The Standard - 2015 October 07 - Wednesday

VOL. XXIX NO. 237 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 WEDNESDay : OCTOBER 7, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Leni not pressured to accept LP offer

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awash in money Bailiwicks of Aquino, Roxas get big budgets by christine F. herrera

THE bulk of the P44 billion in Bottom-up-Budgeting or BuB funds has been allotted to traditional bailiwicks of President Benigno Aquino III and the ruling Liberal Party’s standard bearer Manuel Roxas II, such as Central Luzon, Panay and Cebu, Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon said Tuesday.

No direction home. A lumad child stands beside photographs of slain and missing tribespeople outside an evacuation center in Tandag City.

JohN paolo beNcito

Lumad evacuees kept from returning home

by Florante S. Solmerin THE government has no plan to allow thousands of lumad evacuees displaced by conflict to return to their homes as the Department of Social Welfare and Development is proposing to

build core shelters for them.

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said Tuesday she classified the displaced indigenous people in Surigao del Sur as victims of civil unrest and would work with the provincial government to house

the displaced families elsewhere.

“We will coordinate with Gov. Johnny Pimentel for a location where we can build core shelters,” Soliman said.

Pimentel had been vocal about the military disrupting the

peaceful lives of the lumad in their war on the communist New People’s Army.

He also slammed the military for creating a monster by supporting groups such as the Magahat, Bagani, Alamara, and Next page

“A closer look at the regional allocation for the BuB program reveals how it is intrinsically designed to boost the candidacy of former Interior Secretary and now Liberal Party presidential [candidate] Mar Roxas,” Ridon said.

Ridon said Central Luzon was given a total of P1.6 billion in BuB projects spread over several agencies in 2015, and P1.9 billion in 2016.

This is also the case for Panay (Region VI), which received a total of P1.8 billion worth of BuB projects this year, and P2.1 billion for 2016, he said.

Vote-rich Region VII, where Cebu is located, got the largest chunk of the BuB budget. In 2015, Region VII received a total of P1.9 billion in BuB funds, which will only get bigger in 2016, with a total allocation of P2.3 billion, the highest allocation among all regions, Ridon said.

“These are only some examples that show how the BuB is designed to cater to vote-rich regions and traditional bailiwicks of the Liberal Party. Mar Roxas is essentially using BuB projects to woo local support.

Even if DILG does not admit it, the figures speak for themselves—BuB is a tool designed for political patronage and muscle-building at the local level,” Ridon said. Next page

Foreigners’ kidnappers arrested in Davao

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Foreigners’ kidnappers arrested Awash...

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But Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said Region VIII, the poorest region in the country following the onslaught of Yolanda, has been granted the highest budget allocation for BuB projects in the Visayas.

“The Yolanda-devastated poor in the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Biliran are the intended beneficiaries of the BuB projects in Region VIII. This is why it has the highest funding among the four regions in the Visayas. As a truly grassroots and democratic tool for the people to engage the government to fund their priorities and thereby increase their access to local service delivery, it makes sense that more funds will go to those that need it most,” Abad said as the fourth leg of the BuB Summit opens in Cebu to highlight and track the progress of the government’s participatory planning and budgeting process.

Abad said Region VIII has an allocation of P1.87 billion this year to support the implementation of 1,150 projects, up from P1.83 billion and P622 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The BuB allocation for Regions VI, VII, and Negros Island was at P1.28 billion, P1.52 billion, and P907 million, respectively, Abad said.

The National Economic and Development Authority said the poverty level in Eastern Visayas grew to 54.9 percent in early 2014 from 45.2 percent in 2012, following the onslaught of super Typhoon Yolanda, which hit the region in November 2013.

But according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, Abad said, the economy of Eastern Visayas suffered a reversal as it recorded a 2.3-percent contraction in 2014, from a 4.5-percent growth in 2013.

This can be attributed to the lingering effects of the Yolanda devastation, he said.

Ahead of the plenary debate on the budget of the DILG, Ridon said there was a reason why Roxas has been going around the country to promote BuB and even inaugurate completed BuB projects

Lumad...

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Bolo Battalion, made of lumad tribesmen, to kill their own on suspicion that they are NPA sympathizers.

The military has denied the allegation amid continuing reports that some local military units have been coddling the suspects in the killing of three lumad leaders.

A total of 822 families or 4,191 persons, have been displaced from their homes as of Oct. 5.

Of the number, the DSWD said 814 families or 3,822 persons are staying at the three evacuation centers opened and managed by local government unit. The evacuees come from the towns of San Miguel, Tago, Marihatag, San Agustin, and Lianga.

“You will be provided with your own houses worth P30,000 to P50,000, wherein you will have your own CR with water lines, more comfortable than your conditions here,” Soliman promised the evacuees during a dialogue with them.

“With the proposal, the provin-

in the past months.

“The Aquino administration is hyping the so-called grassroots approach to budgeting under the BuB program.

However, looking at the regional budget allocation for BuB projects shows that its ulterior purpose is to boost Mar Roxas’ candidacy through patronage politics,” Ridon said.

When the mechanism started in 2013, Ridon said, the fund under BuB reached P8.4-billion spread over 595 municipalities.

For 2014, he said, the budget under BuB soared to a total of P20.03 billion spread over 1,226 municipalities, “almost at par with the budget for the now defunct Priority Development Assistance Fund.”

“The BuB mechanism has been given a total P20.9-billion budget in 2015, and is set to receive another P24.7 billion in 2016 that will fund 14,326 projects,” Ridon said.

Ridon also noted the BuB continues to operate in a manner similar to the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program, portions of which were struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

“In the past, we have questioned the manner in which post-enactment cancellation and replacement of identified BuB projects can be done through its implementing rules, a mechanism similar to DAP. In the new implementing rules for BuB under DBM-DILGDSWD-NAPC Joint Memorandum Circular No 5 s. 2014, such DAP-like mechanism remains intact,” Ridon noted.

Ridon cited Sections 4.2 and 4.3 of the joint memorandum, which allows local government units or LGUs to cancel and replace BuB projects already itemized in the General Appropriations Act, subject to certain limitation.

He said Section 4.2.2 of DBM-DILGDSWD-NAPC Joint Memorandum Circular No 5 s. 2014 states: “If a project is deemed to be not feasible for implementation upon validation of the concerned participating agency, the project may be replaced with another project that can be implemented by the same participating agency in the same city or municipality,

cial LGU shall find a resettlement site while DSWD shall forge a partnership with the International Organization for Migration for the construction of the shelter units.

DSWD shall also hire the IDPs, through cash for work, in the construction of their respective core houses,” she added.

Soliman said a total of P7,174,893.88 worth of relief assistance have been provided to the affected families from the combined resources of the DSWD, LGUs and non-government organizations.

The assistance from DSWD comprised of 2,824 family food packs, non-food items, nutri-cereals, and medical and burial assistance. Psycho-social processing activities were also held for the evacuees.

On Tuesday, a group of bishops lambasted President Beningo Aquino III for tolerating military operations that displaced the indigenous people.

“The country is, indeed, being destroyed. Our lumad who belong to the indigenous peoples are getting harassed, intimidated, threatened and killed. Their leaders are being extra-judicially ex-

provided that the replacement project has been identified by the concerned Local Poverty Reduction Action Team.”

The cited portion of memorandum is patently unconstitutional as it allows the cancellation and replacement of projects already identified in the national budget, Ridon said.

“The BuB program uses magic words like ‘grassroots’ and ‘civil society participation’ to make it look and sound progressive. Yet, a deeper analysis of this program shows that it is not only a program designed for political leverage, but it also serves as a new way for the Executive Department to usurp the congressional power of the purse,” Ridon said.

Abad denied this, and said the program has managed to strengthen community decision making across the country and delivered concrete projects that improved the quality of life of the people.

“Regardless of political affiliation or parties, the BuB projects are implemented and their effects are felt in communities in many parts of the country. This is the result of successful partnerships between LGUs and CSOs. We hope to build on these successful partnerships to further expand the program and drive participation forward. The real and concrete outcome of this program is strong democracy and strong communities,” he added.

The Visayas BuB Summit will present the status of the P19.98 billion worth of BuB projects in the islands, ranging from projects first implemented in 2013 to those proposed for 2016.

The discussions will tackle strategies to drive participation in the BuB planning process, enhance CSO and LGU partnerships, and speed up BuB project implementation.

In the 2015 budget, Abad said, the BuB program had a budget of P20.9 billion covering 1,590 municipalities and cities nationwide.

The Aquino Administration proposed a budget of P24.7 billion in the 2016 National Expenditure Program to support the implementation of more than 14,300 BuB projects across the country, he added. With Sandy Araneta

terminated because they defend their ancestral land and protect their people. The perpetrators, the military and their paramilitary forces, use as an excuse the pretext that these leaders are New People’s Army combatants or supporters,” said Bishop Elmer M. Bolocon of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, the executive secretary of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum.

“The Aquino government cannot legitimize the killing of Emerito Samarca, executive director of the Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development, and of Manobo leaders Dionel Campos and Datu Bello Sinzo on Sept. 1 in Lianga, Surigao del Sur by saying they supported the NPA,” the EBF statement said.

EBF also thrashed economist Solita Monsod who wrote in a column that only rebels and their supporters run the risk of being killed.

“Why are they being driven out of their ancestral lands? The reason is money,” the bishops said.

“Big foreign mining corporations want to exploit the resources of the

By Francisco Tuyay

TWO of the kidnappers who snatched two Canadians, a Norwegian and a Filipina in Samal Island on Sept. 21 have been arrested, 15 days after the incident.

The arrest of the two suspected kidnappers was disclosed by Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, but no other details were available except that police arrested them Sunday evening.

News of the arrests came after PNP Chief Ricardo Marquez disclosed the identity of some of the suspects Saturday.

Marquez said the suspects were identified by witnesses who tagged them from a gallery of suspects at the PNP central station in Davao City.

Marquez also said that the production of a digital composite sketch derived from the CCTV was instrumental in identifying the suspects.

But Marquez decided not to reveal the suspects identities so as not to prejudice the manhunt against the kidnap group.

Reports said members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group based in Davao City were responsible for the arrest of the suspects.

Kjartan Sekkingstad, Norwegian, and operations manager of the resort; Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall and his Filipino girlfriend only known as Maritess Flor were snatched 11:30 p.m. at the Ocean View Hotel Resort in Samal Island in Davao City.

CIDG officials in Davao City and even at its central office in Camp Crame declined

lands known for their richness in gold, nickel and copper. The military wants to make sure that that happens. However, they could not freely enter due to people’s resistance. Hence, the militarization of the area had to commence.”

“Money has become more important than people!” they added.

The bishops noted that lumad communities have been neglected for decades yet, after churches and non-governmental organizations took it on themselves to build schools, these have come under attack from the military and paramilitary groups.

They also slammed North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco, who chairs the committee on indigenous people at the House of Representatives, for parroting military claims that the lumad refugees in Davao City are “trafficking” victims being held against their will and orchestrating a foiled “rescue” attempt that left several persons injured.

“We support the just demand of the lumad. It is their right to go back to their own homes and be assured to live in peace. This is the least that the government

to provide specific information as to the identities of the suspects and the area where they were cornered.

At present, CIDG investigators are interrogating the two suspects.

Initial reports in Davao City said the two were part of the main group of armed men who pulled off the kidnapping then transferred their captives to theAbu Sayyaf Group in Sulu.

Police are pursuing the other gang members.

Last week, the Moro National Liberation Front said the kidnap victims were sighted along the boundary of Parang and Indanan, Sulu, barely days after the incident and were now with the ASG bandits.

On Sunday, combined security forces in Sulu launched an attack on an ASG hideout.

Col. Alan Arrojado, commander of the AFP’s Joint Task Force Sulu said that two ASG members were wounded while troops suffered no casualty in a 15-minutes battle against 20 ASG members.

Also on Tuesday, the Department of Interior and Local Government yesterday urged the public to cooperate with the PNP’s campaign against private armed groups.

DILG Secretary Mel Sarmiento made the call in anticipation of the filing of certificates of candidacy for next year’s elections.

can do—leave them in peace,” the bishops said.

The human rights group Karapatan said Tuesday that the military was behind the closure of lumad schools on the suspicion that they were being used by communist rebels to “radicalize” the lumad.

Karapatan chairwoman Marie Hilao-Enriquez cited the case of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc., which received a memorandum from the barangay captain of White Culaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon, informing them that its schools in his bailiwick would be closed after it was proved to be an NPA tool.

“Barangay White Culaman, for almost a month now, has been virtually under Martial Law with the presence of soldiers from the 8th and 23rd Infantry BattalionPhilippine Army. Barangay captain [Felipe] Cabugnason has been mouthing the same orders coming from the military. Aside from the closure of lumad schools, residents were arrested, forcibly recruited to the Barangay Defense System, and had to report to the soldiers’ camp at the barangay hall for monitoring,” Enriquez said.

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DoJ probes Mercado links to Palawan duo JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima on Tuesday ordered the officials of the Witness Protection Program to check the reports linking former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado to the hiding of former Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes and his brother, former Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, who are facing charges for the killing of broadcaster Gerry Ortega.

She gave her order after the Whistleblowers Association of the Philippines led by Sandra Cam made the call to drop Mercado from the program as a result of the accusation against him.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay’s spokesman said Tuesday Mercado should be the one charged in connection with the alleged P3-billion Boy Scouts of the Philippines-Alphaland deal and not Binay.

Rico Quicho said it was Mercado who made the arrangements and asked for a bribe from Alphaland.

“If there is somebody who should be charged for the Alphaland deal, it should be ex-Vice Mayor Mercado,” Quicho said in a statement.

“It is clear that Mercado arranged the deal and asked money to approve the Alphaland deal.”

Mercado is under WPP coverage due to his testimony in the Senate over the corruption allegations against Binay and his family.

Mercado accuses the Binays of alleged overpricing in the Makati City Hall

Building II and the allegedly anomalous deals in the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, of which Binay is president.

“I’ve heard about it and I told WPP office to check if the allegation has basis.

We cannot be acting on the basis of certain reports that are still unverified,” De Lima said.

“So, unless we see something concrete, unless and until we see something, concrete, then we cannot just take action on that.”

Cam earlier called on the Senate or the House of Representatives to look into the reports that Mercado communicated with the Reyes brothers while the two were in hiding in Thailand.

The Reyes brothers managed to leave the country in March 2012 before arrest warrants were issued against them by a Palawan court in connection with Ortega’s murder.

The Ortega family earlier asked De Lima to resolve their pending petition for review seeking to reverse the dismissal of the murder complaint against the brothers.

De Lima earlier said she could not act on the petition for review because of her department’s pending petition before the Supreme Court seeking the reversal of the Court of Appeals’ decision, which nullified the resolution issued by her department finding probable cause to charge the Reyes brothers with murder. Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo

A bit of history. College students listen as Ahzel Miral, curator at the Apolinario Mabini Shrine in Santa Mesa, Manila, makes a statement about the prime minister of the Philippine revolutionary government during the Spanish regime. DAnny PAtA

Mar vows Belmonte will remain speaker QUEZON City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. will remain speaker of the House of Representatives if the administration party’s standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II wins the presidency next year, an official said Tuesday.

House Majority Leader Neptali

Gonzales II said Roxas himself had assured Belmonte, the ruling Liberal Party’s vice chairman, that he would keep the highest post in the House once Roxas was elected President.

Gonzales said Roxas made the commitment to Belmonte during Belmonte’s celebration of his 79th birthday on Friday last week.

He said who the next House speaker would be will depend on which political party would dominate in 2016.

“It will depend on which political party will emerge as the dominant party in the 2016 elections, but in so far as Congress is concerned, I think a lot from the LP will make it in next year’s elections,” Gonzales said.

He said someone would require “to develop a certain closeness to the vast majority of congressmen” to become speaker.

“Closeness to the President” would also be a factor, Gonzales said. Maricel V. cruz

Drilon: Leni not pressured to run

Announcement. With President Benigno Aquino III beside him, Tesda head Joel Villanueva acknowledges the cheers from the agency’s scholars after announcing his candidacy in the senatorial race next year. Ey AcAsio

SENATE President Franklin Drilon on Tuesday denied that Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo had agreed to run as vice president of Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II because the administration party had pressured her to do so.

“That’s not true. This early they are throwing lies at us,” Drilon said.

He said Robredo had second thoughts about running because her three daughters were against her seeking higher office.

“Her daughters would not approve of it due to their fear of the unknown,” Drilon said.

“Congresswoman Leni Robredo would suddenly be faced with bigger responsibilities, so her children were reluctant.”

Robredo said she wanted to be known for who she is and what she has done instead of being stereotyped as being merely her husband’s wife.

“I think if we’re being voted solely on the basis of sympathy, I think that’s not enough,” Robredo told dzMM radio on Monday night.

“There’s a need to prove to the public what we’ve already done for the public to trust us.”

Robredo, who was widowed early when her husband, the late Naga City Mayor and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, died in a plane crash in Masbate in 2012, is often compared to democracy icon and former President Corazon Aquino.

President Benigno Aquino III, in his speech after endorsing Robredo on Monday, said he “cannot help but compare her [Robredo] to my mother [Corazon Aquino].”

“They were both suddenly widowed. They were both previously seen as mere housewives, but were eventually called to lead,” Aquino said.

“And like my mother, Leni had no ambitions to run, but her countrymen asked her to sacrifice to solidify our leadership in Camarines Sur.” Drilon said Robredo’s children cleared her to accept the LP’s offer for her to run for vice president only last Saturday.

“She thought about it and consulted her children for a few weeks, and last Saturday they agreed,” said Drilon, the LP’s national vice chairman.

He expressed hope that her ratings would go up after her declaration as Roxas’ running mate.

“Now that Congresswoman Robredo has declared her candidacy, we are sure that her ratings will go up,” Drilon said.

“We also thank her for accepting the challenge to be the country’s vice president because she is a model for good governance.”

Macon Ramos-Araneta and John Paolo Bencito

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CoA official named to key UN position

By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja

Outbreak. The regular flow of dengue fever patients have continued to increase at the government-owned San Lazaro Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila. The hospital has said it may not be able to accommodate more dengue patients if the number of cases continues to rise. DANNY PATA

UNITED Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday he will appoint Commission on Audit officer-in-charge Heidi Mendoza as UN UndersecretaryGeneral for Internal Oversight Services.

Ban announced his intention to appoint Mendoza at a session of the General Assembly on Oct. 5 and said he will appoint Mendoza to a five-year, non-renewable term after a series of consultations with the chairmen of the Regional Groups.

Mendoza, acting CoA chief since 2011, has served as chairperson of Audit Committee on Public Sector Auditing Standards Board and External Auditor for the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization and International Labour Organization.

In 2011, Mendoza testified before the Senate against two former comptrollers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines—Carlos Garcia and Jacinto Ligot.

She served as an expert witness in the impeachment trial of then Philippine chief justice Renato Corona in 2012, and was a state witness in the trial of Elenita Binay, wife of Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, over corruption charges before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.

Mendoza will succeed Carman Lapointe, a Canadian who served as the auditor general of the World Bank Group from 2004 to 2009.

As a certified public accountant, Mendoza has over 20 years of service in government particularly in the field of audit, investigation, fraud examination, anticorruption and integrity advocacy.

House to pass budget Oct. 9

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives will approve on third and final reading the 2016 General Appropriations Act on Friday after the House leadership has requested President Benigno Aquino III to certify the budget bill.

House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales said the request was intended for the Lower House to immediately forward the proposed 2016 P3.002-trillion General Appropriations Bill to the Senate because Congress is running out of

time ahead of the election season.

“I requested a certification to make the budget bill an urgent measure because of the difficulty of passing it on third and final reading. We have an erratic schedule and Nov. 3 [resumption of session] falls

on Tuesday. I really cannot tell if there are enough lawmakers. We will have difficulty to transmit that to the Senate. That is why I made a suggestion to certify it as urgent,” Gonzales said.

He lamented the chamber’s perennial problem in mustering a quorum and the disruption it has on legislative work, but Gonzales maintained there is no irregularity in their plan to pass the national budget on third and final reading.

“The probability of approving the national budget this Friday on third reading is not impossible.

This is not unprecedented and in fact had been practiced before.

This can be done immediately after the passage on second reading in the presence of a certification from the President,” Gonzales said.

Congress will go on threeweek Halloween break starting this Saturday and will coincide with the filing of certificates of candidacy from Oct. 12 to 16.

Gonzales had earlier disclosed the House leadership has requested the President to certify the national budget as an urgent measure. As of press time

Tuesday, the Lower House has yet to receive the certification from the Palace.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. earlier said the Lower House will pass the budget on third reading this Friday as soon as the President certifies it as an urgent measure.

“The second reading approval of the national budget is assured and we will try for third reading. Our colleagues are committed to pass the national budget before we adjourn this week and we will not remiss on our legislative duty,” Belmonte earlier said.

Binay rating down 9 points

By Vito Barcelo VICE President Jejomar Binay will continue to work doubly hard to fulfill the mandate even though his public satisfaction rating went down by 9 percentage points in the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations.

But Binay’s spokesperson Rico Quicho said that while the survey showed a decline in his previous rating, Binay’s approval rating remained good at +33 with 58 percent of respondents saying they are satisfied with the vice president’s work against 25 percent dissatisfied.

“The vice president will continue with his provincial trips to directly talk with and listen to the people, and offer them a decisive, effective and inclusive governance,” he said.

He said the results is proof of the

vice president’s unwavering fight against poverty which he has started in Makati when he was still mayor of the city,” Quicho said.

“He will continue to present his platform that is based on uplifting the lives of the people and ensuring that the ineptness and iniquities displayed by the present administration will cease,” Quicho added.

The survey, with sampling error margins of ±3 points for national percentages, was conducted on Sept. 2 to 5 among 1,200 adults nationwide.

SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of at least +70 as “excellent”; +50 to +69 as “very good”; +30 to +49, “good”; +10 to +29, “moderate”; +9 to -9, “neutral”; -10 to -29, “poor”; -30 to -49, “bad”; -50 to -69, “very bad”; and those -70 and below as “execrable.”

Unique lamp post. Hundreds of new lamp posts made of solar panels and plastic bottles have been erected in front of the main entrance of the House of Representatives during the launching of the Liter of Light programs in support of the United Nations International Year of Light. The project was sponsored by My Shelter Foundation and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. VER NOVENO

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Palace, Congress get 10-day ultimatum SC orders them to answer Philconsa’s P424-b question

By Rey E. Requejo The Supreme Court has required Malacañang and the Congress to comment on the latest petition questioning the P424-billion lump sum and discretionary funds in this year’s budget.

Primping for Apec. Maintenance men from the Department of Public Works and Highways remove old street lights and

replace these with new ones along Roxas Boulevard on Tuesday Oct. 6 in preparation for the staging of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s summit of world leaders on Nov. 18 to 19, 2015. DANNY PATA

Marcos widens range of VP choices—Palace

By Sandy Araneta MALACAÑANG on Tuesday welcomed the decision made by Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to join the 2016 vice presidential race, saying that this will benefit the Filipino electorate.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the now vice presidential race among Senators Marcos, Francis Escudero, Antonio Trillanes IV, Alan Peter Cayetano, 3rd District Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Gregorio Honasan offers voters a wide range of candidates.

“Senator Marcos joins a robust field of vice presidential hopefuls that now include Rep. Robredo and his fellow Senators [Allan Peter] Cayetano, [Antonio] Trillanes and Honasan. Our peo-

ple are provided with a wide latitude of choice and an opportunity to compare platforms for governance and track records,” Coloma said.

“We trust that the sovereign electorate will choose the most qualified and most competent among the aspirants,” Coloma said.

The ruling Liberal Party is fielding Robredo for the vice presidential race.

She is now the running mate of standard bearer former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. Robredo declared her vice presidential bid on Monday.

Also last Monday, Marcos formally announced his bid for the vice presidential race, claiming that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has promised to support him.

“I flew to Davao City on Wednesday and consulted with Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. He was gracious enough to promise me his support should I decide to run for vice president. I too will support Mayor Duterte if and when he runs for President,” Marcos said.

Escudero would team up with Senator Grace Poe. Honasan said he was open to be the running mate of vce president Jejomar Binay.

Honasan for his part said he was honored being considered Binay’s running mate. ‘‘The Binay camp’s Executive Committee made me an offer to run as vice president,’’ Honasan added, but he said he has yet to receive the letter formalizing the offer. A retired colonel, Honasan is vice chairman of UNA. With Macon Araneta

In an en banc session presided by Associate Justice Arturo Brion, the SC resolved to oblige the Executive and Legislative branches to answer the petition filed last week by the Philippine Constitution Association led by Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

The high court gave the respondents 10 days from receipt of notice to comply with the order.

