The Standard - 2015 November 26 - Thursday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 287  3 Sections 32 Pages P18  THURDSDAY : NOVEMBER 26, 2015  www.thestandard.com.ph  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

PDP-Laban split over Duterte’s VP choice

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LP: WE THOUGHT POE WAS NATURAL-BORN

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon Araneta

WHILE declaring Senator Grace Poe a Filipino when it was still trying to recruit her as its vice presidential candidate, the Liberal Party now says it is uncertain about her status as a natural-born citizen and will await the outcome of four petitions filed against her.

“As far as we know, and with the information that we had when we invited her to be part of the Daang Matuwid coalition in 2013 to the slate as senator, and early this year when we invited her to be our vice president, [Poe was a natural-born Filipino],” said Akbayan Rep. Ibarra Gutierrez III, campaign spokesman for the LP team of Manuel Roxas II and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

“But as of now, there are other allegations being thrown against her in the

Comelec [Commission on Elections], there are four cases filed against her, so we cannot say what’s the situation now.

Like many, we are also waiting [to see] what will be the results. We do hope that the Constitution and the rule of law will prevail,” Gutierrez said.

Although Poe and her staff were repeatedly asked to comment on the LP tirade, Poe declined to address the matter categorically and only criticized her opponents indirectly.

At the “Know Your Candidate” forum

hosted by the Harvard Club of the Philippines, Kellog School of Management and Wharton and University of Pennsylvania Alumni Association, Poe said she will respect the decision of the court, if she is disqualified.

“But I continue to fight for the principles we have presented in the complaints against us,” she said. “Ang batang inabandona ng magulang ay hindi dapat abandonahin ng gobyerno [A child abandoned by her parents should not be abandoned by the government]” Next page

Hearing. Lance Michael

White awaits the hearing of his case in Pasay City in which he is accused of illegal possession of bullets. Lance insists he is a victim of a bullet-planting syndicate at the airport.

DANNY PATA

Bishop slams PNoy’s ‘tanim-bala’ defense can see here that he is not compassionate [or] merciful, [but is] heartless [toward] our OFWs,” said BishA CATHOLIC bishop on Wednesday op Ruperto Santos, chairman of the lashed out at President Benigno Aquino III Commission on Migrants and Itinfor playing down the bullet-planting extor- erant People for the Catholic Bishops tion racket at the airport that has victim- Conference of the Philippines.

In an interview over the churchized several overseas Filipino workers.

“The Aquino government has owned Radio Veritas, Santos said it was been ignoring the problem. And we insensitive of Aquino to say the problem

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Joel E. Zurbano

has merely been sensationalized, and said this showed the President was out of touch.

Earlier, in a media forum in Kuala Lumpur, the President said the number of bullet-planting incidents was very small compared to the millions of passengers who pass through the airport, and that the whole issue had been blown out of proportion by the press.

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PH ranks 11th most affected by terror

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Duterte party split over running mate

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Sandy Araneta

THE Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan is divided over who will be the running mate of its standard bearer, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The party’s president, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, admitted that some party members wanted Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, while others preferred Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to run with Duterte.

Cayetano is running as an independent candidate. Marcos is the vice president of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who is seeking the presidency under her People’s Reform Party.

When questioned about a possible break up of his team-up with Santiago, Marcos said: “Of course everything is possible. This is Philippine politics. Everything is possible.

So, we’ll see. This election has turned out to be unique and there are many, shall we say, arrangements that are not traditional. So, we will have to find and make our own way with Senator Miriam to define exactly what our coalition will be.”

Duterte, who earlier filed his candidacy for reelection as mayor in Davao City, said he decided to run for president because he was disappointed with the decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal to junk the disqualification case against Senator Grace Poe, the survey frontrunner in the presidential race.

Duterte said he could not accept an American president, referring to the time the senator gave up her Philippine citizenship to become an American citizen.

He also insisted that Poe was not qualified to run for president because as a foundling, she could not be considered a natural-born citizen, which is a requirement to be senator or president.

Although Duterte has said he will run with Cayetano, Pimentel said as far as the party was concerned, nothing was certain.

“There will be consultation and it should be step by step. He [Duterte] has yet to file [his candidacy for president],” Pimentel said.

Duterte has until Dec. 10 to file his certificate of candidacy for president as the substitute candidate of Martin Diño, the party’s supposed standard bearer, who withdrew from the presidential race.

While admitting that Cayetano is the No. 1 choice of the party members to run with Duterte, Pimentel said other members want Marcos.

But he said Duterte’s choice would carry more weight, and if no objections are raised, the party could decide on a vice president.

Marcos welcomed Pimentel’s statement.

“If somebody supports me, why will I turn that down? I will always welcome anyone’s support,” Marcos said.

Using the words of Santiago, Marcos said

Bishop...

Arellano, the legal counsel of American missionary Lane Michael White, one of the victims of the bullet-planting extortion racket.

“When he said it was sensationalized by the media, no, it’s not. The contribution of the media is very significant in leading the way. The President should be the one to lead the way, but instead it is the media that is showing him the way,” Arellano added.

In Kuala Lumpur, the President said: “For every 10 persons who entered the airport, how many were victimized? Two or three? I don’t think so. This was just sensationalized and there are those benefitted from this being sensationalized,” Mr. Aquino said.

Lawyer Spocky Farolan, who represents Hong Kong domestic worker Gloria Ortinez, said the President should look past the numbers and see the pain the scam has caused its victims.

He said Ortinez nearly lost her job when she lost her flight after being apprehended for

From A1

“Either he is misinformed or he is fed with sanitized information regarding the issue,” Santos said.

Earlier the bishop called on overseas Filipino workers and the public not to vote for candidates who are insensitive and indifferent to the plight of workers, including those who ignored the bullet-planting scam.

“Don’t vote for candidates who are not compassionate to those who have been victimized, particularly overseas Filipino workers, as well as tourists,” Santos said.

Lawyers for the victims of the extortion racket on Wednesday also lambasted the President’s remarks.

“That was an irresponsible statement from the President of the Philippines,” said Ernesto

they were forming a loose coalition.

Marcos said he and Duterte were always talking, but nothing about the mayor’s plans are final.

The Palace on Wednesday said it would leave it up to the Commission on Elections to decide whether to allow Duterte to substitute for Diño.

“The issue of a substitute candidate is a matter entirely left to Comelec, a constitutional commission which exercises it’s jurisdiction independent from the Executive Branch,” said presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda.

Former Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes on Tuesday said he saw no legal obstacle for Duterte to run as Diño’s substitute.

Inauguration.

President Benigno Aquino III delivers a speech during the inauguration of the Pointwest Digital Center at the Rockwell Business Center. MALACAÑANG PHOTO BUREAU

allegedly carrying a bullet in her hand carry bag last month.

Ortinez returned to Hong Kong after her case was dismissed by the Pasay City prosecutors office.

Two members of the Aviation Security Group—Careen De Padua and Rommel Ballesteros—were removed from their posts after the bullet that supposedly belonged to Ortinez did not match the one presented before the prosecutors office.

Ortinez was about to take a connecting flight from Laoag Airport to Hong Kong on Oct. 25 when she was apprehended. She said she didn’t own the bullet and insisted she was a victim of the so-called tanim-bala scam at the airport.

“You cannot demean the victims by simply making them into statistics. They are people—they have feelings, they have a family, they have brothers and sisters,” Farolan said.

LP...

From A1 She insisted that all she wants is to spur “inclusive growth for every Filipino.”

“I admit I only have three years of political experience, but there is no evidence that long years in government will translate to good performance,” Poe said, taking a potshot at the worsening Metro Manila traffic situation that is being blamed on Roxas, who was once transportation secretary.

Roxas also confirmed attendance at the forum, but he still had not arrived at press time, an hour and a half after the scheduled start of the event.

“I’m not just running because I believe I have chance of winning in this election. I just want to bring inclusive growth to the people,” she said, adding that her Cabinet hiring policy if she wins will be based on integrity, intelligence and energy.

On Monday, Roxas referred to allegations that Poe, the frontrunner in the presidential opinion surveys, was not a natural-born citizen.

“Without any specificity, none of us would want a foreigner as president, right?” Roxas said. “The issue here is being a natural-born Filipino, which is stated in the Constitution.”

“And in the end, the rule of law should prevail because if there is no law, then it will already be might is right—those who have the money, those who have the guns and those who have the loudest voice would prevail in our country,” he added.

This was in sharp contrast to his declaration in August—when he was still recruiting Poe—that he had no doubt that she was a Filipino.

“Obviously, I believe that Poe is a Filipino. I even invited her to be my running mate,” Roxas said at the time.

Poe’s campaign team blasted Roxas for questioning her citizenship when just a few months ago, he had tried to convince her to be his running mate.

“How can they say that she is a foreign national when they even tried to draft her as their vice presidential bet?”

Team Galing at Puso spokesperson and Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian said Tuesday.

“Surely, these actions were grounded in research,” he added.

But Gutierrez denied that Roxas was referring to Poe, and said the senator should respect the rule of law and uphold the Constitution.

“What he was trying to say is that we need to uphold the rule of law, and nobody really wants anyone to have a foreigner president, right? If they think that they were the ones who were being hit by that statement, maybe they’re guilty,” Gutierrez added.

The lawyers also appealed to President Aquino to be compassionate and remove from his post Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado who did nothing against airport employees involved in the scam.

“The President has difficulty in disengaging himself from people whom he perceives to have given him some favors,” Arellano said.

Office for Transportation Security chief Rolando Recomono has denied the existence of a syndicate engaged in the bullet-planting scheme but he said some 65 people from his office have been dismissed since 2012.

He said the dismissed employees were acting on their own and were not part of a syndicate.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya has also insisted that there is no syndicate at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

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News

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Caravan. Members of a women’s group slam the slow justice for women victims of violence during a caravan from the Quezon Memorial Circle to the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila on Wednesday. Danny Pata

PH 11th most terror-affected WITH the Philippines ranked 11th out of 162 countries affected by terrorism, and the Western world still reeling from the deadly Paris attacks, the Philippines should look into its own national security issues and devise a National Security Strategy, Senator Grace Poe said Wednesday.

Poe, a leading presidential candidate, said the Philippines’ National Security Council had not been convened since 2010.

“The fact that terrorism thrives in situations of poverty and exclusion makes the issue of security more challenging for the Philippines,” Poe said in a statement.

“And yet in the face of this we don’t even have a concrete security strategy.”

Poe made her statement even as Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Wednesday his department was not stopping the public from going to the malls but

reminded them to be vigilant.

In an interview on the sidelines of the Senate plenary debates on his department’s proposed P116-billion budget for next year, Voltaire said the threat was always there so “we don’t put our guards down.”

“We should always be aware there is danger, so be vigilant and be aware at all times,” Gazmin said.

“For anything that is unusual and not normal, report things to authorities.”

In the 2015 Global Terrorism Index released by the international research organization

Institute for Economics and Peace, the Philippines ranked 11th out of 162 countries considered greatly affected by terrorism. The GTI cited 318 terrorism-related incidents in the Philippines that left 240 people dead in 2014.

Still, the Philippines’ latest ranking is already an improvement from its ninth spot in 2013 spot.

The GTI report identified the Philippines as among the countries where terrorist fighters from Iraq and Syria are produced and trained, a claim consistently denied by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The GTI measures the impact of terrorism and releases a score that represents a five-year weighted average. Its latest report found that 32,658 people were killed by terrorism in 2014 compared to 18,111 in 2013, the largest increase ever recorded. Macon Ramos-araneta

International tribunal hears sea dispute case AN INTERNATIONAL tribunal on Tuesday began hearing a case brought by the Philippines over the disputed islands in the South China Sea in an increasingly bitter row with China.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration “commenced the hearing on the merits and remaining issues of jurisdiction and admissibility,” The Hague-based tribunal said in a statement.

Manila has called for the tribunal, which is more than a century old, to rule on the dispute, appealing to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The tribunal began its hearing even as the Philippines on Wednesday told it that China’s claim over the “nine-dash-line” in the South China Sea lacked basis.

The Philippines also told the tribunal that the Philippines was being deprived of the right to fish in the South China Sea as a result of China’s building activities there.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, putting it in conflict with several neighbors, and is a party to the Convention but has rejected the court’s jurisdiction on the issue.

“Our position is clear: we will not participate to or accept the arbitration,” foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular briefing earlier Tuesday.

The hearing, expected to last until Nov. 30, is being held behind closed doors. But Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are allowed to have observers present. aFP, with Vito

Barcelo and Sandy araneta

Poll body won’t consolidate charges vs Poe THE Commission on Elections’ Second Division on Wednesday denied presidential aspirant Grace Poe’s plea to consolidate the four disqualification petitions filed against her.

Poe’s lawyer George Garcia confirmed the Comelec’s decision during the oral arguments on the three of the four disqualification cases filed against his client.

He said they had already asked the Second division, which heard

the disqualification petition filed by lawyer Estrella Elamparo, to reconsider its decision.

Meanwhile, former Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said Wednesday he believed Poe was qualified to run for President as she is a natural-born citizen and resident of the Philippines. He also confirmed that his firm is handling Poe’s case.

On Wednesday, the Comelec’s First Division held oral arguments

on the three remaining petitions field against Poe by former Senator Francisco Tatad, De La Salle University professor Antonio Contreras, and University of the East Law dean Amado Valdez.

During the hearing, Tatad and Valdez agreed to have their petitions be consolidated with Elamparo’s while Contreras opposed to the idea, saying his petition related only to the residency issue against Poe. Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

Commemorative stamps. A staff at the Philippine Postal Corp. in Manila holds up newly released postal stamps showcasing Christmas 2015. The stamps cost P10 each. Danny Pata

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Solons insist on tax cut bill

By Maricel V. Cruz

AFTER Speaker Feliciano Belmonte gave up hope of passing an income tax rate cut bill during 16th Congress, opposition leader and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said lawmakers should heed the people’s voice and pass the tax bill even if it means overriding a presidential veto.

Fifth alarm. Smoke billows after an area for informal settlers caught fire in Mandaluyong City on Wednesday. The fire reached the fifth alarm. AFP PHOTO

Group hits pace of PH justice

By Rio N. Araja THE women’s group Gabriela lamented on Wednesday the snail-paced dispensation of justice in the country, especially in cases of abuse against women, who cannot get a modicum of justice “even at the barangay level.”

Gabriela secretary general Joan May Salvador said justice for victims of domestic violence is “elusive,” and that several courts and police stations are “insensitive” to women issues, such as wife-beating and other forms of abuses.

“At the barangay level, the filing of complaints of violence against women is sometimes discouraged, and mediation is often advised to the perpetrators and the victims,” she told The Standard. “The barangay must be the first line of defense of women who are victims of domestic violence.”

Salvador, who is six months’ pregnant, joined members of Gabriela and former Sex Bomb dancer Sugar Mercado in yesterday’s commemoration of the National Day of Consciousness for the Elimination of Violence Against Women under Republic Act 10398 at the Liwasang Bonifacio shrine in Manila from the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

“We already have the laws, but we have to ensure justice for women. One must never think that violence against women is just a domestic or family problem,” she noted.

The social and cultural values to preserve the sanctity of marriage is partly to be blamed why several cases of violence against women are not pursued, she pointed out.

“But beyond culture, the government is duty bound to protect the people,

particularly the marginalized sector, including the women,” she stressed.

“Impunity exists because social structures that should ensure the protection of women and children from violence do more harm by being indifferent and even anti-women. Barangays should provide the first line of defense for women and children, but they often treat cases of domestic violence and child abuse as family matters,” she said.

“Police action is too slow because of the patronage system, bribery, or worse, the perpetrator is one of them.

The judiciary has no sensitivity towards women victims and sometimes even resort to victim-blaming. No wonder violence continues despite more than 37 laws, executive and administrative orders to protect women and children,” Gabriela added in a statement.

“I appeal to the House leadership and my colleagues to continue working for the passage of the proposed tax cuts because Congress has the power to override a presidential veto,” Romualdez said.

“We are the voice of the people [and] this move would show that Congress is a co-equal branch and not Malacañang’s rubber stamp,” Romualdez said.

“Let us show malasakit to our Filipino workers, especially the low income earners by passing the proposed tax cuts, by allowing Congress to fulfill their legislative mandate and let it vetoed by the President,” Romualdez said.

Citing Article VI Section 27 of the Constitution, Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, said Congress should not succumb to pressure from the Palace even if the President threatens to veto the tax reform measure if it is approved by Congress.

Even the House Minority Bloc, led by deputy minority leader and 1-BAP Rep. Silvestre Bello III, a former justice secretary, also backed the passage of the bill, adding Congress can sustain the decision through its override power.

“Congress should show its sincerity by passing this bill on the lowering of income tax rates. Even assuming that the President has already manifested his opposition to this proposal, we can override his veto,” Bello said.

“If President Aquino III vetoes the measure [if and when approved by Congress], I challenge him to face the people. We can override [the President’s veto] if Congress is truly sincere in supporting the measure,” Bello added.

Bello also said it is about time that the House leadership proves that it is not a Palace rubber-stamp by passing the tax cuts bill.

“We have to show our teeth. We are becoming the rubber stamp of the Office of the President. We have to show him that we are the voice of the people. And voice of the people is very clear, they don’t want high taxes,” Bello said.

“So I think Congress should show its sincerity and it conviction and come up with that bill. Let the President vetoes it and we can get back by overriding him,” Bello said, adding he is confident that Congress can override the possible presidential veto.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said there is still time to pass the bill lowering income tax rates in the country.

Justice for massacre case pushed

By Sandy Araneta MAJORITY of Filipinos want those involved in the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre to be punished, according to the latest survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations.

“The September 2015 survey found that 54 percent of adult Filipinos were hopeful, while 46 percent were not hopeful that all those involved in the Maguindanao massacre case will be punished,” said the SWS, in its Third Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey, released recently.

The SWS survey also found that 67 percent were dissatisfied, 13 percent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 20 percent were satisfied with what the government had done to resolve the case with justice, for a net satisfaction rating of -47

(percent satisfied minus percent dissatisfied), and which classified by SWS as bad.

This compares with the bad -42 in June 2015, and the very bad -50 in March 2015.

The Third Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey, conducted from Sept. 2 to 5, also found that 49 percent of adult Filipinos followed the news on the court trial of the Maguindanao massacre case very closely/somewhat closely.

SWS first surveyed about the people’s attention to the Maguindanao massacre case in November 2010 and found 70 percent saying they followed the case very closely/somewhat closely.

It went to 67 percent in March 2011 and 61 percent in June 2011, and has since then stayed in the 50s level, except when it was at 49 percent in September 2014, December 2014 and Sep-

tember 2015. The Maguindanao massacre case was fourth most followed news event.

Of the 15 news events tested, the news on the court trial concerning the Maguindanao massacre of November 2009 and the filing of a case questioning the citizenship of Sen. Grace Poe were tied at third and fourth spots, each with 49 percent who followed very closely/somewhat closely.

The two most followed news events were the endorsement of former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas as presidential candidate for the 2016 elections by President Benigno Aquino III (57 percent), and the Senate investigation regarding the alleged anomaly in the construction of a building in Makati City when Vice President Jejomar Binay was still mayor of Makati (51 percent).

Money talks.

Sen. Loren Legarda, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, turns to a senator who asked Commission on Elections Chairperson Andres Bautista (seated) during a hearing on the Comelec’s 2016 budget.

LINO SANTOS

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Clark eyed as option for Naia

By Maricel V. Cruz

Red Cross opCen. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key listens as Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard J. Gordon explains how the

Operations Center at the PRC Tower works, especially during disasters. Key was at the inauguration of the PRC Logistics and Multipurpose Center, which was a joint undertaking of the PRC and the New Zealand Aid Program, an international aid and development program under the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Senate okays budget hike for Defense dept

By Macon Araneta SenatorS on Wednesday agreed to increase the proposed budget of the Department of national Defense from P116.2 billion to an undetermined amount to be able to address the country’s security concerns.

Senator Loren Legarda, the finance committee chairman, took up the cudgels for the Defense department, citing what she called “multifarous threats” to national security.

“So if [the budget] is not enough, is the chair of the finance committee defending and presenting this budget agreeable to augmenting the budget of this department in order to secure the safety and security of the Filipino people, given the [present] security environment of the country?” Senator Juan Ponce Enrile asked Legarda.

“Of course, Mr. President. In

fact before your interpellation and during the weekend when we were working, I already augmented their budget based on the amendments presented and contained in my committee report today and that includes P250 million to the Office of the Secretary’s (quick response fund) which was not grated

by Congress for year 2015,” said Legarda.

Aside from the P250 million, Legarda said there were other requests of the Philippine Army.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin told reporters they were directed during the plenary delib-

erations on their proposed budget to submit how much additional funding would be required.

Gazmin admitted that the current budget is not enough especially with the AFP Modernization program.

Legarda said the DND’s initial proposed budget to the Department of Budget and Management was P202.3 billion but it was slashed to P115.8 billion at the House of Representatives.

Her committee approved a higher budget of P116.2 billion.

Meanwhile, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago blasted Malacañang for proposing an inflated budget in 2016 despite the notorious underspending throughout the Aquino administration, and for retaining lump-sum appropriations similar to the nullified Priority Development Assistance Fund.

She urged her colleagues to be vigilant about the budget, noting that the Constitution vested on

Congress the power of the purse, or the power to determine how people’s taxes should be spent.

The Senate is deliberating on the P3-trillion budget Malacañang proposed for 2016, 17.4 percent or P447 billion higher than the 2015 budget. Santiago called the proposal “ambitious” given the Aquino administration’s “epic underspending record” since it came to power.

The senator explained that the government underspent by a total of P670 billion from 2011 to 2014. She added that in the first seven months of 2015, underspending was already “colossal” at P190 billion.

“It is not as if the Aquino administration is meeting its promised outputs and outcomes at less cost. It is simply failing in meeting its promises to the Filipino people,” Santiago said, citing poor infrastructure, high unemployment rates, and chronic poverty.

A PANEL in the House of Representatives asked concerned government officials to prepare a master plan for a proposal to use the Clark International Airport as an alternative to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

At a hearing Wednesday conducted by the House committee on transportation, chaired by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, congressmen ordered Transportation officials, in coordination with the Aeronautics Board, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Clark International Airport Corp., to submit to Congress a master plan

by January 2016.

“We have been discussing this for a long time, but we ended up discussing things without any output. If you could assemble and meet and present a master plan, we could have it submitted to the proper authorities for immediate action,” Sarmiento said.

Sarmiento said the House was considering Clark as an alternative airport amid problems of congestion and flight delays at the Naia.

He said his panel would like to address the issue ahead of the Christmas holidays when passengers fly in and out of the country.

Sarmiento cited the experience of an airlines last Christmas rush when a number of passengers were stranded at the Naia due to overbooking.

“We called this meeting in anticipation of December when we would celebrate the first anniversary of the fiasco. We welcome collecting the P52 million by way of fines. We don’t want that to happen again,” Sarmiento said.

Civil Aeronautics Board Chief Legal Officer Wyrlou Samodio told the hearing that more studies are needed in using Clark airport as an alternative to Naia.

“It’s a long process we have to undergo before everything becomes feasible. Logistics wise, it’s not easy to transfer people from one place to another. I think we have to take a thorough study, or at least prepare Clark before we transfer flights from Clark to Manila,” Samodio told lawmakers.

PRESIDENTIAL BETS TOLD

Spell out ‘green’ agenda

By Rio n. Araja GREEN advocates and youth groups on Wednesday urged five presidential candidates—Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas, Senators Grace Poe and Miriam Defensor Santiago, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte—to address the issues on food security and environmental protection in their priority agenda.

