we got you covered.

THE GIST

BY ED BIADO

1. The Round Table is named as such because the food is literally served on a round table. The concept was developed by owner and executive chef Mia Capay, a third-generation Katigbak epicure who just so happens to be a lawyer by education.

A true food lover, the US-trained chef brings her expertise and modern culinary ideas to the table at The Round Table.

2. For P295, diners get to sample all of the restaurant’s offerings buffet-style, which usually includes two meat dishes, a vegetable dish, pasta, rice, soup, finger foods

and dessert. But if you like their page on Facebook, which over 11,000 people already did, you get a special rate of only P199. This comes with a helping of their refreshing selfbrewed house-blend iced tea.

and Sunday are Freestyle, an opportunity for Chef Mia and her chefs to get creative and more experimental. Last weekend, they had a Fourth of July special with American favorites such as ribs and mac-and-cheese.

3. Each visit is a different gustatory experience because days are themed.

On Monday, they serve South American cuisine. Tuesday is Italian, Wednesday is Mongolian. Filipino Twist is on Thursday, during which their signature adobo cooked in mango puree and bagoong is available.

Friday is Roast Carving Day while Saturday

4. They serve a really mean roast beef, available on Roast Carving Fridays and Freestyle Sundays. Chef Mia says it takes two days to prepare because marinating and roasting are slow-burning processes. And believe me, that alone is worth paying P295 for. The meat melts in your mouth and the flavors are so hearty and comforting.

5. The restaurant has a seating capacity of only 25 but can hold as many as 30 hungry folks willing to squeeze. You can book the whole place for a two-hour all-you-can-eat party in the afternoon – provided that you pay for all 25 seats – between lunch and dinner services.

The Round Table is open everyday for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Find them on 56 C&D East Capitol Drive, Pasig.

RAINY DAY FOOD FAVE

7 tummy warmers for the colder months ahead (and where to find them)

T

BY BERNADETTE LUNAS

he rainy season is upon us again. And as we carry our umbrellas and dust off our parkas and rain boots, so begins our quest for comfort foods that will banish the blues and keep us warm when it’s cold outside.

1. Arroz Caldo (Chicken Rice Porridge)

A warm bowl of this hearty Filipino version of congee made with rice and chicken, and seasoned with onion and garlic is a perfect full meal for rainy days. A squeeze of calamansi, a generous topping of fried garlic and chopped onion leeks, and a slice of hard boiled egg add layers of flavor to arroz caldo. Best eaten with tokwa’t baboy (tofu and pork) Razon’s of Guagua

Where to find it: Razon’s of Guagua (SM North Edsa, SM Makati, SM Manila, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Magnolia, Greenbelt 1, McKinley Hill, UP Ayala Techno Hub); Casa Roces (San Miguel, Manila); Aracama Filipino Cuisine (Fort Bonifacio, Taguig)

2. Champorado (Sweet Chocolate Rice Porridge) This porridge, which originated from the Mexican drink champurrado, made of cocoa (or tablea) and glutinous rice is part of many Filipino childhoods.

Perfect warm or cold, champorado drizzled with milk is best enjoyed for either breakfast or mid-afternoon snack. Dilis or tuyo (salted dried fish) is the preferred side or toppings.

A cup of hot chocolate on a rainy day is like a warm hug for a weary soul. And while it’s easy to make one with ready-mix powder available at the supermarket in your neighborhood, nothing beats the rainy day bliss you get from curling up in bed with a good book while sipping a cup of hot choco made with love and premium cocoa.

Where to find it: Tsoko.Nut Batirol (SM Makati, Eastwood, The Venice Piazza); Xocolat (Loyola Heights, Quezon City); Cafe Cafe Mary Grace Mary Grace (Greenbelt, SM Aura Premier, Lucky Chinatown Mall); or make your own with native Malagos Chocolate (available in Davao and leading supermarkets nationwide)

5. Batchoy

A gift of La Paz, Iloilo City, this noodle soup is made with beef loin, pork innards, crushed pork cracklings (chicharon) and fresh egg noodles (miki). This filling and flavorful dish is perfect for lunch or dinner or as snack.

Where to find it: Deco’s (Alphaland Tower, Makati); Ted’s Oldtimer La Paz Batchoy (SM Mall of Asia); Bacolod Chicken House (Intramuros, Manila)

Deco’s

6. Bulalo (Beef Shank Soup)

A favorite beef dish for its light colored soup teeming with flavors from beef shank and bone marrow. It is said to have originated in Southern Luzon (Tagaytay, Cavite, and Batangas) and is one of the most favorite and famous main soup dishes in the Philippines, perfect with a bowl of rice or as a warm treat in itself.