In their 30-page petition, the Philconsa sought issuance of a temporary restraining order enjoining the executive branch from further implementing Sections 65, 70 and 73 of the 2015 GeneralAppropriations Act and special provisions for special purpose funds.

Petitioners also urged the tribunal to order the Commission on Audit to issue notice of disallowance to all disbursements and releases from the assailed GAA provisions.

The petitioners also asked the tribunal to issue show cause order against the Congress and Budget Secretary Florencio Abad for “flagrant disobedience, resistance and disregard of the decisions of the Supreme Court in the [Priority Development Assistance Fund and Disbursement Acceleration Program cases].”

Section 65 of the GAA provides for lump sum appropriations while Sec. 70 defines savings as portions or balances of any unreleased appropriations in the GAA that were not obligated. Section 73, on the other hand, contains Rules in the realignment of allotment classes and reprioritization of items of appropriations.

Philconsa asked the high court to declare all three provisions as unconstitutional.

Petitioners said an examination of the 2015 budget showed “scandalous and unconscionable freight” of lump sum appropriations amounting to P424,144,763,000 “cleverly embedded” in nine strategic departments and two agencies of the executive department, which the group said were “highly vulnerable to the whirligig of transactional, rent-seeking and patronage politics.”

While there is only about three months left in the fiscal year, petitioners argued it is not yet too late for the SC to act.

Romualdez was joined by former Senator Francisco Tatad, former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Catholic Archbishops Ramon Arguelles, Fernando Capalla and Romulo De La Cruz in filing the petition.

Celebs unite against global warming climate change affecting us now and forever?” he asked.

“We are here to consolidate CELEBRITIES on Tuesday gathered at the University of the voice of the Filipino the Philippines in Diliman, people so we could present country’s position Quezon City to support a our unified action to strengthen before the 21st Conference the country’s position on the of Parties in Paris, France,” impact of global warming he told the participants and and climate change, and to guests.

“There are many ways to share their commitment to join the campaign, such as address the problem.

At the #nowph Grand the online signature. Another Media Launch, youth is workshop, but the platform ambassador, actor and of the social media is very television host Dingdong important.”

Broadcast journalist Jiggy Dantes urged fellow artists and the youth sector to use the Manicad vividly recalled his social media in advocating ordeal when super Typhoon environmental protection to Yolanda flattened Eastern reduce the impact of climate Visayas and killed over 6,000 people on Nov. 8, 2013. change.

“I had the actual “How are the issues of

By Rio N. Araja

experience of the wrath of Yolanda while covering the incident. In my entire career, it was only during Yolanda that I had to undergo [stress] debriefing. I had to return to Tacloban [City, Leyte],” he said.

He called on the people to seriously consider the segregation of wastes to help minimize the impact of climate change.

“This is now the age of consequence,” TV host Kim Atienza said.

Other celebrities who joined the launch were actresses Marian Rivera and Janine Gutierrez, rapper Gloc9, singer-composer Noel Cabangon, and radio disc jockey and TV host Sam YG.

Actor-TV host Dingdong Dantes as youth ambassador attends the launching of the event promoting the efforts to fight off global warming on social media.

Rio ARAjA

W e d n e s d ay : o c t o b e r 7, 2 0 1 5

A6 Poe, 5 others can always go back to Senate, says Lagman

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

House panel recalls environment measure

By Christine F. Herrera

By Maricel V. Cruz

Senator Grace Poe and five of her colleagues who are all vying for higher posts have nothing to lose even if they fail in their respective bids because they are assured of retaining their Senate seats under existing law, former albay rep. edcel Lagman said on tuesday.

But Lagman raised the question of ethics and moral reasons for these lawmakers to resign once they filed their respective certificate of candidacy from oct. 12 to 16.

“There is compelling reason for a candidate running for an elective position other than the one for which he has been elected to be ipso facto deemed resigned from his incumbent position in order to ensure fealty to the electoral mandate and impose ethics in politics,” said Lagman, who also once served as House Minority Leader and chairman of the House committee on appropriations.

Lagman identified the “safe” senators as Poe, who is running as independent for President, and the five others who would slug it out in the vice presidential race were Poe’s running mate Francis escudero, antonio trillanes IV, Gregorio Honasan, alan Peter Cayetano and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. all of them were elected in the 2013 elections and their six-year term would expire in 2019. each senator is entitled to two six-year terms. of the seven vice presidential wannabes, Camarines Sur rep.

Maria Leonor “Leni” robredo, who is the running mate of Liberal Party standard bearer Mar roxas II, is the only one who takes the risk because if she loses, there is no congressional seat to which she can return, Lagman said. according to Lagman, under an implied and surreptitious repeal of Section 67 of the omnibus election Code provided for in the Fair election act (r.a. 9006), and its Implementing rules and regulations (Irr), Poe, escudero, Cayetano, trillanes, Honasan and Marcos can all go back to the Senate once they lost the elections as the existing law has yet to be repealed or revised for future elections.

A pAnel in the House of Representatives has recalled a measure that seeks “to replace, expand and strengthen” the 23-year-old ‘national Integrated protected Areas System’ (under Republic Act 7586) amid a controversy on the exclusion of palawan’s protected areas.

Dengue watch. Patients mostly children recuperate at the dengue ward of the San Lazaro Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Tuesday, Oct. 6 as latest statistics rise to 221 cases. DANNY PATA

Prosecutors’ panel to probe MILF, BIFF rebels gation on the complaint filed by a fact-finding team last Sept. 22.

Senior assistant State ProstHe Department of Justice has formed a panel of prosecutors ecutor rosanne Balauag will to conduct a preliminary in- chair the panel with asst. State vestigation on criminal charges Prosecutors aldrin evangelista, against 90 commanders and Benito oliver Sales III, rasssenmembers of the Moro Islamic dell rex Gingoyon and alexanLiberation Front, Bangsamoro der Suarez as members.

The DoJ panel is tasked to Islamic Freedom Fighters and private armed groups tagged find out if there is probable in the death of Special action cause to warrant the filing of Force commandos during the the charges of direct assault Mamasapano massacre last with murder and theft against the respondents.

Jan. 25. to be covered by the PI are 13 In office order no. 1511, signed by Prosecutor General commanders of MILF and six Claro arellano, the DoJ ap- commanders of BIFF. But the pointed five state prosecutors to names of the respondents were not conduct the preliminary investi- made public so as to prevent them

By Rey E. Requejo

from evading possible prosecution.

They were accused of acting “in conspiracy with one another to attack, employ force, seriously intimidate or resist the 35 SaF commandos, who were uniformed police officers and, thus persons in authority.”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima earlier assured that the PI would not affect the ongoing peace process between the government and the MILF, believing that the rebel group would cooperate in the legal processes.

De Lima stressed the respondents could be summoned to the PI proceedings in the DoJ through the MILF leadership or the Coordination Committee

on the Cessation of Hostilities.

The fact-finding panel of prosecutors and national Bureau of Investigation agents based the report on accounts of eyewitnesses—including alias Marathon—who identified the liable MILF and BIFF commanders and have been placed under witness protection program.

The viral videos of the encounter that circulated in social media sites also helped in the investigation and that their sources have been traced.

Based on the results of the probe, the killings of the SaF commandos appeared to be “spontaneous and not an institutional act of the MILF.”

this developed as Palawan rep.

Douglas Hagedorn, author of House Bill 6141, welcomed the decision of the House committee on natural resources, chaired by Surigao del norte rep. Francisco Matugas, as environmentalist leaders and groups have put up a united front to oppose alleged vested interest and business groups out to exploit the country’s “protected areas.”

The committee will reopen the hearings on the measure in november following Hagedorn’s opposition to the “anomalous” exclusion of Palawan’s protected areas from the committee-approved version.

Hagedorn said he will request Matugas to hold an executive meeting of the committee as soon as possible “to restore Palawan’s protected sites, and, second, to include a clear statement in the bill that would ensure that the Strategic environment Plan of Palawan is modified or harmonized with the proposed new nIPaS law.”

He pointed out the immediate passage of HB 6141 in its original form has become “urgent” and “imperative,” citing the ‘PCSD 2015 State of Palawan environment report’ showing that coral reefs in the province in “excellent condition” has dropped to 2.1 percent compared to 3.7 percent 10 years ago. aside from creating “buffer zones” in protected areas and banning mining and all forms of “extractive activities” inside them, the new and expanded nIPaS imposes “stiffer penalties” on violators to include imprisonment, Hagedorn said.

Hagedorn said the nIPaS law reaffirms our country’s international commitment to environmental protection, conservation and development of natural resources.

Hagedorn said that in requesting the exclusion, Gov. Jose alvarez and Palawan Franz alvarez asserted that Palawan does not need to be in the nIPaS, as the province already has its own Strategic environmental Plan under republic act 7611.

But environmentalist leaders and groups disagreed and declared that “Palawan’s inclusion is beneficial to Palawan.”

The new nIPaS is a double-protection for the province’s ecologically critical sites. It will support the SeP, while preventing the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development from the danger of falling into a ‘regulatory capture’ by vested interests,” Hagedorn said.

W e d n e s d ay : o c t o b e r 7, 2 0 1 5

A7

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Bird paradise. Tourists frolic beneath Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig in the southern Philippines. AFP

Logging, burning pose threat to bird paradise Patches of tropical rainforest in the southern Philippines harbor some of the world’s rarest birds, but nature lovers toting long-lens cameras now share them with people wielding chainsaws, traps and torches.

Hundreds of foreign and local tourists venture each year into the remote region, which is also known as a sanctuary for communist rebels, but hardly any of the trees are left and bird sightings are on the decline.

“Back in the 1990s, I’d take them to one area and they would see all the endemics in one day,” said local guide Felizardo Goring, referring to species found only in the Philippines.

“Now, there’s no guarantee you’ll find them even if you went looking everywhere for three days,” he said.

The 183,000-hectare (452,000-acre) forest is a vital habitat for dozens of endangered bird species, including the electric-blue celestial monarch, according to British-based environment group Birdlife International.

But its demise started in the early 1950s when the government awarded a contract to a local logging firm, which cleared massive amounts of the forest, according to Goring, who used to work for the company.

The license, which includ-

ed growing trees on cleared land for pulp and paper production, was withdrawn in 2002.

What may have appeared as a victory for the bird lovers quickly turned sour as settlers from all over the country descended on the area, hacking and burning their way in to create new farms, Goring, 59, said.

Burning down paradise His life has been filled with beauty, with the forest’s remaining birdlife still remarkable, although it has retreated into the chunks of forests yet to be cut down by the growing number of settlers.

On a recent tour for five Philippine tourists, which AFP took part in, Goring coaxed one of the forest’s signature birds, a writhed hornbill with a large, deepred casque, by copying its honk expertly with a hand cupped around his mouth.

Noses, cameras and binoculars cocked, the birders then breathlessly followed the guide’s forefinger toward a male Philippine trogon, possibly the country’s most

colorful bird, neighing like a horse behind the bushes.

Walking on a disused logging road and punching into the residual thickets, the birding party ticked off blue fantails, a rufous-fronted tailorbird, brown tit babblers, and leafbirds camouflaged on the green canopy.

But the celestial monarch and two other endangered birds from the region particularly known for their beauty—the Mindanao bleeding-heart pigeon and the Mindanao broadbill— could not be found.

During four days of trekking, the team frequently stumbled across patches of freshly burnt forests and grasslands, with new wooden huts establishing yet more settler communities.

Some of the huts were surrounded by sacks full of charcoal, apparently from burnt trees and intended to be sold as fuel for barbecue grills.

The scenes were disheartening for Filipino pensioner Jude Sanchez, making his second visit in five years to photograph the monarch, a forest standout because of its dazzling plumage and an extravagant, mohawk-style crest.

“The last time I was here, there was no burning yet.

Now it’s almost everywhere,” he said.

Goring explained the blue-naped parrot disap-

peared locally about 15 years ago, primarily because of the pet trade.

He said forest birds sold for as little as P500 ($10) in the markets of Bislig, the nearest city about two hours’ drive away, with customers buying them for food as well as pets.

Asia-wide devastation

The destruction at Bislig is typical of what is happening to tropical rainforests and wetlands across Asia.

Birdlife International said in its latest State of the World’s Birds report that Asian forests suffered from “unsustainable forestry practices, with 0.7 percent of the remaining natural forest lost to logging each year.”

“This degree of habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation has serious consequences for birds,” the re-

port said.

Four Asian nations—the Philippines, Indonesia, China and India—are among 10 countries with the highest numbers of globally threatened birds, it said.

In Bislig, Goring believes all the birds will soon disappear as the last of their habitat is stripped away to accommodate the new human arrivals, which currently are estimated in the thousands.

The area is not an officially protected park, despite its importance to birds.

And while a national logging ban has been in place authorities typically cannot enforce it in remote places such as Bislig because of insufficient funding and manpower.

“In 10 years all these areas will be bald,” Goring said.

“We’re still seeing birds now but they will all vanish with the remaining forests.” AFP

Soup for the hungry. Volunteer church workers distribute hot soup to children of newly arrived evacuees at the town gym in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur. FROILAN GALLARDO

Do not deal with posers, Public Works warns officials

By Dexter A. See BAGUIO CITY—The central office of the Department of Public Works and Highways recently warned the public, especially local officials, against alleged unscrupulous individuals impersonating DPWH officials and engineers and claiming to represent Secretary Rogelio L. Singson and other key agency officials.

These individuals have reportedly demand substantial amounts for flood control and other infrastructure projects.

Elizabeth P. Pilorin, Director of the DPWH Stakeholders Relations Service, said the agency had been receiving numerous complaints from local officials that some individuals posing as representatives of Secretary Singson.

She said that while the department has issued warnings to the public on the matter, there seems to be local officials who give in to the offers of these individuals.

According to her, the DPWH is strictly adhering to a systematic procedure in the identification and prioritization for funding of major infrastructure projects to be funded by the agency during budget deliberations.

“Thus, it is not true that giving huge amounts of money to ‘impostors’ would guarantee the inclusion of their desired projects in the priority listings of the agency for the coming years.”

W E D N E S D AY: O C T O B E R 7, 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

THE ROBREDO FACTOR

[ EDI TORI A L ]

IMAGINARY ACHIEVEMENTS IN PRESIDENT Aquino’s mind, the economy is humming along nicely, low- and middle-income wage earners are doing so well they can well afford to pay the highest taxes in Southeast Asia, and traffic congestion, dubbed the worst on the planet, will soon be a thing of the past.

From this same delusional mind this week came the fantastic suggestion that the opposition would try to grab credit for the accomplishments of the Aquino administration once the campaign for the 2016 elections start.

“We must not forget: It is in the game plan of the opposition to Daang Matuwid to minimize our accomplishments. Others will even [claim] they are the ones who did the accomplishments of the administration, which we worked hard for,” said Aquino at a Liberal Party Convention at the Club Filipino in San Juan City.

He added that even those criticizing the government over its failure to solve the traffic problem would claim credit for fixing it once projects that he began, like the Skyway Stage 3, are completed.

“Just think about this, when they are the ones inaugurating [the projects of the Aquino administration], they might be readying a ‘marker’ as early as today, stating that they are the ones who established [the project],” Aquino said.

He said these opponents had “the thickest face” and urged LP members not to be silent in the face of their attacks.

“The sacrifices of those who were ahead of us are at stake,” Aquino said melodramatically. “The future of 100 million Filipinos is also at stake.”

Ironically, Mr. Aquino has not been above grabbing credit himself.

At the World Economic Forum in May, he claimed he established anticorruption programs in the Bureau of Internal Revenue, when in fact, those programs began under his much-maligned predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In May, the family of Filipino overseas worker Mary Jane Veloso, who is on death row in Indonesia, slammed Aquino for claiming credit for Veloso’s stay of execution when the government allegedly mishandled her case. In truth, they said, it was an Indonesian NGO that won her stay.

Even the conditional cash transfer program—a straight dole that saps away billions in taxpayers’ money—began as a program under Mrs. Arroyo. What Mr. Aquino has done, in fact, was to take the worst program in the Arroyo administration and pumped tens of billions of pesos more into it.

The most outlandish thing about Mr. Aquino’s latest accusation about credit grabbing is that it assumes that he has achievements that are actually worth claiming. But as we sit in traffic for hours every day, and when we see government take one-third of our earnings every payday, we just don’t see that.

MORE LIES FROM NOYNOY LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES YOU’D think that, with the national conversation already shifting inexorably to the people seeking to succeed him in office, President Noynoy Aquino would just quietly leave the podium.

But like a bad actor hell-bent on flubbing even his very last lines, Aquino insists on jarring everyone with his outlandish statements in the little time he has left before he finally exits.

And so, during the acceptance ceremony for Liberal Party vice

presidential candidate Leni Robredo, the latest of the party’s regular “gatherings of friends,” Aquino unveiled another of his alternative truths. This time, he warned the political opposition against grabbing credit for projects started by his administration but which only happened to be completed beyond his term—including his solution to the traffic jams in Metro Manila.

You may want to read the previous sentence again. But here’s what Aquino actually said: “Even those who are criticizing the government due to the traffic, once the Skyway Stage 3 is inaugurated, as well as other of our projects, [will attempt

to grab credit for it]. Just think about this, when they are the ones inaugurating [the projects of the Aquino administration], they might be readying a marker as early as today, stating that they are the ones who built [the project],” Aquino said.

As Aquino’s now-famous alternative truths go, this one is really world-beating.

Just like the traffic in Metro Manila, according to the recent survey conducted by the people who created the Waze mobile application.

But I’m glad that Aquino used the example of the Skyway Stage 3 project, also known as the Balintawak-Buendia Skyway, which will connect the

A9

The delay in the building of Skyway 3 may have directly led to the worsening of metropolitan traffic.

North Luzon Expressway to the South Luzon Expressway. This important toll road, currently under construction and scheduled for completion in April 2017, will create an arterial highway that will allow up to 55,000 vehicles to bypass the perennially clogged Edsa daily as they travel from Northern to Southern Luzon and vice versa.

The 14.8-kilometer toll road is a project of a joint venture between diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. and Citra of Indonesia, which built the original Skyway over SLEX. Work on the six-lane elevated expressway, which will cut travel time between the two expressways from more than an hour-and-a-half (if you’re lucky) to about 15 minutes, was started in January this year.

And thereby hangs a tale of creditgrabbing, official pussy-footing and last-minute corporate maneuvering that Aquino would never tell his “bosses.”

And it’s not one of those newfangled alternative truths, but the old-fashioned kind that the President has never really gotten used to accepting. *** The truth of the matter is, the Skyway Stage 3 was conceived during the Ramos years. And the final engineering plans for the new skyway were completed during the evil (to Aquino, anyway) Arroyo administration.

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-

But Citra, the company that proposed it, did not have the funds to start building the overhead highway as scheduled in 2011, in the second year of the current Aquino government.

Also, Citra was under intense pressure to give up the Balintawak-Buendia Skyway project to the Pangilinan group, which had already purchased NLEX from the Lopezes and which wanted to take Skyway 3 from the impecunious Indonesians. Citra was forced to look for a “white knight,” not only to bankroll the skyway’s construction, but also to be able to fight the political

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MEMBER

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pressure being applied by the operators of NLEX to take the project away from them.

Citra found its partner in cash-rich SMC, which was already going fulltilt into tollway construction with the new TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway) and other such projects. But the Indonesians also had to deal with the unwarranted demands and legal impositions (in the form of seeking legal opinions through the Justice department, for example) made by the Department of Public Works Continued on A10

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

WILL Leni Robredo be a plus for Mar Roxas to pull past Grace Poe? The administration Liberal Party thinks so after a reluctant Robredo announced Monday she had agreed to be Mar’s vice presidential running mate. Leni said she went through a lot of agonizing and soul-searching before she arrived at her decision. President Benigno Aquino III tried hard to win Grace as Mar’s running mate but failed. Is Roxas with the ruling party’s vast resources such a hard sell that Leni had to pray to the high heavens for signs she is doing the right thing?

The way it looks to us, Leni’s entry can only divide the Bicol bloc votes among three other vice presidential candidates—Senators Chiz Escudero, Antonio Trillanes and Gregorio Honasan who like Leni are also all Bicolanos. This augurs well for Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who, on Monday also announced his decision to join the crowded vice-presidential race.

But Bongbong going after bigger game was what former first lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda R. Marcos wanted for her son. Imelda’s political instinct saw the changing tide in the presidential race. With Grace Poe’s citizenship issue hanging over her head, Jejomar Binay losing ground and Mar Roxas probably reaching a plateau where he can’t go any higher, the chances for a Bongbong Marcos presidential run was starting to look good. A Marcos-Duterte or Duterte-Marcos tandem would have been a game changer to the presidential equation in 2016. A reliable source said Imelda during a family gathering, had asked Bongbong. “If not now, when?”

Only 58, Bongbong Marcos’ time will come (“sa tamang panahon”). Bongbong has gotten Duterte’s pledge of support.

But can Duterte be convinced to run for President to give verve to Marcos’ VP bid?

There’s only a week left before the filing of certificates of candidacy deadline on Oct. 12. For those waiting for what the ambivalent and unpredictable Duterte will do, a lot can still happen in a week, as it did on Monday this week. Were they just trying to beat the deadline? Or a confluence of events that Leni decided to be Mar’s mate, Bongbong announced his run for vice president and the United Nationalist Alliance also broke the news of a Binay-Honasan tandem.

After floating several names as possible running mate, Binay was at a loss finding someone, anyone, willing to run with him. This is the loneliness of the long-distance runner who hit his stride 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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

W E D N E S D AY: O C T O B E R 7, 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

THE ROBREDO FACTOR

[ EDI TORI A L ]

IMAGINARY ACHIEVEMENTS IN PRESIDENT Aquino’s mind, the economy is humming along nicely, low- and middle-income wage earners are doing so well they can well afford to pay the highest taxes in Southeast Asia, and traffic congestion, dubbed the worst on the planet, will soon be a thing of the past.

From this same delusional mind this week came the fantastic suggestion that the opposition would try to grab credit for the accomplishments of the Aquino administration once the campaign for the 2016 elections start.

“We must not forget: It is in the game plan of the opposition to Daang Matuwid to minimize our accomplishments. Others will even [claim] they are the ones who did the accomplishments of the administration, which we worked hard for,” said Aquino at a Liberal Party Convention at the Club Filipino in San Juan City.

He added that even those criticizing the government over its failure to solve the traffic problem would claim credit for fixing it once projects that he began, like the Skyway Stage 3, are completed.

“Just think about this, when they are the ones inaugurating [the projects of the Aquino administration], they might be readying a ‘marker’ as early as today, stating that they are the ones who established [the project],” Aquino said.

He said these opponents had “the thickest face” and urged LP members not to be silent in the face of their attacks.

“The sacrifices of those who were ahead of us are at stake,” Aquino said melodramatically. “The future of 100 million Filipinos is also at stake.”

Ironically, Mr. Aquino has not been above grabbing credit himself.

At the World Economic Forum in May, he claimed he established anticorruption programs in the Bureau of Internal Revenue, when in fact, those programs began under his much-maligned predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

In May, the family of Filipino overseas worker Mary Jane Veloso, who is on death row in Indonesia, slammed Aquino for claiming credit for Veloso’s stay of execution when the government allegedly mishandled her case. In truth, they said, it was an Indonesian NGO that won her stay.

Even the conditional cash transfer program—a straight dole that saps away billions in taxpayers’ money—began as a program under Mrs. Arroyo. What Mr. Aquino has done, in fact, was to take the worst program in the Arroyo administration and pumped tens of billions of pesos more into it.

The most outlandish thing about Mr. Aquino’s latest accusation about credit grabbing is that it assumes that he has achievements that are actually worth claiming. But as we sit in traffic for hours every day, and when we see government take one-third of our earnings every payday, we just don’t see that.

MORE LIES FROM NOYNOY LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES YOU’D think that, with the national conversation already shifting inexorably to the people seeking to succeed him in office, President Noynoy Aquino would just quietly leave the podium.

But like a bad actor hell-bent on flubbing even his very last lines, Aquino insists on jarring everyone with his outlandish statements in the little time he has left before he finally exits.

And so, during the acceptance ceremony for Liberal Party vice

presidential candidate Leni Robredo, the latest of the party’s regular “gatherings of friends,” Aquino unveiled another of his alternative truths. This time, he warned the political opposition against grabbing credit for projects started by his administration but which only happened to be completed beyond his term—including his solution to the traffic jams in Metro Manila.

