The Standard - 2015 December 10 - Thursday

VOL. XXIX NO. 301 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 THURSday : dECEMBER 10, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

‘Unspent funds will bankroll Liberals’

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‘DUterte is next’

Poe camp tells mayor: Roxas is coming after you

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Macon Ramos-araneta

SUPPORTERS of presidential aspirant Grace Poe on Wednesday claimed that Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II was behind all the attacks on his rivals, and warned Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte that he was next.

In a press conference, Adopt Grace Poe Movement president Rez Cortez said they saw a pattern in which Roxas, who lags in all opinion polls, is eliminating competitors who are ahead of him.

“You can say there is a conspiracy in the moves,” Cortez said in Filipino, citing the filing of a disqualification case against Poe at the senate electoral Tribunal by Rizalito David, and four other cases filed before the Commission on elections.

Cortez said he can see the “pattern of elimination” starting with presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar Binay, who

was leading in the polls until the Roxas camp would launch attacks that would discredit him and take voters away from him.

When Poe began to top the surveys, Roxas’ camp used different lawyers to file cases against her, Cortez claimed.

“There is a pattern. When Vice President Binay was number one in the surveys, they moved to eliminate him. When senator Poe became number one in the surveys, she became the target,” Cortez said.

“Now Mayor Duterte is number one in the survey, so he should get ready because they will plan to eliminate him too,” Cortez added.

Binay’s ratings declined after he and his family were implicated in allegations of corruption in the Makati Building II project.

A day after Poe filed her Certificate of Candidacy in October, four individuals filed petitions against her—a development that Cortez said was suspicious.

He questioned why the cases were being treated separately and not consolidated so that the issue could be settled quickly. last week, the Comelec 2nd Division cancelled Poe’s CoC for material misrepresentation, favoring the petition of estrella Next page elamparo.

Vigil. Supporters of Senator Grace Poe flock outside the Commission on Elections building in Intramuros, Manila, where a hearing will decide on Poe’s qualification to run for president in 2016.

Danny Pata

Grace’s nemesis delisted from race

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5 PH terror groups pledge support to IS

By Francisco tuyay AT leAsT five Philippine-based terrorist groups has been categorized as sleeper cells and among the 40 international groups believed to have pledged support to the Islamic state, the london-based Mail Online said in a dispatch Tuesday.

“From militia lurking in the jungles of the Philippines to sleeper cells training in the deserts of libya, a vast array of groups are now claiming to be operating alongside the jihadis’ notorious black and white banner,” the Mail Online said.

The five groups that pledged support to IsIs were the Ansar Khilaf

Philippines, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, Ma’rakat Al Ansar, Ansar Khilafa and the Abu sayyaf Group.

The BIFF, a splinter group of the Moro Islamic liberation Front, first pledged support to IsIs in August 2014 and was followed by the AsG and other newly formed rebel factions. Next page

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Ready. Christmas lights outline the San Jose de Navotas Parish in Navotas City in preparation for the dawn masses. AndRew RAbulAn

Makati court finds ‘queen of pyramid scams’ guilty

by Jenniffer b. Austria

THE Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 56 has convicted “pyramiding queen” Rosario “Rose” Baladjay and her husband of violating various provisions of the Securities Regulation Code, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Wednesday.

‘Duterte...

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There are three other petitions pending with the Comelc’s 1st Division.

David was the first to file a petition against Poe, questioning her qualification to sit as a senator, and arguing that she could not be a natural-born Filipino because she was a foundling and her parents were not known.

Cortez alleged that David was a former member of Roxas’ staff, while Elamparo was in a law firm that handled several cases for Roxas’ friends.

He added that former University of the East Law Dean Amado Valdez, who also filed a petition against Poe, was coerced into doing so—but he did not say by whom.

Cortez challenged Roxas to fight fairly.

“Even though you have a lot of resources, those will run out,” he said.

Senator Francis Escudero, Poe’s running mate, said they are more than willing to face

The extent of the groups links to ISIS varies—some only offer support or symbolic association, others are thought to have sent fighters to the Middle East, while others operate as sleeper cells, the Mail Online said.

The Mail Online included the five Philippine groups in an infographic entitled “Rapid rise of the death cult: Graphic shows the terrifying spread of ISIS across the globe in just two years as terror groups across South East Asia and Africa queue up to swear allegiance.”

“The full scale of Islamic State’s influence can today be laid bare as it’s revealed dozens of terror groups worldwide have pledged their allegiance to the barbaric extremists,” the Mail Online said.

“It is clear the groups have little in common except their desire to establish their own kingdoms governed by a traditional interpretation of Sharia law. But they are united by one other common principle—they will do anything to realize their goals,” it added.

Thus ISIS has used child soldiers, suicide bombers, gang-land style warfare, kidnapping and extortion, the report said.

“Frighteningly, the vast majority of them have pledged their allegiance to ISIS either this year or in 2014, suggesting the group is enjoying a rapid growth of influence,” Mail Online said.

To date, the administration and the military have played down the ISIS threat on Philippine soil.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla said the inclusion of the Philippine groups in the Mail Online list was probably the result of the videos they posted online, which he dismissed as propaganda.

The court sentenced the Baladjays, who duped investors out of their money through their Multinational Telecoms Investors Corp., to seven years of imprisonment for each of the 65 counts of violation of the SRC. The court also ruled that the Baladjays are to be held civilly liable to indemnify the complainants about P8 million.

The modus operandi of Multitel and other related companies was to attract investors by offering as much as 4 percent guaranteed monthly interest or 48 percent per annum for a minimum investment of P10,000 or “double-your-money” rate in case the investor opts to avail himself of the 18-month lock-in investment scheme.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Makati City, after receiving a complaint from the SEC, charged Saturnino Baladjay and Rosario Baladjay for violations of Section 8 of the SRC for selling or offering for sale or distribution of unregistered securities to the public.

Each violation of the SRC is punishable, upon conviction, with a fine of not more than P5 million or imprisonment of 7-21 years, or both.

Baladjay, who was arrested in Pangasinan in 2002, had been previously convicted of syndicated estafa.

Recently, the SEC also filed two cases against EmGoldex, Global InterGold, and Prosperous Infinite Philippines Holdings

Corp. and the people behind them, namely Kevin del Mundo Miranda, Ryan Manuit, Charles Juiz Padilla, Raahbel Ymas, John Rafael Calicdan, Jose Victoria Cajita, and Paul Alviar.

The cases were filed before the Justice Departmnt for violations of Section 8 and 28 of the SRC. The Philippine National Police also filed two additional cases against the same respondents for syndicated estafa.

SEC chairperson Teresita J. Herbosa said the government aims to push for greater financial transparency to not only protect Filipino investors, but to increase overall investor confidence in the Philippines.

David in the Supreme Court, after David challenged the SET decision in favor of Poe. “This is part of the legal process that any aggrieved party can pursue. We will again face him in the Supreme Court,” Escudero said, after David challenged the SET ruling dismissing his petition.

The SET—composed of three SC justices and six senators—affirmed the election of Poe in the Senate, saying she is a naturalborn Filipino citizen and is therefore qualified to run and be elected not only as senator, but also as president.

Poe, the topnotcher in the 2013 senatorial polls, is also facing multiple cases before the Commission on Elections, all seeking to invalidate her candidacy for president in the 2016 elections.

Escudero insisted that Poe “remains a presidential candidate unless the Supreme Court says otherwise.”

He said they will continue to exhaust all legal remedies and will stop only once the SC has ruled with finality on Poe’s eligibil-

ity to run and be elected both as senator and president.

“We will continue to fight for her [Poe] to run and run up to the Supreme Court,” said Escudero said Poe stands a good chance of getting a favorable ruling from the high court given its long-standing tendency to let voters, not judges and lawyers, settle election issues as long as they do not involve crimes or obvious violations of the law.

Escudero also said he expects the Comelec en banc to review Poe’s petition against the 2nd Division decision to disqualify her from running for president.

Escudero said the 63-page motion submitted to the poll body contains pertinent evidence that will prove that Poe is qualified to run for president.

“Everything they want to know on the residency and citizenship of Senator Grace are included in the MR,” Escudero said.

“I just hope they will decide on the merits of this case because what is at stake here is the George Garcia, Poe’s legal counsel, said

the three-member 2nd Division erred and committed grave abuse of discretion when it sought to disqualify her from the presidential race on grounds that she allegedly misrepresented the number of years she has been residing in the country.

Escudero said he was disappointed with the hasty move of the poll body when it had yet to weed out the nuisance candidates from the official list of candidates.

“They really focused first on Senator Grace and we were surprised with their haste in coming out with the decision,”Escudero said.

The country’s second largest political party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition said Wednesday it has not yet decided to endorse Poe. “They are still in the process of consulting, listening and in due time they will make their decision,” said Poe spokesperson Valenzuela Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian.

The party is split between supporting Poe or Vice President Jejomar Binay. with John Paolo bencito

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Poe’s accuser removed from race PRESIDENTIAL aspirant Grace Poe’s accuser Rizalito David, who claims she is not qualified to run for President, has been declared a nuisance presidential candidate by the Commission on Elections’ Second Division.

All set for Thursday. Members of the group Karapatan work on an effigy of President Benigno Aquino III that they will burn in Mendiola, Manila, during a rally on Human Rights Day on Thursday. Lino SAnToS

Duterte to spread ‘Unspent funds bankroll LP’ power to provinces DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said Wednesday they are pushing for the decentralization of government power to spur development in the countryside and address Metro Manila’s traffic congestion.

Cayetano said that for the longest time, the drive for development had mainly been focused on the National Capital Region while the other regions were left to fend for themselves.

“This is not only unsustainable, it’s also inequitable. It’s time to think out of the box and overhaul this unequal development paradigm,” Cayetano said.

He made his statement even as Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, a stalwart of the ruling Liberal Party, on Wednesday confirmed his support for Duterte’s presidential bid.

But Ungab appealed to his critics that his act of leaving the administration party should not be viewed as “turncoatism.”

Ungab, head of the House committee on appropriations, said Duterte was a longtime friend and political ally, so his move to support him was expected.

“I need not jump ship.

I have been a long-time friend and ally of Mayor Duterte,” Ungab said.

Cayetano said the Philippines’ NCR-centric economic growth was contributing to the worsening traffic

situation.

“NCR is perceived by many as the only place where there are real economic opportunities,” Cayetano said.

“Thus, people unnecessarily flock to the region, creating problems such as traffic, unemployment and housing woes. But if development is spread evenly to the regions, we can solve these problems.”

Cayetano said his call for Decentralization was perfectly aligned with Duterte’s advocacy for federalism.

“This is one of the reasons why there is a strong clamor for a Duterte presidency,” he said.

“The mayor not only symbolizes order; he also stands for the empowerment of regions which have long been neglected by the national government.”

Cayetano said decentralization would change how the budget was allocated across the country’s 18 regions and 81 provinces.

He is pushing to allocate P1 billion per region to institutionalize a capital-lending scheme for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

He is also calling for the creation of a Philippine Decentralization Committee that will enhance the delivery of services in the countryside and study the relocation of several government agencies to different parts of the country. Macon RamosAraneta and Maricel V. Cruz

VICE President Jejomar Binay accused the Aquino administration Wednesday of deliberately not spending funds to save money for the Liberal Party’s campaign for the 2016 presidential elections.

He made the statement during his visit to the Bais City public market in Negros Oriental, saying underspending was stalling the country’s economic growth and impeding the delivery of basic services to the people.

He said it was estimated that the Aquino administration had deliberately avoided spending some P600 billion since 2011.

He insinuated that all that money would be used to buy votes next year.

Binay on Wednesday also pressed for an increase in the tax limit on the balikbayan boxes sent by Filipino workers abroad to P150,000 as the current P10,000 was no longer realistic.

“The current P10,000 tax limit is no longer in tune with the times. It was set in 1978 when the exchange rate was P7.37 to $1,” Binay said.

“If a returning [Filipino worker] has with her a brand-new laptop as a present for her son or daughter, a laptop that cost only P10,000 would have been spent for the tax exemption.”

Binay said raising the tax ceiling would be token compared to the millions of dollars that Filipino workers send home.

“The latest figures show that the remittances from January to August this year have already reached $17.9 billion,” Binay said.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda slammed Binay’s claims and said the government’s policy of underspending was old news.

He accused Binay of sour-graping because he failed to get President Aquino’s endorsement and anointed Roxas as his possible successor.

But Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado insisted “it is a documented fact that the administration has underspent.”

“While the election nears, they [the Aquino administration] are now spending a lot of public funds for political purposes,” Salgado said.

“Aside from underspending, the problem is really the selective amnesia of Mr. Lacierda.”

Lacierda had earlier cited a Budget Department report saying the national government’s spending continued to pick up with another two-digit yearon-year growth of 16.6 percent in September to conclude a quarterly growth of 19.3 percent.

Spending for September reached P186.3 billion, surpassing the P160 billion in disbursements in 2014 by 16.6 percent. Third-quarter spending hit P558.5 billion, which was P90.2 billion higher than the P468.4 billion gained during the same period last year. Vito Barcelo

In a six-page resolution, the Second Division led by Commissioner Al Parreño barred David from running for president next year for his lack of financial ability and for failing to prove that he is being nominated by Ang Kapatiran Party.

“Accordingly, Rizalito David is hereby declared a nuisance candidate and his Certificate of Candidacy for president for the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections is hereby canceled,” the Second Division said.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said they will look into the possibility of releasing a “partial” list of candidates for next year’s elections on Dec. 15.

“We will already input whatever names that are already final, tapos hahabulin na lang namin yung iba pang candidates na may pending cases,” Bautista told the reporters.

The Second Division made its decision on David’s case even as the Supreme Court has scheduled a special en banc session on Dec. 16 to deliberate on pressing election cases.

The high court’s justices agreed to hold another full court session during their last regular session for the year last Tuesday due to the “urgency of the cases involving the Comelec,” a Court insider said.

The source said among the issues included in the Court’s agenda was the urgent plea of the poll body to

lift the temporary restraining order issued on Dec. 1 restraining the new policy requiring voters to register for biometrics before they would be allowed to vote in next year’s general elections.

The Comelec cited David’s CoC and his answers to his petition indicating he is a broadcaster.

“While such is a noble way to earn a living, a clear proof however of his financial capability to run a nationwide campaign is absent,” the resolution said.

On Oct. 13, 2015, the Comelec received a letter from Ang Kapatiran president Norman Cabrera saying his party was not “fielding any candidate” for the 2016 elections.

The Comelec’s Second Division also said that while he submitted copies of the endorsements and names of the individuals and organization supporting his presidential bid, David failed to persuade the poll body that he is Ang Kapatiran’s standard bearer.

David, a losing senatorial bet, was the first to file a petition against Poe before the Senate Electoral Tribunal and before Comelec questioning her citizenship and her compliance with the 10-year residency requirement.

