The Standard - 2015 November 05 - Thursday

VOL. XXIX NO. 266 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 THURSday : NOVEMBER 5, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Poe’s DNA doesn’t match that of her kin

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MAR HITS SMEAR LP candidate calls ‘tanim-bala’ a demolition job

By John Paolo Bencito and Joel E. Zurbano

THE Liberal Party candidate for president Manuel Roxas II scored critics of the administration Wednesday and suggested that the “tanim-bala” scandal may be part of a demolition job against the government days before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit.

“Is this a plot, a large-scale demolition job to tarnish the image of the government especially that we have an upcoming Apec meeting? Roxas told reporters in Pangasinan Tuesday.

Amid a widening scandal over an extortion racket at the airport in which bullets are planted in travelers’ luggage, Roxas said he was not in favor of stripping the authority of the Office of Transportation Security to inspect bags at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Roxas said a thorough investigation was needed instead of blanket criticism of the government.

“Under the straight path, this is unacceptable. We should uncover who is behind this,” said Roxas, who was himself a former secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication, which supervises the airport.

Underscoring the need to stop the illegal practice, Roxas expressed belief that the installation of CCTVs could somewhat deter the planting of bullets.

“If this is indeed a racket, those responsible should be caught through an investigation and CCTV may help,” he said.

“What is important is that we are taking action so that this cannot happen again,” Roxas added.

An opposition candidate for senator, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said heads must roll at the airport.

“President Aquino should fire airport officials and security personnel Next page

Hostages’ appeal. Members of the Abu Sayyaf Group surround their four hostages, three foreigners and a Filipina, in this screen grab from a video released by US-based jihadist monitor SITE

Intel Group.

Palace calls UN’s advice to its staff ‘unfortunate’

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Abu Sayyaf wants P1b each for captives

By Francisco Tuyay and Florante S. Solmerin THE Abu Sayyaf is demanding P1 billion each for the release of two Canadians and a Norwegian kidnapped six weeks ago, a new video of the captives shows.

In the video released by the USbased jihadist monitor SITE on Tues-

day, the masked captors identified themselves as members of the Abu Sayyaf, a US-listed terrorist group notorious for kidnappings, beheadings and deadly bomb attacks.

Canadian tourists John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Norwegian resort manager Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor were seized from yachts at a marina in Davao on Sept. 21.

Authorities have said they do not know where the hostages are being held. But security analysts say they are likely on Jolo island, the Abu Sayyaf ’s stronghold.

In the SITE video, the three foreigners all said they were being ransomed off for P1 billion each. They were speaking in a jungle setting, surrounded by Next page heavily armed men.

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Abu...

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Flor, who is Hall’s girlfriend, did not speak.

“We’re being ransomed for one billion pesos each,” Ridsdel said as a man held a machete above his neck.

“I appeal to the Canadian Prime Minister and the people of Canada, please pay this ransom as soon as possible or our lives are in great danger.”

Hall pleaded: “I’m a Canadian citizen. I’m being held hostage by Abu Sayyaf for one billion pesos.

These people are serious and very treacherous. Take them seriously. Help us, get us out of here.”

Founded in the early 1990s with seed money from Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, the Abu Sayyaf gained international notoriety for kidnapping dozens of foreign tourists for ransom in the early 2000s.

The group has also been blamed for the country’s worst terrorist attacks, including the bombing of a ferry off Manila Bay in 2004 that killed more than 100 people.

It is believed to have just a few hundred gunmen, but thrives in lawless sections of Mindanao where Muslim rebels have for decades fought for independence or autonomy.

The Abu Sayyaf is known to be holding three other

foreigners—two Malaysians and a Dutch man, according to the military.

An Italian ex-priest, Rolando del Torchio, was also abducted from his pizza restaurant in the southern port city of Dipolog last month.

The Abu Sayyaf is widely believed to be holding him, but authorities have not confirmed this.

And a 74-year-old South Korean kidnapped in January was found dead on Jolo at the weekend. The military said the Abu Sayyaf abandoned the hostage after he died from a “severe illness.”

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla declined to comment about the new video.

The government has repeatedly said it has a “noransom policy” but parties linked to captives frequently pay.

In October last year, the Abu Sayyaf claimed it received P250 million in exchange for two German hostages they held captive for six months. Security analysts said a large ransom was paid.

Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Supt.

Wilben Mayor said the police were evaluating the video and stressed that the government does not pay ransoms.

He said the police and the military were doing all they could to ensure the safety of the victims. With AFP

Entrepreneurial. This photo from the Facebook page of luggage-maker Suit Up Philippines shows two of their latest offerings for travelers

Palace: UN advice ‘unfortunate’ Mar...

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for earning public distrust and causing embarrassment and serious threat to Philippine tourism over the unresolved cases of laglag-bala which have victimized a number of overseas Filipino workers,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez earlier called on Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to crack the whip and personally address the rise in the number of bullet-planting incidents.

“They lost their credibility because of the breakdown in the security management at the Naia and this has resulted in the continued public distrust of airport officials and employees. The fear of traveling by air is beginning to traumatize local and foreign tourists because of their failure to address the mounting complaints [about the] extortion racket,” Romualdez said.

The militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno described the Aquino administration as irresponsible and insensitive when it played down allegations of extortion involving airport personnel.

“Extortion of overseas workers and ordinary Filipinos does not evince good governance. The scam at the Naia has exposed corruption and patronage politics under President Noynoy Aquino’s so-called Daang Matuwid”, KMU said in a statement.

The group said Mr. Aquino should also stop boasting about the country’s supposed economic growth through his good governance, while syndicates and extortionists victimize workers and ordinary people through schemes such as the “tanim-bala” and operate under his protection.

“Downplaying the scam is irresponsible and insensitive at best and a poor attempt at cover-up at worst,” it said.

The group also hit the President for falling back on patronage politics in the appointment of top officials at the Manila International Airport Authority, including its general manager, Jose Angel Honrado, who once headed presidential security under his mother, the late former President Corazon Aquino.

“By appointing Honrado in the first place, and refusing to sack him

despite the controversy, Aquino is responsible for the scam,” the group said.

KMU also urged the administration and Roxas to stop “making up conspiracy theories.”

“The government agencies’ persistent denial of their involvement in the extortion racket also makes us believe that the “tanim-bala” syndicate has deep roots within various national agencies in transportation, aviation and security. Judging from the way this scandal is unfolding, it may just be the tip of the iceberg of bigger scams in the country’s airports.”

“We are also enraged with the victim-blaming of the Philippine National Police and the MIAA in their effort to cover-up their responsibility for the scheme. It is utterly unbelievable that the increase in the number of victims is due to the victims’ carelessness or in the victim’s belief in amulets.”

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya on Wednesday insisted there was no syndicate at the airport planting bullets in the luggage of passengers, and that the entire business has been “blown out of proportion.”

Based on records, Abaya said the number of cases in which passengers were caught with bullets nationwide had dropped from 2,184 in 2013 to only 1,394 this year as of November.

He said the figure was based on nationwide data collaged by his office, and that most cases involved bullets used as souvenirs, necklaces, or talismans.

He cited a case involving a mother who put a bullet in the bag of her daughter “because she believed it would serve as an amulet.”

Another passenger, whom Abaya identified as a Japanese national, was recently caught with two bullets placed in his jacket packed in his bag.

He said the foreigner admitted he got the bullets as souvenirs after visiting a firing range.

Over the weekend, opposition Senator Nancy Binay offered the opposite view, saying the number of incidents was on the rise at the Naia.

“These incidents have been reported to the authorities before but why are these abuses still happening?” said Binay.

Binay and fellow senators—Miriam Defensor Santiago, Ralph Recto

and Alan Pater Cayetano—filed separate resolutions calling for an investigation to look into the alleged presence of a syndicate engaged in the bullet-planting scam.

But Abaya brushed aside this allegation, saying there is no evidence to establish that a syndicate is operating at the Naia. “So far we have not established any facts to show any syndicate,” he said.

He said the government has no intention of letting the incidents slide because what is at stake is the “safety and peace of mind of every Filipino.”

The Cabinet official admitted that any passenger wrongfully charged or who became a victim is an injustice.

“It is not something that the government should ignore. It is a great concern for the state… A single case of injustice merits full government attention,” he said.

On Wednesday, two US-bound passengers were held at the airport after baggage screeners of the OTS found one of them, a 69-year-old woman, wearing a necklace with a pendant that “looks like a bullet,” and a 59-year-old man who had a .22 cal. revolver with five live bullets.

The woman explained that the pendant that looks like a bullet was given to her by a friend to protect her from witchcraft (mangkukulam), said OTS supervisor Elmer Cahatol.

The 59-year-old man was identified as Ramon Laorca of Quezon City, a dental assistant who was about to board a Delta Air flight bound for Seattle via Japan.

Laorca was heard apologizing: “I am sorry, dala ng katangahan ko nakalimutan kong iwanan sa bahay.”

The gun was inside a clutch bag inside Laorca’s shoulder bag and was detected by the X-ray machine.

Liberal Party’s vice presidential candidate and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo on Wednesday filed a measure that seeks to decriminalize the mere possession of not more than three bullets, as she voiced concern over the rising number of incidents of bullet planting at the airport.

“Let us stop this scam and ensure the safety and well being of the passengers in Naia,” Robredo said.

“This scam has affected a number of our countrymen and foreigners who were on their way to another country or to other places in the Philippines,” she added. With Maricel V. Cruz

By Sandy Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

MalacaÑang described as “unfortunate” Wednesday the Un advisory to all its personnel who must pass through Philippine airports to secure their luggage amid fears that bullets might be planted in their luggage as part of an extortion racket.

“That’s an unfortunate development and we hope that, moving forward, with the new measures that will be implemented, there will be no need for such advisories in the future,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.

Valte would not comment directly on Transport Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya’s statement that the cases of planted bullets have been “blown out of proportion” except to say the President has seen the data.

But she added that the government must move “regardless of the statistics.”

Valte also said that inspectors in Philippine airports, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport where many of the incidents had taken place, could be trusted.

“There is a presumption of regularity,” she said.

With the new guidelines, she said, inspectors would have no contact with the luggage and would examine them only through X-ray machines.

“The inspectors cannot touch the bags anymore. The passengers will be the ones who will handle the bags to eliminate contact by the inspectors,” she said.

Valte also ruled out the suggestion that the government was cracking the whip because of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit this month.

“The government action on the bullet situation or the incidents regarding loose ammunition in the airport is a reaction not because we’re having visitors but because we have citizens who have complained of being victims of alleged extortionists,” she said. “So that alone, in itself, is enough for government to move and to warrant government action.”

On Wednesday, Justice Secretary Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa gave the National Bureau of Investigation special task force 15 days from Wednesday to complete its investigation into the bullet-planting inci-

dents at the Naia.

NBI Anti-Organized Transnational Crime Division Head Agent Manuel Antonio Eduarte was designated head of the team with Supervising Agents Manuel Fayre Jr. and Dennis Asistio; and Special Investigators Joselito Guillen, Aubren Cosidon, Rodelio Velez and Marvin Villena as members.

The team was ordered to coordinate with other relevant agencies and to review and evaluate documents and materials related to the extortion racket.

A spokesperson for Philippine Airlines on Wednesday said concerns about the bullet-planting racket have not dampened the willingness of Filipinos to fly.

“Of course these are valid concerns. That is expected. The airline assures the public that steps are being taken to address the issue,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.

She said the bullet-planting issue has not affected PAL’s passenger load factor, adding that its booking for the months of November and December showed a spike.

Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said the issue has had no major impact on foreign tourist arrivals and spending.

“We will continue to enjoy growth as long as we keep promoting our tourism assets and spreading positive news,” he said.

“The tourism performance indicators remain encouraging with double digit growth with visitor arrivals and revenue for the entire year,” Bengzon added.

For the year 2015, the government targets 5.5 million foreign tourists.

The total number of international visitors from January to August was recorded at 3,590,038 for a 9.87 percent growth compared to the same period last year.

Abaya, in a briefing, said investigations have been ongoing since Day 1, but said the case has been blown out of proportion. With Darwin G. Amojelar

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Poe: My DNA, kin’s don’t match THE Commission on Elections has granted Senator Grace Poe’s request to extend the deadline for the submission of her counter-affidavit to her electoral disqualification case after her DNA did not match those from her relatives.

Its that holiday feeling. Passengers take selfies on Wednesday while waiting for a ride on Ayala Avenue in Makati, which is ablaze in

holiday lights. Danny Pata

Marcos asks public attorney Hike government to champion rights of poor school budget by 20%, VP proposes SENATOR Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged the members of the Public Attorney’s Office to continue championing the rights of the “little guys.”

He was referring to the farmers, workers, squatters and other exploited sectors who could not afford the services of private lawyers.

“These ‘little guys’— the lowly farmers, the underpaid and oppressed laborers, the homeless and informal settler families threatened by eviction are all your clientele,” Marcos told the PAO-National Capital Region Convention led by PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta held at the Bayview Ho-

tel on Tuesday night.

He said PAO lawyers should fight oppressive landowners who grab farm lots from small farmers and free laborers from the exploitation of greedy capitalists.

He said throughout the country, the underpayment of wages and other monetary benefits under the law is prevalent, as well as the nonpayment of the workers’ contributions to the Social Security System, PhilHealth and PagIBIG. Workers under greedy employers are being subjected to the oppressive employment scheme like the “5-5-5,” popularly known as the end of con-

tract after five months of work.

The poor and the squatters are evicted from their homes through violence and intimidation.

“Protect them from the scourge of unbridled capitalism and urbanization and uphold their rights under the Constitution and our laws,” Marcos said.

H e said there is a need for forensic training to be given to PAO lawyers as he noted that the FBI itself has admitted that 90 percent of the evidence “contained erroneous statements” and these faulty evidence had been the basis of criminal convictions.

Last respects. The body of the late Senator Ernesto Herrera is brought to the

Senate on Wednesday for necrological services. LIno SantoS

THE government should increase the budget for education and training by 20 percent so that more students—particularly the poor—could attend school, Vice President Jejomar Binay said Wednesday.

“For students in private schools, the student loans and grants program under the GASTPE Law, or Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education, should be expanded so that more students can attend school in the collegiate and vocational-technical levels,” Binay said.

“Scholarships and grants should also be increased.”

Binay vowed to build more classrooms, buy more books and equipment for elementary schools if he wins the presidency next year.

During a K-12 Symposium in Hinangunan, Southern Leyte, Binay said he will not allow scholarships to be exclusively allotted to the nominees of politicians.

He also vowed to raise the basic salary of teachers and give them other extra benefits including housing.

“With the help of Congress, we will increase teachers’ salaries.

Specifically, we are looking at adjusting the salary of a Teacher 1 from the current Salary Grade 11 to at least Salary

Grade 19,” Binay said.

“Our teachers will also receive more emoluments such as regular study or training grants, increased allowances for election duties and other such benefits.

“We want our teachers to receive more material benefits such as increased instructional materials allowance, study grants for their children, tax exemptions for all additional benefits given to them, 20-percent discount on goods and services on food, transportation, medicine, medical and dental services, as well as funeral assistance by way of discounts in burial services.”

He said these benefits were provided for in the pending bills in the Senate authored by Senator Nancy Binay, specifically Senate Bill No. 2006 or the Public School Teacher’s Incentives Act of 2013, and Senate Bill No. 2780 or the OFW and Public School Teacher’s Funeral Assistance Act of 2015.

“Implementing this program entails a huge budget,” Binay said.

“We do not believe in usurping powers that belong to other branches, so we will ask Congress—which alone is authorized to appropriate funds—to pass the necessary laws to secure the budgetary requirements.” Vito Barcelo

“It didn’t match those from whom we took samples,” Poe said in a radio interview.

“Nevertheless, I have not lost faith because our case does not rest on DNA alone.”

Poe insisted she had legal grounds to claim she is a natural-born Filipino as required by the Constitution because she was a foundling before she was adopted by actors Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces.

“I am a Filipino.

I was born in our country, grew up in our country, studied here in the Philippines,” Poe said.

“I have no doubt in my mind and in my heart that I am a Filipino.”

Poe had asked the Comelec to extend the period required of her to submit her counter-affidavit by one month, but the commission gave her only 13 more days.

George Garcia, her lawyer, admitted they would not be able to complete the counter-affidavit in 10 days, but he said they will attend the

Nov. 13 hearing at the Comelec.

Garcia was present during the preliminary investigation at the Comelec law department where Rizalito David, the person who filed the disqualification case against her, and his lawyer Manuelito Lina had also been present.

David claims that Poe should be ejected from the Senate because she is not a Filipino citizen.

David and Lina had opposed the 30day extension and instead insisted on only 10 days.

On Monday, Poe asked the Comelec if she could be given one more month to file her counteraffidavit to David’s allegations against her.

Poe, citing “heavy pressure of other equally urgent professional work,” said she could not submit her counter-affidavit on the Nov. 3 deadline and asked the Comelec if she could file the documents on Dec. 3. Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Macon Ramosaraneta

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCEMENT President Benigno S. Aquino III has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the nomination and ad interim appointments of the following officials: Constitutional Commissions and Offices Hon. Alicia Dela Rosa-Bala – Chairperson, Civil Service Commission Department of Foreign Affairs Hon. Eduardo Jose A. De Vega – Chief of Mission, Class I, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Mexican States with concurrent jurisdiction over Belize, the Republic of Costa Rica, the Republic of El Salvador, the Republic of Guatemala, the Republic of Honduras, the Republic of Nicaragua, the Republic of Panama, the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Cuba (nomination); and Eric R. Aquino – Foreign Service Officer, Class I Armed Forces of the Philippines Abe G. Arenga, PA, Noel T. Baluyan, PA, George G. Domingo, PA, Danilo F. Detalla, PA (Reserve), Joeni Salvador R. Lopez, PA (Reserve), Leonel M. Nicolas, PA, Joselyn R. Bandarlipe, PA, Alexis Noel C. Bravo, PA, Irineo F. Sebastian, PA, Rogelio D. Ulanday, PA, Febie N. Lamerez, PA, Sofronio P. Marquez, Jr., DS, Edwin I. Ureta, PA, Rodrigo O. Sosmeña, PA and Emmanuel D. Garcia, PA– Colonel; Francis Alexander R. Jose, PN (Reserve) – Captain The public may submit any information, written report or sworn complaints or oppositions in forty (40) copies on the above nomination and appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, DiosdadoMacapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 551-7532, 831-0893, 831-1824, 834-2706, 8311566 and 834-2713.

04 November 2015.

ARTURO L. TIU Secretary (TS-NOV. 5, 2015)

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Victims seek govt empathy

By Mel Caspe SURVIVORS of the devastating 2013 Typhoon “Yolanda” scored the Aquino administration anew on Wednesday after learning that cash donations for the victims of the deadly storm remained undistributed and were sitting idle in government trust funds.

Against energy liberalization. Policemen

prevent protesters from getting near the main entrance of the Crown Plaza Hotel in Pasig City, where a climate change symposium was held Wednesday under the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. EY ACASIO

CHR ‘calls it as they see it’

By John Paolo Bencito RESPONDING to charges that it is covering up military involvement in violent incidents against indigenous people in Mindanao, the Commission on Human Rights said its coming report will show that both the Armed Forces and the communist New People’s Army were involved in several incidents.

“How can they say that our report is whitewashed when we have given only a statement?” CHR Commissioner Roberto Eugenio Cadiz asked on Wednesday.

“If you read our statement, we’re just condemning both the AFP and NPA. Nobody will deny that these atrocities are being done by both sides and that is what came out during the public inquiry [conducted by the CHR],” he said.

“If we are whitewashing on the military, why is it that we are condemning the acts of the AFP and Malacañang is very angry with us?” he added.

“We will call human rights [viola-

tions] as we see them,” Cadiz said.

“We are an independent commission.

We are not part of the executive department. In fact, it is our mandate and we are supposed to be the watchdog of human rights violations of the government.”

“We are being accused of whitewashing the role of the AFP. But it is the first time that the CHR is saying in black and white that the military is involved in these atrocities,” Cadiz said, referring to the report that the CHR will likely issue in the next two weeks.

“In previous years, they were saying that the CHR is equivocate in denouncing the acts of the military, but that is how it came out in our public inquiry.”

Cadiz said that while they are expecting that both sides “will not be happy,” but the CHR doesn’t expect that their “reactions will be very bad.”

“The Palace is asking us why are we coming up with statements that involves the AFP in these atrocities, or that the AFP is recruiting,” Cadiz said.

“When we issued that statement, these were the things that came out

from the public inquiry for all the violations, so we cannot understand why they are saying that this is a whitewash?”

Cadiz added that the CHR received word from the UN High Commission for Refugees in the Philippines, “congratulating us for unbiased statements in the light of these atrocities.”

“Immediately after making our stand on Monday, our friends from the UNHCR, Bernard Kerblat made a statement congratulating us for our unbiased move.”

While Cadiz disproved the military’s claims that they weren’t involved in the supposed round-up of paramilitary groups in Mindanao, he also acknowledged the AFP’s move to clean-up their ranks following the various lumad attacks.

“The military, they are saying that they have nothing to do with it, but if you look closely, where are the rifles, the guns coming from? They cannot also wash their hands. We’re not living in past when Armalites grew on trees,” Cadiz said.

“How heartless can the government be?” asked Marissa Cabaljao, secretary-general of the People Surge group that was formed in the wake of Yolanda.

“Millions of funds are kept idle in banks while disaster survivors suffer inhumane conditions in bunkhouses and temporary shelters.

Funds that could have been better used to help survivors get back on their feet remain unused,” Cabaljao said.

“Is the Aquino regime tightening its belt to those who need their assistance the most? It looks like they’re penny pinching with us,” Cabaljao added.

Cabaljao noted that there is an increase in lumpsum funds for 2016 which, according to reports, amounts to as much as P758.398 billion. “These funds may be used to perpetuate the system of political patronage already in place,” she said.

“When do they plan to distribute those idle funds?

Sa tamang panahon [At the right time]? When is this tamang panahon, when the election is near?” she asked, adding that People Surge fears that disaster funds will be used for election purposes.

Senator Ferdinand R. Marcos said the fears are not far-fetched.

“We can see that many funds of the government are being used for election,” said Marcos when asked by media on the possibility the Yolanda funds being used as campaign funds.

Marcos noted that until now, the Department of Social Welfare and Development refuses to answer his inquiries as to where the billions of pesos in international donations on funding for relief agencies went.

In addition to unused disaster funds, the senator cited reports about expired medicines and relief goods intended for Yolanda survivors.

Likewise, Marcos said that two years since the typhoon the government has yet to deliver on its promise of providing shelter to those rendered homeless as a result of the disaster.

The National Housing Authority earlier said the government has built 16,000 or fewer than 10 percent of the 205,128 homes supposed to be built for Yolanda survivors.

“They should be ashamed for letting suffer the victims of Yolanda who have been waiting for help from the government. Two years of waiting for these people is already long,” Marcos said.

The senator said he is supporting calls for a Senate investigation on the idle Yolanda relief funds.

7 tax brackets proposed

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For more information, you may call 7878 free of charge via your ABS-CBNmobile phone, or (02) 266-7878 via landline. ( T S - N O V. 5 , 2 015 )

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Tax Management Association of the Philippines and 21 business, professional, trade and labor groups submitted a “compromise” tax cut measure that will benefit the Filipino workers.

But so far, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. was non-commital on the proposal although he said he would meet with Senate President Franklin Drilon to talk about the proposal that the TMAP said would immediately alleviate the public’s tax burden.

“While a compromise proposal involving only the updating of the tax brackets is not what TMAP and its coalition partners had in mind, TMAP believes that the compromise proposal will immediately alleviate somehow the plight of salaries of individuals

who are overtaxed under the current system,” said TMAP president Terence Conrad Bello.

“We will look into it” was all Belmonte could say amid his current troubles mustering a quorum in the House of Representatives, but opposition leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez welcomed the proposal.

“Anything that will provide a relief to our workers is a welcome development. We do hope that Congress will act on this proposal,” Romualdez said of the proposal which aims to update the current income tax brackets.

“We voiced our support for various income tax reform measures then pending in the Congress to restore fairness in the Philippine tax system and make our country competitive with our Asean neighbors,” Bello said.

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IT expert doubts if Telstra can deliver

By Francisco tuyay

AN INFORMATION Technology expert doubts if the entry of a new player, a foreign Internet company, will speed up telecom services and will be good for Philippine consumers.

Rodolfo Lozada said the entry of Telstra Corp., an Australian firm via a joint venture with San Miguel Corp., would have to prove its worth for faster Internet service given the current state of the country’s digital infraSecurity lapse. structure.

High-powered firearms “First, competition will always be good in and improvised any market place, that’s given. It will always weapons are recovered be good for the consumers. Second, providfrom inmates at the ing for a faster Internet, that will have to be maximum security proven,” Lozada said. area of the New Bilibid Lozada said the entry of Testra would proPrison in Muntinlupa City on Wednesday Nov. duce a healthy competition with two telecom 4. DANNY PATA companies, but he urged the government to invest in a “digital superhighway” in order for the country’s digital goods to move freely.

Lozada, said “we don’t have an NBN (National Broadband Network) here in the Philippines which is likened to roads used to move people and goods around.”

“We need these roads to move these goods freely to create trade. Prior to that, all the agricultural goods were moving freely. Now that we have an era where we are now trading digital goods, almost all of the roadways, and the path of digital goods are privately owned,” Lozada explained. time the dialogue would fail to The US defense official said he said that Internet services in the counissue a joint statement by the de- several Asean countries also try are the most expensive in the world and fence chiefs. “felt that [it] was inappropri- one of the slowest, “not until the government The China-US friction has ate” to exclude mention of the plays it own role via putting up their own spiked since last week, when South China Sea issue from NBN, nothing will happen here.” the guided missile destroyer an official statement. “hopefully the next administration will be USS Lassen sailed within “It reflects the divide China’s able to give the appreciation or the understand12 nautical miles of at least reclamation and militarization ing that in this digital economy we need a digone of the China-built land in the South China Sea has ital superhighway that is free,” Lozada said. formations in the disputed caused in the region,” the offiThe Philippine market is taking a cautious Spratly Islands. cial said. wait-and-see approach to Telstra Corp. Ltd.’s The US insists it has freedom An Asean official confirmed possible entry into the country, amid Telstra of navigation in the area but to AFP that there would be no chief executive Andy Penn’s claim of providthe USS Lassen’s visit angered joint declaration, but that Ma- ing better quality telecommunications servChina, which called it a threat to laysia would issue a chairman’s ices to Filipinos at a lower cost.