You may want to read the previous sentence again. But here’s what Aquino actually said: “Even those who are criticizing the government due to the traffic, once the Skyway Stage 3 is inaugurated, as well as other of our projects, [will attempt

to grab credit for it]. Just think about this, when they are the ones inaugurating [the projects of the Aquino administration], they might be readying a marker as early as today, stating that they are the ones who built [the project],” Aquino said.

As Aquino’s now-famous alternative truths go, this one is really world-beating.

Just like the traffic in Metro Manila, according to the recent survey conducted by the people who created the Waze mobile application.

But I’m glad that Aquino used the example of the Skyway Stage 3 project, also known as the Balintawak-Buendia Skyway, which will connect the

A9

The delay in the building of Skyway 3 may have directly led to the worsening of metropolitan traffic.

North Luzon Expressway to the South Luzon Expressway. This important toll road, currently under construction and scheduled for completion in April 2017, will create an arterial highway that will allow up to 55,000 vehicles to bypass the perennially clogged Edsa daily as they travel from Northern to Southern Luzon and vice versa.

The 14.8-kilometer toll road is a project of a joint venture between diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. and Citra of Indonesia, which built the original Skyway over SLEX. Work on the six-lane elevated expressway, which will cut travel time between the two expressways from more than an hour-and-a-half (if you’re lucky) to about 15 minutes, was started in January this year.

And thereby hangs a tale of creditgrabbing, official pussy-footing and last-minute corporate maneuvering that Aquino would never tell his “bosses.”

And it’s not one of those newfangled alternative truths, but the old-fashioned kind that the President has never really gotten used to accepting. *** The truth of the matter is, the Skyway Stage 3 was conceived during the Ramos years. And the final engineering plans for the new skyway were completed during the evil (to Aquino, anyway) Arroyo administration.

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-

But Citra, the company that proposed it, did not have the funds to start building the overhead highway as scheduled in 2011, in the second year of the current Aquino government.

Also, Citra was under intense pressure to give up the Balintawak-Buendia Skyway project to the Pangilinan group, which had already purchased NLEX from the Lopezes and which wanted to take Skyway 3 from the impecunious Indonesians. Citra was forced to look for a “white knight,” not only to bankroll the skyway’s construction, but also to be able to fight the political

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

pressure being applied by the operators of NLEX to take the project away from them.

Citra found its partner in cash-rich SMC, which was already going fulltilt into tollway construction with the new TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway) and other such projects. But the Indonesians also had to deal with the unwarranted demands and legal impositions (in the form of seeking legal opinions through the Justice department, for example) made by the Department of Public Works Continued on A10

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

WILL Leni Robredo be a plus for Mar Roxas to pull past Grace Poe? The administration Liberal Party thinks so after a reluctant Robredo announced Monday she had agreed to be Mar’s vice presidential running mate. Leni said she went through a lot of agonizing and soul-searching before she arrived at her decision. President Benigno Aquino III tried hard to win Grace as Mar’s running mate but failed. Is Roxas with the ruling party’s vast resources such a hard sell that Leni had to pray to the high heavens for signs she is doing the right thing?

The way it looks to us, Leni’s entry can only divide the Bicol bloc votes among three other vice presidential candidates—Senators Chiz Escudero, Antonio Trillanes and Gregorio Honasan who like Leni are also all Bicolanos. This augurs well for Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who, on Monday also announced his decision to join the crowded vice-presidential race.

But Bongbong going after bigger game was what former first lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda R. Marcos wanted for her son. Imelda’s political instinct saw the changing tide in the presidential race. With Grace Poe’s citizenship issue hanging over her head, Jejomar Binay losing ground and Mar Roxas probably reaching a plateau where he can’t go any higher, the chances for a Bongbong Marcos presidential run was starting to look good. A Marcos-Duterte or Duterte-Marcos tandem would have been a game changer to the presidential equation in 2016. A reliable source said Imelda during a family gathering, had asked Bongbong. “If not now, when?”

Only 58, Bongbong Marcos’ time will come (“sa tamang panahon”). Bongbong has gotten Duterte’s pledge of support.

But can Duterte be convinced to run for President to give verve to Marcos’ VP bid?

There’s only a week left before the filing of certificates of candidacy deadline on Oct. 12. For those waiting for what the ambivalent and unpredictable Duterte will do, a lot can still happen in a week, as it did on Monday this week. Were they just trying to beat the deadline? Or a confluence of events that Leni decided to be Mar’s mate, Bongbong announced his run for vice president and the United Nationalist Alliance also broke the news of a Binay-Honasan tandem.

After floating several names as possible running mate, Binay was at a loss finding someone, anyone, willing to run with him. This is the loneliness of the long-distance runner who hit his stride 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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

COMPARING LENI TO CORY IS AN INSULT TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO SANTA Banana, President Aquino is scraping the bottom of the barrel, hoping that sentimentalism will make Mar Roxas’ running mate, Leni Robredo, win.

Now he is using the most infantile comparison there is.

The only common thing that the late Cory Aquino has with Leni Robredo is that both their husbands died.

Ninoy died because he was assassinated upon his return from exile. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo died in a plane crash.

Period.

Most importantly, Ninoy Aquino was the voice of the Filipino people against suppression of freedom and civil rights. He came back from exile despite threats to his life. Jesse Robredo? Well, as I said, he died in a plane crash.

The only thing they have in common is their widowhood.

The late DILG secretary may have gone around Naga City in his slippers, but that doesn’t make him my kind of hero that Ninoy was. Far from it.

BS Aquino may think that comparing Leni to his late mother may endear the former to the people. This insults our intelligence. For one thing, what track record and political experience can Leni bring to the voters in 2016? She has nothing substantial to show in terms of performance as a first-termer at the House of Representatives.

My gulay, BS Aquino III distorts history. It was the breakaway group—Reform the Armed Forces Movement— led by then-Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, then PC/ INP Chief Fidel Ramos and then RAM Chief Col. Gringo Honasan, that handed power to Cory on the last day of the 1986 People Power Revolution. Mrs. Aquino was the biggest benefactor of the event.

The President’s parents must now be turning in their graves.

More lies... From A9 and Highways Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson.

(The DPWH secretary looked suspiciously like he was deliberately delaying

*** I was dead wrong when I speculated that Senator Bongbong Marcos would become the running mate of Vice President Jojo Binay. Marcos made his formal bid for the vice presidency, possibly with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as his candidate for President.

Now, it’s turning out to be the United Nationalist Alliance decision that Senator Greg Honasan would run alongside Binay.

Santa Banana, that makes three candidates from the Nacionalista Party aspiring for the vice presidency—Bongbong Marcos, Alan Peter Cayetano and Antonio Trillanes, and two from the Bicol Region, Leni Robredo and Chiz Escudero. I cannot imagine how Robredo can overtake Escudero or even Cayetano in poll surveys when Mar Roxas’ running mate is a non-entity.

I am not predicting who will get elected as Vice President, but I believe it will be a good fight among Bongbong Marcos, Chiz Escudero and Alan Peter Cayetano. I am ruling out Trillanes and Leni Robredo. *** I don’t know if Senator Grace Poe realizes it, but she has made an enemy of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, an advocate of federalism when Mrs. Grace Poe Llamanzares said that federalism can only produce political dynasties.

In fact, Duterte came out with a strong denunciation of Grace Poe that she is still living in the feudal age when vassals of the king or emperor had to pay homage to the latter. Duterte argued that federalism precisely was aimed at distributing power from Imperial Manila to the provinces and regions.

I am in fact a believer of a parliamentary-federal system of government. For long, we have copied the presidential system of government from Mother America, and what have we become? A country ruled by Imperial Manila where the President rules.

If there must be a real change in the country’s political structure, it will be a “parliamentary-federal system” structure of government. It’s for this reason why the foremost advocates of “Bagong Sistema, Bagong Pag-asa” (New System, New Hope) led by former Chief Justice Renato Puno, can count me in as a supporter. *** What was done by The Playgirls, a group of dancers who simulated sexual acts during the Liberal Party oathtaking ceremonies and the birthday celebration of Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao last week, is an ordinary thing.

Politicians do this for their fellow politicians all the time. the start of construction by Citra. Perhaps, sources in the construction industry said at the time, because he really wanted NLEX to build the skyway.)

As a result, the original three-

THE FIVE CS OF GOVERNANCE WHEN deciding the fate of the country in 2016 and beyond, Filipinos will have to remember four things—all of them starting with the letter C—competence, corruption, criminality, and competitiveness. They are the main elements of what is called good governance.

And a fifth C may be added— climate change. While the Philippines is among the least polluting countries in the world in terms of carbon emissions in volume and per capita, it is No. 5 among Top Ten countries most affected by climate change whose biggest victims are the poor.

The person who will grapple with or solve the five Cs is called the candidate. He or she will be elected on May 9, 2016. That is the president of the Philippines.

The CEO of the land is given six years to make a difference. He or she can work hard, adopt a vision, design a mission and deliver on two basic things—solve or alleviate rising unemployment and reduce systematically, nagging poverty.

One of every four employable Filipino either has no work or is only partly employed.

One of every four Filipinos is poor, earning just $1.25 per day, the international definition of poverty.

On the other hand, the next president can turn his or her term into a walk in the park, taking the path of least resistance, which is—do nothing.

This hews close to the formula of the incumbent, Benigno Simeon (BS) Cojuangco Aquino III. He did nothing in the first five years and three months of his six-year presidency. Of course, he claims to feed and give cash to as many as 4.2 million families, the dirt-poor Filipinos, with his conditional cash transfer program which has an annual budget of P60 billion.

He has spent P250 billion for this people in the last five years. But what is that compared with the P670 billion cumulative amount already appropriated in his annual budget but which he did not spend in the last five years? That’s incredible incompetence. Either he padded his annual budget so he could generate savings that he can divert for electioneering in 2016 or he has serious problems with project execution.

BS Aquino simply fed

his people a fancy slogan— matuwid na daan (straight path). Ordinarily, matuwid na daan means a clean and honest government. So far, BS Aquino III is clean, personally. There is no report that he amassed awesome personal wealth through shady deals and transactions. But there is also no record of what he did with rampaging corruption under his very feet—the corrupt deals of his subalterns, including a few of his Cabinet members.

Not only are BS Aquino’s men corrupt. They are also grossly incompetent. Hence, you have a decrepit mass transit system that breaks down with predictable regularity. You have infrastructure that is the lowest quality and quantity in a rapidly rising region called the Asean. You have the worst international airport in the world, the NAIA, which unhappily was named after his fallen father, Ninoy Aquino, because he died there in 1983. You have the worst traffic in the world, according to one survey. An Aquino Cabinet secretary shrugged off the anger of commuters with the region’s worst mass transport and worst traffic by saying they are not fatal. Aquino himself considers the huge mass of humanity descending on the metro railway daily and the traffic as signs of progress.

As if inadequate or absent roads and terrifying traffic were not problems enormous enough, you have surging criminality—bigtime and petty. Commuters and pedestrians are routinely robbed at any time of the day and night.

People are being murdered on the streets, in their homes, and in battlefield sieges like Zamboanga and Mamasapano.

As a president, BS Aquino III was almost successful. But for a number of problems. Like sloth, lack of focus, a mean vindictive streak, lack of vision and mission, incompetent Cabinet, and a venal and corrupt circle of friends and subalterns. Corrupt officials, from top to bottom.

The Philippines is a country with a huge population, talented and resilient 100 million or 24 million families, with enormous natural resources, strategic location, very good economic fundamentals, $80 billion reserves, and $26 billion in overseas remittance income—five to 10 times foreign direct investment in a good year.

Despite those fundamentals, BS Aquino has failed.

It could be that Aquino didn’t pocket money from the treasury.

That is the traditional notion of corruption—stealing taxpayers’ money. By this definition, however, Aquino’s friends and a number of Cabinet members are guilty—either of direct graft or under the principle of command responsibility.

Yet, in his State of the Nation Address on July 27, 2015 Aquino praised these people—instead of announcing their firing. Like the Agriculture Secretary, Proceso Alcala for failing to modernize agriculture on which most of the poor depend and for being linked to all kinds of rackets, from rice and garlic smuggling and overpricing.

Or his Department of Transportation and Communications chief, Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya. Despite his Annapolis credentials, Abaya is guilty of gross incompetence and graft—for giving the maintenance contract of the MRT 3 to a nondescript company, one of whose owners is related to the general manager. For allowing the Land Transportation Office to change all car plates into a new series that is inferior to existing plates and charging car owners P450 for it. For buying inferior driver’s licenses. For allowing the NAIA to be enshrined into the hall of shame as one of the worst airports in the world. For abetting the highest telco rates despite offering the slowest Internet speed.

There is another notion of corruption. This is abuse of power like rampant violation of laws and the Constitution.

Aquino commandeered billions from the budget, P442 billion in the 2015 budget, for using the money at his whim, bribing politicians and people in the Judiciary. That is against the Constitution.

I have been a journalist for 65 years. I have had the chance to cover the campaigns of numerous candidates for national office.

I have seen scantily-clad women gyrating before men. This is all too common because politicians want to attract crowds. All these gimmicks are imported and paid for by politicians themselves.

But lest I am mistaken for tolerating what went on, I have to say the performance was unforgivable.

The ultimate responsibility falls on the President’s lap, whether or not he wanted it to happen. Therefore, he must apologize for it.

*** I can only laugh at the statement of President Aquino that his “gains” as President will be stolen by the opposition.

What gains and accomplishments is the President talking about? His so-called “Daang Matuwid,” the mantra of the administration, has become a big joke because of the President’s brand of “selective justice.”

The President, for instance, cited that traffic problems would be solved once Skyway Stage 3 project is finished. But this will be after his term. Thus, his critics will be

claiming this as their own.

My gulay, does he think his political enemies are so hungry for praise as he is?

BS Aquino III also cited as administration “gains” the program against smugglers and tax evaders. But has he done anything about his shooting buddy former Land Transportation Office Chief Virginia Torres who blatantly went to Customs to have the P100 million worth of smuggled sugar contained in 16 containers released?

“Daang Matuwid,” my foot! It’s the height of hypocrisy!

year construction schedule for Skyway 3 was delayed for nearly three years. And a toll road that should have been completed in 2014—and eased traffic on Edsa as early as last year—was green-lighted by the

DPWH for construction only that same year.

And that’s no alternative version of the events that led to the delay in the building of Skyway 3, something that may have directly led to the

worsening of metropolitan traffic. Of course, Aquino has already told his story—and I’m assuming, like always, that he’s sticking to it.

That doesn’t mean he’s telling the truth, of course.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

THE CIRCUS IS COMING

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO THIS is the 37th article that I have written in this space. Reviewing previous articles printed by The Standard, I recall that the first one was entitled, “It’s a FourWay Fight in 2016”.

And indeed, now that the deadline for filing certificates of candidacy for the presidency is just nine days away, there will be four, namely: Vice President Jejomar Binay y Cabauatan of Batangas, Isabela and his political base of Makati City where he and his family have held sway since 1986, when President Corazon C. Aquino named him officer-in-charge of the country’s then and now richest though area-small local government unit. Because Makati is host to headquarters of the nation’s biggest corporations who pay the biggest amount of taxes, Mayor Binay has been able to fund so many privileges to its less than a million citizens, from quality health care to free birthday cakes to senior citizens. Binay was orphaned early of lower middle-class parents, and had to work his way to law school at the State University. But he has become famously rich, the provenance of his wealth now under microscopic scrutiny; Secretary Manuel Roxas y Araneta, who apart from being a senator of the realm for six years (2004-2010), was congressman of Capiz, then Secretary of Trade and Industry under Presidents Estrada and Arroyo, and Secretary of Transportation

The Robredo... From A9 too early because he ran too early. Then too, those marathon Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearings took its toll on Binay.

Whether or not it was a demolition job, the Senate hearings on the allegedly anomalous Makati building contracts during Binay’s watch wiped out the Veep’s early lead. The stink was just too much it was hard not to believe the allegations. Binay, wife Elenita and son Junjun have been charged of

and later, Secretary of Interior and Local Governments under President Benigno S. Aquino III, with whom he ran as vicepresidential candidate in 2010, but lost by a whisker to Binay.

Roxas is from landed gentry, to the manor born. His paternal grandfather and namesake Manuel Sr. was the first President of the Third Republic who married Dona Trinidad de Leon of Bulacan and Manila, and sired Mar’s father, Gerardo Roxas who also topped the senatorial elections in 1963. Gerry ran for vice president under the LP with Diosdado Macapagal in 1965, but lost to fellow Ilonggo, Fernando Lopez who teamed up with Marcos. On his maternal side, Mar’s mother Judy Araneta is one of three children of Negrense sugar baron and owner of the Cubao shopping district, J. Amado Araneta, whose Araneta Coliseum was once touted an architectural marvel and the world’s biggest dome in 1960 when it was opened. Schooled in the Ateneo and Wharton in the US East Coast, Roxas is old ultra-rich, “ilustrado” to the core; Senator Grace Poe y Sonora, married to Neil Llamanzares, was, as her narrative goes, a foundling abandoned in the baptismal font of Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo, of yet unknown biological parents, and after a series of informal adoptions, was legally adopted by the King and Queen of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe Jr. of San Carlos City, Pangasinan and Susan Roces of the Sonora-Locsin

clan in Negros Occidental.

She was schooled at exclusive Catholic schools, St. Paul’s and Assumption, later took her freshman undergraduate courses in U.P. Manila, and transferred to Boston College in Massachusetts where she finished A.B. Political Science. After a two-year stint as chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board as an appointee of President Noynoy Aquino, she ran and topped the senatorial elections of 2013, and now, after a little more than two years as senator of the realm, seeks to be President of the Republic; Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte y Roa, was born in Maasin of the then-undivided Leyte, his father being lawyer Vicente Duterte of Danao in the 5th district of Cebu, his mother a public school teacher, Soledad Roa, of Cabadbaran in the thenundivided Agusan province.

The Dutertes moved from Cebu to Leyte and thence to Davao City, capital of the then-undivided province of Davao. After a legal practice followed by public service in the provincial capitol, while his wife remained a public school teacher, Vicente was elected governor of Davao, which was later gerrymandered into Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental, and lately further divided with the addition of Compostela Valley. Rodrigo’s early education was in various schools in Davao City, later at the Lyceum in Intramuros, Manila, where he finished A.B. Political Science,

after which he finished law at San Beda College. He practiced law in his city, after which he was appointed fiscal and rose to Assistant City Prosecutor, before being appointed by President Cory Aquino OIC vice mayor after the fall of Marcos in 1986. In 1988, he became mayor of the largest city in land area in the country, in fact, one of the top three largest cities in the world. He tamed what was once the “wild, wild South” of the country, infested with crime and various rebel groups, into what is now ranked the 5th Safest City in the World, in the same exclusive company as Singapore, Osaka, Munich, among others.

Davao’s progress since Duterte took over has been phenomenal, and its unemployment rate of a little over 4 percent is lower than the country’s 7 percent.

So there you are. The list of four may be surprisingly increased in the next nine days if Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago suddenly takes another leap and declares her candidacy. Former president and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada told this writer that he will seek reelection as city mayor. The latest news from Senator Ping Lacson is that he will return to his Senate seat, where the surveys rank him either at the top or safely in second spot.

What is rather weird about the present political circus is that there will be more vicepresidential than presidential candidates.

Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares will have Senator Francis Escudero

as her “official” teammate, but running as independents. She has an “un-official” VP candidate as well, Senator Antonio Trillanes, whose formal declaration last Saturday was even attended by her son, Brian Llamanzares.

Secretary Mar Roxas finally got the nod of Rep. Maria Leonor Gerona vda. de Robredo. This space predicted in a previous column that it would be a MarLeni ticket, after Grace Poe became intransigent to the Liberal entreaties. The yellows want to call it a “Ro-Ro” ticket, forgetting that the roll-on, roll-off naval highway project was started

by PNoy’s nemesis, the suffering Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

VP Jojo will have Senator Gregorio Honasan, thus giving rise to what media wags have called a “Bi-Hon” ticket. But the new pair prefers to be called the Bin-Go tandem, as the senator’s nickname is Gringo.

As for Duterte, there are two senators who have declared their vice-presidential candidacies along with open declarations of support for the reluctant mayor, namely Senator Alan Peter Cayetano of Taguig-Pateros and Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of Ilocos Norte and Tacloban.

Whom Duterte will choose between the two should come after he formally declares that he will run for president to begin with. As predicted in this space several columns ago, Duterte’s candidacy will be a cliffhanger.

Four presidential candidates and six vice presidential candidates. Are there any more, before the political circus begins?

graft by the Ombudsman.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Party is doing damage control on the brouhaha generated by The Playgirls’ raunchy performance at the birthday bash of LP Laguna Rep. Benjamin Agarao.

Senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino who still has to resign as Metro Manila Development Authority chairman has denied that the Playgirls were his “gift” to the birthday celebrator. Mar Roxas said he had left before the sexually suggestive

number which social media panned as “Tuwad na daan”, a pun on PNoy’s “Tuwid na daan.”

Someone asked me what “tuwad” means in the vernacular. I said it’s hard to explain without doing a pornographic pose of “dryhumping,” whatever that means.

Now, a House committee wants to call for a probe of the Playgirls. A congressional inquiry in aid of legislation, or in aid of libido? Aw, come on guys, there’s an easier way to get the girls’ phone numbers for reser-

vations to book a private performance! Like the Playgirls said, it’s just work and it’s not the first time they were booked by the Liberal Party. In a Facebook posting to promote themselves, The Playgirls even proudly wear yellow T-shirts with the Tolentino names emblazoned on their chests. This is ad placement that’s even better than a giant billboard.

There are two options to this whole sordid affair. The first is for Tolentino to forego his

senatorial ambition if he has any decency at all. But that would be expecting too much from someone who has done so little in his five-year watch as MMDA chairman. If Tolentino does not voluntary opt out of the LP senatorial slate, the party can simply exclude him from the ticket without any explanation.

That would be enough to make a strong statement the Liberal Party does not condone women being given as “gift” like merchandise.

#FAILOCRACY

CHONG ARDIVILLA

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Hong Kong fined over booing fans

International Team player Jason Day of Australia is seen on the practice ground ahead of the 2015 Presidents Cup at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon, west of Seoul. AFP

HONG KONG—FIFA has fined Hong Kong after fans jeered the Chinese national anthem and threw a drink at a rival player during a World Cup qualifier, the city’s football authorities said Tuesday.

Fans booed the “March of the Volunteers”—the anthem they share with China—at the game against Qatar in Hong Kong last month which the home side lost 3-2.

Last year’s mass pro-democracy protests have soured attitudes in the semi-autonomous territory towards Chinese authorities and prompted resentment among some fans that the Chinese anthem is used to represent the city’s team.

A carton of lemon tea was also thrown at a Qatari player.

Possible sanctions from world football’s governing body could have included playing future matches behind closed doors, but Hong Kong escaped with a fine and a warning.

The Hong Kong Football Association said it had been fined 5,000 Swiss francs ($5,100) over the “improper conduct among the supporters of its team”.

It was also warned about future behaviour at matches.

“FIFA has warned the HKFA that any further infringements will lead to more severe sanctions,” HKFA said in a statement.

“The HKFA would like to request Hong Kong fans to refrain from such action at all future matches so to avoid future sanctions,” it added.

Fans’ anger against China was stoked in June when a promotional poster used by the China Football Association described the city’s team as “black skinned, white skinned and yellow skinned,” which Hong Kong supporters criticised as racist. AFP

Marapara to play tougher, longer BACOLOD—With strong early evening rains the past two days, the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club, formerly Marapara, will play tougher in the Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub teeing off tomorrow.

The fairways have been rendered soggy, making the course play a lot longer than its 5,500-plus yards from the regular ladies’ tees as premium now will not only be on accuracy because of its tree-lined fairways, but also length off the teeing mounds.

There will be a total

of 18 teams seeing action with Southwoods Masters shooting for a fifth straight title.

Abegail Arevalo, a winner of two international tournaments in different continents this year, has been added to the SWMasters lineup and looms as one of the top picks for

the individual title.

Sofia Chabon, also a member of the ICTSI stables like Arevalo, and Missy Legaspi are just three of the bets that the Carmonabased squad can count on in its quest to extend its historic reign.

Cebu Country Club, which finished second just a stroke behind at Alta Vista in Cebu last year, still remains as the chief rival with a team built around Lois Kaye Go. The Marapara has been one of the toughest tests in golf in the country and if the fairways don’t harden in the next two days, the

players will be struggling to find greens in regulation, especially the last two holes.