However, the SET ruled in favor of Poe, stressing that her victory for the senatorial seat was valid. Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Rey E. Requejo

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCEMENT President Benigno S. Aquino III has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointment and nomination of the following officials: Constitutional Commissions and Offices (ad interim appointment) Hon. Nieves L. Osorio – Commissioner, Civil Service Commission Department of Foreign Affairs (nomination) Hon. Evan P. Garcia – Chief of Mission, Class I, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with concurrent jurisdiction over Ireland, Isle of Man, Bailiwick of Guernsey and Bailiwick of Jersey The public may submit any information, written report or sworn complaints or oppositions in forty (40) copies on the above appointment and nomination to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, DiosdadoMacapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 551-7532, 831-0893, 831-1824, 834-2706, 831-1566 and 834-2713.

Prayer. Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle presides over the opening of the holy door

of the Jubilee of Mercy at the Manila Cathedral on Wednesday. Ey ACASio

09 December 2015.

(TS-DEC. 10, 2015)

ARTURO L. TIU Secretary

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Bets asked to hold Noy liable By rio n. araja and Florante S. Solmerin The militant group International League of Peoples’ Struggle-Philippines on Wednesday challenged all presidential candidates, except for Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II, to promise to hold President Benigno Aquino III liable for gross human rights violations committed during his term.

tribal protest. Members of the Bugkalot tribe perform a traditional war dance outside the office of the National Irrigation Administration in Quezon City to protest the diversion of the Casecnan River to boost the water supply of the Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija. lino SantoS

Bicam approves P3-t budget

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon ramos-araneta The house and Senate bicameral conference committee on Wednesday approved the proposed P3.002-trillion national budget for 2016 as both chambers are expected to ratify the measure next week.

The chairpersons of the bicameral panel, Senator Loren Legarda, chair of the Senate finance committee, and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, chair of the house committee on appropriations, said this will allow President Benigno Aquino III to sign the bill into law before Christmas.

“By January 1, 2016, there will be a new budget,” Ungab said, adding that this will be the sixth year that

the budget passage was done on time.

Ungab said there were four substantial changes, restorations and augmentations in house Bill 6132 that were reflected in the bicameral report—an increase of P1.2 billion in the budget for indigent senior citizens; a P2.7-billion increase in the budget of state universities and colleges; the veterans’ pension totaling P4.7 billion was sustained; and the provision of P7 billion to fully fund the Salary Standardization Law of 2015 for its first tranche of implementation next year.

“In a way, this is our gift to the people as we have introduced allocations and provisions that will benefit those who most need government support,”

Legarda said.

For the first time, the national budget includes funding for the payment of the total administrative disability pension for surviving spouses of deceased World War II veterans and partial payment for TAD pension for living postwar veterans who are at least 80 years of age as of 2016.

The budget for the Department of environment and Natural Resources will also cover, for the first time, capacity building programs for the implementation of the ecological Solid Waste Management Act which has long been unfunded.

Congress also approved the doubling of the proposed budget for the Office of the Vice President, from P230.5 million to P500 million in 2016.

“It is but fitting for the winner of the presidential race to consider it as her or his article of faith to work unceasingly for justice by indicting Aquino and guaranteeing that he will spend the rest of his life in prison,” the group in a statement to mark the 65th International human Rights Day today.

The group’s spokesperson, former Gabriela partylist Rep. Liza Maza, called on Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senators Grace Poe and Miriam Santiago, and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to speak their mind on the issue of Aquino’s culpability.

“It is for the next administration to formally charge President Aquino. The grand jury of the people, expressed even in electoral surveys, is rendering judgment on Aquino,” Maza said, adding that Roxas need not react to their challenge.

She cited data from the human rights group Karapatan which recorded 304 victims of extrajudicial killings and 324 victims of frustrated killings under the Aquino administration.

For her part, Karapatan secretary-general Cristina Palabay criticized the administration for refusing to pursue peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic FrontNew People’s Army.

“Instead of releasing detained NDF consultants as its obligation and as a sign of sincerity to pursue the talks, the regime convicted emeterio Antalan and Leopoldo Caloza on September 17 for trumped-up charges of murder,” Palabay said.

Peace talks have remained stalled for almost five years now, and at least 17 individuals which the NDF claims are its consultants have been arrested for various criminal charges.

Palabay also accused the government of being a party to the killing and harassment of lumad leaders in Mindanao by allowing the continued presence of paramilitary groups in indigenous people’s areas.

Michelle Campos, daughter of slain lumad leader Dionel Campos, on Wednesday dared Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. hernando Irriberi to arrest the killers of her father and other IP members in eastern Mindanao.

Irriberi, a native of Surigao del Sur, earlier admitted that he was related to emerito Samarca, the executive director of the lumad school Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development who was killed with Campos.

21 cops linked to massacre fired The National Police Commission has dismissed 21 policemen and suspended 11 others for their alleged involvement in the November 2009 Maguindanao massacre that left 58 civilians, including 32 media workers, dead.

“After a careful and meticulous examination of the voluminous records of the case, the Napolcom determined the culpability of each of the respondents based on one’s participation or non-participation in the gruesome and senseless murders of the 58 victims in the Maguindanao massacre,” Napolcom vice chairman eduardo escueta said on Wednesday.

The commission dismissed the following cops after they were found guilty of grave misconduct: P/Supt. Abusama Mundas Maguid, P/CInsp.

Zukarno Adil Dicay, P/Insp.

Rex Ariel Tabao Diongon, P/Insp. Michael Joy Ines Macaraeg, SPO2 Badawi Piang Bakal, SPO1 eduardo hermo Ong, PO3 Rasid Tolentino Anton, PO3 Felix escala enate Jr., PO3 Abibudin Sambuay Abdulgani, PO3 hamad Michael Nana, PO2 Saudiar Ubo Ulah, PO2 Saudi Pompong Pasutan, PO1 herich Manisi Amaba, PO1 Michael Juanitas Madsig, PO1 Abdullah Samma Baguadatu, PO1 Pia Sulay Kamidon, PO1 esprilieto Giano Lejarso, PO1 esmael Manuel Guialal, PO1 Narkou Duloan Mascud and PO1 Rainer Tan ebus.

The policemen were held liable “for opting to become silent spectators to a crime unfolding before their very eyes.”

The unit’s top official, P/Insp. Saudi Matabalao

Mokamad, was also dismissed from the service for serious neglect of duty for failing to take command in an emergency. eleven policemen were slapped with a 59-day suspension for less grave neglect of duty, namely SPO1 Ali Mluk Solano, PO2 Kendatu Salem Rakim, PO1 Benedick Tentiao Alfonso, PO1 Abdurahman Said Batarasa, PO1 Marjul Tarulan Julkadi, PO1 Datu Jerry Mluk Utto, PO1 Mohamad Karim Balading, PO1 Marsman eging Nilong, PO1 Abdulmanan Lumbabao Saavedra, PO3 Felix Abado Daquilos and PO1 Jimmy Mlah Kadtong.

Napolcom absolved 30 other policemen from the charges, including nine whose cases against them were dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

Courtesy call. President Benigno S. Aquino III exchanges pleasantries with Pacific Century Group chairman and CEO Richard Li, who paid a courtesy call on the Chief Executive at the Music Room of Malacañang Palace on Wednesday.

MalaCañang Photo Bureau

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Grace more than meets residency rule—NPC

Senatorial candidate Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (right) meets with presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte at Enderan College campus on McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio,Taguig City. Romualdez said that the continued surge of opposition presidential aspirants in various surveys indicate that people are demanding genuine change. With them is vice presidential candidate Alan Peter Cayetano. Ver NoVeNo

Romualdez upbeat on PDP-Lakas alliance

By Maricel V. Cruz

Senatorial candidate and leyte rep. Ferdinand Martin romualdez on Wednesday welcomed presidential aspirant rodrigo Duterte’s openness to the possible partnership of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-lakas ng Bayan and lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats in next year’s presidential elections.

“This is a welcome development and we are thankful to Mayor Duterte for his openness to seal an alliance with us,” Romualdez, president of the Lakas-CMD, said.

Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association said the looming alliance between his party and PDP-Laban will be of greater advantage, especially for people advocating “malasakit” (compassion) in governance.

“The looming alliance will be

anchored on principles and platforms to further promote malasakit [compassion] and champion people’s interest. We are not after political convenience,” Romualdez stressed.

On Tuesday, Duterte, who is the standard bearer of PDP-Laban, said his party is just awaiting for Lakas-CMD or the party of former president-turned Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to formalize its intention for the partnership in the May 2016 polls.

PDP-Laban president and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III earlier said he was open to the arrangement with the LakasCMD. “That is a welcome development. But I think they will stay with Lakas as their party. So it is just like forming an alliance for this particular [2016] election,” Pimentel said.

Lakas-CMD Deputy Secretary General Raul Lambino said majority of the party’s members have expressed their intention to support Duterte’s presidential bid.

Earlier, Duterte endorsed the senatorial bid of Romualdez, citing the latter’s “malasakit” (compassion) to public service especially in his efforts to help Yolanda survivors recover from the tragedy, including those from the hardest-hit Tacloban City should be a major factor for the people to elect him to the Senate.

“[Congressman] Martin [Romualdez] is my candidate to the Senate,” Duterte responded to a query of Manila-based journalist, referring to Romualdez, who is also a guest candidate of presidential aspirant and Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance, as one of the most qualified senatorial candidates.

In response, Romualdez assured Duterte of his commitment to champion good governance, fight against criminality, and graft and corruption as “malasakit” (compassion) to Filipinos who are frustrated of seeking genuine reforms.

“I am one with Mayor Duterte in pushing transparency and accountability in public service that will truly cares and genuinely serves the poorest of the poor. Let us bring back compassion in governance by instilling discipline among our people. These are my commitments to him [Duterte] and Filipino people,” Romualdez said.

“ThE residency issue is simple arithmetic. One need not be a lawyer to see that Senator Grace Poe has surpassed the 10-year residency requirement to run for president.”

This according to Rep. Win Gatchalian of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, who on Wednesday scored the decision of the Commission on Elections’ Second Division, which said that Poe could not run for president as she did not meet the 10-year residency requirement.

Gatchalian, who is running for senator under the tandem of Poe and Senator Francis Escudero, said that though he may not be a lawyer like the members of the Comelec’s second division, “I know how to count.”

“Based on the 10-year residency requirement to be qualified to run for president, a candidate must have been a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years prior to election day, which is May 9, 2016.

Therefore, the threshold date is May 8, 2006. The relevant question now is, did Senator Grace do anything prior to May 8, 2006 to show that she intended to permanently reside in the Philippines? The facts resoundingly say yes,” stressed Gatchalian.

According to Gatchalian, Poe’s lawyers provided the Comelec with evidence “that clearly shows that Grace intended to live in the country as early as 2005.”

“First, Senator Grace resigned from her job in the US in 2004.

Second, in early 2005 she informed her children’s schools in the US that they would no longer be studying there, and in June 2005 she enrolled them in schools here. Third, in the latter half of 2005, she and her husband bought a condo in San Juan, followed later by the acquisition of a lot in early 2006. Fourth, in February 2006, Senator Grace moved all of their belongings from the US to the Philippines. Fifth, in April 2006, she and her husband sold their home in the US.”

‘Climate draft wanting in adaptation finance’ PARIS—With only a few days left before the historic UN climate change conference ends, the Philippines has called on other countries to include crucial adaptation finance in the current draft of the Paris agreement.

“The Philippine delegation is seriously concerned about the fact that there is not enough provision in the draft Paris agreement that provides adaptation finance for the developing countries most vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change,” Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje said during a high-level meeting held in Le Bourget on Dec. 8.

At least 190 countries have embarked on two weeks of negotiations to hammer out a new universal climate pact that will specify tracks of finance, mitigation and adaptation actions from 2020 and beyond.

Even after the first week of the talks have ended on Dec. 5, there remains no clear language capturing the mobilization of adaptation funds for countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Paje pointed out that there was no reference to the amount of finance needed for adaptation in

Article 6, which covers the element of finance in the new climate deal.

“My delegation hereby further intervenes to ensure clear reference to a collective target for adaptation,” the environment chief told the assembly.

Paje said there should be a collective target for adaptation with a “solid quantitative goal,” or a particular amount for adaptation finance that should be reviewed every five years.

According to Paje, predictable financing sources are critical for the implementation of initiatives like technology transfer and capacitybuilding innovations to enable the country to adapt effectively to climate change impacts.

At the same time, Paje said actions that will limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, which now enjoy the support of 112 nations, must be fast-tracked and sustained despite the setback caused by the failure of countries to agree on the review of the 2-degrees Celsius goal.

Such review would have provided scientific evidence for the necessity of increasing mitigation targets, he said. PNA

Survivors’ bazaar. Echoing their commitment to climate change action, the Archdiocese of Palo Relief and Rehabilitation Unit (Caritas Palo) formally opens its Christmas Bazaar and Trade Fair with products made by Typhoon ‘Yolanda’ survivors in Leyte. The bazaar themed ‘Caritas Care’ features organic and local products from 15 Yolanda-affected communities in the towns of Palo, MacArthur, Sta Fe, Dulag and Alang-alang. MeL CASPe

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK T H U R S D AY : D E C E M B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 5

A6 Payatas residents lose petition for writ of kalikasan

By Rey E. Requejo

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Senate panel probes ‘gold-plated’ port

THE Court of Appeals has dismissed a petition filed by residents of Payatas in Quezon City seeking the issuance of a writ of Kalikasan against the expansion of the Payatas sanitary landfill.

In a 10-page decision, the CA’s Tenth Division through Associate Justice Mariflor Punzalan Castillo ruled that the petitioners led by resident Leonita Panoy and several homeowners associations failed to comply with the requirement of Section 52( c ) of Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise known as the “Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”

Section 52 provides that “no suit can be filed until a notice has been given to the public officer and the alleged violator concerned 30 days prior to the filing of the case.

The appellate court noted that petitioners’ statement in their letter dated July 14, 2014 to respondent QC Mayor Herbert Bautista that they will “be forced to pursue other remedies to address the imminent threat to the lives of our clients and the rest of then Payatas community cannot be considered as a notice to sue.”

“Petitioners simply conveyed that they would pursue other remedies if respondents failed to take action within 5 working days from receipt of the letter. We find no express intention that they will actually file a suit or action in court if respondents fail to act,” the CA stressed.

According to the appellate court, the statement to “pursue other remedies” is too broad that it may be interpreted as an administrative remedy, arbitration or mediation, Red tide scare. A female vendor washes mussels harvested from Navotas. There are few takers for or any other means to address mussels and other shellfish because of the red tide that covers a wide portion of Eastern Visayas waters. a violation of right.