Chinese sovereignty. statement that is likely to touch This amid news of Telstra’s drop in share Beijing rejects any challenges on the maritime issues. price in recent months due to increased comto its disputed claims and the Carter told Chang in a meet- petition in Australia, and constant reports of island-building campaign as ing late Tuesday that the United service issues and complaints from its own outside interference.

States would continue to sail Australian customers as well.

Some of the Chinese island its vessels in waters that China Telstra recently disclosed to the Australconstruction includes runways, claims. ian Securities exchange that it has set aside and analysts say sights that were During that bilateral talk, $1.5 billion in capital for mergers and acquipreviously merely reefs will be Chang described a “bottom sitions for the remainder of 2015, the bulk of able to house military personnel line” below which it would de- which may reach the Philippines through a and hardware. fend the islands. joint venture with San Miguel.

AsPac defense gab hits impassé over sea row US-ChineSe tensions over the South China Sea have forced a meeting of Asia-Pacific defense ministers to scrap plans for a joint statement after Beijing opposed mention of the hot-button issue, diplomats said Wednesday.

The impassé at the Kuala Lumpur defence dialogue marks the latest fallout from a confrontation between Washington and Beijing over China’s expansive claims to the strategic South China Sea and its construction of artificial islets to back them up.

“Our understanding is there will be no joint declaration,” a US defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

It was not immediately clear how the decision not to issue a statement was made, but the US official said that “in our view, no statement is better than one

that avoids the important issue of China’s [land] reclamation and militarization in the South China Sea”.

Defense ministers from the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations and regional partners including the United States, China and Russia met Wednesday morning in Kuala Lumpur for an annual dialogue first launched in 2013.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and China’s Defense Minister Chang Wanquan are taking part.

Officials said this was the first

Quorum lack threatens BBL the session hall which led to the adjournment of session.

Belmonte said he would continue to The house of Representatives can no longer pass the Palace- backed appeal to his colleagues to sustain the Bangsamoro Basic Law if quorum quorum even if election season has woes persist, house Speaker Feli- started in order to ensure the passage of the BBL, among other priority measciano Belmonte Jr. said.

“Our number one problem here ures line up in the legislative mill.

Belmonte said he and other house at the Lower house is quorum,” Belleaders were scheduled to meet today monte told reporters fresh from a (Thursday) with their Senate counthree-week halloween break.

But Belmonte said the house lead- terparts on Thursday to discuss the ership will exert greater effort to have chances of passing other remaining the measure discussed and debated priority measures. earlier, several lawmakers led by on the floor thoroughly during the Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romuallast session days of Congress.

For as long as there is no quorum, dez cautioned his colleagues against the BBL will not get passed,” Bel- hastily passing an infirmed Bangsamoro Basic Law as Congress listed the monte hinted.

During the resumption of session pet bill of President Benigno Aquino Monday, only a handful of lawmak- III as a priority measure.

Romualdez said the house should ers, led by Belmonte, showed up at

By Maricel V. Cruz

not allow to get pressured by Malacañang to hasten the passage of the BBL this December without making lawmakers review, study and scrutinize the peace measure.

“Our colleagues need more time to study the BBL because we want to guarantee that what we would be passing will be legal and constitutional,” said Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, the oldest and respectable association of legal luminaries in the country.

The Romualdez-led Philconsa filed before the Supreme Court a 26-page petition seeking to declare as unconstitutional the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro that the government has entered into with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Towering.

A 20-foot Christmas tree is being built at the Navotas City Hall in preparation for the upcoming Yuletide.

ANDREW RABULAN

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Bishops ban ivory icons

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

THE Catholic Church on Wednesday said that it will ban any donations of religious devotional objects that are made of ivory.

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Bishop Socrates Villegas urged the clerics to stop from blessing any new statue, image or object of devotion made or crafted from such materials as ivory or similar body parts of endangered or protected animals.

“Nor shall such new statues or images be used as objects of veneration in any of our churches,” Villegas said in a pastoral statement released on Wednesday.

“I propose to my brother bishops to enforce the directive that

no donation of any new statue or religious object made from ivory or materials extracted, taken or derived from protected and endangered species shall be accepted and blessed,” he also added.

This statement, Villegas said, is one of the ways to raise awareness about the illegal ivory trade and the killing of elephants, insisting that animals must be treated with respect.

Pope Francis has warned in the recent encyclical on the environment that “unprecedented destruc-

tion of ecosystems” may persist due to continuous exploitation of the nature.

The CBCP chief said the ivory trade, and poaching, trafficking, and decimation of other endangered species are activities that the Pope wants to end.

In the Philippines alone, Villegas admitted that endemic species “are hardly cared for.” And on a global scale, he added, the problem is “nothing less than alarming.”

“No matter the beauty of a work of art, it cannot justify the slaughter of wildlife, the use of endangered organic forms and lending a seal of approval to the threat posed to biodiversity by poachers and traffickers,” he added.

“Every instance of beauty is a reflection of the infinite beauty of

the Creator. We cannot, without offending the Creator, deface his creation,” Villegas said.

Villegas said that old religious images and statues using such materials may still be kept and used in respect to their “historical value.”

“Those statues and images of ivory and other analogous materials from protected and endangered species already in use probably for centuries before the issuance of this pastoral guidance, should be safeguarded, and may remain in use for purposes of devotion and in recognition of their historical value,” he said.

In 2012, the CBCP emphasized that it did not condone ivory smuggling and supported the international ban on ivory.

This file photo taken on June 21, 2013 shows a heavy machinery crushing five tons of elephant tusks at a ceremony at the wildlife bureau compound in Manila. The Philippines’ dominant Catholic Church called on its leaders Nov. 4, 2015 to help end the slaughter of elephants by rejecting fresh donations of religious objects made of ivory. AFP

Justice retires, cites poor health

By Rey E. Requejo SUPREME Court Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr. has filed an optional retirement effective Jan. 16, 2016, three months before his mandatory retirement.

Villarama, whose term was supposed to officially end on April 14, 2016, cited deteriorating health for his early retirement, thus paving the way for President Benigno Aquino to appoint his sixth appointee to the 15-member bench before his term ends next year.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Malacañang wished Villarama well.

Villarama, in a fourpage letter dated Nov. 2, 2015 to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and his colleagues in the tribunal, sought approval of his optional retirement effective Jan. 16, 2016 after serving the judiciary for 28 years.

“This request is being made for reason of the undersigned’s deteriorating health condition brought about by his double knee metal implantation in 2013 and his cataract operation last year,” he said, adding that “for several years, he has been experiencing difficulty in breathing, hypertension and symptoms of prostate illness prevalent among aging men.”

Villarama’s retirement will allow President Aquino to appoint another magistrate in the high court, two months before the election ban on “midnight appointments” sets in. Aquino is barred from making appointments beginning March 9, 2016 in the run-up to the May 9, 2016 polls. With Sandy Araneta

Expelled minister rapped for serious illegal detention

By Rey Requejo

TABLES are now turned against expelled Iglesia Ni Cristo minister Lowell Menorca II after serious illegal detention case has been filed against him before the Department of Justice by the parents of Abegail Yanson, nanny of his daughter.

Candido and Rosalie Yanson, parents of Abegail, asked the DOJ to indict Menorca for allegedly keeping their daughter against her will and filed the non-bailable charge on Wednesday.

Accompanied by lawyer Alex Avisado, the complainants al-

leged that Menorca and his wife Jinky brought Abegail to Manila from Bulan, Sorsogon last July and have since not allowed her to see her family.

They also disputed the claim of Menorca’s lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles that an agent of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group tried to “rescue” the nanny during the hearing on the habeas corpus and Amparo case at the Court of Appeals last Tuesday.

“I was the one who hugged my daughter. I’ve been wanting to do that because I missed her,” a teary-eyed Rosalie said when interviewed by reporters.

Ambulance donation. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Director Mabel V. Mamba (third from right) recently turned over an ambulance to Mayor Andrew Vincent Pagurayan (4th from right) of Sto. Niño,Cagayan and Tuguegarao City Health Officer Dr. James Guzman (5th from left) in a ceremony held at PCSO Cagayan branch in Tuao. Others in photo are (from left) Tuao Councilor Nap Mabborang, Tuao Vice Mayor Martin Soriano, PCSO Cagayan Branch Head Heherson Pambid, and Councilors Genaro Cardona, Ross Resuelo, Solana Rody de Asis, Sto. Nino HRMO Avelino dela Cruz, Sto. Nino Municipal Health Officer Dr. Ethel Simeon, Secretary Manny Mamba and Cagayan Board Member Christian Guzman.

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Party time. Almost 800 officers and staff of the Department of Public Works and Highways celebrate their 25th anniversary through a boodle fight. OMAR MANGORSI

Galera’s ‘flying voters’ register at last minute

By Robert A. Evora

PUERTO GALERA, Oriental Mindoro—Concerned residents here have called the attention of the Commission on Elections to investigate reports of widespread registration of alleged flying voters in the last days of biometrics registration for the May 9, 2016 synchronized elections.

A similar incident was also reported in Calapan City.

“If proven true by authorities, this is an act of political desperation mainly designed to win and perpetuate oneself in power,” Puerto Galera resident Leocadio Atienza told The Standard.

On Oct. 24, six days before the registration deadline, 64 transferees from Pinamalayan

municipality, loaded in several jeepneys, reportedly registered at the Comelec office here.

Pinamalayan town is located more than 120 kilometers southwest of this resort town. Pinamalayan’s mayoral and vice mayoral candidates are running unopposed in the coming local elections.

Puerto Galera, on the other hand, will see the

rivalry between siblings former Mayor Aristeo Atienza and his sister, retired school teacher Estrellita Atienza Dolor, as well as against Barangay Sabang chairman Rockey Ilagan.

Dolor is the mother of outgoing Puerto Galera Mayor Hubbert A. Dolor and reelectionist Oriental Mindoro Vice Gov. Humerlito A. Dolor.

Pinamalayan and

Puerto Galera towns are known strongholds of both outgoing and incumbent administration Liberal Party candidates.

On Oct. 31, the last day of registration, 40 unidentified persons were reportedly confined inside a room beside the Comelec office for unknown reasons.

Ricardo B. Ylagan, a Barangay Sabang resident, said he was told to leave the municipal building when he went to see Puerto Galera election officer Evelyn Fedelizio to inquire about the status of the 40 unidentified persons inside the locked room.

Authorities nab gun-for-hire leader

By Dexter A. See SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union—Policemen here on Monday arrested the leader of a gun-for-hire group charged with double murder.

Superintendent Julius Suriben, the city police chief, identified the suspect as Lorenzo Mendoza who was arrested at around 8 p.m. inside his house in Barangay Camansi on the strength of a warrant of arrest issued by Judge Asuncion Mandia of the Regional Trial Court Branch 29 here.

Mendoza is the suspect in the killing of Dominique Pineda, a security guard, on Feb. 28, 2015 and a certain Eric Dioniso on Dec. 11, 2014. Both killings took place in this city.

“The suspect is the most wanted person in the city and leader of Mendoza gun-for-hire and robbery group operating in La Union and Pangasinan,” Suriben said.

Suriben reported to Mayor Pablo Ortega yesterday that seven criminal gangs engaged in robbery, gun-for-hire and illegal drugs in the province had been arrested in their five-day successive operation in line with the Oplan 1 Time, Big Time of SOP Lambat-Sibat.

Suriben said that six illegal drug pushers, including Jayvee del Rosario, the number one top drug personality in the city, were arrested by the composite team of policemen and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Other arrested suspects are identified as John Leo Ordinario, Marden Ancheta, Jovito Tadifa, Mark Christopher Park, and Joseph Flores.

The arrests also resulted in the seizure of 20 sachets of shabu, a magnum 22 cal. revolver, ammunitions and drug paraphernalia.

Charges have been filed against the suspects who are now lodged in jail.

Groups condemn additional rice imports ROSALES, Pangasinan—Agricultural groups have condemned the announcement of National Economic and Development Authority director-general Arsenio Balisacan that the agency was proposing the importation of an additional 1 million metric tons of rice for the first quarter 2016.

Samahang Industriya sa Agrikultura chairman and Abono Party-list chairman Rosendo So said they would instead prefer an increased budget for crop insurance to broaden the scope of the farmers

whose crops were affected by natural calamities.

The additional funds would also help in the irrigation of crop fields to sustain the production of rice farmers.

“Instead of justifying the need for another round of rice importation bonanza that are only helping the rice industry of other countries, we appeal to the government to provide all possible incentives to help our rice farmers recover from Typhoon Lando,” So stated.

According to their statement, imported rice would cost $415 per

metric ton.

The amount could be channeled to subsidize seeds, farm inputs and irrigation, and the broadened insurance coverage.

Sinag and Abono Party-list also demanded the government to increase the budget allotted for Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.

The government’s allocated budget was P1.6 billion.

They said that the increase in budget would help the agency in broadening the scope of insurance grantees. Dexter A. See

Scenery. A teenager shows off his acrobatic skills along the coast of San Esteban, Ilocos Sur. DAVID CHAN

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

CHINA’S ECONOMY IS WORSE THAN YOU THINK

[ EDI TORI A L ]

NO ANGEL

By Noah Smith

IN A WAY, Jose Angel Honrado’s role in the life of President Benigno Aquino III can be likened to that of an angel. When Mr. Aquino’s own mother was president, Honrado was her aide, ensuring that she was safe and protected at any time of day.

When Mr. Aquino was himself campaigning for the presidency, Honrado oversaw the security of the campaign teams.

It made sense that he should be rewarded for playing these all-important roles. He found himself becoming manager of the Manila airport, which by sheer coincidence is named after another Aquino.

It was under Honrado’s watch that the airport was called unflattering names by foreign and local tourists alike. The facilities were not up to par and his response to the sorry state of washrooms, if we remember correctly, had something to do with toilet paper. Debris falling and hitting hapless passengers? Those were isolated incidents, we were told.

Complaints about awful traffic on the runway, adding precious minutes, if not hours, to the time of journey? We grin and bear it. Good things will come, we are told. What they are and by when are left out.

For a while, too, this administration’s response to the notoriety of having the world’s worst airport terminal was to hire the services of world-class architects and designers. This only showed us that they miss the point, entirely.

But nothing could have prepared us for Mr. Honrado’s latest in his list of failures—the bullet-planting scheme at Naia that has attracted international attention for the Philippines again, and for all the wrong reasons.

There have been too many stories of travelers being caught with bullets in their luggage, so that they could be detained and questioned—and ultimately extorted from.

They always have the choice to pay up or spend the night in detention, crying about the injustice of it all. Either way, they have already missed their flight— imagine if it’s a job. Or a family event.

The administration’s response to the scandal has been as typical as it has been infuriating. First it said it was an isolated incident. And then its supporters said it was part of a smear job against the administration’s presidential standard bearer, Manuel Roxas II. But when the BBC, Time magazine and even the United Nations weighed in on the matter, President Aquino was all of a sudden raring to investigate, even putting his trusted alter ego, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio “Not Fatal” Abaya, on top of the probe.

But anybody who knew Abaya and his misadventures would know that an investigation would be all for show if he’s going to be the one on top of it.

Dare he chastise a fellow incompetent?

In the meantime, Honrado, who bears full responsibility for this airport fiasco, has said he is not stepping down. And why should he? He enjoys the full trust of his ward, the President.

And damn all others—users of the airport and those who depend on them— whose protection he swore to oversee.

If Mr. Aquino were serious about addressing the problem and not just looking as though he were doing something about it, especially with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit happening this month, then he should do only one thing. Fire his Angel—no if, not buts.

NOYNOY’S UNWAVERING LOVE LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES WHEN I see President Noynoy Aquino get raked over the coals for something his officials have done, and when these officials, in turn, run to him for the protection they are sure they will get, I am reminded of Fidel V. Ramos. To be more precise, I am reminded of how much better Ramos was than this President can ever hope to be.

Specifically, I return to those tense weeks and months in 1995

leading up to and immediately after the execution in Singapore of Filipino domestic helper Flor Contemplacion, for the murder of her compatriot Delia Maga.

Faced with increasingly strained relations with Singapore and ever-growing unrest at home, Ramos put on a master class of statesmanship that, if he had not been otherwise occupied with his various juvenile pursuits at the time, Aquino would have learned from immensely.

What did Ramos do 20 years ago that is so different from what Aquino is doing ever since he assumed office in 2010? Well, Ramos just fired not one but

two top members of his Cabinet who, up to that point, were never really directly involved in the Contemplacion case.

Ramos did a lot of things— some good, some not so good —during his six-year term as President. But his firing of Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo and Labor Secretary Nieves Confesor remains, to me, the one act that proved that Ramos was a brilliant political strategist and statesman— something this President can only dream of becoming, as he wheezes and limps toward the ignominious end of his own Palace stay.

A9

There is simply no way that Aquino, at this late date, can wiggle out of this mess—a mess that he helped create.

To this day, I am convinced that Romulo and Confesor did not deserve to be sacked. In fact, they were two of the most important and senior members of FVR’s stellar Cabinet; after all, Romulo, the former president of the local IBM unit, was the son of the legendary Carlos P. Romulo, while Confesor was an overachieving protegé of Blas Ople.

I am sure that both Cabinet officials also asked, if only in private, why they had to be sacrificed in order to mollify both the jittery Singaporean government and the protesters calling for blood at home. But they took their medicine, knowing that Ramos had more important considerations than the hurt feelings of his Cabinet men.

As alter egos of the President, both Romulo and Confesor knew that they had to fall on their swords in order to save Ramos and his administration.

And that was only 20 years ago. *** Fast forward to the present, when the default mode of Cabinet and even sub-Cabinet members, especially those inordinately close to the President, is to not budge an inch and wait until he comes to their rescue. In fact, the longevity in office of both Transportation and Communications

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.

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Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and airport general manager Jose Angel Honrado can only be attributed to two things: their steadfast belief that they will not be let go by Aquino, no matter what, and the refusal of Aquino to do just that.

Over the years, Abaya’s and Honrado’s faith in Aquino’s protection has always been proven correct. It doesn’t matter if Abaya has made a total mess out of the MRT by signing away the contract for its horrible “maintenance” or that the Manila airport has become the laughingstock of

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the world under Honrado.

Aquino can be counted on to come to their rescue, just like he has always done for his friends. (Perhaps resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima was a total bad guy; but even after he resigned, Aquino would still not accept his leaving.)

It’s possible that Aquino simply cannot understand that there are more important things than keeping his friends close, like the tattered image of the entire country and the chilling effect on tourism of the tanim-bala racket.

Continued on A11

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

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

THE unreliability of Chinese official economic data has become almost a cliche. A few years before he became China’s premier, Li Keqiang said that the country’s numbers were “manmade” and “for reference only.” If the top economic policy maker of a country says that the numbers aren’t reliable … well, you believe him.

But how unreliable? The fudge factors might only be a few tenths of a percentage point. It’s very hard to fake economic numbers in the same direction for a very long time—eventually, it becomes obvious to everyone that your economy is either much bigger or much smaller than the cumulative growth rates would have indicated. Something a bit like this happened to China back in 2007, when the Asian Development Bank reported that China’s gross domestic product was much smaller than believed. Chinese inflation had been understated, leading to real (inflation-adjusted) growth numbers that had been too high for too long.

In the current economic environment, the big question is whether China is suffering a deeper slowdown than is generally believed. The latest official numbers show a 6.9 percent growth rate —barely down from the recent 7 percent range. Those are year-on-year numbers, of course, so quarter-to-quarter annualized growth—which is the way you usually hear US economic numbers reported—is going to be a bit lower than 6.9 percent. But only a bit. The real question, for investors and policy makers alike, is whether the numbers have been cooked.

The Chinese government has ample reason to fudge its growth rate on the high side. Growth has become almost a religion in China, and is now one of the Communist Party’s main sources of popular legitimacy. If Chinese people lose their jobs, they may attribute it to a local slowdown or the failure of their own employer—but if the national numbers go down, they may believe that the people at the top have tanked the economy. That could be dangerous for political stability.

Additionally, China’s leaders have an incentive to keep capital flowing into the country in the form of foreign direct investment, and to prevent capital outflows. That means heading off any incipient sign of panic. Economic number-fudging is a cheap way to prevent jittery investors from making a stampede for the exits.

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

T H U R S D AY : N O V E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

CHINA’S ECONOMY IS WORSE THAN YOU THINK

[ EDI TORI A L ]

NO ANGEL

By Noah Smith

IN A WAY, Jose Angel Honrado’s role in the life of President Benigno Aquino III can be likened to that of an angel. When Mr. Aquino’s own mother was president, Honrado was her aide, ensuring that she was safe and protected at any time of day.

When Mr. Aquino was himself campaigning for the presidency, Honrado oversaw the security of the campaign teams.

It made sense that he should be rewarded for playing these all-important roles. He found himself becoming manager of the Manila airport, which by sheer coincidence is named after another Aquino.

It was under Honrado’s watch that the airport was called unflattering names by foreign and local tourists alike. The facilities were not up to par and his response to the sorry state of washrooms, if we remember correctly, had something to do with toilet paper. Debris falling and hitting hapless passengers? Those were isolated incidents, we were told.

Complaints about awful traffic on the runway, adding precious minutes, if not hours, to the time of journey? We grin and bear it. Good things will come, we are told. What they are and by when are left out.

For a while, too, this administration’s response to the notoriety of having the world’s worst airport terminal was to hire the services of world-class architects and designers. This only showed us that they miss the point, entirely.

But nothing could have prepared us for Mr. Honrado’s latest in his list of failures—the bullet-planting scheme at Naia that has attracted international attention for the Philippines again, and for all the wrong reasons.

There have been too many stories of travelers being caught with bullets in their luggage, so that they could be detained and questioned—and ultimately extorted from.

They always have the choice to pay up or spend the night in detention, crying about the injustice of it all. Either way, they have already missed their flight— imagine if it’s a job. Or a family event.

The administration’s response to the scandal has been as typical as it has been infuriating. First it said it was an isolated incident. And then its supporters said it was part of a smear job against the administration’s presidential standard bearer, Manuel Roxas II. But when the BBC, Time magazine and even the United Nations weighed in on the matter, President Aquino was all of a sudden raring to investigate, even putting his trusted alter ego, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio “Not Fatal” Abaya, on top of the probe.

But anybody who knew Abaya and his misadventures would know that an investigation would be all for show if he’s going to be the one on top of it.

Dare he chastise a fellow incompetent?

In the meantime, Honrado, who bears full responsibility for this airport fiasco, has said he is not stepping down. And why should he? He enjoys the full trust of his ward, the President.

And damn all others—users of the airport and those who depend on them— whose protection he swore to oversee.

If Mr. Aquino were serious about addressing the problem and not just looking as though he were doing something about it, especially with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit happening this month, then he should do only one thing. Fire his Angel—no if, not buts.

NOYNOY’S UNWAVERING LOVE LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES WHEN I see President Noynoy Aquino get raked over the coals for something his officials have done, and when these officials, in turn, run to him for the protection they are sure they will get, I am reminded of Fidel V. Ramos. To be more precise, I am reminded of how much better Ramos was than this President can ever hope to be.

Specifically, I return to those tense weeks and months in 1995

leading up to and immediately after the execution in Singapore of Filipino domestic helper Flor Contemplacion, for the murder of her compatriot Delia Maga.

Faced with increasingly strained relations with Singapore and ever-growing unrest at home, Ramos put on a master class of statesmanship that, if he had not been otherwise occupied with his various juvenile pursuits at the time, Aquino would have learned from immensely.

What did Ramos do 20 years ago that is so different from what Aquino is doing ever since he assumed office in 2010? Well, Ramos just fired not one but

two top members of his Cabinet who, up to that point, were never really directly involved in the Contemplacion case.

Ramos did a lot of things— some good, some not so good —during his six-year term as President. But his firing of Foreign Secretary Roberto Romulo and Labor Secretary Nieves Confesor remains, to me, the one act that proved that Ramos was a brilliant political strategist and statesman— something this President can only dream of becoming, as he wheezes and limps toward the ignominious end of his own Palace stay.

A9

There is simply no way that Aquino, at this late date, can wiggle out of this mess—a mess that he helped create.

To this day, I am convinced that Romulo and Confesor did not deserve to be sacked. In fact, they were two of the most important and senior members of FVR’s stellar Cabinet; after all, Romulo, the former president of the local IBM unit, was the son of the legendary Carlos P. Romulo, while Confesor was an overachieving protegé of Blas Ople.

I am sure that both Cabinet officials also asked, if only in private, why they had to be sacrificed in order to mollify both the jittery Singaporean government and the protesters calling for blood at home. But they took their medicine, knowing that Ramos had more important considerations than the hurt feelings of his Cabinet men.

As alter egos of the President, both Romulo and Confesor knew that they had to fall on their swords in order to save Ramos and his administration.

And that was only 20 years ago. *** Fast forward to the present, when the default mode of Cabinet and even sub-Cabinet members, especially those inordinately close to the President, is to not budge an inch and wait until he comes to their rescue. In fact, the longevity in office of both Transportation and Communications

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Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and airport general manager Jose Angel Honrado can only be attributed to two things: their steadfast belief that they will not be let go by Aquino, no matter what, and the refusal of Aquino to do just that.

Over the years, Abaya’s and Honrado’s faith in Aquino’s protection has always been proven correct. It doesn’t matter if Abaya has made a total mess out of the MRT by signing away the contract for its horrible “maintenance” or that the Manila airport has become the laughingstock of

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the world under Honrado.