“The youth are taking up the cudgels for our farmers because they know that the future of their food depends on the agriculture of this country,” Greenpeace Philippines’ ecological agriculture campaigner Virginia Llorin said.

“Be a HampasLupa, champion food and ecological agriculture in 2016 elections,” she said.

Young leaders belonging to the National Youth Congress on Food, Nutrition and Ecological Agriculture on Wednesday gathered at the University of the Philippines in Diliman,

Quezon City, and launched the #IAmHampasLupa campaign to help shape the country’s programs and policies toward safe, healthy and sustainable food and agricultural system, and to heighten public awareness of the sorry state of farmers who continue to suffer from poverty, hunger and destitution.

Llorin said the presidential aspirant must not ignore the call of the Filipino youths which comprise 40 percent of the 52 million registered voters, adding “their support is seen as crucial in the upcoming national elections.”

According to Llorin, the #IAmHampasLupa drive aims to liberate the term hampas lupa from its historically and structurally “derogative” connotation by rediscovering and reclaiming its authentic meaning and definition, which literally means “hitting the land” or “tilling the soil,” and aptly conveys what the farmers are doing— breaking ground to cultivate and plant it with various food crops.

Kiddie corner. A concrete cylinder serves as playground of four children at an unfinished road in Quezon City. JAnsen RoMeRo

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2 Korean-made jets to ‘touch down’ Friday

By Florante S. Solmerin

Drug bust. Government agents seize illegal drugs with a street value of P9 million following a sting operation in Barangay Piñahan, Quezon City that led to the arrest of two suspects and confiscation of three kilos of shabu.

EY ACASIO

AIR Force chief Jeffrey Delgado leads senior officers in welcoming the arrival of a pair of new Korean-made jet fighters that will touch down on Friday at Clark Airbase in Pampanga.

Delgado said preparations have been coordinated with the offices of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin for his availability.

The pair of lead-in jets would be the first batch of the 12 FA50s “Golden Eagle” procured by the government for P18.9 billion to be delivered by manufacturer Korean Aerospace Inc. The FA50 is supposed to be “a modified and upgraded version of the supersonic T-50 advance trainer jet produced by KAI in response to ROKAF requirements for an indigenous advance jet trainer with technical assistance from Lockheed-Martin of USA.” KAI has slated complete delivery of the aircraft by 2017.

Earlier, Delgado rode on one of the aircraft during test flights in South Korea.

The jets would bring back PAF into the supersonic realm although these won’t be combat-ready. But the aircraft would be a big boost to the Philippines air capability especially in patrolling the country’s airspace, Delgado said.

PAF is planning to acquire three units of radar valued at P3 billion to fit with the FA50s.

PAF spokesman Colonel Enrico Canaya said the two-seater jets are to be piloted by Korean airmen and will touch down at around 10 a.m.

During the flight, the jets will refuel “somewhere” and then will fly their last leg to Clark airbase.

The jets would not be immediately commissioned by PAF for operations because they will first undergo technical inspection.

LTO plan to cost drivers P3b—Recto SENATOR Ralph Recto on Wednesday said that the Land Transportation Office should scrap altogether its policy to require drivers applying for renewal of license to first secure clearances from the police and National Bureau of Investigation.

Recto explained that the 2.1 million drivers who renew and apply for a professional license annually would have to cough up P3 billion in fees and foregone income if the new policy was not scrapped permanently.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya Jr. on Tuesday suspended the LTO policy “until such study and coordination would be done with the

police and the NBI for a more efficient coordination regarding this and they will come up with guidelines.”

Abaya made the decision after lawmakers and a group of drivers questioned the new LTO order.

Recto proposed that the NBI and the PNP should draw up a list of wanted criminals and furnish a copy of the list to the LTO. “The solution can be achieved through file

sharing. Why should public information be the subject of commerce?” he stressed.

Recto estimated that the number of professional drivers who will apply for new or have their licenses renewed next year will reach 2,180,576.

The cost of an NBI clearance is P115, and a local police clearance, P170.

But before the police issue a clearance, an applicant is required to present a barangay clearance, which costs P50.

However, a barangay clearance will only be issued if the applicant has a Community Tax Certificate, the average cost of each is P20, Recto said.

The PNP also requires two ID photos of the appli-

cant, which adds P60 to the cost.

“If you add all of this, it will come up to P415.

You multiply this with the number of professional drivers, you get almost P1 billion—just on fees alone,” Recto said.

Applying for clearances from three offices—Barangay Council, NBI, and PNP —will entail two days at least, Recto said.

“Because one will absent from work to do this, then that’s two days’ worth of salary gone. That’s at least P1,000 down the drain per applicant, or P2 billion in lost income for the affected drivers,” Recto said.

Recto said 2,018,976 professional drivers ap-

plied for new or had their licenses renewed in 2013, their number growing 2.6 percent annually since 2010.

Recto seconded the proposal of Senate President Franklin Drilon for the DoTC to clarify what derogatory information on the required clearances will lead to the rejection of the application and if such will impinge on the privilege of an individual to operate a motor vehicle.

“If you’re an activist and you have a pending case for illegal assembly, I think this shouldn’t be made a basis for the rejection of your application to drive,” he said. Macon Araneta and Joel Zurbano

PCSO reforms paying off—Rojas THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office said that since 2010, the agency has been reviewing its Small Town Lottery program and implementing measures to correct its flaws, including the payment of documentary stamp tax by STL operators.

The game was established in 2005 on an experimental basis to counteract illegal numbers games in the provinces and to raise more funds for the PCSO’s social welfare programs, including its flagship Individual Medical Assistance Program, ambulance donation, and medical equipment donation programs, among many others.

The previous PCSO administrations received no audit observation memoranda from the Commission on Audit regarding DST on STL. Upon assumption of office in July 2010 of the Board of Directors under the present administration— then-chairman Margarita P. Juico, then-director Aleta L. Tolentino, and current directors Jose Ferdinand M. Rojas

II (vice chairman), Betty B. Nantes, Mabel V. Mamba, and Francisco G. Joaquin III—concentrated on tightening the control and monitoring aspects of the game, PCSO having received no adverse opinion on the matter from the CoA nor Bureau of Internal Revenue.

From 2010 to 2012, the Board discovered weaknesses in the STL system that they corrected by imposing stricter implementing rules and regulations in 2014, including the need for STL accredited agent corporations to pay DST; this requirement was implemented beginning 2015.

On the reduction of STL revenue share allocations to provinces, congressional districts, LGUs, and the Philippine National Police in the IRR presently being implemented, this is because the amounts are actually discretionary; under the charter, PCSO is not mandated to give STL shares to LGUs. However, PCSO recognizes the efforts of these groups in fulfilling the STL purpose to

provide an alternative to jueteng and allocated shares to them.

The LGU shares from STL revenues are taken from the Charity Fund allocation of the revenues. Under the PCSO’s charter, its revenues are apportioned among three funds: 55 percent is allocated to the Prize Fund (for the games), 30 percent goes to the Charity Fund, and 15 to the Operating Fund (PCSO receives no funds from the government for its operating expenses). STL shares for the congressional districts, LGUs, etc. are taken from the Charity Fund and may not be taken from either of the two other funds.

With the growing need to fund the social welfare programs of PCSO and increase the amount for the Charity Fund, the Board decided to adjust the shares of stakeholders instead. The shares are intended for the LGUs’ charity programs. LGUs and other stakeholders may still, at any time, request additional financial assistance from PCSO.

Overkill. Two members of Quezon City Police’ s SWAT

Team subdue a ‘criminal’ in a mock assault intended to display their skills on Wednesday to mark the 76th founding anniversary of QCPD at Camp Karingal. EY ACASIO

Meralco warns vs fake collectors THE Manila Electric Co. has issued a warning to its customers against a modus operandi where would-be victims would be approached by individuals offering to pay their unpaid bills on their behalf. To lure the customer, the collector would assure the customer that if the payment would be made through him, the customer would get a discount on his bill. After getting the customer’s payment, the collector would then return to give the customer a receipt to suggest that the payment has been remitted to Meralco. After getting the customer’s payment, the collector would then pay Meralco using cheque payment. The victim would later discover that their payment was invalidated due to returned cheque payment for the reason that the bank account is “closed” already.

Meralco said that customers should be wary of individuals collecting payment for their bills. It clarified that it no longer has collectors who go house-tohouse to collect payment, nor does it have any scheme that offers discount on electricity bills.

To avoid being victimized by such scrupulous schemes, Meralco advised its customers to settle their electricity bills directly in any of its business centers. Meralco also said the Bayad Center outlets is another option for customers where they can pay their bills. It added that other accredited third party payment partners, such as banks and malls, are authorized to accept bill payments.

For more information, Meralco said that customers may call its 24-hour hotline at 16211 or they may go to any business center near them.

t h u r s d ay : n o v e m B e r 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

A7

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Lawmaker: Double veterans’ pension

By Maricel V. Cruz

A lAwmAker from Bataan wants Filipino veterans to get a monthly pension of P10,000, a 100-percent increase from the present P5,000 they are currently receiving from the government.

Coffee charm. Young women from the Ibaloy tribe, garbed in traditional attire, showcase packaged coffee products from Benguet. DAVID CHAN

Senator: Tap Malampaya fund for saltwater lamp A SenAToR believes that the P168.9 million in Malampaya royalties can bankroll the development and mass production of the Sustainable Alternative Light or SALt lamps.

“If you look at government finances, there should be no problem in finding money for these saltwater lamps,” said Senator Ralph Recto. one saline solution-powered lamp, which can produce up to 90 lumens of light, is said to cost $20, plus $3 every six months for the replacement anode.

Its developer, engineer Aisa Mijeno, said her group would wel-

come financial grants so they can mass produce it.

Recto said government should approach Mijeno and offer her joint venture engagements. “Lack of funds cannot be invoked as a reason because clearly they’re available.”

“You don’t even have to seek budget from Congress because some of these funds are off-budget, meaning they can be tapped without having to go through the annual appropriations route, like the Malampaya royalty remittances,” he explained.

Recto was referring to the gov-

ernment share from the production of the Malampaya natural gas field off the coast of northern Palawan.

The P168.9 billion was the fund’s balance as of May 31, 2015.

Since 2002, government has received a total of P210.9 billion from the production well’s operator. Releases from this fund reached P42 billion, Recto said, citing an official Bureau of Treasury report. next year, Malampaya remittances are projected to hit P34.7 billion. “This means on a daily basis, Malampaya is pumping P91.7 million into the government

coffers,” Recto said.

Government’s “daily windfall alone is more than enough” to finance the development of SALt’s full potential, Recto said.

“If reports are true that P20 million is what the developers initially need to jump-start the lamp’s production, then just six hours’ worth of Malampaya would be enough,” Recto said.

Recto said government should approach Mijeno and offer her joint venture engagements. “Lack of funds cannot be invoked as a reason because clearly they’re available.”

Under House Bill 6230 authored

by Bataan Rep. Herminia Roman, a veteran who is at least 65 years old shall be paid an old-age pension of P10,000 monthly for life, unless he is actually receiving a similar pension for the same consideration from other government funds.

“The veterans have sacrificed much for the country. They invested blood, sweat and tears and in return, it is only fitting that we repay their service by taking care of them in their old age,” Roman said.

Roman said the veterans have dedicated their lives in the service of the country. “They should be able to live out the rest of their days comfortably without worrying about their basic needs,” she said.

The Bataan solon said the current pension of P5,000 enacted almost 21 years ago is clearly not enough to meet the basic necessities for decent living.

“Sad to say that at present, our veterans face a new challenge which is the hardships of old age along with meager resources that they must stretch in order to survive,” she said.

Roman, chairperson of the House committee on veterans affairs and welfare, said the proposed increase of benefits for the veterans is way to show the nation’s grateful appreciation of their bravery, service and sacrifice.

“We must recompense them in a manner more fitting to what they have given,” she said.

Roman, also vice chairman of the House committee on bases conversion, said that “by giving them due importance to what they have done in the past, we show citizens, especially the youth, what the nation values—the traits of heroism, love of country and patriotism.”

German firm to provide new jobs in P2.5-b Batangas plant A GeRMAn manufacturing company currently constructing a P2.5-billion plant in Batangas—which is part of its multi-billion peso investment commitment when it was registered with the Philippine economic Zone Authority—is expected to provide hundreds of new jobs for Filipinos.

“We are glad to be partners with government in its efforts to promote employment. once our facility is up and running, we can create more than 650 new jobs for Filipinos,” said Dr. Karsten Wagner, managing director of Zama Precision Industry Manufacturing Inc. ZAMA is subsidiary of STIHL, the German manufacturer

of chainsaws and other handheld power equipment including trimmers and blowers.

ZAMA Holdings is recognized as a technology leader and the world’s largest manufacturer of diaphragm carburetors and has plants in Japan, Hong Kong, China, and the United States. It has 2,400 employees worldwide and produces more than 14 million carburetors in about 350 different models.

ZAMA’s entry into the domestic market is touted as one of the biggest local investments of a German company in the Philippines.

The facility, located at the First Philippine Industrial Park in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, is set for inauguration in January, with full operations

within the first quarter of the year. ZAMA’s 60,000-square meter facility broke ground in September.

The plant will be manned by 650 Filipino workers, mostly skilled mechanics with intensive background in electronics and highly experienced in production work.

Wagner said at least 150 employees will be in the plantilla by yearend with another 500 joining the ZAMA team by 2016. once the plant’s operations are in full swing, Filipinos would have accounted for onethird of ZAMA’s workforce worldwide, a testament of the STIHL Group’s confidence in the talents of the Filipino workers.

Bee the man. Beekeeper Ferdinand Geslani shows a frame filled with bees at La Union Honeybee Center in Bacnotan, La Union. Honey is usually harvested in the last week of December and the first week of January. CHRISTINE JUNIO

T H U R S D AY : N O V E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

UNNECESSARY

[ EDI TORI A L ]

FOREIGNERS ADMINISTRATION presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II asks us, those whom he asks to vote for him, whether we would want a foreigner for a president.

He is, of course, referring to his opponent, Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares, who topped the senatorial race in 2013 and is now leading the presidential poll surveys.

Poe is facing numerous challenges to her citizenship and residency. As an infant she was found abandoned at a church and later on adopted by prominent movie stars. She then migrated to the United States, married an American citizen, and then sought to regain her Filipino citizenship upon taking on a job here under the Aquino administration.

While the Senate Electoral Tribunal has ruled in her favor in one case, there remain others to hurdle. One thing is clear now: more people are wondering whether Poe is Filipino enough to aspire for the highest position in the land.

It’s not only Roxas who is now capitalizing on Poe’s legal woes. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte says he finally made up his mind to run for president because he could not accept that an American might be president. Let’s hope he does not change his mind on this yet again.

But it was Roxas (and his patron, President Aquino) who, months ago, had a very long and public courtship of Ms. Poe, whom they tagged as being an ally in the pursuit of the straight path. It was obvious they wanted her “yes” so badly.

She was polite and thankful, but she knew she was being courted for the boost she could give Roxas’ lackluster campaign.

And so she said no. For the Liberals, that must have stung.

This is the same person Roxas is now deriding as a foreigner, someone not at all fit to be the nation’s next leader. At least, in Duterte’s case, Poe was the one who had wanted to be his running mate, or so he claims.

We leave to the courts the decision on the petitions against the senator, and to the nation the verdict on whether renouncing one’s citizenship and reacquiring it when convenient amounts to lack of patriotism. What is glaring, however, is the hypocrisy displayed by the self-righteous administration in wooing somebody from whose acquiescence it stood to gain, only to talk ill of that same person as a jilted suitor would.

And we thought all these candidates wanted an issues-based campaign where they would refrain from attacking one another and instead focus on presenting the best roadmap to the people.

So much for elevating the level of discourse. The messiahs, the underdogs, the tough talkers—those to whom substance, respect and fair play are foreign—are ruling the day.

PURE GENIUS LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES SUPPOSE, as Mark Twain would have said, you’re the head of the Land Transportation Office and suppose you’re an idiot. But I repeat myself.

Before I talk about the latest brain droppings from the LTO, let me retell this story from the When In Manila website (wheninmanila.com). It appears that someone in Davao City finally received his credit-card type driver’s license from that

wonderful government agency after applying for one last March—but with a weird, very LTO-like twist.

Eduardo Robillo, the elderly applicant for a license renewal (he was born in 1948), was surprised to see that the LTO had gotten his birth year wrong, printing it as 2048 on the card.

When Robillo pointed out the error to the local LTO office, he was told that the agency was not at fault, because the private contractor given the deal to print the cards should have checked the date.

It gets better. Or a lot worse, really, depending on your dis-

position.

When Robillo asked what he should do, he was told that he should simply present a National Statistics Office certification upon renewal in five years, when his license expires, to prove that he had indeed been born in 1948, instead of in 2048, as the card clearly states.

If I were Robillo, I’d take the LTO’s advice and not sweat it anymore. And when he’s stopped for some traffic violation or other, Robillo can argue with the arresting officer that he can’t have committed any infraction since he hasn’t even been born yet.

Suppose you’re the head of the LTO and suppose you’re an idiot. But I repeat myself.

A9

It says right there, on the card issued by the LTO, after all. And if Robillo wants, I’ll find him a lawyer who will win his case for him.

I promise I won’t ask him for an unreasonable commission. *** But back to the latest idiotic scheme dreamed up by the LTO —the same agency which can’t even give drivers’ licenses, license plates and even sticker tags on time. I’m talking about that LTO administrative order that requires about 2.1-million holders of professional drivers’ licenses to seek clearances from both the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation before their applications for renewal

can even be accepted.

According to Senator Ralph Recto, who is hounding the LTO to rescind the onerous order, the officials at the agency only have to coordinate with these two law enforcement agencies instead of burdening the drivers with the inconvenience and costing them money that they direly need. The senator said the LTO order will cost the drivers an additional P415 in clearance fees—to say nothing of losing two working days at the minimum, days when they will not get paid be-

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-

cause they are lining up for clearances.

The government, Recto said, stands to earn around P1 billion in fees annually from the scheme, which will cost the drivers P2 billion in lost income, if they earn P500 a day. And all because the LTO wants the drivers themselves to do the job that the agency really should do, if its officials wanted to get off their butts and work for a living for a change.

Besides, Recto explained, if a professional driver has any pending case which will show up in either the po-

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

lice’s or the NBI’s records, he will be denied renewal of his license. “If you have a pending case for libel, say, or illegal assembly if you’re an activist, why should you be denied the privilege of driving for a living?” Recto asked.

LTO officials led by their genius chief, Alfonso Tan Jr., had apparently no reply to Recto’s questioning during the Senate hearing on the proposed budget of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

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

THERE should be no disagreement to the fact that professional drivers do need to be upgraded in a lot of aspects—education, training, competence and others.

But the way the Land Transportation Office is going about to improve professional drivers’ competence is mystifying.

LTO administrative order AVT-2015029 which was signed by the DOTC Secretary Abaya on Sept. 22, 2012 aims to require people applying for a professional driver’s license to secure a National Bureau of Investigation and a Philippine National Police clearance before their applications can be processed. The LTO seems to believe that people with criminal records are dangerous as professional drivers. It might interest the LTO to know that there is no law as far as I know disqualifying an ex-convict from earning a living as a driver.

Granting that the intention is good— the public indeed would be better served by trained drivers who have spotless records—it is still the wrong solution to the problem and is totally unnecessary.

The LTO is just passing what it should be doing in the first place to other government agencies. This will just add another layer of red tape to the already harassed applicant.

What the LTO should do is overhaul and reform itself so that it can function more efficiently. The LTO issues licenses and can impose administrative penalties to all erring drivers. But it does not have a national database of all traffic violators so that those undesirable drivers could have their licenses cancelled without having to involve the NBI and PNP. Since 1980, the LTO has consistently refused to computerize its records for a more efficient management of the agency. This was because completely computerizing the LTO would affect the money-making ventures of some people in the agency. Up to this time, the LTO is not completely computerized. It is not difficult to imagine why. For one reason or another, the LTO finds it hard to openly share its records with other law enforcement agencies. This is one reason why car theft or carnapping is still flourishing to this day. Traffic violators also easily get away with their offenses.

In the United States, one can never get away with a traffic violation. Even a simple parking ticket can follow a person anywhere. The reason is that records of apprehensions are completely computerized. A professional driver in this country, however, could have 20 apprehensions a year including perhaps a fatal accident and the LTO would be clueless about this. The PNP and NBI are also completely ignorant about the record of such a driver because the NBI does not do traffic enforcement. Hence, it has no record and not all PNP units are deputized to enforce traffic laws by the LTO. Thus, they also would not have a record.

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 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

UNNECESSARY

[ EDI TORI A L ]

FOREIGNERS ADMINISTRATION presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II asks us, those whom he asks to vote for him, whether we would want a foreigner for a president.

He is, of course, referring to his opponent, Senator Grace Poe Llamanzares, who topped the senatorial race in 2013 and is now leading the presidential poll surveys.

Poe is facing numerous challenges to her citizenship and residency. As an infant she was found abandoned at a church and later on adopted by prominent movie stars. She then migrated to the United States, married an American citizen, and then sought to regain her Filipino citizenship upon taking on a job here under the Aquino administration.

While the Senate Electoral Tribunal has ruled in her favor in one case, there remain others to hurdle. One thing is clear now: more people are wondering whether Poe is Filipino enough to aspire for the highest position in the land.

It’s not only Roxas who is now capitalizing on Poe’s legal woes. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte says he finally made up his mind to run for president because he could not accept that an American might be president. Let’s hope he does not change his mind on this yet again.

But it was Roxas (and his patron, President Aquino) who, months ago, had a very long and public courtship of Ms. Poe, whom they tagged as being an ally in the pursuit of the straight path. It was obvious they wanted her “yes” so badly.

She was polite and thankful, but she knew she was being courted for the boost she could give Roxas’ lackluster campaign.

And so she said no. For the Liberals, that must have stung.

This is the same person Roxas is now deriding as a foreigner, someone not at all fit to be the nation’s next leader. At least, in Duterte’s case, Poe was the one who had wanted to be his running mate, or so he claims.

We leave to the courts the decision on the petitions against the senator, and to the nation the verdict on whether renouncing one’s citizenship and reacquiring it when convenient amounts to lack of patriotism. What is glaring, however, is the hypocrisy displayed by the self-righteous administration in wooing somebody from whose acquiescence it stood to gain, only to talk ill of that same person as a jilted suitor would.

And we thought all these candidates wanted an issues-based campaign where they would refrain from attacking one another and instead focus on presenting the best roadmap to the people.

So much for elevating the level of discourse. The messiahs, the underdogs, the tough talkers—those to whom substance, respect and fair play are foreign—are ruling the day.

PURE GENIUS LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES SUPPOSE, as Mark Twain would have said, you’re the head of the Land Transportation Office and suppose you’re an idiot. But I repeat myself.

Before I talk about the latest brain droppings from the LTO, let me retell this story from the When In Manila website (wheninmanila.com). It appears that someone in Davao City finally received his credit-card type driver’s license from that

wonderful government agency after applying for one last March—but with a weird, very LTO-like twist.

Eduardo Robillo, the elderly applicant for a license renewal (he was born in 1948), was surprised to see that the LTO had gotten his birth year wrong, printing it as 2048 on the card.

When Robillo pointed out the error to the local LTO office, he was told that the agency was not at fault, because the private contractor given the deal to print the cards should have checked the date.

It gets better. Or a lot worse, really, depending on your dis-

position.

When Robillo asked what he should do, he was told that he should simply present a National Statistics Office certification upon renewal in five years, when his license expires, to prove that he had indeed been born in 1948, instead of in 2048, as the card clearly states.