ANDREW RABULAN

By Macon Araneta

THE Senate Public Service Committee chaired by Senator Serge Osmeña on Wednesday started digging into the “gold-plated” Davao Sasa Port under the watch of Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Osmeña said he had received many complaints about the alleged overpriced modernization program of Sasa Port whose cost was initially placed at P4 billion, but suddenly grew to P19 billion.

At the Senate hearing Wednesday, Osmeña directed Abaya to look for a project that would not cost that much— not a “gold-plated port.” The DOTC will oversee the expansion of the Sasa port through public-private partnership.

Osmeña said complaints were mounting from the Davao business community. “They were complaining that the first estimate was P4 billion then all of a sudden when a new study was undertaken by a German company, it ballooned to P19 billion ,” said Osmeña.

The P19-billion project, Osmeña said, would mean an 80 percent increase in the rate per container.

He said those who will be adversely affected by the port modernization also complained about the rush in the bidding which was set in April next year.

Osmeña ordered Abaya to make a simplified economic justification for the P19 billion cost.

Osmeña said they would check how they can lower or mitigate the rate increase by up to 20 percent and what they will be able to give up in terms.

Osmeña said he does not see the need to dig 14 meter for the port to accommodate big ships since there are no big ships going to Davao. Alexander Valoria, president of the Anflo Management and Investment Corporation, stressed there is no need to convert Sasa Port to a container port because the container shipping requirements are already met by the existing private ports such as Davao International Container Terminal (DICT), Tefascok Sumifru, Unifrutti, Dole/Pacinger.

Former envoy to Washington Willy Gaa passes away VETERAN diplomat Willy C. Gaa, who served as Philippine ambassador to the US from 2006 to 2010, passed away Dec. 8 after a prolonged bout with lung cancer. He was 69.

Gaa’s career as a diplomat began when he was appointed as Foreign Service Officer in December 1974 after passing the FSO examination and taking the oath of office in 1975.

Gaa served as ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (2003-2006), followed by his post as consul general in Los Angeles. He was initially assigned to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, as Charge d’Affaires on July 25, 2006, before becoming ambassador.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

In his last year in Washington DC, Ambassador Gaa played a major role in the convincing the US Millennium Challenge Corp. to give the Philippines a $434-million development grant. He also arranged a one-on-one meeting in New York between Presidents Benigno Aquino and Barack Obama and facilitated the transfer of the consular section from the embassy to a bigger office in the old chancery to better serve the public.

Gaa obtained his Bachelor of Arts (AB Political Science) degree from Manuel L. Quezon University in 1966.

He graduated from the University of the Philippines in 1970 with a Bachelor of Laws degree and from New York Uni-

versity in 1985 with a degree in Master of Laws (International Legal Studies).

Gaa passed the government career service exam in 1968, the Philippine Bar Examination in 1970 and the State Bar of California in 1990. His previous legal work experience was as a tax and compliance attorney at Petrophil Corporation (1974-1975) and as a trial attorney at the Office of the Solicitor General (1971-1974).

For his long and dedicated service to government and country, Gaa was presented with the Gawad Sentenaryo (Centennial Award) in 1999 by the National Centennial Commission and the Distinguished Service Award in 2000 by

the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Gaa also joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi Fraternity while at the University of the Philippines and was active in fraternity activities even after leaving the academe. He is also the recipient of the Upsilon’s UNO Award for outstanding achievements in his chosen career.

The late diplomat is survived by his wife, Erlinda Concepcion, with whom he has two sons, Wendell and Warren.

Wake starts on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 2 pm. Interment will be on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. after a memorial service at Funeraria Paz, Manila Memorial Park, Sucat, Parañaque.

Floralde, 56 Leo Floralde of The Standard’s Collection Department passed away last Dec. 7 due to illness. He was 56. His remains lie in state at his residence at 1003 Arlegui Street, Quiapo, Manila. Interment will be announced later.

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

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

A7 Vizcaya indigents demand irrigation proceeds

By Rio N. Araja

Heavy lifting. A crane tries to lift a bus bound for General Santos City after it slammed onto a cargo truck over the weekend in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur. Drivers and passengers of both vehicles are safe. OMAR MANGORSI

Rebels kill two, torch equipment in S. Cotabato construction site KORONADAL CITY—New People’s Army guerrillas attacked a road construction site in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato Tuesday night, torching heavy equipment and killing two security guards, police said.

Five other guards were wounded in the incident.

Superintendent Jose Briones, provincial police director, said pursuit operations by government forces are continuing on the borders of Lake Sebu and Surallah towns.

Lake Sebu Mayor Antonio Fungan said some 20 rebels attacked the Gemma Con-

struction site in Sitio Lamsuguing, Barangay Lamfugon past 9 p.m.

Fungan said the firm, which is working on a national government-funded road connecting Barangay Upper Sepaka, Surallah to Barangay Lamfugon, Lake Sebu, had ignored rebel demands for so-called revolutionary taxes.

AT LEAST 15,000 members of the Bugkalot indigenous people all over Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Aurora on Monday vowed to assert to the “fullest extent as matter of both right and privilege” their claim on the proceeds of the Casecnan Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Project.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Nagtipunan Mayor Rosario Camma of Quirino province said California Energy Casecnan Water and Energy Inc. has not made good on its promise to pay the Bugkalot a royalty for the use of their ancestral domain and water resources of Casecnan River in the past 19 years.

“We have never been paid,” Camma told reporters, even as he cited the issuance of Administrative Order No. 248 by former President Fidel V. Ramos creating a task force to oversee the project.

The river boosts the supply of the Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija.

Multi-billionaire financier Warren Buffett owns CalEnergy through his holding company, the Des Moines, Iowabased Berkshire Hathaway.

According to Camma, the project began in 1995 under a build-operate-transfer concept designed to irrigate 50,000 hectares of farms in Central Luzon and generate 140 megawatts of power.

He, however, said the project has not irrigated a single square meter of land cultivated by the Bugkalot in Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora, and not a single watt of electricity has benefited anyone of them.

“The Casecnan River has dried up,” he noted.

Cagayan police form task force to probe cop’s killing

By Florante S. Solmerin CAGAYAN police director Senior Superintendent Ronaldo Olay said he has ordered the creation of a special task group to conduct swift investigation into the gruesome murder of Senior Police Officer 2 Ronel Saturno who was gunned down Saturday night by armed men inside his house cum resto-bar business in Lasam town.

Saturno was assigned

at the Quirino Provincial Police Office and was also in schooling for his next promotion at the time of his death.

Olay said he was just waiting for the final assessment report if the chief of police of Lasam, Chief Inspector Ramil Alipio, would be relieved or not from his position.

The special task group that would be coming from the Provincial Police Office to investigate the murder of Saturno

automatically excludes Alipio and his men from the investigation but they would be asked to “fully cooperate.”

Saturno, an outstanding cop awardee, was slain by five armed men who barged into his home in Barangay Centro 2 at around 7:25 p.m. shortly after his arrival from Lallo town to spend the weekend with his children. He sustained up to nine gunshot wounds in the head, neck, chest, and other parts of his body.

Long way to go. A fisherman counts the fish he has caught in Sampaloc Lake, San Pablo City. DAVID CHAN

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

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

STRIKING A BALANCE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

STAR POWER CANDIDATES have long used movie stars and other celebrities to endear themselves to the masses.

In some cases, the endorsement of these popular personalities has been responsible for the victory of the candidates they supported.

What this proves is the drawing power of the celebrity rather than the charisma of the politician. Rarely has star power been used to enhance the chances of a politician who is already popular on his or her own merits.

With this in mind, we view the Liberal Party’s video featuring numerous yellow-clad television and movie personalities with slight amusement—and deep frustration.

Titled “fast forward,” the ad shows presidential standard bearer Manuel Roxas II and his running mate Rep. Leni Robredo smiling and waving as they enjoin members of the community—students, workers, family members—to thrive in a life of hope and promise under the Daang Matuwid.

Complete with dance steps and scenes of contrived camaraderie, the video tries to tell us—without asking us to vote for anybody just yet—that life will continue to be good under a Roxas presidency.

It is hardly surprising that the party would spend so much on the talent fees of these stars who would endorse the candidacy of the man who enjoys government machinery yet still lags behind in surveys. Even before President Aquino raised the hand of Roxas a few months ago, the party had been acting in desperation by scouting for palatable running mates for the former Interior and Local Government secretary.

That the party would use the drawing power of the stars to get the masses to notice its candidate also shows its low regard for Filipino voters. No national or even local issues are raised; no critical thinking is encouraged. One does not have to think at all: Just heed what your idols say, and an idyllic life, like the one depicted in the video, will follow.

We say “fast forward,” indeed—to a new administration that doesn’t have the self-righteousness, insensitivity and hypocrisy of this one.

AQUINO THE UNMERCIFUL LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES TODAY is International Human Rights Day. And it is fitting that earlier this week, the Supreme Court has allowed probably the most prominent victim of statesponsored violations of human rights, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, furloughs during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The Yellow crowd will never accept this, of course, but what President Noynoy Aquino did to Arroyo is terribly unjust and borderline inhuman. You don’t have to take my word for it—that’s the United Nations talking, through its Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

Last October, that fiveman UN panel ruled that the Philippine government should grant Arroyo bail, “in accordance with the relevant international human rights standards and accord Ms.

Arroyo with an enforceable right to compensation… for the deprivation of liberty which already occurred.” But the Aquino administration, which is always so proud of having thrown Arroyo in jail despite the flimsy charges filed against her, said it cannot interfere with a purely judicial proceeding.

That is garbage, of course.

If the Department of Justice, the Office of the Ombudsman and all the other agencies instructed to keep Arroyo in jail at all costs did

A9

If there really is any justice, Aquino will be thrown in jail when the time comes, as well.

not lean on the courts all the time, she would not have spent even a day in jail.

This is also why the only case that is pending against Arroyo, that of alleged plunder for having put a marginal note approving of a request by the former board of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for the release of “blood money” for detained Filipino workers in the Middle East, is keeping her at the Veterans Hospital in Quezon City. All the board members of the PCSO who drafted the aid resolution and who approved the fund release—and even the

Commission on Audit chairman at the time—who were named as Arroyo’s fellow respondents in the same case have since been acquitted.

Especially in the early years of this supposedly righteous administration, very few had the guts to question the actions of agencies hell-bent on pinning Arroyo down for her alleged terrible crimes. Still, the incontrovertible fact remains that nearly six years after it started its monomaniacal get-Gloria cam-

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-

paign, the current government has not found any case that will stick and send her to jail for good.

As for the current case, any judge and lawyer will tell you that it is not only insupportable on its merits. It also makes a mockery of a justice system that should only deny bail to people who are flight risks or who have committed terrible crimes.

But Aquino will not even allow Arroyo’s release on bail, per-

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

haps because he sincerely believes that people want his predecessor to remain in detention for whatever cause he and his minions can think of until the end of his term.

And to assume, as even international rights advocates like Amal Alamuddin Clooney has assumed, that Aquino will bow to an international body like the UN when it comes to matters involving Arroyo is to be very much mistaken.

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

IN THE light of the recent mass killing in San Bernardino, California, people around the world must be shaking their heads and wondering what is happening in the United States. The country spends hundreds of billions of dollars fighting terrorism abroad to prevent it from entering the country but it is unwilling or do not have the political will to stop or at least lessen the uncontrolled proliferation of firearms. Because of this failure, mass killings is taking place with frightening frequency and regularity killing a lot more people than terrorism.

It is something, as the frustrated President Obama said, uniquely American because it does not happen anywhere else in the world. In all the developed world, the United States has the most liberal laws on gun ownership. In fact, the right to keep and own firearms is enshrined in the second amendment of the US constitution. It is therefore not surprising that it has also the worst gun violence in the whole industrialized world and the highest gun ownership in the world.

Some publications have stated that since 2012, there have been 1,042 mass killings in the US. For this year alone, 353 mass killings have taken place. Mass killing is defined as causing a casualty of at least four to include the perpetrator. In 2013, there were 33,636 firearm related deaths in the US. Of this figure, 63 percent or 21,175 were suicide deaths while 12,461 were the result of homicides. Another astonishing figure is that although the US population constitute only 5 percent of the world’s total, the country owns 42 percent of all the guns. And while science and experience has already shown that in order to lessen the number of violent gun deaths, there must be reduction in gun ownership or at least make it more difficult for people to purchase firearm so easily.

The US, however, for one reason or another refuses to buy this proven fact. Even with the San Bernardino killings which is now classified as terror related, the US Senate just refused to add regulations that would introduce stricter background checks for prospective gun buyers.

In spite of the polls suggesting that more people throughout the country

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 : D E C E M B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

STRIKING A BALANCE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

STAR POWER CANDIDATES have long used movie stars and other celebrities to endear themselves to the masses.

In some cases, the endorsement of these popular personalities has been responsible for the victory of the candidates they supported.

What this proves is the drawing power of the celebrity rather than the charisma of the politician. Rarely has star power been used to enhance the chances of a politician who is already popular on his or her own merits.

With this in mind, we view the Liberal Party’s video featuring numerous yellow-clad television and movie personalities with slight amusement—and deep frustration.

Titled “fast forward,” the ad shows presidential standard bearer Manuel Roxas II and his running mate Rep. Leni Robredo smiling and waving as they enjoin members of the community—students, workers, family members—to thrive in a life of hope and promise under the Daang Matuwid.

Complete with dance steps and scenes of contrived camaraderie, the video tries to tell us—without asking us to vote for anybody just yet—that life will continue to be good under a Roxas presidency.

It is hardly surprising that the party would spend so much on the talent fees of these stars who would endorse the candidacy of the man who enjoys government machinery yet still lags behind in surveys. Even before President Aquino raised the hand of Roxas a few months ago, the party had been acting in desperation by scouting for palatable running mates for the former Interior and Local Government secretary.

That the party would use the drawing power of the stars to get the masses to notice its candidate also shows its low regard for Filipino voters. No national or even local issues are raised; no critical thinking is encouraged. One does not have to think at all: Just heed what your idols say, and an idyllic life, like the one depicted in the video, will follow.

We say “fast forward,” indeed—to a new administration that doesn’t have the self-righteousness, insensitivity and hypocrisy of this one.

AQUINO THE UNMERCIFUL LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES TODAY is International Human Rights Day. And it is fitting that earlier this week, the Supreme Court has allowed probably the most prominent victim of statesponsored violations of human rights, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, furloughs during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The Yellow crowd will never accept this, of course, but what President Noynoy Aquino did to Arroyo is terribly unjust and borderline inhuman. You don’t have to take my word for it—that’s the United Nations talking, through its Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

Last October, that fiveman UN panel ruled that the Philippine government should grant Arroyo bail, “in accordance with the relevant international human rights standards and accord Ms.