Breakfast & Pies

Where to find it: Breakfast & Pies (Teacher’s Village, Quezon City); Early Bird Breakfast Club (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig); Kanto Freestyle Breakfast (San Joaquin, Mandaluyong City)

3. Ginataang Halo Halo (Binignit)

Dekada

4. Hot chocolate

Not to be mistaken for the famous summer treat halo-halo, this one is made not with crushed ice but with creamy coconut milk. A party of tubers in a bowl, this Pinoy favorite dessert and mid-day snack is composed of sweet potato, taro root, and sweet yam. Completing the ingredients are plantains, tapioca pearls and glutinous rice balls (bilo-bilo).

Where to find it: Barbara’s Restaurant (Intramuros, Manila); Dekada (Glorietta in Makati and Fairview in Quezon City); Dads-Saisaki-Kamayan (SM Megamall)

Where to find it: Blackbeard’s Seafood Island Restaurant (Market! Market!, Taguig); Bulalohan sa España (Sampaloc, Manila); Leslie’s (Tagaytay) Blackbeard’s Seafood Island Restaurant

7. Beef Pho Noodle Soup (Pho Bo)

Up your beef mami game with this Vietnamese noodle soup made with beef broth, flat rice noodles (banh pho), beef shank with marrow, brisket, sirloin, cinnamon, star anise and cilantro, among others. A dollop of sriracha and hoisin sauce make this fresh and well-balanced dish satisfyingly tastier.

Where to find it: Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle House (Robinsons Galleria, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Greenbelt 1, Tomas Morato); Ba Noi’s (Kapitolyo in Pasig, Diliman in QC, Legaspi Village in Makati)

Ba Noi’s

M O N D AY : J U LY 0 6 : 2 0 1 5

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

THERE’S A NEW WORLD OUT THERE

W

hen I first heard that the luxury property at the corner of Pedro Gil and M. H. del Pilar streets has evolved into the New World Manila Bay, I was excited because it’s only less than five minutes away from my residence, and my family would then have access

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO to new food and beverage outlets. I was also curious to find out if the luxury amenities and services provided by the Makati property would be replicated in the Manila property. So when the offer from the hotel’s Director of Communications Mina Gervacio to avail of the hotel’s services came along, I took it.

FOR PARTY ANIMALS ONLY

I was very pleased to learn that the hotel management, having taken over the property recently from another chain, has finalized plans to refurbish the entire hotel.

They will start immediately after the Asia Pacific Economic Conference later this year – first with the lobby, then the function rooms, then the guest floors, until everything is new again.

But, getting a closer look at the entire property, I don’t really see an urgent need for the refurbishing. Everything still exudes luxury and class. When you enter the guestroom, you immediately sense the homey and comfortable feel of the place. In fact, after I checked in, I decided to stay in my room the whole time, leaving it only to have dinner in one of the specialty restaurants downstairs.

My room had a panoramic view of Manila Bay so during sunset, I just sat on my bed, transfixed, mesmerized by the glorious colors as the world’s most beautiful sunset slowly sank in the horizon. I guess this is the feature that gives the hotel a big edge over the others in the same category. Nothing beats watching the Manila Bay sunset as an antidote to frayed nerves.

The celebrity and corporate chefs who took part in the hotel’s “Dads Can Cook” event

The complete Chinese dinner I had at LiLi’s was definitely a nice treat. The taste of every item is beyond reproach and service was not only efficient but most of all, gracious and sincere. It was the type of easy, flavorful dinner that you will remember even years after.

The day after I checked in was Fathers’ Day and the hotel hosted an event – “Dads Can Cook” – with celebrity and corporate fathers showing off their culinary skills by whipping up some delectable dishes at The Fireplace, the hotel’s fine dining restaurant.

I was pleased to know that former child actor Niño Muhlach was one of the invited chefs. He told me that he never had any formal culinary training but he has been experimenting at home all his younger years until he finally perfected his craft. That day, he cooked lunch for his entire family, including his adorable “mini-me” Alonzo Muhlach who is also now a star in his own right.

So, with its luxurious facilities and amenities, good food and exceptional service, even without the planned refurbishment, I can safely shout out loud – “There’s a New World at Manila Bay!”

PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK

My spacious bedroom with a panoramic view of Manila Bay

NAIA General Manager Jose Angel A. Honrado joined us for lunch recently. He shared with us some more useful information about the state of our three airport terminals and what we can expect in the future. When I asked him if these three could survive a 7.4 magnitude earthquake as

Chef Niño Muhlach

predicted by PAGASA, he said that Terminal 1 and 3 have already been retrofitted. Since he only has a year more left in his term, he was asked what his greatest wish would be. He said he “hopes for a change of heart for all airport employees, so that they will put sincere service over and above their personal cravings.” He said that would be the only way the airport would be rid of greedy and unscrupulous elements, so passengers from all over the world would always have a pleasant arrival here in our country. Noble words NAIA General Manager Jose Angel A. Honrado from a noble gentleman.

YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE:

A lady came in for a routine physical check-up at the doctor’s office. “Here,” said the nurse, handing her a urine specimen container. “The bathroom is over there on your right. The doctor will be with you in a few minutes.” Several minutes later, the lady came out of the bathroom with an empty container and a relieved look on her face. “Thanks!

But they had a toilet in there, so I didn’t need this after all!”

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com The big living room, also with a beautiful view of Manila Bay

M O N D AY : J U LY 0 6 : 2 0 1 5

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Kavalan whisky at Red Rabbit

@LIFEatStandard

Franco’s Choice whisky flight at Lit

WHISKY, ONE TIPPLE AT A TIME

When I first got a taste of whisky in my college days, I wasn’t able to fully appreciate it yet. I murdered my whisky with Red Bull (sacrilege!). Ah, the ignorance of youth! Studying in a hotel school in Switzerland gave me the tools to understand and learn how to taste and drink whisky. It starts with the nose. By taking a whiff, you can predict what the taste would be like. Don’t drink it too fast; it is not a shooter for Christ’s sake! Sip and savor it in your mouth. Every part of the mouth has a different taste sensation so it’s important to coat the inside of the mouth with whisky to experience it fully. But of course everyone’s taste buds are different, so it still boils down to personal taste. After swallowing the amber liquid comes the finish, the aftertaste. The amount of time for flavors to remain is called the length of finish.

W TIPPLE TALES

elcome, dear readers, to the first installment of Tipple Tales, your weekly column about spirits, cocktails, the craft and our romance with mankind’s favorite poison. I’ll start with the proverbial “water of life,” whisky.

Growing up, I was a little wary of whisky, fearing that it would put hair on my chest and turn me into a dragon. Whisky is often seen as a man’s drink, oozing machismo, strength, and power. That is changing though. Francis Hasegawa, part owner and resident whisky concierge of new Japanese whisky bar Lit in Serendra, sees the tide shifting.

Just talking about tasting whisky is making my mouth water.

Reaching for one of my current favorites, the Port Charlotte Scottish single malt, and pouring myself a double with a dash of mineral water to open up its layers of sexiness. Just the way I like it. But that’s just me. You could drink it neat (add nothing). You may drink it on the rocks (add ice). Whatever floats your boat.

But please, for the love of everything holy, do not add Coke!

BY ICY MARIÑAS

“The ratio of male to female customers is close to 50-50. There are a lot of women whisky drinkers out there.” So this is proof that whisky is no longer a man’s world. Hint, hint to whisky brands. Please make ads that feature something other than the usual distinguished gentleman swishing his whisky (maybe even holding a cigar), seated in a chair covered in dead animal skin, and surrounded by books he never reads.

There’s a lot of whisky jargon swirling around one’s head that it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

Terms like peatiness, flavor palate, age statements, mouth feel, and a bunch of other things are enough to intimidate or at least confuse anyone.

Let’s tackle the basics. Whisky is commonly made with malted barley and aged in casks. It is generally grouped in two categories: Single malt and blended whisky. Single malt is used to refer to spirits distilled in one distillery and blended whisky is for whiskies of different ages mixed from different distilleries. There is no such thing as “double malt.”

There’s some confusion between the two spellings: whisky and whiskey. The difference is that whisky comes from Scotland (also adopted by distillers from Japan, Canada, Australia and Europe), while whiskey refers to spirits distilled in Ireland and America. Scotch only comes from Scotland. So all scotches are whiskies but not all whiskies are scotches. Follow me so far?

THE SMOKEY BARREL

We partly owe the current popularity of whisky to Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. Also, the palate of Filipinos is getting more sophisticated. Red Rabbit, a cocktail bar in Salcedo Village, is fast becoming the go-to place for single malts (best to go on Whisky Wednesdays). They carry an impressive collection of single malts that would excite any whisky enthusiast.

Chichibu, the peatiest Japanese whisky

Just like the old world and new world wine techniques that have combined to produce exquisite products, the same goes for whisky. It’s tradition vs. innovation, I suppose. In the 2014 Whisky Bible, not one of the top five entries is Scottish. The 2014 Whisky Bible awarded Japan’s Yamazaki 12 years Sherry Cask as that year’s finest, followed by World Whiskies Awards crowning Taiwan’s Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique Single Cask Strength.