If I were Robillo, I’d take the LTO’s advice and not sweat it anymore. And when he’s stopped for some traffic violation or other, Robillo can argue with the arresting officer that he can’t have committed any infraction since he hasn’t even been born yet.

Suppose you’re the head of the LTO and suppose you’re an idiot. But I repeat myself.

A9

It says right there, on the card issued by the LTO, after all. And if Robillo wants, I’ll find him a lawyer who will win his case for him.

I promise I won’t ask him for an unreasonable commission. *** But back to the latest idiotic scheme dreamed up by the LTO —the same agency which can’t even give drivers’ licenses, license plates and even sticker tags on time. I’m talking about that LTO administrative order that requires about 2.1-million holders of professional drivers’ licenses to seek clearances from both the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation before their applications for renewal

can even be accepted.

According to Senator Ralph Recto, who is hounding the LTO to rescind the onerous order, the officials at the agency only have to coordinate with these two law enforcement agencies instead of burdening the drivers with the inconvenience and costing them money that they direly need. The senator said the LTO order will cost the drivers an additional P415 in clearance fees—to say nothing of losing two working days at the minimum, days when they will not get paid be-

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City.

Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-

cause they are lining up for clearances.

The government, Recto said, stands to earn around P1 billion in fees annually from the scheme, which will cost the drivers P2 billion in lost income, if they earn P500 a day. And all because the LTO wants the drivers themselves to do the job that the agency really should do, if its officials wanted to get off their butts and work for a living for a change.

Besides, Recto explained, if a professional driver has any pending case which will show up in either the po-

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

lice’s or the NBI’s records, he will be denied renewal of his license. “If you have a pending case for libel, say, or illegal assembly if you’re an activist, why should you be denied the privilege of driving for a living?” Recto asked.

LTO officials led by their genius chief, Alfonso Tan Jr., had apparently no reply to Recto’s questioning during the Senate hearing on the proposed budget of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

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

THERE should be no disagreement to the fact that professional drivers do need to be upgraded in a lot of aspects—education, training, competence and others.

But the way the Land Transportation Office is going about to improve professional drivers’ competence is mystifying.

LTO administrative order AVT-2015029 which was signed by the DOTC Secretary Abaya on Sept. 22, 2012 aims to require people applying for a professional driver’s license to secure a National Bureau of Investigation and a Philippine National Police clearance before their applications can be processed. The LTO seems to believe that people with criminal records are dangerous as professional drivers. It might interest the LTO to know that there is no law as far as I know disqualifying an ex-convict from earning a living as a driver.

Granting that the intention is good— the public indeed would be better served by trained drivers who have spotless records—it is still the wrong solution to the problem and is totally unnecessary.

The LTO is just passing what it should be doing in the first place to other government agencies. This will just add another layer of red tape to the already harassed applicant.

What the LTO should do is overhaul and reform itself so that it can function more efficiently. The LTO issues licenses and can impose administrative penalties to all erring drivers. But it does not have a national database of all traffic violators so that those undesirable drivers could have their licenses cancelled without having to involve the NBI and PNP. Since 1980, the LTO has consistently refused to computerize its records for a more efficient management of the agency. This was because completely computerizing the LTO would affect the money-making ventures of some people in the agency. Up to this time, the LTO is not completely computerized. It is not difficult to imagine why. For one reason or another, the LTO finds it hard to openly share its records with other law enforcement agencies. This is one reason why car theft or carnapping is still flourishing to this day. Traffic violators also easily get away with their offenses.

In the United States, one can never get away with a traffic violation. Even a simple parking ticket can follow a person anywhere. The reason is that records of apprehensions are completely computerized. A professional driver in this country, however, could have 20 apprehensions a year including perhaps a fatal accident and the LTO would be clueless about this. The PNP and NBI are also completely ignorant about the record of such a driver because the NBI does not do traffic enforcement. Hence, it has no record and not all PNP units are deputized to enforce traffic laws by the LTO. Thus, they also would not have a record.

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 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

A D M I N I S T R AT I O N presidential candidate Mar Roxas asks: “Who wants a foreign leader?”

I have asked the same question. We should not allow an alien—an American—to become our next president. I asked this question on legal grounds since the 1987 Constitution requires that those running for president and vice president should be natural-born. Every Filipino should in fact ask this question.

This Korean has eluded justice for nearly 20 years.

But if it’s Roxas doing the asking, that raises other questions. Did he not, together with President Aquino, try to convince Mrs. Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares to be the former Interior and Local Government Secretary’s running mate?

Now that Mrs. Llamanzares is running for president and in fact is the survey frontrunner, the question is this: Why is Mar now asking the question?

Mar’s propagandists may say that the President and Mar didn’t know this when they were trying to woo Grace. In other words, they did not bother to look into her background; they simply relied on the fact that Mrs. Llamanzares had more than 20 million votes during the 2013 elections. This was what mattered to them.

Roxas and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte have raised the same question about Mrs. Llamanzares’ citizen-

ship and residency. Ultimately, only the Supreme Court can decide on the issue.

She may be the frontrunner now in poll surveys, but the Sword of Damocles hangs over her head. Even those who used to see her as a fresh face in Philippine politics are now doubting her citizenship. *** The Supreme Court has extended its Status Quo Ante order, effectively suspending the Sandiganbayan’s plunder trial of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for another 90 days, or until Feb. 19 next year. The case involves the intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

This order is an indication that the Supreme Court finds the evidence against the former President weak.

Last April, former Solicitor General and Justice Secretary Estelito Mendoza assailed before the SC the denial of her right to bail. He argued that the Sandiganbayan court committed grave abuse of discretion when it denied her bail application on the ground that the evidence against her was strong.

My gulay, recall that the wife of Hollywood movie actor George Clooney even raised the issue in favor of Arroyo before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and got an opinion that the human rights of Arroyo had indeed been violated.

Malacañang, however, regarded that finding as only an opinion that is not binding on Philippine courts.

What I find illogical is that most of the co-accused of the former president have already been granted bail.

So why is Arroyo still is languishing under hospital arrest? This is obviously upon the orders of the vindictive President Aquino.

My gulay, in spite of a House of Representatives resolution seeking the house arrest of Arroyo—she is slowly deteriorating under hos-

SMALL TOWN LOTTERY UNKNOWN to the public there are ongoing marathon hearing on the Small Town Lottery at the House of Representatives. During the time of FVR presidency, the government undertook initiatives on legalized gambling and the choice was to either legalize jueteng or the lotto. The lotto was picked and even the church backed this. At the time the ticket was just P10, however, there was a clamor for games with smaller bets, hence, jueteng still proliferated. That is the reason why during the previous administration, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo tasked the PCSO to help in the campaign to stamp out jueteng and to democratize charity at the national and local levels by introducing an alternative—the Small Town Lottery or STL. It proved effective since it is transparent and its draws could not be rigged unlike jueteng. During its first year of operations (2006-2007), STL generated revenues totaling to more than P3 billion, creating about 62,500 jobs and livelihood for displaced “cabos” and “cobradores,” as well as for the organic staff of the agent-corporations. By end of 2007, PCSO has launched the STL in 15 approved test run areas. These include: Quezon province, Angeles City, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Pampanga, Laguna, Bulacan, Negros Oriental, Iloilo City, Tarlac, Oriental Mindoro, Ilocos Norte, pital arrest, and is not a flight risk—this resolution has been junked, likely upon orders of Malacañang.

That’s the Aquino administration for you, hard on its political enemies but soft on its friends and allies. *** Read this travesty of justice.

It’s the tale of a Korean convicted nearly 20 years ago for violation of the Bouncing Checks Law on two counts. Alas, this Korean has successfully evaded serving his sentence. Up to this day, he continues to block the attempts of immigration authorities to arrest and deport him.

The Korean, Kang Tae Sik, remains a free man up to now. He must be amazed at the state of our justice system here.

Kang was sentenced way back in January 1996 by the Manila Regional Trial Court, Branch 13, to one year and eight months imprisonment.

He was ordered to pay the half-a-million pesos of loan he secured from complainant Peter Sun. Kang was also ordered

MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ Albay, Olongapo City, Batangas. At the end of the previous administration and with 33-percent coverage, these legal STL operators were already remitting P1.6 billion to the government. More importantly, the government was able to give jobs to more than six hundred thousand people, mostly coming from the indigent class.

In stark contrast, with five years in and with its term coming to an end, this present administration has done nothing to match these achievements and STL operations in the country has stagnated at 33 percent. And now comes the marathon hearings which target legal operators of STL and benefits illegal operators who do not remit to the government.

In the 15th Congress, as Minority Floor Leader, I kept insisting that if we are serious about combating the illegal numbers game, we should expand the coverage of the STL which remits to the government and benefits the LGUs and strengthens the PNP. However, this administration has chosen to remain inutile and inert. Corollary to this, jueteng, together with drugs and smuggling have reached new

to defray the litigation costs, the lawyer’s fees and, starting from the date of conviction, to pay 12-percent interest on the loan he obtained until it is fully paid.

The case stemmed from two checks he issued in November and December 1993 as guarantee on the loan. Both checks were not good. Through eight successive motions, appeals and pleadings filed by his lawyers, Kang succeeded in thwarting justice.

The Korean initially appealed his conviction to the Court of Appeals, but in a resolution handed down on May 23, 1997, the Appellate Court dismissed the move and upheld the ruling of the Manila RTC. This decision became final and executory on June 20, 1997.

Four months later, the trial court through Judge Mano Cuanna III, issued a warrant for Kang’s arrest.

However, before he could be sent to jail, Kang filed a new petition with the same CA Division, this time praying for annulment of the trial court’s judgement. This was denied by the CA on Dec.

heights under this administration.

Could it be because the powers that be are actually benefitting from the continued proliferation of the illegal numbers game?

“Jueteng” and other illegal numbers game has been consistently linked with government officials and has been alleged as an easy vehicle for politicians to gain both financial and public support, especially during the height of election seasons.

It is a P20 billion-P30 billion industry and lamentably has continued to thrive due to the support of many of our local government officials and the Philippine National Police. Given this magnitude, it is not hard to conclude that this money can easily be used to elect only local and national officials. There have also been allegations that the present PCSO has been raiding STL operators to give way to “favored” personalities sympathetic to this administration.

According to news reports, the PCSO board was not aware of the ongoing raids by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, and that Maliksi did not ask the board’s permission to direct the NBI to conduct such raids. With the elections just around the corner, legal STL operators are being victimized by what seems to be a nefarious band of yellow hoodlums out to perpetuate a straight path to anarchy and oblivion.

20, 2001. But, the Korean continued with his delaying tactics by filing a Motion for Reconsideration which the court similarly denied.

Refusing to buckle down, Kang elevated his case to the Supreme Court, which was assigned to the Supreme Court First Division.

Kang got another setback after the High Court dismissed his appeal on March 3, 2003, with the decision becoming final and executory. Further employing dilatory tactics and through the astute maneuvering of his lawyers, Kang went back to the Manila RTC, and filed a series of four separate motions and petitions. Amazingly, his lawyer finally managed to swore a court order on June 22, 2007 which stated that the penalties imposed on Kang by final sentence had already prescribed.

In this decision, the presiding judge ordered the lifting of the Hold Departure Order and recall of the Warrant of Arrest issued against Kang.

The judge used as basis Article 92 of the Revised Penal Code which defines

when and how penalties imposed by final sentence are deemed to have prescribed. The ruling came about supposedly because “since the finality of judgement, accused was never arrested, surrendered to the proper authorities want to a foreign country, committing other offense, or served even partly the imposed penalties.

Over and above the court case, however, Kang was subject to deportation for having been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. Why has he not been deported?

The Department of Justice on Nov. 2, 2015 ordered immigration chief Siegfred Mison in 10 days to comment on the case of Kang. But, Santa Banana, four days later on Nov. 6, and without waiting for Mison’s recently appointed Justice Secretary Alfred Caguiba ordered Mison to desist from executing the resolution to deport Kang and to release him from detention.

Thus, almost 20 years after being convicted of a criminal offense, Kang is still a free man.

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

POP GOES THE WORLD

DUTERTE—THE DARK HORSE?

JENNY ORTUOSTE DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement that he will run for president after all got many excited, and quite a few worried, with his entry into the race described by some as “game-changing.”

Certainly Duterte’s decision to join the race has caused shifts in political alliances and some voters to change their minds in his favor.

In my travels this year around the country, and in my surfing on social media, I ask people who their choice is. In Mindanao, resoundingly, it is Duterte. In the Visayas, it is a bit mixed but I gather that Duterte has a great many supporters. It is possible also, I’ve heard, that the Ilonggo vote might be split between Mar Roxas and Miriam Defensor-Santiago. If for whatever reason the latter will not continue her candidacy, her voters could shift to Duterte. In

Pure...From A9 That equally brilliant department, led by the Annapolis-trained lawyer Joseph Emilio Abaya, said it will freeze the implementation of the LTO order, but will not scrap it just yet.

Abaya, of course, is the government official who brought us the virtual destruction of the three commuter rail lines in Metro Manila, among other wonderful achievements—and the direct boss of Tan. I guess Tan, with his own record of service unsullied by any real performance, is in a contest with his superior for the title of worst official under the Aquino administration.

It amazes me that while the LTO still hasn’t even made any real headway in eliminating the backlog in licenses, license plates and sticker tags (see Robillo’s

other words, it is quite possible for Duterte to carry VisMin. As for Luzon, Duterte has been gaining adherents, mostly people who are tired of the same ruling oligarchs in power, the traditional politicians and prominent families and ruling dynasties who, time and again, have furthered their own agendas and vested interests over the good of the Filipino people.

Duterte is perceived as a breath of fresh air, tough on the corrupt, inept, and criminal. It is for this that he received the nickname “Duterte Harry”.

The deplorable issues in Metro Manila that have remained unresolved for years— traffic, public transportation, infrastructure—are issues related to management and administration. What many believe that we need to straighten this out is a good administrator

story above), it is already busy dreaming up worldbeating schemes like the new clearance requirement. If I were to judge a contest for the most incompetent and most insensitive government official, I’d say both Abaya and Tan would be finalists—although I’m not quite sure yet who should walk away with the grand prize.

If I were really asked to choose, I guess I’d pick Abaya. After all, I’m still waiting for him and President Noynoy Aquino to make good on their promise (made in 2013) to get run over by a train if the LRT Line 1 extension from Baclaran to Bacoor isn’t finished by the end of this year, 2015.

It’s almost December and not one spadeful of dirt has been dug for that project. We’re going for the world record here, for sure.

#FAILOCRACY

—and Duterte is one. He has made Davao one of the model cities of the country for safety and development.

A self-made man, he projects an image of simplicity. Like Mujica of Peru, “the world’s poorest president,” Duterte has lived in the same modest home for many years.

However, he is also seen as someone who operates outside the law to get things done. The association of his name with the so-called Davao Death Squad and his own fiery tirades and threats against evildoers repel many who might have otherwise chosen him.

What is also counting against him now is his vehement stance against Grace Poe, even declaring that he finally decided to run in order to prevent an “American president” from being elected.

It’s too strident and off-putting.

Unnecessary...From A9 Only the LTO should have a record of such a driver, yet it wants other agencies to clear a prospective professional driver when it should be doing it. It is totally incomprehensible. Yet, Secretary Abaya, an engineer and a lawyer who should have known better, signed the administrative order. It is disappointing, but perhaps not surprising anymore. Was it not Secretary Abaya, who said that the traffic problem in Metro Manila is not fatal? Was it not his boss, the President, said that the bulletplanting scandal at our airports and ports has been blown out of proportion? *** The President has just issued an order to the Armed Forces and the Philippine National Police for an intensified campaign against terrorists groups, most especially the Abu Sayyaf, an armed group that is basically a kidnap for ransom outfit but a terrorists group nonetheless.

But then for many, that describes the mayor in a nutshell.

Anyway. This entire exercise, however, might be rendered moot and academic if the Commission on Elections decides that he cannot run. Duterte said that he left the matter to his lawyers to fix. PDP-Laban president Senator Aquilino Pimentel III has also stated their party’s support for Duterte, saying that the party has already signed a new certificate of nomination for him as their candidate.

Now we wait and see what happens next. The situation will also be altered if Poe is disqualified and if Santiago is scratched from the race; Roxas and Binay seem pretty much on track with their own campaigns.

This is all just another chapter in the telenovela that is Philippine politics. Who is the hero, the villain, the damsel in

This is an offshoot of a United Nations Security Council resolution authored by France, which was passed unanimously urging all countries to unite and fight terrorism in all its shape and form.

We are good and quick to jump into these kinds of things to show that we as a country can be depended upon to do our share.

But maybe we should not be so gung-ho on this. After all, our record in fighting the Abu Sayyaf is dismal. The Abu Sayyaf has been operating with complete impunity over the years and we cannot do anything about it. During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, a Malaysian captive of the group was beheaded, infuriating the Malaysians. The group is still holding three foreigners and a Filipina and is demanding P3 billion for the release of the victims.

The government does not seem to have the resolve to confront the Abu Sayyaf problem once and for all. And because of Mamasapano, it is also doubtful whether the order can be carried out with

distress? You decide. *** University of the Philippines womens’ studies professor Sylvia Claudio will launch her new book “And Then She Laughed: Counseling Women” on Dec. 3 at the UP Executive House.

Claudio is a doctor twice over, holding both MD and PhD Psychology degrees. In this book, she covers cases she has handled over the years as a counselor for abused women, discussing issues of rape, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and depression. It is also a book of healing, with life lessons gleaned from the stories of survivors. Published by Anvil, it is available at major bookstores. *** Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember, Blog: http://jennyo.net

any degree of enthusiasm by the AFP and the PNP. Mamasapano has been a harrowing experience for the PNP-Special Action Force.

I have it from a good source that the officers and men of the unit are trying their best to avoid any mission that would involve combat or other police operations that would require contact with armed groups to avoid what happened to the SAF officers in the Mamasapano operation. Instead of appreciation and medals for the sacrifices performed, what these officers got were cases filed against them.

If the government is serious about destroying the Abu Sayyaf group, it must be ready to provide the necessary means for our armed services to accomplish its mission to neutralize the group.

If we can afford P10 billion to throw a big shindig, then we can surely afford to spend more than that to improve the capability of our fighting men so that the Abu Sayyaf can be eliminated once and for all.

CHONG ARDIVILLA

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Philracom to support Philtobo Championship THE Philippine Racing Commission will be sponsoring one of the major races of the 16th Philippine Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Grand Championship Day on Nov. 29 at Santa Ana Park.

Contessa, Sippin Beauty, Most Trusted, Sky Glory, and Luneta Park are the declared entries in the 1,600-meter Philtobo-Philracom Juvenile Fillies Championship, with total prizes of P1 million for first to fourth places.

Three other Philtobo championship races – the Juvenile Championship, Santa Ana Park 3YO Colts and Fillies, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Classic – also feature the elite runners from their respective groups.

“In line with our agency’s mandate to support racing events,” said Philracom Chair-

Strongman. Nijat Rahimov of Kazakhstan competes in the men’s 77kg weight class during the 2015 International Weightlifting Federation World Championships at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. The Kazakh lifter won the tournament. AFP

man Andrew A. Sanchez, “we are pleased to sponsor Philtobo’s championship day, as we have done for the other horseowner’s events held earlier this year.”

Philracom is also the major sponsor of the Metropolitan Association of Race Horse Owners Platinum Racing Festival staged last November 8, the Klub Don Juan de Manila event in October, and the Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Racing Festival in August. All are annual events that have become much-awaited traditions in a large part due to Philracom’s unwavering support of no less than P1 million per event.

Philracom is also one of the backers of the Dec. 13 PCSO Presidential Gold Cup for the same amount, as an added bonus to the P3 million provided

by PCSO.

Fury labels Klitschko an ‘old man’ BERLIN—Challenger Tyson Fury has vowed to ‘expose’ undisputed champion Wladimir Klitschko in Saturday’s world heavyweight title bout and has labelled the Ukrainian giant an ‘old man’.

Klitschko, 39, will defend his IBF, WBA and IBO titles against Britain’s Fury, 27, in Duesseldorf having last tasted defeat more than a decade

ago.

This is the second time the fight has been scheduled to take place after the original date in October was can-

celled due to Klitschko’s calf injury.

Fury has won all of his 24 fights to date with 18 knockouts and has vowed to not only usurp Klitschko, but also highlight the champion’s weaknesses.

“I think this might be one of my easiest fights,” boasted Manchester-born Fury in Tuesday’s press conference.

“I know that sounds

crazy, because he’s a Super champion, but I see so many chinks in his armour.

“There is nothing he does which makes me think I won’t beat him.

“I can expose what he doesn’t do very well and you’ll see what I’m talking about on Saturday night.

“I’m not going to say too much today as I don’t want to scare him off.

“I’m coming very fast for you, Wlad. Old guy, young guy. Old champion, new champion. Enough said.

Amen,” added Fury ahead of the bout at Duesseldorf’s Esprit Arena with 42,000 tickets sold.

Klitschko has heard such bold statements before from previous challengers, many of whom then became one of his 53 knockouts in 64 wins. AFP

Petron starts title-retention bid against Foton REIGNING champion Petron is into the last stretch of its titleretention bid against powerhouse Foton today in Game 1 of their 2015 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix best-of-three titular showdown at the Cuneta Astrodome.

War begins at 4 p.m., with the Blaze Spikers expected to have a

Gunning for a tougher time against Game Today (Cuneta Astrodome) three-peat, the Blaze the Tornadoes in the 4 p.m. -- Foton vs Petron Spikers are said to final roll of this preshave a slight advantigious inter-club tourney presented by Asics and tage for having a fluid and starbacked by Milo with Senoh, Muel- studded lineup in Dindin Sanler and Mikasa as technical part- tiago, Rachel Anne Daquis, Aby ners and TV5 as official broad- Marano and Ces Molina as well as vast experience after representcaster.

ing the country in the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship in Vietnam two months ago.

They also dominated the Tornadoes in their two eliminationround encounters before clobbering Cignal in four sets in the semifinals to inch closer to the title.

Guevera succeeds Macapagal

By Lito Cinco THREE-TIME Olympian and current Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Akiko Thomson-Guevara is now the president of the Philippine Olympians Association following her election to the position after a special board meeting convened to find a replacement for former president Art Macapagal, who passed away a few months back.

Guevara, 41, who became a naturalized Filipino through an Act of Congress when she was just 12 years old, enabling her to carry the country’s colors in international swimming competitions, dominated the local swimming scene and saw action in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

She was nominated by POA Chairman Paeng Hechanova, who retained his position, while

Stephen Fernandez took Guevara’s previous post as treasurer. Another swimming great, Ral Rosario, remained as secretary general for the group, composed of Filipino athletes, who have represented the country in past Olympic Games.

The POA said it plans to continue its annual Arete Award, given to any individual or group that had shown excellence in sports and given out during the group’s General Assembly slated middle of next year, with the assembly to send off the athletes who will make it to the Rio Olympiad.

“We also plan to come out with another award under the name of Tito Art who kept the group going in the past, spending his own money and using his company’s resources for our activities, We still miss him but we all agreed to step up and take on the challenge of continuing what Tito Art had been doing,” Guevarra said.

Bicycle Day. City officials of Paranaque, led by Mayor Edwin Olivarez and Youth and Sports Development Office head Alexander Dandan, welcomed the hundreds of participants of the Second National Bicycle Day spearheaded by National Bicycle Organization held at the Pagcor Entertainment City in Barangay Tambo, over the weekend. Olivarez expressed support to the group’s aim of making the national shift towards a Bicycle-Friendly Philippines. The proposed ordinance will have bicycle parking in the city and pave the way for widespread acceptance of the bicycle.