Aside from the championship division, titles will also be at stake in the Founders, Sportswriters and Friendship divisions.

The other participating clubs are the Alabang Country Club, Apo Golf & Country Club, Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club, Bacolod Golf & Country Club, Manila Golf Club, Iloilo Golf Ladies Club, Manila Southwoods Masters, Negros Occidental Golf Club, Pueblo de Oro Gold Team, Rancho Palos Verdes Golf Club, Valley Golfer

& Country Club, Victorias Golf & Country Club, Wack Wack Golf & Country Club, Del Monte Golf Club, Eagle Ridge (Ladies Group), Davao City Golf and the Club Lady Eagles Australian Golfers - the only foreign-based squad.

A team captains’ meeting will be held at 9 a.m. today followed by the ceremonial tee-off and captains’ tournament.

The event is being sponsored by the Mareco Broadcasting Network (Crossover), Travelife, Business Mirror, Airbus, Splash Philippines, Wealth Inc. and East Gate Publication.

Rizal Tech vs San Beda in finals

3x3 tourney for the youth. Basketball Efficiency Scientific Training

Center founding president and former national coach Nic Jorge (left) signs an agreement with Milo Ready to Drink, represented by Jose Uy III, SVPBusiness Executive Manager for Liquid Beverages (middle), and Veronica Cruz, Consumer Marketing Manager and Team Lead Liquid Beverages, for the BEST Center-Fiba 3x3 tournament set Nov. 15 at the Ateneo de Manila covered courts. The tournament expects to gather 128 teams made up of 512 players to play two categories for players aged 15-under and 12-under. For details, call the BEST Center at 372-3065 and 411-6260.

Deadline for submission of entries is on Oct. 25.

DEFENDING champion Rizal Technological University will bid for a second straight senior volleyball title against San Beda College Alabang, the same team it beat in last year’s finals, after both squads toppled their Final Four opponents in the 46th WNCAA over the weekend.

RTU outlasted host Philippine Women’s University, 25-14, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18, to stay undefeated after eight matches while SBCA dominated Centro Escolar University, 26-24, 25-19, 25-15, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Game 1 of the best-of-three championship is set this Sunday.

Chiang Kai Shek, meanwhile completed a 6-0 sweep of Junior B after stopping De La Salle Zobel, 21-25, 25-14, 25-18, 25-23. DLSZ will get the No. 2 seeding in the quarterfinals.

In the basketball tournament played at St. Scholastica gym,

defending senior champion CEU trounced University of Asia & the Pacific, 82-20, for a 7-0 sweep of the elimination. It will enjoy a twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals against No. 4 SBCA this Saturday.

The other semifinal pairing— a knockout match—will pit No. 2 RTU versus third-ranked PWU. DLSZ will seek a fifth straight midgets crown against St. Paul College Pasig with the finals opener also set this Sunday.

DLSZ likewise swept all its six elimination matches in the junior futsal event of the league being supported by Gosen, Mikasa, Molten, Goody, Converse, Colgate, Sonak Trading, MJC Printing Press and media partners Inquirer, Bulletin, Philippine Star, Sports5, Magic 89.9 and Chalk Magazine. It will take on SPCP in the semifinals.

Miriam College and Assumption will contest the other finals berth.

Another death rocks high school gridiron LOS ANGELES—A Seattle area high school football player injured in a game on Friday died in hospital on Monday, the latest in a spate of fatalities among youth gridiron players.

Kenney Bui, a senior at Technology, Engineering and Communications (TEC) high school in Seattle, was playing defensive back when he was hurt in the fourth quarter of a game on Friday.

He died on Monday morning, the superintendent of the Highline School District said in a statement posted on the district’s website.

“It is with great sadness that School Board President Bernie Dorsey and I share with you that TEC High School senior Kenney Bui, who was critically injured in Friday night’s Evergreen v. Highline football game, died Monday morning at the hospital,” superintendent Susan Enfield said.

“This is a devastating loss for all of us—Evergreen students, families, and staff, and our entire Highline community. Our deepest condolences go out to Kenney’s family and all who knew him. Please join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.” AFP

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Wawrinka bounces Czech in Tokyo TOKYO—Top seed champion Stan Wawrinka muscled into the second round of the Japan Open on Tuesday with a bludgeoning 7-5, 6-3 victory over Czech Radek Stepanek.

French Open champion Wawrinka produced a dazzling performance in the Tokyo sunshine, the Swiss unleashing a series of jaw-dropping backhands that left his opponent shaking his head in disbelief.

“After last year I’m just happy to play well and get through the match,” said Wawrinka, who was eliminated by Japan’s Tatsuma Ito in the first round last year in a stunning upset and faces the same player in his next match. “(Ito) is tough to play against, but obviously I’ll try to play better than I did last year and hopefully continue to play well all week,” added Wawrinka, chasing a fourth title of the year and the 11th of his career.

The spindly Stepanek wore the timid expression of a man hoping to avoid having sand kicked in his face by his hulking opponent, and Wawrinka’s onehanded backhand—one of the most potent weapons in men’s tennis—bullied the Czech into submission.

It effectively settled the first set as he chased down a decent Stepanek volley to whip the ball back past his opponent, breaking his resistance.

He ripped another down the line to break at the start of the second set, celebrating with a roar and a pump of his fist, and thereafter was not seriously threatened.

Wawrinka, who made his grand slam breakthrough at last year’s Australian Open after years spent in the shadow of countryman Roger Federer, delivered the coup de grace with his 11th ace to wrap up only his second win over Stepanek in six meetings.

Wawrinka’s quest for a first Tokyo title promises to be a difficult one, with defending champion Kei Nishikori arguably a slight favourite to capture his third Japan Open on a court he has owned in recent years. AFP

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland reacts after gaining a point against Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic during their first round match in the Japan Open tennis tournament in Tokyo.

AFP

Exciting fight card at Solaire

By Ronnie Nathanielsz MP PROMOTIONS’ USA LLC will stage a great fight card at the Solaire Hotel and Casino on Nov. 14, featuring a battle for the World Boxing Organization Oriental super flyweight championship and a WBO Pacific junior welterweight title fight in a card titled “Brawl in Solaire.”

In the main event, promising Aston Palicte, who has an impressive record of 17 knockouts in 19 wins, with only 1 loss, will face Thailand’s rugged Wisanlek Sithsaithong, who has a record of 9 knockouts in 13 wins with 8 losses.

In the supporting main event, it will be a battle royale between undefeated Adones Cabalquinto and the young and talented Al Rivera, both former amateur standouts.

The 24-year-old Palicte is coming off a fourth-round TKO over Fernando Ocon last Aug. 14 after registering a third-round knockout of Michael Escobia in a scheduled 10-round bout last May 30.

Prior to that, Palicte hammered Ismael Gamica into submission in seven rounds on March 7 following a first-round knockout of Tomyuthlek Sor Narongchai to win the vacant International Boxing Federation youth title on Jan. 31.

Wisanlek Sithsaithong is 23 years old and is coming off a sixthround TKO loss to Yuki Yonaha of Japan last July 12 after scoring back-to-back knockouts against unheralded Thai fighters.

The 27-year-old southpaw Cabalquinto has an unblemished record of 21-0 with 14 knockouts

and is the reigning Philippines’ super lightweight champion, having won the title with a firstround knockout of Jonel Gadapan last May 30 after which he scored a fourth-round TKO of RS Anoos on Aug. 14.

The 22-year-old Al Rivera has 11 knockouts in 13 wins with 2 losses and is coming off a firstround knockout of veteran Mark Sale,s who had 62 fights in his career.

Rivera, nicknamed the “Machine Gun” earlier won the Philippine Boxing Federation lightweight title with a rousing second-round knockout of Junord Pastrano.

The fights will be covered by Viva Sports and telecast on the top-rated weekly boxing show “The Main Event” on Pinoy Box Office over Sky Cable, nationwide.

Jaguars oust champ Cobras CEBU City—University of San Jose-Recoletos ended the reign of defending champion Southwestern University, hacking out a hard-earned 81-75 victory even as University of San Carlos survived the University of Visayas’ fightback en route to a 79-75 overtime win in the second day of the Final Four of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. basketball tournament here.

The USJ-R Jaguars pounced on the SWU Cobras’ depleted roster, engaging the defending champions in a shootout behind the deadly trio of Ralph Dinolan, Kevin Villafranca and Miguel Gastador.

The Jaguars, who played minus the suspended Jan Michael Auditor and with Fil-Samoan rookie Jesse ‘Juju’ still recovering from an ankle injury, took a slim 59-58 lead after three quarters.

The Cobras earlier put on a shooting display, led

by Mark Jayven Tallo and Anton Pardo, who combined for six treys to give their team a 37-33 lead at the break.

It was a see-saw battle in the final period, as USJ-R and SWU traded baskets, with the Jaguars posting a narrow 70-68 lead before the Jaguars’ Jaybie Mantilla and Dinolan extended the lead to six, 75-69, with 1:24 remaining. Mikey Izumi

Foton Toplanders in PCBL. The newly re-named Foton Toplanders basketball team,

formerly the Tornados, will be participating in the inaugural season of the Philippine Commercial Basketball League that opens on Oct. 11. The team was introduced at the recent launching of the Foton Toplander SUV at the World Trade Center. Photo shows the players with the Foton SUV bearing the team’s name.

Zhang wants to learn from Djokovic BEIJING—China’s Zhang Ze promised to watch and learn from Novak Djokovic after he registered one of the best wins of his career on Monday to set up an expected meeting with the world number one.

Zhang, listed at 219 in the world, savoured a rare victory over a top-100 player as he upset Uzbekistan’s 70th-ranked Denis Istomin 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the China Open first round.

China’s number one is used to hunting out video of the obscure opponents he comes up against on the second-tier Challenger Tour and qualifying tournaments.

He will not have to look hard for footage of Djokovic, the 10-time Grand Slam-winner who is on a 24-match unbeaten streak in Beijing and should breeze past Simone Bolelli in round one on Monday.

Nevertheless, the 25-year-old dutifully promised to study hard in his usual fashion before facing the Serbian great, and to enjoy the occasion in front of his home fans.

“After I saw the draw, I knew that I would meet first a qualifier and then Novak. A lot of people say, ‘Cheer up, I hope you can meet Novak’,” Zhang said.

AFP

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

‘Gilas needs more time to prepare’ THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas lauded the effort and sheer guts of the 12man Gilas Pilipinas team that finished runner-up in the Fiba Asia Championship despite having a short time preparing for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Changsha, China.

V-League Reinforced meet set THE Shakey’s V-League rides on the crest of the recent Collegiate Conference’s huge success as it kicks off its season-ending Reinforced Conference on Saturday, with powerhouse Army out to complete what it has failed to achieve last year.

With a stellar cast headed

by Rachel Ann Daquis, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Aby Maraño, MJ Balse, Nerissa Bautista and setter Tina Salak, the Lady Troopers loom as the top favorite in the six-team field in the weekend-only tournament presented

by PLDT Home Ultera.

Army, which has won two Open titles in the league where it all started, got swept

by Cagayan Valley in last year’s championship and lost to PLDT Home Ultera in sudden death in this year’s Open Conference finals.

Those setbacks only made the Lady Troopers, who also include Patricia Siatan-Torres, Joanne Bunag, Genie Sabas, Remy Joy Palma, Angela Nunag, Honey Royse Tubino, Christine Agno and Sarah Jane Gonzales, hungrier with head coach Emil Reyes confident of closing out the season on a winning note.

SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios shares to mediamen the experience of Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Championship, where the team placed runner-up to host China. EY ACASIO

Not lost to SBP executive director Sonny Barrios was the fact the team of coach Tab Baldwin had to cramp a seven-week training highlighted by a whirlwind stint in an Estonia pocket tournament and the Jones Cup competition, before leaving for the Sept. 23 to Oct. 3 tournament.

Yet, the Filipinos just fell a win short of ending the country’s more than four decades of searching for an Olympic seat after losing to the host country in the championship game, 78-67.

“Kaya pupurihin mo talaga ‘yung 12 na ito from the very start,” said Barrios in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tueday, noting how the champion team went on a seven-month European stint just to prepare for the Fiba-Asia meet.

“You should prepare them (team) with enough time. Tayo less than two months, alam niyo ‘yung China? Seven months lang naman,” the SBP executive added.

Barrios also got to understand why Baldwin, whom he describes as someone who’s extensive in international coaching, needed longer time to prepare Gilas Pilipinas for a major tournament.

“Coach Tab explained to me he has a lot of plays because everything depends on which opponent Gilas is playing. Kung Iran, he has a different set of plays na para sa Iran lang, the same with China, and the others.

“Kaya from that point, I understand ‘yung pangangailangan ng isang coach for a long period of time (to prepare) especially if you get to that level,” Barrios added in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Shakey’s, Accel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

NCAA Division I stars to take PSL by storm A HIGH-CALIBER talent in Lindsay Dowd is being tipped to steal the thunder from the stronger, more experienced imports and other prominent locals when the 2015 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix fires off this Saturday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.

After seeing action in a prestigious US NCAA Division I program, University of California-Davis, Dowd will be bringing her playmaking skills to the country as she banners Philips Gold in this prestigious inter-club women’s volleyball tournament.

The 5’9” stunner will be coming in to replace another Fil-Am setter in Iris Tolenada, who decided to return to the United States to focus on her coaching career. Dowd, however, has much more to offer after gaining international experience in Switzerland, where she campaigned for VBC Fribourg shortly after her NCAA stint in 2013.

Dowd will be reunited with fellow Californians Bojana Todorovic of University of CaliforniaLos Angeles and Alexis Olgard of University of Southern California, giving the Lady Slammers an easy time developing their chemistry inside and outside the court.

“Lindsay’s arrival turned us into a serious contender,” said Philips Gold Francis Vicente, adding that Myla Pablo, Michelle Gumabao and Desiree Dadang have adjusted fully well to the American game of Dowd, Todorovic and Olgard.

Aside from Dowd, another NCAA Division I standout in Kayla Williams will be also making her debut for Foton.

The 5’10” Filipino-Jamaican, who grew up in Toronto, saw action for Grambling State University before playing in Latvia, Bahamas and Russia.

She was also invited to join the Jamaican national women’s team, but the chance to play in her granparents’ homeland was too good to pass.

SBC’s Ola Adeogon secures the loose ball against Letran’s Jomari Sollano. BROSI GONZALES

Lions whip Knights, secure twice-to-beat edge

By Peter Atencio Games Friday (San Juan Arena) 8 a.m. -- San Sebastian vs JRU (jrs) 10 a.m. --EAC-ICA vs Mapua (jrs) 12 nn --San Sebastian vs JRU (srs) 2 p.m. --EAC vs Mapua (srs) 4 p.m. --Perpetual Help vs Letran (srs) 6 p.m. --Perpetual Help vs Letran (jrs) SAN Beda College Lions weathered Letran’s late rally to pull off a 77-73 victory yesterday and earn a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four of the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena.

Olaide Adeogun drilled in 13 points and

had 15 rebounds, including seven crucial points in the last period, as the Red Lions held their ground and finished the eliminations with a 13-5 record.

Earlier, the Knights, who were led by Rey Nambatac’s 16 markers, held San Beda scoreless in the last two minutes, as a trey from Jerrick Balanza, a putback from Felix Apreku, and a split charity from McJour Luib that had Letran coming to within 7377, in the last 23.8 seconds.

Mark Cruz, however, missed a jumper, and Baser Amer blocked Rey Publico’s attempt from the three-point line put the game to bed in favor of the Red Lions.

The Knights dropped to second spot 12-5, and the result of their game with the Univer-

sity of Perpetual Help Altas on Friday, will determine their place in the Final Four.

Meanwhile, Arellano University Chiefs and Mapua turned back separate rivals yesterday to stay in the hunt for a spot in the Final Four.

Jiovani Jalalon scored 18 of a game-high 31 points in the final period to lead the Chiefs past the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 98-90, even as the Cardinals, behind Darren Medina’s late heroics, downed the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 77-72.

The Chiefs finished the two-round eliminations with a 12-6 record to stay in contention for a Final Four berth, which remains a wide-open race among six contenders.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

A15 LOTTO RESULTS

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

P0.0 M+ P0.0 M+

PCSO, Philracom, MJC, sign pact for Presidential Gold Cup Real Madrid starts football clinics in PH. Marking history in Philippine football, three renowned football coaches of Spain’s Real Madrid have started their series of football clinics for Filipino kids in Megaworld’s state-of-the-art McKinley Hill Stadium. Spearheaded by Alliance Global Group, Inc., parent company of Emperador, Inc. and Megaworld, and the PinoySports Foundation, Real Madrid hopes to share to young footballers and coaches across 16 regions in the country the methods and training regime based on the current programs of Real Madrid’s youth development program. MANNY PALMERO

Hot-shooting Tigers, Tamaraws in spotlight Bo is staying put ATENEO will keep Bo Perasol as head coach of the Blue Eagles.

Team manager Epok Quimpo said yesterday that Perasol will stay as the team’s head coach, denying rumors that the coach was on the way out after the Blue Eagles lost to their arch rivals, De La Salle Green Archers, 76-80, last Sunday in their first-round match in the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball competition.

Among those, who watched the game at the Mall of Asia, was Ateneo’s chief supporter Manny Pangilinan, who had just flown back to the country after watching the championship game of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas and China in the FIBA Asia Championhip in Changsa, China.

According to rumors, Perasol will be replaced by Ronnie Magsanoc, one of Perasol’s assistants who had been with the team for the last two years.

Perasol, meanwhile, downplayed Ateneo’s loss to La Salle, saying that “it’s not the end yet.”

He also noted that the Blue Eagles have the tendency to relax in the second half, but said that this problem is being addressed by the coaching staff. Peter Atencio

By Peter Atencio

TWO of the shootingest teams in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball competition will again lean on their long guns when they take on separate opponents starting at 2 p.m. today at the Araneta Coliseum.

Up first will be the hot-shooting University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, who will battle the University of the East Warriors at 2 p.m., while the Far Eastern University Tamaraws meet last year’s champions National University Bulldogs in the 4 p.m. schedule.

With their outside shooting clicking, Tigers and the Tamaraws currently share the top spot on similar 5-1 cards, something that their coaches would want to preserve for as long as possible.

“Iyun ang hinintay ko sa team. Ang shooting nila kailangang tumama,” said UST coach Bong dela Cruz, whose Tigers buried seven three-pointers in the third

quarter en route to an impressive 77-61 victory over the La Salle Green Archers a week ago, translated into an 11-of-24 clip from the three-point line overall.

The Tamaraws, meanwhile, are also putting a premium on shooting, as FEU coach Nash Racela said that his players are now spending extra time honing their shooting skills during practices in preparation against the equally-prolific Bulldogs.

“Nagbubunga na iyung ginagawa nila sa practice,” said Racela.

It will be recalled that it was Mike Tolomia’s trey with 41.8 seconds left which carried the Tamaraws to a 60-58 win over Adamson recently.

After 4 rounds of sparring, Viloria, Nietes ready to go

By Ronnie Nathanielsz AFTER four rounds of sparring with World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, former two-division world champion Brian Viloria announced they are both ready to go on Oct. 17.

Viloria faces the biggest challenge of his career against undefeated pound-for-pound No.1 flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez of Nicaragua at Madison Square Garden and Nietes makes the eighth defense of his title against Juan “Pinky” Alejo, Mexico’s flyweight champion at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California on the same day.

After the sparring, Viloria, who has a record of 36-4 with 22 knock-

outs, told The Standard/boxingmirror.com, that they went “four good rounds.”

He described Nietes, the longestreigning Filipino world champion as a “very technical fighter who is in great shape and looks ready to go.”

He said the sparring session would help both of them a lot, even as he maintained, “we are going to do the Philippines proud.”

Freddie Roach’s assistant trainer Marvin Somodio, who works with Viloria much of the time, said the sparring was great and that Nietes, who sports a record of 36-1-4 with 21 knockouts, gave Brian a good workout.

“Both of them looked good and Three-time world champion Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria works it was fine for both of them,” Somo- out for his upcoming 10-round feature fight against Jose Alfredo dio said.

Zuniga of Mexico at the Wild Card Boxing Club.

THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Philippine Racing Commission, and the Manila Jockey Club inked an agreement for the staging of the 43rd PCSO Presidential Gold Cup at MJC’s San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

The MoA was signed yesterday at the Manila Golf Club by PCSO Vice-Chairman and General Manager Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas II, Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, and MJC Chairman Alfonso Reyno Jr. and President and COO Alfonso “King” G. Reyno III. The race will be held Dec. 13, Sunday, and is expected to attract the top-ranked elite Throroughbreds with total prize money of P4 million, with P3 million coming from PCSO and an additional P1 million from Philracom.

Rojas reiterated PCSO’s support for horseracing, and said that the PCSO racing calendar for 2016 was already approved by the agency’s Board of Directors. “We look forward to another year of fun and excitement of racing with PCSO,” he said.

Sanchez said, “I assure the PCSO that Philracom will always support the Presidential Gold Cup, and every year we will be donating P1 million to the winner of this prestigious race.”

King Reyno added, “I am very happy and thankful to be hosting the 43rd running of the gold Cup. We all know…that this is the most anticipated race of the year, and for good reason. Just to compete in this race is indeed a big honor for any horseowner and any racing stable.” ***** Philracom passed a resolution last Sep. 23 approving a course outline and training modules for racehorse trainers.

“The establishment of a training course,” said Philracom Chairman Sanchez, “is intended to professionalize the sector and set standards that will ensure that their skills and knowledge are commensurate with their job.”

Also in the works is a similar course for jockeys. Both courses are to be accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

At present, people learn the skills of jockeys, trainers, and grooms as well as those of other industry professions through observation and hands-on practice.

There is great demand abroad for welltrained jockeys and exercise riders. According to MJC Chairman Reyno, Saudi Arabia alone has a requirement for 1,000.

Many Filipino riders are already working abroad, mostly in the Middle East and Japan. ***** The PCSO Racing Committee announced that the declared runners for the Oct. 18 PCSO Anniversary race at Santa Ana Park are Felipe Vergara’s Messi, Tony Tan’s Pugad Lawin, Ruben Dimacuha’s Low Profile, lawyer Narciso Morales’s Tap Dance, Mayor Benhur Abalos’s Hagdang Bato, and Jun Sevilla’s Penrith.

Meanwhile, the entries in the Oct. 31 PCSO Maiden race at SLLP are Morales’s Guantanamera, Albert Dichaves’s Mahayana Budur, Joseph Dyhengco’s Yes Kitty, Nathaniel Velasco’s Ellie’s Charm, Sevilla’s Purging Line, Cool Summer Farm’s Striking Colors, Stony Road Horse Farm’s Mt. Rainier, and Mayor Sandy Javier’s Yong Yong. *** Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @gogirlracing, Instagram: @jensdecember, Blog: http://jennyo.net

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK WE DN E S DAY : O CTO B E R 7 , 2 0 1 5

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RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Two of the NBA’s best guards. Rajon Rondo (left) of the Sacramento Kings and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers are shown during a preseason game at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. AFP

Tab wants Gilas in FIBA qualifier

By Jeric Lopez

DESPITE some hesitation on the part of Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas officials, national team coach Tab Baldwin is hopeful that the SBP will still decide to send the Gilas Pilipinas team to the 2016 FIBA Qualifying tournament.

After the Philippines solidified its status of one of Asia’s top basketball teams after once again bagging the silver medal in the recent 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, Baldwin is setting his sights on the near future as he looks to continue to sharpen Smart Gilas, saying that participating in the quali-

fying tournament next year, regardless of the result, is part of the process.

Baldwin admitted that the level of competition in the qualifying tournament will be a notch higher, but said this would benefit the program as they look forward to bigger tournaments in the future.

“Being there in the 2016 tour-

naments will help prepare for 2017. That’s why I’m hoping that we can participate there next year,’’ said Baldwin. “I don’t think you can get enough of really tough competition. You grow so much through adversity and the Olympic qualifier presents adversity.’’

SBP President Manny Pangilinan and SBP executive Ricky Vargas both said in recent interviews that they are still unsure if the country should participate in the qualifying tournament next year given that it would coincide with the Philippine Basketball Association season. They said it is more reasonable to prepare for

VILORIA, NIETES READY TO GO

BARRIOS: PH 5 NEEDS MORE TIME TO PREPARE

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the next FIBA Asia Championship in 2017 instead.

“That’s just my hope and prayer that we can join. We’ll all gather to talk about that and the direction moving forward and make the best decisions,’’ Baldwin added.

Among those who will join the qualifying tournament next year are European powerhouses France, Canada and Serbia, among others.