Arroyo with an enforceable right to compensation… for the deprivation of liberty which already occurred.” But the Aquino administration, which is always so proud of having thrown Arroyo in jail despite the flimsy charges filed against her, said it cannot interfere with a purely judicial proceeding.

That is garbage, of course.

If the Department of Justice, the Office of the Ombudsman and all the other agencies instructed to keep Arroyo in jail at all costs did

A9

If there really is any justice, Aquino will be thrown in jail when the time comes, as well.

not lean on the courts all the time, she would not have spent even a day in jail.

This is also why the only case that is pending against Arroyo, that of alleged plunder for having put a marginal note approving of a request by the former board of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for the release of “blood money” for detained Filipino workers in the Middle East, is keeping her at the Veterans Hospital in Quezon City. All the board members of the PCSO who drafted the aid resolution and who approved the fund release—and even the

Commission on Audit chairman at the time—who were named as Arroyo’s fellow respondents in the same case have since been acquitted.

Especially in the early years of this supposedly righteous administration, very few had the guts to question the actions of agencies hell-bent on pinning Arroyo down for her alleged terrible crimes. Still, the incontrovertible fact remains that nearly six years after it started its monomaniacal get-Gloria cam-

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-

paign, the current government has not found any case that will stick and send her to jail for good.

As for the current case, any judge and lawyer will tell you that it is not only insupportable on its merits. It also makes a mockery of a justice system that should only deny bail to people who are flight risks or who have committed terrible crimes.

But Aquino will not even allow Arroyo’s release on bail, per-

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

haps because he sincerely believes that people want his predecessor to remain in detention for whatever cause he and his minions can think of until the end of his term.

And to assume, as even international rights advocates like Amal Alamuddin Clooney has assumed, that Aquino will bow to an international body like the UN when it comes to matters involving Arroyo is to be very much mistaken.

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

IN THE light of the recent mass killing in San Bernardino, California, people around the world must be shaking their heads and wondering what is happening in the United States. The country spends hundreds of billions of dollars fighting terrorism abroad to prevent it from entering the country but it is unwilling or do not have the political will to stop or at least lessen the uncontrolled proliferation of firearms. Because of this failure, mass killings is taking place with frightening frequency and regularity killing a lot more people than terrorism.

It is something, as the frustrated President Obama said, uniquely American because it does not happen anywhere else in the world. In all the developed world, the United States has the most liberal laws on gun ownership. In fact, the right to keep and own firearms is enshrined in the second amendment of the US constitution. It is therefore not surprising that it has also the worst gun violence in the whole industrialized world and the highest gun ownership in the world.

Some publications have stated that since 2012, there have been 1,042 mass killings in the US. For this year alone, 353 mass killings have taken place. Mass killing is defined as causing a casualty of at least four to include the perpetrator. In 2013, there were 33,636 firearm related deaths in the US. Of this figure, 63 percent or 21,175 were suicide deaths while 12,461 were the result of homicides. Another astonishing figure is that although the US population constitute only 5 percent of the world’s total, the country owns 42 percent of all the guns. And while science and experience has already shown that in order to lessen the number of violent gun deaths, there must be reduction in gun ownership or at least make it more difficult for people to purchase firearm so easily.

The US, however, for one reason or another refuses to buy this proven fact. Even with the San Bernardino killings which is now classified as terror related, the US Senate just refused to add regulations that would introduce stricter background checks for prospective gun buyers.

In spite of the polls suggesting that more people throughout the country

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 : D E C E M B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

BCDA IS AT IT AGAIN TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

IT’S ALL negative news we have been getting from print and broadcast media during the past week, principally because of the entry into the presidential race of foul-mouthed and selfconfessed killer Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

There’s also Mrs. Mary Grace Natividad Sonora Poe lying through her teeth with her claim of 10 years and 11 months residency in the Philippines, which the Comelec Second Division said was a “misrepresentation.” The fact is that she is six months short of the constitutional requirement for a senatorial and presidential candidate.

This agency is intentionally misleading the public.

Then, London-based Amnesty International raised red flags over the candidacy of Duterte considering his dismal record of violating human rights. He has been linked to the notorious “Davao Death Squad” responsible for extra-judicial killing.

The only good news we have this Christmas season is the Supreme Court’s resolution that former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be home for Christmas and for New Year with her family. The former President’s health has been deteriorating after she was detained in a hospital by a very vindictive Aquino administration. This furlough for her is necessary and welcome. *** Speaking of bad news,

here comes the Bases Conversion and Development Authority misinforming the public with “Notice to the Public” print ads that the Camp John Hay Development Corp. has been divested of its authority to manage and administer the Camp John Hay Special Economic Zone, and that the public is cautioned against making any payment or transaction to CJHDevco.

The state-owned BCDA led by president Arnel Casanova clearly wants to mislead and misinform the public.

The ad is contrary to the Court of Appeals’ directive to the CJHDevco “to vacate and cease its operation on the leased premises ONLY UPON BCDA’S FULL PAYMENT OF P1.42 BILLION TO CJHDevco,” which the BCDA has not paid to date.

Just why the BCDA board and its president are resorting to lies and misinformation about the true status of the Camp John Hay controversy is a mystery. Is it because the BCDA board and Casanova himself are co-terminus with President and that they soon will be jobless?

Perhaps in an effort to show President Aquino that they have been doing their job well at Camp John Hay, they must lie and misinform the public. Santa Banana, what a way for Aquino appointees to justify their salaries, bonuses and perks!

The Court of Appeals decision dated July 30, 2015 in part and in proper context ruled that: The directive to CJHDevco to immediately turn over management of the leased premises to the BCDA (excluding ALL developments, e.g. residences, hotels, the Golf Club, the Convention Center etc.) is conditioned upon BCDA’s full payment of the amount of P1.42 billion to CJHDevco.

The BCDA has not paid this amount to date.

When BCDA claims that it gave the amount in

A CHRISTMAS FURLOUGH THE Supreme Court’s decision allowing former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to spend Christmas and New Year with her family is a most welcome development. The elation is shared not just by her family and allies in politics but also her constituents in the 2nd District of Pampanga, where she is expected to run for a third term as representative in Congress—a position she held since exiting the presidency in 2010.

In its resolution, the High Tribunal allowed Mrs. Arroyo a total of six days at her La Vista, Quezon City residence during the holiday season. Ms. Arroyo is facing plunder raps in connection with allegations of conspiracy to divert P366 million in confidential PCSO intelligence funds for her personal gain, from 2008 to 2010. Since her arrest, she has been detained at the Veterans’ Memorial Medical Center where she has also been undergoing treatment for degenerative bone diseases.

Through her lawyers, Mrs. Arroyo had filed a petition last October urging the SC to junk the plunder case against her and suspend the trial before the anti-graft court.

Following this, the High Tribunal had extended until February 2016, its earlier status quo ante order stopping the Sandiganbayan from proceeding with the plunder trial of the former president.

Many also believe that the SC escrow to the Baguio Regional Trial Court that’s not payment as provided by the Rules of Court. My gulay, that’s another lie by the BCDA. Because of BCDA’s failure to comply with the CA decision, CJHDevco has no option but to continue with the management of the leased premises in the John Hay Special Economic Zone. But, what is important is that the CA was told to respect all the contracts with all third parties (some 1,300 investors), who have vested rights since they were not a party to the controversy.

That was clearly a slap on the face of BCDA directors and Casanova who have been wanting the third parties and investors to vacate, issuing on April 23, 2015 through the Baguio Regional Trial Court Sheriff the “NOTICE TO VACATE.” Thus, the newspaper ads of BCDA cautioning the public not to transact business with CJHDevco is not only aimed at misleading and misinforming the public. It is a big lie.

MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ should similarly grant her request for bail as the evidence that have been presented by the prosecution against Mrs. Arroyo have proven weak and utterly failed to support the allegation that the former president indeed committed the charges. There is also the recent United Nations declaration that her detention is arbitrary and violates human rights.

Antonio Abad, former law dean of the Far Eastern University, is of the same legal opinion that the former president should be granted bail.

He points to the fact that although plunder is a non-bailable offense, Mrs. Arroyo has been charged with the allegation of having conspired with officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office regarding the misuse of its intelligence funds. The operative word is conspired—because legally in a conspiracy, the guilt of one is the guilt of all and so all conspirators shall be afforded equal treatment. The problem is, bail has not been granted to Mrs. Arroyo despite the fact that her alleged fellow conspirators have all been granted bail already. Dean Abad underscored that this is not equal

I don’t know if Casanova, a Harvard lawyer, and the BCDA directors can read and understand English. The appellate court was clear and precise in its ruling.

I have a sneaking suspicion, however, that the “Notice to the Public” ad is an attempt to mislead over 1,300 investors and simultaneously preempt the decision of the Supreme Court on BCDA’s pending petition before the High Court.

The affliction of lying, incompetence and hypocrisy of the Aquino administration through its straight-path policy seems to have afflicted the BCDA so much so that it has again been lying and trying to mislead the public, especially the investors, who are just waiting for this controversy to end. *** I don’t know if Social Weather Stations president Mahar Mangahas realizes it, but the latest poll survey of the SWS showing that Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was the

protection of laws as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Moreover, Dean Abad added that anyone accused of plunder must also be proven to have benefited from the loot. This was totally absent in the evidence presented by the prosecution against Mrs. Arroyo. Categorically he stated that: “There is no evidence, much less proof, that she did.” To this that I would also like to add that based on the evidence that have been presented by the prosecution, the only role that Mrs. Arroyo is “guilty” of was to affix her signature in a ministerial role as President of the Republic. “She merely wrote ‘OK’ on the margin of the document proposing the intelligence fund, that’s all,” said Dean Abad adding that “There are decisions of the Supreme Court to the effect that a routine act of a government executive as part of her duties is not actionable.”

It would therefore appear, continues the news article from which I take my quote from, “that she is the least guilty” and that given this, “she can only be charged with and convicted of malversation of public funds [which is bailable] at the most, but not with plunder.”

I therefore join the growing clamor in support of Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo request to the Supreme Court to help allow her to post bail for the plunder case as has been similarly granted to her co-accused.

top choice of the people with a 38-percent rating was so flawed and suspicious that it was nothing but a bogus Duterte poll.

The questionnaire was a leading question, similar to “Have you stopped beating your wife?”

The one who commissioned the survey was a Davao businessman who could have been nobody else but a Duterte supporter.

The questionnaire was in Filipino. It read: “Let’s use a different list. Included here is RODRIGO DUTERTE as substitute candidate for president.

Among the following names in this list, who would you likely vote as president of the Philippines if the election were to be held now?”

When I was public affairs manager of the Benedicto-owned television channels during Martial Law, I got involved in poll surveys. And I know there are different ways of manipulating the results.

The fact that the commissioned SWS poll survey was done to benefit

Duterte was more of a strike against Mangahas than Duterte. People cannot understand how the Davao City mayor all of a sudden surged, even ahead of survey frontrunner Mrs. Llamanzares.

The result, Santa Banana: People are now doubting the credibility of SWS and for good reason. *** This is a caveat for housewives and everybody else who has not yet done his Christmas shopping.

If you have not done it yet, you are in deep trouble because the traffic nightmare will still get worse as Christmas Day approaches. And the Christmas rush has not yet begun.

My wife, who is always the wise one in the family, started her Christmas shopping as early as August. Now all her presents have been wrapped.

It’s my daughter, who always waits for the last minute, who is panicking because she has not done her shopping list much more her actual shopping.

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE

POLITICAL ADS—WHERE’S THE BEEF?

POLITICAL campaign advertisements have hit the screens, and, as in previous election years, it’s mostly cotton candy—feel-good, do-good motherhood statements.

But where’s the meat?

Given the nature of TV ads—the short format (longer than 30 seconds and you lose the audience) and the cost to air them frequently— it’s understandable that what the candidates are going for is simply public awareness and recall. That’s what songand-dance numbers are for.

However, a carefully crafted and well-written message can pack in a wealth of detail in 30 seconds, and in order to make informed decisions, voters need to know what the candidates can do for the country.

In other words, where are their platforms?

The various campaigns in general are also muddled when other issues are brought up. Rodrigo Duterte initially chose to assail

Grace Poe on her citizenship, an added burden for her to bear on top of the disqualification cases launched against her—combatting ‘spin’ at the same time as the actual cases.

Mar Roxas also cast shade on Poe despite previously approaching her to be his running mate; his partymates later claiming, “We thought she was naturalborn.” It’s difficult to believe that they did not discuss or check the implications of this make-or-break qualification to run.

Why can’t candidates on all levels just run based on their platforms, on their proposed solutions to problems? In this country, muckraking and mudslinging are among the methods of campaigning. Can we not aspire to a higher level of democracy and a more logical, rational, and dignified manner of engagement? Let’s keep it to what matters—their platforms and their proposed action plan.

What we want to know is, how are they going to unravel the traffic tangle in the metro? Fix the MRT mess?

Eliminate the laglag-bala menace? Give justice to the slain lumad? Do something about the outrageously high cost of electricity and the slow broadband speeds and weak digital communication signals? Sustain and strengthen the economy and share its gains with the quarter of the country’s population living under the poverty line? Candidates, do you have a plan? Not only a primary plan, but also a backup plan and a Plan C? Many of the ills our country suffers from are problems of management and logistics, such as those related to infrastructure. We aren’t even bringing up yet the greater issues of sovereignty and national defense.

We’re talking basic household level management here.

The country has some of the finest managers on the planet—in fact, we export

them abroad as OFWs. We do not lack talent, skills, nor knowledge. How come we cannot get our own home in order?

Granted, not one administration can solve all the nation’s problems right away.

But improvements to old or inherited problems should already be felt and solutions to new problems developed, implemented, enforced.

What we need is a president who can get things done, and who has the political will to get things done as they should be.

Viewers of political ads should be discerning and separate the rice from the chaff, because advertisements are positioned to present the candidates in the best light. What will they do in office, if ever? What’s their track records? What are their accomplishments so far? What are their plans for the future?

Make it easy for yourselves, voters—focus on the platforms.

*** Congratulations to the winners of the 34th National Book Awards, held Dec. 5 at the National Museum.

The event was organized and hosted by the National Book Development Board and Manila Critics Circle “to recognize and celebrate the best books published in 2014.”

Among the awardees are Joselito de los Reyes for Filipino Essay, “Istatus Nation”; Rey Ventura, English Essays, “Cherry Blossom in the Time of Earthquakes and Tsunami;” Nikki Alfar for English Short Stories, “Wanderlust”; J. Neil Garcia for English Literary Criticism/Literary History, “The Post-Colonial Perverse vol. 1”; and Marne Kilates for English Poetry, “Time’s Enchantment and Other Reflections.”

The full list of awardees is posted at the NBDB website. *** Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember, Blog: http://jennyo.net

Striking... From A9

owning one low caliber bullet can land one in jail for six years. This is one of the primary reasons why the extortion industry of bullet planting to extort money from unsuspecting travelers has been going on for years.