Letran leads cage cast NEWLY crowned NCAA champion Letran-A will be among 12 teams seeing action in the 12th Fr. Martin Cup Collegiate Open basketball tournament, which starts Saturday at the Arellano University gymnasium in Legarda, Manila.

A 2-game bill will kick off the season, with reigning Division 2 Cup champion Ateneo fighting it out with Manuel L. Quezon University at 9 a.m.

Later, defending champion University of Perpetual Help clashes with University of the East at 10:30 a.m.

The Knights, coached by Aldin Ayo, is in Group A with the Mapua Cardinals, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, Ateneo, Manuel Luis Quezon University and Philippine Merchant Marine School.

Commissioner Robert de la Rosa said Letran-B is in Group B with Arellano University, the 13th Division 2 Cup runner-up.

They are in the company of University of the East, Adamson, Philippine College of Criminology and University of Perpetual Help.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

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Spieth seeks to match Nicklaus, Player SYDNEY—World number one Jordan Spieth is gunning to join Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player as only the third non-local player to win back-to-back Australian Opens this week—but a “fired-up” Adam Scott is standing in his way.

Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors shoots against Jordan Clarkson (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers during their NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

Warriors...

From A16 pretty cool,” Curry said. “We want to keep it going.”

“There’s a lot of season left but we’re on the right track.

It’s special. There’s a lot of great players in this league and a lot of great teams -nobody’s accomplished what this team has tonight.

“We’re proud of this moment. We’ll celebrate a little bit and then look ahead to Friday night.”

At times the game resembled a training exercise for the Warriors as they sprinted into a 30-11 first quarter lead against their outclassed opponents, effectively scoring at will.

Draymond Green scored 12 points in the opening quarter, with Curry and Harrison Barnes chipping in

with eight points each. Green eventually finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots.

The healthy cushion built over the first period never looked like being overhauled by the Lakers, who trailed by 16 points at the half, 54-38.

It got worse for the Lakers after the interval as the Warriors cut loose, outscoring their opponents by 35-17 to extend their lead to 89-55 heading into the final quarter.

By midway through the final quarter the Warriors led by more than 40 points with the Lakers barely managing token resistance.

It was a miserable night for veteran Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who was restricted to four points with one-for-14 shooting. It was the Lakers icon’s lowest score of the season having reached double

digits in each of his previous 10 appearances.

- Way to go The Lakers might be enduring a miserable season so far, but the Warriors still have a way to go before they can think about overhauling the Los Angeles team’s record for the longest winning streak in NBA history, which stands at a remarkable 33 wins set in the 1971-72 season.

The Warriors recordbreaking start is not even good enough to place them in the top three unbeaten runs in history, with the Miami Heat (27) and Houston Rockets (22) leading the field.

- Season record With the winning start in the bag, the Warriors may now be tempted to look at the Chicago Bulls all-time season record as a possibility.

The 1995-1996 Bulls featuring Michael Jordan went 72-10 for the season that year, making them the only team to crack 70 victories in a season.

Golden State would need to find five more victories than they did last year -- 6715 -- to equal the Bulls record.

- Mastermind in absentia The Warriors winning streak is all the more remarkable considering it has been achieved without the presence of head coach Steve Kerr, who is recovering from two back surgeries.

Understudy Luke Walton is adamant though that Kerr is the architect of the winning run.

“All we’re doing is following his leadership,” Walton said. “I’m just glad to not be letting my boss Steve down.”

AFP

Metro Pacific five routs Our Lady of Fatima, 77-55 facing MindMETRO PaGames on Thursday anao Aguilas cific Toll Cor(Marikina Sports Center) poration routed 7 p.m.- Sta. Lucia Land vs Austen (2-3) in the Morris Associates quarterfinals, Our Lady of Fatima Uni- 8:30 p.m.-Philippine Christian followed by a University vs Macway Travel match between versity, 77-55, OLFU PhoeTuesday night to finish third in Group A dur- nix (1-4) and Hobe Bihoning the elimination round of Cars Unlimited (4-1).

Undefeated Far Eastern the 5th DELeague Basketball Tournament at the Marikina University-NRMF automatically moved into the semifinal Sports Center, Marikina City.

Byron Villaria topscored round of the league supported for the Road Warriors with by PSBank, Accel Sportswear, 31 points followed by team- PCA -Marivalley, Angel’s mate AJ Vitug, who came up Burger, Mckie’s Construction Equipment Sales and Rentals, with 14 points.

Meanwhile, Andrie Al- Luyong Panciteria, Azucar bano finished with 16 points, Boulangerie and Patisserie, JAJ 5 rebounds for OLFU, with Quick Print Advertising, Mall Nelson Peñafiel and Martin Tile Experts Corporation, Jay Gozon trailing with 11 points Marcelo Tires, Polar Glass and Aluminum Supply, and Mr. apiece.

The Road Warriors will be and Mrs. Dot Escalona.

Sta. Lucia Land Inc.’s Francis Munsayac and Warren Ybanez try to stop a driving Philippine National Police-Quick Print John Sta. Cruz with a double-team in a game Sunday night as the DELeague Basketball Tournament continues at the Marikina Sports Center, Marikina City. Sta. Lucia Land Inc. dominated PNP-Quick Print, 100-64.

It was a year ago the American ignited a “dream” 10 months by winning in Sydney, and a week later claiming the Tiger Woodshosted World Challenge.

He went on to capture the opening two majors of 2015, along with two regular PGA Tour victories and the season-ending Tour Championship in a breakthrough season.

Spieth said he was thrilled to be back at The Australian Club for the tournament’s 100th edition, where a final-round, courserecord 63 carried him to an impressive six shot success last year.

Now he is seeking to become the first overseas player in nearly 40 years to lift the trophy twice in a row after Nicklaus completed his double in 1976.

“Anywhere you can go back and you have great memories can help you out and it just puts good vibes in going forward,” Spieth said.

“So I am looking forward to trying to do the exact same thing as last year.”

In contrast to Spieth, Australia’s world number 12 Scott is seeking a first win since capturing the 2014 Crowne Plaza Invitational Colonial.

But he said he was highly motivated to win on home turf with the “whole golf world” watching as Spieth defends his title.

- ‘Fabulous season’ “I am very fired-up to win the Australian Open this week,” said Scott, a former world number one who finished fifth in Sydney last year.

“I’ve been building it in my own my mind just knowing Jordan has come back to defend and as the number one golfer in the world.

“It’s important and it’s great that he is here because the whole golf world will be watching what happens this week, so he’s doing a huge favour for Australian golf this week.” AFP

St. Paul, La Salle eye finals slots ST. PAUL College Pasig and De La SalleZobel School shoot for two finals berths in different divisions when the crossover semifinal matches of the 28th Women’s Basketball League, organized by the Best Center and sponsored by Milo, fires off on Sunday at the Xavier School gym.

St. Paul College-Pasig’s 13-and-Under squad, which topped the category, faces No. 4 Miriam College at 1 p.m., with the winner facing the victor in the De la Salle ZobelSt. Pedro Poveda 2:15 p.m. match for the crown on Dec. 13.

St. Paul College-Pasig also topped the 17-and-under Developmental Division and will face No. 4 St. Stephen High School, also at 1 p.m. The game will be followed by the 2:15 p.m. semis match between No. 2 Montessori Integrated School and No. 3 New Era High School.

The winners tangle for the crown also on Dec. 13.

La Salle College-Antipolo topped the 17-and-Under Competitive Division and will have the luxury of facing No. 4 Chiang Kai Shek College at 1 p.m., followed by the 2:15 p.m. semis pairing between No. 2. St. Bridget School and De la Salle-Zobel.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Blu Girls set sights on Tokyo Olympics AMATEUR Softball Association of the Philippines President Jean Henri Lhuillier welcomed the news that women’s softball has been included on the shortlist of additional sports being evaluated by Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games organizers for potential inclusion at the 2020 Games.

The news was relayed to him by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

WBSC was among 26 international sports federations to have submitted their bids to Tokyo 2020 organizers earlier this month.

“This is a welcome development for Philippine Sports. Our women’s softball team is the country’s most consistent team performer in international competitions being perennial champions of the Southeast Asian Games, 4th in Asia behind Japan, China and Chinese Taipei who are among the top five in the world and we placed 7th in last year’s World Cup. Imagine, we have five (5) full years to prepare, improve and contend for a medal and possibly the gold in 2020 Tokyo Olympics. We will definitely support WBSC in its effort to have women’s softball included in 2020 Games. We’ll also continue preparing our team for international competitions such as the Olympics,” said Lhuillier.

“Excited ang buong team sa news na ito. We had firsthand experience competing against the world’s best in last year’s World Cup and we all feel, we’re just a few steps away from being among the world’s elite teams. Sana makalaro nga tayo sa Olympics and we’ll definitely give our best to win an Olympic medal for the country if ever,” said Randy Dizer, Blu Girls’ Coach.

A picture of the three-time F1 World Champion, late Brazilian Ayrton Senna, decorates an office of the Ayrton Senna Institute, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. AFP

Cignal forces rubber match CIGNAL HD struck back hard and clobbered Air Force with its power game and solid blocking, posting a convincing 25-16, 25-17, 25-18 victory to force a sudden death for the Spikers’ Turf Season 1-Reinforced Conference crown at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

The HD Spikers came out smoking and sustained their attacks to finish with 40 kills, 15 more than the Airmen, as they slowed down the Air Force’s hitters with 12 blocks on their way to leveling their best-of-three series at 1-1 after dropping the opener, 1525, 25-19, 19-25, 19-25.

Edmar Bonono went on attack mode as he unleashed a game-best 19 hits, including 15 kills, as the HD Spikers atoned for their lackluster

showing the first time out to send the series to a winnertake-all affair on Dec. 6.

“We were a little lousy in Game One that’s why we made some adjustments in our attacking game, which went according to plan today (yesterday),” said Cignal coach Michael Carino.

Lorenzo Capate, Jr. finished with 12 hits but Cignal drew a strong performance from Herschel Ramos, who contributed 11 points after a dismal

four-hit performance in Game was not as impressed with One of the finals of the season- his wards’ reception. ending conference presented “We need to improve more

by PLDT Home Ultera. on our defense, we rely too “We knew that for us to have much on our libero (Sandy Doa chance, we need to get every- menick Montero),” said Carino. body involved and we did that Earlier, PLDT Home Ultera in this game,” said Carino. pulled through in a thrilling The HD Spikers also found opener then bounced back a way to slow down the Air from a second set defeat to Spikers’ once finish off Navy, 31mighty attacking 29, 20-25, 25-21, on Dec. 6 game with a solid 5 p.m.Game 25-15, to capture – Cignal vs Air Force net defense. third place honors After a 17-point in the pioneering effort in the series’ opener, Jef- men’s volley league backed fry Malabanan struggled with by Mikasa and organized by only 10 points while the pow- Sports Vision. er-spiking troika of Rodolfo Mark Alfafara fired 21 Labrador, Reyson Fuentes and hits, including 19 attack Ruben Inaudito were held to points, while four others a combined 18 points after churned out double-digit pooling 34 in Game One. scores for the Ultra Fast HitBut while Cignal’s block- ters, who also scored a fouring was spectacular, Carino set win, 25-14, 25-22, 23-25,

25-19, in Game One. Kheeno Franco and Henry Paca-a each shot 13 markers while Peter Torres and Ron Galang chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively, for Home Ultera, which dominated the net, 54-44 (spikes) and 13-8 (blocks) while pouncing on Navy’s poor service reception to score six aces.

In contrast, the Ultra Fast Hitters proved solid on their reception, yielding no aces with Rolando Casillan anchoring the team’s offense with 35 of Home Ultera’s 52 excellent sets.

Razzel Palisoc unloaded 17 hits while Wilbert Sapida had 11 points for Navy, which also drew a combined 19-point output from Nur Madsairi, Alvin Cacayuran, Edgardo Rusit and Chris Senisan.

It’s a 3-way fight in Fil-Am senior golf

Tommy Manotoc of San MiguelNorthern Consolidated reacts after sending the ball near the 18th hole.

DAVID CHAN

BAGUIO CITY—It’s down to three teams vying for the top honors in the first part of the 66th Fil-Am Golf Invitational Championship, with the fancied San Miguel—Northern Cement leading two others, including the defending champion Pugo Adventure.

Meanwhile, Nueva Ecija Seniors virtually wrapped up competitions in the Seniors’ Am-Championship with a round to go.

San Miguel came out smoking as it fired a tournament-best 137 at the Camp John Hay golf course and a three-day aggregate 342 to take command of the Seniors’ Fil-Championship with a round to go.

Eddie Bagtas proved that he still got game as he fired a tournamentbest one-under 70 for 37 points to lead San Miguel, which climbed three rungs up to the top in the event title presented by the beer company.

With the 35 of Chito Laureta, the 33 of Rudy Amata and the 32 of Tommy

Manotoc, the team took a close twopoint advantage on defending champion Pugo Adventure, which retained the second spot.

Pugad also got good game from Goodie Ignacio, who made the other sub-par performance and the team’s 129, which is good for 340.

Eight-time individual titlist Fred Puckett had a 34, Ed Montenegro submitted his second 30 and Douglas Puckett added a 28 to count for Pugo, which was four down at this time of the year, but pulled off a last-day miracle to win by two shots on 2013 champion Megafiber.

Pugo is one up on overnight leader Manila Southwoods, which made 125 and 339 on the pair of 33s of Edmund Yee and Bong Sison, the 30 of Charlie Kim and the 29 from Herminio Maravilla and Cipriano Abdon, one of which did not count.

San Miguel actually made good its “threat” that the long hitters will have their field day at the longer

CJH course as it whittled down a nine-point second round deficit and turned it into an advantage.

“That is only nine points. The thing is that, our team should not be way behind going into John Hay,” added Bagtas.

“Sa John Hay na kami makakabawi,” predicted Bagtas, who shot five birdies against two bogeys and a lone pick up, prior to Wednesday’s game.

It will be the closest competition yet in the top senior’s flight with three teams capable of winning the title as well as three persons, who could be this year’s top individual player and coming from the said teams. Bagtas of San Miguel leads with 94 points, while Ignacio of Pugad and Yee of Southwoods are merely a shot down with 93 points each.

“It was expected that we will play good during the third and fourth rounds because of Eddie (Bagtas) and Tommy (Manotoc),” said team captain Bobby Iñigo.

T H U R S DAY : N O V E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Castro nets 26 points, lifts Texters past Elite, 109-98

By Jeric Lopez

BANKING on a huge third-quarter flurry, Talk ‘N Text coasted to a bounce-back victory, trouncing Blackwater, 109-98, and keeping in step with the other top teams in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was another day at work for Jayson CasTalk ‘N Text coach Jong Uichico identified tro, the star spitfire, who unloaded a game- what the difference was for his Tropang Texhigh 26 points, 15 of which came from five ters in the second half. triples to go with five assists, as ‘’I asked the players at halfhe continued to spearhead Talk time on why they can’t defend.

Games Friday ‘N Text’s attack.

Then, we played better defense (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. - Alaska vs. NLEX The Texters tied sister team in the second half,’’ said Uichico.

7 p.m. - Rain or Shine vs. Barako NLEX at fourth place on identiHigh-profile rookies Moala cal 4-2 marks, while Blackwater Tautuaa and Troy Rosario confell to 1-5 near the bottom after this second tinued their growth by contributing to the win. Rosario came off the bench to fire 17 straight setback.

Following a tight first half where both points and eight rebounds, while Tautuaa squads went neck-to-neck, the Talk ‘N Text registered a double-double of 16 points and suddenly planted its feet hard on the acceler- 10 rebounds as Castro got a lot of help from ator to systematically rout the helpless Elite his pals.

The Tropang Texters unleashed a decisive in a dominant second-half performance.

16-0 surge in the third to turn a five-point deficit into a commanding 72-61 spread after two free throws from Matt Ganuelasser at the 3:59 mark.

That allowed Talk ‘N Text to break the game wide open and breeze to a comfortable finish.

Talk ‘N Text carried a 78-68 cushion into the fourth period, which became target practice for the powerhouse Texters.

The lead apexed to as high as 19 points, 9172, with 7:45 remaining after Castro’s triple.

Larry Fonacier also added 16 markers for Talk ‘N Text, also off the bench.

Carlo Lastimosa and JP Erram each had a team-high 19 points to lead Blackwater.

The scores: TALK N’ TEXT 109—Castro 26, Rosario 17, Fonacier 16, Tautuaa 16, Crey 11, Rosser 8, Williams 6, Miranda 3, Aban 2, Reyes J. 2, Seigle 2, Reyes R. 0.

BLACKWATER 98—Erram 18, Lastimosa 18, Dela Cruz 13, Cortez 11, Reyes 9, Ballesteros 8, Cervantes 8, Sena 7, Gamalinda 6, Canada 0, Vosotros 0.

Quarters: 24-24, 26-27, 78-68, 109-98

Blackwater’s JP Erram finds a gaping hole in TNT’s defense as he drives for a basket in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Texters, 109-98.

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

Tamaraws...

From A16 “I think Games Saturday it was our (Araneta Coliseum) defense. At 10 a.m. Ateneo vs La Salle (women stepladder semis) the start, we had consec- 3:30 p.m. FEU vs La Salle (Game 2) utive lapses.

But we gained the momentum when we did things. At du’n kami nakakuha ng momentum,” said FEU coach Nash Racela when asked what was the key factor for the win.

Racela said the Tamaraws’ defensive efforts had been underrated since the start of the season, but added that their hard work paid off in the end.

“Lalo na kapag defense ang pinag-usapan. I think it showed today,” Racela added.

Roger Pogoy led the Tamaraws with 15 points, including a driving shot against Kevin Ferrer in the last 3:37, allowing FEU to retake the lead for good, 63-62.

As UST fired blanks and were forced into turnovers, the Tamaraws made their move to widen their lead in the final 1:20.

Mike Tolomia, who chipped in 14 points, hit a jumper before Prince Orizu scored on pass by Belo to hand FEU a five-point edge, 69-62.

Tolomia then stole off Louie Vigil, and drove in to give FEU an insurmountable 7162 edge in the last 1:20.

The win sent FEU a win away from winning a record-setting 20th men’s basketball title that will end a 10-year title drought.

But Kevin Ferrer, the UST team skipper who spoke in behalf of coach Bong de la Cruz, said the Tams won’t have an easy time in Game 2.

“Ito (rebounds) ang strength ng FEU. Natalo kami sa rebounds. Iwo-work out namin ito,” said Ferrer.

Ferrer said that De la Cruz reminded them they need to keep FEU from controlling the boards again.

The Tamarwas can claim the crown on Saturday if they beat UST in Game 2 at 3:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

UST drew 19 points from Kareem Abdul, including six in the third quarter, where the Tigers cut down FEU’s lead to five with his three freebies, 51-56, with 45.6 ticks to go.

ACBL; A task-force against cheating

SYLVIA LOPEZ ALEJANDRO

THE American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) announced the formation of a task-force against cheating. The advisory panel consists of Karen Allison, Larry Cohen, PerOla Cullin, Eric Kokish, Howard Weinstein, Steve Weinstein, Chris Willenken, Kit Woolsey.

The first meeting of the advisory panel will take place during the Fall NABC in Denver (Nov. 26-Dec. 6, 2015).

The minutes of the meetings of the advisory panel will be published.

-oOoTournament Report: A Passage to India

by Bart Bramley Sixteen teams met in Phoenix, in May, to determine one representative to the 2015 Bermuda to the 2015 Bermuda Bowl in Chennai, India.

I feature a deal which highlighted contrast in style.

West dealer Neither side vulnerable

LOTTO RESULTS

West ♠J109432 ♥6 ♦10976 ♣J2

North ♠7 ♥KJ104 ♦A5432 ♣Q97

South ♠AKQ ♥A98 ♦KQ8 ♣K865 Nickell vs. Sherman Room 1 South West North Levin Passell S. Weinstein Pass Pass 2NT Pass 3♣ 3NT Pass 4♠ 6♦ Pass Pass Room 2 South West North Dwyer Katz l Ekeblad Pass 1♥ 2♣ Pass 2♦ 2♥ Pass 3♣

East ♠865 ♥Q7532 ♦J ♣A1043

East Jacobus Pass Pass Pass Pass East Nickell Pass Pass Pass

3♦ Pass 3♠ Pass 4♥ Pass 4♠ Pass 4NT Pass 5♥ Pass 5♠ Pass 6♦ Pass 7♦ Pass Pass Double Pass Pass Pass Fleisher vs. Seligman Room 3 South West North East Willenken Cheek Rosenberg Bertens Pass Pass Pass 2NT Pass 3♣ Pass 3♦ Pass 4♦ Pass 6♦ Pass Pass Pass Room 4 South West North East Seligman Martel Lair Cohler 2♦* Pass 3♠† 3NT Pass Pass Pass Gordon vs. Diamond Room 5 South West North East Sontag Greco Berkowitz Hampson Pass Pass 1♥ Double 1♠ 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass 3NT (All Pass) Room 6 South West North East Platnick Gordon Diamond Rajadhyaksha

Pass Pass 2NT Pass 3♣ 3♦ Pass 4♦ 4♥ Pass 4NT 6♦ Pass Pass Bramley vs. Fireman Room 7 South West North Hurd

Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass East

W.Weinstein Wooldrige Grabel

Pass Pass Pass 2NT Pass 3♣ Pass 3♦ Pass 3♥ Pass 3NT Pass 4♦ Pass 4♥ Pass 4NT Pass 6♦ Pass Pass Pass Room 8 South West North East Lee Wolpert Hamman Kranyak 3♠ Pass 4♠ Double Pass Pass Pass In Rooms 1,3,6 and 7 (one in each match) an unimpeded auction after a fourth-seat two-notrump opening led to the worthwhile six diamonds, which depended on three-two trumps, plus a little, more:down one, minus 50.

In each of the other rooms, one of the first three players injected himself into the auction lacking classics values. In

Room 2, Ekeblad’s systematic opening produced a long relay auction climaxed by an accident. Seven diamonds doubled down two cost 6 imps.

In Room 4, Martel found a doublyweak opening irresistible; and in Room 5, Hamspon opened rather light even by his own feather weight standards. Deprived of science, their opponents were endplayed into three notrump, winning 11 imps apiece.

In Room 8, after Wolpert’s flame throwing opening Lee’s prayers were answered when Hamman passed the double and led a trump: down five, and 15 imps to the defenders. I know a few players who might have bid with Hamman’s hand-it does have a stiff spade and promising offense. But Hamman calculated that the combined age of the other three players was barely more than his own age and wisely judged that he had better prospects on defense.

I confess that I have a lot sympathy for all the losing aggressive actions.

However, picking your spots is part of the game, and this was the wrong spot.

Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@ yahoo

A16

T H U R S DAY : N O V E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 1 5 RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

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

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

Tamaraws zero in on title

By Peter Atencio

DEFENSE and Mac Belo’s efforts off the boards spelled the difference for the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, who hacked out a 75-64 win over the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in Game 1 of their best-of-three Finals in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Belo had 13 rebounds to go with his 13 points as the Tamaraws crushed the Growling Tigers in the battle of

the boards, 56-32, while also shutting down UST’s gunners in the final four minutes.

Continued to A15

Warriors in record 16-0 start

Kevin Ferrer of UST watches as the ball goes out of bounds, with FEU’s Ron Marvis Dennison and Mark Belo trailing him behind in Game 1 of the UAAP Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena. LINO SANTOS

SAN FRANCISCO—Stephen Curry scored 24 points as the Golden State Warriors set a new record for the longest unbeaten start to an NBA season with a 11177 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers here Tuesday.