Meanwhile, Baldwin also confirmed that he’ll be in the country for the long haul and he is looking forward to a better future for the Philippine National Team with him at the helm.

Hornet injures shoulder LOS ANGELES—Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is likely to be sidelined for some time after an MRI revealed he has a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

The NBA team announced the diagnosis on Monday, two days after Kidd-Gilchrist was hurt in an NBA pre-season game against the Orlando Magic.

Team officials did not say whether Kidd-Gilchrist would require surgery, nor did they offer a timeline for his return.

The 22-year-old player is scheduled to visit Hornets team orthopedist Marcus Cook on Tuesday to determine the next steps for the recovery and rehabilitation of his shoulder.

Kidd-Gilchrist, who was the second overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, averaged 10.9 points and 7.6 rebounds in 55 games for Charlotte last season while also making a strong contribution on defense.

He inked a four-year, $52 million contract extension in September. AFP

WEDNESDAY: OCTOBER 7, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

B1

Malampaya’s 25th anniversary.

Energy officer-in-charge Zenaida Monsada (center) leads the ceremonial push button during the Malampaya 25th anniversary celebration and the inauguration of the new Malampaya platform at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. With Monsada are (from left) PNOCExploration Corp. president Pedro Aquino Jr., Chevron Malampaya LLC managing director Sabino Santos (partly hidden), PNOC-EC chairman and chief executive Gemiliano Lopez Jr., Shell Philippines Exploration managing director Sebastian Quiniones, Shell Philippines Exploration Malampaya project 2 and 3 manager Antoine Blick, Chevron Indo-Asia Business Unit managing director Charles Taylor, Shell country chairman Edgar Chua and Shell Global Solutions general manager Simon Ong. MANNY PALMERO

PSe comPoSite index Closing October 6, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

7,055.49 93.56

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing OCTOBER 6, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P46.470

46.20

CLOSE

47.00

September inflation hit record-low 0.4%

By Gabrielle H. Binada, Julito G. Rada

HIGH P46.310 LOW P46.490 AVERAGE P46.405 VOLUME 1,109.900M

P417.00-P640.00 LPG/11-kg tank P35.85-P43.35 Unleaded Gasoline P24.55-P28.00 Diesel

oPriceS il P today

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, October 6, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.5800

Japan

Yen

0.008305

0.3868

UK

Pound

1.514400

70.5408

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129032

6.0103

Switzerland

Franc

1.024800

47.7352

Canada

Dollar

0.763650

35.5708

Singapore

Dollar

0.704374

32.8097

Australia

Dollar

0.708818

33.0167

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

123.5544

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266738

12.4247

Brunei

Dollar

0.701902

32.6946

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000069

0.0032

Thailand

Baht

0.027503

1.2811

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

12.6838

Euro

Euro

1.118400

52.0951

Korea

Won

0.000863

0.0402

China

Yuan

0.157144

7.3198

India

Rupee

0.015352

0.7151

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.228311

10.6347

New Zealand

Dollar

0.650491

30.2999

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030766

1.4331 Source: PDS Bridge

INFLATION rate fell to an all-time low of 0.4 percent in September, tempered by the price movement in food, electricity and oil, the National Economic and Development Authority said Tuesday.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed headline inflation rate eased further from 0.6 percent in August and from 4.4 percent in September 2014. This brought the average inflation in the first nine months to 1.6 percent, below the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2015.

“We expect the current low inflation environment exhibited in the first nine months of 2015 to persist throughout the rest of the year, more so, as international oil prices continue to remain low and are not expected to increase significantly in the near term,” said Economic Planning Secretary Ar-

senio Balisacan.

Inflation in the food subgroup eased to 0.7 percent in September, following slower price adjustments in majority of its sub-items such as breads and cereals, fish, fruits, and rice.

Non-food inflation also registered negative 0.2 percent, resulting from the sustained lowering of prices of electricity, gas, and other fuels.

Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes selected volatile food and energy prices, decelerated to 1.4 percent from 1.6 percent in August and 3.4 percent in September 2014. Core inflation in the first nine months of 2015 av-

eraged at 2.1 percent.

“The slowdown of core inflation further indicates that prices across a broad range of consumer items continue to remain stable,” Balisacan said.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said with the latest inflation figure, the current monetary policy stance remained appropriate.

“We have seen inflation further moderating to 0.4 percent in September 2015. Based on our latest forecasts, we should see inflation bottoming out on account of the impact of El Niño and weak peso,” Guinigundo said in a text message Tuesday.

Cumbersome govt permits cost economy P150b THE economy loses more than P150 billion annually in business, tax and economic opportunities because of the cumbersome process of securing government permits, according to the World Bank.

“Overall, the cost imposed on small firms in starting a business is very high. They not only have to pay legitimate fees of up to P45,000, they also spend a considerable amount of time in moving from one agency to another and waiting in line to process documents, often resulting in significant loss in productive time and income,” said World Bank Philippines senior

country economist Karl Kendrick Chua.

The World Bank, in its Philippine Economic Update, said the estimate included the average opportunity losses from complying government requirements.

It said for businesses, lost income opportunities likely reached P11.9 billion, annually, while for the government, lost tax and contribution revenues would likely amount to P9.7 billion. For the economy, this would translate in lower aggregate spending by P133.8 billion.

The estimate is on top of losses due to corruption, which the World

Bank said was “significant but very difficult to measure.”

“Apart from legally-mandated direct cost, corruption adds to the cost of starting and maintaining a business. While the peso value is difficult to determine given the clandestine nature of these transactions, the significant number of businesses reporting the need to pay bribes or give gifts suggest that the practice may be systemic in some agencies,” the World Bank said.

The bank also said the Philippines was still “unfriendly” to small- and medium- enterprises as

it continued to be a difficult place do business in.

The World Bank estimated that small businesses were paying fees equivalent to 17 percent to 36 percent of per-capita income, or around P21,000 to 45,000 when starting a business.

“To make growth more inclusive, reforms to simplify business regulations are needed. Priority needs to be given to three major hindrances that affect small businesses the most: starting and maintaining a business, paying taxes and accessing finance,” Chua said.

Gabrielle H. Binaday

WEDNESDAY: OCTOBER 7, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Tuesday, OcTOber 6, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 75 91.5 137 80 361.2 57 180 1700 124

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 58 62 88.35 52 276 41 118.2 1200 59

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank

2.64 69.3 106.00 81.80 41.35 2.45 1.35 15.76 20 7.40 2.16 700.00 0.630 85 0.96 16.50 24.00 49.90 105 175 294.8 30.2 139 1455.00 50.50

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 89 20.6 125 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 17 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 3.95 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 238 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 40.3 15.32 62.5 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 8.61 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 2.3 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 161 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Bogo Medelin Century Food Chemphil Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 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.

LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

43.5 1.5 0.9 1.53 10.86 51.5 16.74 91.5 50 25.95 42.4 2.38 1.88 9.49 10.460 6.99 5.84 7.68 1.88 12.02 22.7 66.05 11.40 12.80 5.73 2.800 195.50 2.2 3.9 46.90 22.5 21.35 5.52 301.00 4.16 6.80 11.40 3.39 1.98 2.28 3.95 139.9 2.17 0.155 1.68 2.01 191 4.72 0.67 1.10

0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 6.55 0.0670 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 4.5 0.030 0.550 59.3 751 1.13 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

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

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

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

Minerales Industrias Corp.

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

0.415 57.2500 16.08 6.70 0.265 0.255 761 6.89 12.34 3.02 4.00 0.280 1330 5.93 70.35 5.5 0.78 10.28 0.55 4.99 8.45 0.0390 1.950 49.10 879.00 1.21 80.000 0.3150 0.2320 0.231

10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79

8990 HLDG 6.410 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 8.30 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.62 Araneta Prop `A’ 1.040 Arthaland Corp.

0.225 Ayala Land `B’ 34.100 Belle Corp. `A’ 3.03 Cebu Holdings 5 Century Property 0.58

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

SHARES 14,579,888 155,306,595 292,713,680 167,843,197 203,908,268 1,842,698,958 2,678,403,203

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.63 2.63 69.5 68.1 108.90 106.40 84.00 83.10 41.1 41.1 2.43 2.43 1.35 1.34 15.76 15.6 20.1 19.9 7.40 7.40 2.35 2.05 710.00 710.00 0.640 0.590 86 83.8 0.96 0.93 16.50 16.20 23.80 23.80 52.00 50.45 108 104 122 120 295 294 32.2 30.2 143 140 1470.00 1460.00 54.00 51.20 INDUSTRIAL 43.9 42.65 1.53 1.42 0.9 0.89 1.55 1.52 11.4 10.86 51.5 51.3 16.8 16.72 96 94.05 50 50 26.3 25.6 46.05 42.4 2.47 2.38 1.92 1.74 9.64 9.48 10.700 10.46 7.39 6.99 6.05 5.90 7.69 7.67 1.98 1.74 14 11.7 23.9 23 67.9 66 11.42 11.40 13.00 12.50 5.74 5.65 3.050 2.680 199.50 196.50 2.2 2.1 4 3.56 46.85 43.00 23 22.55 21.4 21 5.78 5.51 307.00 300.40 4.24 4.14 6.94 6.75 11.50 11.38 3.45 3.30 2.00 1.95 2.36 2.2 4.01 3.99 140 139.9 2.65 2.17 0.156 0.150 2.11 1.75 2.03 1.95 194 188.1 4.73 4.57 0.71 0.67 1.15 1.04 HOLDING FIRMS 0.415 0.385 58.1000 57.9500 16.52 16.18 6.70 6.69 0.275 0.241 0.27 0.260 772 761.5 7.07 6.93 13.20 12.48 3.4 3.29 4.05 4.04 0.300 0.255 1352 1340 5.96 5.93 71.50 70.35 5.82 5.61 0.84 0.77 11.12 10.44 0.53 0.53 5.15 4.98 8.47 8.43 0.0400 0.0370 1.970 1.880 50.00 47.10 907.00 878.00 1.18 1.17 84.300 78.600 0.3300 0.3150 0.2300 0.2220 0.249 0.235 PROPERTY 6.500 6.410 7.58 7.58 0.62 0.59 1.030 1.030 0.230 0.230 35.000 34.500 3.07 3.02 5 4.8 0.59 0.56

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.63 69.45 108.90 83.70 41.1 2.43 1.35 15.7 20.05 7.40 2.14 710.00 0.590 83.8 0.96 16.40 23.80 50.50 108 122 295 30.2 140.3 1460.00 52.00

-0.38 0.22 2.74 2.32 -0.60 -0.82 0.00 -0.38 0.25 0.00 -0.93 1.43 -6.35 -1.41 0.00 -0.61 -0.83 1.20 2.86 -30.29 0.07 0.00 0.94 0.34 2.97

2,000 13,600 2,942,460 2,075,160 90,100 7,000 22,000 2,400 1,854,825 500 219,000 10 4,191,000 2,167,650 28,000 138,700 1,100 216,600 5,710 20 1,480 182,800 982,450 190 4,310

43.9 1.53 0.89 1.54 10.92 51.3 16.72 96 50 26.15 46.05 2.43 1.74 9.61 10.500 6.99 5.94 7.68 1.74 11.7 23.35 66.7 11.40 13.00 5.71 2.900 196.70 2.11 3.99 46.85 22.9 21.35 5.69 300.40 4.15 6.75 11.50 3.45 1.99 2.28 4.00 139.9 2.65 0.151 2.07 1.95 194 4.57 0.69 1.04

0.92 2.00 -1.11 0.65 0.55 -0.39 -0.12 4.92 0.00 0.77 8.61 2.10 -7.45 1.26 0.38 0.00 1.71 0.00 -7.45 -2.66 2.86 0.98 0.00 1.56 -0.35 3.57 0.61 -4.09 2.31 -0.11 1.78 0.00 3.08 -0.20 -0.24 -0.74 0.88 1.77 0.51 0.00 1.27 0.00 22.12 -2.58 23.21 -2.99 1.57 -3.18 2.99 -5.45

2,294,000 7,000 123,000 599,000 7,500 140 1,379,000 110 30 698,400 10,500 1,693,000 2,382,000 1,005,200 2,550,200 2,721,500 23,963,600 1,266,400 212,000 1,036,100 3,055,200 246,520 900 6,500 98,600 27,014,000 747,830 15,000 56,000 1,200 647,700 212,500 5,009,600 711,280 163,000 1,174,100 18,800 111,000 103,000 10,706,000 1,312,000 3,900 4,637,000 6,880,000 8,814,000 1,255,000 3,181,640 34,000 568,000 153,000

0.410 58.1000 16.36 6.70 0.245 0.260 767 7 12.64 3.4 4.05 0.275 1349 5.93 71.10 5.8 0.8 11 0.53 5.07 8.46 0.0370 1.930 47.10 880.00 1.18 84.300 0.3150 0.2220 0.240

-1.20 1.48 1.74 0.00 -7.55 1.96 0.79 1.60 2.43 12.58 1.25 -1.79 1.43 0.00 1.07 5.45 2.56 7.00 -3.64 1.60 0.12 -5.13 -1.03 -4.07 0.11 -2.48 5.38 0.00 -4.31 3.90

640,000 3,850.00 2,129,840 39,168,452.00 12,562,300 -65,192,850.00 4,200 4,960,000 260,000 379,960 -70,031,390.00 3,125,400 -1,742,130.00 6,569,400 18,224,978.00 15,000 5,000 1,740,000 -10,200.00 187,030 22,638,640.00 266,300 1,207,205.00 3,516,980 -15,530,627.00 10,038,500 2,262,626.00 2,544,000 8,071,600 -9,414,700.00 20,000 48,161,000 -71,418,280.00 1,004,800 168,700,000 -156,700.00 3,029,000 -71,580.00 267,700 -1,036,645.00 421,870 -103,699,420.00 380,000 34,510 -407,268.00 2,510,000 520,000 330,000

6.460 7.58 0.60 1.030 0.230 35.000 3.04 5 0.58

0.78 -8.67 -3.23 -0.96 2.22 2.64 0.33 0.00 0.00

357,400 1,500 184,000 6,000 40,000 11,142,200 4,224,000 48,300 3,280,000

651,050.00 117,881,840 34,825,283.50 -1,084,590.00 -12,150.00 6,240.00 8,240.00 23,180.00 63,865,131.00 -412,500.00 450,865.00 -19,280.00 -147,260.00 -1,807,485 -2,721,317.00 204,900.00 512.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 8.4 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 3.1 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 7.67 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 3.2 1 2.46 15.2 0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 18 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 4.8 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 3.01 8.72 0.011 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 1.95 0.650 1.8 6 0.335 0.37 14.54 3 8.8 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

STOCKS

Close

City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Keppel Properties Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

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

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

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

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. 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 Macroasia Corp.

Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

7.59 SSI Group 0.63 STI Holdings 1.71 Transpacific Broadcast 5 Travellers 0.315 Waterfront Phils.

1.14 Yehey

0.0098 5.45 17.24 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 1.72 6.47 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

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

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

TA Petroleum

70 553 118

33 490 101

515 8.21 12.28 111 1060

480 5.88 6.5 101 997

1047 84.8

1011 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ First Gen F FPH Pref C GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

141,498,400.00 -7,041,120.00

15 88 12.88

3.5 13.5 5.95

-638,000.00

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

52,549,490.00

18,327,764.00

63,480.00 66,020.00 -9,158,162.00 8,610,188.00 1,724,639.00 -14,271,385.00 1,658,093.00 -2,717,450.00 154,999.50 -28,540.00 -235,460.00 57,751,769.00

-331,580.00 -12,318,750.00 87,481,922.00 494,440.00 1,897,820.00 19,380.00 -3,980.00 4,230.00 257,416.00 -145,460.00 26,050.00 -25,686,401.00 69,300.00

-1,400,945.00 -11,370.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

High

VALUE 940,945,707.874 5,650,302,686.49 2,331,246,430.615 2,105,385,297.55 2,269,756,752.8925 307,025,350.35 13,625,860,915.7715

FINANCIAL 1,583.01 (up) 18.01 INDUSTRIAL 10,895.97 (up) 111.38 HOLDING FIRMS 6,523.56 (up) 70.43 PROPERTY 2,932.14 (up) 26.34 SERVICES 1,716.90 (up) 42.09 MINING & OIL 10,897.47 (up) 85.93 PSEI 7,055.49 (up) 93.56 All Shares Index 4,031.78 (up) 20.23 Gainers: 113 Losers: 67; Unchanged: 46; Total: 226

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.97 1.03 0.100 0.415 20.25 0.750 0.163 1.01 1.65 1.28 3.72 4.46 0.089 0.3050 0.3850 7.71 28.70 1.56 3.25 21.50 0.73 8.49 0.670 5.240

0.97 0.96 0.96 1.05 1.00 1.05 0.103 0.101 0.102 0.420 0.415 0.415 21.7 20.3 20.35 0.800 0.750 0.760 0.163 0.163 0.163 1.04 1.01 1.02 1.75 1.67 1.70 1.30 1.27 1.30 4.06 3.90 4.00 4.68 4.46 4.57 0.089 0.089 0.089 0.3050 0.3050 0.3050 0.3850 0.3850 0.3850 7.9 7.7 7.85 29.65 29.00 29.30 1.59 1.55 1.59 3.25 3.02 3.25 22.00 20.80 21.00 0.72 0.7 0.7 8.36 8.36 8.39 0.670 0.670 0.670 5.390 5.270 5.340 SERVICES 7.6 7.85 7.63 7.8 61 61.6 61 61.6 1.07 1.08 1.08 1.08 0.530 0.540 0.520 0.530 27 27 27 27 5.31 5.76 5.40 5.70 0.0540 0.0600 0.0540 0.0590 3.8 3.8 3.67 3.74 88.35 89.35 87.3 87.85 4.80 5.09 4.70 4.70 2330 2346 2310 2340 6.48 6.54 6.47 6.51 1.27 1.28 1.26 1.27 75.15 78.45 75.7 77.75 4.50 4.61 4.60 4.60 11.98 12 10.1 11.9 0.011 0.011 0.010 0.010 0.181 0.182 0.178 0.181 1.4200 1.5100 1.4300 1.4900 2.15 2.2 2.13 2.13 8.28 8.40 8.19 8.35 3.96 4.01 3.81 3.85 2.17 2.20 2.20 2.20 0.600 0.620 0.610 0.610 2 2.05 2.05 2.05 3.75 3.92 3.7 3.84 0.290 0.305 0.280 0.305 0.480 0.500 0.480 0.480 18.5 18.92 18.6 18.6 4.50 4.73 4.50 4.50 9.4 9.5 9.5 9.5 92.75 90.05 89.00 89.00 18.84 18.90 18.80 18.90 2222.00 2304.00 2274.00 2304.00 0.560 0.570 0.560 0.560 1.020 1.110 1.030 1.090 31.70 32.40 31.80 32.05 75.60 76.00 75.00 75.00 6.70 6.92 6.55 6.60 5.53 5.75 5.42 5.44 0.48 0.50 0.49 0.49 1.4 1.54 1.51 1.54 3.27 3.39 3.35 3.36 0.370 0.350 0.360 0.350 3.340 3.730 3.390 3.650 MINING & OIL 0.0050 0.0051 0.0048 0.0050 2.35 2.18 2.18 2.18 4.60 4.91 4.60 4.90 5.9000 5.9 5.9 5.9000 0.75 0.75 0.72 0.72 0.65 0.67 0.65 0.65 8.12 8.28 8.03 8.08 0.87 0.89 0.85 0.87 0.295 0.300 0.290 0.295 0.178 0.181 0.177 0.180 0.0099 0.010 0.0098 0.0098 0.011 0.011 0.010 0.011 1.94 1.94 1.92 1.92 6.47 6.55 6.36 6.41 2.8 2.88 2.77 2.78 0.5800 0.5800 0.5700 0.5700 1.3200 1.3200 1.3000 1.3000 3.20 3.60 3.49 3.60 4.80 4.900 4.830 4.85 1.32 1.350 1.300 1.30 0.0110 0.0120 0.0100 0.0110 140.60 139.00 143.00 136.20 2.45 2.5 2.44 2.44 PREFERRED 61.5 62 61.8 62 531 531 530 530 110.6 110.7 110 110 500 500 500 500 521.5 525 521.5 525 6.3 6.3 6.3 6.3 1.12 1.12 1.12 1.12 111 113 113 113 1080 1080 1079 1080 1140 1141 1140 1140 1030 1032 1030 1032 82 82.5 82.5 82.5 78.9 79 78.55 78.9 78.5 78.5 78.5 78.5 79.4 79.95 79.65 79.8 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.800 2.950 2.800 2.950 SME 3.16 3.2 3.15 3.2 67.5 67.2 64 65 14.8 15 14.44 14.44 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 114 116 114 115.5

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

-1.03 1.94 2.00 0.00 0.49 1.33 0.00 0.99 3.03 1.56 7.53 2.47 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.82 2.09 1.92 0.00 -2.33 -4.11 -1.53 0.00 1.91

12,000 33,000 1,630,000 180,000 2,598,300 184,000 30,000 5,037,000 29,695,000 143,000 26,000 34,710,000 1,410,000 10,000 50,000 87,300 3,966,200 498,000 350,000 17,899,600 5,756,000 8,900 83,000 8,616,000

-11,540.00 10,350.00

2.63 0.98 0.93 0.00 0.00 7.34 9.26 -1.58 -0.57 -2.08 0.43 0.46 0.00 3.46 2.22 -0.67 -9.09 0.00 4.93 -0.93 0.85 -2.78 1.38 1.67 2.50 2.40 5.17 0.00 0.54 0.00 1.06 -4.04 0.32 3.69 0.00 6.86 1.10 -0.79 -1.49 -1.63 1.04 10.00 2.75 2.86 9.28

66,400 11,300 5,000 715,000 7,800 20,507,000 70,030,000 95,000 270,900 690,000 149,170 99,900 106,000 6,793,430 5,000 20,800 4,600,000 2,920,000 1,028,000 6,000 546,300 3,157,000 1,000 363,000 1,000 15,804,000 610,000 980,000 2,900 11,000 300 59,170 175,700 242,050 409,000 25,319,000 1,997,500 677,780 4,525,800 21,928,400 13,360,000 20,000 306,000 580,000 2,067,000

0.00 -7.23 6.52 0.00 -4.00 0.00 -0.49 0.00 0.00 1.12 -1.01 0.00 -1.03 -0.93 -0.71 -1.72 -1.52 12.50 1.04 -1.52 0.00 1.15 -0.41

1,594,000,000 352,400.00 18,000 116,000 275,640.00 400 -2,360.00 122,000 80,000 31,100 4,017,000 -1,426,600.00 300,000 1,790,000 1,000,000 2,100,000 221,000 -42,690.00 5,579,500 -13,550,476.00 471,000 56,000.00 170,000 90,000 13,000 1,605,000 -481,350.00 495,000 -78,670.00 228,000,000 7,400.00 1,126,910 -13,157,856.00 222,000

0.81 -0.19 -0.54 0.00 0.67 0.00 0.00 1.80 0.00 0.00 0.19 0.61 0.00 0.00 0.50

511,750 -16,436,123.00 1,200 36,388,070 1,200 120 173,700 -527,310.00 52,000 17,640 8,700 750 560 300 184,540 122,210 270,540

5.36

413,000

1.27 -3.70 -2.43

4,000 7,850 1,330,900

1.32

9,860

-45,650.00 -37,121,390.00 -61,500.00 -4,890.00 -1,039,400.00 -16,945,110.00 44,670,680.00

38,149,620.00 -315,090.00 -101,010.00 -113,546,095.00 10,886.00 -353,585.00

-5,115,181.00 7,039,847.50 483,770.00 -143,742,280.00 -19,050.00 -75,660,682.00

-29,200.00 1,047,805.00 -18,880.00

-38,622,300.00 84,000.00 -9,800.00 -13,020.00 -3,244,052.50 787,024.00 90,291,610.00 3,895,810.00 5,357,880.00 -1,963,767.50 64,445.00 -69,419,939.00 -5,033,900.00 -361,320.00 32,540.00

86,300.00 1,068,064.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

TKC Steel Corp.

2.07

23.21

Philippine trust Co.

122

-30.29

Splash Corporation

2.65

22.12

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.010

-9.09

F&J Prince 'A'

3.4

12.58

Anchor Land Holdings Inc.