Aquino can be counted on to come to their rescue, just like he has always done for his friends. (Perhaps resigned PNP chief Alan Purisima was a total bad guy; but even after he resigned, Aquino would still not accept his leaving.)

It’s possible that Aquino simply cannot understand that there are more important things than keeping his friends close, like the tattered image of the entire country and the chilling effect on tourism of the tanim-bala racket.

Continued on A11

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

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Director of Operations Finance Officer Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

THE unreliability of Chinese official economic data has become almost a cliche. A few years before he became China’s premier, Li Keqiang said that the country’s numbers were “manmade” and “for reference only.” If the top economic policy maker of a country says that the numbers aren’t reliable … well, you believe him.

But how unreliable? The fudge factors might only be a few tenths of a percentage point. It’s very hard to fake economic numbers in the same direction for a very long time—eventually, it becomes obvious to everyone that your economy is either much bigger or much smaller than the cumulative growth rates would have indicated. Something a bit like this happened to China back in 2007, when the Asian Development Bank reported that China’s gross domestic product was much smaller than believed. Chinese inflation had been understated, leading to real (inflation-adjusted) growth numbers that had been too high for too long.

In the current economic environment, the big question is whether China is suffering a deeper slowdown than is generally believed. The latest official numbers show a 6.9 percent growth rate —barely down from the recent 7 percent range. Those are year-on-year numbers, of course, so quarter-to-quarter annualized growth—which is the way you usually hear US economic numbers reported—is going to be a bit lower than 6.9 percent. But only a bit. The real question, for investors and policy makers alike, is whether the numbers have been cooked.

The Chinese government has ample reason to fudge its growth rate on the high side. Growth has become almost a religion in China, and is now one of the Communist Party’s main sources of popular legitimacy. If Chinese people lose their jobs, they may attribute it to a local slowdown or the failure of their own employer—but if the national numbers go down, they may believe that the people at the top have tanked the economy. That could be dangerous for political stability.

Additionally, China’s leaders have an incentive to keep capital flowing into the country in the form of foreign direct investment, and to prevent capital outflows. That means heading off any incipient sign of panic. Economic number-fudging is a cheap way to prevent jittery investors from making a stampede for the exits.

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

BOBBY ONGPIN’S OPUS TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

I HAVE decided in today’s column to leave the dirty world of scams and devote a good part of this piece to wellness and well-being.

Would you believe that among countries in Asia, a panel of international experts in the Institute for Economics and Peace has ranked the Philippines No. 18—just a little better off than North Korea, with New Zealand and Japan as the best with ranks No. 1 and 2—when it comes to the level of safety, crime incidence, terrorism and intensity of internal conflict.

He is introducing a spa and wellness center —the real kind.

My gulay, this makes a mockery of BS Aquino’s Daan Matuwid!

The fact that even the United Nations has advised its staff to be very careful when they check in at the Naia and other airports because of the “tanim-bala” scheme, which has made the Naia the most dangerous airport in the world, is truly embarrassing. *** But enough of these negatives. Today I write about my former student at the Ateneo de Manila high school, Roberto “Bobby” Ongpin.

Ongpin has never stopped giving the country first-class investments like the members-only Balesin Island Club, City Club and Makati Place in Makati City, and soon, an exclusive village in Baguio City.

Now he is introducing a P350-million facility called The Aegle Wellness Center for both Balesin Island Club and City Club. The center will be inaugurated on Dec. 2 and the Balesin facility will open before the Christmas holidays.

Bobby calls The Aegle Wellness Center his “magnum opus.”

Bobby recalls that “late last year, when I was browsing through my favorite reading materials, i.e., The Economist, The International New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (I am not too sure now which one), I chanced upon a well-researched article on the booming spa/wellness centers worldwide.

They are now worth $2 trillion—and growing at rapid pace. A casual reading of this article tickled my fancy and, off-andon during the past year, I have been doing research (more accurately reading up) on wellness centers.”

Bobby continued that “the first thing I found is that there are rather few genuine wellness centers around the world. Many of the so-called spas and wellness centers have simply added on rooms with fancy and exotic features to simulate a new experience. Some of them, in fact, have no scientific basis at all for calling themselves a spa or wellness center. Neither are they equipped with the scientific equipment required nor the medical, nutritional and therapeutic staff to provide you with a genuine, worldclass spa experience.”

He continues: “I also found out that there were thousands upon thousands of both boutique and traditional hotels that have added on spa facilities and have now arrogated unto themselves the title ‘spa’ or ‘wellness center.’”

But why “Aegle?”

In Greek mythology, Aegle is the goddess of radiant good health. How appropriate. The facility being built in Balesin is adjacent to the Mykonos Beach villas.

Ongpin is bringing to the Philippines the best-in-its-class wellness equipment so that the centers for both Balesin and the City Club will have a complete facility for both diagnostic and the various treatments such as weight management, anti-ageing and detoxification.

To make The Aegle Wellness Center a leading wellness center not only in the country, but also the world, Ongpin has acquired the services

MIND YOUR LUGGAGE DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA WHEN it rains, it really pours.

After the kidnapping of four people including three foreigners in a resort in Samal Island which was described by the authorities as an isolated case, then came the kidnapping of a former Italian priest in the Zamboanga peninsula. After a flurry of reports, the media has stopped following the story—strange, to say the least. Perhaps, the press was prevailed upon by the government to hold on to the story because of the forthcoming Apec. This, or so as not to complicate an on-going ransom negotiation. Then came the news that a South Korean national kidnapped several months ago had been found dead in Sulu.

As if these were not enough, we are again engulfed in another scandal at our biggest international airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The planting of bullets in the bags of unsuspecting travelers by personnel connected to the airport to make a few extra pesos has been going on for a long time.

This has been the racket of low-level employees in the airport as opposed to higher airport officials who have their own money-making ventures.

We would read occasional cases in the media of travelers complaining about this scam but the media never made an issue out of these cases. of well-known doctors on wellness, Dr. Claude Chauchard and Dr. Ben Valdecanas to ensure a first-class wellness center.

Bobby told me that Dr. Claude Chauchard is without doubt one of the world’s leading authorities on wellness and antiageing. Bobby said that he could not believe when he met Dr. Chauchard that he was already 70 years old. “I assure you that he looks 45, and not a day older,” Bobby said that he was impressed the day he met the doctor. “He has clinics in some 20 cities around the world, and is truly an outstanding wellness professional, which you will recognize when you meet him when we inaugurate The Aegle Wellness Center at Makati

This time, however, the media picked it up and the issue has not only become a national embarrassment for us but has now been internationalized. After ignoring the significance and impact of the incidents on our country’s reputation and given that these things are happening before the Apec summit which will be held in the country in two weeks, the government has started to swing into action. As usual, the President was shown presiding over a meeting to tackle the issue. And as usual, nothing came out of the meeting.

Truth to tell, this problem could have been handled easily by the Naia management. The airport manager is a powerful figure in government. Not only is he related to the President but they are bosom buddies. Bodett Honrado was also in charge of the security detail and intelligence operations during Aquino’s presidential campaign in 2010. Had he taken action of this problem earlier, it would not have exploded to the issue that it is today. He certainly bears command responsibility more than any government official.

But those people demanding that he be fired from his job will, however, have to wait till the crow turns white before he is removed. It is not going to happen.

The airport general manager must be made to take charge in the handling of the issue for the simple reason that this problem is his primary responsibility. Attached Place in December.”

As for Dr. Ben Valdecanas, no doubt is one of the best and most acclaimed Filipino medical wellness doctors. He is trained mostly in sports and orthopedic medicine, all over the world. “Dr. Valdecanas,” Bobby told me, “has even promised me that if I were to follow his prescriptions, he would guarantee that I would live to 100 years old, but I said, thanks, but no thanks.”

Bobby added that “in the first place, I am not too sure that I want to live 100 years, and in the second place, I have no clue as to what kind of exercise or diet he will prescribe for me or make me abstain from!,” Bobby said with smile.

agencies operating in the airport must follow policies and regulations of the airport and Honrado is the airport boss. If he cannot or is unable to do so, then he should be fired or he should resign. It is as simple as that.

President Aquino, however, has the reputation of refusing to fire subordinates who are close to him. But because the case has already generated many negative effects on the country, there has to be a fall guy.

We can be sure that both Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Honrado will not get the ax. Then who will be the fall guy? I suspect that it will either be the Office of Transport Security administrator or the director of Aviation Security of the PNP. There is also really no need for another Senate hearing because we should not politicize an issue that involves our country’s reputation. Sadly, however, it has already been politicized. The obvious solution to the problem is to amend certain provisions of the law that criminalizes the mere possession of a single bullet. But this will take time.

The intention of the law is to prohibit the possession of quantities of ammunition that can be used for criminal and terroristic activities.

In most international airports, prohibited items like bladed weapons can be allowed as long as they are in checked in luggages. Obviously in our case, we are interpreting the law quite literally. The

public defender’s office has volunteered lawyers for those caught with a bullet in their hand bags but this will not prevent aviation security from detaining individuals with one bullet and charging them.

The better thing to do is for the Department of Justice to detail a prosecutor to the airport so that a determination can be made right on the spot whether there is probable cause for a crime. This way, a traveler will not have to delay his or her flight if innocent. Those who have violated the law could then also be charged.

The damage to our country has already been done. In addition to Naia being one of the worst airports in the world, our airport has added this bullet scam to its notoriety.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words.

How true. The TV footage of that overseas Filipino worker employed in Hong Kong with handcuffs crying in her seat says it all.

No amount of justification by the government can erase that image in the minds of the people who saw it. And shame on Leah Navarro and her cohorts for even suggesting that this bullet scam issue was planned and executed by the political enemies of President Aquino to embarrass the country and make Mar Roxas lose the election.

Or, perhaps, those crying and unsuspecting victims of the scam shown on TV were all paid actors by the political enemies of this administration.

Bobby said that in addition to Dr. Valdecanas, he met two ladies who have had many years of experience in both operating and consulting for spas and wellness farms in the Philippines and many countries in Asia.

They are Katherine Veneracion and Jennifer Sanvictores, who joined The Aegle Wellness Center a few months ago and have been hard at work in the development of the concept of The Aegle Wellness Center.

When I asked Bobby if he had any experience in spa and wellness. He recalled that his first recollection of a spa experience was Baden-Baden in Germany more than 40 years ago.

Baden-Baden is regarded as one of the most traditional

and most famous spa center in the world.

“Regrettably,” Bobby recalled, “my most vivid recollection of this experience was the continuous pummeling by Teutonic Amazons, who I took sadistic delight in ‘inflicting treatment’ on me which almost broke every bone in my body! My second recollection of this experience is that the spa facility was magnificent (I think it was called Belle Epoque, but I am not sure now). But, it was a lovely setting in the spa town of Baden-Baden and regrettably let me practically bankrupt. Everything was so expensive!

The entry of The Aegle Wellness Center into the market is timely. Good luck, Bobby, and may the force be with you.

T H U R S D AY : N O V E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 5

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

PLANT BULLETS, HARVEST FEAR POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE BULLETS as amulets? The latest spin to the tanim-bala scandal makes the situation more confusing than it already is.

Aviation Security Group spokesperson Supt. Jeanne Panisan said that in many cases, bullets found in airport screenings were “good luck charms” of travelers, “for protection.” This seems to be corroborated by news yesterday of three people caught at the airport carrying bullets that they admitted to be protective charms.

This, however, does not explain the other cases where travelers denied owning the found bullets, nor does it account for the story of Maria Paz Triaz, who says she was made to sign a document that a bullet allegedly discovered in her bag was an amulet, after she said she refused to accede to what she perceived was a shakedown by uniformed airport personnel (she could not see their IDs).

Triaz narrated her experience to the National Bureau of Investigation earlier this week. She was on her way to Singapore with other family members to accompany her grandmother for a medical checkup when the incident occurred.

“I have come forward despite the fact that I was not detained after I signed a document that it [a bullet] was an amulet,” she said.

Other accounts have been published on the Internet claiming that a syndicate has been operating the tanim-bala scam for two decades, one of them said to be recounted by the widow of a former airport employee. “Conduct lifestyle checks on airport personnel, “ she urged. “That’s how to find out who are involved in this scam.”

Travelers are now trying to protect themselves by wrapping their luggage in plastic and duct tape and keeping their bags constantly close to them. A plastic wrap service is now offered at the airport at P160 per bag.

The travelers I polled expressed their fears. Rosie, 17, said the scandal “causes emotional trauma and makes people fearful for their safety. It makes us doubt the airport security force and, by extension, the state of the nation.”

Mary, 24, more pragmatic, said: “Someone is making money from this. How come they were able to set up that plastic wrap service in the airport so fast and easily?”

Becky, 47, a frequent traveler to international destinations, said the situation is causing her to think beyond plastic wrap. “The next time I travel,” she said, “I am going to ask friends from the military and police to escort me inside the

airport. That’s how afraid I am.”

It will take a strong will to reveal the truth, but where is it going to come from? The government has played down the matter, brushing aside calls to hold to account the heads of airport operations and security and even blaming the media for breaking the news and keeping it at the forefront of public awareness.

The tanim-bala scandal has caused local and international outrage. Even the United Nations has warned personnel stationed in the Philippines to take security measures to protect their luggage.

The government has always pronounced tourism as a highgrowth sector of the economy; fears of extortion will cause tourists to shy away from the country as a destination, spiking both government and private efforts to develop the sector.

Planting bullets will never yield good fruit. The seeds of fear and terror have been sown, and now we are reaping a harvest of anger and humiliation.

Can we expect something to be done soon? Or is that too much to ask? *** Words are merged with images in Chromatext Rebooted, an exhibit organized by awarded writer and columnist Alfred A. Yuson and artist Jean Marie Syjuco that opens tomorrow (Nov. 6) at the

China’s... From A9

Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Yuson says the exhibit will showcase “artworks based on, coupled with, or related to words/ poems/prose, or any kind of visual art executed by poets/writers, including abstract, sculptural, conceptual, and digital works.”

Over 100 participants have sent in works from all over the Philippines and Singapore, Australia, and the US. Chromatext Rebooted runs up to Jan. 17, 2016. *** International Fountain Pen Day will be celebrated on Nov. 7 at Century City Mall with activities including a pen-andink art exhibit, calligraphy workshop, sketching session, and introduction to fountain pens for children.

The free-admission event is organized by Fountain Pen Network-Philippines, a group of enthusiasts founded in 2008 by awarded writer and columnist Jose Y. Dalisay Jr. Pens, ink, notebooks, and other writing materials from Scribe Writing Essentials, Faber-Castell, Lamy, Parker, Sheaffer, Wahl Eversharp, PenGrafik, and Everything Calligraphy will be available at the event. *** Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember, Blog: http://jennyo.net

MADE IN JAPAN AIN’T WHAT IT WAS

By David Fickling THERE was a time when US manufacturers looked down on their Japanese rivals as purveyors of cheap, low-quality knockoffs.

That 1960s conventional wisdom is taught these days in business schools as one of history’s most glaring examples of corporate hubris. It’s odd to see it catching on in Japan, of all places.

Lexus International executive vice president Takashi Yamamoto probably dodged a bullet by not building a car plant in China’s grossly oversupplied market in recent years. Still, a factory that could escape import tariffs in the world’s biggest auto market seems like a good idea at some point. Not so, according to Yamamoto: The first Lexus production line could be “several decades” away.

“There’s too much quality risk in China to produce there,’’ he told Bloomberg’s Craig Trudell and Yuki Hagiwara.

“Made-in-Japan guarantees quality.”

Without wanting to burst Yamamoto’s bubble, Japan’s reputation for quality has taken a bit of a hit of late. There’s the fine of as much as $200 million that airbag-maker Takata agreed to pay Tuesday for installing defective, potentially fatal safety devices in 23 million cars, including Lexus models. Or the admissions by Lexus supplier Toyo Tire & Rubber that it falsified testing data for products including shock absorbers used in trains, ships and buildings. The quality of Japanese cars sold in the US fell below the industry average this year, trailing Korean and European models, according to J.D. Power.

Noynoy’s... From A9 But because Aquino always takes the side of his officials before even ordering an investigation, he paints himself into a corner when it becomes clear that his people have been remiss in their duties—or even

If you still believe Japanese product standards are on some sort of higher plane, there’s a leaning apartment block I could point you to.

Moreover, what are Japanese companies getting in return for their reputations?

Consider luxury goods makers: Investors don’t buy their stock because they’ve got cool labels, but because their brands allow them to charge higher prices and earn better margins.

That should be good news for corporate Japan.

Consultancy firm FutureBrand said earlier this year it had the best “country brand” of 10 nations it tracks globally, with particular leadership in electronic goods.

There are two obvious paths ahead. One is to do the hard work of improving reputations and milking higher prices out of

directly involved in anomalies.

And so, we can only endure the spectacle of Aquino and his henchmen saying that something like the bullet-planting scam at the airport is not a big deal, which makes them ignore a problem until it becomes a runaway conflagration. And

consumers in return. That’s what the likes of Toyota did from the late 1960s, by offering longer warranties than their US rivals and thereby convincing buyers their products were better.

It’s not something you can hope to achieve overnight, and given Japan’s reputation is already pretty good, it’s also no guarantee of better profits.

Perhaps a better approach in the short term is to accept Japan’s loss of quality leadership, and focus on improving the efficiency of its supply chains by sending more work offshore. Emerging economies aren’t just cheaper, they’re also growing in sophistication in exactly the same way Japan did 50 years ago. Cars that are made in China have a lower fault rate than those in the US, according to J.D. Power.

Right now, Japan has

when he decides, belatedly, to act, he is hamstrung by his earlier pronouncements about how insignificant the problem was— and bound by his unwavering loyalty to his favorites, as well.

There is simply no way that Aquino, at this late date, can wiggle out of this mess—a mess

the lowest stock of overseas investments of any Group of Seven member except Italy, meaning it’s missing out on those opportunities. Indeed, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to double foreign direct investment into Japan, and seems less interested in flows in the opposite direction. Fortunately for the country, Japan’s executives have other ideas, and are investing offshore at a pace that outstrips their competitors in Europe and the US. Yamamoto should heed what his local peers are doing, and look for ways to move more production offshore. As Apple demonstrates, a widely dispersed supply chain can be quite consistent with premium branding. Being relentless in your pursuit of perfection is all very well, but it’s worth keeping an eye on profits, too. Bloomberg

that he helped create, because of his refusal to doubt his friends’ competence and motives. If his failures over the years—in everything from the mishandling of the Rizal Park massacre of 2010 to his non-response to the bullet-planting scandal—are any indicator, there is no happy ending

Of course, knowing this, a number of people have tried to estimate China’s true growth rate. Tom Orlik, Bloomberg’s chief Asia economist, recently rounded up a number of independent figures. The numbers range from Lombard Street’s pessimistic figure of a bit more than 3 percent to Bloomberg Intelligence’s optimistic number of just under 7 percent. In other words, there is a wide band of uncertainty here.

But I would like to suggest a scenario even more pessimistic than the lowest of the numbers above. After reading reports by Peking University professor Chris Balding on the state of China’s financial sector, I think there’s a possibility that China’s growth is lower even than 3 percent.

Chinese electricity usage is growing at more like 1 percent. Rail freight traffic, though volatile, has suffered some dizzying drops in recent months. These are traditional proxies for heavy industry output.

That they are barely growing, if at all, implies that much of Chinese industry has ground to a halt.

China bulls, of course, will argue that the country is merely in the middle of a transition from industry to services, and from wasteful power usage to greater efficiency. That is probably true. But the speed of the transition would have to be incredible to make up for the precipitate drop in industrial activity. Why would China’s service sector and energy efficiency suddenly skyrocket immediately following the bursting of a major stock bubble?

One reason is government spending. A stealth stimulus is under way. But another big part of the equation is the financial sector, which has logged stunning growth in recent months despite the stock crash. Why are Chinese financial services growing?

Loan growth alone will not do the trick—banks need to be paid in order to log revenue. Or do they?

All in all, China’s financial sector raises the possibility of a growth scenario that is far more pessimistic than official or private numbers would have us believe. Time will tell, of course. But I wouldn’t bet on a quick bounce-back of Chinese growth. At least, not a real one. Bloomberg

in sight for his administration as it staggers to its end.

No greater love has any man than this, the Bible tells us, that he will lay down his life for his friends. Except when you’re running a country and don’t really care about anyone else but your pals.

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Jumbo Plastic five on a roll in PCBL tilt

Cory Joseph (6) of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball against Dwight Powell of the Dallas Mavericks in the first half at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Raptors won, 102-91. AFP

JUMBO Plastic continued its winning run in the PCBL Founders Cup and became the first team to reach the century mark in the young history of the league in its 102-89 triumph over Cagayan at the JCSGO Gym on Tuesday night.

Ex-PBA player James Martinez came away with 22 points on a steady 8-of-11 shooting from the field while working alongside backcourt partner Jeff Viernes, who added 21 as they totally outplayed their counterpart guards in leading their team to their fourth straight win.

The win enabled Jumbo Plastic to improve its record to 4-1, but the reason for the upsurge, according to head coach Stevenson Tiu was the players’ ability to adapt to the system and establish chemistry.

“We’re hopeful for that 'yun ang kailangan. 'Yung mga players namin, some of them naging PBA players. May advantage kami.

Ang problem nga lang 'yung how to establish chemistry, pero nagawa na namin the past few games.

Also, we should divide the minutes among themselves. As much as possible mabigyan ng exposure lahat,” said Tiu. It was the third loss in five matches for the Rising Suns in this tournament supported by Spalding, Ambucore, Accel and Aquabest.

From a close match, the Linoleum Masters were able to pull away form a once tight contest with Viernes capping a big run with a fastbreak that gave his team a 90-73 lead with still 5:10 left.

Cagayan never recovered from there.

Overshadowing Jumbo’s fourth straight win was Supremo Lex’s stunning 80-79 upset victory over Euro-Med in the second game as the Builders finally entered the win column after five games.

Teague lifts Hawks; Pacers win MIAMI—All-star guard Jeff Teague delivered 26 points and nine assists as the Atlanta Hawks won their fourth straight game by beating the Miami Heat 98-92 on Tuesday.

The Hawks used a first half scoring burst and then held on with a strong defensive performance to extend their modest win streak after dropping the first game of the season.

“Our first game wasn’t good but we have got better and we just try to keep improving each game,” said forward Al Horford, who has attempted 18 three pointers through the first five NBA games of the season.

Atlanta improved to 4-1 and earned their seventh consecutive win over their Southeast Division foe.

Horford finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds, and forward Paul Millsap added 12 and 10 for the Hawks, who shot 41 percent from the field.

Miami dropped to 2-2 and they made just fiveof-28 from beyond the arc.

Center Hassan Whiteside carried the Heat of-

fense, scoring 23 points on 11-of-12 shooting from the field. The rest of the Heat players shot just 36.4 percent.

Whiteside also grabbed 14 rebounds while Miami guard Dwyane Wade, who went into the locker room midway through the third quarter for undisclosed reasons and returned with 4:12 left, finished with 21 points.

Wade missed a free throw Tuesday for the first time this season. He had converted his first 24 attempts.

Heat guard Goran Dragic, of Slovenia, scored 19 points, and forward Chris Bosh added nine points

and 14 rebounds.

A 16-2 run to start the second quarter put the Hawks ahead by double digits. Atlanta held Miami to seven-of-24 shooting from the field in the quarter and led 51-40 at halftime.

The Heat bench was non-existent until late in the third quarter. The first field goal from a Miami non-starter came with 2:20 remaining in the third quarter, but the bench provided the spark early in the fourth as Miami clawed their way back into the game.

The Heat cut a 14-point lead after three quarters to 79-75 with a 10-0 run

to start the fourth, but the Atlanta closed it out defensively and drained their free throws.

- Pacers topple Pistons Rodney Stuckey came off the bench to score 23 points and the Indiana Pacers notched their first victory of the season by downing the previously unbeaten Detroit Pistons 94-82 at The Palace arena in Detroit.

- Lamb leads HornetsJeremy Lamb scored 20 points to lead seven players in double figures, and the Charlotte Hornets notched their first victory of the season by routing the visiting Chicago Bulls 130-105.

AFP

Far Eastern U opens DELeague stint on a winning note Games on Thursday (Marikina Sports Center) 7 p.m. Power Innovation Philippines vs Philippine National Police 8:30 p.m. Hobe Bihon – Cars Unlimited vs Metro Pacific Toll Corporation

FAR Eastern UniversityNicanor Reyes Medical Foundation opened its campaign with a convincing 90-80 victory over Fly Dragons Logistics late Tuesday in the 5th DELeague Basketball Tournament at the Marikina Sports Center, Marikina City.

Fil-Am Taylor Statham led the charge for the Tamaraws with 16 points, even as former two-time PBA Most Valuable Player Willie Miller added 13 points and eight assists.

Fly Dragons, on the other hand, was led by

Fly Dragons Logistics’ Tolits Natividad challenges FEU-NRMF’s Jawhar Purdy in the 5th DELeague Basketball Tournament at the Marikina Sports Center.

Tolits Natividad, who netted 21 points and Mon Mabayo, who chipped in 16.

In the other game, Philippine Christian University snared its second win in as many games by thrashing

Austen Morris Associates, 88-68.

Mike Ayonayon scored a game-high 32 mark-

ers for the PCU Dolphins and Vaughn Canta scored 10 points for the losing team.

The basketball league supported by PSBank, Accel Sportswear, PCAMarivalley, Angel’s Burger, Mckie’s Construction Equipment Sales and Rentals, Luyong Panciteria, Azucar Boulangerie and Patisserie, JAJ Quick Print Advertising, Mall Tile Experts Corporation, Jay Marcelo Tires, Polar Glass and Aluminum Supply and Mr. and Mrs. Dot Escalona returns on Thursday with another double-header.

Power Innovation Philippines collides with Philippine National Police at 7 p.m. and two-time champion Hobe BihonCars Unlimited clashes with Metro Pacific Toll Corporation at 8:30 p.m.