Reigning MVP Curry turned on the style as the Warriors extended their perfect start to 16 games, surpassing the previous best of 15-0 they had shared with the 1993-94

Houston Rockets and 1948-49 Washington Capitols.

A sell-out crowd at the Oracle Arena had come to see the NBA champions make history and the outcome never looked in doubt from the outset against a Lakers side who slumped to 2-12 with the loss.

“To start the season 16-0 and do something that’s never been done before in NBA history, it’s

Continued to A13

THE STANDARD

2015

VISIONARY

AWARDEES:

Awards

RACHEL HARRISON (AUTISM AWARENESS AND EDUCATION) • WAYA ARAOS WIJANGCO (SPECIAL NEEDS CULINARY ARTS EDUCATION) • CHARIE VILLA (CITIZEN JOURNALISM) • JAAFAR KIMPA (MUSLIM RIGHTS)• CASIMIRO OLVIDA (WATERSHED PROTECTION) • SLIM’S FASHION & ARTS SCHOOL SANDY HIGGINS AND MARK HIGGINS (FASHION EDUCATION) • LENORA CABILI (FASHION) • QUINTIN PASTRANA (READING AND LITERACY ADVANCEMENT)• MAIKI ORETA (CHILDREN ADVOCACY) • HINDY TANTOCO (SUSTAINABLE LIVING) • ROBERTA DANS THOMAS (ARTS AND CULTURE) • CRISTINA LIAMZON AND EDGARDO VALENZUELA, KEVIN LEE, MA. INES FERNANDEZ, JOHN PAUL MAUNES (SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP) • XYZA CRUZ BACANI (YOUNG VISIONARY FOR PHOTOGRAPHY) • AISA MIJENO AND RAPHAEL MIJENO (YOUNG VISIONARY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY) • CHARLENE TAN (YOUNG VISIONARY FOR COMMUNITY SHARED AGRICULTURE) • JASON BUENSALIDO (YOUNG VISIONARY FOR ARCHITECTURE) • CRISTALLE BELO HENARES (YOUNG VISIONARY FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP) • ROLANDREI VIKTOR VARONA (YOUNG VISIONARY FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP)

SPECIAL THANKS TO

B1

THURSDAY: NOVEMBER 26, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Micro business award. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. (fourth from left) and Citi Philippines chief executive Aftab Ahmed (third from left) host a meeting of the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards National Selection Committee to choose the winners of this year’s nationwide search for outstanding micro business owners. With them (from left) are Philippine Airlines director Antonino Alindogan Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer chair Marixi Rufino-Prieto, Commission on Filipino Overseas Secretary Imelda Nicolas, Summit Media Publishing president Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, GMA Network chairman and chief executive Felipe Gozon and RFM Corp. president and CEO Joey Concepcion.

SMC tops Bulacan water bids

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

THE government said Wednesday the joint venture of San Miguel Corp. and Korea Water Resources Corp. offered the best bid for the P24.4-billion Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

The SMC-K Water Consortium submitted a bulk water charge of P8.50 per cubic meter, lower than the P9.65 bid of Prime Alloy Water Consortium.

SMC’s offer was also lower than the P10.65 per cubic meter bid of Team Team Polaris– Manila Water.

Prime Alloy Water Consortium is comprised of Prime Water Infrastructure Corp., MTD Capital BHD and Biwater International Ltd., while Team Polaris– Manila Water is made of up of Manila Water Co. Inc.,

M.E. Sicat Construction and J.H. Patawaran Construction.

The MWSS said the financial bid results would be subject to further evaluation before the notice of award is issued to the winning bidder.

The MWSS expects to officially award the project to the winning bidder next month.

“The Bulacan Bulk Water project is all about water security, equality, and leveling-up the lives of millions of Filipinos that continue to be deprived of a basic human right,” said MWSS

administrator Gerardo Esquiviel.

The private partner will undertake the financing, detailed design and construction, and maintenance of conveyance facilities, treatment facilities and water source under a 32-year concession period.

The Bulacan water supply project is one of the two that the MWSS is bidding out under the government’s Public-Private Partnership program. The other is the P18.72-billion New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project.

The first project will provide treated bulk water to the 24 water districts of Bulacan to help meet the increasing demand of consumers, expand its current service area coverage and increase the households served.

San Miguel Corp. in June signed a joint venture agreement with Korea Water to operate and maintain the 218-megawatt Angat hydroelectric power plant in Bulacan.

The joint venture will pursue the rehabilitation of the Angat dam amid potential risks of earthquakes and other natural calamities.

San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said earlier San Miguel would take a 60-percent stake in the joint venture.

Ang did not say if talks with First Gen Corp. would still push through after San Miguel took a 60 percent stake. Ang earlier said San Miguel might offer a 30-percent stake in Angat to First Gen. Ang said consulting company expert Poyry had completed a study on the Angat hydro project.

K-water engaged Poyry to conduct a dam safety assessment.

The Angat dam and dike have been in operation over 40 years and a safety assessment is needed amid the potential risks to the facility.

The scope of the Angat hydro project rehabilitation includes “strengthening of the dikes.”

Imports rise to $6.2b; GDP growth revised to 5.8%

By Gabrielle H. Binaday IMPORTS rose 6.7 percent in September from a year ago, the fourth straight month this year, on strong demand for raw materials and intermediate goods, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Wednesday.

Preliminary data released by PSA showed merchandise imports reached $6.17 billion in September, up from $5.8 billion in the same month last year. The figure brought total imports in the first nine months to $49.915 billion, or 2.3 percent higher than $48.803 billion registered a year earlier.

“Upbeat sentiment from the business sector and an overall improvement in consumer expectations for the coming quarter will likely keep imports afloat, especially those in

the manufacturing and construction sectors.

Improved purchasing power due to low inflation will also keep consumer demand vibrant in the succeeding months, and will further be ramped-up by holiday spending,” said Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

“The growth registered in capital goods for September [40.7 percent], which is the highest for the year, is also an indication of robust economic activity moving forward,” Balisacan said.

Shipments of electronic products, which accounted for the 32.4 percent of total import bill, jumped 34.7 percent to $1.99 billion.

Meanwhile, strong imports and sluggish exports resulted in a trade deficit of $1.23 billion in September and $5.6 billion in the nine-month period. The National Economic and Development Authority said the increase in

trade deficit was due to the 24.7-percent decline in merchandise exports during the month.

A trade deficit is also expected to have an impact on third-quarter gross domestic product growth, which will be released Thursday.

The PSA revised the second-quarter GDP growth figure to 5.8 percent from the previous estimate of 5.6 percent.

Balisacan said the statistics agencies revised the numbers on other services; trade and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, personal and household goods; and construction.

The second quarter expansion of 5.8 percent was slower than the 6.4 percent expansion recorded in the same period in 2014 and was below the government’s full-year target of 7 percent to 8 percent.

PSe comPoSite

index

Closing November 25, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

7,059.14 66.54

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing NOVEMBER 25, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P46.970

46.20

CLOSE

47.00

HIGH P46.970 LOW P47.080 AVERAGE P47.037 VOLUME 784.800M

P487.00-P682.00 LPG/11-kg tank P35.15-P42.40 Unleaded Gasoline

o

il P PriceS today

P25.03-P28.48 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, November 25, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.1340

Japan

Yen

0.008165

0.3848

UK

Pound

1.507800

71.0686

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129032

6.0818

Switzerland

Franc

0.983768

46.3689

Canada

Dollar

0.751597

Singapore

Dollar

0.709119

33.4236

Australia

Dollar

0.723798

34.1155

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655478

125.1633

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266205

12.5473

Brunei

Dollar

0.706614

33.3055

35.4258

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000073

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.027925

1.3162

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.8340

Euro

Euro

1.063900

50.1459

Korea

Won

0.000868

0.0409

China

Yuan

0.156507

7.3768

India

Rupee

0.015076

0.7106

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.235738

11.1113

New Zealand

Dollar

0.653296

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030738

30.7925 1.4488 Source: PDS Bridge

THURSDAY: NOVEMBER 26, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Wednesday, november 25, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26 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 79 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.34 238 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17 0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 3.68 4.92 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 1.99 0.375 41.4 5.6 1.44

STOCKS

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.76 2.76 49.2 49 104.00 101.70 86.70 85.60 39.2 39.1 1.51 1.35 15.5 15 19.2 19 8.00 7.70 1.81 1.65 740.00 740.00 0.460 0.460 81.75 80.8 0.94 0.93 17.80 17.72 52.40 51.95 103 103 295 293.8 33.05 32.2 134.9 131.9 1510.00 1500.00 57.00 56.95 3 3 INDUSTRIAL 35.9 Aboitiz Power Corp.

42.05 42.85 42.05 1.11 Agrinurture Inc. 3.64 3.98 3.54 1.86 Alsons Cons.

1.53 1.55 1.51 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.92 10.92 10.8 15.32 Century Food 17.62 17.58 17.56 62.5 Chemphil 92.1 95 95 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 20.5 20.5 20.2 29.15 Concepcion 41.5 42 42 1.5 Crown Asia 2.42 2.43 2.35 1.5 Da Vinci Capital 1.41 1.48 1.39 10.72 Del Monte 9.76 10 9.8 9.55 DNL Industries Inc. 9.480 9.480 9.35 9.04 Emperador 9.10 9.15 9.10 6.02 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 6.10 6.30 6.16 8.86 EEI 5.35 5.53 5.20 1.06 Euro-Med Lab 1.67 1.67 1.67 20.2 First Gen Corp.

22.9 23 22.6 71.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 69 69.9 67 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.90 14.90 14.52 5.34 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.8 5.9 5.8 0.395 Ionics Inc 2.090 2.170 2.100 173 Jollibee Foods Corp.

203.00 207.00 204.20 LBC Express 12.5 12.5 12.5 34.1 Liberty Flour 42.00 42.00 42.00 1.63 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.68 3.22 3.21 23.35 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24.6 24.8 24.6 17.3 Maxs Group 22.6 23.2 21.95 5.88 Megawide 6.3 6.35 6.3 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 303.00 303.00 301.20 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.87 3.98 3.81 8.45 Petron Corporation 7.55 7.74 7.52 3 Phil H2O 3.19 3.17 3.17 10.04 Phinma Corporation 11.40 11.70 11.68 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.70 3.78 3.63 1.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.81 1.84 1.80 1 Pryce Corp. `A’ 2.22 2.27 2.18 4.02 RFM Corporation 4.19 4.20 4.18 5.9 Roxas Holdings 5.4 5.99 5.8 161 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 131.4 132.2 131 1.55 Splash Corporation 2.24 2.28 2.2 0.138 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.143 0.146 0.143 1.02 TKC Steel Corp.

1.11 1.10 1.04 2.09 Trans-Asia Oil 2.10 2.12 2.10 152 Universal Robina 202.6 204.8 203.4 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.72 4.55 4.52 0.640 Vitarich Corp.

0.63 0.64 0.63 1.2 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.12 1.14 1.08 HOLDING FIRMS 0.44 Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.390 0.400 0.385 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 56.1000 57.9000 56.9500 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 18.00 18.16 17.82 6.62 Anscor `A’ 6.34 6.40 6.40 0.23 ATN Holdings A 0.238 0.249 0.238 634.5 Ayala Corp `A’ 762.5 765 747 7.390 Cosco Capital 7.46 7.56 7.43 12.8 DMCI Holdings 13.60 13.98 13.64 2.6 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.78 6.9 5.65 1.15 F&J Prince ‘B’ 6.12 7 6.7 2.26 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

4.25 4.30 4.25 837 GT Capital 1288 1296 1288 5.3 House of Inv. 6.00 6.00 6.00 49.55 JG Summit Holdings 72.25 73.50 72.75 4.84 Lopez Holdings Corp.

7.81 7.83 7.69 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.72 0.75 0.71 12 LT Group 14.46 14.72 14.1 4.2 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 5.33 5.37 5.27 4.5 Minerales Industrias Corp. 9.84 9.89 9.74 0.030 Pacifica `A’ 0.0310 0.0310 0.0300 1.23 Prime Media Hldg 1.390 1.400 1.260 0.550 Prime Orion 1.780 1.790 1.770 59.3 San Miguel Corp `A’ 47.00 47.00 46.75 751 SM Investments Inc. 870.00 880.00 870.00 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.20 1.18 1.18 0.93 South China Res. Inc. 0.72 0.72 0.72 80 Top Frontier 75.600 82.500 75.550 0.211 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3000 0.3050 0.3000 0.179 Wellex Industries 0.2260 0.2200 0.2160 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.260 0.265 0.265 PROPERTY 6.74 8990 HLDG 7.200 7.200 6.860 0.65 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.84 0.87 0.82 0.192 Arthaland Corp.

0.210 0.210 0.210 30.05 Ayala Land `B’ 35.000 35.100 34.600 3.36 Belle Corp. `A’ 3.25 3.27 3.22 0.79 Century Property 0.57 0.58 0.56 2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

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

SHARES 14,375,681 61,714,237 116,402,356 110,546,889 100,232,003 56,644,194 461,738,489

2.78 49 101.50 86.00 39.2 1.50 15.3 18.94 7.70 1.65 735.00 0.455 80.5 0.95 17.70 52.10 104 295 33 131.4 1510.00 57.00 3

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.76 49 104.00 86.00 39.15 1.42 15.08 19.1 8.00 1.75 740.00 0.460 81 0.93 17.80 52.25 103 294.2 32.45 132.6 1500.00 56.95 3

-0.72 0.00 2.46 0.00 -0.13 -5.33 -1.44 0.84 3.90 6.06 0.68 1.10 0.62 -2.11 0.56 0.29 -0.96 -0.27 -1.67 0.91 -0.66 -0.09 0.00

1,000 23,500 1,322,870 8,777,220 12,900 498,000 167,100 28,400 20,600 36,000 50 180,000 1,779,440 70,000 13,800 66,080 100 1,130 20,200 951,390 160 277,770 123,000

42.7 3.95 1.55 10.9 17.56 95 20.4 42 2.36 1.44 9.81 9.460 9.11 6.28 5.20 1.67 22.75 67 14.90 5.85 2.110 206.00 12.5 42.00 3.21 24.75 23.2 6.35 302.60 3.88 7.73 3.17 11.70 3.78 1.81 2.26 4.20 5.8 132 2.28 0.144 1.10 2.12 204.2 4.55 0.63 1.08

1.55 8.52 1.31 -0.18 -0.34 3.15 -0.49 1.20 -2.48 2.13 0.51 -0.21 0.11 2.95 -2.80 0.00 -0.66 -2.90 0.00 0.86 0.96 1.48 0.00 0.00 -12.77 0.61 2.65 0.79 -0.13 0.26 2.38 -0.63 2.63 2.16 0.00 1.80 0.24 7.41 0.46 1.79 0.70 -0.90 0.95 0.79 -3.60 0.00 -3.57

3,962,600 2,854,000 273,000 400 307,000 100 610,600 500 180,000 102,000 6,900 11,210,400 9,726,100 11,936,300 660,600 2,000 1,983,200 713,340 3,700 42,700 967,000 1,439,090 7,200 200 11,000 831,200 571,300 202,200 134,770 174,000 1,351,300 50,000 9,900 107,000 243,000 127,000 214,000 3,100 7,650 123,000 1,500,000 12,000 133,000 1,241,720 6,684,000 61,000 732,000

0.4 57.8500 17.84 6.40 0..248 750 7.52 13.90 6.6 6.95 4.25 1295 6.00 73.50 7.76 0.73 14.66 5.33 9.89 0.0310 1.400 1.780 46.90 880.00 1.18 0.72 77.650 0.3050 0.2160 0.265

2.56 3.12 -0.89 0.95 4.20 -1.64 0.80 2.21 14.19 13.56 0.00 0.54 0.00 1.73 -0.64 1.39 1.38 0.00 0.51 0.00 0.72 0.00 -0.21 1.15 -1.67 0.00 2.71 1.67 -4.42 1.92

1,170,000 1,905,350 6,478,300 5,000 100,000 571,730 11,133,800 13,567,000 584,000 13,000 78,000 107,320 5,000 2,492,740 6,476,100 6,000 4,495,800 25,298,100 1,396,900 29,700,000 15,000 653,000 440,000 230,990 270,000 7,000 25,340 1,700,000 300,000 20,000

7.000 0.83 0.210 35.000 3.24 0.58

-2.78 -1.19 0.00 0.00 -0.31 1.75

239,500 1,208,000 30,000 7,033,900 324,000 604,000

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

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

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

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

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

Primex Corp.

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

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 7.67 4 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 3.32 95.5 2.46 15.2

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 4.8 2.58 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 3.01 8.72 0.011 0.041 1.200 1.91 3.1 1.8 6

0.62 1.040 22.8 18 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.335 0.37 14.54 8.8 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

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

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

DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Liberty Telecom Manila Broadcasting Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp.

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 1.72 6.47 0.236 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

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

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

TA Petroleum

-8,975,815.00 5,978,435.00

70 553 525 8.21 12.28 111 1060

33 490 500 5.88 6.5 101 997

-41,690.00

1047 84.8

1011 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F

709,102.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

33,950,355.00 475,490.00 570.00

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

220,520.00 71,026,839 45,707,669.50 -86,070.00 137,840.00 234,366.00

55,200.00 23,122,421.50 239,772.50 -72,265 -4,822,559.00 -1,108,697.00 66,456,390.00 -611,200.00 -68,526.00 203,750.00 -29,040.00 9,730.00 -11,587,930.00 -51,775,892.00 30,256,653.00 -2,205,352.00 -23,346,895.00 -6,091,471.00 -61,517.00 86,602,424.00

1,186,450.00 -2,445,510.00 1,178,827.00 -1,079,988.00 -25,270.00 -1,656,189.00

711,930.00 -11,600.00 -988,392.00

48,440,050.00 77,140.00

67,255,964.50 -22,463,220.00 6,846,621.00 6,846,621.00 72,531,698.00 -20,910.00 -78,068,940.00 90,050,527.50 3,140,604.00 5,466,700.00 -34,170,567.00 -98,900.00

Alterra Capital Xurpas

High

VALUE 1,188,427,388.81 1,283,089,154.06 2,010,054,181.35 1,198,493,107.88 1,363,655,672.05 224,386,457.918 7,300,530,179.57

FINANCIAL 1,555.94 (UP) 12.94 INDUSTRIAL 11,285.20 (UP) 93.97 HOLDING FIRMS 6,667.64 (UP) 53.13 PROPERTY 2,997.56 (UP) 22.71 SERVICES 1,581.70 (UP) 13.91 MINING & OIL 10,788.04 (UP) 29.78 PSEI 7,059.14 (UP) 66.54 All Shares Index 4,053.94 (UP) 26.90 Gainers: 70 Losers: 89; Unchanged: 53; Total: 212

Close

0.91 1.02 0.129 0.465 23.5 0.850 0.165 1.07 1.80 4.50 4.45 0.079 0.2600 8.7 30.80 1.43 21.40 0.75 7 0.900 5.580

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.91 0.90 0.91 1.08 1.03 1.03 0.129 0.126 0.126 0.470 0.460 0.465 24 23.65 23.8 0.860 0.840 0.860 0.163 0.163 0.163 1.08 1.05 1.07 1.89 1.80 1.87 4.00 3.98 4.00 4.64 4.46 4.56 0.080 0.080 0.080 0.2600 0.2600 0.2600 8.85 8.71 8.73 30.85 30.10 30.30 1.43 1.42 1.44 22.00 21.35 21.95 0.74 0.74 0.74 6.3 6.3 6.3 0.940 0.870 0.920 5.490 5.360 5.390 SERVICES 7.24 7.35 7.22 7.29 64 65.1 64 64.5 1.15 1.15 1.14 1.15 0.550 0.540 0.540 0.540 5.24 5.38 5.25 5.32 0.0430 0.0470 0.0440 0.0440 3.5 3.54 3.5 3.53 85 85 83.7 85 9.92 9.93 9.93 9.93 5.50 5.80 5.50 5.80 3.74 3.81 3.80 3.80 1996 2006 1991 1992 7.38 7.38 7.36 7.36 1.30 1.30 1.23 1.23 72.95 73.25 72.25 73.05 4.21 4.22 4.22 4.22 11.4 11.4 11.06 11.06 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.175 0.175 0.170 0.175 1.3900 1.4100 1.4000 1.4000 4.05 4.15 4.00 4.14 21.00 27.00 27.00 27.00 2 2 2 2 3.51 3.64 3.52 3.52 4.00 4.07 3.97 4.01 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.640 0.670 0.630 0.670 17.88 17.88 17.88 17.88 9.46 9.45 9.01 9.45 103.00 102.70 101.00 101.00 20.35 20.95 20.30 20.95 2002.00 2050.00 2006.00 2038.00 0.490 0.490 0.470 0.470 0.970 1.000 0.970 0.970 34.30 34.70 34.25 34.55 69.50 70.10 69.70 70.10 5.52 5.58 5.50 5.50 4.21 4.25 3.95 3.99 0.410 0.43 0.405 0.410 4 4 3.9 3.9 0.330 0.345 0.330 0.345 4.350 4.350 4.200 4.280 MINING & OIL 0.0048 0.0049 0.0048 0.0049 2.05 2.05 2.05 2.05 4.74 4.70 4.55 4.55 0.210 0.211 0.210 0.210 0.69 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.63 0.63 0.61 0.63 7.98 8.00 7.90 8.00 0.74 0.84 0.74 0.74 0.290 0.295 0.275 0.295 0.188 0.188 0.186 0.186 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.012 0.012 0.011 0.012 2.1 2.23 2.11 2.12 6.55 6.8 6.33 6.35 2.89 2.99 2.91 2.97 0.5600 0.5600 0.5600 0.5600 1.3500 1.3800 1.3000 1.3800 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 4.91 5.100 5.000 5.10 1.36 1.450 1.370 1.40 0.0120 0.0130 0.0120 0.0120 136.00 137.20 135.80 137.00 2.28 2.3 2.25 2.25 PREFERRED 65.9 65.7 64.5 65 530 525 520 525 540 525 525 525 7.24 7 7 7 1.13 1.12 1.12 1.12 109 109 108.9 108.9 1050 1055 1055 1055 1072 1073 1070 1070 1018 1021 1020 1020 82.55 83 82.5 82.5 79.15 79.2 79.1 79.2 79.9 79.9 79.9 79.9 80.5 80.85 80.5 80.85 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.700 2.800 2.630 2.800 SME 3.06 3.14 3.01 3.05 16.28 16.3 16.16 16.2 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 114.4 115.4 114.3 115.4

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

0.00 0.98 -2.33 0.00 1.28 1.18 -1.21 0.00 3.89 -11.11 2.47 1.27 0.00 0.34 -1.62 0.49 2.57 -1.33 -10.00 2.22 -3.41

665,000 13,000 7,270,000 1,120,000 1,712,200 70,000 110,000 3,449,000 22,380,000 6,000 31,394,000 380,000 200,000 438,600 11,861,300 100,090 14,996,100 297,000 400 185,000 4,481,800

0.69 0.78 0.00 -1.82 1.53 2.33 0.86 0.00 0.10 5.45 1.60 -0.20 -0.27 -5.38 0.14 0.24 -2.98 0.00 0.00 0.72 2.22 28.57 0.00 0.28 0.25 0.00 4.69 0.00 -0.11 -1.94 2.95 1.80 -4.08 0.00 0.73 0.86 -0.36 -5.23 0.00 -2.50 4.55 -1.61

41,100 8,170 10,000 500,000 1,089,600 18,800,000 64,000 118,000 500 71,000 2,000 116,195 13,300 13,000 1,345,210 1,000 12,900 600,000 150,000 155,000 812,000 100 20,000 1,411,000 44,968,000 90,000 3,071,000 700 5,100 218,600 39,200 289,990 530,000 5,896,000 3,919,100 3,030 1,422,700 11,575,000 2,160,000 358,000 20,000 54,000

2.08 0.00 -4.01 0.00 1.45 0.00 0.25 0.00 1.72 -1.06 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.95 -3.05 2.77 0.00 2.22 0.00 3.87 2.94 0.00 0.74 -1.32

10,000,000 2,000 764,000 280,000 5,000 92,000 300 19,662,000 420,000 820,000 70,000 2,400,000 900,000 305,000 8,478,100 5,000 10,000 165,000 1,900,000 35,000 990,000 8,200,000 1,074,660 60,000

-1.37 -0.94 -2.78 -3.31 -0.88 -0.09 0.48 -0.19 0.20 -0.06 0.06 0.00 0.43

168,570 3,790 6,000 7,900 6,000 70 3,000 520 2,000 23,000 63,010 2,000 2,026,700

3.70

10,000

-0.33 -0.49

32,000 1,757,200

-15,050.00 7,896,184.00

0.87

33,600

11,500.00

-46,500.00 16,855,535.00 8,400.00 -901,800.00 10,394,910.00 13,099,670.00 138,532.00 -84,690,185.00 -20,349,540.00

-303,620.00

-270,000.00 -690,108.00 -4,500.00 -5,177,262.00

-113,311,855.00 30,483,583.50

-68,320.00 -1,530,300.00 -47,410.00 184,400.00 226,274.00 371,260.00 -126,863,980.00 852,470.00 23,909,215.00 -88,769.00 550,000.00 1,812,160.00 -48,000.00

-1,890,400.00

-1,643,170.00

-11,150.00 -23,295,520.00 -2,970.00

100.00 -27,874,648.00 1,344,523.50

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Manila Broadcasting

27.00

28.57

Mabuhay Vinyl

3.21

-12.77

F&J Prince 'A'

6.6

14.19

Keppel Properties

4.00

-11.11

F&J Prince 'B'

6.95

13.56

Starmalls

6.3

-10.00

Agrinurture Inc.