Our National Bureau of Investigation after much delay has just confirmed that indeed there is so much irregularity going on in our airports and ports. That it took the NBI that long to confirm what many people already know is shocking.

But let us go back to the issue of gun ownership in the country. Our police estimate that there are more than 600,000 loose firearms in the country. This figure was arrived at by counting the number of gun owners who failed to renew their licenses.

While still in government, I argued that these firearms were technically not loose in the sense that the location of the firearms are known.

Loose firearms must be defined as those that cannot be accounted for in the files of the police. And there are a lot of these firearms that the police cannot account. Our estimate is that there are over a million of these loose firearms all over the country.

One proof of this is that almost all gun deaths are caused by untraceable firearms. Daily scanning of our papers and broadcast media never fails to mention the number of people getting killed by firearms every day. The police has not been issuing official figures on the number of people getting killed by the use of firearms but I suspect that the figure is close or even more than the US figure. Here, we make a distinction between homicide and murder. So the two figures are separate but if we add both, it would be a lot which shows, that even with very strict gun ownerships laws, it is not a guarantee to a more peaceful country. The trick is maybe to have simpler rules that can be implemented properly and efficiently.

Difficult and complicated regulations only make it difficult for responsible gun owners to comply and would only benefit the criminal underworld. Striking a balance is understandably difficult but in this age of terrorism where there is no longer a place that is safe, it is a must that the government must find a good balance so that law abiding citizens have the means to be able to protect themselves.

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seph Estrada house arrest and even pardoned him after his conviction. And the Sandiganbayan, which tried Estrada’s cases, actually held a real trial after proceeding way beyond the bail hearings for Erap’s case—a privilege that Arroyo was never granted.)

Of course, the only reason why Aquino remains uncharged right now is because his office gives its holder immunity from prosecution.

But I’m betting that, as soon as Aquino steps down on June 30, all sorts of people will be trooping to the Ombudsman and all the other venues where they can file charges against the newlyvulnerable ex-President.

Then the shoe will be on the other foot, and Aquino will probably whine that he is the victim of malicious persecution and human rights violation. And if there really is any justice, Aquino will be thrown in jail, as well.

And you know what? The same people who cheered for him upon his victory in 2010 will be glad that Aquino will now get what he deserves for letting them down and doing nothing except going after enemies of his like Arroyo.

I can hardly wait.

do favor stricter background checks, every effort to introduce such a procedure never went past first base. The right to bear arms in the US has a long history.

It seems that during colonial times, the British prohibited people from owning firearms and the people rebelled against this prohibition. Gun ownerships were also a sort of protection of the people to form militias to protect themselves against abusive governments. But times have changed. The British are no longer the colonial masters and there is now a way to protect people from abusive governments and that is by voting them out of office. Yet, the tradition lingers causing the country so much pain that with all the county’s sophistication, it seems unable to come to grips with the problem. *** On the other side of the globe, we here in the Philippines have one of the strictest gun laws in the world.

It is difficult to own and license a firearm and much harder to get a permit to carry the firearm outside one’s residence. Indeed, even

*** What Aquino probably fails to realize is that the same lack of humanity and penchant for unfair prosecution that he displayed for his predecessor could very well be showed him, as well, as soon as he steps down from office in the middle of next year. And because his chosen candidate looks like he is going to end up at the tail-end of the elections next May, Aquino the Unmerciful will have to take his chances with a new government that owes him nothing—and which probably has been victimized by his take-no-prisoners politicking, as well.

Make no mistake: Aquino is no saint, even if no cases of corruption have been lodged against him—yet. There will be no shortage of reasons to detain Aquino when the time comes because of his misuse of the pork barrel funds of Congress and his co-creation of the Disbursement Acceleration Program, to name just two corruptionladen schemes that he conceived and wholeheartedly implemented.

(Arroyo, to her credit, allowed former President Jo-

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Unbeaten Warriors march on LOS ANGELES —Klay Thompson scored 39 points as the Golden State Warriors withstood a furious late rally to defeat the Indiana Pacers 131123 on Tuesday and stretch their record seasonstarting, winning streak to 23 games.

Putin calls for reforms MO S C OW— P r e s i d e nt Vladimir Putin called for reforms to Russian football at Tuesday’s meeting of the president’s council for sports and the 2018 World Cup organising committee.

Putin criticised the existing system of football administration and called on the national squad to represent the country at the 2018 World Cup with dignity.

“Of course we should perform with dignity in 2018,” the R-Sport agency quoted the president as saying.

“People in Russia love football. Young and old all play the game.

“Of course Russian football is not without the government’s attention and the private investors’ support.

“That means that the problems are in the game’s system of administration, the system of selection of young players, the methods and forms of interaction with coaches and players.”

The president also offered to prepare a nationwide development strategy through to 2030.

“It’s obvious that a clearcut programme of actions is needed,” Putin said.

“In this connection I propose to work out the nation-wide strategy until 2030.”

The president called for radical changes in the system of financing the country’s football clubs. AFP

Klay Thompson (11) of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point basket against the Indiana Pacers in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. AFP

Gines sets pace in qualifying school SOLOMON Gines turned in a two-under 70 to open a one-stroke lead over Danny Zarate at the start of the four-day ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour Qualifying School at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club’s Aoki course in Cavite late Tuesday.

Gines, who finished 62nd in the Order of Merit ranking of the recently concluded 2015 tour, gunned down five birdies, including three straight from No. 2, to buck three bogeys in tough condition and wrest control of the 112-player field vying for the top 50 for berths in next year’s circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Only the top 40 players in the 2015 season, ruled by Miguel Tabuena, retained their Tour cards

for next year’s circuit.

Zarate, who ended up 72nd in the 2015 season, hit four birdies but stumbled with a bogey and a double-bogey to settle for a 71 while Tonlits Asistio, who reverted back to amateur two years ago, launched his bid to regain his Tour card with a 72, blowing a fine start of 35 with a bogey on the 18th.

Unheralded Nelson Huerva and Henry Bolano carded identical 73s while Christopher delos Santos and Joeleo Torrecampo shot identical 74s.

Amateur Jobim Carlos, who opted to stay as an amateur after topping the Q-School last year, made a 75 to join seven others at eighth, including Boyet Zaragosa, Richard Abaring, Sonny Almazan, John

Kier Abdon, Allan Remata, Miko Alejandro and Ramil Bisera.

James Lam, Junro Mamaril and Erwin Arcillas stood at joint 16th with 76s while 12 others, including former all-Pinoy Philippine Open champion Artemio Murakami, Johvanie Abanno, carded similar 77s.

The top 80 players after 36 holes will advance to the final two rounds with the top 50 earning berths for next year’s circuit sponsored by ICTSI. The next 10 players will be included in Category 9 for reserve status.

Meanwhile, the Q-School for foreign players will be held Feb. 3-6 at the Royal Northwoods Golf and Country Club in San Rafael, Bulacan. For details, visit www.pgt.ph.

The reigning NBA champions had looked to be romping to victory after piling on the points to lead by 28 at 111-83 heading into the final quarter.

But an inspired fightback from the Pacers led by the in-form Paul George saw the home side close to within seven points at one stage before the Warriors dug in to clinch victory.

Thompson’s haul included 10 of 16 threepointer attempts while Warriors talisman Stephen Curry added 29 points and 10 assists.

“It’s a great feeling. I felt like I was due for a game like that,” Thompson told reporters afterwards. “Just have to try and build on it from here and have another great game on Friday.”

Thompson played down a slight ankle injury which forced him to miss most of the fourth quarter.

“I just rolled it, I’ll be alright...it should be sore for a couple of days but I’ll be back in no time,” he said.

Thompson sank eight of his three-pointers by halftime, a statistic which left team-mate Curry in a state of awe. AFP

Sta. Lucia blasts Cagayan 5

Nice Day Coffee Golf Team. Members of the Nice Day Coffee Golf Team, the first runner-up in the 66th Fil-Am Golf Invitational held from Nov. 18 to Dec. 5 at Camp John Hay Golf Club and Baguio Country Club are shown here. They are Nice Day Coffee Board of Directors Jose Paulo Legaspi, Robert Nazal and Rocky Sun, together with Mike Gonzales, Architect Joel Lopez, Dominic Samson and Danny Victoria.

A VENGEFUL Plastic.

Games Thurday Sta. Lucia Realty The Final Four (JCSGO Gym) came out smoking of the tourna4 p.m. – Caida Tiles on Tuesday night ment supported vs Euro-Med as it blasted Cagayby Accel, Am6 p.m. – Sta. Lucia Realty an Valley, 84-56, to bucore, Spalding vs. Jumbo Plastic barge its way to the and Aquabest semifinals of the begins today, PCBL Founders Thursday, at the Cup at the JCSGO Gym. JCSGO Gym with Caida Tiles and The Realtors came out wear- Euro-Med squaring off at 4 p.m. ing a red shirt printed with and the Realtors battling the LinoBME 19 in honor of Buddy En- leum Giants at 6 p.m. carnado and were inspired to The scores: give their long-time team manSANTA LUCIA (84) – Vidal 15, ager a trip to the semifinals in Escosio 12, Gabriel 12, Montilla 8, their return to the local basket- Castanarez 6, Bautista 6, Ablaza ball circuit.

5, Salado 5, Wetherell 4, Ilagan 4, Flexing their muscles right from Celiz 4, Onwubere 2, Sarangay 1, the get-go, the Realtors pulled away Camasura 0, Nicholls 0. early. They held their rivals to only CAGAYAN VALLEY (56) – Aceight points in the second period, idre 12, Siruma 10, Arce 9, Bangga while unloading 25 points to take 6, Isit 5, Flores 4, Caranguian 3, a comfortable 45-19 half time lead Managuelod 3, Salcedo 2, Macaand never look back. sling 2, Doligon 0, Brana 0, ElmeIn securing the last semifi- jrab 0. nals berth, the Realtors forged a Quartercores: 20-11, 45-19, 65best-of-three series with Jumbo 33, 84-56.

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Cage champs. Members of La Salle Greenhills and Ateneo de Iloilo teams pose after their face-off for the Small Basketeers Philippines division title in the recent Milo BEST Twin Tournament in Baguio City. Through the efforts of Kinji Duremdes, Mark Torrijos and Santi Romero, the Greenies beat the Blue Dragons, 55-44, to win the title.

Centro Escolar, Enderun clash in cage opener DEFENDING champion Centro Escolar University and Enderun Colleges Inc. will renew their rivalry when the 12th Men’s National Collegiate Athletic Association fires off this Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

After the 9 a.m. opening rites, CEU and Enderun collide at 10 a.m., followed by the clash between last season’s third placer San Beda College Alabang and Philippine Women’s University at 11:30 a.m.

University of Asia & the Pacific and La Salle College Antipolo cap opening-day action in basketball at 1 p.m.

CEU beat Enderun in the 11th season cage final and likewise bagged the volleyball and table tennis titles. It will open its defense of the volleyball crown against UA&P, the same team it beat last season, at 3 p.m. also at RMC. UA&P topped the league’s three other events last season—futsal, badminton and street dance.

Chiang Kai Shek College is the league’s seventh member.

The futsal tournament will begin Jan. 10 at the UA&P gym with CEU tackling Enderun while badminton and table tennis commence Jan. 31 at the SBCA grounds. RMC will host the street dance event on Jan. 24.

Fury stripped of IBF title LONDON—British heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has been stripped of one his world titles less than two weeks after winning it, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko on points on Nov 28, taking the Ukrainian’s WBA, IBF, IBO and WBO belts.

The Briton was then obliged to fight the International Boxing Federation’s mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov, but Fury has instead chosen to face Klitschko in a rematch, the BBC reported.

“It’s true he’s been stripped of his IBF belt,” the BBC quoted IBF

championships chairman Lindsey Tucker as saying.

“Our challenger was Vyacheslav Glazkov, but instead Fury’s gone and signed a rematch clause with Wladimir Klitschko.”

Fury has been embroiled in controversy in recent days after he compared homosexuality to paedophilia, triggering public outrage and a police investigation.

British police are investigat-

ing newly Fury over comments he made about homosexuality, a spokeswoman from Greater Manchester Police told AFP on Tuesday.

Fury, 27, has attracted controversy after likening homosexuality to paedophilia, with over 105,000 people signing a petition calling for his removal from the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

A GMP spokeswoman said that a member of the public had reported a “hate crime” on Tuesday after watching a BBC television programme in which Fury’s remarks were discussed.

She said the force was taking the matter “very seriously” and would be attending the complainant’s address

to speak to him in person before deciding whether to question Fury.

Fury has also been accused of sexism, having notably stated that a woman’s place was “in the kitchen and on her back.” The complaint only concerns his remarks about homosexuality.

In a recent interview with the Mail on Sunday newspaper, Fury, who is a born-again Christian, said that three things needed to be accomplished “before the devil comes home.”

“One of them is homosexuality being legal in countries, one of them is abortion and the other is paedophilia,” he said. “Who would have thought in the 50s and 60s that those first two would be legalised?” AFP

Federer splits with Edberg, hires Ljubicic PARIS—World number three Roger Federer has shaken up his 2016 coaching team with six-time Grand Slam champion Stefan Edberg leaving and Croatian Ivan Ljubicic drafted in to replace the Swede.

Federer, the 17-time Grand Slam winner, issued a statement on his website Tuesday saying that “his childhood idol” Edberg had originally signed up as an assistant coach only for 2014.

“After two very successful years, I would like to thank Stefan Edberg, my childhood idol,

for agreeing to join my team,” Federer said on www.rogerfederer.com.

“It was a dream come true. Although it was supposed to only be for 2014, Stefan was great and agreed to extend the partnership through this year which I really appreciated.

“He taught me so much and his influence on my game will remain. He will always be a part of my team.”

The change constitutes another throw of the dice for Federer, 34, as he bids to prolong his stay at the top of men’s tennis and add to his all-

time record haul of Grand Slam titles.

Federer said that Severin Luthi will continue to be his main coach, continuing a partnership that began in 2008.

Edberg said he had a “wonderful two years” with Federer but made it clear that he always planned to walk away at the end of this season.

“After an amazing 2014, I decided to continue on for another year, but with a clear understanding that it would be my last year given the time commitment,” he said in a statement on the ATP website. AFP

EAC tossers regain solo lead

Beach volley champs winners. Participants and officials are shown with Philippine Volleyball Federation president Edgardo “Boy” Cantada, Deputy Secretary General Gerard Cantada and Managing Director Otie Camagian after the awards rites of the Tanduay-Summit Beach Volleyball Invitational Championships Saturday at the Cantada Sports Center. Roldan Medino and Madsairi Nur Amin of the Philippine Navy won the men’s division title, while Iya Yongco and Beauty Denila of the Philippine Air Force bagged the women’s division tiara. The event was supported by Tanduay, Asia Brewery, Century Park Hotel, Mapecon and sportsmen Lucio “Bong” Tan Jr., Michael Tan and Oliver Gan.