Dumalag netfest kicks off KIANA de Asis hopes to bring her winning act to Dumalag, Capiz as she headlines the huge field vying in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional age group tennis tournament at the Dumalag Tennis Club in Dumalag, Capiz beginning today.

De Asis, of the rising stars from La Carlota, has dominated her side in Pontevedra, Panaad and San Carlos City, making her the player to beat in the girls’ 14-, 16- and 18-and-under categories of the four-day Group 3 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and hosted by Mayor Amado Eriberto Castro Jr. “The whole of Dumalag is proud to play host to this junior ranking tournament for the fourth straight year that continues to boost the sport here and inspire our youth as they try to follow the footsteps of the province’s Davis Cuppers Ramon Funtera and Tomas Falcis,” said Castro Jr. Out to foil de Asis’ bid is top seed Tracy Llamas along with Mary Grace Zapanta and April Prietos in the premier 18-U section of the tournament held as part of the Dumalag Festival celebrations and presented by Technifibre that also drew players from Negros Occidental and the whole of Panay Island.

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Spieth: It’s premature to talk of new era SHANGHAI—Double major-winner Jordan Spieth said Tuesday that it was too early to talk of a new era in the game despite a year when he led the charge of the young guns.

Jordan Spieth of the US tees off during the pro-am event of the WGC-HSBC Champions golf tournament in Shanghai. The WGC-HSBC Champions tournament will take place at Shanghai’s Sheshan International Golf Club from Nov. 5 to 8. AFP

The 22-year-old won the season’s first two majors, the US Masters and the US Open, and had a series of titanic battles against 28-year-old Jason Day of Australia, who finally turned the tables on Spieth to lift the US PGA Championship in August.

Spieth went on to win the FedEx Cup and another young American Rickie Fowler, 26, had a breakthrough season in which he won three times including the prestigious $10 million Players’ Championship at Sawgrass and rose into the world’s top five.

“It’s a bit premature to say that it’s our era,” Spieth told AFP after he had indulged in some Chinese drumming alongside Fowler, Bubba Watson and Henrik Stenson to launch this week’s WGCHSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.

“But I believe that we made a step in the right direction and if we can

ride with that it’ll be significant,” the young Texan added.

Three-time major winner Rory McIlroy, who is only 26 himself, had a season interrupted by a football-related injury but still heads the European Tour’s Race to Dubai standings and completes a youthful top three in the rankings with Day and Spieth.

Spieth said McIlroy was still the one they were chasing, and if it was anyone’s era now it was the Northern Irishman’s.

- McIlroy tummy bug “For Rory it’s different because he’s been consistent for quite a few years now. Jason and I have played solid golf, but to create an era you need to do it for a decade,” said Spieth.

“We have the potential to do it. But this was the first year of it. Unless we keep our heads down and work, and it drives us, and we get the luck... there’s lot of factors in order to create it.” AFP

Philracom to stage Christmas racing festival Air Force IN A BID to make this holiday season more exciting for racing fans, the Philippine Racing Commission will stage a Christmas Racing Festival starting Nov. 22.

The racefest will be held every Sunday from then up to Dec. 27, with up to 13 races to be allowed on each of those Sundays, regardless of how many invitational or stakes races are included on the card.

“We will make the last racing month of the year an interesting one for racing fans,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, “as well as provide incentives

for the participants.”

All Christmas Racing Festival races shall have an additional prize of P15,000 from Philracom plus a guaranteed gross prize of P125,000 to the winner only from the host racing club, as well as an additional prize of P10,000 to the winning horseowner only, with half of that amount to be shouldered by Philracom and the other half by the host club.

Not only that, Philracom will give another P10,000 in additional prizes to the winning horseowners of all special invitational races held

on the Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Organization racing festival on 29 Nov. 2015.

The horses considered eligible to participate shall be those on the intent list for special races of all the racing clubs in November and December 2015.

The Christmas special races will provide added excitement to Philracom’s lineup of calendared stakes races for December, which are the Juvenile Championship on the 13th at San Lazaro Leisure Park, the Chairman’s Cup on the 20th at Santa Ana Park, and the Grand Derby

on the 27th at Metroturf.

Also among the Commission’s activities in December is the launch of the Philippine Horseracing Hall of Fame, which will give recognition and honor to those who have made significant achievements in and contributions to the sport and the industry.

There are three categories in the Hall of Fame: thoroughbred horses, jockeys and trainers, and associates. Nominations may be made by anyone from the public, including industry members, the media, and fans.

Rivera, Moreno, Ortiz rule slalom’s 9th leg MILO Rivera of Tough Gear Racing once again bagged the production and overall best of the time over his chief rival Dr. Peewee Mendiola in the ninth leg of the 2015 RACE Motorposts National Slalom Series recently at Robinsons Nova Market.

With the win, Rivera stretched his lead over younger brother Estefano Rivera, who placed second overall.

Jevoy Moreno of Auto Fastion came in third, Dr. Mendiola of Team Big Chill placed fourth and Mike San Miguel was fifth.

Moreno took the Front Wheel Best Time, with San Miguel coming in second.

Dion Ortiz of AF Racing Team won the novice best time of 62.14 The 2015 National Slalom Series is sponsored by Shell Helix Motor oils, Federal Tyres,

Outlast Battery, Starbright Body Kits, Auto Transporter and Robinsons Nova Market, with media partners Stoplight TV, Inside Motoring, DZRJ-Am, Pinoy Speed sa mga Pahayagan, Spin.Ph Sports Interactive Network and C! Magazine.

All events are sanctioned and affiliated by the Automobile Club of the Philippines.

The 11th leg will be on Nov. 8 at Robinsons Novaliches, while the 12th and final leg for the year will be on Dec. 6 at Robinsons Novaliches, with the Slalom Invitational set on Nov. 15 at Robinsons Calasiao Pangasinan.

The 2015 Championship Awards Night will be held on Dec. 20 at Kowloon House West Avenue.

For details, contact Bing Bang Dulce tel. nos. at 09178119337 or 09228165344 or email at rac-

makes semis Games Saturday 3 p.m. – IEM vs Sta. Elena 5 p.m. – Cignal vs Navy

AIR Force pressed its attacks from all angles then weathered Sta. Elena’s series of comebacks to hack out a 26-24, 25-22, 25-20 victory and move within a win from sweeping the elims of the Spikers’ Turf Season I Reinforced Conference at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Ruben Inaudito rammed in 11 kills while Reyson Fuentes came through with nine attack points and the duo combined for four blocks to help power the Airmen to their fourth straight victory and into the semifinal round of the season-ending conference of the league presented by PLDT Home Ultera.

Jockey dies in high-rise fall

Milo Rivera, the current leader in the 2015 National Slalom Series, is shown prior to his turn

emotorsportsclub@yahoo.com.

All event pictures can be viewed at FB page of racemotorsportsclub.

Some of the official results: Novice Stock: 1st Edmon Corpuz 65.02 Novice Modified B: 1st Dion Ortiz 57.94; 2nd Paolo Santos 58.38 Novice Modified C: 1st Paolo Santos 59.76

Pro Stock A: 1st Milo Rivera 54.64; 2nd Dr. Peewee Mendiola 56.92; 3rd Paul Santos 57.56 Pro Stock B: 1st Milo Rivera 54.34; 2nd Estefano Rivera 54.92; 3rd Paul Santos 57.32; 4th Dr. Peewee Mendiola 57.40 Pro Stock C: 1st Estefano Rivera 56.94; 2nd Dr. Peewee Mendiola 57.92; 3rd Paul Santos 58.56

SINGAPORE—A promising Australian jockey has died in Singapore after falling from his high-rise apartment block in an apparent accident, the city-state’s horse racing body said Wednesday.

Tim Bell, 22, died late Tuesday, Singapore Turf Club said, adding that unconfirmed reports said he was trying to scale the building after being locked out.

A statement on the turf club’s website said details about the incident remain sketchy as police are still investigating.

“But from unconfirmed reports it appears that Bell, 22, locked himself out from his unit, and fell to his death after attempting to climb up to the 12th storey apartment to get his house keys,” it said. AFP

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Republic of the Phillippines Department of Health National Capital Regional Office VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER BIDS AND AWARD COMMITTEE Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Telefax No. 294-4625 Email addressvmc_bac@yahoo.com

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID LABORATORY SUPPLIES (2nd SEMESTER CY 2015 and 1st QUARTER of CY 2016)) PUBLIC BIDDING NO. 2015-033 Dated November 25, 2015 1.

FUNDING SOURCE: The Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) through INCOME/GAA/GOP intends to apply the amount of of Ten Million Five Hundred Ninety Seven Thousand Four Hundred Eleven Pesos Only (Php 10,597,411.00),, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the provision of public bidding for LABORATORY SUPPLIES CY 2015 2nd SEM and 1st QUARTER of CY 2016 . Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at Bid Opening.

2.

The Valenzuela Medical Center now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for laboratory supplies CY 2015 (2nd Semester and 1st Quarter of CY 2016) . The description of an eligible Bidder is contained in Section II of the Bidding Documents’ ITB.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criteria as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations Parts A (IRR-A) of Republic Act No. 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, and is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws and regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to Republic Act 5183 (RA 5183) and subject to Commonwealth Act 138 (CA 138). Only Bids from bidders who pass the eligibility check will be opened. The process for the eligibility check is described in Section II of the Bidding Documents, ITB. The Bidder with the lowest calculated bid (LCB) shall advance to the post-qualification stage in order to finally determine his responsiveness of the bid to the technical and financial requirements of the project. The contract shall then be awarded to the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during the post-qualification procedure.

4.

Interested Bidders may obtain further information from Valenzuela Medical Center and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00AM-4:00PM starting November 5, 2015 to November 25, 2015.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee in the amount of 1 Million up-5 Million/ Five Thousand Pesos Only (P5,000.00); and 5 Million up-10 Million/ Ten Thousand Pesos Only (P10,000.00) and Ten Million up (P15,000.00). The method of payment will be in cash. The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective bidder or his authorized representative. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6.

The Valenzuela Medical Center will hold a Pre-Bid Conference open to all interested parties on November 12, 2015, 10:00 AM at 4th Floor, Conference Room of Valenzuela Medical Center, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

7.

Eligibility Check and Bid Opening will be on November 25, 2015. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

8.

Bids and eligibility requirements must be delivered to the address below on or before November 25, 2015, 10:00 AM, 4th Floor, Conference Room of Valenzuela Medical Center, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of Cash, Manager’s Check or Cashier’s Check Bank Draft or Bank Guarantee of two (2%) percent, 5% Surety Bond and Securing Declaration (notarized) of the total amount to bid. Late Bids shall not be accepted.

9.

The Valenzuela Medical Center reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to the contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders.

(SGD.) DONA D. SALMOS, RN, MAN BAC Chairperson

(TS-NOV. 5, 2015)

Soltones makes her father proud SAN Sebastian star Gretchel Soltones tirelessly strives to excel on the volleyball court to make her father back home in Catmon, Cebu proud.

Soltones, who was raised alone by his father Marvin, a parttime businessman and security guard, knows too well how happy her dad is to see her do well for her school in the NCAA. Or how proud he was when she suited up for Team Philippines in the Asian Under-23 Women’s

SUPPLY, DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, CONFIGURATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF VARIOUS NETWORKING EQUIPMENT, NEXT GENERATION FIREWALL, SYMMETRIC INTERNET CONNECTION, AND SUPPLIES & MATERIALS FOR HEAD OFFICE SITE PREPARATION PUBLIC BIDDING NO. PB15-002 FUNDING SOURCE: CIC CORPORATE BUDGET FOR F.Y. 2015 1. The CREDIT INFORMATION CORPORATION (CIC)invites PhilGEPS registered suppliers to bid for the following items:

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Corporate Budget approved by the NHA Board for the year 2015 intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contracts (ABCs) to payments for the following contract: Project

2015 -11152

Supply and Delivery of One (1) Unit Digital Multifunction Copying Machine (Wide Format Printer) at NHA Main Office

Duration (c.d.)

1,400,000.00 Corporate Receipts

within 30 c.d. upon receipt of NTP

Work Description Supply, Delivery and Installation of One (1) Unit Digital Multifunction Copying Machine

The NHA will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on November 24, 2015, 9:00 a.m. at the NCR Conference Room, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be OPEN only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered at the Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City on December 8, 2015, not later than 9:00 a.m. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount as stated in BDS. Bid opening shall follow immediately after the deadline of submission of bids at the same venue. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted.

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

(SGD) VICTOR C. BALBA Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee 2 (BAC 2)

(TS-NOV. 5, 2015)

Various Networking Equipment

PHP 993,992. 5 0

PHP 1,000.00

Lot 2

Next Generation Firewal l

PHP1,314,648.00

PHP 5,000.00

Lot 3

Symmetric Internet Connection

PHP 672,545.00

PHP 1,000.00

Lot 4

Supplies and Materials for Head Office Site Preparation

PHP 260,000.00 PHP 3,241,185.50

PHP 500.00 PHP 5,000.00

Bidders should have completed, withinThree (3) yearsfrom the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project.

2. The summary of the bidding activities is as follows:

Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid

November 05, 2015

Pre-Bid Conference Issuance of Bid Bulletin Deadline for Submission and Opening of Bids

November 13, 2015 / 09:00 AM November 18, 2015 November 25, 2015 / 09:00 AM

3.

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

4.

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

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders from the BAC Secretariat (see address below) and upon payment of a nonrefundable feefor the Bidding Documents, in amounts pursuant to the Schedule.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

A complete set of Bidding Documents shall be issued only to bidders/authorized official representatives or employees of the bidder who can show proof of Notarized Authority to secure bid documents for the specific Project and Official Company ID upon submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and upon Cash Payment of non-refundable fee of P1,400.00 at the Office of the NHA-BAC 2 Secretariat, 2nd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City starting on November 5, 2015. For further information, the NHA BAC 2 Secretariat may be contacted at Tel/FAX. No. 928-8272.

PRICE OF BIDDING DOCUMENT

Lot 1

TOTAL

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The NHA now invites bids for the above-cited contract. Delivery of the Goods is required within the duration herein cited upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within five years from the date of submission of bids, a single contract similar to the Project costing at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

DESCRIPTION

APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE CONTRACT (ABC)

Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of:

Invitation to Bid ABC/ Source of Funds (P)

“I keep Papa posted on everything happening in my volleyball career,” she said.

“His first question is always if my upcoming games will be telecast, so I also supply him with the schedule of all my televised games. If I have one coming up, he’d relay the schedule to our neighbors and relatives and enjoin them to watch me on TV.” Her dad and their whole neighborhood, Soltones said, did watch the live afternoon telecast

INVITATION TO BID

LOT

Ref. No.

Volleyball Championship and the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

The 20-year-old Soltones is also thankful that her school and coach allow her to play for PLDT Home Ultera in the ongoing Shakey’s V-League Season 12-Reinforced Conference, enabling her to earn she could share with her father back home.

A Business Management senior, Soltones consults her father first in every major undertaking she makes.

The Bidding Documents may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the PhilGEPS provided that Bidders shall pay the non-refundable price not later than the submission of their bids.

Interested bidders may inspect the Bidding Documents and obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat at the address given below.

6.

The CIC will hold a Pre-Bid Conferenceon November 13, 2015 / 9:00 AMwhich is open to all interested parties, however, only those who have purchased the bidding documents may participate.

7.

All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be conductedon November 25, 2015 / 09:00 AMat the CIC Office, 6F Exchange Corner Building, V.A. Rufino St. cor. Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend the opening. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

Bidders shall submit their duly accomplished eligibility requirements, technical and financial proposals in two separate sealed envelopes in the address indicated below.

9.

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

10. For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat Credit Information Corporation 6F Exchange Corner Building V.A. Rufino Streetcor. Esteban St. Legaspi Village, Makati City Email: bac-sec@creditinfo.gov.ph Telefax: (02) 893-7159 (SGD) MS. AILEEN L. AMOR – BAUTISTA Chairperson, BAC

( T S - N O V. 5 , 2 015 )

Soltones

of PLDT’s match against University of the Philippines last Oct. 31, when she won the Player of the Game honors after helping the Lady Ultra-Fast Spikers win in four sets, 25-12, 22-25, 25-15, 25-17.

Fil-Am cyclist boosts Rio bid

By Peter Atencio FILIPINA-AMERICAN BMX rider Sienna Fines made some gains in her bid to make it to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The 17-year-old Fines, a multititled rider at her young age, topped the junior women’s division of the 2015 Asian BMX Championships over the weekend in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.

Fines beat Thailand’s Chutikarn Kitwanichsatien in the final with 60 points, with Kitwanichstien settling for the silver with 50 points and Myanmar’s Khing Zin Moe taking the bronze with 40 points.

With the win, Fines moved up in ranking from 36th place and now has a total of 100 UCI points.

So far, Fines has claimed around 136 podium finishes, with 50 wins, and seven National Age Group Top 10 rankings.

Axell Etienne of France is the world top BMX rider in her category with 795 points, while Ruby Huisan of The Netherlands is at no. 2 with 525.

in V-League tournament T H U R S DAY : N O V E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 5

FOR Isabel Molde, she would rather face the toughest team in the fold than face the camera.

LOTTO RESULTS

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Djokovic continues hot NM A streak in Paris Masters posts

But with back-to-back scintillating games in the early going of the Shakey’s V-League Season 12 M+ Reinforced Conference, theP0University of the Phil00-00-00-00-00-00 ippines’ prized find couldn’t help but oblige to the obligatory TV interview accorded the best player P0 M 00-00-00-00-00-00 of each match.

“IDIGITS don’t feel nervous whenever I play, but I do 0-0-0-0 whenever I’m interviewed on TV,” said the softspoken Cebuana who came through DIGITS 17-year-old 0-0-0 with an impressive 17-hit performance, helping the EZ2 Lady0-0 Maroons rally past the Navy Lady Sailors, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, last Oct. 10.

That netted the 5-6 1/2 Physical Education student the game’s top player honors then dished out another 15-point output in a 25-20, 25-22, 27-25 win over Coast Guard to emerge the first player to cop back-to-back Player of the Game honors in the season-ending conference of the country’s premier women’s volley league sponsored by Shakey’s.

“No one as young as this girl from Cebu has ever debuted in our tournament with such a strong impact. She is definitely another star in the making Ronnie inBythe mold,Nathanielsz pardon the pun, of superstar Alyssa Valdez of Ateneo,” said Ricky Palou, president of FIVE-DIVISION world champion Nothe SportsDonaire Vision. nitoorganizing “The Filipino Flash” is trainTruly, aces in the ing twice aMolde, day nowone thatof histhe Dec.two 13 fiCebuano ght against Juarez in Puerto Rico isDorog, for UP fold,Cesar the other being Justine made an imthe worlddebut title, which was recently stripped for inpressive in the concluded Collegiate activity from Guillermo Rigondeaux durConference where she proved the steadiest and most ing the recent World Boxing Organization dominant Lady Maroon, leading the rookie-laden Convention in Florida. told The with Stan-18-hit norms and UPDonaire’s squad towife theRachel quarterfinals dard/boxingmirror.com was honors. clinching three Playerthat of Donaire the Game excited about the fight and the opportuEarly excellence in the sport didn’t come easy nity to once again go after a world title. forJuarez daughter of elementary school principals in is a 24-year-old Mexican with a Cebu.

Roving coach Jerry Yee, who also handles record of 17-3 with 13 knockouts and is coming off a 12-round unanimous decithe Hope Christian High School team, spotted sion to win WBO International title tournament in Molde andtheDorog in one kiddie against Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr last July 25.

Cebu and immediately brought them to Manila He earlier won a majority eight-round upon their graduation. decision over elementary Cesar Seda on March 28.

6/55 6/45 4 3 2

in day

PARIS—Novak Djokovic won his 74th match of the season as the top Standings seed posted an opening 7-5, 6-3 win Division) over Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci at the Antonio 8, B ATP Paris Masters on Tuesday.6, Torre, Laylo,

Donaire training twice a day for title bout

However, Juarez lost a 12-round majority decision to Hugo Partida in a clash for the World Boxing Council Interim FECARBOX super bantamweight title on Feb. 2, 2013.

AFTER winning last dropped time, reignPartida was thethe fighter three times in the opening and resolve knocked ing champion Petronround tests the undefeated RC Prince Albert Pagara ofoutabystruggling Cola-Air Forceon June 21, 2014 in a clash for the vacant IBF side as second-round action of the Intercontinental super bantamweight title.

2015 Philippine Superliga women’s The 32-year-old Donaire has a record of volleyball tournament heatsis up todayoff 35-3 with 23 knockouts and coming atback-to-back The Arenasecond-round in San Juan. TKO victories Game timePrado is at 6:15 p.m.tofollowover William of Brazil win the ing the clash between NABF crown on March 28,pacesetter followed by a similar victory over European Cignal and Foton in former the 4:15 p.m. champion Anthony Settoul of France curtain-raiser of this inter-clubin a scheduled 10-round bout on March 28.

6/45 00-00 4 DIGITS 0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

5, Bersamina, F

The world number one continued where he Standings a left off two weeks ago with back-to-back titles in Division) Beijing and Shanghai as he cruised into the Paris Fronda 8, San third round.

It was an 11th consecutive victory at the 6, Bercy Perena-Secop arena, where he has won the previous two ediMembrere 4, En tions, last losing at the venue in 2012.

“The last match I played indoors was NATIONAL last year M in London, that’s why it’s always tricky to start the lone win o out well,” said Djokovic.

Tuesday that al “There were a few things I could have done betgelio “Joey” An ter tonight.

“But all in all, it was a very solid match.lead I played in the 201 a player in form and who is playing well and gave National Ches me a hard time, which is always good to have a Philippine Spo test like this.”

Dining Hall, R Djokovic now stands 74-5 in 2015 and has won Thea Cavite his last 18 matches and 24 sets. He has played run of 13 consecutive finals since he lost Woman in Janu- Inter ary’s Doha quarter-finals at the start of theMae season, Frayna h amassing nine titles and more than $15inmillion a Gruenfeld (13.7 million euros) in prize money this season. afte Djokovic took almost an hour to get acheckmate grip on The checkma the second-round match with Bellucci, whom he has now beaten five times without a lossknight includ-and bish ing three times this season. hunt of Frayna’s UP’s ace Open spiker The Serb broke in the 12th game of the open“Ang hirap.

Isabel Molde shows the ing set and took a 5-3 lead in the second before para makorne other facet of her game serving out the victory in just over 90 minutes.

Abelgas, French Open champion Stan Wawrinka faced an un PCU-Dasmari Bernard Tomic for the first time since 2011, with the Swiss`posting a 6-3, 7-6 (8/6) win.

Antonio, me And also in the second round, Spanish eighth with no. 2 seed seed David Ferrer defeated Alexandr Dolgopolov his grip of the 6-2, 6-2. AFP

Petron Blaze Spikers test resolve of RC Cola-Airforce Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Brazil’s Thomaz Bellucci during their second round tennis match at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament in Paris. AFP

on three wins, t

Brazilian reinforcement Rupia 10 and Philips Gold last tourney presented by Games Today The many-t Inck came through with a stellar perOct. 17.

Asics and backed by (The Arena, San Juan) despite an ear But in their grudge formance in the final stretch of the Milo with Senoh, Muel- 4:15 pm -- Foton vs Cignal Pascua, -- RC Cola-Air Force match against the erstdecidingbyset whilethanks playmaker Ericaperformance he still ler and Mikasa as tech- 6:15 pmSuperliga Games Today: Grand Prix today at The club tourney presented Asics to the all-out vs Petron the tour Adachi controlimports as ning HD by Milo nical partners and 5 (The Arena, SanTV Juan) Arena in San Juan. while unbeaten and backed withcompletely Senoh, of took American Bojana National Chess 4 p.m.—Philips Gold vs Foton the Blaze Spikers Todorovic survivedand another Spikers night, as official broadcaster.

The Lady Slammers hope Tuesday to Mueller and Mikasa as techniAlexis Olgard.

6 p.m.—Petron vs Meralco pines and supp tighten atheir holdfluid on the leaderpartners andaction-packed TV5 as officialand emotional Not far behind are Petron and battle more and more cal motivated Despite being one of the strongship when theysquad clash with the upbroadcaster. erstwhile leader Cignal with 5-2,far okay “So that featured long rallies, booming Petron showed and had est ACTION teams on paper, the Blaze Spikintensifies today equally hot Tornadoes at 4 p.m., dropping its opening whilefinishes surging never Foton is at fourth ang preparation smashes and dramatic key adjustments down theAfter stretch ers suffered hiccups when Petron some guns for the firstin the while the Blaze Spikers would game to Cignal, Philips Gold was spot with 3-3 following a pair of who to Antonio, to pull off a dramatic 25-16, 14-25, before seen in any local club tournafirst round semifinal seat,after whileabsorbing Philips Golda pair formalize their entry to the next unstoppable as it raced to four impressive straight-set victories ment in the country.

25-17,they 22-25, 15-13 victory. ofand sorry to Cignal last Oct. bec Fotonlosses try to sustain their moround when battle Meralco consecutive wins to occupy the over RC Cola-Air Force competition and Cig-

Blaze Spikers gun for 1st semis seat in PSL meet

mentum in the 2015 Philippine

in the 6 p.m. main event of this

top spot with a 4-1 win-loss mark,

nal last week.

In the Closed Room, FantoniShowdown in Sanya, V. The final of 2014 Rosenblum Open Teams be- Nunes bid two clubs (five-plus tween team Zurkiewicz against team clubs, unbalanced hand, 10-13 Monaco. Mazurkiewicz won the final HCP)—two hearts—three hearts— OPEN ROOM pass. Gawrys led the heart seven. by 131-80.

West North East South Declarer won with the ace and Klinger recounts on board played Helness Mazurkiewicz Helgamo Jassem ace, club king, club which he called that Board 30 was a played clubPASS 1NT for the skinny PASSpreempts.