3.95

8.52

Harbor Star

1.23

-5.38

Roxas Holdings

5.8

7.41

Bright Kindle Resources

1.42

-5.33

I-Remit Inc.

1.75

6.06

SSI Group

3.99

-5.23

DFNN Inc.

5.80

5.45

Wellex Industries

0.2160

-4.42

NOW Corp.

0.670

4.69

PremiereHorizon

0.470

-4.08

Waterfront Phils.

0.345

4.55

Atlas Cons. `A'

4.55

-4.01

ATN Holdings A

0.248

4.20

Victorias Milling

4.55

-3.60

THURSDAY: NOVEMBER 26, 2015

B3

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

Wenceslao, HK firm team up

By Jenniffer B. Austria

DM Wenceslao & Associates Inc., a construction and real estate company that plans to go public next month, has teamed up with Hongkong Land to develop residential units within its 204-hectare Aseana City project.

DM Wenceslao said in a statement unit Portal Holdings Inc. and Hongkong Land’s subsidiary Hongkong Land (Philippines) B.V. would jointly develop residential projects over approximately 26,000 square meters in Aseana City.

“We believe that partnerships like this will give us the right

combination of local knowledge and global development standards and expertise. This is one of the company’s key visions; to transform Aseana City into the Philippines’ next generation city and provide a higher quality of real estate products to our nation” said DM Wenceslao chief executive Delfin Wenceslao.

Hongkong Land’s established international track record and experience in developing regional waterfront projects would bring a fresh world-class perspective to the development of Aseana City, the company said.

Hongkong Land is expected contribute its well-established local development and construction expertise, and a portion of its prime land bank in the Manila Bay Area to the joint venture.

Hongkong Land is a listed leading property investment, management and development group, which owns and manages almost 800,000 sq. m. of prime office and luxury retail

property in key Asian cities, principally in Hong Kong and Singapore.

It has significant experience in the establishment of world-class residential and business hubs, such as the Hong Kong Central Business District and the Marina Bay Financial Centre in Singapore.

Hongkong Land has a number of residential and mixed-use projects under development in cities across Greater China and Southeast Asia.

DM Wenceslao is an integrated property developer with an established track record and marketleading capabilities in land reclamation, construction and real

estate development.

The company has one of the largest land holdings in Metro Manila with over 58 hectares.

Aseana City, the company’s prime asset, is strategically located next to the Entertainment City in the Manila Bay area, and is positioned as the next major mixed use CBD within Metro Manila.

It will have various developments comprising of recreational and entertainment outlets, commercial and retail developments, prime office space and residential condominiums.

The company plans to raise as much as P21.7 billion through an IPO in December.

PAL set to expand flights to New York

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Airlines said Wednesday it will increase its flight frequency between Manila and New York due to rising demand.

“Right now, we are only operating four times a week, but under our existing entitlements we can operate up to five times a week,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said.

PAL currently flies between Manila and New York every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, arriving the following day at Terminal 1 of John F. Kennedy International Airport.

PAL uses Boeing 777-300 ERs for its New York flights as well as for Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto and London.

Covering a distance of 14,501 kilometers or approximately 18.5 total flying hours, the New York flight will be PAL’s longest route.

About half a million ethnic Filipinos reside on the East Coast, with over 253,000 in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, 90,000 in Virginia, and 75,000 in Washington, D.C. and its environs. Filipinos on the East Coast account for 15 percent of the about 3.4-million-strong Filipino population in the US, comprising a natural base market for PAL. The choice of JFK International, the busiest in the US, as PAL’s gateway to New York is a major advantage for the new service. Located in the borough of Queens, the airport is a mere 15 miles from midtown Manhattan, the nerve center of New York.

PAL’s New York flight started after the US Federal Aviation Administration lifted the Philippines’ aviation status to Category 1 in April last year.

Bautista had said the company would be “more profitable” this year compared with last year.

Metro Retail listing. Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. holds an initial public offering with a listing ceremony at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday. Metro Retail, listed under the stock symbol MRSGI, raised P3.61B from the IPO. Shown at the listing rite are (from left) MRSGI directors Jack Gaisano, Edward Gaisano and Margaret Gaisano-Ang, MRSGI chairman and chief executive Frank Gaisano, PSE chairman Jose Pardo, PSE president and CEO Hans Sicat, and PSE directors Vivian Yuchengco, Emmanuel Bautista and Alejandro Yu.

Stock index rises above 7,000; PLDT advances THE stock market rose Wednesday ahead of today’s release of third quarter GDP figures that point to a more robust expansion.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 66.54 points, or 1 percent, to 7,059.14 on a value turnover of P7.3 billion. Gainers beat losers, 102 to 66, with 42 issues unchanged.

The Philippine Statistics Authority will release the gross domestic product data today amid expectations that the economy grew stronger than the second quarter.

The PSA adjusted the growth rate in the second-quarter of the year to 5.8 percent from the previous estimate of 5.6 percent Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the biggest telecommunications firm, advanced 1.8 percent to P2,038, while SM

Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. climbed 2.6 percent P21.95.

DMCI Holdings Inc. of the Consunji family, which is into property and construction, coal mining, power generation and water distribution, rose 2.2 percent to P13.90, while BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender in terms of assets, added 2.5 percent to P104.

The rest of Asian stock markets retreated Wednesday, with airlines taking a hit as dealers fret over increased geopolitical tensions following the downing of a Russian jet by Turkey.

The losses tracked a sell-off in tourism-linked firms in the United States and Europe as already delicate nerves were frayed on trading floors after Turkey shot down the Russian warplane on

the Syrian border.

The incident also sent oil prices up on concern about supplies.

While Ankara said it acted after the jet entered its airspace, Russian President Vladimir Putin called it a “stab in the back” and warned of serious consequences.

Moscow insists the plane was in Syrian territory.

The incident has ratcheted up tensions between the rival players in the Syrian war, and with NATO backing its member Turkey there are fears the crisis could escalate beyond the Middle East.

“A spreading and escalation in recent terror attacks and now the downing of a Russian warplane by Turkey are raising concerns of the possible unforeseen spillover impacts of Middle East conflicts,” Con Williams, a rural economist at

ANZ Bank New Zealand, said in a note to clients.

“The accumulation of these events is now beginning to have an influence on global markets,” he added, according to Bloomberg News.

Worries about global security and its effect on the economy were already playing on dealers’ minds following the Paris attacks this month and the bombing of a Russian passenger plane in Egypt.

The city of Brussels will stay at the highest security threat level for another week over fears of an imminent attack.

On Monday, Washington issued a world travel alert, warning Americans of “increased terrorist threats” and saying they should “exercise vigilance when in public places or using transportation.” With AFP

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Security sells stake in property subsidiary SECURITY Bank Corp. announced Wednesday its decision to sell its stake in real estate company Security Land Corp. in line with its focus on core business.

SECB currently owns a 51.81-percent stake in SLC. “The decision to sell our stake in Security Land Corp. was made for us to have a better focus on the three pillars of our business: wholesale banking, financial markets and retail banking. We expect to close the transaction before the end of 2015,” said Security Bank president and chief executive Alfonso Salcedo Jr. The company said its board approved the sale of 10.1 million shares in SLC at P158.3 per share, or for a total of P1.6 billion. It sold the shares to Keyland Corp., Adelantado Corp. and Blue Sphere Properties Inc. Security Bank earlier said net income fell 5 percent in the first nine months to P6.1 billion from P6.4 billion a year ago, on lower trading gains.

The bank said loan portfolio climbed 20 percent to P217 billion while deposits rose 19 percent to P275 billion.

Net interest income in the nine-month period grew 7 percent to P9 billion.

Security Bank received various awards in 2015, including the overall best managed company in the Philippines—medium cap by Asiamoney; one of the best midcap companies in the Philippines

by FinanceAsia; and best branch innovation in the Philippines by The Asian Banker.

Lazada sale. Lazada Philippines, the country’s leading one-stop shopping and selling destination, marks the start of its online revolution sale on Nov. 11, when customers purchased 120,000 items across different product categories. Over 5,000 units of smartphones were sold on that day alone.

Shown are Lazada employees wrapping packages for delivery to customers.

SM investing P15b in China

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the country’s leading integrated property developer, said Wednesday it will spend P15 billion to develop new malls and acquire land in China next year.

SM Prime executive vice president Jeffrey Lim said in an interview at the sidelines of the company’s P20-billion bond listing with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. the company would build one mall a year in China and was looking at more sites for future development.

The P15 billion capital spending in China forms part of the P65-billion programmed capital expenditures SM Prime earmarked for 2016.

Lim said the company’s outlook on China remained positive, despite the slowdown in the world’s second largest economy.

Meanwhile, SM Prime chief finance officer John Ong said the company’s residential unit SM Development Corp. might launch its first house and lot development in the Philippines in 2016.

“The company is now evaluating the plans to expand its

product offerings, including venturing into house and lot development,” Ong said.

Ong said the company was currently acquiring land in the greater Manila area for the planned venture.

Several property developers such as Ayala Land Inc., Federal Land Inc. and Century Properties Group Inc. are also boosting their product offerings by going into house and lot development to complement their high-rise residential projects.

SM Development said it would launch between 12,000 and 15,000 residential units in 2016 from five new projects and two expansion projects.

SM Prime on Wednesday successfully listed P20 billion worth of fixed-rate retail bonds which

will primarily be used to build new shopping malls.

SM Prime plans to increase its number of malls to 55 in the Philippines with an equivalent mall footprint of 7.3 million square meter in terms of gross floor area by end-2015.

Next year, SM Prime will open six new malls and expand two existing malls. Combined, the additional mall space is 571,631 square meters.

SM Prime booked a net income of P22.9 billion in the first nine months, up 70 percent from a year ago as income was boosted

by P7.4 billion worth of one-time trading gain on marketable securities in the first quarter.

Net income, on a recurring basis, increased 15 percent to P15.5 billion in the same period.

Investment commitments climb 13% to P174b—Peza

By Othel V. Campos INVESTMENT commitments increased 13 percent in the first 10 months to P174.4 billion from P154 billion a year ago, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority said Wednesday.

Peza director general Lilia De Lima attributed the increase in investments to the number of projects that would soon operate in different economic zones.

De Lima said Peza approved 503 projects, which were either new investments or expansion of existing projects, mostly in manufacturing.

Peza, one of the major invest-

ment promotion agencies, approves projects in economic zones that apply for tax incentives from the government.

Data showed that Peza approved only 490 investment projects in the first 10 months of 2014.

Employment at Peza-administered economic zones also increased 7.9 percent to 1.24 million as of end-October from 1.15 million a year earlier.

“We were so worried in the first and second quarter. But now, we are confident that we will achieve our target of double-digit growth for 2015,” De Lima said.

The agency also expects better

exports by yearend, she said.

Exports from Peza locators were down by 0.3 percent to $32.8 billion as of end-September from $32.9 billion in the same period in 2014.

De Lima, who was a guest panelist during a forum hosted by the Nordic Business Council Philippines at the New World Hotel, said interest among Nordic countries increased due to better economic performance of the Philippines.

Nordic countries include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Denmark is set to bring in three investment missions to

the Philippines on agribusiness, power and health in 2016.

Nordic Business Council of the Philippines president Bo Lundqvist confirmed there was an increased interest in the Philippines as an investment destination among foreign companies.

“As a business council we help potential investors to look at the Philippines. We have a neverending lineup of delegations that come over here either from a group or individually. We also received commitments for next year in manufacturing, services, power and investment funds,” he said.

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BUSINESS BSP eyes 56-day deposits

By Karl Lester M. Yap THE Philippines asked lenders if they are willing to deposit funds with the central bank for as long as 56 days as policy makers seek greater control over liquidity conditions, according to a copy of a consultation paper obtained

by Bloomberg News.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will initially offer 7-day and 28day tenors for the term deposits, without allowing for early redemption, according to the consultation paper circulated to commercial banks in October. Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo confirmed in an e-mail Tuesday that the BSP would offer the shorter tenors but wouldn’t confirm that BSP is looking at the 56-day offer.

Final tenors are still to be decided and the central bank is open to discussion, he said in the e-mail.

“Longer-term placements of banks keep liquidity longer with BSP and give flexibility for shortterm calibration of liquidity in the market,” Guinigundo said in the e-mailed response to questions.

The new deposits are part of a shift by Bangko Sentral to an interest-rate corridor by the second quarter next year to boost potency of its benchmark rate in guiding the market, Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in September.

Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said market would accept Bangko Sentral’s move as a “viable investment option.”

“The BSP action is a monetary tool which is coordinated with DoF [Department of Finance] to ensure no unwarranted market impact. I am sure the market will accept the instrument as a viable investment option,” Beltran said in a text message to The Standard.

The central bank wants to steer market interest rates towards the policy rate by using a range of instruments to manage liquidity, according to the paper.

With Gabrielle H. Binaday

12 groups bidding for Sucat plant asset

By Alena Mae S. Flores

A DOZEN companies have expressed interest in the the second round of bidding for the decommissioned 850-megawatt Sucat thermal power plant in Muntinlupa City.

“We received 12 LOIs [letters of interest, including from], a foreign firm,” Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. president Lourdes Alzona said.

Alzona said the pre-bid conference would be held on Nov. 27.

PSALM earlier issued the invitation to bid for rebidding of the decommissioned Sucat plant.

The bid submission deadline was set on Feb. 17, 2016. The Sucat facility is being disposed on an “as is, where is” basis.

The Sucat facility was previously considered for conversion into a natural gas facility that will serve as an anchor load of the Batangas-Manila natural gas pipeline, before the government

decided to bid it out as a decommissioned asset.

PSALM, which manages the assets and liabilities of National Power Corp., decided to rebid the Sucat thermal power plant after the bid process failed last year due to allegations of “fake” documents submitted by the highest bidder.

Local company Genetron International Marketing emerged as the winning bidder for the sale of the Sucat decommissioned plant, with a bid price of P602 million in March last year.

The oil-fired power plant in Sucat, Muntinlupa City was previously owned by the Manila

Electric Co. and later acquired by the National Power Corporation in November 1978.

It consists of Unit 1, which has a rated capacity of 150 MW; Units 2 and 3, each with 200 MW; and Unit 4 which is rated at 300 MW. The Sucat plant, formerly known as the Gardner Snyder thermal plant, commenced commercial operations in August 1968 with the completion of Unit 1. Units 2 and 4 followed operations after their construction in 1970, 1971 and 1972, respectively.

In January 2000, Units 1 and 4 were decommissioned and placed under preservation. Units 2 and 3 followed in January 2002.

Online teaching. Globe Telecom and Brightspace by D2L sign an agreement with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to launch a new

educational management system for a next-generation online teaching and learning network. The partnership will showcase some of the educational services the telecom company tailor-fits for different educational institutions. Shown are (from left) Globe executive vice president and chief operating officer Gil Genio, D2L senior channel sales manager David O’Hagan, Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu, DLS-CSB president Dennis Magbanua, chancellor Robert Tang and vice chancellor for academics Geronio Ulayao.

DoTC defers bidding of South Rail project to February

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Transportation Department has deferred the bid submission for the P170.7-billion south line of North-South Railway Project by two months to February 2016.

“In order to give prospective bidders ample time to prepare their respective qualification documents, the submission date scheduled on Dec. 1 is moved to Feb. 1, 2016,” Diosdado Silva, vice-chairman of pre-qualification, bids and awards committee and assistant general manager of Philippine National Railways said.

The agency said earlier it expected the pre-qualification of bidders for the project

to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2015, while the opening of bids would be held in January 2016.

Based on the original target, the awarding was expected in March 2016.

San Miguel Corp. and Metro Pacific Corp. earlier purchased bid documents for the project.

More than 30 foreign and local companies attended the pre-qualification conference for the south rail project held at Asian Development Bank office in August.

The project will revive the oldest rail system in Southeast Asia, beginning with the Manila-Legazpi section plus additional branch lines spanning 653 kilometers.

The winning bidder will operate, main-

tain and upgrade the south line for 34 years, including the construction period of four years.

Under the project’s terms, the winning bidder will take charge of designing, constructing, financing, operating and maintaining the 56-kilometer commuter rail service, for daily riders on the Tutuban, Manila to Calamba, Laguna route and the 478-kilometer long-haul rail service, for travelers on the Tutuban to Legazpi, Albay route.

The long-haul service may also have the extensions from Calamba, Laguna to Batangas City and from Legazpi to Matnog, Sorsogon.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio

Abaya earlier said the south line would be the agency’s “biggest project yet.”

“This project will impact directly on a grassroots level. Those who have less in life, especially farmers and fisherfolk, will be given efficient means to expand their livelihood. This is our biggest project yet, and this is for those who need it most,” Abaya said.

Once the entire railway is operational by 2020, there will be 10 daily trips with seven train sets passing through 66 stations.

It is expected to serve 316,000 passengers a day in its opening year and encourage around 44,000 public and private vehicle owners to instead use the modernized railway.

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THURSDAY: NOVEMBER 26, 2015

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

Sony donation.

Knowledge Channel, the first and only curriculumbased education television channel in the Philippines, receives over 100 Bravia television sets from Sony to give viewers a better experience in educational television programs, video games and activities on air. The Sony Bravia TVs will be distributed to several schools in Metro Manila and other provinces. Shown during the turnover are (from left) Edric Calma, firector for Transmedia; Rina LopezBautista, founder and president of Knowledge Channel; and Alvin de Vera, brand and customer communications of Sony Philippines

Factors favoring success of COP21 IN PAST international conferences like next month’s COP21 (21st Conference of the Parties under the UN Framework Conference for Climate Change), the participants began by saying why they thought that the conference might not succeed and then went on to state why they believed it should. The reality preceded the morality.

Today, on the eve of COP21, the situation is different. The participants, who will represent the 195 countries that have agreed to participate are saying loudly that they deeply believe that COP21 will be a success and then have gone on to say that getting there will be an arduous journey. A different perception of reality followed the same morality.

I personally have a good feeling about the success prospects of COP21. I think that the biggest international conference convened outside the UN will end with an agreement that will represent vital progress in the struggle to halt the march of climate change. On the eve of its opening, the following, in my view, are factors militating to make COP21 a success.

The first is the enormous pall of disappointment, frustration, even guilt, shrouding COP21 in the wake of the failure of the two immediately preceding international climate change conferences, to wit, those held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and in Copenhagen in 2009. A learned commentary that I read recently on COP21’s prospects suggested that one of the two greatest fears of the conference’s organizers were a repetition of the worldwide feeling of letdown that followed Rio and Copenhagen.

Undoubtedly that sentiment exists today, and that is why the organizers of COP 21 have been working very hard to try and ensure that it will be a case of third-time-lucky for the worldwide effort against climate change. The world can only hope that they have learned and will avoid the mistakes of Rio and Copenhagen and have crafted, at last, proposals that, going forward, are realistic and acceptable to the affected sectors of the 195 societies that will be represented in Paris.

The second factor working for the success of COP21 is the series of devastating climate change-related events that have taken place since 2009. True, hurricane Katrina, which happened in 2006, apparently failed to infuse a feeling of extreme urgency into the world’s political and business power centers, but Typhoon Yolanda almost certainly will succeed in doing so. A video about Yolanda and post-typhoon Tacloban City need to be shown at the Paris gathering.

A third big factor favoring a successful COP21 outcome is the early-2015 joint declaration, made by the leaders of the world’s two leading carbon-emissions sources, the US and China, to set realistic limits to those emissions and, more important, to work in unison for the success of COP21.

Last, but very definitely not least, will be the presence in Paris of Presidents Barack Obama and Xi Jinping and the leasers of India, Australia and the other major sources of carbon emissions. Their presence in the French capital will say a lot. They will be making a joint political statement about the worldwide need for nations to finally come together to halt the advance of climate change. It is noteworthy that the Presidents of the US, China and the other industrial countries were not present in Rio or Copenhagen.

For these reasons I have, to repeat, a good feeling about the outcome of COP21. For the sake of humankind and of future generations, I pray that my feeling will be borne out. The readers of this column hopefully will join me in this prayer.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

Microsoft wants PH telecom law repealed

By Othel V. Campos

Microsoft Philippines Inc., a unit of Microsoft Corp., has called for a review of the local telecommunications law, saying it has become outdated.

Microsoft released a position paper on improving telecommunications in the Philippines. The paper identified several key policy recommendations that include an update of the obsolete telecommunications laws.

“We are building an intelligent platform that will reduce the cost of accessibility to people and businesses,” Microsoft International president Jean-Philippe Courtois said.

The paper recommended a light-touch approach and regular review to ensure laws remain relevant.

“New legislation can include sunset clauses to trigger automatic review, while older legislation that overly restricts competition should be liberalized,” the paper

read.

It called for the repeal of RA 7925, or the Telecommunications Act of 1995 due to its monopolistic amendments.

Paper co-author Eduardo Araral Jr. of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore said the actual price of one megabyte of data to the Philippines from nearer parts of the world in reality was was just $1.

“Cable firms in Luzon are billed $100 per megabyte, while those in the Visayas $200 and a hefty $300/MB in Mindanao. This is due to inaccessibility to connection. They have to go through the bigger carriers,” Araral said.

Only bigger players under the current telecommunications law

can access connectivity and distribute such.

Key recommendations include reforms in the educational system to improve competencies and compensation of teachers. The paper also seeks to address the digital divide and bring universal access to affordable broadband, increase the adoption of ICT and enhance national awareness of the power and benefits of cloud computing to establish a favorable regulatory environment.