HOWARD Mojica went on a spiking rampage and lifted reigning titlist Emilio Aguinaldo College to a 25-20, 25-14, 25-20 victory yesterday and back into the solo lead in the 91st NCAA men’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The power-hitting Mojica, the reigning MVP, fired a match-best 18 hits, including 14 on kills as the Generals posted their fourth straight victory to move back to the top and ahead of the Perpetual Help Altas and the St. Benilde Blazers with three triumphs apiece.

Perpetual Help trounced Arellano University, 25-21, 26-24, 25-22, to remain one of the three teams with an undefeated record with three wins.

Rey Taneo Jr., skipper Bonjomar Castel and Ranidean Phillipe Abcede combined for 37 hits to lead the way for the Altas, who are out to regain the title they lost to the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals.

In juniors’ play, defending champion Perpetual Help turned back Arellano University, 29-27, 25-17, 23-25, 17-25, 15-8, to snare the solo lead with two wins.

Ivan Encila went on a spiking spree and unloaded a match-best 21 hits, 20 of which coming off attacks, while Darwin Salopaso, Ryuji Condrad Etorma and team captain Jody Margaux Severo added 15, 14 and 11, respectively, to help the Junior Altas grab the solo lead with a perfect 2-0 (win-loss) record.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

PH paragames bets bag 17 medals

By Peter Atencio

FILIPINO student-athletes brought home a total of 17 medals in the recent 7th Association of South East Asian Nations Schools Games in Bandar Seri Begawan. Brunei Darussalam.

Fil-Am MMA fighter Brandon Vera (right) trains with his coach at the KMA Fitness and Martial Arts gym in Makati City on Tuesday.

DANNY PATA

Vera has a new MMA opponent in Chang THE much-anticipated heavyweight showdown between Filipino-Italian Brandon Vera and British fighter Chi Lewis-Parry in the main event of the One Championship: Spirit of Champions slated on Friday at the Mall of Asia, is not a go, after all.

The fight has been shelved because Lewis-Perry, according to One Championship CEO Victor Cui, has failed to submit to a drug test. Cui said the organizers advised Parry’s manager and the fighter to submit to medical and drug tests over the

last few weeks, but failed to do comply with the requirement until yesterday.

As a result, Lewis-Parry and his coach and trainers decided not to board the plane from London to Manila.

Vera will instead fight another contender in Paul Cheng.

“The next top HW contender, Paul Cheng of China will be stepping in for the World Championship fight against Brandon Vera. Can China claim its first-ever heavyweight world champion or will the hometown hero

make it a storybook win for Filipinos?,” asked Cui in his post in Facebook account.

Vera has been doing early morning sessions for the past weeks, including speed training with his coach Billy Fonua.

The 6’2” Vera owns a 13-7 win-loss record, while the 37-year-old Cheng, fighting out of the Clinch MMA and Fitness club, has a 5-1 record.

Cheng is coming off four consecutive wins, including a technical knockout win in the second round against Mahmoud Hassan last July 11. Peter Atencio

The Philippine contingent collected three golds, three silvers and 11 bronze medals at the end of the five-day meet.

Jose Jerry Belibestre, Jr. and Bryan J. Pacheco dominated the Long Jump and Javelin throw events, respectively, to win the gold in athletics.

Pacheco also secured a bronze medal in the shot put throw, while Martin James Esteban took a silver in the triple jump.

A bronze came from Gilbert Rutaquio in the 2000M steeple chase and Angel Cariño had two more in the long and triple jump.

In golf, Yuka E. Saso captured the gold in the individual event, while Harmie Nicole T. Constantino bagged the bronze.

Samantha Marie Bruce, Ashia Marie Nocum, Yuka Saso and Harmie Nicole Constantino collected a bronze in the team event.

In swimming, Arian Neil Puyo earned silver medals both in the 100m breaststroke and 100m backstroke, plus a bronze in the 200m backstroke.

Maurice Sacho Ilustre settled for a silver and a bronze in the 100m and 200m freestyle, respectively.

Nicole Meah Pamintuan secured a bronze in the girls’ 200m backstroke.

In badminton, Mark Shelly Alcala bagged a bronze medal in the singles’ event.

“Our athletes emerged winners in the hearts and minds of athletes they have befriended,” Philippines Chef de Mission Ponciano Menguito said.

The ASG is an annual sporting event, which aims to promote the spirit of partnership and equality in the region through sports and cultural exchange. It is participated by the Philippines, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Brunei Darussalam as the host country in such events as athletics, netball, badminton, pencak silat, golf, sepak takraw and swimming.

Moreover, the ASEAN Schools Games wants to make sports a contributor to regional peace and stability, act as a base to produce worldclass athletes and encourages healthy life style through sports.

Army, Navy, Coast Guard rule Dragon Boat Regatta finale PHILIPPINE Army ended its season on a winning note, narrowly beating perennial rival Philippine Navy in capturing the Men’s Open Standard Division and overall honors in the last leg of the Cobra Energy Drink-PDBF Dragon Boat Regatta 2015 at the Manila Bay overlooking the Baywalk, along Roxas Boulevard last Sunday.

The Army paddlers kept their slim edge over the Seamen all throughout in ruling the 300-meter race in one minute and 11.87 seconds, relegating the latter to second place (1:12.44). Philippine Air Force took third (1:13.60) and the Philippine Wave Warriors placed fourth (1:15.07).

Navy and Coast Guard split the championships in the other divisions in the fourth and final leg of the series or-

ganized by the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation and supported by the country’s leading energy drink.

The Navy A bets topped the Women’s race in 1:27.29, shading the Coast Guard rowers, who came in second (1:28.23). Navy B was third (1:29.14) and Air Force fourth (1:30.98) in the Cobra regatta finale that drew a banner field of 53 entries.

Coast Guard captured the Mixed event finals with a clocking of 1:12.54, with Navy A fading to second after a strong start (1:13.23), barely beating third-place Air Force (1:13.95), and Navy B bringing up the rear (1:14.33).

Counting earlier triumphs in the first and second legs, the Army squad bagged the overall crown in the Men’s Open Division with 520 points, Navy took

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

second (480) and Triton A was third (420).

Coast Guard, however, swept the overall championships in the Women’s and Mixed Standard Divisions in the competition also backed by Summit Water and the Manila Tourism and Cultural Bureau.

The Coast Guard paddlers bagged the Women’s title with 320 points, nosing out Navy A, which finished second with 310, while Triton A was a distant third with 220 points. They took the Mixed event with 450 points, followed by Navy A (420) and Blue Phoenix third (340).

The three overall champions – Army , Coast Guard, and Navy A – were awarded

by Cobra P10,000 each for their efforts at the conclusion of the 2015 edition of the country’s premier Dragon Boat rowing competition.

Members of the Coast Guard squad are shown with their cash prize for ruling the mixed standard event of the Cobra-PDBF Dragon Boat Regatta 2015 Sunday at the Baywalk along Roxas Boulevard. With them is PDBF president Marcia Cristobal (fifth from right) and Cobra Brand Assistant Tahmina Abrena (fourth from right).

T HURS DAY : DE CE M B E R 1 0 , 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Donaire vows: My job is to beat the wolf

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

FORMER five-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire believes he knows what must be done in his WBO International super bantamweight title fight against the champion and No. 1-ranked Cesar Juarez when they clash in Puerto Rico on Saturday.

In a last-minute development, the WBO confirmed that Guillermo Rigondeaux, who was stripped of the title for inactivity last October has, through his lawyers, withdrawn the appeal filed against the decision. This leaves the door open for the Donaire-Juarez fight to be elevated to a world title fight, which Top Rank promoter Bob Arum had predicted would happen.

Boxing Scene reported that the WBO head of the Complaints and Grievance Committee said the appeal is dismissed as the lawyers no longer challenged the October ruling that stripped the undefeated Rigondeaux of the super bantamweight title.

Following another workout yesterday, Donaire said: “I know what must be done. I

must win.”

Donaire, who has trained harder than ever before under the guidance of his father/ trainer Dodong Donaire, added: “My opponent is a tough guy and he is hungry like a wolf. My job is to beat the wolf.”

He also noted that Juarez is ranked No.1 by the WBO and he (Donaire) is ranked No. 2.

Donaire reflected on his crushing sixth-round defeat at the hands of the much bigger and stronger Nicholas Walters of Jamaica when he moved up in weight and paid the price.

“When I was down on the canvas in the Walters’ fight, I thought to myself ‘this is a blessing’. It was a blessing because I had lost my way, not giving boxing the respect it deserves. I was searching for

something. I was unsatisfied.

I went home and re-dedicated myself to the sport. I worked harder in the gym. I got out of bed early in the mornings and did my running. I went to a Tony Robbins seminar for motivation and then read the book, ‘The Power of Habits,’” Donaire said. “I must win on Friday night (Puerto Rico Time). I am out of setbacks.

“I feel like I am 21 again,” said the 33-year-old Filipino Flash.

“My speed has increased, my power is much stronger. My happiness is back. I had a great camp. We did really well. I feel great.

Weight is no problem and although I am excited I know the key is to fight smart.”

Dodong Donaire said he couldn’t ask for anything more from his son.

Boxing champ’s son hopes to boost own world ranking PROMISING Giemel Magramo hopes to boost his world ranking and eventually earn a crack at a world title when he battles Jeny Buca on Saturday for the vacant World Boxing Council international flyweight belt at the Elorde Sports Center grand ballroom in Paranaque City.

“Gusto ko rin po maging champion katulad ng tatay kong si Melvin,” said the youthful Magramo, 21, referring to his father Ronnie, a former Oriental boxing champion, who once fought a young and raw Manny Pacquiao, in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate The Magramo-Buca clash headlines the “Boxing Kontra Droga” card promoted by Johnny Elorde Management International, which also features siblings Juan Martin

and Juan Miguel Elorde, the grandsons of the late boxing great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

Sporting an unblemished record of 14 wins, 11 by knockouts, Magramo, a protégé of Johnny Elorde, said he had prepared long and hard against Buca, who is also 21 and boasts a record of 10 wins, all by knockout, against two losses.

The elder Elorde, who was also at the session presented

by San Miguel Corp., Accel, Shakey’s, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., bared that they have not seen the fighting style of Buca but expects an exciting contest between two title-hungry sluggers.

He bared that his older son Juan Martin, the reigning World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific super featherweight

champ, is now rated No. 8 in WBO rankings and will be facing veteran Indonesian Maste Suro in the one of the top 10-round undercards.

Juan Miguel, who holds the WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight belt, will likewise tangle with seasoned Indon Rasmanudin in the other main supporting bout likewise set for 10 rounds and currently ranked No. 10 by the WBO in his division.

“We are preparing both Bai (Juan Martin) and Mig (Juan Miguel) intensively for the possibility that they might be suddenly called up to fight for a world championship in their respective divisions,” said the elder Elorde, adding that his sons would be defending their crowns again in March next year.

Nonito Donaire Jr. is shown training for his fight against no. 1-ranked Cesar Juarez. PETE AMADOR

Energized by wins, Bubba, Garcia hunting Thai crown CHONBURI—Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and Spanish star Sergio Garcia, both fresh from exhilarating recent wins, are hungry for victory at Thursday’s $1 million Thailand Golf Championship.

World number four Watson played superbly last week to claim the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

Meanwhile Garcia held his nerve in a thrilling four-way play-off in the Asian Tour’s Ho Tran Open in Vietnam -- his first win in nearly two years.

The Thai tournament offers Watson the chance to break his duck at the Amata Spring Country Club, while Garcia is returning to a course that has been good to him -he won here in 2013.

In a strong field, defending

WATSON

ABS-CBN airs National Collegiate Championships LETRAN did its part for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s league championship.

Far Eastern University held its end of the bargain for the UAAP. University of San Carlos upended the famed University of Visayas Green Lancers for the CESAFI crown early this year.

But are they strong enough to

dethrone reigning national titlists, San Beda?

All three schools are gunning for the bigger fish, which is being crowned National Champion, when the National Collegiate Championships start on Wednesday at ABSCBN Sports + Action and will run until Dec. 17.

Other schools are also gearing up for a Cinderella run in

the NCC with the likes of the NCAA’s and UAAP’s Final Four schools raring to take a shot at their respective champions.

Six schools are vying for slots available to the Luzon-Manila qualifier to join the Elite Eight of the tournament with the Visayas-Mindanao qualifier. Automatically earning Elite Eight berths are the three champion schools FEU, Letran, and Uni-

versity of San Carlos, and their runner-ups UST, University of Visayas and defending national champs, San Beda College.

The eight-day tourney will air two games until Dec. 17 on ABS-CBN Sports + Action starting Wednesday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. For more information, visit sports.abs-cbn.com and follow ABS-CBN Sports + Action on Facebook.

champion Lee Westwood also returns, hunting a third win in this fifth edition of the Asian Tour’s flagship event.

It is the big-hitting Watson’s fourth appearance in the tournament and he is desperate to add the trophy to his impressive haul -- which includes taking the celebrated Green Jacket in 2012 and 2014.

“I love playing this course and I love Thailand,” said Watson, who last year gave his prize-winnings to a local charity.

“The golf course is beautiful and the fans treat us nice.”

Coming back on statements he made in the Bahamas that if he became took top spot he would quit playing, the affable Watson said he would probably stop playing on the PGA Tour if that happened and just enter occasional tournaments.

But he quickly played down the prospect saying: “let’s be honest, I don’t think it is very likely that I will become No 1.”

Garcia who is currently ranked 12th in the world was pleased with his improved form after a relatively dry spell.

He said the nail-biting win in Vietnam, secured on the second playoff hole, was a big confidence boost going into Thailand.

- Formidable line-up The formidable line-up also includes former US Open champion Martin Kaymer of Germany and England’s Ryder Cup star Westwood, who has soaked up the success in Thailand.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-0

P16M

3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A16

T hurs day : d e c e m b e r 1 0 , 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

GlobalPort’s Terrence Romeo makes his move against Meralco’s Anjo Caram (left) and Cliff Hodge (right) in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Batang Pier, 108-104.

GlobalPort nails 3 straight win rd

By Jeric Lopez

TERRENCE Romeo scored a season-high 33 points, including five triples and a perfect 6-of-6 clip from the line, to lead streaking GlobalPort to its third straight victory, a hard-fought 108-104 thriller over the now-eliminated Meralco in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City last night.

After squandering the entirety of its gigantic 24-point, secondhalf lead, the Batang Pier, led by Romeo, got their acts back together in the final three minutes to avoid a huge meltdown and emerge victorious despite a gallant fight back from the Bolts.