To get a mouth feel of Japanese whisky, it’s best to sample one or all of Lit’s Japanese whisky flights.

Japanese whiskies are generally sweeter and lighter than the Scottish ones, closer to Highland (floral) or Speyside (milder) whiskies. They are smooth, approachable, and drinkable.

I know me saying this might make some purists upset and may merit me being sentenced to the firing squad. But the trends can’t be ignored and begs the question: With the success of Japanese whisky and the recent win of Taiwan, is Asia the new frontier for whisky?

Lit, G/F Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 0917-510-0014; Red Rabbit, Unit 5, Paseo Parkview Tower, Valero cor. Sedeno St., Salcedo Village, Makati City 501-5203

Smoke adds a very distinct flavor to any dish, whether it’s meat, fish, or even dessert. Nowadays it’s widely used for cocktails, it creates depth and character to any typical drink. Mixologists use different techniques in getting that perfect blend of smoke in a glass of sweet and bitters. Some use smoked fruits, smoked salts, burnt oak chips, or a dash of peaty old single malt.

C O C K TA I L STORIES

For the first entry of ‘Cocktail Stories’ we’re sharing the recipe of one of the memorable smoky drinks we’ve tasted recently. ‘The Smoky Barrel,’ created by James Drummond during his recent visit in Manila. James is a 10-year veteran of the Edinburgh and London cocktail bar scene. He is the training manager for the internationally respected award-winning London Cocktail Club.

RECIPE: 45ml Jack Daniels; 20ml sweet vermouth; 5ml maraschino; 2 dashes Angostura bitters.

PROCEDURE: Put all ingredients in a mixing glass. Stir with ice. Strain into a vintage bottle and smoke with a smoking gun (available in gourmet culinary stores). Serve and pour into a double old fashioned glass with a large cube ice. Garnish with an orange peel and cherry.

Follow our ‘Cocktail Stories’ as we search the Metro for the best glass of cocktail in town, share its inspiration and the makers behind the concoctions. If you have any suggestions of cocktails to try around the Metro or recipes that you’d like to share, do send us an email at life@thestandard.com.ph

M ONDAY : J ULY 6 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

C5

The cast of No Harm No Foul 1 Willie Miller 2 Yoyong Martirez returns to TV in TV5’s hardcourt sitcom 3 Beau Belga takes a chance on acting on TV 4 Hardcourt’s heartthrob, Kiefer Ravena, finds his way to television as a comedian 5 Gary David crosses over from the hardcourt to TV sitcom set

4 2

3

5

1

TV5 DRIBBLES BASKETBALL AND COMEDY IN ‘NO HARM NO FOUL’

K

apatid singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid – together with basketball superstars Gary David, Beau Belga, Willie Miller, and Kiefer Ravena – topbills No Harm No Foul, a weekend primetime sitcom that tells the misadventures of old-time friends who reunite to become their barangay’s unbeatable basketball champs.

No Harm No Foul also stars Tuesday Vargas, Yoyong Martirez, Eula Caballero, Valeen Montenegro, Sophie Albert, Long Mejia and Randy Santiago, who also directs the sitcom.

The series follows the story of Jawo (Ogie), the former center of his barangay basketball varsity team, who reconnects with erstwhile teammates Gary (Gary), Bo (Beau), Kuya Wil (Willie), their old mentor Coach Tim Co (Yoyong), and water boy Kiefer (Kiefer) to reorganize their team and reclaim their past hardcourt glory. Back in the day, Jawo used to rent the apartment of Coach Tim at “presyong kaibigan”.

Unfortunately, years later, the team has grown apart and Jawo’s dream of becoming a professional basketball player never happened – because he stopped growing, literally!

Coach Tim Co’s daughter Crispa (Tuesday), now in-charge of their family’s apartment business, threatens to evict Jawo after she finds out his six-month rent overdue. With the looming crisis of being homeless

Randy Santiago directs and acts in the sitcom

if he doesn’t earn money to pay his rent soon, Jawo finds his last resort in basketball as Quezon City Mayor Herber Batista (Hero Bautista) announces a “paliga” called Palarong Inter-Barangay Association or Pi-BA, where the winning team will get a cash prize. Crispa also joins the venture and gives Jawo a chance after seeing an opportunity to progress her political ambitions through the

Ogie Alcasid is Jawo

inter-barangay event.

Jawo searches far and wide to gather his former teammates. Gary is now a dancing MMDA traffic enforcer, Bo a food cart vendor specializing in extra rice, Wil a “kargador” at the public market, while Kiefer is a handsome tricycle driver who has become popular with the ladies. With the promise of winning a million pesos and

reviving their former glory, they all form Team Galas and camp in inside Jawo’s crammed apartment where the beds are too short and the doorways and refrigerator are too low for comfort, especially for the towering teammates.