Microsoft Philippines collaborated with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the Asian Institute of Management to help the Philippines determine the next step in its ICT development process through the right technology.

The event is one of the culminating activities of Microsoft Philippines’ 20th anniversary.

“This manifesto is aimed at framing and advancing the discussions around national ICT agenda, and we are keen on forming strong partnerships with civil society and industry stakeholders,” said Courtois.

UCPB income improves 9% to P1.99b

UNITED Coconut Planters Bank registered a net profit of P1.99 billion in the first nine months of 2016, up 9 percent from P1.83 billion year-on-year, on increasing consumer loans business and fee and trading incomes.

The bank said in a statement consumer loans rose 30 percent to P39 billion from a year ago amid a positive economic environment characterized by increased consumer spending, low inflation rates and market liquidity.

Several marketing initiatives such as the bank’s participation in consumer loan fairs, incentive programs for partner brokers and agents, and business briefings for entrepreneur-clients also contributed to the consumer loan business, resulting in an overall loan growth of 8 percent.

Deposits increased 2 percent to P217 billion, with the growth in low-cost CASA offsetting the

anticipated decline in FCDU deposits. This also resulted in a 6 percent decrease in interest expense.

Non-interest profit climbed 6 percent on year due to a 9-percent increase in fee generation income to P61.98 million. The bank reported a 15-percent growth in trading income to P695.14 million from year-ago levels.

UCPB said operating income was reinforced by the bank’s management of its expenses at less than 3 percent even with a 12 percent increase in manpower cost from an expansion of the consumer business work force and salary rate adjustment of entrylevel positions.

UCPB chief finance officer and executive vice president Cesar Rubio said he was confident the bank’s positive performance would be carried over to the fourth quarter.

“We are targeting a net income of P2.7 billion by the end of the year as the bank follows through with its long-term strategic directions to achieve its business targets. We are optimistic that we will be able to sustain this with the economy’s steadfast growth which we expect to improve even further next year,” he said.

UCPB has been a leading provider of financial products and services, delivering a full range of expanded commercial banking services to a highly diversified clientele.

UCPB recently migrated to BancNet following the operational merger of BancNet and MegaLink. With UCPB’s membership in BancNet, UCPB ATM cardholders can continue to transact in other banks’ ATMs and pointof-sale terminals in retail establishments nationwide.

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WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Cop shoots black teen 16 times CHICAGO—Racial tensions soared in Chicago Tuesday as officials released a graphic video of a police officer shooting a black teen 16 times, shortly after he was charged for the death.

The “chilling” video is the latest in a string of police shootings caught on camera that have sparked mass and sometimes violent protests and engulfed the United States in a debate over racism and the use of deadly force by police.

Dozens of demonstrators marched through the city’s busy

streets, but there were only small scuffles with law enforcement and three arrests reported by the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The dashcam video shows officer Jason Van Dyke open fire on Laquan McDonald, 17.

“It is graphic, it is violent, it is chilling,” Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez told re-

porters after charging Van Dyke with first-degree murder.

“To watch a 17-year-old young man die in such a violent manner is deeply disturbing and I have absolutely no doubt this video will tear at the hearts of all Chicagoans.”

Shot from an approaching police vehicle, it shows McDonald run down the middle of the street towards a cruiser, hitch up his pants and then start to walk away from Van Dyke and his partner.

His body then spins and strikes the pavement. McDonald lifts his head, moves an arm and then a cloud from another gunshot rises up from

his chest as he lays in a fetal position.

He does not move as an officer enters the frame for just long enough to kick a knife away from his prone hand.

None of the officers approach McDonald to try to help him as he bleeds out on the street, writhing once in the remaining minute of video.

Prosecutors said Van Dyke opened fire just 30 seconds after his cruiser pulled up to the scene and six seconds after stepping out of it.

McDonald who was holding a knife when he was shot and had earlier slashed the tires of a police cruiser made no threatening ges-

tures to justify the use of deadly force, Alvarez said.

It was the first time a Chicago police officer has been charged with first-degree murder for an onduty fatality in more than 30 years, the Chicago Tribune reported.

City officials, who had tried to block the video from going public, were ordered by a judge to release it no later than Wednesday.

Alvarez said she had planned to wait until a federal investigation was complete but decided to press charges against Van Dyke prior to the video’s release “in the interest of public safety.” AFP

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION-(STR)

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that GOLDSTAR REALTY AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Owner/Developer) by has filed with this Office a sworn registration statement for the sale of house and lot at KARLAVILLE PARKHOMES PHASE 2 located at Brgy. Hugo Perez, Trece Martires City, Cavite and more particularly described as Lot No. 3690, 3616 & 3615, containing an area of 76,184 sq.m. and covered by TCT No. T-81835, 077-2014009013 & 077-2014009014. The project is under BP 220 (Economic Housing).

The foregoing project is utilizing KARLAVILLE PARKHOMES PHASE 2 located at Brgy.

Hugo Perez, Trece Martires City, Cavite as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279.

All papers relative thereto shall, upon request and payment of processing fee is available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate in evidence thereof shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from last day of publication.

Calamba City, Laguna 16 November 2015.

Recommending Approval (SGD) ENGR. EMMANUEL G. GLIPO Head,Permits and Licensing Unit (SGD) ARCH. JOSE O. PEÑA, JR. Regional Officer

(TS-NOV. 26 & DEC. 1 2015)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES PROVINCE OF BATANGAS MUNICIPALITY OF BAUAN Bids and Awards Committee Municipal Government of Bauan Bauan, Batangas Standard Form Number: SF-GOOD-05 Revised on: July 29, 2004

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID The Municipal Government of Bauan, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites suppliers to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder contracts: PROJECT TITLE/ LOCATION Purchase of four (4) wheel tractor, movable power sprayer and organic fertilizer (Vermicast) to be used for Organic Farming funded by BUB Project at Bauan Batangas Purchase of furniture’s and fixtures to be used in the new Municipal Hall Building of Bauan, Batangas

PROJECT REF. NO.

DESCRIPTION

BG-201542

Supply & Delivery

BG-201543

Supply & Delivery

APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE CONTRACT

SOURCE OF FUND

MODE OF PURCHASE

3,000,000.00

Trust Fund

Bidding

5,000,000.00

General Fund

Bidding

Prospective bidders should have experience in undertaking a similar project within the last two (2) years, with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed items for bidding. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the preliminary examination of bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post – qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Evaluation of Bids, Post-qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The complete schedule of BAC activities is listed, as follows: 1.

2.

2.

3.

4.

5.

ACTIVITIES Issuance of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Opening of Bids Bid Evaluation Post-Qualification Notice of Award

SCHEDULE December 02 - 16, 2015 December 03, 2015 December 16, 2015 December 17, 2015 December 18, 2015 December 22, 2015

The BAC will issue bidding documents only to bidders declared by the BAC to be eligible for the bidding upon payment of non-refundable amount to the Municipal Government Cashier.

The Municipal Government of Bauan assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of Bauan reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to declare the bidding a failure, not to award the contract, to annul the bidding process, to waive any defects or informalities therein, without incurring any liabilities to the affected bidder(s) and to accept the proposal considered most advantageous to the Government.

Approved by:

(TS-NOV. 26 & DEC,.1, 2015)

(SGD) Dr. NOEL C. BAUTISTA BAC Chairman

Chow time. This picture taken on November 24, 2015, shows foreign tourists having drinks and food as they sit at tables set up on the pavement in the old quarter of Hanoi. AFP

UN official: Refugees victims of terrorists TOKYO—UN refugee chief Antonio Guterres said Wednesday that people fleeing violence and war must not be shunned amid the growing fears of terrorism after the deadly Paris attacks.

“Refugees are victims of terrorists and it’s very important to make this distinction,” the UN High Commissioner for Refugees since 2005 told a press conference in the Japanese capital.

The Paris attacks “were not caused by the refugee movement”, Guterres stressed, calling the perpetrators “clearly home-grown”.

Europe has been struggling for months to cope with its largest migrant crisis since World War II. But concerns about security have increased since Islamic State attackers killed 130 people in Paris this month in the worst such violence on French soil.

The attacks have stirred fears in Europe and North America

that jihadists could try to blend in with refugees to gain entry to Europe or the US and strike later.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Tuesday urged the European Union to limit the number of migrants it allows into the bloc.

Valls said last week that some of the suspects in the Paris attacks took advantage of Europe’s migrant crisis to “slip in” unnoticed.

Guterres said “chaotic” movements of refugees through the Balkans has led to a “feeling of insecurity” among Europeans.

He stressed that it was thus important for Europe to institute more organized migrant entry reception and screening at entry points to cope with the crisis.

“And then organize the distribution among all the European countries in a way that does not create the imbalance we have today” whereby countries such as

Germany and Sweden bear by far the biggest burden, Guterres said.

A total of 60 million people worldwide have been driven from their homes by wars and persecution, an all-time high, surpassing the 50 million people displaced during World War II, according to UNHCR. Guterres’ visit to Japan comes shortly before he is due to step down. Italian diplomat Filippo Grandi has been appointed to take up the job as of January 1.

Guterres appeared at a joint press conference with Fast Retailing, the Japanese company that runs casual fashion chain Uniqlo.

Fast Retailing announced that it will provide $10 million worth of aid to the UN refugee agency over three years from 2016 and also plans to hand out winter underwear to refugees and displaced people in the Balkan states and Afghanistan. AFP

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cEsAr BArriOquiNtO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Preview. A woman stands in front of artworks during a preview of auction house Christie’s autumn sales in Hong Kong on November 25, 2015. From rare wines to Chinese paintings and expensive jewels, Hong Kong’s auction houses are gearing up for the sales season with the mood buoyant despite China’s economic downturn. AFP

Call for calm over downed plane Jet downing sent wrong signal to terrorists—Iran TEHRAN—Turkey’s downing of a Russian fighter jet “sends the wrong message to the terrorists” in Syria, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov late Tuesday.

“Such actions will lead to an escalation of the Syrian crisis and sends the wrong message to the terrorist groups,” foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaber-Ansari quoted Zarif as saying.

“Any measure that increases tensions and complicates the situation will be a wrong signal to the terrorists,” he said.

It makes them “believe they can continue their terrorist activities ... by exploiting the division of views among the parties.”

Turkish fighter jets shot down a Russian warplane on the Syrian border on Tuesday, in what President Vladimir Putin described as a “stab in the back committed by accomplices of terrorists”.

Turkey said the Russian plane had violated its air space 10 times within a five minute period, but Russia insisted it had never strayed from Syrian territory.

Turkey is a major backer of the rebels who have been fighting the loyalists of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since 2011, although it also joined a US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Syria earlier this year.

Russia and Iran are the main foreign backers of Assad’s regime against the rebels. AFP

ISTANBUL—Turkey’s Nato allies on Wednesday called for a rapid de-escalation in tensions between Ankara and Moscow after Turkish fighter jets shot down a Russian war plane on the Syrian border, sparking fears of a wider conflict.

Moscow said one of the pilots was killed by fire from the ground after parachuting out of the burning plane on Tuesday, while the second had been taken to safety by the Syrian army.

The defense ministry said a Russian soldier was also killed when a helicopter search-andrescue operation came under fire although others were evacuated.

With the incident risking serious harm for Ankara-Moscow relations, Turkey said the Russian plane had violated its air space 10 times within a five minute period, but Russia insisted it had never strayed from Syrian territory.

President Vladimir Putin reacted furiously to what he described as a “stab in the back committed by accomplices of

terrorists”, and insisted the plane had posed no threat.

The shooting also risks derailing efforts to bring peace to Syria that were gaining tentative momentum following the November 13 Paris attacks claimed by Islamic State militants who control swathes of northern Syria.

US President Barack Obama said Washington’s Nato ally Turkey had a right to defend its airspace but said his priority was to make sure the standoff did not escalate.

“I think it is very important for us to right now make sure that both the Russians and the Turks are talking to each other and find out exactly what happened, and take measures to discourage any kind of escalation,” Obama told reporters.

“Hopefully, this is a moment in

which all parties can step back and make a determination as to how their interests are best served.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Obama agreed on the need to reduce tensions and prevent a repeat of similar incidents in a phone call late on Tuesday, the Turkish presidency said.

In his first reaction to the incident, Erdogan said: “Everyone must respect the right of Turkey to protect its borders.”

Following an extraordinary meeting of the alliance called

by Ankara, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg urged both sides to try to calm the crisis between the two rival players in the Syrian conflict.

“Diplomacy and de-escalation are important to resolve this situation,” he said.

The Turkish ambassador to the United Nations Halit Cevik said in a letter to the Security Council that two planes were involved, one of which was shot down while the other left Turkish air space. AFP

‘Turkey does not want escalation’ I S TA N BU L —P re s id e nt Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said Turkey did not want any escalation with Russia over its downing of a Russian plane on the Syrian frontier but vowed to always defend Turkish borders.

“We have no intention to escalate this incident. We are just defending our security and the rights of our brothers,” Erdogan said in a televised speech in Istanbul.

“Turkey has never favored tensions and crises. It has and will always favor peace and

dialogue,” Erdogan said.

But he added: “No one should expect us to remain silent when our border security and our sovereignty are being violated.”

Turkey said it shot down the Russian warplane after it repeatedly violated air space above the Turkish border. But Moscow insists that the plane never strayed from Syrian air space.

Erdogan said the incident early on Tuesday showed “what kind of consequences careless steps could have”.

He said two Turkish citizens were wounded by pieces of the Russian plane that fell on the Turkish side of the border.

The president dismissed Russian claims that the plane had been on an anti-terror mission against Islamic State jihadists in northern Syria, saying the area was populated

by Syria’s Turkmen minority.

“No one should ever fool themselves: There are no Daesh (IS)elements in the Bayirbucak region where Turkmen live,” Erdogan said. AFP

Rehearsal. Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo take a picture during the 89th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Rehearsals - Day 2 in New York City. AFP

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

W EL L BEING

LIFE The falling star pose

Putting my handstands to the test with Dylan Werner

Superman pose, acro-transition pose to a deeper Backbend

A fun way to stretch my quads

FINE FETTLE

BY BUBBLES PARAISO

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ast week, international yoga superstar Dylan Werner came to Manila and held a series of inversion-heavy classes as well as handstand and arm balance workshops. He is famous in the yoga world for that.

I had the privilege of joining three of his workshops/classes out of the six, and he was not as intimidating as his Instagram photos portray him to be. If you check his page, most, if not all of his photos, are of fancy inversions – poses that I could only aspire to do, for now.

But aside from him going upside down (making it look like a piece of cake), Dylan is famous for being half of the dynamic duo that composes AcroVision.

AcroVision is the partnership of Dylan and Ashley Galvin – they do a lot of AcroYoga together and post them in their joint acro account.

Aside from Dylan and Ashley, other famous acro yogis are Honza and Claudine Lafond of AcroVinyasa and of course, BryceYoga by Briohny and Dice Iida-Klein. What you

ACROYOGA

would notice about these partners I had a heck of an AcroYoga are that they are all couples – either experience because my partner was an actual acro superstar. Dylan married or engaged.

See, to be able to really get into went on to be the base and would AcroYoga, you need to fully trust just instruct me what to do – how your partner. To trust that he wont to fold, where to put my weight, drop you as you “fly,” especially. Of which leg or foot to grab, etc. He course, that isn’t a requirement for was spinning me and twirling me doing AcroYoga, it’s just that these around as if I were light as a feather. couples deemed it fit for themselves. I’ve tried AcroYoga a few times already – it was first introduced to me a few years ago and I enjoyed every bit of it. My AcroYoga partner and I would just look at Instagram photos and copy them or even watch YouTube clips of other acro yogis and emulate them. I fell on my face so many times Pre-class partner stretching with Dylan but I didn’t mind. It was fun, it felt awesome.

I was flying. It was fun. For those Fast forward to last year, I was of you still wondering about what able to learn how to both be the on earth I’m talking about, let me base and the flyer briefly when I tell you more about AcroYoga.

AcroYoga is a form of acrobatic went to Singapore to complete my second certification for Kids & fun through partner yoga, but Family Yoga teacher training. And it is also a form of therapeutic recently, Dylan’s visit gave me not release. It was founded by Jason just a whole new book of techniques Nemer and Jenny Sauer-Klein, on inversions, but I got to play and with one a Cirque acrobat and do AcroYoga, too. On our last day the other, a yogi. They met in San of workshops, before class started, Francisco in 2003 and combined

Having complete trust that your partner won't drop you is of utmost importance in AcroYoga.

their backgrounds in yoga and acrobatics to soon after “create supported versions of traditional yoga poses with the intent to build human connections and create community.”

The first partner is called the “base,” who usually lies flat on his/her back and supports most of the other partner’s (“flyer”) weight with his/her extended legs.

The legs should be aligned properly with the ankles over the hips so that it can support a lot of weight. The base can support the flyer’s hips with his feet for backbends or their shoulders forinversions, among many other possible combinations.

The “spotter” makes sure everyone has good alignment so that the flyer doesn’t fall.

AcroYoga requires a lot of cooperation and trust. I say it fosters deeper relationships, too.

It is also a fun and safe way for strangers to interact, play, and support each other. Anybody can do AcroYoga! It is essentially trust, communication and balance between two or more people.

According to AcroYoga.com, “Through the interaction and negotiation of these three

elements, we get a glimpse of the reactive and responsive patterns we engage in when dealing with people. These insights reveal to us our strength and weaknesses and through constant observation and input from our partners we can start the process of eliminating all that is not true to our authentic selves (soul) This process of selfobservation while interacting with another human being is the catalyst to help us shift the perceptions we have of ourselves, families, friends, society and the world. It is this shift in perception from “I am I and you are you’ to ‘I am you and you are me’ and then finally I am because we are (Ubuntu), that will start the process of change.”

I think it is a fun way to practice yoga, one that fosters great relationships (not just romantic) and gets you stronger and deeper into your practice.

Unfortunately, there aren’t any AcroYoga classes here in Manila that I know of right now. But if you find a partner strong enough to carry you, and a floor (or garden) to practice on that wont hurt when you fall, I suggest you go out and try it, too! There are lots of videos on YouTube available for beginners anyway!

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @bubblesparaiso

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

HEALTHY RECIPES FOR A FIT AND FAB BODY

Century Tuna Asian Style Wrap

hey say preparing your food is the easiest way to save money while eating healthy, since you have complete control of what comes with every meal. But what usually hinders this no-fail ticket to a lean physique and washboard abs (coupled with regular exercise, of course) are lack of time and access to quality ingredients.

Century Tuna makes it easier to have that ABSolutely fit physique with easy-to-cook low-fat, high protein and nutritious meals featuring the omega-3-rich canned tuna. From the

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Ingredients:

1 tablespoon cooking oil 1 teaspoon minced garlic ¼ teaspoon minced ginger 1 bird’s eye chili (chopped) 1 tablespoon chopped spring onion 2 cans 180 grams Century Tuna Flakes in Oil (drained) 2 tablespoons oyster sauce 1 tablespoon peanut butter 2 tablespoons water 2 teaspoons lime juice 2 cups shredded lettuce 1 medium cucumber (deseeded and cut into strips) 1 medium carrot (peeled and cut into thin strips) 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro ¼ cup coarsely chopped roasted peanuts pinch of salt and pepper 4 large flour tortilla

original Tuna Flakes in Vegetable Oil, Century Tuna's porfolio has grown to include Century Tuna Lite, Century Tuna Chunks in Water, Century Tuna Corned Tuna, Century Bangus and many more.

“Century Tuna products go well with any meal occasion,” says Century Tuna chef Donna Morales. “Its many variants let you replace red meat with something that is better for the body and you’ll be surprised that they are tasty, too.”

Chef Donna shares three recipes that you can do for this week's or next week's baon.

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Procedure:

Century Bangus Salad with Caramelized Pear and Walnuts

1. Heat cooking oil in a pan and sauté garlic, ginger, chili, spring onion and Century Tuna.

Ingredients:

¼ cup cooking oil 1 can 450 grams Century Premium Boneless Bangus Marinated 6 cups of mixed greens ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts ½ cup cherry tomatoes 3 tablespoons reduced balsamic vinegar (To reduce balsamic vinegar: Pour two cups balsamic vinegar into a skillet or saucepan. Allow it to simmer with occasional stirring for about five minutes until a little syrupy or desired consistency is achieved. Remove from heat to allow it to thicken some more as it cools.)

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For Caramelized Pears • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar • 1 cup canned pear (sliced) For Honey Lemon Vinaigrette • ¼ cup lemon juice • 2 tablespoons honey • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil • salt and pepper to taste

2. Add oyster sauce, peanut butter and water.

3. Cook for two minutes or until heated through. Set aside.

4. In a bowl, toss together lime juice, lettuce, cucumber, carrots, cilantro and peanuts.

5. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.

6. Portion vegetables and prepared tuna into four large tortillas, placing them across the center.

7. Tuck in ends then roll tightly to enclose filling.

8. Serve cold or warm. Cut in half before serving to reveal the filling.

Century Tuna Spicy Pepper and Tomato Pasta Ingredients:

200 grams spiral pasta ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup thinly slice garlic ¼ cup chopped onion 1 cup assorted bell pepper strips 2 cans 184 grams Century Tuna Flakes in Vegetable Oil (drained) ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 2 cups canned diced tomato (drained) ½ cup white wine 2 tablespoons roughly chopped basil leaves ½ teaspoon of salt

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Procedure:

1. Heat cooking oil in a large pan and fry Century Bangus until golden.

2. Spoon out bangus meat from the skin and set aside.

3. Sprinkle sugar on pears. Pan-grill on a skillet brushed lightly with oil until caramelized. Set aside. Whisk together lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper, and extra virgin olive oil.

4. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

5. Toss together mixed greens, walnuts and cherry tomatoes. Arrange on a plate topped with bangus flakes and caramelized pears.

6. Drizzle with vinaigrette and reduced balsamic vinegar.

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Procedure:

1. Cook spiral pasta as directed in the package. Set aside.

2. Heat oil in large pan then sauté garlic, onion and bell peppers until a little soft and aromatic.

3. Add tuna, pepper flakes, diced tomato and white wine.

4. Simmer for about 3 minutes or until flavors have blended.

5. Toss in basil and cooked pasta and cook until heated through.

6. Season with salt according to taste.

7. Remove from pan then transfer to a plate. Serve immediately.

For more deliciously healthy Century Tuna recipes, visit http://www.centurytuna.ph/main/recipes/recipes.html.

SHOW YOUR BEST CURVES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITH MAKATI MED AESTHETIC CENTER

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nwanted bumps keeping you from enjoying those delicious feasts during the holidays?

Stress no more, because there is still time to achieve a sexy figure!

Let Makati Medical Center’s Aesthetic Center help you get rid of cellulites and unwanted fats.

The MakatiMed Aesthetic Center provides cosmetic and reconstructive procedures using the latest in laser technology and is staffed by the country’s top board-certified surgeons and

dermatologists. Stay worry-free with the center's safe hospital setting. For walkin and new patients, a dermatologist on-deck will be assigned for an initial consultation prior to the body contouring and sculpting procedures.

And here’s more good news: avail of six sessions of body contouring and sculpting procedures and receive a 36 percent discount – limited for this season only. And if you are a Citibank cardholder, you can settle your payment through Citibank's

zero percent PayLite installment plan for three months. Applicable period is from November to December 31.

Get an appointment now to avoid the holiday rush!

See posters or visit www.makatimed. net.ph for more details. You may also visit the Aesthetic Center at the 1st Floor Tower 2, or contact the center by calling +632.8888.999 locals 3101 and 3102 or e-mail mmc@makatimed. net.ph. Per DTI-FTEB SPD Permit No. 12762 Series of 2015.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Lounge bar

ORAL WELLNESS BEYOND LIMITS

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part from affecting the way we look physically, oral health plays a big role in one's overall health.