7.58

-8.67

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

3.60

12.50

ATN Holdings A

0.245

-7.55

Transpacific Broadcast

1.54

10.00

Da Vinci Capital

1.74

-7.45

Yehey

3.650

9.28

Euro-Med Lab

1.74

-7.45

Boulevard Holdings

0.0590

9.26

Apex `A'

2.18

-7.23

Concepcion

46.05

8.61

MEDCO Holdings

0.590

-6.35

Keppel Properties

4.00

7.53

Vulcan Ind'l.

1.04

-5.45

Bloomberry

5.70

7.34

Pacifica `A'

0.0370

-5.13

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Aboitiz eyes Vietnam, Myanmar

By Cecilia Yap

ABOITIZ POWER Corp. will build plants in Indonesia and scout for ventures in Vietnam and Myanmar as the Philippines’ second-largest electricity producer expands in Southeast Asia while expecting an oversupply at home.

The company would spend an estimated $4.5 billion to add 1,600 megawatts of capacity and help meet its target of a 4,000- megawatt portfolio in its home country by 2020, chief executive Erramon Aboitiz said. It may invest $500 million in equity for projects in Southeast Asia in five years, he said.

“We want to stay close to home,” Aboitiz said in an interview in his office in Taguig City on Monday.

Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar are “the countries that pose the best opportunity for us. We’ve

chosen Asean because we can add value in these places.”

From trading abaca more than a century ago to expanding into shipping, banking and power, Aboitiz joins other Philippine companies like Ayala Corp., Universal Robina Corp. and Emperador Inc. in pursuing regional ambitions as their home markets become small.

“Project returns in the Philippines may not be as attractive so they go outside for better returns,” George Ching, a utilities analyst at COL Financial Group Inc.,

said by phone. “Myanmar and Vietnam are similar to the Philippines. These economies are in need of infrastructure and power projects and these markets are also almost similar in size.”

Demand for electricity in the Philippines rose 42 percent in the 10 years to 2013, almost three times as much as the 15 percent growth in generating capacity.

Tight supply and the resulting periodic outages prompted San Miguel Corp. and Ayala Corp. to invest in power. Even Manila Electric Co., the country’s largest power retailer, has started to build plants after being out of the generation business after leaving the sector more than 40 years ago.

“If you look at the current plans of people, and say that all of the plants that people say are going to build will be built, then I think there is going to be an oversup-

ply,” Aboitiz said. A glut may happen in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao as early as 2018 and by 2020 in the main Luzon island, he said.

Power is “like many other businesses where the growth or expansion will always be lumpy,” Aboitiz said. “There might be times that there’s going to be oversupply, then the market will continue to grow, and then you catch up. I am not too concerned. We’re building as scheduled.”

Aboitiz Power joined PT Energi Infranusantara in a study to explore and develop a potential 127-megawatt hydropower project in Central Sulawesi in Indonesia and agreed to explore and develop a geothermal plant in East Java with a partner, the company said in separate statements in September.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc.,

the holding company of a range of family businesses that include banking and food, is bidding for airports, rails and roads as the Philippines seeks to boost infrastructure spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2016.

The group is on track with plans to invest P60 billion ($1.2 billion) this year, with almost 90 percent of the amount allotted for its power unit, he said. Aboitiz Power’s profit fell 23 percent in the second quarter to P3.7 billion, dragging its parent’s profit 19 percent lower.

Its acquisition of Lafarge SA’s assets in the Southeast Asian nation is part of the foray into infrastructure, Aboitiz said, expecting cement demand to increase between 7 percent and 8 percent annually in the next 10 years.

Aboitiz in July said it’s investing P24 billion in the transaction done with CRH Plc.

Market advances; PLDT climbs

STOCKS jumped for the second day, as a new Pacific-wide freetrade agreement and hopes major central banks will maintain extra-loose monetary policies fired another broad rally in Asia, tracking advances in Europe and New York.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, climbed 93 points, or 1.3 percent, to close at 7,055.49 Tuesday.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also advanced 20 points, or 0.5 percent, to settle at 4,031.78, on value turnover of P13.6 billion.

Gainers outnumbered losers, 113 to 67, while 46 issues were unchanged.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. was the biggest gainer among the 20 most active stocks, as it rose 3.7 percent to P2,304.

Port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. gained 3.5 percent to P77.75, while BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender, added 2.7 percent to close at P108.90. Property developer Ayala Land Inc. rose 2.6 percent to P35.

First Gen Corp. Series “F” was the most active stock, with a value turnover of P4 billion. It fell 0.5 percent to P110.

Meanwhile, Asian stocks traded higher Tuesday, as analysts said last week’s disappointing US jobs report all but put a nail in the coffin of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike this year.

In Hong Kong, shares in mining giant Glencore added to the previous day’s surge following reports it is in talks to sell its agriculture business as it battles weakening demand for raw materials.

But the main focus was on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which will see the easing of a number of barriers, including to Japan’s closeted farm sector and the US car market. With AFP

Monde-Malee venture. Monde Nissin Corp. signs a joint venture agreement with Malee Beverage Public Co. Ltd., a leading juice and canned fruit manufacturer in Thailand, to set up Monde Malee Beverage Corp. to tap the aggressive growth of the beverage market in the Philippines. Shown during the signing of the joint venture agreement in Bangkok are (from left) Monde Nissin chief financial officer Jesse Teo, Monde Nissin chief executive and executive vice president Henry Soesanto, Malee chairman and chief executive Chatchai Boonyarat and Malee executive vice president for sales and marketing Roongchat Boonyarat.

PSE bares plan to acquire 95% of bond exchange

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Philippine Stock Exchange plans to acquire as much 95 percent of Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp., the operator of the country’s markets for fixedincome securities and foreign exchange.

PSE president Hans Sicat said in an interview at the sidelines of the Asean Capital Markets and Investment Summit the local bourse was just waiting to secure “exemptive relief ” from the Securities and Exchange Commission before proceeding with the acquisition of a majority stake in PDS Holdings.

PSE was seeking an exemptive relief from the SEC, as the Securities Regulation Code provided that no single industry or business group should own more than 20 percent of an exchange.

“The share purchase agreement is all set. We are just waiting for the SEC’s approval for the exemptive relief,” Sicat said.

“We are confident we can make the minimum 67-percent super majority. But we think we can get probably 94 to 95-percent stake,” Sicat said.

The PSE reached agreement with the Bankers Association of the Philippines in July to acquire the latter’s 1.81 million shares, or

28.91 percent, of PDS Holdings.

Under the agreement, PSE would pay the BAP, which represents some of the biggest banks in the country, some P650.55 million. This would value PDS Holdings at P2.25 billion.

Other PDS shareholders who expressed intention to sell their shares to the PSE were the Bankers Association of the Philippines, San Miguel Corp., Golden Astra, Tata Consultancy Serves Asia, Computershare Technology Services, The Philippine America Life and General Insurance Co., Financial Executive Institute of the Philippines, Social Security System and In-

vestment House Association of the Philippines.

Sicat said PSE was also in talks with Singapore Stock Exchange, one of the biggest shareholders of PDS Holdings, to acquire the latter’s 20-percent stake in the bond exchange.

Sicat said he expected to to complete the deal within the month.

The buyout by PSE of PDS shareholders will pave the way for the merger of the equites and fixed-income exchanges.

To finance the acquisition, the PSE obtained P1.15-billion five-year facility from several banks.

B4 Update on SMEs.

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo (right) updates the listening public on the ongoing programs and projects of the Trade Department for the micro, small and medium enterprises during his guesting at Negosyo Atbp. radio program on September 16, 2015. Negosyo Atbp. is a business education radio program hosted

by Trade Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya (center) and former congressman Angelo Palmones.

Produced by the department in cooperation with the Manila Broadcasting Company-DZRH, the program aims to raise the public’s awareness on MSMEs, business success stories and government programs for MSMEs.

CEB taps 3 banks to arrange bond sale

By Jenniffer B. Austria CEBU Air Inc., the airline unit of conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc., plans to raise as much as P15 billion through the issuance of fixed-rate corporate bonds in November, a banking source said Tuesday.

The company, which operates budget carrier Cebu Pacific, plans to use proceeds from the fund raising activity to finance the airline’s fleet expansion program.

The source said the Cebu Air bonds would have tenors of seven and 10 years and be sold to both retail and institutional investors.

“They want to expand their fleet. They’ve been profitable because of the falling oil price,” the banking source said.

The airline has tapped First Metro Investments Corp., BDO Capital and Investments Corp. and BPI Capital Corp. to handle the transaction.

Cebu Air in July announced it was acquiring 26 turboprop jets for $673 million, as a part of the budget airline’s fleet renewal program for inter-island services.

Cebu Air said it placed orders for 16 ATR 72-600, with options to acquire another 10 ATR 72600 from ATR, the European turboprop aircraft manufacturer, for $673 million, based on current list prices.

Cebu Pacific operates a fleet of eight ATR 72-500 aircraft, which will be retired as the new aircraft enter the service.

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

The new planes will also allow Cebu Pacific to expand its operations not only on main airports but also to several other airports around the country, contributing to the development of regional transportation, tourism and local economy.

Cebu Pacific operates a fleet of 55 aircraft comprising of 10 Airbus A319, 31 Airbus A320, six Airbus A330 and eight ATR72 500 aircraft.

SRA advises farmers to prepare vs El Niño

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

SUGAR Regulatory Administration chief Ma. Regina Martin urged sugar farmers and industry stakeholders to prepare for the onslaught of El Niño, which is forecast to intensify before the end of this year and last until June of 2016.

“Sugarcane is a very resilient crop, just like the Filipino people. Ask the old people who’ve had years of growing sugarcane, the sugarcane love the sun, however, we still have to be prepared,” said Martin during a recent briefing with stakeholders and a planning workshop held recently.

The weather bureau issued its initial El Niño advisory on March 11, 2015, saying the dry spell had started resulting in below normal

rainfall over most areas in the Philippines.

Martin stressed El Niño phenomenon would after affect the next cropping season.

The dry spell will cause poor germination of the plant cane and lower stool survival for the ratoon cane in the absence of irrigation.

Insufficient soil moisture will also decrease tillering capacity and retard stalk elongation, all resulting in lower cane and sugar production.

The canes established for early planting in October and November of 2014 for crop year 2015 to 2016 reeled from the dry spell at the start of 2015, with poor tillering and leaf drying.

“More affected were those in the mid- and late planting with poor germination and tillering. The effect for all cane plants was evident with the poor stalk growth as shown from the shorter internodes,” Martin said.

Sugarcane farms in Tarlac and Cavite provinces this month have already felt the dry spell, while those in Pampanga, Batangas, Iloilo and Cagayan will have dry conditions. Isabela province is already experiencing drought.

By December 2015, the whole of Visayas will experience dry spell while Iloilo will have

drought. Batangas, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, and the Cotabato and Davao proinvces will be experiencing dry spell, while Bukidnon will be under dry condition.

Martin said SRA had been coordinating with concerned government agencies for for cloud seeding and irrigation.

The sugar regulator in August issued a directive allotting 100 percent of Philippine sugar production for crop year 2015 to 2016 to the domestic market because of El Niño.

“Due to the unfavorable weather conditions and reduction of sugarcane areas, the total raw sugar production for crop year 2015 to 2016 is estimated at 2.27 million metric tons,” administrator Martin said.

Martin said the sugar order would be effective beginning September 1.

“The SRA shall undertake periodic assessment of the crop year 2015-2016 sugar production and withdrawal trend and on the basis of such assessment, it may from time to time adjust the percentage distribution of the different classes of sugar as provided in this sugar order... or take necessary action to address the situation,” Martin said.

PH, Vietnam spared from global commodity fallout

By Karl Lester M Yap VIETNAM and the Philippines are set to reap the rewards of diversifying their exports, helping fireproof the two economies from plunging commodity prices. Indonesia and Malaysia’s failure to do so now represents a risk to Asia’s 2016 outlook.

Two decades ago, commodities were about 50 percent of overseas shipments for both Vietnam and Indonesia. By 2014, Vietnam had cut that to less than 30 percent while Indonesia’s was almost 60

percent. In the Philippines, a net commodity importer, the ratio was about 20 percent last year.

Vietnam managed to reduce its commodity export dependence by boosting sales of electronics, mobile phones, textiles and footwear via a broader manufacturing base.

Global commodity prices from oil to copper to coal have declined as demand from China wanes in response to an economic slowdown. The intensifying El Niño weather pattern could also result in the prices of natural gas and oil staying weak—due to warmer

winters in North America—putting renewed pressure on Malaysia’s and Indonesia’s exports, HSBC Holdings Plc. said.

“The commodity environment is going to drag on growth through 2016,” HSBC economists led by Joseph Incalcaterra said in a Sept. 30 research report. “The Philippines should benefit the most, while Vietnam seems to be holding up well given the lack of crop disruptions. We continue to see the highest risks to Indonesia, where the effect on the real economy and consumption has yet to

be fully felt.’’

Gross domestic product in Vietnam and the Philippines will expand by more than 6 percent this year and next, the fastest among major economies in Southeast Asia, the Asian Development Bank forecast last month.

Indonesia’s economy will probably grow 5.4 percent in 2016, while Malaysia’s economy is seen expanding 4.9 percent.

Vietnam’s GDP per capita was $2,052 in 2014, compared with Indonesia’s $3,492, according to World Bank data. Bloomberg

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PAL eyes more flights to China

By Darwin G. Amojelar

A fickle government IT’S not our fault if this government keeps changing its mind not only about PPP contracts but even holidays, so stop texting and emailing us already to complain about Malacañang’s decision to make Nov. 17 and 20 non-working holidays but declared that the Nov. 18-19 breaks will be dependent on the discretion of private companies.

While poor working stiffs like us are still pouting over the sudden change, businesses especially those in the business process outsourcing sector are heaving a sigh of relief because that means they will not have to pay double salaries for those who will have to report for work anyway. Businessmen have been complaining about sudden unannounced holidays that wreak havoc on their production schedules and their budgets, so this new development is very welcome for businessmen.

So whatever plan you have made for those previously declared holidays that have just been undeclared, forget it. Those of you who have booked flights or made hotel reservations (staycation or otherwise) in anticipation of a looong break and have filed corresponding vacation leaves for Nov. 16 and 17, well tough luck.

That should teach you not to rely too much on this government with a fickle mind, which likes calling you “boss” but in reality thinks very little of you. Like one very disappointed crony of ours said, “asa ka pa kasi.” So there.

(Liberal) Party all the time How come only Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo has issued a statement over that birthday party in the residence of Laguna representative Benjamin Aggarao? Pabilo is demanding that the president issue an apology in keeping with the principle of command responsibility over the lewdness that happened but here’s an unsolicited advice to the Bishop: Don’t hold your breath, Father.

Command responsibility is an alien concept to this administration—just look at what happened with the Mamasapano tragedy. True to form, President BS had refused to apologize for the twerky event, saying he had nothing to do with it. Not surprising, because “sorry” seems to be the hardest word for this president, who didn’t even utter an apology for the botched bus hostage rescue situation in Luneta that resulted in the death of several Hong Kong tourists – despite the fact that he knew what was happening and he even appointed his buddy, then DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno (not the singer!), to be the guy on top—and not the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Not surprisingly, ex-DILG chief Mar Roxas appears clueless about the incident despite the fact that he administered the oath taking of new LP members and was still present when the emcee announced that the Playgirls would be performing later. Had Pontius Pilate been alive, he would have been very proud and would have told the LP guys to “party pa more!”

The tsinelas factor A lot of people are disappointed with Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo who finally gave in to the intense pressure applied by Malacañang to say “yes” and agree to be the running mate of Mar Roxas for the May 2016 elections. Never mind that she probably wasn’t even anywhere near the radar screen when the LP was trying to recruit Grace Poe to be Mar’s VP—perhaps thinking they could cow her into agreeing because of the residency and citizenship issues that are being used now by certain factions to disqualify Poe as a candidate.

Before Poe declined the “offer,” Mar and company were all praises for the lady senator but the minute she declined, the attacks escalated with some even claiming that Grace has strayed from the daang matuwid. Lucky for Poe, because that infamous twerking number has made the LP the butt (no pun intended, really) of jokes—daang matuwad, daang ma-twerk.

Robredo doesn’t seem to mind though that she is coming across as an afterthought or a replacement candidate. In her acceptance speech, she said she dedicates her efforts to Filipinos especially the slipper-clad who are on the fringes and at the bottom rung of the social ladder. That allusion to the tsinelas of course is powerful because it evokes images of her revered late husband who was usually clad in the lowly footwear of the masses—the rubber thongs or slippers worn by ordinary Filipinos.

Hmmm… Let’s see if the tsinelas factor will improve the numbers of Mar Roxas. Does this mean he will adopt a new persona again, this time as Boy Tsinelas—clad in slippers going around barangays during campaign sorties? He should have plenty to choose from since his wife always distributes slippers wherever she goes.

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

Cheers!

Philippine Airlines plans to mount more f lights to China next year in preparation for the inf lux of Chinese tourists in the Philippines.

“We may increase our flights to China, we are considering flying to other Chinese destinations.

Hopefully next year, the Chinese tourists will visit the Philippines.

The influx of Chinese tourists right now is not that much because it was affected by the West Philippine sea issue,” PAL president and chief executive Jaime Bautista said Monday.

The Tourism Department said the Chinese market was recovering from a slump in 2014 and started showing positive growth since April this year.

The number of Chinese visitors to the Philippines in the Januaryto-July period stood at 257,014 visitors.

China arrivals to the Philip-

pines in 2014 fell 7.4 percent to 394,951 due to the travel advisory by the Beijing government against visiting Manila for safety reasons.

“We are very optimistic that next year will be a good year for the Philippines for Chinese tourists,” Bautista said.

PAL currently flies to seven destinations in China, which include Jinjiang, Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai and Xiamen.

Bautista earlier said the airline expected to take delivery of five Airbus 321s and two Boeing 777300s next year.

He added PAL was looking at acquiring eight wide-bodied aircraft over the next two to three years.

BAUTISTA

“It’s still under evaluation whether we will acquire A350s or Boeing 787 Dreamliner, hopefully we can make a recommendation to the board before the end of the year,” he said.

Bautista said the new airplanes to be used for long-haul destinations would replace PAL’s Airbus A340s aircraft.

PAL currently operates six Airbus 340-300s for its long-haul destinations. The A340 is being used on the new route to New York via Vancouver.

Sterling Bank award. Sterling Bank of Asia is awarded the ‘Top Visa Consumer Prepaid Issuer,’

toppling all Visa prepaid issuing banks in the Philippines, during the 2015 Visa Card manager’s meeting held at New World Hotel. The bank last year received Best Performer Visa Prepaid Payment Volume Growth in the Philippines and Highest Payment Volume Prepaid User awards. At the awarding ceremony are (from left) Sterling Bank of Asia ATM operations head Camel Chua, Visa business development directors Pia Arellano and J-Ann Reyes-Lauron, Sterling Bank marketing group head Georgina Hufana-Cortes, Sterling Bank retail banking group head Ralph Cadiz, Visa country manager for Philippines and Guam Stuart Tomlinson, Sterling Bank retail banking group support head Joey Sulit, and Sterling Bank product management head Charles Tan.

PH close to joining Trans-Pacific Partnership

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippines is keen on joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership as soon as the initial 12 countries comprising the first batch of members concluded the membership process in the regional economic group.

Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said during a forum celebrating the Board of Investment’s 48th anniversary Tuesday the Philippines was near to gaining entry into the TPP after Manila expressed interest to become a member of the group.

“The Philippines indicated very clearly it wants to join TPP. We’re as close as we can get to

start discussions with TPP. As soon as the door opens, we’ll be there,” Domingo said.

The Philippines is an active member of the World Trade Organization, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and an existing bilateral agreement with Japan.

Manila is pursuing free trade agreements with six countries, including Mexico and the European Free Trade Association, in which it already concluded three rounds of talks.

Earlier, Australian minister for trade and investment Andrew Robb, who visited the Philippines in May 2015, assured the Philippines had a great chance to

join TPP. He said every member of the proposed partnership agreed that as long as the Philippines met the standards, it would qualify for membership in the TPP. Robb had sa id membership to t he TPP was closed si nce t he g roup was nea r to sig ni ng t he f irst batch of membership.

TPP members to date include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore the United States and Vietnam.

The TPP fully organized will comprise about 40 percent of the world gross domestic production and 33 percent of global trade.

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BPO revenues seen to hit $22.5b

By Othel V. Campos

EXPORT revenues of the information technology and business process management sector are expected to rise 25 percent this year to $22.5 billion from $18 billion in 2014, an industry group said Tuesday.

Isla Lapana partners. Alexander Cabrera, chairman and senior partner of Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the global PwC network, announces five new partners and a principal to the partnership. Shown (standing) are Pocholo Domondon, assurance partner (left) and Harold Ocampo, tax principal. With them are (sitting, from left) Roselle Yu Caraig, tax partner; Nelson Charsegun Aquino, assurance partner; Ma. Lois Gregorio-Abad, assurance partner; and Maria Rosell Gomez, risk assurance partner.

Energy World to launch LNG hub in March

By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY World Corp. of Australia expects to complete the first 200-megawatt unit of the 650-MW liquefied natural gas facility in Pagbilao, Quezon by March 2016.

Energy World said in an annual report filed with the Australia Securities Exchange the second 200-MW unit was expected to start commercial operation by June next year.

“The power plant will source regassified LNG from the company’s Philippines LNG hub when it is completed by early 2016. In the meantime, arrangements are being made to obtain LNG from a temporary floating storage unit,” it said.

Energy World earlier bared plans to construct the LNG facility in three phases, including 200-MW phase 1, 200-MW phase 2 and 250-megawatt phase 3.

The company said the estimate was considered in view of the current time frame. It said the schedule might change, subject to various

risk factors.

Energy World said the project would become the first LNG terminal to become operational in the Philippines.

It said the LNG hub would be used to facilitate the distribution of LNG and natural gas, including receipt, storage and dispatch of LNG cargoes to four main markets, including the EWC plant, small-scale terminal, LNG and CNG for fuels and other markets in Asia Pacific.

“The availability of sales channels will be subject to our obtaining necessary licenses and approval, including export approval if we deiced to market the LNG outside of the Philippines,” Energy World said.

It said the location of the Energy World hub would facilitate the development of an Asian LNG spot market.

“However, we have not yet entered into any binding arrangements for the sale of LNG or gas from the Philippines hub,” Energy World said.

The company said construction at the site

“continues at an impressive rate.”

“Generation site formation finished. The unloading jetty is substantially completed and unloading arms are installed,” Michael O’Neille, independent non-executive director and chairman of the audit committee of Energy World said.

He said two units for LNG regassification were installed and gas-fired turbine generators were erected and installed.

O’Neill said associated pipes, pumps, valves, controls of the Siemens power generator package were underway while support facilities, were all in place as part of the project requirements.

The directors of Energy World in March agreed on a mandate and term sheet with the Development Bank of the Philippines for project financing of LNG facility.

Energy World earlier said the value of the project debt was about $550 million. DBP will partially underwrite the financing and arrange for syndication among local lenders.

Spanish firm tapped to run Mindoro geothermal plant EMERGING Power Inc. has signed an agreement with Tamoin Industrial Services Corp., a unit of Spain’s Tamoin group, to operate a 40-megawatt geothermal power plant in Naujan, Mindoro.

Emerging Power president Martin Antonio Zamora and Tisco chairman Antonio Barrenechea signed the agreement in Bilbao, Spain on Sept. 29.

Tisco will provide engineering, operations and management services for Emerging Power during the operations of Mindoro Geothermal Power Corp.

Tisco is a joint venture be-

tween Tamoin group, a Spanish company based in Bilbao, northern Spain with more than 60 years of experience in industrial engineering services, including oil and gas, power generation, wind power and aeronautical services, and GAAD Inc., a Manila-based company specializing in complex power projects on gas, geothermal, oil, coal, renewable energies as well as transmission lines around Asia.

“With this project, we continue to broaden our presence in Southeast Asia. We at Tisco are pleased to work with a company [Emerg-

ing Power] that shares our vision for sustainable power generation,” Tisco president Marriz Agbon said in a statement.

Under the agreement, Tisco shall provide the local support and assessment as well as the evaluation of the resources to be assigned to the project.

It is considering companies TSK and Turboden to provide the technical know-how and support, training, spare parts and engineering competence in the operations and maintenance of the Mindoro geothermal plant.

TSK is an EPC contractor in

conventional and renewable energy projects worldwide while Turboden is a company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries focused on the development of geothermal organic rankine cycle power plants worldwide.

Emerging Power’s 40-MW Mindoro geothermal power project has a renewable energy service contract with the Energy Department, eyed for commissioning by the first quarter of 2017.

Once the plant starts running, it will supply energy to more than 250,000 houses in the whole Mindoro Island.