Of course, boys will be boys, and across the street these basketboleros find their weakness. Michelle (Eula Caballero), a promodizer who

moonlights at different companies to earn a living, will capture Jawo’s heart. Her housemate and friend Didi (portrayed by FHM July cover girl Valeen Montenegro) is a zumba and dance instructor who will put the boys back in shape. Despite her provocative taste in fashion, she’s conservative. Didi will be Gary’s love interest. Meanwhile, Kiefer’s attention falls for Kim (Sophie Albert), a jobless girl who gets what she wants by charming the many men who falls for her.

Stakes get higher as Jawo’s former teammate Lebron (Randy Santiago) returns to the country after going around the world. Jawo and Lebron used to be friends until Jawo accidentally elbowed Lebron in a heated basketball match, resulting to the latter’s permanent eye injury. With his sidekick Wade (Long Mejia), Lebron devises a plan to make sure Jawo ultimately fails to win the basketball league and simultaneously lose his chance with Michelle, whose heart Lebron schemes to capture for himself.

Will Jawo ever realize his basketball dreams and win Michelle’s heart or will Lebron be successful in his schemes? Will Team Galas be able to bring home the glory and the cash prize or will Crispa be able to evict Jawo for good?

No Harm No Foul rolls out on the hard court with laughter, 8 p.m. every Sunday only on TV5.

M ONDAY : J ULY 6 : 2015

C6

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ALjUR hAPPy tO SEE KyLIE

Aljur Abrenica says he's happy to see Kylie Padilla again

jOSEPh PEtER GOnZALES Aljur Abrenica said he was happy to see former flame Kylie Padilla in the culmination of GMA’s recent acting workshop with award-winning director Laurice Guillen.

“Incidentally, when she entered the studio, I was the one on the spot. It was good Direk Laurice gave a positive feedback on my performance. Later, Kylie told me shed like to participat in a similar acting workshop. She was impressed and expressed her desire to work with Direk Laurice, too, in the coming days!” the actor said Wasn’t he distracted by Kylie’s presence?

“Distracted? Ha-ha-ha! In all honesty, no. As I’ve said, I was glad to see her.”

According to him, there’s

Gabbi Garcia feels the pressure of having a show against friend Kathryn Bernardo

no reason for him and Kylie to feel awkward with each other at this point.

“I believe we’ve matured.

We’re at a stage when we can talk about anything without inhibition or apprehension. I’m happy because it’s a far cry from those times when we were still a couple. Now, we know each other better. It is fun talking to her so awkwardness has no room,” added Aljur.

Many are toying with the idea of a possible reconciliation between the two of them given that they’re both unattached at present. While he didn’t have any girlfriend after their break-up, Kylie’s relationship with boyfriend Matt Henares recently fizzled out.

“Admittedly, feelings don’t fade away that easy.

It’s how you face and handle the situation. With Kylie, I’ve always admired her as a woman. If she called it quits with her steady, she had her reasons. Let’s just respect her decision. I’m certain she

knows what she’s doing. For one, she’s a smart lady!”

So, the $64 M question is: is he open to get back to Kylie, if ever?

“Sure, why not? We cannot say what the future holds for the two of us. Let’s see,” Aljur said to conclude the brief chat.

HHHHH Gabbi Garcia admits that she and Ruru Madrid are under pressure now Let the Love Begin is pitted against ABS-CBN’s Pangako sa ‘Yo with Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.

“Of course, the pressure is always there, even before this development. Everyone knows how popular the KathNiel love team is, but we also feel confident about our offering. The pressure is not pulling us down. As long as we’re doing our best and are able to entertain our fans, we’re okay with that. We’ll just continue doing a good job,” she says.

Regarding the rivalry between their respective love

‘Kung Fu Panda 3’ soon in Manila

I

n DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 3 first trailer, Po and the gang is back with three times the force and adventure!

Po (voiced by Jack Black) is now considered as the legendary Dragon Warrior who has already saved the world a few times but has remained a humble panda despite wide and wild adulation.

Along with his best buddies, Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Crane (David Cross), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Mantis (Seth Rogen), Po continues kung-fu training under the

tutelage of Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). The trailer shows that Po has finally met his father (Byran Cranston) in a very heartwarming and hilarious scene wherein the whole village sighed in frustration when the two didn’t immediately realize they’re both the father and son they’ve long been searching for.