Already safely into the quarterfinals, GlobalPort is now in a better spot after this win as it regained solo fourth place with a

Games Friday (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. - Blackwater vs, Barako Bull 7 p.m. - Rain or Shine vs. Alaska

6-3 card. But more importantly, it is in a good position to secure a Top 6 finish and a twice-to-beat edge in the next phase.

With two games remaining for the Batang Pier, one more win will guarantee it a Top 6 finish

unBEAtEn WArrIorS MArCH on turn to A12

and the incentive it is aiming for. ‘’At least iyong objective ng team nakukuha na namin. Nasa No. 3, 4 and 5 kami sa standings, around there. We just need to finish the elimination round strong pa rin,’’ said GlobalPort coach Pido Jarencio.

Stanley Pringle was also impressive for GlobalPort, scoring 19 points on top of six rebounds and six assists in another allaround performance.

The very disappointing campaign of the Bolts for the conference is nearing its end as they are now officially eliminated. Meralco remained at the cellar with a woeful 1-9 record following this fourth straight setback and it will have one more game before it formally bids the competition goodbye.

GlobalPort was actually in

firm control of the contest in the first three frames before Meralco threatened in the fourth and made a game out of it in a desperate attempt to keep its season alive.

It trimmed its deficit to a manageable 74-87 heading to the fourth to give itself some sort of a chance.

With momentum on their side, the Bolts continued their fightback in the fourth, unleashing a booming 23-7 blast to snatch the lead, 96-94, after Cliff Hodge completed that run with a basket with 3:45 remaining.

However, GlobalPort woke up just in time and countered with a killer 9-0 run in the next two minutes to regain control and retake the lead as Romeo’s triple with 1:48 left gave the Batang Pier a 103-96 edge.

VErA HAS A nEW FoE turn to A14

Floyd rips Guinness record By ronnie nathanielsz THE World Boxing Council reported that former undefeated pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. shattered the Guinness Book of Records’ attendance tally during a training exhibition in Moscow.

The WBC website said that during his visit to Moscow, Mayweather “put the icing on the cake, with the most numerous public training special ever, shattering the Guinness Book of Records previous tally.”

“Rather than White Christmas by Bing (Crosby), this was a festive fiesta by the King of the Ring,” the WBC said on May weather’s training exhibition, which put a sizeable dent in the previous record, established in 2014 when 508 people participated in a boxing clinic at Fight Klub in England.

It said the ever ambitious Floyd “won” better, attracting 791 people.

Mayweather, who retired undefeated after 49 fights, winning WBC Championship belts in five weight categories, is still looking trim and “went through his paces....no airs and graces... and encouraged some youngsters to join him up in the ring.”

B1

THURSDAY: DECEMBER 10, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS DBP Antipolo opening.

State-owned Development Bank of the Philippines inaugurates a branch in Antipolo City located at the ground floor of JMK Building, Circumferential Road corner P. Oliveros Street. Shown cutting the ribbon are (from left) Rizal Gov. Rebecca Ynares, Antipolo City administrator Roberto Nacianceno, DBP first senior vice president Ma. Teresa Jesudason, Antipolo City councilor Ronald Barcena and DBP executive vice president Anthony Robles.

P11.8-b Clark solar plant rising

By Othel V. Campos

THE state-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority signed Wednesday a lease agreement with Sunray Power Inc. to build a 100-megawatt solar power plant costing P11.75 billion on a 260-hectare area in Clark Green City

“We look forward to the long-standing partnership with SPI to provide clean and renewable energy not only to Clark Green City but also to the neighboring areas in Central Luzon,” said BCDA president and chief executive Arnel Paciano Casanova.

SPI under the agreement committed to invest $250 million, or roughly P11.75 billion, within two years.

BCDA will receive annual lease payments and shares in the revenues of generated power

within the 25-year lease period, which is renewable for another 25 years.

SPI also committed to employ 1,000 workers during the construction period and at least 250 workers during operations.

SPI is a Philippine company formed to develop, construct and own utility-scale power generating facilities for the production, generation, sale and storage of electricity harnessed from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and waste-to-energy technology.

It is owned by US-based investors led by president Larry Asera.

Casanova said renewable energy facilities such as the solar farm would lead to the establishment of technology development centers focusing on green and smart technology.

As part of the agreement, BCDA and SPI will invest to train young Filipinos to be abreast in the latest developments in green and smart technology in line with its corporate social responsibility program.

He said the use of renewable energy such as solar power to energize Clark Green City showed BCDA’s commitment to address the effects of climate change and global warming.

The BCDA earlier signed a similar lease agreement with SSR C-Solar Power Inc. to develop a P1-billion solar project as an alternative source of energy for the master planned Clark Green City.

The lease agreement is renewable for another 25 years where SSR C-Solar will use the leased property to develop its solar-photovoltaic power generation and operations.

The initial number of panels to be installed in the 25-hectare leased property will generate 20 megawatts or 20,000 kilowatts and is expected to supply electricity to at least 10,000 households.

The entire Clark Green City is a 9,450-hectare master planned property within the Clark Special Economic Zone in the province of Tarlac, Philippines and is envisioned to be the first smart, disaster-resilient and green city in the Philippines.

At full development, Clark Green City will have some 1.12 million residents, 800,000 workers and contribute a gross output of approximately P1.57 trillion a year to the national economy, or roughly a four percent share in the county’s gross domestic product.

MNTC gets P5-b bank loan to fund expenditures

By Darwin G. Amojelar MANILA North Tollways Corp. secured a P5-billion loan from Philippine National Bank to fund capital expenditures in 2016.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange unit MNTC signed an agreement with PNB for a 10-year fixed-rate term loan facility amounting to P5 billion.

“The proceeds of the loan will be used by MNTC to finance its capital expenditures and for other general corporate purposes,” MNTC said.

MNTC president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said in a text message the loan proceeds “will be used for various projects

like our NLEx widening and SCTEx projects.”

The North Luzon Expressway widening project would involve expanding the Sta. Rita to San Fernando segment to three lanes on both directions. The segment currently has two lanes.

Further north, the Dau to Sta. Ines section will be expanded to two lanes each from the existing one.

MNTC earlier reported a net income of P2.22 billon in the January-September period, up 22 percent from P1.82 billion a year ago, mainly due to high traffic growth and toll revenues generated during the period.

MNTC’s revenues in the ninemonth period grew 10 percent to

P6.04 billion from P5.47 billion last year as average daily traffic hit 199,196, up 9 percent in 2014.

MNTC, however, said “the continuing inaction of the Toll Regulatory Board on periodic toll rate adjustments filed by the company for 2013 and 2015 can hamper growth in toll revenues moving forward.”

The NLEx operator in September last year filed a petition with TRB for the bi-annual toll adjustment that was supposed to fall due on Jan. 1, 2015, as provided in the concession agreement.

MNTC’s new petition is in addition to a pending request it filed in 2012 for a toll increase scheduled in January 2013.

The current petition will bring

the cumulative toll adjustment to 15 percent, including 12 percent that is long overdue.

MNTC said it sent the government through TRB a final demand letter for compensation amounting to P2.44 billion based on overdue 2013 and 2015 toll adjustments, respectively, which the TRB had declined to implement.

“With the Republic/TRB not heeding the final demand letter, MNTC sent a notice of dispute in accordance with Clause 19 [Settlement of Disputes] of the STOA. As a procedural matter, MNTC confirmed its availability to agree on the amicable means by which to settle the dispute,” the NLEx operator said.

PSe comPoSite

index

Closing December 9, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

6,848.25 9.83

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing DECEMBER 9, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P47.164

46.20

CLOSE

47.00

HIGH P47.140 LOW P47.170 AVERAGE P47.153 VOLUME 485.900M

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, December 9, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.1670

Japan

Yen

0.008133

0.3836

UK

Pound

1.501100

70.8024

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129022

6.0856

Switzerland

Franc

1.007557

47.5234

Canada

Dollar

0.736703

Singapore

Dollar

0.709975

33.4874

Australia

Dollar

0.722022

34.0556

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

125.1114

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266724

12.5806

Brunei

Dollar

0.707464

33.3690

34.7481

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000072

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.027809

1.3117

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

12.8436

Euro

Euro

1.089600

51.3932

Korea

Won

0.000848

0.0400

China

Yuan

0.155831

7.3501

India

Rupee

0.014976

0.7064

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.235018

11.0851

New Zealand

Dollar

0.663790

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030372

31.3090 1.4326 Source: PDS Bridge

THURSDAY: DECEMBER 10, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Wednesday, december 9, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 4 17 30.45 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 75 91.5 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26 47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 20.6 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 3.95 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 5 5.25 12.98 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 238 5.5 3.28 0.315 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17 0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 3.68 4.92 0.66 1455 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 6.55 0.0670 1.61 2.99 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 390 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59

STOCKS

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.05 2.84 46 45.2 101.00 99.80 83.00 81.60 38.9 38.5 2.49 2.49 1.35 1.28 9.98 9.98 15.3 15 18.5 18.34 1.84 1.71 710.00 710.00 0.580 0.540 80.85 79 0.93 0.93 16.60 16.60 23.00 23.00 52.25 50.75 290.2 290 34.5 32 138.5 136.8 1505.00 1500.00 57.05 57.00 3.05 3.05 INDUSTRIAL 35.9 Aboitiz Power Corp.

39.9 40.55 39.8 1.11 Agrinurture Inc. 4.55 4.99 4.48 1.01 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.77 0.78 0.71 1.86 Alsons Cons.

1.5 1.48 1.47 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.7 10.8 10.18 15.32 Century Food 17 17.02 16.7 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 21.7 21.7 21.4 29.15 Concepcion 41 41.5 41.5 1.5 Crown Asia 2.3 2.35 2.26 1.5 Da Vinci Capital 1.43 1.5 1.43 10.72 Del Monte 10.36 11.5 10.04 9.55 DNL Industries Inc. 8.900 8.9 8.790 9.04 Emperador 8.98 9.30 8.91 6.02 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.91 6.03 5.90 8.86 EEI 5.12 5.45 5.10 1.06 Euro-Med Lab 1.74 1.75 1.67 20.2 First Gen Corp.

23.65 24.5 23.65 71.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 67.05 67.5 66.75 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.24 14.50 14.48 5.34 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.79 5.96 5.8 0.395 Ionics Inc 2.140 2.180 2.100 173 Jollibee Foods Corp.

207.20 210.60 206.40 LBC Express 12.5 12.5 12.04 34.1 Liberty Flour 28.30 28.30 28.10 2.3 LMG Chemicals 1.85 1.85 1.83 1.63 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.2 3.3 3.3 23.35 Manila Water Co. Inc. 25.15 25.75 25.05 17.3 Maxs Group 21.6 21.6 21.5 5.88 Megawide 5.65 5.66 5.5 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 314.00 316.00 312.60 3.37 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.40 4.37 4.37 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.74 3.9 3.61 8.45 Petron Corporation 7.22 7.39 7.21 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.82 3.80 3.80 1.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.70 1.75 1.66 1 Pryce Corp. `A’ 2.21 2.29 2.21 4.02 RFM Corporation 4.03 4.03 4.01 1.65 Roxas and Co. 2.85 2.8 2.8 5.9 Roxas Holdings 5 4.7 3.05 161 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 127.7 129 127.7 4.1 SPC Power Corp.

3.66 3.7 3.7 1.55 Splash Corporation 2.41 2.5 2.4 0.138 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.151 0.150 0.146 2.09 Trans-Asia Oil 2.16 2.19 2.14 152 Universal Robina 184.8 187.8 184 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.55 4.55 4.55 0.640 Vitarich Corp.

0.61 0.66 0.62 1.2 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.11 1.10 1.10 HOLDING FIRMS 0.44 Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.395 0.395 0.385 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 56.9500 57.5000 56.3000 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 16.50 16.82 16.38 1.6 Anglo Holdings A 1.02 1.10 1.10 6.62 Anscor `A’ 6.50 6.45 6.40 0.23 ATN Holdings A 0.230 0.229 0.228 634.5 Ayala Corp `A’ 730 735 725 7.390 Cosco Capital 7.55 7.74 7.55 12.8 DMCI Holdings 13.50 13.78 13.44 2.6 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.4 6.28 5.25 1.15 F&J Prince ‘B’ 5.5 6.5 6 2.26 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

4.25 4.25 4.10 0.152 Forum Pacific 0.260 0.255 0.245 837 GT Capital 1246 1242 1219 49.55 JG Summit Holdings 70.50 71.50 69.40 4.84 Lopez Holdings Corp.

7.19 7.19 7 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.75 0.75 0.71 12 LT Group 14.68 14.62 14.2 4.2 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 5.26 5.25 5.2 4.5 Minerales Industrias Corp. 9.89 9.89 9.62 0.030 Pacifica `A’ 0.0320 0.0330 0.0310 0.550 Prime Orion 1.790 1.780 1.770 2.26 Republic Glass ‘A’ 2.56 2.6 2.6 59.3 San Miguel Corp `A’ 47.95 47.85 46.60 1.5 Seafront `A’ 2.70 2.69 2.41 751 SM Investments Inc. 843.00 843.00 835.00 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.18 1.20 1.20 170 Transgrid 160.00 151.00 150.00 80 Top Frontier 72.500 72.000 72.450 0.211 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3100 0.3050 0.3000 0.179 Wellex Industries 0.2060 0.2050 0.2050 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.275 0.300 0.270 PROPERTY 6.74 8990 HLDG 7.090 7.060 7.000 12 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 7.40 7.37 7.37 0.65 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.88 0.88 0.85 1.2 Araneta Prop `A’ 1.150 1.100 1.100 0.192 Arthaland Corp.