Studies have shown that oral health can provide warning signs for other diseases or conditions, including heart disease and other illnesses. As a matter of fact, dentists are now capable of curing more diseases besides tooth-related ones.

Here in Metro Manila, there are dental doctors who have the same idea of finding cures to other health issues by looking at the condition of the patient's oral health.

More than relieving a simple toothache by fixing gum problems, bridges and dentures, new dental wellness center Empire Dental Lounge aims to educate its patients on how oral wellness greatly affects the body’s wellbeing.

Empire Dental Lounge practices the EBM concept developed by Dr. Eillen B. Manalang, a specialist in the field of Cranio Facial OrthodonticsOrthopedics, Cranio-Mandibular Disorder Management, Sports Dentistry and Dental Sleep Medicine.

EBM is defined as "the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values." This concept is a dental treatment system that is derived from Dr. Manalang’s further studies

abroad and continuous research on oral health. The EBM concept specifically promotes wellness not only orally but also for an entire body system.

Each consultation at Empire Dental Lounge starts with a quick check on the patient's biting, chewing, swallowing, breathing and speech patterns as these oral processes will lead to the next question: Are you experiencing migraine, hyperacidity, dysmenorrhea, high cholesterol levels, back pain, leg sprain and sleeping disorders? According to the dental lounge, an individual might be experiencing all or one of these illnesses because of the wrong set of teeth.

“In any procedure that we do, we make sure that our main priority is function. We wouldn’t want to aggravate an existing TMJ (temporo mandibular joint) dysfunction or even alter a patient’s speech pattern, swallowing and chewing cycle after our treatment, so it’s always best for us to consider TMJ-Airway and its correlation to any of our dental procedures,” says Dr. Pamela “Pomi” Rivera, Empire Dental Lounge’s resident dentist.

Empire Dental Clinic is located at 3rd level of Glorietta 5, Ayala Center Makati.

For inquiries, consultation and treatment schedules, call 0917-7976846.

Kid's dental room

Dental operating room

New diagnostic tests at MediCard Cebu

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eading health maintenance organization provider MediCard now offers 2D echo and spirometry at its free-standing clinic in Cebu City. These non-invasive tests are the newest addition to the comprehensive medical services available for both MediCard members and non-members.

Residents of Cebu City can enjoy the same high quality healthcare enjoyed by Metro Manila residents through MediCard Cebu, the first free-standing clinic of MediCard outside Luzon. Aside from providing family-friendly medical services, the clinic also employs licensed and expertly trained doctors and staff and uses state-of-the-art facilities.

The 2D echo or two-dimensional echocardiogram uses an ultrasound to take 2D images of the heart, including its chambers, valves and blood vessels. This test can determine abnormalities in the heart’s structure and cardiac functioning. Spirometry, on the other hand, measures the amount and

speed of the air a patient blows out. This method can assess the lungs’ performance and can diagnose various breathing problems.

Aside from 2D echo and spirometry, MediCard Cebu also offers nebulization, X-ray, hematology, microscopy, serology, and chemistry testing. The health clinic also provides consultations on internal medicine, otolaryngology (ENT), cardiology, pulmonology, diabetology, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics; medical evaluation, physical examination; immunization, executive check-up; and minor surgery. All these outpatient services are available for rates that are lower compared to most private health clinics and diagnostic centers.

MediCard Cebu is located at the ground floor of JRDC Bldg. Pres. Osmeña Blvd. Capitol Site, Cebu City. For appointments and inquiries, call (032) 253-5031, (032) 253-6463 and (032) 2531725 or visit its Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/MedicardCebu.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

THE BODY SHOP BRINGS THE GIFT OF LIFE

hristmas is a magical time of the year when e ve r y b o d y relishes the festive season.

But in other places like Ethiopia, the spirit of the season is hard to feel, with people in desperate need of water and where 40 percent of the population has no recourse but to collect water from unsafe and dirty sources.

Every year, about 18,000 Ethiopian children die from diarrhea due to unsafe water and lack of adequate sanitation.

This Christmas, The Body Shop wants to make a positive difference and has partnered with WaterAid – a charitable trust that

has been working for over three decades to bring water, hygiene sanitation and education in places where they are most needed – to provide families in Ethiopia with safe drinking water.

For every specially selected The Body Shop gift bought, WaterAid gets closer to its goal of providing 1,000 families with safe water over the next 10 years. When you choose The Body Shop, you choose the Gift of Life.

For more information on The Body Shop, check out thebodyshop.com. ph or follow its Facebook page The Body Shop Philippines or its Twitter account @thebodyshopph.

Purchase of Body Shop gift packs can help provide water for families in Ethiopia

Frosted Pum Set

Gifts for men

Sweet apple treats for the skin

Gift giving has never felt so good

Plum collection

Grooving Gold eye palette

T HUR S DAY : NOV EMBER 26, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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12 1 Queen Elsa grand prize winner Kaycee Dela Cruz 2 Ma. Francesca Rojas charmed the audience as Princess Anna 3 Krista Lois Mesina – Queen Elsa 1st runner-up 4 Carmela Lorzano – Princess Anna 1st runner-up 5 Charliz Bamba – Queen Elsa 2nd runner-up 6 Angel Faith Parba – Princess Anna 2nd runner-up 7 Daniella Decenteceo of SM Cebu was one of the finalists 8 Finalist Little Snow Berdin II from SM Davao 9 The winners snapshot 10 Amandine Tilkin finalist from SM Dasma 11 Chelsea Sangco finalist from SM San Lazaro 12 Program Host Princess Velasco 13 Ms. Denise Sagun, Ms. Veronica Cabalinan and Ms. Tracy Garcia were the judges in the Sing and Act like Elsa and Anna competition.

SIng and act LIke eLSa and anna grand champIonS

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t was a magical afternoon for Kaycee Dela Cruz from SM San Lazaro and Ma. Francesca Rojas from SM Megamall, when they were named winners of SM Kids’ Sing and Act like Elsa and Anna Grand Finals held recently at the SM Mega Mall – Mega Fashion Hall.

The duo sang their hearts out channeling the Disney animated film Frozen’s beloved princesses.

Kaycee mesmerized the judges and

Glamorous CampinG on weekend

Head to the great outdoors this long weekend by going on a glamorous camping (glamping) trip

the audience as Queen Elsa, with her voice and flawless interpretation of the Queen’s magical movements. Francesca, on the other hand, was the best Princess Anna, charming everyone with her cheerful singing and great acting true to the character of Princess Anna. They each received amazing prizes: a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland for four and a modeling stint with SM Kids Fashion as the grand prize winners.

with friends or family with Lifestyle in Nurture Wellness Village, Tagaytay on Nov. 28-30.

Before December rolls in, enjoy three days of ultimate pampering via “Glamping by Lifestyle: Pitch 2” and get ready to live the luxe-camper life with butler service, sumptuous and

Other finalists included Queen Elsa first runner-up Krista Lois Mesina from SM Fairview and second runner-up Charliz Bamba from SM Tarlac. Carmela Lorzano from SM Lipa and Angel Faith Parba from SM Davao were first and second runners up as Princess Anna.

The program was hosted by Princess Velasco, Vicor Music’s multi-awarded recording artist, ASAP Sessionista and country’s Acoustic Princess; who also

healthy full-board buffet meals, yoga sessions, mandala workshops, massage spa treatments, and acoustic sessions.

This is the second glamping event of Lifestyle this year. In April, it successfully had the first beach glamping event in the country at Crystal Beach Resort,

performed some songs from Frozen.

The Board of Judges included Veronica Cabalinan – country director for Retail & Licensing, Disney Consumer Products The Walt Disney Company (Philippines) Inc.; Tracy Garcia – former project manager of GMA Films and talent manager for GMA Artist Center; and Denise Sagun – singer from The Voice Philippines Season 1 Team Bamboo, who is also a vocal coach.

Zambales during the Summer Siren Festival.

Book your long weekend via flowretreats.blogspot.com and have a glam and green holiday with “Glamping by Lifestyle: Pitch 2.” Few slots are remaining.

“Glamping by Lifestyle: Pitch 2” is a project of Lifestyle, the

premiere cable channel and must-go lifestyle hub of modern and young Filipinos in partnership with Flow Retreats and Coleman.

Lifestyle belongs to the family of cable channels under Creative Programs, Inc. (CPI), a subsidiary of ABS-CBN.

T HUR S DAY : NOV EMBER 26, 2015

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

‘GLAm’ COUNtDOWN With ADAm LAmbERt

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“glam” send-off to SG50 and welcome to 2016 are in store at MediaCorp’s star-studded countdown show on Dec. 31 at The Float @ Marina Bay. Headlined by multi-platinum selling and award winning singer-songwriter Adam Lambert, Celebrate 2016 promises to be a New Year’s Eve to remember with his chart-topping hits.

This year’s line-up will also include performances by THELIONCITYBOY, Sisay, Nat Ho, Darryl Yong, Fauzie Laily, Shane Pow, Ian Fang, Zhang ZhenHuan, The Dancefloor finalists, Getai Challenge winner Desmond Ng, Project Superstar winner Alfred Sim, Gayle Nerva, Kayly Loh, Eswari Gunasagar, Jae Liew and more.

MediaCorp DJs Mike Kasem and Jean Danker will host the show.

Partygoers can also look forward to a spectacular fireworks display at the stroke of midnight and a pulsating dance party after with DJ Tinc. Tickets are priced at $168, $88 and $38 and will be available from all SISTIC outlets.

“Let’s end our SG50 year with a big bang and fly higher in 2016.

We are very excited about the line up at this year’s show: it has a mix of international and local talent and a whole lot of glam. Adam Lambert has a strong following around the world and certainly in Singapore. We hope his Glambert fans from the region will join us at this spectacular party,” said Debra Soon, head of MediaCorp’s Family English Segment. “Anyone who has ever seen Adam Lambert perform knows that he carries within him an unquenchable thirst to sing better, to live better,

Adam Lambert headlines Singapore's Celebrate 2016, a countdown to the New Year at The Float @Marina Bay Sands

to love better, to be better.”

Fans will get to hear songs from Lambert’s latest album Original High, including his first single Ghost Town.

“There is no better act than Adam Lambert to close 2015 on a ‘high’ note, aptly so as the Billboard chart-topping singer-songwriter has recently released his third studio album titled The Original High”, says Simon Nasser, managing director of Warner Music Singapore.

“Lambert is best known for his soaring voice and unique blend of theatrical flair and glam-rock sensibilities; hence I am sure that the pop singer will wow the crowd with a standout performance this New Year’s Eve.” Find out more at toggle.sg/ celebrate2016 Hash tag: #celebrate2016

MTRCB holds suCCessful 3Rd faMily and Child suMMiT

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early a thousand college students and various media stakeholders gathered at the 3rd Family and Child Summit (FCS3) held at the Maria Josefina Auditorium of St. Mary’s College in Quezon City on Nov. 14.

Organized by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), FCS3 tackled the theme, “Matalinong Panonood Para sa Kabataan.” It sought to give participants an overview of the media and entertainment they see, as well as information on the different initiatives being done by both public and private sectors to address issues on audience-sensitivity and content age-appropriateness. More importantly, FCS3

oriented the youth on research and communication techniques that will empower them and their families and communities towards discerning viewership.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the FCS3. It has been a fruitful coming together of the MTRCB and its various stakeholders, including its deputies and other volunteers, to empower the Filipino family. A vital component of the family is of course the youth,” said MTRCB Chairperson Eugenio “Toto” Villareal.

The program included lectures and panel discussions by academicians, media personalities and other resource persons. There were open forums, even as numbers from television celebrities

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ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Rough’s mate 6 Wide cravat 11 Md. neighbor 14 Rock ’n’ roll classic 15 Dern of films 16 Not square 17 Psi follower 18 Seer’s deck 19 Foul up 20 Thick, flat pieces 22 Platitude

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Treadmill user Gets melodramatic Maria Conchita — Heirloom Overhaul Wynonna’s mom Barbecue extras One-pot dinner Like some raps Command to Fido Greer and Roach

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Fit for a king Cabinet member — Duncan Audience Light one’s fire Like, wow, man! (hyph.)

Most forward Leafy vines Reeves of “The Matrix” Michael Jackson hit Bench sitters Asimov of sci-fi MIT grad Boredom Chips Road map no.

Singer Della — — horned owl

DOWN 1 Milne marsupial 2 Horror-flick street 3 Lime cooler 4 Shovel 5 Dough raisers 6 Bachelor’s last stop 7 Auto import 8 Strays 9 Galleon cargo 10 Honshu mat 11 Germ source?

and other talents spiced the event up. The participating students expressed their commitment to discerning viewership for the family capped the summit.

Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, Secretary of the Department of Education delivered a poignant keynote speech focused on the topic “Empowering the Youth through Media.” Comparing people’s television consumption to their engagement in social media, Luistro noted, “The more consistent influencer on people is still television” and left the audience with two significant questions to ponder on.

“The big question for us is—are we able to communicate to young people the values, the stories, the culture that we should be able to

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015

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Threshold — -ski party Novelist — Uris Stevedore Grating Comic-strip queen Mannequin Web foot?

Actor — Wallach Cosmetic buy Ms. Bovary Fortas and Vigoda Paranormal, to some Well-bred chaps Hard rain?

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move from one generation to the next? The second more important question is, do you just watch, are you just victims of television and absorb everything or do you contribute or are critical with what you are able to see and watch on television?” he said.

Sr. Consolata Manding, FSP, Directress of the Paulines Institute for Communication in Asia, for her part, encouraged the youth to be critical in their overall media exposure and enjoined them to practice the so-called “media diet.”

“Media diet has the same principle as food diet,” she said.

“Kung sa pagkain nagiging selective ka sa food that is not good for your physical health, ganoon din sa media, you have to

be selective and not be overexposed sa media for your mental and spiritual health. You should only take what is enough, like food, what’s enough for the body, what’s enough for the mind.”

Other FCS3 guest speakers and panelists included renowned economist and former Commissioner of the 1987 Constitutional Commission, Dr. Bernardo Villegas; Nicco De Jesus, president of the Marketing and Opinion Research Society of the Philippines; Josa Marie Salazar of the National Council for Children’s Television; Yayo Aguila and daughter Nielli Martinez; Danica Sotto-Pingris with her kids; and MTRCB board member Bibeth Orteza with her son Rafa Siguion-Reyna.

T HUR S DAY : NOV EMBER 26, 2015

C7

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

celine dion leads Music world in Mourning paris From c8

Los AngeLes. Celine Dion on Sunday led the music industry in an emotional tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks, as the American Music Awards heard appeals for a peaceful world.

The Canadian singer sang Edith Piaf’s classic “Hymne a l’Amour” (“Hymn to Love”) in French at the star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles, which went ahead barely a week after the assault on a concert hall and other civilian targets across Paris.

In front of a screen flashing images of Paris that culminated with the Eiffel Tower in the French flag’s tricolor, Dion sang the song of lost love as some members of the audience were seen in tears.

The actor and musician Jared Leto, who recalled playing with his band Thirty Seconds to Mars earlier this year at the historic Bataclan Theater that saw the heaviest death toll in the November 13 attacks, introduced Dion.

Some 130 people died but “another seven billion will forever be scarred by this horrific and senseless tragedy,” Leto said.

“France matters, Russia matters, Syria matters, Mali matters, the Middle East matters, the United States matters -- the entire world matters. And peace is possible,” he said to applause.

Leto also took aim at anti-foreigner sentiment that has emerged in the wake of the Paris attacks, which was claimed by the Islamic State group.

“Many of us here are the sons

that it will be its last before a hiatus.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift won three awards, more than anyone else, including favorite album for her blockbuster 1989.

Celine Dion led the mourning of Paris at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles

and the daughters of immigrants,” he said, pointing out that late Apple innovator Steve Jobs was of Syrian heritage.

Music ‘positive’ aMid tragedy The tribute was a rare somber note in the made-for-television gala, although the electronic producer Skrillex also referred to world turmoil as he accepted an award for his work with pop ce-

lebrity Justin Bieber.

“There is so much negative stuff going on in the world, so it’s up to us to be positive,” Skrillex said of musicians’ role.

The rap duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis also took to the stage to debut a new song, “Kevin,” a politically charged tale of drug addiction’s toll in modern America that featured the soul singer Leon Bridges.

The American Mu-

AmeriCAn musiC AwArd winners Artist of the year: One Direction Song of the year: Taylor Swift, “Blank Space” New artist of the year: Sa Hun Collaboration of the year: Skrillex & Diplo feat.

Justin Bieber, “Where Are U Now” Favorite male artist, pop/rock: Ed Sheeran Favorite female artist, pop/rock: Ariana Grande Favorite band, duo or group, pop/rock: One Direction Favorite album, pop/rock: Taylor Swift, 1989 Favorite male artist, country: Luke Bryan Favorite female artist, country: Carrie Underwood

sic Awards are designed as a glitzy extravaganza and, unlike the more prestigious Grammy Awards, which will take place in February; the winners are determined by voting from fans rather than the music industry.

For the second straight year, British boy band One Direction won Artist of the Year.

The prize comes just after the band released its latest album, Made in the A.M. The group says

Nicki Minaj won Favorite Artist Rap/ Hip Hop and Favorite Album Rap/ Hip Hop

One Direction won Artist of The Year Ariana Grande won Favorite Female Artist/Pop

Jennifer Lopez hosted American Music Awards, also performed for the crowd Carrie Underwood won Favorite Female Artist/ Country

Justin Bieber won with Skrillex & Diplo for Favorite Collaboration

surprise MoMents Ariana Grande, the child star turned arena-packing pop singer, beat out Swift for favorite female pop or rock artist.

The 22-year-old, initially at a loss for words, thanked her grayhaired grandmother who had been sitting next to her in the audience. “I think I owe a lot of this to my nonna,” Grande, who is of Italian descent, said in reference to her grandmother.

“She told me, ‘Ariana, I went on the computer and voted, so I think you’ll win.’”

In a sign of the burgeoning US market for country music, the award for favorite new artist went to Nashville crooner Sam Hunt, who outpaced emerging stars in other genres including The Weeknd who won in the two R&B categories.

In one of the moments that drew the most attention on social media, young singer Charlie Puth passionately kissed Meghan Trainor after they sang together.

Puth and Trainor, who has become a star in part due to her struggles with body image, had teamed up for his song “Marvin Gaye,” which uses the name of the legendary “Let’s Get It On” R&B singer as a euphemism for sex. – AFP/Sara Puig with Shaun Tandon in New York

Favorite band, duo or group, country: Florida Georgia Line Favorite album, country: Florida Georgia Line, Anything goes Favorite artist, rap/hip-hop: Nicki Minaj Favorite album, rap/hip-hop: Nicki Minaj, The Pinkprint Favorite male artist, soul/R&B: The Weeknd Favorite female artist, soul/R&B: Rihanna Favorite album, soul/R&B: The Weeknd, Beauty Behind The Madness Favorite artist, alternative rock: Fall Out Boy Favorite artist, adult contemporary: Taylor Swift Favorite artist, Latin: Enrique Iglesias Favorite artist, contemporary inspirational: Casting Crowns Favorite artist, electronic dance music: Calvin Harris Top soundtrack: Pitch Perfect 2

T HUR S DAY : NOV EMBER 26, 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Fifth Dynamics proudly show the copies of their debut album Pogi Kame

Joshua, Bryan and Kim of JBK hold a copy of their self-titled debut album

JBK, fifTh dynAmics

release independent debut albums ISAH V. RED Emerging Filipino boy band JBK and pop-rock band Fifth Dynamics released their much-anticipated debut albums more than a year after winning the grand champion trophies of Dreams Get Real: The Search For The Next OPM Star—an annual talent search mounted by popular gentleman’s brand, McJim Classic Leather.

JBK’s self-titled album and Fifth Dynamics’ Pogi Kame feature fresh tracks that cater to a broad base of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) listeners. The albums were produced by talent manager and public relations expert Chris Cahilig and arranged by internationally recognized arranger and composer Jonathan Ong of Sonic State Studio.

JBK’s self-TiTled AlBum “We waited for over a year for the completion of our first album. But the time we spent in recording and polishing each track was all worth it,” enthuses Bryan del Rosario of JBK. His group mates Joshua Bulot and Kim Lawrenz Ordonio agree.

Del Rosario, who was a finalist in “Nasaan Ka Mr. Pastillas,” a dating search in ABS-CBN’s midday entertainment extravaganza, It’s Showtime, believes that his group’s first recording exemplifies the current sound of OPM. JBK’s album has 10 tracks—five original songs and their M1s. It opens with the feel-good song “Para Kang” composed by Jojo Panaligan, followed by their social media and radio hits “Damang-Dama” composed by Ong and “Anong Meron Ka” by Urie Tesorio.

The recording likewise showcases Del Rosario’s melancholic original song “Letting You Go,” which promises to become a huge hit. The final track is “Sumayaw-Sayaw,” another composition of Ong. “We are privileged to have worked with Sir Jonathan Ong in our first album. He did not only arrange our songs but he also allowed us to interpret two of his beautiful compositions,” says Bulot.

JBK is known for its music with style image.

The vocal trio became popular on Facebook for its a cappella cover videos of OPM, Indonesian, Japanese, and Malaysian songs. Because they usually did their videos in a condominium’s fire exit—and constantly got into trouble with the

security guards for it—JBK gained the moniker #FireExitBoys.

JBK was discovered after the group won the McJim Classic Leather’s Dreams Get Real Season 1 talent search. It has since launched a string of successful singles that include the radio hits “Anong Meron Ka” and the viral song “Damang-Dama,” which has so far gained over 1.2 million views on Facebook. “Damang-Dama” later on became the official single of Camella Homes.

“Pogi KAme” By fifTh dynAmics Meanwhile, Fifth Dynamics’ independently released album Pogi Kame will definitely delight every OPM band lover.

“All the tracks in our album reflect what we are as a band—makulit and fun-loving. I am so sure magugustuhan ito ng bawat Pinoy lalo na yung mahihilig sa banda,” relates Mark Cordovales, vocalist of Fifth Dynamics.

Fifth Dynamics made a mark among radio listeners with their playful type of music and certified hits in “Anyare,” composed by Cordovales, Cahilig, and Angelo Katindig, and their carrier single “Pogi Kame,” composed by Nirro de Leon and Aldrin Pampolina.

Additional tracks in the album include Panaligan’s “Hala,” the catchy novelty song “Amor” by Eric Cabahug, and the group’s collaboration with Neo Domingo titled “KachingKaching,” also by Ong. Composed of Cordovales (vocals), Peter Leyva (lead guitar), Kelvin Bendijo (bass guitar), Wence Escabas (rhythm guitar), and Aldrin Condat (drums), the band’s debut album “Pogi Kame” is presented by Lumina Homes and McJim Classic Leather.

Totally cool, unpretentious, and relatable, Fifth Dynamics aspires to bring the fun back to Pinoy music in the tradition of Eraserheads, Kamikazee, and Parokya Ni Edgar.

“Ang lakas maka-LSS ng mga kanta namin sa album. Pinoy na Pinoy ang flavor kaya tiyak na uulit-ulitin mo,” adds Cordovales, a former The Voice of The Philippines finalist.

JBK and Pogi Kame are now available in various digital music stores including Spotify, iTunes, Deezer, and Amazon. It is scheduled for release atOdyssey and Astrovision/ Astroplus record bars this month. #TeamCahilig talents are available for local and international shows. For bookings and inquiries, please contact chriscahilig2011@gmail. ➜ continued on c7 com or call 0927-4180808.