2♣ ruff high toPASS establish the suit, heart triumph 2♠ PASS 3NT PAS Board 29 presented problems in three to the nine, heart jack, and 4♠ PASS PASS PASS both bidding and play (neither side three club winners for 10 tricks, plus 170: 6 imps to MONACO. vulnerable): CLOSED ROOM Board 30 was a triumph for skinny West East West North East South preempts: ♠Q942 ♠J5 Gawyrs Fantoni Klukowski Nunes South dealer ♥AKQ103 ♥J98 PASS 1♠ DOUBLE REDOUBLE 2♣ East-West vulnerable ♦832 ♦Q9 PASS PASS ♣AK109842♠ PASS North ♣6 4♠ PASS PASS PASS ♠KJ5 With North-South silent, Mazurk♥KQ432 iewicz-Jassem bid one club—one *two spades ♦A HE ended in the same hear—two clubs—two spades— In the Open Room, Helness looked for a swing by opening as offbeat one notrump. contract from the same side as the other table.

Mazurkiewicz made the normal lead of a low heart, ducked to the ♣AQ64 three hearts—four hearts. The deking. Jassem switched to the diamond deuce (bottom from an even number). Mazurkiewicz took the diamond ace West Eastand the fense beganthe with rounds of played the and returned diamondthree four to the king. Declarer top spades, followed by the heart queen diamond ten to the queen. If that had survived, he could have pitched one club on the heart ace and another on ♠A872 ♠Q43 diamonds, thus ending any substanthe diamond jack. When East ruffed the third diamond, a club to West’s ace resulted in minus 50. (Double-dummy, ♥1075 tialdeclarer hopecanofunblock using clubs.a diamond,♥AJ986 andEast’s finesse in long hearts, discard and later play diamonds through East.)

I the Closed Room, Fantoni led the spade five, wiping our declarer’s otherwise-almost-certain trump loser. ♦KQ10 ♦98652 Declarer ruffed in dummy and played Gawyrs drew trumps and set up the diamonds: plus 450; 11IMPs to Mazurkiewicz. Sometimes a simplistic approach can point the right direction. leads (such as and the high♣3unsupported aces – here the minors)♣95 a spade toin the nine and Scrap ten.the Aterrible trump risk lead of a singleton trump, and a more-testing heart lead is what remains.

South lead now would have taken the con♠1096 tract two down, but Helness switched ♥to a club winner, continued spades, ♦J743 and was able to ruff a spade loser: one ♣KJ10872 down, minus 50.

Disciplinary matters ACBL Suspends Fantoni-Nunes and Fisher-Schwartz In Chennai the “cheating” A Continuing LETTER developments on the cheating investigations. matter SYLVIA been discussed. fromBridgeWorld Winners hashas learned that Lotan Fisher, Ron Schwartz, SYLVIA LOPEZ LOPEZ Fulvio Fantino and Claudio Nunes havehas had their The WBF triedACBl always to enBridge FederALEJANDRO ALEJANDRO memberships suspended, pending hearings on charges brought force and encourage ethical behavior ation to Presibefore the ACBL Ethical Oversight Committee. in our tosport, unfortunately dents of the is pursuant The suspension CDR 6.1but and prevents them from the playing together or separately in any ACBL three producing theevent. rotten apples WBF Zonal Conferences andeither WBF xxx seems to be always fertile, mirroring NBO President: The EBL European Bridge League has published the statement: the worse part of human nature.

“The WBF is under a “EBL dutyPresident to have Yves Aubry has asked the EBL Investigating Committee to complete its work on the four current cases before the end 2015.

What is sure is that weofneither in place appropriate rules and reguIts recommendations will then be passed to the EBL Disciplinary want nor will accept such behavior. lations for the orderly conduct of its Committee who will consider and act on them before the end of affairs and the organization of the Together, with the cooperation of February 2016. This will allow adequate time to complete any appeals everyTeams component of our sport. As a continuing process part of that before the European Championships to becommunity, held in Budapest in June 2016.we will leave no stone unturned to process, the WBF has been updating Additionally, the EBL has commenced a complete review of all its Disciplinary Code; the latest ap- rid us of this cancer. possible areas connected to the complete eradication of cheating Let must meremain repeat, once again, that proved version will haveineffect from our game, where integrity above reproach. fortunately Bridge (and I am refer1st January 2016.

Importance of Openingin Leads to BRIDGE capital letters) At this time the world of bridge The ring Ron Klinger in his account “Showdown in Sanya” in the final should not be like this.

It is sport, is in turmoil following match accusations of the 2014 Open Teams between Mazurkiewicz and culture, education, fair-play, respect of cheating and various Monaco proceedings underscored the importance of opening leads.

After another 3IMPs

by MONACO, forwere thescored rules, rejectionFantoni of any discrihave been started by Zonal Confera devastating lead on Board 26, Unluckily for his team, it mation: this is what we are promotences and NBOs againstproduced the accused was the defensive side that was devastated. persons. Zero tolerance is and has to ing and are successfully teaching to be our target, but any accused person the youth and to the school pupils, has the right to a fair trial and to a attracted by Bridge and its values.”

-oOofair verdct. This indisputable princiAn account by Ron Klinger on ple should govern our lives.

Open Ro South

Mazurkeiwicz

3♣ Pass

Closed R South Fanton

W

K

3♣ D Pass D Both We the ace. M to hand a and hearts the last tru jack, and score 550.

Fantoni a trump a the spade with the a heart ace.

12 tricks imps for M

Comme yahoo.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A16

t hurs day : n o v e m b e r 5 , 2 0 1 5 rIera u. maLL arI EDITOR

reueL vIdaL A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

sports@thestandard.com.ph

sports

Warriors stun off-form Tigers By peter Atencio

THE University of the East Warriors leaned on their deadly full court traps and Clark Derige’s heady plays in the third quarter to crush an off-form University of Santo Tomas, 91-77 yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum and keep alive their semifinal hopes in the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

The Warriors posted only their fourth win in 11 games and remained in the hunt for a place in the Final Four.

Derige, a 6’2” guard, finished with a gamebest 26 points and added six rebounds for the Warriors, who moved up to sixth spot.

Karim Abdul produced 25 points and Ed Daquioag added 11 for the Growling Tigers, who took their second loss in 12 matches.

The loss, however, hardly made a dent in UST’s drive for the no. 1 seeding in the semifinals.

Derige made his move midway in the third frame, where he scored back-to-back jumpers six minutes into the fourth to keep UE on top, 49-43.

Stepping up their defense, the Warriors converted on the Tigers’ miscues to move further, 59-48, the last two on Edgar Charcos’ basket from underneath.

Meralco’s Reynel Hugnatan fakes a shot iff Blackwater’s James Sena in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Elite, 92-90.

UST did try to make a run to cut the lead to just two, 71-73, off a trey from Kevin Ferrer, but committed two turnovers in the next plays, which Derige turned into a trey and a layup, followed by Nick Abanto’s drive, 7871, with 1:42 to go.

“I told the boys that we have to play with a sense of urgency. We still have a shot at the Final Four,” said UE coach Derick Pumaren.

“Ang dami naming turnovers,” said UST coach Bong de la Cruz, referring to his team’s 24 miscues.

The Warriors actually started the game started on the wrong foot when Paul Varilla, who had 10 points, scored on their own goal after getting the opening toss from Abdul.

The basket was counted in UST’s favor, but the Warriors quickly recovered with a 5-2 blast that gave them an early 9-4 lead.

Blackwater surprises Meralco, notches 1st-ever win in PH Cup By jeric lopez Game friday (Al Wasl Sports Club - Dubai, UAE) 12 m.n. (Phl Time) - Mahindra vs. Alaska

IN WHAT could be the most exciting game of the season and the conference thus far, Blackwater was finally able to break its rocky start in

gut-wrenching fashion.

Carlo Lastimosa sank a tough looping floater in traffic with a second remaining to lift the Elite to a thrilling 92-90 squeaker of a victory over Meralco for the team’s first win in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup last night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

With the game tied at 90-all after a Cliff Hodge triple for the Bolts from the left elbow with six seconds left, the Elite, with the ball in hand, went to Lastimosa.

The gutsy guard drove hard down the lane and launched the higharcing game-winning floater against several Meralco defenders, banking it home to give his team a 92-90 edge

with a second left.

Having no timeouts left, the Bolts were forced to attempt from a distance and Ronjay Buenafe’s desperation triple at the buzzer went short, allowing the Elite, who squandered an 18-point lead early in the second half before recovering in the crucial stretch, to end its two-game slide and improve to

1-2, winning its first All-Filipino conference win in franchise history. ‘’Ang sarap,’’ said a jubilant Blackwater coach Leo Isaac. ‘’This is not only our first win this season, but also our first in the All-Filipino since zero wins kami last year. Finally, we got a win and we hope that things can now go in our favor.’’

spieth: it’s premAture to tAlk of new erA

djokovic continues hot streAk in pAris mAsters

turn to A13

turn to A15

B1

THURSDAY: NOVEMBER 5, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

LafargeHolcim launch. Holcim Philippines president and chief executive Eduardo Sahagun (left), Holcim Philippines chairman Tomas Alcantara (center) and LafargeHolcim area manager for Southeast Asia (East) Daniel Bach lead the toast during the launch of global construction materials leader LafargeHolcim in the Philippines. Officials of Holcim Philippines, a member of the LafargeHolcim Group, says the company is ready to support the country’s growth by providing a steady supply of cement and construction solutions to boost development.

BoC loses P75b on weak oil

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

THE government lost up to P75 billion in tariff collections from oil imports in the first nine months because of weak crude prices, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina said Tuesday night.

Lina said collection losses due to lower prices of petroleum products hit P50 billion to P75 billion as of September this year.

“Average losses [from oil imports] were significant.[It’s around] P50 billion to P75 billion,” Lina told reporters in a roundtable discussion at Manila Hotel.

Lina said that because of the steady drop in oil prices in the global market, his agency planned to ask the interagency Development Budget

Coordination Committee to reduce the collection target for 2016.

The DBCC set the BoC collection for 2016 at P498.7 billion. DBCC is composed of top Cabinet officials in the economic cluster.

“We will [ask for revisions in the 2016 target]. It’s too high,” Lina said.

Lina said the agency would try to meet the collection target just the same, despite the impact of lower oil prices on the agency’s

collection.

“We will try [to meet the target]. Whatever the DBCC tells us to do, we will do it,” he said.

Revenues from oil products account for almost 30 percent of the agency’s collection, he said.

Lina said to make up for the deficit, the government should adjust taxes on oil imports.

“In other countries, they have a mechanism to adjust [tax rates] in case prices go down. They have a mechanism where if oil prices decline, they will adjust the ad valorem or excise tax [rates],” he said.

Lina said an executive order from the president could adjust the excise tax on oil, but the adjustment should not go beyond 10 percent.

“You cannot go beyond 10 percent. The president has the power to adjust the tariff, but not to exceed 10 percent,” he said.

The Bureau of Customs said last week collection in September fell 0.8 percent year-on-year to P32.65 billion, dragged down by the value of oil imports.

Data showed tariff collection in September fell from the P32.91 billion in September 2014. It is was also 20.6 percent short of the P41.1-billion target for the month.

Total value of imports in September decreased 5.4 percent while total volume grew 20.5 percent.

Lina earlier said collecting between P390 billion and P400 billion for the Customs was “doable” this year.

“I am okay with the P400 billion [collection], but it if it will be higher than that, then, that would be better,” he said.

The DBCC set a collection target of P436.6 billion for the agency this year.

Japan Post soars 26% in Tokyo trading debut JAPAN Postal Co and its two financial units skyrocketed on its trading debut Wednesday after the biggest initial public offering this year, lifting hopes that privatizing what is effectively the world’s largest bank will boost Tokyo’s faltering growth blitz.

Shares of the holding company surged 26 percent to 1,760 yen at the close of trading Wednesday in Tokyo. Japan Post Bank Co. climbed 15 percent to 1,671 yen while the insurer soared 56 percent to 3,430 yen. The benchmark Topix index rose 0.9 percent.

Shares in the vast company— along with its banking and insurance units—were listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange,

following an $11.5-billion share sale, in the largest offering globally since Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba’s record $25 billion IPO last year.

The bulk of proceeds from selling shares in the governmentowned behemoth, which has about 24,000 offices nationwide, are earmarked for reconstruction efforts after Japan’s 2011 quaketsunami disaster.

Japan Post holds 200 trillion yen ($1.65 trillion) in deposits from millions of Japanese households, the equivalent of 40 percent of the country’s GDP. Tokyo is expected to sell off more of the company to help pay for spiralling social-welfare costs

in Japan’s biggest privatization since Nippon Telephone & Telegraph’s 1987 IPO. The bulk of the proceeds from share sales in the governmentowned behemoth, which has about 24,000 offices nationwide, are earmarked for reconstruction after Japan’s 2011 quake-tsunami disaster.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 1.3 percent.

Japan Post’s IPO was the largest globally since Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba’s record $25 billion debut last year.

The triple-listing brings with it hopes of drawing more investment to Japanese firms and a lift for Prime Minister Shinzo

Abe’s faltering bid to kickstart the world’s number-three economy, known as “Abenomics”.

Analysts said shareholder pressure would help force Japan Post to speed up its decisionmaking and control costs.

It could also send a wider message that Japan Inc.’s notoriously rigid corporate culture is being shaken up.

“We have shareholders now and so we’re going to promise to lift the value of Japan Post group,” the company’s president Taizo Nishimuro told reporters at the stock exchange.

“I believe this will contribute to boosting the Japanese economy.” AFP

PSe comPoSite

index

Closing November 4, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

7,201.02 9.71

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing NOVEMBER 4, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P46.760

46.20

CLOSE

47.00

HIGH P46.685 LOW P46.790 AVERAGE P46.743 VOLUME 577.300M

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

o

il P PriceS today

P24.55-P28.00 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, November 4, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.7980

Japan

Yen

0.008267

0.3869

UK

Pound

1.543000

72.2093

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129031

6.0384

Switzerland

Franc

1.009591

47.2468

Canada

Dollar

0.765814

Singapore

Dollar

0.716589

33.5349

Australia

Dollar

0.717618

33.5831

Bahrain

Dinar

2.656184

124.3041

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.4792

Brunei

Dollar

0.714031

33.4152

35.8386

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000074

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.028106

1.3153

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

12.7421

Euro

Euro

1.096700

51.3234

Korea

Won

0.000885

0.0414

China

Yuan

0.157813

7.3853

India

Rupee

0.015234

0.7129

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.233590

10.9315

New Zealand

Dollar

0.667780

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030807

31.2508 1.4417 Source: PDS Bridge

THURSDAY: NOVEMBER 5, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Wednesday, november 4, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

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

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 1.02 0.225 78 17.8 58 62 88.35 276 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 I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank

47 5 2.36 15.3 20.6 125 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241

35.9 1.11 1.86 7.92 15.32 62.5 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.24 5.34 0.395 173

79 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 5 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 238 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

34.1 1.63 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.37 3.87 8.45 3 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 1.65 5.9 161 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

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

LBC Express Liberty Flour Mabuhay Vinyl Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 4.92 0.66 1455 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 1.61 2.99 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.26 0.152 837 49.55 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 4.5 0.030 1.23 0.550 2.26 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

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

Forum Pacific GT Capital JG Summit Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Minerales Industrias Corp.

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

10.5 1.99 1.75 41.4 5.6 5.59

6.74 0.65 1.2 30.05 3.36 4.96

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings

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

SHARES 12,403,011 64,567,553 94,546,147 191,185,267 79,746,875 251,273,559 694,886,982

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.89 2.8 49 48.6 102.60 99.80 83.95 82.30 40.2 40.2 2.45 2.45 1.90 1.79 15.7 15.7 19.7 19.56 1.72 1.69 0.620 0.570 86 83.95 18.40 17.90 24.00 24.00 54.35 53.45 105 105 305 295 32.25 31.5 143 141.8 1535.00 1530.00 57.00 56.90 INDUSTRIAL 42.45 42.2 41.05 1.88 1.84 1.84 1.6 1.6 1.59 11 11 10.72 17.5 17.98 17.48 105 106 106 23.9 24 23 47.2 47.2 46.75 2.45 2.53 2.44 1.7 1.7 1.66 10.7 10.7 10.7 9.800 9.850 9.7 8.75 9.00 8.75 6.52 6.70 6.43 7.28 7.39 7.24 1.67 1.67 1.66 25.9 25.95 25.2 71 72 70.9 14.00 14.00 14.00 6.14 6.7 6.15 2.720 2.800 2.660 207.00 208.00 206.60 11.8 12.38 12 39.00 39.00 37.90 3.54 3.79 3.4 22.5 23.05 22.6 24.3 24.3 23.75 6.88 6.82 6.52 329.00 331.00 327.00 3.86 4.42 4.00 4.24 4.25 4.11 8.16 8.32 8.27 4.45 4.23 3.72 11.90 11.94 11.60 3.65 3.67 3.54 2.09 2.18 2.06 2.46 2.56 2.45 4.20 4.21 4.13 2.9 2.95 2.91 5 4.9 4.9 136.9 136.5 136.5 2.21 2.33 2.21 0.156 0.161 0.156 1.15 1.20 1.18 2.22 2.23 2.19 206 208 205.4 4.73 4.72 4.54 0.69 0.71 0.68 1.42 1.43 1.34 HOLDING FIRMS 0.410 0.405 0.395 57.3500 57.3500 56.3000 18.50 18.86 18.44 1.13 1.23 1.23 6.45 6.50 6.39 0.249 0.265 0.249 0.250 0.26 0.255 778 789.5 771 7.68 7.68 7.6 12.72 13.08 12.70 3.90 3.82 3.82 0.255 0.250 0.250 1350 1368 1347 74.20 75.00 73.85 7.25 7.5 7.14 0.79 0.79 0.77 12.48 12.5 12.32 5.44 5.54 5.4 9.55 9.55 9.5 0.0330 0.0330 0.0310 1.210 1.190 1.190 1.950 2.000 1.960 2.84 2.83 2.83 49.05 49.50 49.10 880.00 888.00 871.50 1.19 1.20 1.19 0.89 0.92 0.85 100.000 99.700 90.100 0.3350 0.3350 0.3250 0.2220 0.2240 0.2200 0.305 0.325 0.300 PROPERTY 6.400 6.400 6.300 0.99 1.21 0.96 1.170 1.150 1.150 36.500 36.550 35.850 3.58 3.6 3.52 5.13 5.16 5.13 2.9 48.9 103.00 83.50 40.25 2.41 1.85 15.68 19.76 1.70 0.580 85 17.90 24.00 54.00 105 305 32 142 1530.00 57.00

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.8 49 101.40 82.80 40.2 2.45 1.80 15.7 19.64 1.69 0.600 84.5 18.16 24.00 53.45 105 303 31.9 141.9 1535.00 57.00

-3.45 0.20 -1.55 -0.84 -0.12 1.66 -2.70 0.13 -0.61 -0.59 3.45 -0.59 1.45 0.00 -1.02 0.00 -0.66 -0.31 -0.07 0.33 0.00

6,000 20,700 4,567,050 2,451,840 600 44,000 1,734,000 300 52,900 55,000 2,175,000 908,900 147,500 9,500 152,210 70 1,330 32,800 22,030 315 19,700

41.6 1.84 1.6 11 17.52 106 23 46.85 2.48 1.69 10.7 9.740 8.79 6.52 7.29 1.66 25.5 71.05 14.00 6.23 2.730 207.00 12.3 37.90 3.79 23 24.15 6.56 328.20 4.00 4.18 8.30 4.2 11.94 3.65 2.06 2.46 4.14 2.95 4.9 136.5 2.28 0.161 1.20 2.21 207.6 4.72 0.68 1.37

-2.00 -2.13 0.00 0.00 0.11 0.95 -3.77 -0.74 1.22 -0.59 0.00 -0.61 0.46 0.00 0.14 -0.60 -1.54 0.07 0.00 1.47 0.37 0.00 4.24 -2.82 7.06 2.22 -0.62 -4.65 -0.24 3.63 -1.42 1.72 -5.62 0.34 0.00 -1.44 0.00 -1.43 1.72 -2.00 -0.29 3.17 3.21 4.35 -0.45 0.78 -0.21 -1.45 -3.52

1,712,000 10,000 191,000 200 313,700 10 160,800 120,300 486,000 568,000 300 3,107,400 5,986,200 23,122,300 348,200 8,000 2,161,000 553,400 21,000 3,930,500 3,570,000 604,380 2,100 3,600 14,000 2,879,800 20,900 16,900 215,920 84,000 255,000 3,886,300 52,000 8,200 141,000 1,230,000 614,000 159,000 22,000 15,000 250 91,000 240,000 34,000 244,000 2,029,800 18,000 1,059,000 3,995,000

0.395 56.5000 18.60 1.23 6.39 0.250 0.255 789.5 7.62 12.90 3.82 0.250 1359 74.80 7.5 0.78 12.42 5.43 9.55 0.0310 1.190 1.980 2.83 49.20 888.00 1.19 0.85 91.500 0.3250 0.2240 0.310

-3.66 -1.48 0.54 8.85 -0.93 0.40 2.00 1.48 -0.78 1.42 -2.05 -1.96 0.67 0.81 3.45 -1.27 -0.48 -0.18 0.00 -6.06 -1.65 1.54 -0.35 0.31 0.91 0.00 -4.49 -8.50 -2.99 0.90 1.64

430,000 1,452,640 4,476,000 1,000 75,600 730,000 40,000 160,530 2,206,500 4,616,500 5,000 50,000 183,440 2,174,550 15,368,200 57,000 2,819,400 28,366,000 2,688,800 22,900,000 7,000 943,000 5,000 110,600 172,410 62,000 904,000 22,670 1,330,000 610,000 1,310,000

6.350 1.05 1.150 36.550 3.57 5.13

-0.78 6.06 -1.71 0.14 -0.28 0.00

104,200 88,291,000 12,000 8,164,100 440,000 36,500

8,400.00 968,380.00 -177,572,815 27,750,707.00 4,020.00 63,100.00 -45,186.00 -32,500.00 -1,335,511.00 -932,842.00 635 490,446.00 460,500.00 -53,762,705.00

3,565,514.00 2,555,850 1,690.00 3,939,010.00 -5,999,321.00 -101,661,350.00 -1,571,646.00 -16,593,045.00 15,412,822.00 2,250,263.00 -8,220.00 -28,838,388.00 -2,476.00 -14,948,990.00 31,368,036.00 815,050.00 3,102,454.00 -49,840.00 -43,350.00 -8,350.00 -8,190.00

77,260.00 198,339,098.00 27,240.00 12,840.00 -26,050,842.00 8,676,268.00

10,302,005.00 6,699,207.00 14,549,734.00 147,419,845.00 107,802,756.00 -157,271.00 1,995,326.00 83,941,042.00 47,550.00 -44,500.00

-2,317,015.00 -38,817,340.00 -476,335.00

182,373.00 1,099,280.00 -14,877,350.00 595,230.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 1.44 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.79 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 2.69 22.15 1.6 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 7.67 1700 2720 8.41 119.5 7 12.5 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 1 2.46 15.2 0.62 1.040 22.8 18 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 4.8 830 1600 5.95 102.6 3.01 8.72 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 0.650 1.8 6 0.335 0.37 14.54 8.8 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

STOCKS

Close

Century Property Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell 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. Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

Phil. Racing Club 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 25 0.330 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 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 1.72 6.47 9.43 0.236 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 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

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

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

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

TA Petroleum

70 553 120 515 8.21 12.28 1060 78.95 84.8

33 490 101.5 480 5.88 6.5 997 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

15 88 12.88

3.5 13.5 5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Makati Fin. Corp.

IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

High

VALUE 765,183,014.12 1,234,766,187.522 1,292,668,824.32 940,006,332.39 950,674,814.734 216,548,636.83 5,418,823,442.416

FINANCIAL 1,558.67 (DOWN) 12.52 INDUSTRIAL 11,548.13 (DOWN) 5.78 HOLDING FIRMS 6,738.76 (UP) 36.34 PROPERTY 3,094.67 (UP) 27.32 SERVICES 1,682.93 (DOWN) 38.76 MINING & OIL 11,563.63 (DOWN) 102.49 PSEI 7,201.02 (DOWN) 9.71 All Shares Index 4,149.08 (DOWN) 7.01 Gainers: 79 Losers: 99; Unchanged: 34; Total: 212

Close

0.61 0.125 0.500 20.9 0.890 0.163 1.25 1.77 4.77 0.087 0.2900 0.5300 8.4 30.45 1.5 21.80 0.77 8.15 1.030 5.830

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.61 0.6 0.6 0.125 0.124 0.124 0.520 0.485 0.485 21 20.7 21 0.900 0.890 0.890 0.164 0.164 0.164 1.30 1.24 1.26 1.78 1.73 1.76 4.84 4.74 4.83 0.089 0.089 0.089 0.2850 0.2850 0.2850 0.5900 0.4850 0.5200 8.41 8.4 8.41 31.00 30.20 30.30 1.53 1.5 1.52 22.50 21.85 22.40 0.77 0.76 0.77 8.18 8.18 8.18 1.040 1.010 1.010 5.910 5.800 5.800 SERVICES 8.6 8.94 8.62 8.92 67.5 68 67.4 67.75 1.13 1.16 1.06 1.09 0.580 0.600 0.580 0.600 11.3 11.22 11.2 11.2 25.6 25.6 25.5 25.5 6.40 6.42 6.17 6.20 0.0560 0.0570 0.0560 0.0560 3.5 3.64 3.59 3.6 90.85 91 88 88.4 5.99 6.02 5.90 5.99 955 955 955 955 2270 2290 2174 2182 7.52 7.57 7.52 7.57 75.9 76.7 72 73 5.00 4.72 4.70 4.72 11.4 11.42 11.42 11.42 0.185 0.183 0.180 0.180 1.4200 1.4100 1.3900 1.4100 2.06 2.2 2.17 2.2 9.01 9.05 9.00 9.01 3.75 4.05 3.75 3.93 0.610 0.590 0.590 0.590 1.99 2 2 2 3.71 3.75 3.68 3.7 0.280 0.280 0.270 0.280 0.830 0.880 0.830 0.860 18.18 18.18 18.14 18.14 8.92 9.01 9.01 9.01 19.50 19.80 19.20 19.80 2234.00 2268.00 2168.00 2180.00 0.570 0.600 0.560 0.560 1.140 1.140 1.130 1.130 35.90 36.50 35.85 36.00 76.50 77.00 74.00 75.50 6.30 6.41 6.20 6.23 5.22 5.30 5.15 5.19 0.50 0.51 0.49 0.50 1.51 1.51 1.5 1.5 4.6 4.46 4.5 4.5 0.350 0.345 0.330 0.340 4.010 4.150 3.970 3.970 MINING & OIL 0.0049 0.0050 0.0048 0.0050 2.20 2.30 2.20 2.30 5.87 5.87 5.74 5.87 11.78 11.68 11.68 11.68 0.230 0.235 0.220 0.235 5.8600 5.86 5.86 5.8600 0.75 0.76 0.73 0.74 0.69 0.7 0.67 0.68 8.88 9.00 8.80 8.88 0.92 0.93 0.84 0.86 0.310 0.315 0.305 0.305 0.192 0.193 0.191 0.192 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.04 3.06 2.97 2.97 8.06 8.15 7.9 8.05 3.15 3.15 3.07 3.1 0.6300 0.6500 0.6300 0.6400 1.4500 1.4500 1.4200 1.4500 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 3.85 3.95 3.85 3.95 5.47 5.480 5.300 5.30 1.53 1.770 1.550 1.56 0.0140 0.0140 0.0130 0.0140 137.60 138.00 135.00 136.80 2.33 2.49 2.35 2.38 PREFERRED 67.65 68 67.45 67.55 513.5 525 520 525 119 120 116 120 528 528 528 528 7.39 7.37 7.01 7.3 1.13 1.14 1.13 1.14 1065 1070 1065 1065 79 79.15 79.1 79.1 83 83.5 83 83 79.05 79.2 79.05 79.2 79 79.8 79.5 79.8 80 80.2 80 80 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.080 3.270 3.030 3.030 SME 2.79 2.85 2.79 2.85 52.95 53.05 52.3 53.05 16.34 16.44 15.96 16.2 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118 119 117 117.6

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

-1.64 -0.80 -3.00 0.48 0.00 0.61 0.80 -0.56 1.26 2.30 -1.72 -1.89 0.12 -0.49 1.33 2.75 0.00 0.37 -1.94 -0.51

2,070,000 800,000 3,902,000 239,000 153,000 40,000 12,330,000 23,348,000 25,743,000 90,000 230,000 2,411,000 4,900 4,128,600 178,000 7,614,600 642,000 339,400 914,000 8,954,300

-742,200.00 62,500.00 66,155.00 -718,035.00

3.72 0.37 -3.54 3.45 -0.88 -0.39 -3.13 0.00 2.86 -2.70 0.00 0.00 -3.88 0.66 -3.82 -5.60 0.18 -2.70 -0.70 6.80 0.00 4.80 -3.28 0.50 -0.27 0.00 3.61 -0.22 1.01 1.54 -2.42 -1.75 -0.88 0.28 -1.31 -1.11 -0.57 0.00 -0.66 -2.17 -2.86 -1.00

872,100 39,930 512,000 1,012,000 10,900 300 2,528,600 15,270,000 41,000 274,540 768,700 50 71,375 262,500 2,639,530 2,300 4,800 1,810,000 77,000 17,000 236,500 1,440,000 1,000 2,000 1,135,000 1,480,000 9,399,000 7,500 300 95,700 135,380 414,000 1,950,000 1,069,800 181,910 1,964,900 4,253,300 25,150,000 26,000 2,841,000 610,000 319,000

43,550.00

2.04 4.55 0.00 -0.85 2.17 0.00 -1.33 -1.45 0.00 -6.52 -1.61 0.00 10.00 0.00 -2.30 -0.12 -1.59 1.59 0.00 0.00 2.60 -3.11 1.96 0.00 -0.58 2.15

11,000,000 606,000 45,400 800 70,000 300 2,377,000 870,000 6,300 141,579,000 510,000 2,870,000 2,200,000 9,100,000 409,000 1,751,800 238,000 667,000 129,000 55,500,000 24,000 632,900 7,500,000 12,400,000 405,140 356,000

-0.15 2.24 0.84 0.00 -1.22 0.88 0.00 0.13 0.00 0.19 1.01 0.00

69,240 1,910 14,500 2,100 16,100 64,000 225 12,870 32,500 67,800 10,200 142,320

-923,647.00

-1.62

621,000

6,400.00

2.15 0.19 -0.86

57,000 9,200 1,093,000

5,418,072.00

-0.34

5,370

22,230.00

-1,338,120.00 1,635,570.00 56,515,820.00

36,960.00 -24,526,210.00 48,563,465.00 1,676,082.00 51,000.00 -4,000,573.00

-112,132.00 -3,592,744.00 -14,373,723.00 3,148,240.00 -96,557,400.00 21,792,081.50

7,040.00 821,491.00

-740,260.00 -130,500.00 -93,668.00 -38,093,860.00 63,190.00 21,638,200.00 2,753,842.50 -126,920.00 -4,372,609.00 -6,869,500.00 -4,541,710.00

12,779.00 -1,758.00 -3,700.00 1,107,660.00

-109,200.00 33,110.00 -123,692.00 31,000.00

78,703.00 -539,070.00 -6,733,990.00

1,218,000.00 -65,758.00

-830,808.00 1,716,000.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Manila Mining `A'

0.0110

10.00

Top Frontier

91.500

Anglo Holdings A

1.23

8.85

Ferronickel

0.86

-8.50 -6.52

Mabuhay Vinyl

3.79

7.06

Pacifica `A'

0.0310

-6.06

Jackstones

2.2

6.80

Phil H2O

4.2

-5.62

A. Brown Co., Inc.

1.05

6.06

Imperial Res. `A'

4.72

-5.60

Liberty Telecom

3.93

4.80

Megawide

6.56

-4.65

Apex `A'

2.30

4.55

South China Res. Inc.

0.85

-4.49

TKC Steel Corp.

1.20

4.35

Globe Telecom

2182

-3.88

LBC Express

12.3

4.24

I.C.T.S.I.

73

-3.82

2GO Group'

8.92

3.72

Cirtek Holdings (Chips)

23

-3.77

THURSDAY: NOVEMBER 5, 2015

B3

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

SM Investments earns P19.4b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said consolidated net income in the first nine months of the year rose seven percent yearon-year to P19.4 billion on strong earnings contribution from core businesses in the retail, banking and property sectors.

Excluding extraordinary items, recurring net income grew 12 percent, SM Investments said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Wednesday.

Consolidated revenues also grew seven percent to P206.2 billion in the nine-month period.

“Our strong results year-to-date reflect our ongoing focus on delivering footprint expansion across the country and on driving cost competitiveness in all our core businesses,” SM Investments president Harley Sy said.

The conglomerate said the underlying earnings expansion was driven by the 21-percent growth in retail profit and the 15-percent growth in property recurring net income.

Banks accounted for 40 percent of the group’s consolidated earnings in the first nine months, while property and and retail contributed 39 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

SM Retail Inc. reported a 6.5-percent increase in sales to P145.3 billion from the

January-to-September period following the expansion in both urban and rural communities in several parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The retail group added 20 new stores— most of them standalone Savemore outlets.

It also recently completed the acquisition of three stores of Cherry Foodarama.

SM Retail as of end September 2015 had a total of 294 stores, comprising 51 SM Stores, 41 SM Supermarkets, 43 SM Hypermarkets, 130 Savemore and 29 WalterMart outlets.

Banking unit BDO Unibank Inc. registered a five percent increase in nine-month net income to P17.6 billion as net interest profit rose 12 percent to P41.8 billion in the first nine months of 2015.

SM Investments’ integrated property company SM Prime Holdings Inc. posted a 70-percent jump in net income to P22.9 billion in the first nine months of 2015.

Excluding P7.4 billion in one-time trading gains in the first quarter of 2015, SM Prime’s recurring net income increased 15 percent to P15.5 billion in the nine-month period.

“We expect SM Prime’s growth to be sustained as we continue to increase our mall footprint by 13 percent this year,” SM Prime president Hans Sy said earlier.

“We are excited to launch SM Seaside Cebu later this year, a landmark project in the Visayas region. We see Metro Cebu as one of our important growth corridors following our growth track in Metro Manila,” he added.

Total assets of SM Investments as of endSeptember 2015 increased seven percent P735.5 billion.

SM Investments maintains a healthy balance sheet with a conservative gearing ratio of 38 percent net debt to 62 percent equity.

Gaisano firm pegs IPO price at P3.99

By Jenniffer B. Austria METRO Retail Stores Group Inc. pegged the final price for its planned initial public offering at P3.99 per share to raise as much as P4.04 billion in proceeds.

The price is 34.6 percent lower than the maximum offering price of P6.10 apiece the company earlier set.

Metro Retail chairman and chief executive Frank Gaisano said in a letter to the Philippine Stock Exchange the company fixed the final offering price after conducting a book building process with investors in Hong Kong, Singapore and Manila.

“We are pleased with the high level of interest in the offering and the subsequent participation of both domestic and international investors in the institutional tranche of our offer,” Gaisano said.

“Given the recent global market volatility, the positive outcome of the book building was a welcome development,” he added.

Documents earlier filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed Metro Retail planned to sell 920 million common shares plus another 92 million shares to cover over-allotment.

BPI Capital Corp. and Deutsche Bank are the lead arrangers of the offering.

Metro Retail earlier obtained regulatory approvals from the SEC and the Philippine Stock Exchange to proceed with the planned share sale.

The offering period is set from Nov. 9 to Nov. 13, while the listing date is been tentatively scheduled on Nov 24.

Up to 70 percent of the shares will be allocated to overseas investors while 30 percent will be earmarked for trading participants of the PSE and domestic retail investors.

BoI roadshow. Board of Investment director Domingo Bagaporo presents the Investment Priorities Plan and its implementing guidelines during the IPP Forum at the Harolds Hotel, Cebu City. The IPP is a fundamental investment policy tool for industry development, aimed to build industries through policy interventions and initiatives.

Stock market drops on profit-taking; BDO down THE stock market fell Wednesday on profit-taking after a two-day rally, bucking the trend in Tokyo and Shanghai, where stocks surged more than four percent on details of China’s next five-year plan.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index lost 9.71 points, or 0.1 percent, to 7,201.02 on a value turnover of P5.4 billion. Losers beat gainers, 99 to 79, with 34 issues unchanged.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, declined 1.6 percent to P101.40, while Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the largest telecommunications firm, dropped 2.4 percent to P2,180.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port

operator, lost 3.8 percent to P73, while Globe Telecom Inc., the second-largest telecommunications firm, declined 3.9 percent to P2,182.

Investors, meanwhile, sent Japan Post stocks soaring when they made their long-awaited Tokyo trading debut Wednesday.

Shares in the vast Japanese company—along with those in its banking and insurance units— were listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange following an $11.5-billion initial public offering.

The shares in Japan Post Holdings soared 25.7 percent from the IPO price to 1,760 yen ($15.50), while its banking unit jumped 15.2 percent from the offering price to 1,671 yen.

But the hotly anticipated insur-

ance unit’s offering skyrocketed 55.9 percent to close at 3,430 yen.

The bulk of the proceeds from share sales in the governmentowned behemoth, which has about 24,000 offices nationwide, are earmarked for reconstruction after Japan’s 2011 quake-tsunami disaster.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index closed up 1.3 percent.

Japan Post’s IPO was the largest globally since Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba’s record $25 billion debut last year.

Bucking the trend in Tokyo, shares in Japanese airbag maker Takata plunged after top client Honda dumped it as an airbag parts supplier and US regulators slapped it with a record fine.

Takata shares ended the day

13.4 percent down at 1,189 yen, their lowest close this year.

Chinese investors meanwhile shrugged off signals of lower economic growth from President Xi Jinping, who said annual expansion of only 6.5 percent would be enough.

Shanghai put on 4.31 percent, further bolstered by the announcement of plans for the first meeting between the presidents of China and Taiwan since 1949.

Taiwan’s weighted index closed up 1.65 percent.

Stocks in the Hong Kong and Shenzhen markets rallied following an announcement by the head of China’s central bank that a trading link between the two southern Chinese cities would start this year. With AFP

B4 AUB sells P5b worth of Tier 2 note issue

By Julito G. Rada

PNB award. The Philippine National Bank was recognized as the Best Remittance Business in the Philippines by international publication, Asian Banker, in the Asian Banker Philippine Country Awards 2015. Shown are (from left) The Asian Banker head of research Mobasher Zein Kazmi, PNB corporate communications head Leia Michelle Regala-Teodoro, senior vice president and chief marketing officer Norman Martin Reyes, global marketing division head Jenelyn Lacerna, global Filipino banking group head Benjamin Oliva, PNB Capital president Gerry Valenciano, The Asian Banker managing director Foo Boon Ping and The Asian Banker associate director Andreas Klimsa.

Competitive power auction starts—ERC

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission on Wednesday announced it would start the mandatory implementation of the competitive selection process, or CSP, on the purchase of electricity by distribution utilities.

ERC in a resolution directed all distribution utilities to conduct mandatory CSP in the procurement of their supply to the captive market.

ERC chairman Jose Vicente Salazar said in a separate statement the move aimed to promote transparency in the purchase of elec-

tricity by distribution utilities from power generators.

Salazar added the CSP, which raised numerous concerns among industry players on its implementing guidelines, “assures that such supply is bought and passed on to consumers at the least possible cost.”

Salazar said that under the CSP, a distribution utility may sign a power supply agreement, or PSA, with a generation company only after successfully complying with the requirements of the process.

The directive calls on a distribution utility to openly call and receive at least two qualified bids from generation companies with which the DU is not barred from entering into a power supply contract.

The resolution, however, did not endorse the delegation of a third party to conduct a CSP. The third party role was cited under the Energy Department’s circular DC 2015-060008.

ERC’s resolution, meanwhile, requires direct negotiations with other power suppliers only after at least two failed selection process.

Salazar said the ERC would no longer allow distribution utilities to file applications for approval of the power supply agreement without compliance with the CSP requirements.

Salazar said the resolution “removes all uncertainties on how the CSP will be implemented by the ERC and paves the way for a regime of greater transparency and competition in the power supply procurement processes in the industry.”

He said the CSP underwent study and consultations with concerned industry players and stakeholders for over two years.

The ERC chairman also said that there should be no more delays in the implementation to ensure the stable distribution of power supply in the country.

ASIA United Bank, the financial arm of the Rebisco group of companies, started on Wednesday the public offering of up to P5 billion in Tier 2 unsecured subordinated notes in a bid to increase and strengthen its capital base.

AUB said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the issuance would last until Nov. 16, 2015. The bank has reserved the right to shorten the offering period as needed. “[The] issue date will be on Nov. 25, 2015. The net proceeds of the Tier 2 notes will also strengthen AUB’s capital adequacy based on the requirements of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” the bank said.

“By continuously embarking on ways to redefine our value proposition to our clients, we are staying a step ahead in innovation and technology, as well as reaching out to more customers who are starting to reap the benefits of our investment in expanding our network and in product offerings,” AUB president Abraham Co said in a statement.

“This is why having a strong capital base is important in supporting our ambition to become one of the top 10 leading banks in the Philippines,” Co said.

AUB will issue the Tier 2 notes in one or more tranches within one year. The issue will have a maturity of 10 years from the issue date of each tranche. At its option, the bank may redeem any tranche of the Tier 2 notes on any interest payment date falling after the fifth anniversary of the tranche’s issue date.

The issue price is at 100 percent of the face value of the notes. The indicative yield ranges from 5.5 percent to 5.875 percent with the final rate to be announced at the end of the offering period. The minimum investment amount is P500,000, with additional increments of P50,000.

Lax business environment may spawn investment scams

By Gabrielle H. Binaday MAKING the business environment easier for investors may also encourage scammers and swindlers to perpetrate crimes, an official of the Securities and Exchange Commission said Wednesday.

SEC’s enforcement and investor protection division assistant director Lalaine Monserate said while the ease of doing business would invite more investors, it would also allow swindlers or scammers to do business.

“The ease of doing business is not good for the SEC, even if the we want to encourage more in-

vestors, more foreigners to come into the country,” Monserate said during the launch of Sun Life Asset Management Company Inc.’s “Slam the Scam” campaign.

“Our problem with the ease in doing business, the scammers are thriving, just like a dam. Opening the dam and the water flows there, so what the regulators will do, to look for those water out there,” she said.

Monserate said that in order to regulate the scam cases in the country, the agency should be strict even during the first round of doing business, or the registration phase.

She said because of the ease of

doing business, SEC registration could be released in a maximum of three days now.

She said another reform needed in the industry was the formation of an anti-cybercrime division in the SEC. “We don’t have any office dedicated to that [cybercrime]. That is why we have to coordinate with NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] and PNP [Philippine National Police] anti-cybercrime and you know how hard to coordinate with them. They have also a lot of cybercrime cases. The SEC is not a priority,” Monserate said.

“So I suggest one of the re-

forms, that there should be a division in the SEC dedicated to cybercrime,” she said.

Monserate said she recommended these reforms to the Anti-money Laundering Council to properly address the growing cases of scam in the country.

SEC’s latest data showed around P12 billion to P25 billion were invested in reported cases of scam.

The single biggest loss reported was P1 billion in Binondo, while the single biggest loss documented was P70 million in Bel-Air Village in Makati City.

SEC said around 250,000 to about one million “investors” were victimized by the scammers.

“The scammers are two steps ahead of us,” Monserate said.

Meanwhile, SLAMCI, the fund manager of Sun Life Financial launched its multi-media campaign dubbed “Slam the Scam” to help the regulator address the issue of investment scam in the country.

The campaign will share tips on what to consider when choosing an investment company, as well as red flags on dubious organizations.

SLAMCI president Valerie Pama said Filipinos fell victim to scammers because of greed or the get-rich-syndrome, having too much trust or the lack of financial literacy and awareness.

T H U R S D AY : N O V E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 5

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

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Tagum water venture. Davao Del Norte Water Infrastructure Company Inc., the consortium of Manila Water Co., and iWater Inc., sign a joint venture agreement with the Tagum City Water District for a 15-year water project that will supply an additional 38 million liters of water per day to the city. Shown shaking hands after the signing ceremony are Manila Water Philippine Ventures chief executive and Davao Norte Water president Virgilio Rivera Jr. (standing, left) and TWD general hanager Nelly Gentugaya.

Voyager’s revenues rise 26%

By Darwin G. Amojelar VOYAGER Innovations Inc., the digital unit of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., said Wednesday revenues increased 26 percent to P861 million in the first nine months from P686 million a year ago.

Voyager attributed the growth in earnings to PayMaya Philippines Inc., or PayMaya’s share in Smart Money’s peer-to-peer transaction fees and revenues.

“We continue to work closely with the mainstream businesses to ensure they keep pace with digital developments and that the products and services we develop add value to our customer propositions,” Voyager president and chief executive Orlando Vea said.

Voyager recently launched PayMaya Visa Card with Beep, an all-in-one product for use in Metro Manila’s light rail system.

It also unveiled SafeZone, a platform that allows brands and business to easily reach their customers nationwide through their mobile phones.

The company, through Takatack Holdings Pte. Ltd., acquired 100-percent equity interest in Takatack Technologies Pte. Ltd., or Takatack Technologies (formerly Paywhere Pte. Ltd.) for $5 million in August.

The acquisition is consistent with the PLDT Group’s focus to build Voyager into a digital economy platforms enabler, allowing it to build its digital commerce business in the Philippines and other emerging markets.

PLDT Capital, the investment arm of PLDT earlier invested $10 million in a joint venture with Phunware, a US-based mobile platform leader for next-generation customer engagement solutions.

Tetangco asks banks to beef up operations

By Julito G. Rada

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. on Wednesday asked local banks to strengthen their operations, amid intensifying competition posed by foreign banks.

Tetangco said while local banks were healthy, they should explore ways to strengthen their operations.

“Moody’s [Investors Service] singled out our banks from 2012 to 2014, giving them a positive outlook from among all the jurisdictions they rate,” Tetangco said in an e-mailed message.

“But in an increasingly integrated regional setup, there is wisdom for further beefing up, given current size of our banks and the system as a whole. Con-

solidation is just one way. Banks may also decide to individually raise more capital,” he said.

He said the opening of the banking industry to foreign banks would result in stiffer competition and that local banks should review their business models to see where they could have comparative advantage.

“As I have said in the past, even as we allowed foreign banks in, our local banks have the ‘home course advantage’ [in golf, it’s

called home course, in basketball, home court]. There will continue to be a place for both the bigger UK/Bs [universal and commercial banks] and the smaller regional/rural banks. Our goal of financial inclusion is far from achieved,” Tetangco said.

Tetangco said banks should shape up in the way they do business and be smart about their chosen target markets, products and leveraging off technology.

Bangko Sentral has so far allowed six foreign banks to operate in the country, following the passage of Republic Act No. 10641, which liberalized the banking industry. These banks are the Singapore-based United Overseas Bank Ltd., Taiwan-based Yuanta Commercial Bank Co. Ltd., Industrial Bank of Korea, Shinhan Bank of Korea, Japanbased Sumitomo Mitsui Banking

Corp. and Taiwan-based Cathay United Bank.

Data from Bangko Sentral showed that total resources of banks expanded by 9 percent in the first half to P11.2 trillion from a year ago.

“Despite the moderation in credit allocation particularly with the real estate sector, the BSP remains proactive in its surveillance and use of macroprudential tools to mitigate the buildup of systemic risks,” Bangko Sentral said.

“Banks’ more upbeat stance towards loan and investment portfolio expansions proved beneficial as net profit grew by 8.1 percent to P68.9 billion yearon-year. This was supported by strong expansions in interestbased revenues [7.8 percent] and non-interest based income [11 percent],” it said.

Chevron begins selling Euro 4-compliant gasoline

By Alena Mae S. Flores CHEVRON Philippines Inc. said Euro 4-compliant gasoline products are now available at its retail stations in Metro Manila and other major cities.

Chevron Philippines said in a statement Euro 4 Caltex with Techron gasoline would be available nationwide by the end of the year.

“Combined with the introduction of cleaner fuel standards such as Euro 4, motorists can be assured that their engines will be equipped

with specially-formulated ingredients which would not only keep engines clean but also offer maximized power, better fuel economy, smoother drive, lower emissions and reliable performance,” Chevron Philippines said.

The Euro 4 rollout is in compliance with the Philippine Clean Air Act and Energy Department Circular No. DC2015-06-0004, mandating the use of environmentally clean fuels that meet specified emission standards.

The main objective of the emission and fuel standard upgrade is

to improve vehicle emissions for better air quality. This has to be done in unison with the availability of Euro 4 compliant vehicles.

Chevron Philippines said Euro 4 Caltex diesel and gasoline fuels would be available in all Caltex stations in the country by Jan. 1, 2016.

Chevron Philippines Inc. has been operating in the country for more than 90 years.

Caltex, its retail brand, offers high-quality products and services. There are close to 700 Caltex service stations strategically

scattered throughout the Philippines. Other oil firms also rolled out their respective Euro 4 fuels.

Market leader Petron Corp. earlier announced that its diesel products, Turbo Diesel and DieselMax, now meet global Euro 4 fuel standards, following the successful launch of its Euro 4 gasoline products in June.

Petron said the move marked an industry first as the only oil company capable of locally producing a full range of premium fuels that meet the cleaner and more efficient Euro 4 global standard.

THURSDAY: NOVEMBER 5, 2015

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

Welcome, e-Courts The three negative adjectives are slow, somnolent and stodgy.

The Supreme Court is perceived as a lumbering giant: slow to act and react, slow to adjust and slow to adapt. The Court is perceived to be content to sit in its perch up in the clouds, insensitive and indifferent to the real needs of Filipinos and to the rapid pace of change on the ground.

If the unprecedented presentation to the media made

recently by the Chief Justice is any guide that negative perception is on the way to being erased from the Filipino people’s WHEN they think of the consciousness. The Supreme Supreme Courts, most Filipinos Court has embarked on a program tend to gravitate toward three designed to improve, with the adjectives beginning with the help of the latest technology, the letter S, namely, sole, special and way that the Philippine judiciary separate. That’s the positive side of goes about its business. the Supreme Court in the public Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes mind. On the negative side, most Sereno gave the name e-Court to Filipinos tend to think of the the package of reformist changes nation’s highest tribunal in terms that the High Court has begun to of three adjectives, all starting introduce into the practices and with the letter S also. procedures of the nation’s courts and legal profession.

The e-Court program is intended to bring “real-time justice” to litigants in this country, the Chief Justice said. She said she hoped that, BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE-HEAD OFFICE with the program, “real-time INVITATION TO BID justice” would become the rule rather than the exception in the Philippines.

1.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites interested contractors to bid for the project described below: The aim of the Supreme Court apparently is to Name of Requirement/Brief Approved Budget for the Contract transform “the entire Description (ABC) courtroom into an automated One (1) Lot Construction of Covered trial room”. This change will Executive Vehicle Entrance at Gate 1, Php7,000,000.00, inclusive of all BSP Head Office, as per BSP Terms of applicable taxes put an end, the Chief Justice Reference, Plans and Drawings said, to the present situation, Scope of Work: Construction of Covered Executive Vehicle Entrance at Gate 1, where “it can take at least BSP Head Office in accordance with BSP approved plans, scope of works, and technical specifications, and subject to the terms and conditions of the contract. two months for a [litigant] Completion period: Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days reckoned to receive a copy of even the from date stipulated in Notice to Proceed to be issued by Facilities Management simplest court order, as it and Engineering Department. takes time for “an order to 2.

Prospective bidders should have a valid PCAB License for “Building and be drafted, approved and Industrial Plant” (project kind) with at least “Small B” (size range) and “C and D” signed by the judge and then (License Category); and Special PCAB License, if bidding as Joint Venture. delivered via snail mail.”

3.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4.