Prepare for Kung Fu Panda 3 when it opens in 2016 in cinemas nationwide. Watch the trailer here:: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=hcbZFnkvcZI&list=PLcZs6n5iZPx-3gqskDwaQrIBpJeJ5dWOw

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 NY baseballer 4 Walking stick 9 Geological period 12 Palestinian port 13 Video companion 14 Annoy 16 Happy rumble 17 Foul-up 18 Marseilles Ms. 19 Chatty feline 21 Neat (2 wds.)

23 25 26 29 31 32 33 37 38 41 42 44

Maintains Gloomy Like old butter Trudges along Colgate alternative Lady of the haus “— little piggy ...”

Edible seed Puts oil on Sturdy tree Greenish mineral Sacked out

MONDAY, JULY 6, 2015

“Oklahoma!” aunt Family MDs Spine-tingling A Peron California fort Most agile Sales slip (abbr.)

55 Circle size 57 “Hud” Oscar-winner 61 Secure a contract 62 Watch chains 64 — d’oeuvres 65 “Othello” villain 66 Competes in 67 a slalom 68 39 No-it-all?

69 40 Meager 43 Hopalong — 70 46 Largest bird 48 252 calories DOWN 49 Cruise ships 1 Pacific paradise 50 City in SW Arizona 2 Poet — Pound 51 Pass, as a bill 3 Runways 52 Ice-fishing tool 4 Mouthed off 5 Steinway technician 54 Made public 56 Solitary 6 Drillers’ org.

58 Kareem’s alma 7 Popular poodle mater name 59 Homeowner’s paper 8 Caught in the act 60 Tokyo, once (2 wds.)

63 Ms. Hagen of films 9 Auto feature 10 Funny Radner 45 47 49 50 53

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE

Po in Kung Fu Panda 3

Welsh dog Deep fissure Rodeo gear Dough raisers Trace of something offensive Not typical Barge in Astrologers of yore — telling me!

Chilled More than passed Gain admission Role for Liz Undertake Interprets tea leaves Owned

11 12 15 20 22 24 26 27 28 30 32 34 35 36

Rebel Wilson is the voice Mei Mei

teams, Gabbi says, “For one, we have high respect for KathNiel. We know that they have a huge fan base. Ruru and I take it as a challenge and motivation. We take it positively. It’s already an honor that the Kapuso entrusted us with a grand prime time vehicle such as Let the Love Begin. As I’ve said, as long as we know we are exerting our best efforts, we’re fine.”

Gabbi reveals she and Kathryn are actually childhood friends.

“That’s right! Before, we were together in a shoot and we didn’t have an inkling we’ll be rivals one day. But we’re okay. We don’t let the competition get in the way of our friendship. In fact, we’re active in Instagram. Recently, she liked one of the photos I posted. Fans were like, ‘Look, they’re interacting!’ At least they know that Kath and I are okay. We just can’t avoid being pitted against each other because of our respective soap operas,” Gabbi states.

M ONDAY : J ULY 6 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Mel Tiangco hosts GMA's popular Magpakailanman

Michael V is the brains behind Pepito Manaloto

C7 Jean Garcia is one lucky star on GMA Network

GMa MainTains sTronG perforMance in Urban lUzon and MeGa Manila

T

he Kapuso Network maintained its winning streak in the viewer-rich areas of Urban Luzon and Mega Manila in June, according to data from the industry’s widely trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, represent 77 and 59 percent, respectively, of all urban TV households in the country.

During the covered period (with the dates of June 21 to 30 based on overnight data), GMA continued to dominate the ratings in Urban Luzon as it registered a 35.3 percent total day household audience share, beating ABS-CBN’s 33.5 percent by 1.8 points and TV5’s 8.1 percent by 27.2 points.

The trend continued in Mega Manila, where in GMA registered 37.1 percent, ahead of ABS-CBN’s 29.8 percent by 7.3 points and of TV5’s 8.7 percent by 28.4 points.

GMA was ahead of competition across all day parts in Mega Manila.

In NUTAM (National Urban Television Audience Measurement) ratings, GMA maintained its lead in the afternoon block with 35.6 percent versus ABS-CBN’s 34.1 percent and TV5’s 7.8 percent.

Compared to its closest rival, more programs from GMA occupied the list of top programs in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila (without specials) with Magpakailanman leading the roster of Kapuso shows in both areas. The weekly drama anthology hosted by Mel Tiangco was also highest-rating Kapuso program in NUTAM in June.

Aside from Magpakailanman,

from c8

other GMA programs that registered high ratings for the month were Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, Pepito Manaloto, Kapuso Movie Festival, Pari ‘Koy, The Half Sisters, Celebrity Bluff, 24 Oras, Ismol Family, Eat Bulaga, and Let the Love Begin.