Alena Mae S. Flores

The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines said the industry would likely have 1.2 million workers and $22.5 billion revenues by end-2015.

“To achieve this and future targets, we need to sustain the industry’s momentum as much as we also need to focus on talent development,” ITBPAP director for talent management Penny Bongato told reporters at the sidelines of the two-day International ITBPM Summit held at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

Bongato said the middle management of different companies should be able to handle a sustainable talent pipeline and absorb new graduates to support growth.

The increasing global demand for talent encouraged countries to focus more on talent development.

ITBPAP said as the Philippines acquired new markets, it was now trailing talents to expand their language capabilities.

“New countries are being assigned to the Philippines. Communication technology is not only in the Philippines but in other countries. The challenge for voice keeps scaling up. We need to keep up,” said Bongato.

The Philippines remains the top outsourcing destination in the Asia-Pacific region, in terms of geography.

Bongato said the industry was “definitely on track of reaching the goals of Roadmap 2010-2016.”

The ITBPAP is also crafting the next roadmap to guid the industry until 2022 and expects to finish the new roadmap by end of 2015.

ITBPAP chairman Dan Reyes said IT-BPM companies were seeking continuity of policies and incentives from the new administration in 2016 to help the industry reach its targets and maintain, if not surpass, the growth it was enjoying now.

“We have a lot of investors in this industry that are foreign. One of the things they really enjoy is the consistency of things, of the laws and policies of the government as well as incentives,” Reyes said.

He said the government support on the continuity of incentives was very important to entice more foreign BPM companies.

“Right now, the climate is that when they [global companies] are searching for countries that they are looking at expanding into, they look for the Philippines,” he said.

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Nato warns Russia over airspace violations BEIRUT—NATO on Monday called on Russia to stop air strikes on the Syrian opposition and civilians, and said its violation of Turkish airspace risked inflaming tensions.

Turkey also warned Moscow over further incursions after its F-16 jets intercepted a Russian fighter that flew through its airspace near the Syrian border at the weekend.

Two Turkish jets were also harassed by an unidentified MIG-29 on the Syrian border, according to Turkey’s army, which has the second-largest number of troops in NATO after the US. “Our rules of engagement are clear whoever violates our airspace,” Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said.

“The Turkish Armed Forces are clearly instructed. Even if it is a flying bird, it will be intercepted,” he added, while playing down the idea of “a Turkey-Russia crisis”.

Russian warplanes have been flying over Syrian territory since Wednesday, conducting air strikes on what Moscow says are targets belonging to Islamic State (IS) group jihadists in the country’s northern and central provinces.

The West has accused Moscow of using the raids as cover to hit moderate opponents of Russian ally Syrian President Bashar alAssad.

After holding an emergency meeting of its 28 member states, Western military alliance NATO called on Russia to “immediately cease its attacks on the Syrian opposition and civilians”.

It also warned against violating Turkey’s airspace, saying in a statement after the meeting that the allies “note the extreme danger of such irresponsible behavior.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the incident had risked provoking a serious escalation.

“We’re greatly concerned about it because it is precisely the kind of thing that had Turkey responded under its rights could have resulted in a shoot-down,” he said.

Russia later played down the incursion, saying one of its aircraft had briefly entered Turkish airspace as a result of “unfavorable weather conditions”.

“There is no need to look for some conspiracy theories,” a defense ministry statement said.

Turkey and Russia remain on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict, with Moscow one of the few allies of Assad while Ankara backs a solution excluding the embattled leader.

Turkey has stepped up its role in a US-led coalition that has been targeting IS for a year as violence in Syria and Iraq has increasingly been spilling over its borders.

Russia said its warplanes had carried out 15 sorties on 10 IS targets on Monday, which destroyed an IS command center and communications hub in a mountainous area of Damascus province, the statement said. AFP

Campaign. This picture taken on Oct. 2, 2015, shows supporters applauding as they listen to a speech by National League for Democracy chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi as she campaigns ahead of the Nov. 8 election on the outskirts of Winemaw town, near the state capital Myitkyina, in Kachin state. AFP

Deal to create largest free trade area hailed TOKYO—Asian members of the newly-minted TransPacific Partnership Tuesday hailed the deal to create the world’s largest free trade area, with Japan calling it the start of a “new century” for the region.

Delegates from 12 Pacific Rim nations finally managed to hammer out an agreement in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday—five years after the US-led talks first began.

Spanning about two-fifths of the global economy, the hard-won deal aims to set the rules for 21st century trade and investment and press non-member China to shape its behavior in commerce, investment and business regulation to TPP standards.

Under the deal 98 percent of tariffs will be eliminated on everything from beef, dairy products, wine, sugar, rice, horticulture and seafood through to manufactured products, resources and energy.

Those involved are the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, Brunei,

Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Asian members were quick to follow President Barack Obama in declaring the agreement a win, even if most nations were forced to compromise on key issues and exact details of the deal remain scant.

“It’s the opening of a new century for the Asia-Pacific region,” Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters, hailing the emergence of a “huge economic zone”.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described the agreement as “a gigantic foundation stone for our future prosperity”.

His New Zealand counterpart

John Key said it was the culmination of two decades of work and would offer “more jobs, higher incomes and a better standard of living”.

Malaysia also hailed the deal, saying it had managed to avoid restrictions on its politically sensitive system of favouring the ethnic Malay majority economically.

China, which is not party to the talks, gave the agreement a cautious welcome, with the Ministry of Commerce describing TPP as “one of the key free trade agreements for the Asia-Pacific region”.

But there was no indication whether it might join itself.

Consensus in Atlanta was only reached after a number of countries made concessions on protected industries, moves which might be hard for domestic voters to swallow.

And critics lambasted the way many details are still secret.

“The lack of access to details in the text means governments can

put a positive spin on the deal, but the devil is in the detail, and we won’t have the detail for at least another month,” said Patricia Ranald, coordinator of the Australian Free Trade and Investment Network.

The accord must be signed and ratified by the respective countries and many may face uphill battles, not least the United States as it tries to convince a skeptical Congress.

As the largest Asian economy included in the deal, it is little surprise Abe has touted the Atlanta agreement.

The Japanese premier has faced a torrid few months, with the country lurching back towards recession despite his “Abenomics” reforms and a backlash over the decision to abandon decades of pacifism to allow troops to fight abroad.

“Without a success in TPP, the Abe government would have had very little to show in its fight for structural reforms,” Martin Schulz, senior economist at Fujitsu Research Institute, told AFP. AFP

Israel demolishes attackers’ homes in crackdown JERUSALEM—Israel on Tuesday demolished the homes of two Palestinians behind attacks last year after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged an iron fist against mounting unrest.

The demolitions came with Netanyahu under increasing pressure from right-wing members of his coalition, which holds only a one-seat majority, as clashes have spread in recent days following the murder of four Israelis.

The spike in violence has brought international calls for calm, with concerns the unrest could spin out of control and memories of previous Palestinian uprisings still fresh.

The houses destroyed were the former homes of Ghassan Abu Jamal and Mohammed Jaabis, a military statement said. They were placed under demolition orders after the men attacked Israelis last year.

Armed with meat cleavers and a pistol, Abu Jamal and his cousin Uday Abu Jamal killed four rabbis and a policeman before being shot dead in November 2014.

Jaabis rammed an earthmover into a bus in August 2014, killing an Israeli and wounding several others. He was shot dead by police at the scene.

An AFP journalist saw the gutted inside of a house in east Jerusalem

that witnesses said was the former residence of Abu Jamal.

Yasser Abdu, 40, a neighbor and friend of the Abu Jamals, accused Israel of a “policy of collective punishment.”

The demolition explosion, which took place before dawn, blew out the interior of the structure but the supporting pillars remained intact, an AFP journalist said.

The blast damaged other apartments in the building as well as surrounding structures.

Eyewitnesses said police and other authorities arrived yesterday at midnight, locking down the area before drilling and plant-

ing the explosives.

A room was also sealed off at the former home of Muataz Hijazi, who in October 2014 tried to gun down a rightEXTRAJUDICIAL w i n g SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE J e w i s h WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS activist, Notice is hereby given that the of the late ALFREDO critically estate ANG was EXTRAJUDICIALLY by his heirs KHA w o u n d - SETTLED TY CHAN, WILLIAM ANG, ANG, RICHARD ing him. GEORGE ANG & JOHN ANG as per Hijazi was Doc. No. 102 Page No.22; Book No. XXI, Series of shot dead 2015 before Notary Public Geronimo B. Halili. The the next Atty Extrajudicial Settlement previously executed between morning the parties last July 27, and published on August d u r i n g 2015 1, 8, & 15, 2015 has been duly a police rescinded and revoked. raid. AFP (TS-SEPT. 23,30, OCT. 7, 2015)

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B8 Sneezing monkey found in Himalayas NEW DELHI—A monkey that sneezes when it rains and a “walking” fish are among more than 200 species discovered in the ecologically fragile eastern Himalayas in recent years, according to conservation group WWF. WWF has compiled a survey of wildlife discovered by scientists across Bhutan, northeast India, Nepal, northern Myanmar and southern Tibet, in an attempt to raise awareness of the threats facing the sensitive region.

The species include what the WWF described as a blue-colored “walking snakehead fish” that can breathe air, survive on land for four days and slither up to 400 meters on wet ground.

The others include an ornate red, yellow and orange pit viper that could pass for a piece of jewelery, a fresh-water “dracula” fish with fangs and three new types of bananas.

In the forests of northern Myanmar, scientists learned in 2010 of a black and white monkey with an upturned nose that causes it to sneeze when it rains.

On rainy days they often sit with their heads tucked between their knees to avoid getting water in their snub noses.

The 211 new species discovered between 2009 and 2014 include 133 plants including orchids, 26 kinds of fish, 10 amphibians, 39 invertebrates, one reptile, one bird and a mammal.

Dipankar Ghose, WWF director of species and landscapes in India, described the region as a “unique treasure house” that has not yet been fully explored by scientists.

In its report, WWF said the region, home to Mount Everest, is rugged with vast forests, rivers and streams protected by mountain ranges, meaning species have evolved and survived unnoticed for centuries.

“Some (species) are so unique and charismatic that scientists are often at a loss as to how to classify them,” said the report released this week.

But WWF warned of a series of threats to the region including population growth, deforestation, overgrazing, poaching, mining and hydropower development.

AFP

CESAR BARRiOquiNTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world Chinese Nobel winner ‘not really surprised’ BEIJING—Tu Youyou, the first Chinese woman to win a Nobel prize for medicine, said Tuesday she was “not really surprised” to be recognized after a remarkable career that saw her team test a breakthrough malaria drug on themselves during the chaos of the Cultural Revolution.

Photocall. US actress and model Riley Keough poses for the photocall of the TV series “The

Girlfriend Experience” during the MIPCOM audiovisual trade fair in Cannes, southeastern France, on Oct. 5, 2015. Held each year on the French Riviera, the audiovisual trade fair brings together the movers and shakers of the global entertainment business to network, talk shop and buy, sell and finance new content. AFP

“We carried out this research over a number of decades, so to win this award was not a surprise,” the 84-year-old told the Qianjiang Evening News from her home in Zhejiang.

Tu won half of the award for her work on artemisinin, an anti-malarial drug based on ancient Chinese herbal medicine, it was announced Monday.

Derived from a herb used to treat fevers some 1,700 years ago, the drug revolutionized cures for malaria and is credited with saving millions of lives.

“I was a little bit surprised, but not really,” she said of the moment she learned of the award as she watched television.

“It’s because (this prize) is not an honor just for me, but an honor for all Chinese scientists.”

In the late 1960s, Tu and a team investigated more than 2,000 Chinese herb preparations and at first identified 640 that had possible antimalarial activity—but with no significant results in experiments with mice except for one: Artemisia annua extract.

But when these promising results could not be replicated, the team were befuddled.

They turned to ancient Chinese literature for help, finding the answer in the writings of alchemist Ge Hong, who died in the year 343.

In “A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies,” Ge described Artemisia’s properties for reducing the symptoms of malaria and gave this tip: “A handful of qinghao immersed with two liters of water, wring out the juice and drink it all.”

Centuries later, his words were a light-bulb moment.

“This sentence gave me the idea that the heating involved in the conventional extraction step we had used might have destroyed the active components,” Tu wrote in a 2011 article.

The researchers were working at the height of Mao Zedong’s chaotic 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution, which saw large numbers of people, including academics, persecuted. AFP

In HK, protest over academic freedoms HONG KONG—Around 2,000 protesters at Hong Kong University marched Tuesday to support academic freedom as fears grow that Beijing is interfering in the city’s education system.

Anger has intensified among students and academics since the appointment of a liberal law scholar to a senior university administrative post was rejected last week.

The university council, with a number of members seen as proBeijing, voted against Johannes Chan becoming pro-vice chancellor at HKU. Chan was a close colleague

of pro-democracy leader Benny Tai, also an academic at HKU. Tai helped orchestrate last year’s mass pro-democracy protests that brought parts of the semi-autonomous Chinese city to a standstill.

Students, professors and alumni dressed in black marched in silence through the campus Tuesday afternoon, then gathered to voice their anger.

“What we have seen very clearly is politically motivated encroachment on the autonomy of our university. We all know the next thing that will happen is the undermining or encroachment on our academic freedom,” Timothy O’Leary,

a philosophy professor, told the crowd.

“Today we are here determined to say we will not allow that to happen.”

The protest dispersed after half an hour but another is set for Friday.

HKU student union leader Billy Fung said: “Students are concerned about the importance of our institutional autonomy and the ridiculous decision made by the council.”

He said his group is exploring how it can get the decision against Chan revoked, including seeking a judicial review and calling for a class boycott. AFP

Welcome. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, is welcomed

by Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel at Val Duchesse Castle in Brussels on Oct. 6, 2015. AFP

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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

H OME & L I V ING

LIFE

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San Vicente's 14-kilometer beach is the first coast in the Philippines to have a 50-meter setback from the high tide - the first 30 meters is a no-build zone and additional 20 meters of non-habitable, non-permanent structures All perspectives by Palafox Associates

MASTER PLAN OF SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN FEATURES OF THE MASTER PLAN

URBAN MATTERS

BY KARIMA PALAFOX People are drawn to a place because of its natural qualities. Visitors flock to the Cordillera to see the hanging coffins in Sagada and the rice terraces in Banaue. Divers visit Tubbataha, Malapascua and Coron for the rich marine life, the thresher sharks and the shipwrecks. Four thousand visitors arrive in Boracay daily to experience the white beach.

However, the irony is that the main attraction that draws people to a destination can be compromised with poor foresight, planning and management. It is for this reason that places with high potential for tourism should be masterplanned.

There are two approaches in tourism planning and development.

The first is “build and they will come,” such that investments like roads, an airport and seaport, water, drainage and sewerage system, and power facilities are implemented early on as catalysts for development.

Aerial view of the long beach.

Photo courtesy of the Municipal Government of San Vicente

The second option is to have a waitand-see attitude with the “build as they come” approach. The leaders of the Municipal Government of San Vicente, Department of Tourism and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) chose the first option.

THE TOWN OF SAN VICENTE

San Vicente, in the northwestern side of the main island of Palawan, has attracted visitors and investors with its pristine beaches, marine life, rice fields and 82,000 hectares of forests. Port Barton is famous among foreign backpackers and divers that would stop over in trips from Puerto Princesa to El Nido.

The beautiful islands of Boayan, Turtle and German are visited for snorkeling and swimming. In recent years, there has been much

People can access the beach from inland, at least every 400 meters

interest in the 14-kilometer long beach, said to be the longest stretch of white sand in the country.

San Vicente has more than 165,000 hectares with landscapes that include rice fields, waterfalls, unique coastlines, mangroves, mountains and forests. The town is fairly new, having been founded only in 1972, with majority of its people as migrants from Cebu and indigenous peoples such as the Agutaynon, Tagbanua and Cuyonon. The population is only 31,000, and half of them are involved in agriculture. While the town is rich with natural resources, the poverty incidence is quite high.

This is why the welfare of its people

are high up in the goals of the Integrated Tourism Masterplan.

Before a town can be a worldclass destination, it should first be a livable community.

Palafox Associates was awarded

by TIEZA to create the masterplan for the flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ) after going through a competitive bidding. The 883-hectare area is bounded by the 14-kilometer beach and an average of 500 meters inland. The TEZ will be managed by an association that will ensure that all developments follow the masterplan. The permit process will be streamlined, and tax incentives will be granted for tourism-related activities.

In creating the Integrated Tourism Master Plan, stakeholders such as residents, farmers and fishermen, investors, developers, local and national government, were consulted. We were required to coordinate and get approval from the Secretaries of the Climate Change Commission, Tourism, DENR, and the DPWH. Studies were done to determine vulnerabilities to climate change and reduce potential risks in environmental stability.

We formed a multi-disciplinary team that included specialists in environmental planning, architecture, design, engineering, socioeconomics, institutional management, marketing and finance. We were required to base our plan on both conservative and aggressive visitor and population projections until 2044, even if the published national projections for visitor arrivals are only until 2016.

The carrying capacity of the beach in a day is 362,500 people.

Most waterfronts in the Philippines have a building height limit as high as the coconut tree.

While the intention for such restrictions may be good, this has resulted in the hogging of sea views, access and breeze by waterfront properties.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

CREATE BEAUTIFUL OUTDOOR SPACES WITH PERFECT LIGHTING FROM STELTZ

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s an extension of one’s indoor living, it only makes perfect sense to put the same careful thought in creating al fresco areas where the style and comfort of indoor spaces flow through.

For Jennifer Stelton Jose, president of Steltz, The Gallery, making the perfect outdoor setting can be as simple as knowing what lights to use and where to place them.

“Lights can create or enhance a mood while providing added security to your property.

There are lights that can be used to illuminate pathways on the ground or high up in the form of lampposts; highlight beautiful landscapes; provide a welcoming glow to an entryway; or create drama to a building or home façade,” she notes.

Because outdoor spaces are exposed to the elements everyday, Stelton says that homeowners should always factor in the brand and quality of lighting fixtures that will be used for this purpose. For one, asking about the IP rating of outdoor lighting products is the first step to making a sound decision.

“IP stands for Ingress Protection which classifies and rates the degree of protection provided against intrusion such as dust, accidental contact, and water by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures. The higher the IP rating, the better the protection a product has against rust, corrosion and even electrical malfunction. This is the reason why the brand and quality of the fixture is always paramount,” Stelson points out.

Stetlz, which carries a great selection of unique and elegant lighting fixtures from high-end brands, has a complete line of outdoor lighting systems that not only illuminates outdoor spaces well after dark but also provides elegant accents to any home.

Flos Box from Italy is a specialty landscape fitting that can be placed in different areas of your garden and outdoor

Leds C4 Pompeya is distributed exclusively by Steltz. It is their brand partner from Spain

Super Archimoon Outdoor by Flos

For instance, LEDS-C4, Steltz’s brand partner from Spain, as well as Flos from Italy, have a wide range of decorative outdoor and specialty landscape fittings that can be placed in different areas of the house such as the patio, pool or fountain, at the porch, in the driveway, terrace, balcony or deck.

Depending on what the customer wants to achieve, these lights can produce a lovely ambiance at night, add visual effect to flowers and trees, and create bright spaces conducive to entertaining.

Illuminate outdoor spaces and create various moods with Flos Belvedere

Stelton assures customers that investing in the very best quality will save them in the long run. “These brands have years of experience in creating functional, durable, efficient outdoor lighting without sacrificing design. Each fixture has gone though rigorous tests that ensure customers of the quality they are getting, meaning, they can withstand extreme weather changes and other environmental factors.”

Customers may seek the assistance of Steltz for their outdoor projects in the form of recommendations including proper placement

Leds C4 Nemesis - sleek lights for outdoor use

of lights, wattage, distance, and finding the right fixture for a desired outcome. The store is also more than happy to recommend designers the company has already worked with in the past to customers looking for landscape architects or consultants.

To know more about Steltz’s outdoor lighting fixtures, visit its store at the 6th floor, East Wing, EDSA Shangri-la Plaza Mall or browse through their product catalogue at www. steltzinternational.com.

MASTER PLAN OF SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN From C1

In San Vicente, average high tide buildings are mark, and there is allowed to be taller a list of allowable the farther they are uses within the from the beach. next 20 meters.

Fences parallel to Within this buffer the sea will not zone, there will be allowed, and a be no permanent, maximum building habitable, and footprint of 50 with-foundation percent is proposed. structures. DPWH One of the insisted that there first projects to be guidelines be funded by An ascending building height limit will be implemented to regarding the TIEZA is access preserve beach views and to share the sea breeze even with preservation of to the beach inland properties. the existing tree approximately every 400 meters, which line along the beach. The natural vegetation is the average walking threshold for most should not be compromised by buildings, Filipinos. They will have a minimum width even if they are in the list of allowable uses. of three meters to be able to accommodate In areas that are found to have risks emergency vehicles. From any point within of flooding, adaptive architecture will be the TEZ, there will be a community center applied. There will be no bedrooms on the within 800 meters. It will have public ground floor, and structures will be designed open space and facilities such as toilets, on stilts. These were based on studies of flood security outpost, clinic, banks, and tourist simulations for up to 100 years. information center.

It truly was challenging, but very International beach destinations such as rewarding, to help create the master plan Copacabana in Brazil, Miami in Florida, and for the long beach in San Vicente. The Nha Trang in Vietnam follow a 50-meter many stakeholders had different, sometimes setback from the average high tide. In the conflicting concerns. The masterplan aims Philippines, however, the required easement to strike the balance between providing for is only 25 meters. This is not sufficient the common good and respecting property considering risks such as rising sea levels rights, and encouraging investments while and storm surges. The final approval was preserving areas of natural beauty. for a 30+20 meter setback. The no-build zone is within the first 30 meters from the Follow me on Instagram @karmipalafox

3M Philippines Launches a Different Kind of Weekend Market!

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M Philippines in partnership with DMCI Homes and Co Ban Kiat Hardware has put together a weekend market entitled Command Hanging Market @ DMCI Homes.

Catering primarily to DMCI residents, the market will go around 10 DMCI communities and culminate in a Hanging Market-Family Day-Bazaar at the Acacia Tent on December 2015.

For two days in each DMCI property, the weekend market will feature various

merchandise that can be easily used with 3M Command hooks and hangers. Items like housewares, fashion accessories, apparel, kitchen and bath essentials, furniture and picture frames will be sold for a reasonable price.

“The Command Hanging Market @ DMCI Homes provides home-makers/ condo-owners with home improvement and space saving ideas that will transform them into DIY experts in their home spaces,” shares Rene de los Reyes, 3M Philippines Construction and Home Improvement Markets Division Head.

One highlight of the event will be a home improvement workshop by blogger Coni Tejada where you can learn how to organize your home, space saving ideas, and the art of clutter management.

For more information on 3M Philippines and its Command Damage-Free Mounting Solutions’ products, visit www.3mphilippines.com.ph.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Le Creuset Signature Cookware. Revered by both professional chefs and home cooks since its 1925 debut, Le Creuset’s classic French cookware is prized for its utilitarian good looks and unsurpassed heat retention.

Available in a fresh cream color you’ll find only at Crate & Barrel, the cast iron cookware is clad in smooth, vitrified porcelain, rendering each piece impervious to acid, alkali, odors and stains.

@LIFEatStandard

Nairobi Oval Planter. The stunning low-rise oval planter cuts a sculptural profile with plenty of impact. Cast from cement and stone powder, the planter artfully showcases garden greenery with compelling patterns and gorgeous organic tones.

Elsa Tealights. Aaron Probyn’s clever design raises a single tea light to illuminating heights, and also allows for the display of pebbles, sea glass or seasonal seeds and pods.

LIVEN UP YOUR HOME WITH CRATE & BARREL

T

he holidays are fast approaching, and now is the best time to spruce up your home with housewares and home accessories with Crate & Barrel, which has an ongoing sale until October 18.

The store offers 30 percent discounts on selected items – from entertaining lighting accessories to bedding and textile to outdoor living and kitchen collections.

Transform your home into a relaxing haven that is also entertaining and welcoming. With Crate & Barrel, it’s easy to liven up the home – from the bedroom to the kitchen to the receiving room.

Check out the Crate & Barrel stores located at SM Megamall, SM Aura Premier and SM Makati. Crate and Barrel is an industry leading omnichannel home furnishings specialty retailer, known for its exclusive designs, excellent value and superb customer service. Working directly with European ateliers and factories, Crate and Barrel was among the first to introduce affordable and contemporary tabletop products and kitchenware to American consumers. The brand’s essence has translated perfectly to the omnichannel era more than 50 years after opening its first store. For more information, visit www.crateandbarrel.com.