The bidder should have completed at least one (1) construction contract that is similar to the contract to be bid and which refers to general construction, which costs not less than 50% of the ABC.

5.

The Contractor shall provide the following key personnel:

Project Manager (PM) Project Engineer (PE) or Project-in-Charge (PIC)

Safety Officer

Registered Civil Engineer or Architect with at least five (5) years’ experience in the construction industry.

Registered Civil Engineer/Architect and must have at least three (3) years’ experience in construction industry.

Certified by an accredited safety organization in Occupational Safety and Health as prescribed by DOLE and must have at least three (3) years of working experience as a Safety Officer in the construction industry.

6. Eligibility Check/Screening and Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criteria.

7. All particulars and activities relative to Eligibility of Bidders and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-bid Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Postqualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by Republic Act No. 9184 and its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Activity

Schedule

Issuance of Bid Documents

Starting 05 November 2015 (from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. only)

Site Inspection

Starting 06 November 2015 Note: Bidders must submit the name/s of technical representative/s at least one (1) day before site inspection

Pre-bid Conference

23 November 2015; 12:00 Noon

Opening of Bids

07 December 2015; 2:00 P.M.

Venue Procurement Office Room 212, 2/F, 5-Storey Bldg. BSP Main Complex Malate, Manila Tel./Fax Nos. 306-2832; 708-7115 Contact Person: Engr. Carlo Martin C. Cabugoy, FMED Tel. No. 306-2545 MR2A Conference Room 2nd Floor, 5-Storey Bldg.

BSP Main Complex Malate Manila

orders are instantly released and immediately encoded. The availability of printers ensures the immediate printing of trial documents and court orders.

The Nationwide Connectivity Project, now under way, seeks to provide Internet connections to the nation’s courts.

By the end of 2016 there apparently will be 287 e-courts – accounting for around 30 percent of the total caseload – around the country. Between now and the end of this year 85 courts in Cebu City, Makati City and Davao City will become e-courts. Early in 2016 one hundred twenty courts in Manila, Mandaluyong City and Pasig City will become additional e-courts.

Chief Justice Sereno ended her presentation to the media with these words: “I believe that this is the kind of justice that our people deserve ... (H)igh ideals and motherhood slogans are not enough to bring justice to our people.”

Every magistrate and every legal practitioner who is true to the judges’ and the lawyers’ oath wholeheartedly welcomes these judicial reforms. Thank you, Chief Justice Sereno and the members of your Court.

Welcome to the Philippine judicial system, e-Courts.

E-mail: yahoo.com

Republic of the Philippines Province of Eastern Samar Municipality of Balangiga

Professional Qualification/s

Personnel

The Chief Justice invited the media to imagine the shock of lawyers upon receiving copies of court orders a few minutes after their promulgation in court.

“It is not surprising,” she said, “that lawyers take [pictures of themselves] with the court orders in hand.”

The Chief Justice went on to explain the operational significance of e-court procedures. “This means that during trial every activity is appraised electronically right there and then, including orders issued by the judge, minutes of the hearing [just] conducted, the judge’s notes on the testimonies taken, markings of evidence and issuances of writs and other legal processes. This is done by linking together the computers of the judge, the stenographer and the interpreter to allow all parties to view and edit the documents that are being prepared.”

In line with the e-court program, information on cases will be encoded upon filing, together with subsequent pleadings and court issuances in the course of the trial of the case.

As a result, the status of cases will be more easily known.

In the courts in Quezon City, Lapu-lapu City, Davao City, Angeles City and Tacloban City – 82 in all – that are now e-courts, judges have laptops on their desks in addition to gavels. Court

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE Invitation to Bid ROAD CONCRETING OF BRGY. 01 TO BRGY. STA. ROSA FARM-TO-MARKET ROAD The Local Government Unit of Balangiga through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites bids for the Concreting of Barangay 01 to Barangay Sta. Rosa Farm-to-Market Road Project, Balangiga,Eastern Samar, detailed as follows: Brief Description Location Funding Source

: Concreting of Barangay 01 to Barangay Sta. Rosa Farm- toMarket Road : Poblacion 01 and Sta. Rosa ,Balangiga, Eastern Samar : Local Appropriations (2014 Annual Budget) and Department of Agriculture (Grant from Grassroots Participatory Budgeting)

Approved Budget for the Contract

: Php 7,691,381.40

Contract Completion Period

: Two Hundred Sixty Eight (268) calendar days.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bids received in excess of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC ) shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Moreover, bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy-five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Foreign bidders may be eligible to participate in the procurement of infrastructure projects only when authorized under any treaty or international or executive agreement as provided in Section 23.5.2.2 of the Revised IRR of R.A. No. 9184.

Also, bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project, which must have a value of at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The complete description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II. Instructions to Bidders (ITB).

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased on October 31, 2015 by interested Bidders from the BAC Secretariat, Municipal Building, Balangiga, Eastern Samar, and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee in the amount of Ten Thousand Pesos (Php 10,000.00) only.

The Bidding Documents, except the Drawings, may be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System. In such case, bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the complete Bidding Documents not later than the date of submission of their bids.

8. The ITB and Checklist of Requirements for Bidders may be downloaded from the websites of Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and BSP (www.bsp.gov.ph). The complete set of bidding documents may be purchased at the address above upon payment of non-refundable fee in the amount of Php10,000.00.

Pre-Bid Conference will be held for the procurement on November 13, 2015, 2:30 in the Afternoon at SB Session Hall, Balangiga, Eastern Samar.

9. The pre-bid conference shall be open to interested parties. However, only those who have purchased the bidding documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications. To ensure completeness and compliance of bids, bidders are advised to send not more than two (2) technical and/or administrative representatives who will prepare the bidding documents.

Bid opening will be held on November 27, 2015, 2:30 P.M. at SB Session Hall, Municipal Building, Balangiga, Eastern Samar. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

10. The BSP assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify any bidder for expenses incurred in the preparation of bid.

For further information, please contact:

11. The BSP reserves the right to reject any bid, declare a failure of bidding, not award the contract, annul the bidding process and reject all bids at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to affected bidders.

( T S - N O V, 5 , 2 015 )

(SGD) SILVINA Q. MAMARIL-ROXAS Chairperson

Bids must be delivered to the above address on or before November 27, 2015, 2:00 P.M. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18, will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend on the date, time and place above stated. Late bids shall not be accepted.

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

DANILO A. DARANG BAC Secretary 1st Floor Municipal Building, Balangiga, Eastern Samar Cellphone No. 09074128082

( T S - N O V. 5 , 2 015 )

(SGD) GUALTIERRE MARL D. GANNABAN BAC Chairman LGU-Balangiga, Eastern Samar

rudyromero777@

Maynilad investing P2.8b in sewerage

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales MAYNILAD Water Services Inc. said Wednesday it started the construction of a P1.43-billion sewage treatment plant in San Dionisio, Parañaque City.

Maynilad said the new treatment facility could treat up to 76,000 cubic meters of wastewater a day and would help ease pollution loading in Manila Bay. “Once completed, it can serve approximately 110,000 households in Barangays San Dionisio, Sto. Niño, San Isidro, Moonwalk, San Antonio, Marcelo Green, BF, La Huerta and Don Bosco in Parañaque City,” Maynilad said.

Maynilad said it allocated P2.8 billion for its wastewater programs.

The Parañaque STP, which is part of Maynilad’s program to expedite the provision of sewerage and sanitation services in Metro Manila, is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency through the Development Bank of the Philippines.

T H U R S D AY : N O V E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Taiwan, China leaders to meet TAIPEI—The presidents of China and Taiwan will meet this weekend in Singapore with a handshake that will mark a seismic shift in a relationship frozen in enmity since 1949.

When Taiwan’s leader Ma Ying-jeou meets his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping it will be an unprecedented official stamp on a seven-year rapprochement that has seen the launch of direct flights, trade deals and a tourism boom as the two sides have forged previously unthinkable ties.

Their split at the end of a civil war on the mainland in 1949 was the start of decades of hostility as self-ruled Taiwan forged its own identity and developed into a democracy, while Beijing insisted it was still part of its territory to be reunited by force if necessary.

The island became a cold war outpost with the United States its major ally, committed to defending Taiwan against any Chinese aggression.

But when Ma came to power in 2008 promising better relations would lead to prosperity, ties swiftly warmed with high-level talks resumed for the first time in over 10 years.

Political sensitivities have meant the burgeoning relationship has not been overtly played out—the first government-to-government meetings only took place last year.

Now it will be formally sealed at the highest level.

China hailed the talks as a milestone in a dispatch on the state Xinhua news agency that said the two sides would “exchange views on promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations”, referring to the stretch of water that separates them.

“For the past seven years... the two sides have built up mutual trust and opened up a path of peaceful development,” it cited Zhang Zhijun, head of the mainland’s Taiwan affairs office, as saying.

There were few other details on the substance of the summit. Ma’s spokesman said that the goal is to “secure cross-Strait peace,” but that there would be no agreement signed nor any joint statement issued. AFP

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Refugees leave under EU quota ATHENS—The first refugees left Greece on Wednesday under an EU relocation plan, but Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras warned they were a “drop in the ocean” as the number of illegal migrant entries surged to 800,000 this year.

The six Syrian and Iraqi families, who are heading to start new lives in Luxembourg, are the first to be relocated from Greece under plans to share out nearly 160,000 migrants across the bloc in a scheme fiercely opposed by some EU members.

Tsipras, who was at Athens airport to see the 30 refugees off, said they were making “a trip to hope”, but warned they are merely “a drop in the ocean” compared to the hundreds of thousands who have arrived on

European shores this year.

“Today they have the opportunity to make a trip to hope, to a better life,” said Tsipras, who was joined at the airport by Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn.

“It’s a drop in the ocean, but we hope the drop will become a stream and then a river of humanity.”

He spoke as Fabrice Leggeri, the head of the EU’s Frontex border agency, told Germany’s Bild newspaper that migrants have made some 800,000 “illegal entries” to the bloc so far this year and warned that the influx has probably not “reached its peak”.

The need for a solution to Europe’s worst migration crisis since World War II is becoming increasingly urgent, with at least 80 migrants—many of them children—dying in the last week while trying to sail from Turkey to Greece in rough weather.

“It’s these flights that should be routine, not shipwrecks,” Greece’s

deputy immigration minister Ioannis Mouzalas said as the refugees flew out from Athens.

On Tuesday four more migrants, including two children, drowned after their boat got into difficulty off the Greek island of Lesbos.

“The human sacrifice that shames European civilization must stop,” said Tsipras, whose country saw more than 200,000 people land on its beaches in October alone, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR. Tsipras said the registration and relocation process for refugees must begin in Turkey, insisting: “Greece is not the gateway; Turkey is the gateway.”

Ankara’s cooperation is seen as key to ending the crisis, and on Tuesday EU president Donald Tusk urged the government to work closely with Brussels after the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) party swept back to power in elections at the weekend.

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE

INVITATION TO BID NO. GOODS-079-2015

INVITATION TO BID NO. GOODS-080-2015 79

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the General Fund intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Name of Project

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

1. Supply & Delivery of Medicines, Dental, Laboratory and Medical Supplies for the use of PHO different programs

The EU last month announced a refugee cooperation deal with Turkey including a possible three billion euros ($3.3 billion) in aid.

Two first groups of Eritreans and Syrians left Italy under the relocation scheme last month, bound for Sweden and Finland, although some countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland still oppose the mandatory quotas.

A Greek asylum service official said the group leaving Athens on Wednesday, chosen because they are considered vulnerable, were made up of two Iraqi and four Syrian families, with a total of 16 children. One of the women is pregnant and two of the children are disabled.

On arrival in Luxembourg the families will spend two days in a registration center and then two or three months in temporary accommodation. The welfare service will then help them to find permanent place to live, schools and jobs. AFP

=P=3,587,380.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Procurement.

Delivery of goods is required on or before the maturity date stipulated on contract.

Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

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

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the General Fund80 intends to apply the below listed procurement w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Name of Project

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

1. Supply & Delivery of Kitchen, Medical and Laboratory Equipment for the use of DOH-TRC Barangay Liyang, Pilar, Bataan

=P=4,918,500.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan now invites bids for the above listed Procurement.

Delivery of goods is required on or before the maturity date stipulated on contract.

Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

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

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a nonrefundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 042012 listed below.

Approved Budget for the Contract

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso)

500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on November 10, 2015 at 10:00 A.M at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered on or before November 23, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 and Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Activities Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid Eligibility Check Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents Request for Clarification Opening of Bids

Schedule 03 – November 09, 2015 Refer to the date of Opening of Bids November 03 – November 23, 2015 November 12, 2015 November 23, 2015

Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on November 11, 2015 at 10:00 A.M at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered on or before November 24, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 and Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid 2. Eligibility Check 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents 4. Request for Clarification 5. Opening of Bids

Schedule November 04 – November 10, 2015 Refer to date of Opening of Bids November 04 – November 24, 2015 November 13, 2015 November 24, 2015

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

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

For further information, please refer to:

For further information, please refer to: Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph

Engr. Josephine R. Valenzuela Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph (TS-NOV. 5, 2015)

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC CHAIRMAN

(TS-NOV. 5, 2015)

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC CHAIRMAN

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Hotel to sell memorabilia TOKYO—Fans of Tokyo’s soon-to-be demolished Hotel Okura are getting a chance to purchase memorabilia from the sixties-era modernist masterpiece, which has hosted world leaders, British royalty and even fictional super spy James Bond.

The beloved hotel turned its lights off at the end of August after decades of serving high-rollers and is slated to become a gleaming high-rise hotel despite an outcry from preservationists.

The operator of the prestigious 53-year-old hotel said furniture and other items are being auctioned off, including pieces from the top-notch Imperial and Royal suites.

The hotel, located across from the US embassy atop a hill in central Tokyo, has housed a string of foreign leaders, celebrities

and royalty, including American presidents Richard Nixon and Barack Obama, Britain’s Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana.

In Ian Fleming’s 1964 novel “You Only Live Twice” set in Japan, suave British agent 007 stayed there.

The online auction, which began Wednesday and will continue until December 20, is offering more than 300 items.

The gems include a sofa set and a sideboard from the VIP rooms and dining tables and chairs from the hotel’s restaurants.

Brown armchairs from the now-closed Orchid Room eatery are also on sale.

Decorative items made from objects found in the hotel will also be sold, including jewelery from chandelier pieces and pillows made out of wall cloth.

AFP

Welcoming ceremony. French President Francois Hollande and South Korean President Park Geun-hye inspect an honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential Blue House in Seoul on November 4, 2015. Hollande visited South Korea on November 4, looking to bring Seoul fully on board as a “very useful” ally in securing a global climate change deal in Paris next month. AFP

China using much more coal BEIJING—China has been under-reporting its coal consumption for years, experts said Wednesday after official statistics were revised upwards by hundreds of millions of tons a year.

Pollution is a growing concern in the world’s second-largest economy whose cities are regularly blanketed by choking smog— much of it the result of burning coal, which provides most of China’s primary energy.

The updated figures suggest that Chinese emissions of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide—already the world’s largest—are bigger than previously thought.

The news comes weeks before a UN summit in Paris, where nations will seek an agreement on tackling climate change, in the face of divisions over how the burden should

be divided between countries.

The 2014 version of China’s official statistics yearbook says the country consumed 3.53 billion tons of coal in 2012.

But in the latest edition, the same number for the same year was given as 4.12 billion tons—a rise of nearly 600 million tons, or almost 17 percent.

The increase was equivalent to over 70 percent of the United States’ annual coal consumption, said the New York Times, which first reported the changes.

The figures implied that China’s annual carbon dioxide emissions had been underestimated by more than Germany’s total yearly output, the newspaper added.

Figures as far back as 2000 were changed, according to comparisons by AFP of different editions of the China Statistical Yearbook, published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The NBS did not immediately explain the

reasons for the revisions to AFP. There are widespread doubts over the accuracy of official statistics in China, which critics say can be subject to political manipulation.

But at a coal forum in Beijing, Zhou Fengqi, an adviser to the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top planning body, said: “The new figures are more accurate than before.”

The data has depended on incomplete provincial statistics, he said.

“Now the national figures have progressed and more accurately reflect the situation.”

Song Guojun, professor of environmental economics at Renmin University, said the adjusted figures were “certainly more reliable”.

“Coal is a very common thing in China. At the county level and below, and even at the city level, there were many sources of coal use which did not make it into the official statistics-gathering mechanism,” he said.

The US Energy Information

Administration said in September that Chinese coal consumption on an energy content basis from 2000 to 2013 was 14 percent higher than previously estimated.

Coal production was up to seven percent higher in the same period, it added, citing preliminary Chinese data.

A shift towards more environmentally friendly development is China’s “duty and contribution to humanity” as one of the world’s largest countries, Premier Li Keqiang said this week during a visit by French President Francois Hollande.

China has pledged that its carbon dioxide emissions will peak by “around 2030”.

Yang Fuqiang, senior climate change advisor at the Natural Resources Defense Council, a US environmental campaign group, said the new coal statistics would not necessarily affect the Paris negotiations since Beijing’s commitment was “only about a peak rather than the total volume of CO2 emissions”. AFP

In Pakistan, death for raping girls

Meeting. German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen arrives for the start of the weekly cabinet meeting in Berlin on November 4, 2015. AFP

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan has taken a step towards punishing the sexual abuse of girls with life imprisonment or even death after an influential parliamentary committee voted to amend current laws.

The National Assembly’s standing committee approved the proposal by lawmaker Shaista Perveiz Malik on Tuesday, according to a statement on parliament’s website.

“After detailed discussions, the committee unanimously passed the bill,” it said.

The amendment only ap-

pears to address the sexual abuse of girls aged under 14, not boys.

Under the existing penal code, the punishment for rape ranges from a minimum of 10 years’ incarceration to the death penalty, but it does not specify the victim’s age or gender.

The bill will now come before lawmakers in both parliamentary chambers, who are set to pass it into law.

Malik told the committee the state should protect vulnerable women and children.

In a report, independent

child rights watchdog Sahil said that last year almost 10 children were sexually abused in Pakistan every day on the average.

Parliamentary records show that some 14,583 rape cases were registered in Pakistan between 2009 and 2014, while only 1,041 offenders were convicted.

Pakistan ended a six-year moratorium on the death penalty last year, at first just for terror-related charges but later for offenses including murder, drug smuggling, blasphemy and treason. 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 WRITER

life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

W EL L BEING

LIFE

I attended the Underground class with Alyanna Martinez and Saddle Row owners Jigs Mayuga and George de Fiesta

SPIN CITY There’s a new fitness craze in town and e v e r y o n e’s lining up to try out the newest indoor c ycl i ng FINE FETTLE studio that

BY BUBBLES PARAISO just opened in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. Tucked inside Beyond Yoga Antigravity Fitness Serendra is Saddle Row, an indoor spinning and rowing studio for newbies and fitness enthusiasts alike. I was lucky enough to have tried their classes even before they opened, and let me tell you, they are all FUN. Exhausting, but fun.

What with Philippine National Cycling team head coach Chris Allison, cycling enthusiast Sancho Honrado (and wife Jammy), Crossfit addict (and beauty columnist) Jigs Mayuga and Martha King (who is also a former Philippine wakeboarding champion), workout enthusiast George de Fiesta, businessman Joel Poniente as owners, these guys decided to put up a spin + row studio because of the complementary nature of these exercises that are also two of the most sustainable exercises one could enjoy for a lifetime – aside from the fact that they are incredible workouts that are easy on the joints.

Walking into the spin room will remind you of über stylish Savile Row in London, with the brick walls and lantern “posts” adorning the room, mood lighting setting the ambience for a “stylish” yet effective workout. The spinning studio alone boasts of having a full roster of over 20 instructors

Cycling shoes are lent in the studio to be used on the bike

Raymond Ordoveza leads the Power ride – the most challenging class in Saddle Row The small screen in front of each bike lets you monitor your gear level, rpm and other important statistics to make sure you don’t spin in zero resistance and whatnot

who come from various backgrounds – from triathlon, yoga, dragon boat, swimming, cross fit, marathon running and cycling as their fitness background to business, law, and real estate from the business standpoint. Each one hashis own flavor and style of teaching so it’s best to try them all and find your favorite.

Saddle Row offers a variety of classes across both cycling and rowing. The initial rollout of cycling classes are broken down into three types: The Underground is enjoyed by a lot of females because it’s the one where you’ll “party.” These classes are taught to the beat of the music with a lot of fun dance choreography. Don’t worry, the dance isn’t too hard that you’ll fall off your saddle. I find this class the easiest, so beginners and non-beginners alike would enjoy for sure.

The “level two” is The Exchange. This one is their power numbers class where the focus is on specific power-based workouts that are great for triathletes, marathoners, or anyone interested to improve his endurance capabilities. This class is my personal favorite, as it has proved to be both challenging and fun.

The third and most advanced class is The Resistance band class, which offers a great combination of challenging cycling intervals combined with core and upper body strengthening. It is the most total body cycling class they offer. Be warned that at my level of fitness, I was very sore for the next two days. It felt really good, but perhaps beginners might

The big screen at the head of the class plays videos or Saddle Row’s spin room interiors make you feel like shows everyone’s cadence for ‘team’ competition classes you’re biking along London’s Savile Row

find it a bit too hard – especially because it is filled with uphill climbs.

What is great about Saddle Row is that their instructors were put through a rigorous international indoor cycling certification from Schwinn that covers bike fitting, proper technique, class programming, and safety protocols. Supplementing this is guidance from the Philippine National Cycling team head coach and performance director, Chris, who approves all the moves done on the saddle to make sure everything is safe and on point.

They want people to have a fun and effective workout but safety is of utmost importance to all of their fitness programming. Beginners are constantly reminded to respect their bodies and to not try to push too hard or above their current fitness level. Skipping some movements or taking short timeouts from the workouts are allowed, as Chris believes that “the key to gaining fitness is not pushing too hard to the point of injury in any one workout, but (going) progressively harder over many workouts.”

Personally, what I love about spinning in saddle is the fact that each bike has a screen for you to monitor your gear (difficulty) level

and cadence (rpm). Students are constantly reminded to never spin at zero resistance and to keep it to a minimum, so having that screen in front of you helps. Right in front of everyone is a giant screen that sometimes displays the numbers from each bike in the class. The power and energy numbers help motivate and challenge the students to keep up with the group. One’s competitive nature comes out once he sees the numbers on screen – one wouldn’t want to be left out. Students can also opt out of having their numbers projected on the screen, though. In some of The Exchange classes they do team races or work together as a class to hit certain targets – it is quite fun as the class is required to have teamwork despite it being in a room of strangers.

The rowing studio is set to open midNovember, and it will carry a good variety of rowing classes for beginners to hardcore fitness enthusiasts alike. Everybody is also excited for that one but for now, I think spinning is making everyone’s world go round.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @bubblesparaiso

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

COHEN MEALS ON WHEELS FROM

R

MY LIFESTYLE KITCHEN

ecent surveys indicate that one of the reasons that keep people from having healthy lifestyles is the “lack of time” due to their demanding schedules. Zero know-how in the kitchen is also one obstacle that prevents people from eating healthy.

My Lifestyle Kitchen (MyLK), the cooking house of Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre (CLC), solves this dilemma with its Cohen Meals on Wheels that serve personalized and healthy ready-to-eat gourmet meal sets delivered to your doorstep.

Prepared meticulously by professional chefs led by Chef Pixie Sevilla, the Cohen Meals on Wheels answer the needs of enrolled clients and interested parties to have their food provided for their Cohen’s Lifestyle Program. Cohen Meals on Wheels help reduce the time and effort needed to buy, prepare and cook one’s meals, which are significant barriers preventing most people from eating healthy and losing weight.

Clients who do not know how to cook, who do not have a cook or helper, or who do not have time to prepare their Cohen meals can simply call My Lifestyle Kitchen and order their pre-cooked meal sets tailored to their nutritional requirements.

Cooking the Cohen way is based on the philosophy that “food is the medicine” for those who want to lose weight. Following the work of its founder, Dr. Rami Cohen, the Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre develops eating plans based on a person’s blood chemistry,

Chicken Souvlaki

Apple Parfait

with the goal of achieving hormonal balance in the body and restoring its natural ability to burn fat and use it as energy.

Available to Cohen’s clients in Metro Manila, the Cohen Meals on Wheels come at a special introductory price of P1,000 per day, which includes three meals and complimentary delivery service.

For menus, orders and other details on Cohen Meals on Wheels, call Ella at 8285251 or 0917-526-4026. To learn more about My Lifestyle Kitchen and Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre, follow http://www.facebook.com/ CohenLifestylePhil on Facebook and http:// instagram.com/cohenlifestyleph on Instagram.

Beef Bolognese

Spinach Frittata

THE TASTE OF ALL-NATURAL DAIRY Farmer-owned Danish company Arla launches natural goodness in PH

“A

happy cow produces more and better quality milk.

Happy Cows = Healthy Cows = better milk,” says the site of Danish company Arla, the world’s largest multinational farmer-owned organic dairy company that boasts of safe and organic milk products. The Filipinos are becoming more aware of the food they put it their mouths and where these products are coming from, and among the questions raised are “Are these naturally fed?” “Do they practice ethical farming?” Some would even question the farmer’s commitment to farming practices including sustainability.

“Arla is about doing the right thing – not only for profit but doing things for the environment and in terms of animal welfare,” says Jens Christian Krog Nielsen, senior general manager for Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand for Arla Foods. “The Philippines, for Arla Foods, is the right place to be, at the right time,” he adds.

Arla Foods is an international dairy company owned by 13,000 farmers from Denmark, Sweden, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

They are one of the strongest players in the international dairy arena and the world’s largest manufacturer of organic products with a wide range of dairy products. Wellknown brands like Arla®, Lurpak® and Castello® belong to the Arla family.