HHHHH Jean Garcia sTays wiTh GMa neTwork It’s going to be another three years as Kapuso. On July 2, Jean Garcia pledged her loyalty to the Kapuso network as she signed another three-year exclusive contract.

Present during the contract signing were GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Entertainment TV’s Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA Vice President for Drama Productions Redgie Acuña-Magno; and Jean’s manager Manny Valera.

Jean is very thankful with the way GMA has been taking good care of her career all these years and also very proud for the success of The Half Sisters.

Apart from The Half Sisters, Jean also hosts Love Hotline.

Atty. Gozon has nothing but praises for Jean whom he says is one of the most versatile actresses in the country, “Actually matagal nang nasa bakuran natin si Jean at isa siya sa mga pinakamagagaling na artista na kilala ko at tayo ay very thankful na nadesidihan niya to stay with us. Napakagaling na dramatic actress ni Jean. Kahit ano naman ay pwedeng gampanan ni Jean, whether comedy, serious drama, so walang problema diyan.”

Valera said he is looking forward to a stronger working relationship

with the network, “We are truly happy that GMA again renewed the contract of Jean for three years..”

HHHHH sky opens over 190 channels Fans of great TV entertainment have more reasons to celebrate.

SKYcable and Destiny Cable digital subscribers will enjoy SKY’s over 190 digital channels, automatically activated on their TVs from the 4th to the 11th of July at no additional cost. After recent launches of SKY exclusives like AXN HD, and international favorites like AFC HD, Disney HD, and Mezzo HD, this big TV freebie is part of SKY’s way of thanking subscribers for welcoming them into their homes and making them part of their lives.

Over the years, SKY has strived to give its subscribers more entertainment choices. Now on its 25th year anniversary, its entire channel line-up is here for everyone to watch as a way of giving all viewers more TV enjoyment this July.

SKY wishes to share this special milestone year with every family that helped shape the standard of cable TV entertainment in the country today.

Subscribers who miss their favorite films will now have the best channels to revisit the stories they love. Everyone will have access to the entire HBO line up, including HBO Family, HBO Hits, and HBO Signature. An entire movie roster is open to TV viewers with Fox’s channel suite covering Fox Action Movies, Fox Family Movies, and Fox Movies Premium.

Viewers craving the latest sporting action will certainly enjoy the All Sports Network, Balls, BTV, Fox Sports, NBA Premium, and the Outdoor Channel. With these channels and more, everyone can catch up on their favorite sporting events and be up-to-date with the latest developments and stats.

US shows represent the most critically acclaimed TV entertainment today. Watch award-winning series and modern greats on AXN, E!, Fox, Sony, RTL-CBS Entertainment, and Star World.

Viewers can tune-in to these fantastic channels to enjoy the latest episodes of their TV favorites.

Interesting facts and the best tips for everyday life can be found in the cream-of-the-crop of lifestyle channels. Learn more about the world we live in through Discovery World, National Geographic, and the Travel Channel. Hunting for the best recipe or the latest home styles? HGTV, Lifetime, the Food Network, and FYI have fun and quirky shows about making our daily lives extra special.

The young and young at heart will definitely be excited about this SKY TV treat. The funniest wholesome toons and kiddie shows are showcased in Discovery Kids, Disney, and Disney Junior. Those looking for edgier entertainment and anime will definitely love Animax and the Cartoon Network.

Current high definition subscribers will be able to access all HD channels for free. Standard definition subscribers who want to experience high-definition en-

tertainment would only need to upgrade to an HD box to enjoy everything that SKY has to offer during this big TV celebration.

While some areas may have different channels available, everyone is sure to enjoy this treat from SKY. Only SKYcable provides quality home entertainment with the widest-range of standard and high definition digital channels; with over 190 channels, and other topof-the-line services such as flexible subscription options via SELECT; iRECORD that records, pauses, and rewinds live TV; as well as real-time coverage of live concerts and sporting events via FREE VIEW and PAY-PER-VIEW. To subscribe and to know more about SKYcable, log on to www. mysky.com.ph, or call the 24hour customer service hotlines at (02) 381-0000 for Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, and Rizal; (046) 484-4701 for Cavite; (049) 534-1555 for Calamba and Binan, Laguna; (02) 520-8560 for San Pedro, Laguna and Carmona, Cavite; (044) 693-5877 for Bulacan; (032) 421-1818 for Cebu; (082) 305-5456 for Davao; (074) 442-4841 for Baguio; (034) 4320051 for Bacolod; (033) 300-1210 for Iloilo; (035) 225-1010 for Dumaguete; and (083) 301-3134 for Gen. Santos City.