Mint Julep Cup. Be ready for Derby Day or any other day you’re betting on a memorable time with the classic mint julep cup. Fill this shiny stainless-steel vessel with bourbon, sugar, ice and a handful of mint – and here’s a hint: hold by the base or rim so frost will coat the cup.

Quilts from Crate & Barrel bring old world charm to the bedroom.

KATHA awardees to get international trade fair exposure

F Best Booth Display TADECO Home, March 2015

Best Product Design for Furniture Louis Lamp Chair

by Vito Selma, March 2015

urther recognition will be given to winning designs of the October edition of KATHA Awards, with awardees set to receive travel exposure to international trade fairs and exhibitions on top of the trophy and a six-month feature showing at HallONE. The KATHA Awards is a special distinction presented to local designers and exporters whose products exemplify exceptional quality and highcaliber design in furniture,

Special Citation: Eco-Design Award, Bambike by Bambike Revolutionary Cycles, March 2015

furnishings, holiday décor and gifts, and fashion. It serves as a statement of prestige by upholding a benchmark of excellence in product design and development. Its main objective is to consistently challenge designers to come up with product innovations that will be significant to consumers.

According to the Center for International Trade Exposition and Missions, the exposure in trade fairs abroad will allow the winning SMEs (small and medium enterprises) to expand their design landscape.

“They are given the opportunity to observe the latest trends and how foreign design companies interpret such creative and market trends on their product development,” explains CITEM executive director Rosvi Gaetos.

The travel exposure also provides the winning SMEs firsthand information on the market landscape abroad.

Gaetos adds, “Awardees also get the chance to be immersed in the

international market and gain insight on new strategies and tactics of the trade. It is an advantage for the winning SMEs that they can interact with buyers in their home market since it helps them understand better the consumer behavior on an international scale.”

With this opportunity, CITEM expects that the new design and market perspectives the winners will bring home from the international trade fairs and exhibitions will challenge Philippine designers and manufacturers to adapt these knowledge and insights to their own product development and consumer campaign as a means of pushing their standards a notch higher.

The KATHA Awards deliberation and awarding will be held on October 15, the first day of the 62nd Manila FAME, the country’s premier design and lifestyle event slated at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. For more information, log on to www.manilafame.com.

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The Pastry Chef in Ladies' Lairs

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

The Refined Gentleman in Man Caves

PSID STUDIO 24: THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE ‘SHOEBOX’ CALEIDOSCOPE WORLD

BY CAL TAVERA

T

HE CHALLENGE: 24 booths, 24 personalities, 24 design styles in 24 square meter spaces...

Go. Enter the Philippine School of Interior Design and their exhibit, Studio 24. As an alumna of the school, I look forward to coming “home” and revisiting memories through the annual exhibits the senior students execute for their thesis. While each batch offers something refreshing and innovative with their themes, this year, the new talents manage to impress me even more. Among the exhibitions I have visited since 2009, this one proves to be the most relevant to the current urban living.

Through the years, the high-rise spaces have been reducing in size significantly. While the number of condominium units continue to increase, the story of their sizes are heading towards a different direction, introducing us to the era of 20-something square meter studios. According to the 2015 report from Lamudi Philippines, over 40 percent of Metro Manila’s condominium inventories consist of 50 square meter spaces or less. In a 2014 report by Colliers International, expect the delivery of more than 30,000 condominiums in the next three years. Out of these, 75 percent belong to the studio and one bedroom unit category.

Back in the ‘90s, squeezing in 200 units per tower was not practiced, but everything is changing. Some

The Romantic Writer in Ladies' Lairs

The Young Urban Professional in Man Caves

The Travel Team in Perfect Pairings

The Spinster Sisters in Perfect Pairings

developers have offered the public projects promising 30 units per floor or around 1,200 units for a tower around 40 floors high.

I remember telling clients that old condominium spaces are now sacred with their spacious rooms and huge living quarters. In fact, the new units are akin to shoeboxes beside their older counterparts.

The Goth in Man Caves

How does one cram everything?

The 2015 PSID exhibit, however, managed to change my perspective on studio-type units. When we attended a special unveiling of the booths, I did a double take. Were the booths really 24 square meters?

How did the students squeeze in so much design and space for activities? Each booth managed to

project a more generous area than the other studios I’ve been to. The design factor is always expected but the pleasant surprise was how these students conceptualized an idea and successfully executed a functional, beautiful space that appeared to be much bigger. Dean Pojie Pambid himself measured each space to verify the area.

Dean Pambid believes the theme is an eye-opener for both the students and the developers. He shares that from the practitioner’s point of view, clients often ask if the layout can be revised. Clients always expect Interior Designers to deliver something refreshing and new. He emphasized that the typical-looking model units will not be present in the exhibit. Instead, they wanted to create something unique and inspiring with these fresh solutions.

The exhibit is divided into three categories: Ladies’ Lairs for the single women, Perfect Pairing for the diverse type of couples and the Man Caves for the bachelors. For the nostalgic young-at-heart, you will come face-to-face with Alfred Galvez’s portrait of Veronica from the Archie comics. There are also three booths with an all-white theme but look nothing alike. The PSID Studio 24 showcases 24 different styles for 24 various characters.

When I first enrolled in PSID, I did not expect I would stay until the end. I thought it would be hard to turn this into a lucrative career in a third world country but this exhibit proves just how much we need Interior Designers to create havens just like the ones you will see in the exhibit. It is an exciting time for designers and I can’t wait for these 111 PSID students to go out there and inspire more people and spaces with their ideas. Next week, I will be zoning in on the details of their designs and feature tips we can apply. Perhaps it will help us gain the confidence to go out of our comfort zone and experiment with our own spaces.

The exhibit runs until October 31 at Ronac Lifestyle Center along Paseo de Magallanes. For more information on PSID and its graduates, please visit: www.psidstudio24.com.

Follow me on Instagram @cal_tavera

W EDNES DAY : OCTOBER 7 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Tom Hanks in Bridges of Spies

A scene in Steven Spielberg’s Bridges of Spies

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Tom Hanks, Amy Ryan and Alan Alda in Bridges of Spies

Tom Hanks In sTeven spIelBerg’s ‘BrIdge of spIes’

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ased on historical events that happened during the Cold War era when an American U-2 spy jet was shot down in Soviet air space along with its pilot, the stirring thriller Bridge of Spies brings to life the crisis that raised tensions between the U.S. and the Soviets during such volatile times.

Tom Hanks, known for his engaging characterization in block-

buster films such as Saving Private Ryan, The Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, Forrest Gump and Castaway stars anew in the historical movie Bridge of Spies that tells of an extraordinary story of an unlikely hero set against the backdrop of a series of historic events.

The film is about James Donovan (Hanks), a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the

CIA sends him on the near-impossible task to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot.

Screenwriters Matt Charman and three-time Academy Award winners Ethan Coen & Joel Coen have woven this remarkable experience in Donovan’s life into a story inspired by true events that captures the essence of a man who risked everything and vividly brings his personal journey to life.

Directed by three-time Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg and inspired by true events, it stars Hanks as James Donovan; three-time Tony Award® winner Mark Rylance as Rudolf Abel, a KGB agent defended by Donovan; Scott Shepherd as CIA operative Hoffman; Academy Award nominee Amy Ryan as James’ wife, Mary; Sebastian Koch as East German lawyer Vo-

gel; and Academy Award nominee Alan Alda as Thomas Watters, a partner at Donovan’s law firm.

Spielberg, Marc Platt and Kristie Macosko Krieger produced the film with Adam Somner, Daniel Lupi, Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King serving as executive producers.

Bridge of Spies will open in cinemas on Oct.14 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Madonna's Rebel Heart

Be One with GlOBe at MadOnna’s ReBel heaRt tOuR in Manila

m

adonna is set to give her Philippine fans the best music experience of their lives when the Rebel Heart Tour arrives in Manila on Feb. 24 and 25, 2016 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Globe, the country’s no. 1 mobile brand and purveyor of the Filipino digital lifestyle, is presenting Madonna’s Philippine leg of the tour.

Globe kicks off the Manila concerts early with the Globe Madonna Rebel Heart Tour Raf-

fle Promo, the biggest of its kind in the country. With the promo, customers can get the chance to see the Queen of Pop to watch her concerts in Manila or in Los Angeles, USA, giving Madonna fans multiple opportunities to see her perform live.

The Globe Madonna Rebel Heart Tour Raffle Promo is open to Globe, TM and Tattoo customers for a chance to win tickets to Madonna’s Rebel Heart concert in Manila or an all-expense paid trip to catch Madonna’s Rebel Heart

Globe offers chance to subscribers to watch Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour either in Manila or Los Angeles

concert in Los Angeles, California, USA on Oct. 27.

“Music is an integral part of the Filipino digital lifestyle and Globe is here to make the music experience even better. As the exclusive presentor of the Madonna Rebel Heart Tour in Manila, we are committed to providing a complete immersive experience for all Madonna fans out there, one of which is this exciting raffle promo that aims to give lucky Globe and Tattoo customers the elusive privilege to see their idol for free, whether

in the country or in Los Angeles,” shares Globe Telecom Senior Vice President for Consumer Mobile Marketing Issa Cabreira.

One million pesos worth of prizes are up for grabs, where two winners will be flown to Los Angeles to watch Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour in the U.S. inclusive of round trip airfare, hotel accommodation, pocket money, and a backstage tour experience. Meanwhile, 16 lucky Globe customers will get the chance to see Madonna in Manila on Feb. 24 or 25, 2016.

To register to the raffle, Globe Prepaid, TM, Postpaid, and Tattoo Nomadic customers can text MADONNA REG <Name>/<Address>/<Email>/<Age>/<Gender> to 2662. Globe Platinum and Tattoo Home customers are automatically registered to the raffle.

Promo period is from Oct. 1 to 31, 2015. Draw date for the LA concert package is on Oct. 16, 2015. For the Manila concert tickets, draw date is on Nov. 6.

For more details, visit www.globe. com.ph/BeOnewithMadonna.

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Rocco Nacino plays a local bartender named Tisoy

Solenn stars in a romantic surf movie opposite Rocco Nacino

SOLEnn finDS SUmmER fLing in La UniOn niCKiE Wang Kai is a work-obsessed overachiever who arrives in Flotsam, a quaint artist beach hostel in San Juan, La Union. There she meets Tisoy, a very mysterious local bartender who becomes her summer fling and perfect antidote to restiveness.

The trouble is, Kai is getting married in three weeks’ time. Will she tie the knot with her fiancé or will she learn to slow down and learn to give up control?

That’s the premise of Jay Abello’s newest maindie (mainstream indie) shot entirely in the surfing town of La Union. The central characters Kai and Tisoy are played

by Solenn Heussaff and Rocco Nacino, respectively.

Also, Abello’s latest project delves into seven other

interweaving love stories, offering something relatable for everyone– that’s however an approximate figure, according to the filmmaker because some of them fall out of love while others double up or change partners.

The poetic keynote to the film though comes from one of the child actor’s examination about that ‘goddamn love’ the adults are talking about, to which Tisoy explains in vernacular, “Love doesn’t have a manual…you just have to try it.”

“Flotsam means wreckage of a ship washed up by the sea, it can also mean things rejected and are regardless worthless. Either way, people will see how Flotsam gathers floating debris and turn them into a beautiful love story on taking chances and making sound decisions,” Solenn told The Standard.

She furthered that the beach movie is a lighthearted romcom, which stories are based on real-life experienc-

es of the people who run the hostel Flotsam and Jetsam.

“That what makes the movie relatable. It’s based on actual experience. It was made easy for us actors to draw out raw emotions because, one way or another, we have had experienced the same situation,” the Kapuso star said.

Solenn, her co-stars and the rest of the crew had to stay in the picturesque surfing town for two weeks to shoot the film. And for the first time, Solenn is appearing on the big screen au naturel.

“No makeup, no fake eyelashes,” she gushed.

The 30-year-old actress confessed that staying there for that period helped them create a certain bond. And that also made them shoot the film with ease. In fact, when they shot her steamy scene with Rocco, they didn’t feel any sort of awkwardness.

“That part of the film when we had to do the intimate scene didn’t bother me at all. First, these kinds

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 42 43 44 46 48 49 50 53 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Joins up in space 6 Take suddenly 10 White-hat wearer 14 Bubbling 15 Bowling alley 16 Saki grain 17 Broom — (comics witch) 18 Part of IBM 19 Tooth problem 20 Graphite gadget (2 wds.)

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Boxing wins Storm track Clod buster Ornamental bands Prepared peanuts Teased Dr.’s visit Stein filler Run in neutral Fizzes Plaid wearers Crumpet companion

Name in essays Whiskey amounts Incoming train Early show Skip stones Qatar’s capital Leery Dangerous habit Indigo plant That’s — — know!

“The — Sanction” Saw or drill James of “Rollerball” Mall tenant Trims a doily Elvis’ title Light blanket

DOWN 1 Wonka’s creator 2 Drama award 3 Burger mate 4 Notorious pirate 5 Cuffed 6 Flashes 7 Bunkhouse site 8 Not pro 9 Hotel staffers 10 Egg protectors 11 Bumpkin 12 Narcissus’ lover 13 Membership dues 21 Pack it away

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Feedbag bit Tums target Less courteous Balloon material Tommy — Jones LP speed Eagle claw Overjoy No rocket scientist Rte. mappers Stack component Wildcat strike T’ai — ch’uan NASA excursion Mustiest Shipboard romances Lawn chore Just as I thought!

“Hurricane” singer Light-bulb unit Dwarf buffalo Laugh-a-minute Jai — Kin’s partner Mr. Sikorsky Orchid-loving Wolfe Waxed

of scenes, though they might appear very intimate and romantic on screen, are very technical and calculated. Besides, we’re both actors and it’s work, we just do what the script asks us to do,” Solenn explained.

Flotsam also gathers around live music, originally written for the film by Eraserheads guitarist Marcus Adoro, and Flotsam Folk Yeah! Family Band members Mia Sebastian and Kiddo Cosio.

“Yes, apart from bikinis, there will be a lot of singing in the movie, too,” Solenn added.

The songs were not only sung live, but also recorded real-time in true jamming sessions to reflect the real musicality of the place.

Flotsam also stars Marc Abaya, Carla Humphries, Franco Daza, Barbara Miguel, Adrian Cabido, Gerard Garcia and Julia Quisumbing. It will be shown nationwide on Nov. 4.

QCinEma PayS tRibUtE tO DabOy Organizers of the 2015 QCinema International Film Festival (QCIFF), which will be held from Oct. 22 to 31 at the Trinoma, Gateway Mall and Robinson’s Galleria cinemas, announced that the film fest will pay tribute to late actor Ruby “Daboy” Fernandez.

QCIFF’s opening film will be The Last Pinoy Action King, a portrait film about the life and death of local showbiz’s Daboy. The film’s co-directed Andrew Leavold describes the docu-movie as “an intimate and often heartbreaking portrait, complete with personal triumphs and tragedies, of one of the Philippines’ most beloved screen icons, and the life and death of the Filipino action hero itself.”

Along with the opening film, the organizers also formally launched and introduced the 13 films which

were given grants (P1 million for the main category and P200,000 for DoQC) by the Quezon City Film Development Commission.

This year’s line-up includes Water Lemon by Lemuel Lorca; Kapatiran by Pepe Diokno; Lisa by Chuck Gutierrez;Patintero: Ang Alamat ni Meng Patalo by Mihk Vergara; Gayuma by Cesar Hernando; Sleepless by Prime Cruz;Matangtubig by Jet Leyco; and Ang Huling Habagat by Mario Cornejo.

New category called DoQC International Documentary Competition feaures five full-length documentary films and they are Of Cats, Dogs, Farm Animals, and Sashimi byPerry Dizon; The Crescent Rising by Sheron Dayoc; Audio Perpetua by Universe Baldoza; Traslacion: Ang Paglakad sa Altar ng Alanganin by Will Fredo; and Bingat by Choy Pangilinan, Qubry Quesada, Joolia Demigilloand Abet Umil.

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com From C8

OCtOber musiC and laughter in CasinO FilipinO In a couple of months it’s going to be December. The festivities in the different branches of Pagcor will continue.

Funny girl K Brosas entertains with her brand of comedy at Casino Filipino Olongapo on Oct. 9.

Audiences are in for a big laugh with Allan K at Casino Filipino Hyatt Oct. 10. Allan K will be joined by Aj Tamiza and Le Chazz.

Ivy Violan, also known as the Music Festival Queen for having won in most music festivals here and abroad, and one of the original prime movers of Original Pilipino Music, sings music to melt the heart on Oct. 14 at Casino Filipino Pavillon.

Get ready to be rolling down the aisle with Pooh’s antics as he goes to Casino Filipino Mactan Cebu on Oct. 15.

Allan K with Aj Tamiza and Le Chazz will surely bring the house down with a combination of songs and laughter at Casino Filipino Tagaytay on Oct. 17.

And over at Casino Filipino Angeles, K Brosas will cap the night with a performance on Oct. 17.

For inquiries, call the PAGCOR Entertainment Department at (02) 7082046, 526-0337 loc 2401 or 2403. Check and ‘Like’ us on Facebook: www.facebook. com/pagcor.artists

Miss Olive-C 2015 with male models

Beauty queens, models invade Bohol Like the rest of the Filipinos, Boholanos or Bol-anons are great admirers of beauty.

Not known to many, Bohol is the home of several national and international beauty queens and celebrities. Miss World Philippines 2006 Ana Mariz Igpit, and Miss Tourism Queen International 2004 Noela Mae Evangelista are just two of them.

Last Saturday and Sunday, Miss Earth Air 2012 Stephany Stefanowitz, Miss Olive-C Campus Model Philippines 2013 Chelsea Starling, Miss Olive-C Campus Model Philippines 2015 Princess Jayme were joined by Manila male models Karl Aquino and JP Burgdorf in gracing the 70th anniversary of Bohol Quality Mall. They toured around the mall and made some autograph-signing sessions and photo ops with their fans.

Jim Acosta, chief executive officer of Psalmstre, made this beauty queen and model invasion in the land of the world’s smallest primate, the tarsier, possible. “It’s our company’s way of showing our support to our loyal business partner BQ Mall on the occasion of their 70th anniversary and, of course, our way of extending our gratitude to the Boholanos for their patronage to our trusted products New Placenta for men and women and Olive-C. We take this opportunity to thank everybody for the warm welcome. Truly, Bohol is a paradise, a beauty to reckon with” he said.

For Bol-anons, it was such a great treat for them. These beauty queens and models gave them inspiration to pursue honing their talent and achieving their dreams.

Miss Olive-C in Bohol with friends

emily Blunt in male-dominated territory

i

n Mexico, “Sicario” means hitman. In the intense, action drama on the fight against drugs, Sicario, Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt stars as FBI agent Kate Macer who finds herself in the midst of the lawless border area stretching between the U.S. and Mexico enlisted by an elite government task force official Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) to aid in the escalating war against drugs.

Sicario is directed by Denis Villeneuve. It is a searing emotional-thriller that descends into the intrigue, corruption and moral mayhem of the borderland drug wars.

Even as Kate tries to convince herself she’s on a hunt for justice, she is thrust into the dark heart of a secret battleground that has swept up ruthless cartels, kill-crazy assassins, clandestine American spies and thousands of innocents.

Says Villeneuve, “Sicar-

io takes a powerful look at black-ops operations and the Mexican cartels. But this story is also about America, about the idealism and realism that clash when it comes to dealing with the problems of other countries.”

The film explores the journey of an intelligence operation that pushes the rules to engage with those who don’t play by any.

“Kate is tempted by this world,” says Blunt, who breaks the mold with her portrait of a fierce female character whose life is in jeopardy throughout every second of the film. “She realizes she was barely scratching the surface doing things by the book and now she wants to believe she can do something that will make a real difference. Yet the very idea of no longer following the rules turns Kate’s whole world upside down. Nothing makes sense anymore.”

Kate Macer’s journey over the border finds her cross-

ing the line in more ways than one. A stickler for order and a workaholic who prides herself on running a tight, by-the-book operation, suddenly she is exposed to a world where operatives take on an anything-goes mentality. The deeper she descends into Mexico, the more she begins to feel she is losing all the moral bearings that drive her. The more she tries to take charge of the situation, the more she realizes she is losing control.

Emily Blunt, the Golden Globe®-winning English actress whose memorable role in Devil Wears Prada opened more windows to continually welcome a wide range of roles, has recently played a Special Forces warrior battling with Tom Cruise in the sci-fi thriller Edge of Tomorrow.

“Kate is really the moral compass of Sicario,” notes Blunt. “I was intrigued by her need to always do things in the right way, by the

Emily Blunt plays a detective in Sicario

law. When she gets thrown into this incoherent world of CIA ops and cartels, it is completely alien to her.

Whereas she’s always been held accountable for every bullet she fires, they spray bullets. All the accountability that has been her way of being is gone from this world, and she is in shock at the whole thing.”

Blunt was intrigued by Kate’s tricky relationship with Alejandro played by Benicio del Toro: “He is this

rather mystical character and he doesn’t say much.

She has her eye on him, and she doesn’t necessarily trust him. At the same time, I think he sees in Kate something that he’s lost in himself,” surmises Blunt. “They have this rather strange, almost magnetic link that they never fully get to explore under these extreme circumstances.

They’re drawn to each other in an unspoken way.”

Villeneuve loved watch-

ing the chemistry between Blunt and Benicio Del Toro come to a simmer. “This strange yet alluring relationship emerged from the two of them right in front of the camera and that was very important for the movie,” he says. “The way Kate tries to understand this man in a human way, brings out a beautiful, poetic angle within the violence.”

Sicario is now in cinemas nationwide from Pioneer Films.

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ Ultimate Final 14 moving on

Ayra Mariano

Elyson de Dios

Analyn Barro

Avery Paraiso

Arra San Agustin

Jay Arcilla

Liezel Lopez

James Teng

Koreen Medina

Kevin Sagra

Princess Guevarra

Joemarie Nielsen

ISAH V. RED Last Friday, GMA Network’s most well-loved original reality-based artista search, Starstruck, revealed the seven boys and seven girls that make up the Ultimate Final 14.

Throughout the week last, the judges -- Joey de Leon, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Starstruck alumna Jennylyn Mercado, and Dingdong Dantes used their fast track privilege and chose Migo Adecer, Avery Paraiso, Klea Pineda, and Ayra Mariano from the Top 18 to advance to the Ultimate Final 14.

On the live telecast, the names of the others who are now taking up the challenges as members of the Ultimate Final 14 surprised many in the studio.

Among them were Analyn Barro, 18, from Bacolod; the Sid Lucero look alike Kevin Sagara, 20, from South Cotabato; 16-year old Princess Guevarra of Cavite; also

from Cavite, Arra San Agustin, 20; Tarlac-born Joemarie Nielsen, 20, Bulaqueño James Teng, 17; Elyson de Dios, the 16-year old Cebuano who charmed the showbiz press covering the events with hi self-deprecating ways; Lagunense Jay Arcilla, 19; Koreen Medina, 20, also from Laguna; and Olongapo kid Liezel Lopez, 17.

The 14 young men and women met the entertainment press for the first time and to them it was like an acid test, trying to answer questions thrown at them.

Many are called but few will be chosen. That’s an old-age adage among Christians that can easily be applied to talent searches like these.

The judges are perhaps trying to see who among these kids are the most talented and have the potential to be stars. Nice try, I say, but stars are not made. They’re born.

So, talent searches, even those conducted by networks abroad, have very slim chances in creating the next stars.

The stars will emerge even if they were not part of the searches,

or if they failed to make it to, in this case, the Ultimate Final 14.

Looking at the 14 young men and women in front of the members of the press, I could point to at least four contestants who, if given the proper guidance and packaging, could be Kapuso’s next bets in its bid for dominance both on daytime and primetime programming.

But, of course, I am not going to be the judge of who will emerge as the Ultimate Survivors of the search.

I only hope that the Kapuso network wouldn’t make the same mistakes as in the previous editions of the search and other talent searches they conducted. This time, whoever is in charge of choosing the young man or woman, must be careful in their selection so as not to give false hopes to the kids who’d rather be somewhere else and be successful than trying their best fitting in a world that they’re not meant to be in.

Remember, in show business, it’s not so much of the talent, but more of how you connect with the audience. That is the mark of a real star. ➜ Continued on C7

Migo Adecer

Klea Pineda

In show business, it’s not so much of the talent, but more of how you connect with the audience.

That is the mark of a real star