The Arla Milk Goodness line is made from 100 percent natural milk and ingredients and not reconstituted like most of the milk in the shelves today. The milk

“Arla not only lives up to Danish standards, they have also managed to surpass strict European Union measures. What Arla presents is the very best of Danish culture and principles,” shared Danish Ambassador Jan Top Christensen

Arla executives and influencers. (From left) Model and TV personality Amanda Griffin-Jacob; Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Jan Top Christensen; Arla Foods senior general manager for Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand Jens Christian Krog Nielsen; general manager for ScanAsia Overseas, Inc. Raymund William Acedera; The Gypsetters blog co-owner and contributing writer for Travel+Leisure South East Asia Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi; Zumba fitness instructor, blogger and Healthjunkie.ph founder Tonette Nicolas; executive chef at Chef Ysabel, Buenisimo and Chef Gino’s Gourmet, and Center for Asian Culinary Studies director and head instructor Gino Gonzalez; health and fitness consultant and Philippine Volcanoes and Philippines National Rugby Team member Chris Everingham; and Ministry of Mushrooms co-founder Marco Lobregat

delivered straight from the farm undergoes ultra-heat treatment, which kills any microbiological organisms, ensuring safety in every drop and allowing all Arla Milk Goodness variants to have a 12-month shelf life. Raymund William Acedera, general manager for ScanAsia Overseas, Arla’s local distributor, said that, “it’s a winning formula for Filipino consumers. ScanAsia is committed to giving Filipinos access to

the world’s best products.”

The company’s farmer-owned structure ensures consumers that their products are traceable and safe. All Arla farms have a number that accompanies all records and analyses from tanker to dairy. Not only does this guarantee transparency, it also allows them to trace the milk all the way back to the farms, should there be any cause for concern. “Authorities in Denmark are

very strict when it comes to quality and food safety. Arla has gone even further down the road and is not only living up to the standards, they’ve managed to surpass those standards when it comes to food safety and technology, as well as that of the environment and the welfare of the animals they care for,” explains Jens.

“Arla can fill a space in the Filipino tables by responding to the need for allnatural dairy that offers no preservatives, no stabilizers or artificial colorants. Arla is all-natural, and that’s the kind of food Filipinos deserve,” adds Paolo Serrano, marketing head for Arla Foods Philippines.

For more information on Arla Foods, visit their website at www.arla.ph or follow their local Facebook page at Arla PH and Instagram account via @arla_PH

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

HEALTH BULLETIN LACK OF TIME HINDERS JOURNEY TO FITNESS Leading a healthy lifestyle is a commitment. Staying active and favoring healthier food alternatives over convenient meals require effort and time. And often, people who cannot commit a part of their waking hours towards their goal to jumpstart and maintain a healthy life are the ones who usually fail.

Proof is the recent Herbalife health poll in Asia Pacific which revealed that while majority or 64 percent of the 1,200 respondents in the region are “highly concerned” that unhealthy lifestyle increases their risk of acquiring diseases, a significant number cited “lack of time” as a key obstacle to healthy, active living.

The survey showed that nine in 10 respondents in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines have a good understanding that by making nutritious food choices (88 percent) and exercising regularly (91 percent), their overall wellbeing can be improved in the long run. Unfortunately, 62 percent said they didn’t have enough time to exercise and 40 percent blamed “lack of time to make proper nutritional choices.”

Despite lack of time, 43 percent of respondents in the Asia Pacific region said they are willing to spare between 10 to 30 minutes a day to make simple lifestyle modifications to improve their well-being. But to help them in their quest, 79 percent highlighted the need for better knowledge and understanding on the practical steps to take.

“The findings from the Herbalife survey clearly show that the majority of people in Asia Pacific that we questioned believe in the value of good nutrition and exercise as contributing to their overall well-being.

With as little as 10 minutes a day, consumers can take positive steps to improve their nutrition and be more active, which will improve their overall well-being,” said William M. Rahn, senior vice president and managing director, Herbalife Asia Pacific.

REGULAR BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING PREVENTS STROKE According to records from the Department of Health, eight out of 10 people who had their first stroke are diagnosed with hypertension, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that one in every five adults with high blood pressure is unaware of his condition.

Hence, prevention to deadly consequences of the disease such as stroke becomes more difficult, especially when it is said that more than 1.56 billion people worldwide are expected to have hypertension by 2025.

“You can have high blood pressure for many years without symptoms surfacing every now and then –what people don’t know is that the disease comes like a thief in the night,” said Pharex Health Corp. medical director Dr. Amado Nazal.

According to Dr. Nazal, hypertensive patients may experience frequent headaches, shortness of breath or nosebleeds. However, these signs are not expected to occur until blood pressure rises to its peak. This highlights the urgent need for regular monitoring of blood pressure. “The challenge comes in recognizing the disease and taking action before it leads to a stroke,” emphasized Dr. Nazal.

Apart from regular blood pressure monitoring, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also important. Making better food choices, staying active and prioritizing lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking, will go a long way in preventing and controlling high blood pressure and its complications.

THE CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS TO OBESITY Obesity is no longer a first world problem, as a 2013 study by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute revealed that three out of 10 Filipino adults 20 years old and above are either overweight or obese.

But what makes one qualified as obese? “Obesity means a person has too much body fat as determined by his body mass index. People with a BMI of 30 or up are classified as obese,” explained Medicard Philippines president Dr. Nicky Montoya.

While genetics and medical problems can contribute to weight gain, its common causes are lifestyle related.

Sedentary lifestyle Today’s technology have caused many adults to work in desk-based jobs that involve too much sitting and too CAUSE:

little moving. Individuals who do less outdoor activities and sleep less often gain weight.

SOLUT ION : Go outdoors and exercise regularly Outdoor activities, even a relaxed stroll to the park, can help burn calories.

Accelerate weight loss with daily jogs and exercise sessions.

CAUSE: Steady diet of processed foods and sweets Ready-to-eat frozen meals and potato chips are high in empty calories, which can lead to weight gain and deficiency of several essential nutrients. Meanwhile, overconsumption of sugary foods, like desserts and chocolates, increases body fat and cholesterol levels.

SOLUT ION : Follow a healthy diet Go for fruits, vegetables and whole

foods that are not processed and are low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sugar to keep your body feeling full longer.

CAUSE : Stressful working environment When people are stressed, they are more prone to overeat and resort to “comfort foods” that are often unhealthy. Stress also causes the body to release cortisol which is known to increase cravings for sugary and fatty foods.

SOLU TI ON : Manage stress and maintain work-life balance Stress may be unavoidable, but it’s possible to manage it by as simple as working out and having a positive outlook in life. Yoga and meditation can also reduce stress.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Nutcracker Prince Box. An extra special gift box for that extra special someone, filled with the finest treasures for the most discerning of palates

HEALTHY GIFT OPTIONS INSPIRED BY ‘THE NUTCRACKER’

T

ake the hassle out of holiday shopping for gifts for loved ones and friends with a lot of help from Healthy Options, the largest and the only retail store chain in the country specializing in all-natural and organic products. As it marked its 20th anniversary milestone, Healthy Options presented an exclusive preview of premium quality gifts in two of its largest stores at Level 1 of Shangri-La Plaza Mall in EDSA and at the ground floor of Glorietta 2 in Ayala Center, Makati.

Billed as the “Nutcracker Christmas” gift show, the exclusive preview provided customers an opportunity to learn about the healthy product lines that will help them take their pick from a vast assortment of delicious yet healthful items and preorder.

Healthy Options’ Christmas Boxes teeming with one-of-a-kind quality gift items are suited for corporate clients and business associates of every stripe, as well as personal friends and family members. The products range from gluten-free, low-sodium, low-sugar snacks, to all-natural personal care, with some of the items hand-picked and available exclusively for the holidays.

Get a jump on holiday shopping amidst the enchanting ambience of the Land of Snow, where nutcrackers, wizards, dashing princes, dancing snowflakes and sugar plum fairies come into sight. The theme was inspired by “The Nutcracker,” a timeless classic about a young German girl named Clara who receives a beautiful Nutcracker doll for Christmas, and then dreams of a Nutcracker Prince, awakening to a world of love.

Follow the story of “The Nutcracker” as you take your pick from a nice selection of gift boxes. Visitors not only get to shop, but also sample all-natural food and non-alcoholic sparkling beverages at the gift show venues.

The Healthy Options Christmas Gift Show can be a relaxing, immersive, and

magical shopping experience. Choose your gifts and have them packed in bright and cheery yuletide boxes. For the most zealous of shoppers, special discounts are at hand and delivery services may be arranged.

The Healthy Options Christmas Boxes include “Clara’s Christmas Box” priced at P2,995, packed with delicious gluten-free snacks like chocolate chip cookies, organic cornflakes, Navitas Certified Organic Pure Raw Cacao Nibs that offer a rich supply of antioxidants, plus other healthy nibbles suited for sharing with family and guests during the Christmas countdown.

Another great Christmas gift idea is “The Toy Soldier’s Box” priced at P2,995, filled with low-sugar goodies like the Koochikoo No Sugar Cookies Blissful Chocolatey Brownie, Pop Art Gourmet Popcorn, Zevia zero calorie beverage, Brown Rice Snaps, plus healthy ingredients like Cadia organic tomato basil pasta sauce, among other delightful treats. There is also the “King’s Treasure Box” packed with delicious low-sodium treats, priced at P2,995.

You will not go wrong with the “Sugar Plum Fairy’s Box” priced at P3,995, laden with sumptuous snacks like Mary’s Original Seed Crackers with Herbs; Pacific Foods Organic Maple and Brown Sugar Steel-Cut Oatmeal; Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Pancake Syrup perfect for pancakes, waffles, and hot breakfast cereals; Extreme Health USA Organic Wild Crafted Tibetan Goji Berries covered with dark chocolate, plus lots of other tasty treats.

Gift shoppers looking for an extra special gift for a loved one may opt for the “Nutcracker Prince’s Box” priced at P6,995, land aden with delightfully appetizing snacks and ingredients fit for the most discerning of palates.

For store locations and more healthy news and updates, check out www. healthyoptions.com.ph.

The Toy Soldier’s Box. March to the beat of your drum with these low-sugar goodies

Fairy’s Favorites. Wonderful body treats that soothe and invigorate

King’s Treasure Chest. Fit for royalty, these carefully selected items are low in sodium but never in flavor

Clara’s Box. Christmas memories begin with delicious gluten-free snacks ideal for sharing

T HUR S DAY : NOV EMBER 5, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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riChard and luCy

Looking young and fresh

M

arried for 17 years now, celebrity couple Richard and Lucy Gomez are still the epitome of perfection – always well put-together and fresh-looking despite the demands of their respective careers and busy schedules.

Tempur recently sat down with one of the country’s beautiful couples to find out the answer to the question most people have been keen on asking: What’s their secret to looking young and fresh all these years?

Waking up on the right side of the bed Richard and Lucy have so much to give both individually and as a couple: Richard is a businessman and actor while Lucy serves as Congresswoman of the 4th District of Leyte. However, you’ll never see Richard or Lucy looking harried or stressed.

To this Lucy explains, “Even as we are passionate about what we do, we also value very much the time we spend off our very hectic schedules. It is very important to relax and recharge so that we will always have much of ourselves to give. Getting good quality sleep is very important to us. And my gauge of a good

night’s sleep is when I wake up with my skin glowing and my cheeks all pink!”

Growing up in the province, Lucy remembers how as a child she would spend early afternoons napping with her siblings.

She fondly calls it a “requisite siesta.” Richard has had the same experience and was made to sleep during midday so he can play until it was time for dinner.

But more than just a time to rest, Lucy believes that sleep heals. “Sleep is our body’s way of restoring itself and recovering from the day’s stresses. Nothing can take the place of a good night’s rest,” she says.

Richard Gomez for Tempur

Creating a sanCtuary for sleep Having a bedroom that’s conducive for uninterrupted sleep is as equally important as getting the mandatory eight-hour shuteye.

Thus it’s no surprise to find Tempur products in the Gomez home.

“Our bed and pillow receive us at the end of every day whether we’ve had it good or bad, whether events were happy or sad. It is our refuge. It has to be our happy place, which is why we really do not scrimp on good quality sheets and pillows. Simply put, the real cost of anything is the price divided by the number of times you use it,” explains Lucy.

For years now, the couple has been avid Tempur users, investing in Tempur pillows, mattresses and beddings, which Lucy says have immensely improved the quality of their sleep.

“My neck would hurt and there would always be stiffness in my shoulders. That ended when I found Tempur. I am addicted to Tempur. I have the pillow that is contoured for when I sleep. Richard, on the other hand, likes his pillow thin so he has a thinner Tempur pillow. It’s funny because no matter how sleepy we are, we know

Richard and Lucy Gomez are avid Tempur users

Lucy Torres-Gomez loves Tempur

when our pillows have been interchanged!

Juliana has her own also. In the car I have the neck pillow at the ready,” she says.

Lucy is also a fan of the Tempur Wedge, which is her favorite companion for nights when she wants to read a good book or work on the laptop while lying in bed.

One of the couple’s indulgences is getting massages at home, and for that they have the Tempur Ombracio, a special pillow designed to improve breathing while providing comfort and support.

“Love yourself. You are worth it. Also, going to bed happy and with a very light heart is the secret to waking up the next day with a different glow.”

Tempur is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Focus Global, Inc..

T HUR S DAY : NOV EMBER 5, 2015

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

New BoNd fliCk premieres tomorrow Ahead of the worldwide release of Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Spectre this autumn, Heineken® announced the latest chapter of its 17-year global partnership with the iconic James Bond film franchise.

Heineken®’s Spectre campaign invites consumers into the legendary world of James Bond. A new TVC starring Daniel Craig has been released globally and is available for viewing on http://heineken. com. The campaign in the Philippines will be supported by an exclusive movie premiere event on Nov. 6 at SM Aura.

Fans of the film franchise will get a chance to open Bond’s world and attend the movie screening through a contest on Instagram and Twitter. The contest, #BondsWorld, will be ran by known personalities in the Philippines —individuals who have been the epitomes of living the legendary life– actress Maxene Magalona (@maxenemagalona) and Philippine Football National Team member Anton del Rosario (@anton_delro).

Maxene and Anton are among the many fans who are anticipating the latest installation in Heineken® and James Bond partnership, a relationship that stretches over seven Bond films. Heineken® and James Bond fans can stand a chance to win tickets to the move premiere by following #BondsWorld on Instagram and Twitter.

Cyril Charzat, senior director for Regional Marketing and Sales at Heineken Asia Pacific, said, “Heineken® and James Bond have been worldwide partners since 1997, and we’re delighted to be continuing the relationship with Spectre. Partnering with the Bond franchise enables us to create exciting and cutting-edge integrated global marketing campaigns that bring value to both the film and the Heineken® brand everywhere in the world.”

Heineken® is an international premium lager and was first brewed in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 1864. It has since expanded its footprint and is now enjoyed in 192 countries around the world. Heineken® is available in the Philippines at leading supermarkets, convenience stores and bars.

That’s My Tomboy Final Three

That’s My Tomboy Champ Kit Cunanan

Halo Halloween Champions

Jhong Hilario as Pacman

KIt CUnanan IS ‘that’S My tOMbOy’ ChaMP

I

t’s Showtime’s latest grand winner of “That’s My Tomboy,” the noontime show’s most “astig” segment, on Oct. 31 is Kit Cunanan who captivated the madlang people and the judges with her impressive talent and charm. She won a cash prize of P300,000.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 40 41 42 43 44 47 51 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63

Advise against November stone Glass squares Building site Squire around They always get whacked Flip (2 wds.)

Clump of grass River source Irene of “Fame” Leg bone Woodworking tool Clingy fabric Nonreactive Not e’en once Omigosh!

Say yes

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 “48 Hrs.” lead 6 Steel-mill refuse 10 Low-lying clouds 14 Fundamental fact 15 Rinse 16 She, in Seville 17 Minor dents 18 Straw in the wind 19 Warden’s fear 20 — fixe 21 Interplanetary explorer (2 wds.)

23

25 26 27 29 32 33 36 37 38 39

Governments delight in it (2 wds.)

Bred, as rabbits Road-atlas abbr.

Preacher-like Thick soup Skier’s bump Win at rummy FitzGerald’s poet Metric pounds Leaf juncture Popular shift

Anne Curtis

DOWN 1 Lowest ebb 2 Nitrous — (laughing gas) 3 Like a tablet 4 Side by side 5 911 responder 6 It’s not on the level 7 Sand mandala builder 8 With, to monsieur 9 Ready to share 10 — wheel 11 Hodgepodges

Landing on the second spot was Mary Christine Nishie while in the third spot was Julianne Tuason. Both won a cash prize of P50,000 each.

Meanwhile, in the battle of spooky costumes and creepy dance routines “Halo-Halloween” also had its

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015

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Library fixture Jaded Dangerous job Rudd or McCartney Blow away Ends of the earth Horror-film servant Bean hull Thurman of “Gattaca” Moonbeam Trifling amount DDE’s party Wyo. neighbor Pierre’s nose Home of Mammoth Cave Scoring music Pub missile Coal measure Weigh carefully Embroider, maybe Fictional Frome Type of jacket Fad — tectonics Edible root Like a house — Say explicitly Rajah’s consort Game-show prize — Maria

grand champion in the group “Names Going Wild” that won P100,000 with their horror-themed performance.

The hosts also joined and celebrated Halloween in their scary yet fun costumes like Vice Ganda in the terrifying doll “Annabelle,” Karylle as a

zombie, and Jhong Hilario who dressed up as the game character “Pacman.”

Even the madlang people were not left out as they also wore scary characters and won cash prizes.

It’s Showtime airs Monday to Saturday on ABS-CBN.

T HUR S DAY : NOV EMBER 5, 2015

C7

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Regine back on The conceRT ciRcuiT

R

egine Velasquez will star in her own concert series called Regine at the Theater.

The series kicks off on Nov. 7 and will run for three more shows thereafter on Nov. 8, 21 and 22 at the The Theatre at Solaire.

The series is heavily supported

by PLDT after her Regine series of telephone units became a big hit among consumers. The PLDT officers, in fact, were surprised that there still has demand for landline units, and Regine who is the endorser of the series confirmed it.

According to Regine, the show is like her way of thanking her supporters for always being around no matter what. Also it is a chance for her to do something different from what she usually does in her shows.

“I will be performing a lot of broadway tunes and songs from Filipino musical theater. Wala lang para naman maiba,” she said during a press conference recently at the Luxent Hotel.

HHHHH MoRe ToTal excelliuM TotaL, a global energy leader, has introduced its flagship fuel product to the Philippine market, Total Excellium. This product is developed in TOTAL’s European laboratories, where meticulous research and de-

velopment has led to the combination of three essential advantages in one efficient formula.

Total Excellium Diesel is fast becoming the favorite fuel of practical, environment-conscious Filipino drivers. Total Excellium Diesel is a premium fuel product developed under European Union specifications and infused with proprietary additives that deliver the Total Ecosolutions Advantage.

Each drop of Total Excellium ensures a clean, efficient engine, fuel economy, and less harmful CO2 emissions for an unforgettable driving experience.

Until Nov. 22, , every P1,200 single-receipt purchase of Total Excellium Diesel in participating Service Stations entitles the customer to a P100 Total Excellium cash coupon.

This is a great opportunity for diesel customers to experiment with the amazing benefits of a premium product at a lower cost!

The P100 Total Excellium Diesel vouchers (presented with official receipt) can be redeemed at the TOTAL Service Stations where the fuel purchase was made, and are valid until January 22, 2015.

Customers can combine up to five (5) cash coupons per transaction.

Participating stations include: Per DTI-NCR Permit No. 13099 Series of 2015.

Arjo AtAyDe, KriStoffer mArtiN hAmmerheAD’S CeLeB eNDorSerS glenn RegonDola Today’s fast-rising actor Arjo Atayde is the newest male celebrity endorser of Hammerhead Jeans and Shirts owned

by Daniel Villanueva and managed by Benjamin Yung.

This is Arjo’s very first brand endorsement since he joined show business a few years back.

He succeeded other popular actors like Zoren Legaspi, Alfred Vargas and Piolo Pascual.

TV host-comedian Willie Revillame was also a model of this brand during his Wowowee days.

With Arjo is another fast-rising actor Kristoffer Martin who’s with Hammerhead for five years already.

When asked during the launching press conference held at Victorino’s, Quezon City on Oct. 24 why he chose to be a part of the Hammerhead family, Arjo said, “One thing about their apparel is that, yearly, they have new styles to offer.

Whatever new trend there is,

they make sure theirs is updated. Like me, I don’t wear shirts or jeans because of the brand, it’s actually the comfort and the style that I’m attracted to, the reason why I said ‘yes’ to their offer. Yes, this is my first endorsement, and I’m excited to start their campaign plans with me, and Kristoffer. I’m happy with them ‘cause they’re taking good care of me, and they seem like a family to me already.”

On the other hand, Martin who joined him at the said press conference told everyone the reason why he remained loyal to the people behind this brand, “It’s been five years now, and Hammerhead people have been very giving to me. Anytime I asked for some extra shirts, or whatever they have which I’m giving to some charity works, they never failed me.

They are very generous and I never had a problem with them. Aside from that, I love the style- it keeps on evolving yearly. The design is hip, trendy and very comfortable. So, as long as they continue trusting me as their image model, no way for me to leave them.”

Other bigger plans for Arjo and Kristoffer as Hammerhead’s poster boys are up next year.

Regine VelasquezAlcasid

Arjo Atayde

Kristoffer Martin

ABS-CBN with PLDt home for firSt PuSh AwArDS ABS-CBN has teamed up with PLDT Home, the official broadband partner, for its very own PUSH Awards, the first-of-its-kind award-giving body in Philippine digital media that honors the best among the past year’s certified online hits and entertainment newsmakers based on their online reach and influence, popular votes, and excellence.

ABS-CBN chief digital officer Donald Lim said the partnership recognizes the importance of social media, connectivity and the role of entertainment for the Filipino families.

According to PLDT VP and Home Marketing Head Gary Dujali, the partnership is an avenue to acknowledge the importance of social media, connectivity and the role of entertainment to nurture stronger connections for the Filipino families.

“We are very excited about the partnership where PLDT HOME DS, the country’s no. 1 home broadband, can ensure that avid fans of celebrities featured in this year’s Push Awards will be able to get their daily dose of their Philippine entertainment updates while availing the connectivity that suits every family,” said Dujali.

As part of the partnership and as a treat to the fans and their families, PLDT HOME DSL is also giving away tickets to lucky fans for exclusive seats to the event, just by liking or following @PLDTHome on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and by using #HOMDSLXPUSHAWARDS.

C8 Sam Milby celebrates 10 years in show business with a concert - The MilbyWay - that shows how he grew as a Pinoy Big Brother housemate to one of the showbiz's most popular male stars

T HUR S DAY : NOV EMBER 5, 2015

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ 10 years of

‘The Milby Way’ ISAH V. RED Reaching a major milestone in showbiz is arguably often followed by the downward sloping years.

That is certainly not the case with singer-actor and certified Kapamilya star Sam Milby who finds himself practically at his busiest period right on cue as he celebrates his 10th anniversary with a big concert aptly called The Milby Way. The obvious pun and play on the galaxy’s milky way makes much sense when tracing back his path to stardom and how big he has become as a household name with the moniker Rockoustic Heartthrob.

Oh, the word household itself puts everyone back to the famed Bahay ni Kuya when in Pinoy Big Brother’s first edition a decade ago, he ended up as the biggest name to come out of that house to the tune of the anthemic “Pinoy Ako.” On Nov. 28, Sam will give back the love with a show where he intends to sing the big hits from his multi-awarded recording career and share the stage with famous faces special to him and who played significant roles in his storied career. The venue is set at The Kia Theater in Araneta Center in Quezon City, while the guest list is a who’s who in showbiz in which Sam is definitely qualified to be: Piolo Pascual, Yeng Constantino, KZ, Gerald Anderson, Enchong Dee, Rayver Cruz, Angeline Quinto, John Prats and other surprise guests.

This star-studded show comes at a hectic, prolific time for Sam and he makes it extra special in essence.

For one, he is busy taping for a brand new soap at the moment, Written In Our Stars (in which he is cast alongside Piolo Pascual, Toni Gonzaga and Jolina Magdangal).

The series will air on ABS-CBN in early 2016. Another one on the plate is a brand new album this year, which means another set of songs rendered through his emphatic vocal delivery that Sam’s followers miss for some time.

Then, as shown through the runaway success of the ongoing movie The Prenup, in which he

stars opposite comeback actress Jennylyn Mercado, Sam is bound to star in a couple of new films, one under Regal Films, another to be produced by the rising film outfit Spring Films. As of this writing, The Prenup is still raking it in at the box office on the eve of his big concert celebration.

The Milby Way - Sam Milby’s 10th Anniversary Concert is conceptualized as his grand thank you gesture to everyone who has helped him along the way, especially his manager Erickson Raymundo who saw his potential to become a star one day and who saw him in a crowd and wearing faded jeans. Also he will show his gratitude to his fans that saw him grow as a PBB hopeful to becoming a much-admired celebrity.

He will also showcase some stage antics never-before-seen in public - proof of dedication to his craft that he has always displayed like when he had to portray a big guy in My Big Love or be in a Cannes-bound indie movie like Death March.

“Sam is one famous figure who has never changed in spite of the fame and fortune that he is enjoying. He remains humble and giving”, shares one of his avid fans, straightly stating the reason why his supporters have kept up with him and by observation consistently increased through the years.

No wonder he is today’s one noted brand endorser, either for a toothpaste product, watch or a gadget brand. He is an ambassador for World Vision also for a decade now, proving he is a role model who brings good influence to the youth the moment he became popular. Born and raised in Ohio, USA, Sam, who came to the Philippines in 2005 to unleash his charisma to an amazed Filipino public, is an entrepreneur with a newly opened stylish restaurant he and his friends put up.

Hear Sam Milby serenade his fans and friends with his noted tunes like “Mahal Pa Rin” and “Hindi Kita liwan,” along with his famed versions of “Wherever You Will Go”, “Only You”, “All My Life” and many others.

Busy as a bee, but born ready.

That’s Sam - The Milby way.

Tickets available at Ticketnet outlets. Please call 911-5555 or visit ticketnet.corn.ph ➜ Continued on C7