Enjoy 94 channels in clear digital signal for only P550 per month with Destiny Cable. For inquiries about the services and promos of Destiny Cable call 418-0000. You may also contact Destiny Cable via their email address, weserve@ destinycable.com.ph.

M ONDAY : J ULY 6 : 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

With his motorcycle, Jay Taruc rides his way to getting stories for the show Motorcycle Diaries now on its fourth year

Jay Taruc says, ‘Live The ride’ isah v. red GMA News TV’s Jay Taruc is living the ride, so to speak. And as the show he hosts on the news and public affairs channel turns four, he and the people behind the show wants the audience to join him to Live The Ride.

It’s what he says taking riding to a new level. In fact the title of the show has the same subtitle – Motorcycle Diaries: Live The Ride With wheels still hot from winning the World Bronze Medal at the 2015 New York Festivals, Motorcycle Diaries goes full throttle this year.

The audience will see more action-packed ride via the travel magazine-documentary program with George Foster Peabody Awardee as the host and rider. The program revs up as it is loaded with exhilarating expeditions, features of celebrity riders on road trips, jobs on wheels, motoring events and other venues showing how Filipinos come together for a ride.

The show is switching gears to becoming a virtual hub for motor bikers and enthusiasts. As the community continues to grow in size and relevance, Motorcycle Diaries will be their source of information about motoring, travel and other stories on and off the road.

Last Thursday, award-winning Kapuso actress Alessandra de Rossi (Alex) back rides with Jay going to their destination – Cavite For the first time in her life, Alex experienced the thrill of a road trip on a bike from Manila to Cavite

and meet residents whose livelihood is catching mussels. Alex and Jay not only joined the Caviteños in harvesting mussels but in eating the fresh catch as well. Their eventful trip concluded with Jay granting Alex her long-time desire to witness a sunset in Cavite.

The episode also featured “monkey bikes” or “pocket bikes.”

At first, these bikes may be mistaken for children’s bikes but these are actually rides for adults that are smaller than the usual.

Jay met a pocket bike restorer and discovered more about the pocket bikes, particularly why motorcycle enthusiasts dig them.

Motorcycle Diaries: Live The Ride! comes with a brand new opening credits directed by Rember Gelera. The bike revs up for the ride every Thursday, 10 p.m., on GMA News TV. HHHHH Kapuso viewer thanKs instadad There’s no stopping GMA Network from living up to its promise of providing wholesome, family-friendly and quality programs straight into the homes of every Kapuso viewer.

One Kapuso viewer shared that she experienced the same situation like what happened in one of the episodes of Instadad (Sundays) when her teen-aged daughter told her that she’s pregnant.

In that particular episode, the character of Kenneth played by award-winning Kapuso actor Gabby Eigenmann showed how a parent should deal with a delicate and difficult situation.

The letter sender who works at a food catering said that initially, her husband, a tricycle driv-

er, reacted violently when their daughter broke the news of her unexpected pregnancy. But after watching Instadad, he realized that he was too harsh and apologized to his daughter.

“Malaki po ang naitulong ng palabas ninyo sa pamilya ko. Nabuntis po kasi ang anak kong babae na 17 lang. Galit na galit po kaming mag-asawa sa kanya. Pero iyong asawa ko po binugbog ang anak namin. Nag-away kami talaga ng asawa ko. Hindi kami nagkibuan.

Naawa po ako sa anak ko. Isang araw po umuwi ng bahay ang asawa ko galing sa pamamasada ng tricycle. Iyak po siya ng iyak. Sinabi nya po sa akin na nagsisi siya sa ginawa niyang pagbugbog sa anak namin. Yun pala po napanood niya sa terminal nila ang palabas ninyo na Instadad. Ang palabas po ninyo na nabuntis ang anak din. Pero ang tatay hindi naman binugbog ang anak na babae. Bagkus tinulungan ng tatay nya.”

“Iyak po siya ng iyak ng kinuwento niya sa akin ang palabas.

Sabi nga niya tama raw ang tatay dun sa palabas may kasalanan din ang magulang. Simula po nun nagbago na ang asawa ko. Lagi

Gabby Eigenmann and the GMA Network stars that play her daughters in Instadad

po kasi siyang nagsusugal. Ako naman po wala rin sa bahay kahit Linggo. Kasi po sa catering ako nagtatrabaho. Humingi po siya ng sorry sa anak namin. Salamat po talaga kung hindi dahil sa palabas ninyo, hindi magigising ang asawa ko,” added the letter sender.

These various programs not only touch the lives but also forge an even stronger connection with the hearts of the Filipinos. And in fact, Instadad is one of the shows of the Network that has made a positive impact on the lives of the viewers. ➜ Continued on C7