0.245 0.235 0.235 30.05 Ayala Land `B’ 33.850 34.000 33.600 3.36 Belle Corp. `A’ 3.14 3.18 3.11 4.96 Cebu Holdings 5.15 5.06 5.06

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 8.7 12.02 19.6 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 58 62 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National 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 5,922,476 57,858,683 83,586,259 69,059,232 91,118,818 491,776,347 821,628,832

2.84 45.95 99.10 81.60 38.95 2.45 1.30 10 15.1 18.5 1.70 760.00 0.560 79 0.94 16.98 23.00 51.95 290.2 32 138.5 1535.00 57.00 3.05

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.89 46 100.50 82.80 38.9 2.49 1.32 9.98 15 18.34 1.71 710.00 0.560 80.5 0.93 16.60 23.00 50.80 290.2 32.95 138 1500.00 57.00 3.05

1.76 0.11 1.41 1.47 -0.13 1.63 1.54 -0.20 -0.66 -0.86 0.59 -6.58 0.00 1.90 -1.06 -2.24 0.00 -2.21 0.00 2.97 -0.36 -2.28 0.00 0.00

163,000 516,200 665,480 816,120 1,200 1,000 177,000 100 12,100 20,400 40,000 640 1,556,000 979,440 20,000 9,600 900 168,910 1,010 234,800 410,540 40 96,490 31,000

40 4.85 0.71 1.48 10.68 16.78 21.55 41.5 2.31 1.46 11.5 8.800 9.00 5.90 5.21 1.67 23.85 67 14.50 5.84 2.160 210.60 12.5 28.10 1.83 3.3 25.55 21.6 5.65 315.20 4.37 3.85 7.21 3.80 1.72 2.21 4.03 2.8 4.5 127.7 3.7 2.49 0.146 2.18 185.8 4.55 0.64 1.10

0.25 6.59 -7.79 -1.33 -0.19 -1.29 -0.69 1.22 0.43 2.10 11.00 -1.12 0.22 -0.17 1.76 -4.02 0.85 -0.07 1.83 0.86 0.93 1.64 0.00 -0.71 -1.08 3.12 1.59 0.00 0.00 0.38 -0.68 2.94 -0.14 -0.52 1.18 0.00 0.00 -1.75 -10.00 0.00 1.09 3.32 -3.31 0.93 0.54 0.00 4.92 -0.90

2,142,600 1,034,000 704,000 167,000 600 584,400 781,300 5,800 1,402,000 1,051,000 173,200 17,036,300 607,900 13,870,200 451,900 9,000 1,019,800 131,030 113,100 35,000 1,152,000 634,150 49,300 1,300 30,000 2,000 2,241,300 74,900 3,445,600 196,450 1,000 225,000 91,500 45,000 59,000 113,000 200,000 1,000 20,500 32,210 1,000 1,614,000 3,420,000 961,000 1,071,790 10,000 183,000 123,000

0.385 56.7000 16.70 1.10 6.40 0.229 728 7.62 13.54 5.9 6 4.25 0.250 1220 71.00 7.09 0.73 14.36 5.22 9.89 0.0320 1.770 2.6 47.80 2.69 835.00 1.20 150.00 72.450 0.3000 0.2050 0.300

-2.53 -0.44 1.21 7.84 -1.54 -0.43 -0.27 0.93 0.30 9.26 9.09 0.00 -3.85 -2.09 0.71 -1.39 -2.67 -2.18 -0.76 0.00 0.00 -1.12 1.56 -0.31 -0.37 -0.95 1.69 -6.25 -0.07 -3.23 -0.49 9.09

2,190,000 331,770 1,949,800 10,000 33,600 430,000 211,580 5,933,600 1,273,700 1,266,600 744,500 75,000 1,010,000 156,885 1,811,310 4,542,600 26,000 1,409,200 7,693,300 842,900 47,700,000 82,000 20,000 177,700 5,000 118,140 1,000 200 420 2,870,000 40,000 280,000

7.000 7.37 0.85 1.100 0.235 33.800 3.18 5.06

-1.27 -0.41 -3.41 -4.35 -4.08 -0.15 1.27 -1.75

1,373,400 500 1,057,000 1,110,000 20,000 7,182,300 2,042,000 1,000

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

1.44 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 8.4 5.94 0.180 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.79 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 3.1 4.13 0.090 0.39 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

Century Property Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

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

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

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 7.67 2720 8.41 70.5 1.97 119.5 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 2.53 95.5 1 2.46 15.2

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 4.8 1600 5.95 17.02 1.23 102.6 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 1.01 3.1 0.650 1.8 6

0.62 1.040 6.41 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.335 0.37 3 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. Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MG Holdings NOW Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. 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 12.7 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 1.72 6.47 6.5 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

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

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

TA Petroleum

70 553 525 120 111 1060

33 490 500 101.5 101 997

15,100.00 -2,898.00

1047 78.95 84.8

1011 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F

-264,664.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

597,020.00 10,364,433 20,724,528.50

-75,000.00 -156,736.00 35,500.00 -112,000.00 -5,823,518.50 20,700.00 -2,261,131.50 -135,910 7,786,369.00 -60,050.00 -1,470,670.00 -70,832,000.00 268,890.00 780.00 4,410,230.00 -118,750.00 116,200 2,270.00 583,320.00 550,456.00 -17,423,193.00 -4,886,763.00 -2,186,343.00 -595,377.00 10,704,355.00 2,192,918.50 152,212.00 -8,176.00 84,400.00 58,883,686.00

12,614,305.00 62,465.00 -113,010.00 -36,743,938.00 672,330.00 -495,310.00

-435,220.00 -2,800.00 -46,000.00 -4,076,512.00 -49,000.00 178,450.00 -34,207,720.00 -1,480.00

-9,986,770.50 -23,117,356.00

-37,955,325.00 11,917,748.00 -3,701,020.00 306,940.00 -87,106,795.00 -33,564,714.50 -7,924,261.00 10,585,122.00 1,764,348.00

-2,200,870.00 -72,636,465.00

-42,500.00 0.00 -29,929,695.00 2,556,440.00

15

3.5

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

High

0.58 0.55 0.55 1.050 1.050 1.05 0.123 0.121 0.121 0.460 0.455 0.455 25.45 24.9 25.25 0.830 0.830 0.830 0.162 0.160 0.160 1.05 1.03 1.03 1.84 1.80 1.82 1.17 1.10 1.13 4.00 3.75 3.75 4.54 4.47 4.47 0.081 0.081 0.081 0.4100 0.4100 0.4100 8.7 8.6 8.7 28.00 27.20 27.20 1.46 1.43 1.43 3.23 3.22 3.22 21.80 20.75 21.55 0.74 0.72 0.74 7 7 7 0.900 0.900 0.900 5.380 5.230 5.290 SERVICES 7.2 7.35 7 7.35 63.9 64.45 63.9 64.2 1.15 1.2 1.13 1.15 0.500 0.500 0.500 0.500 11.5 10.96 10.92 10.96 26 27 25 25 4.89 5.00 4.80 4.80 0.0450 0.0440 0.0440 0.0440 3.5 3.48 3.4 3.4 84 84 82.9 83 5.30 5.40 5.16 5.24 1940 1932 1920 1920 6.82 7.16 7.00 7.10 21.50 21.45 21.45 21.45 1.28 1.25 1.20 1.23 70.95 71.95 70.95 71 0.167 0.169 0.165 0.167 1.3800 1.4300 1.3900 1.3900 2.1 2.1 2 2.1 8.71 8.99 8.52 8.69 4.20 4.21 4.18 4.20 1.23 1.24 1.22 1.24 21.00 22.00 22.00 22.00 0.600 0.560 0.560 0.560 1.96 2 1.95 2 2.98 3 2.67 2.71 3.85 3.86 3.80 3.83 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.255 0.810 0.870 0.780 0.870 4.67 4.61 4.51 4.61 101.10 101.10 101.10 101.10 21.00 21.00 20.90 21.00 2136.00 2132.00 2110.00 2116.00 0.450 0.450 0.440 0.440 0.840 0.840 0.810 0.820 34.00 34.10 33.90 34.00 68.00 68.70 68.00 68.05 6.20 6.30 6.16 6.16 4.02 3.99 3.74 3.82 0.460 0.465 0.460 0.460 3.59 3.6 3.52 3.53 0.350 0.340 0.340 0.340 4.260 4.300 4.220 4.260 MINING & OIL 0.0050 0.0050 0.0048 0.0049 1.88 1.90 1.85 1.85 4.18 4.21 4.20 4.21 5.6500 5.54 5.5 5.5000 0.64 0.64 0.64 0.64 0.63 0.63 0.61 0.63 7.70 7.70 7.50 7.60 0.75 0.75 0.74 0.74 0.290 0.295 0.285 0.285 0.190 0.190 0.188 0.190 0.200 0.202 0.200 0.200 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 2.11 2.19 2.1 2.11 6.46 6.6 6.34 6.34 2.8 2.83 2.77 2.78 0.5600 0.6000 0.5600 0.6000 1.3100 1.3100 1.3100 1.3100 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0086 0.0092 3.55 3.56 3.55 3.55 4.96 4.960 4.94 4.94 1.37 1.380 1.35 1.36 0.0110 0.0120 0.0110 0.0110 136.00 136.00 135.20 136.00 2.3 2.3 2.18 2.25 PREFERRED 65 65.85 65 65.05 522.5 521 520 520 500 510 508 508 116 116 115.6 115.6 108.6 108.6 108.6 108.6 1060 1050 1050 1050 1072 1075 1072 1075 1022 1022 1020 1022 80 80.75 78.05 78.05 83 83.5 83.5 83.5 79.3 79.3 79.3 79.3 79.5 79.15 78 78 80.7 80.8 80.7 80.7 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.720 2.670 2.600 2.650 SME 3.36 3.34 3.33 3.34 2.7 2.7 2.57 2.7 3.64 3.96 3.65 3.86 14.2 15.46 14.3 15.4 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 112 112.6 112 112

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

-3.51 1.94 -2.42 0.00 1.20 0.00 -1.84 -0.96 1.11 -5.83 -6.48 -0.89 -1.22 -4.65 1.05 -2.86 0.00 0.00 2.62 0.00 -5.41 0.00 1.73

1,414,000 2,000 1,340,000 1,910,000 2,196,300 1,781,000 3,130,000 2,554,000 8,468,000 450,000 4,000 11,964,000 480,000 20,000 29,400 6,971,000 4,000 17,000 10,216,500 1,116,000 11,100 136,000 2,046,900

-369,620.00

2.08 0.47 0.00 0.00 -4.70 -3.85 -1.84 -2.22 -2.86 -1.19 -1.13 -1.03 4.11 -0.23 -3.91 0.07 0.00 0.72 0.00 -0.23 0.00 0.81 4.76 -6.67 2.04 -9.06 -0.52 0.00 7.41 -1.28 0.00 0.00 -0.94 -2.22 -2.38 0.00 0.07 -0.65 -4.98 0.00 -1.67 -2.86 0.00

179,300 6,440 33,000 1,500,000 800 600 7,757,000 3,900,000 107,000 305,280 94,300 39,075 40,700 131,000 521,000 2,221,060 2,340,000 131,000 91,000 1,060,900 342,000 6,000 200 721,000 235,000 12,597,000 6,648,000 140,000 13,048,000 3,000 120 49,500 48,760 240,000 14,362,000 3,288,600 672,720 540,300 12,580,000 3,740,000 491,000 200,000 62,000

-2.00 -1.60 0.72 -2.65 0.00 0.00 -1.30 -1.33 -1.72 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.86 -0.71 7.14 0.00 -9.09 -8.00 0.00 -0.40 -0.73 0.00 0.00 -2.17

32,000,000 150,000 26,000 8,500 64,000 236,000 1,700 2,092,000 520,000 1,810,000 1,260,000 30,500,000 33,000 3,784,600 358,000 5,202,000 106,000 327,700,000 3,700,000 9,000 138,000 469,000 81,100,000 120,290 143,000

0.08 -0.48 1.60 -0.34 0.00 -0.94 0.28 0.00 -2.44 0.60 0.00 -1.89 0.00

9,410 8,200 1,010 20,000 100 270 300 8,105 151,810 11,300 480 45,100 39,290

-2.57

46,000

-0.60 0.00 6.04 8.45

54,000 12,000 8,782,000 -83,550.00 13,452,500 162,721,804.00

0.00

6,290

364,250.00 -7,059,270.00 -982,720.00 -502,930.00 47,300.00 7,484,330.00 -17,669,120.00

-110,486,320.00 -34,837,195.00 -23,100.00 -12,600.00 6,021,811.00 -22,050.00 -500,000.00 3,046,570.00 -19,312,680.00 -55,037,090.00 210,600.00 -7,129,328.00

113,461.00 264,470.00

-13,299,700.00 3,017,520.00 62,020.00 12,132.00 480,910.00 -25,375,930.00 -3,818,790.00 62,140,180.00 -862,205.50 18,510.00 -8,942,210.00 763,600.00 -339,440.00

11,100.00 2,020.00 -2,898,382.00

-49,500.00 5,059,502.00 16,629.00 51,000

T op L oSerS

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,527.00 (UP) 16.42 INDUSTRIAL 10,913.57 (UP) 61.83 HOLDING FIRMS 6,415.88 (DOWN) 28.88 PROPERTY 2,902.69 (UP) 15.64 SERVICES 1,572.14 (DOWN) 11.14 MINING & OIL 10,631.72 (DOWN) 33.37 PSEI 6,848.25 (UP) 9.83 All Shares Index 3,951.99 (UP) 1.45 Gainers: 67; Losers: 107; Unchanged: 48; Total: 222

Close

0.57 1.03 0.124 0.455 24.95 0.830 0.163 1.04 1.80 1.20 4.01 4.51 0.082 0.4300 8.61 28.00 1.43 3.22 21.00 0.74 7.4 0.900 5.200

T op g ainerS VALUE 318,216,665.95 1,005,007,794.326 860,439,671.17 816,341,979.42 747,952,368.86 53,861,403.005 4,041,272,045.636

Low

Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Del Monte

11.5

11.00

Roxas Holdings

4.5

-10.00

F&J Prince 'A'

5.9

9.26

Oriental Pet. `A'

0.0100

-9.09

F&J Prince 'B'

6

9.09

Melco Crown

2.71

-9.06

Zeus Holdings

0.300

9.09

Oriental Pet. `B'

0.0092

-8.00

Xurpas

15.4

8.45

Alliance Tuna Intl Inc.

0.71

-7.79

Anglo Holdings A

1.10

7.84

Manila Bulletin

0.560

-6.67

NOW Corp.

0.870

7.41

Manulife Fin. Corp.

710.00

-6.58

Omico

0.6000

7.14

Keppel Properties

3.75

-6.48

Agrinurture Inc.

4.85

6.59

Transgrid

150.00

-6.25

Italpinas

3.86

6.04

Interport `A'

1.13

-5.83

THURSDAY: DECEMBER 10, 2015

B3

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

Apec host. The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, led by president Rick Santos (left), hosts cocktails for business leaders of member-economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation at the Peninsula Manila Hotel in Makati City. The event was one of the earliest activities to kick off the landmark Apec summit held recently in Manila. Santos is the founder, chairman and chief executive of real estate advisory firm CBRE Philippines. Joining him (from left) are Ambassador of the Philippines to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., US Trade Representative Ambassador Michael Froman, US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, US Deputy Secretary of Commerce Bruce Andrew and AmCham Philippines executive director Ebb Hinchcliffe.

Stocks advance; Xurpas climbs THE stock market rose slightly Wednesday in selective buying to snap a five-day slump, but the rest of Asia extended losses while China’s ongoing economic woes cast a pall over the region’s trading floors.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 9.83 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,848.25 on a value turnover of P4 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 107 to 67, with 48 issues unchanged.

SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy gained 2.6 percent to P21.55, while technology issue Xurpas Inc. jumped 8.4 percent to P15.40.

Robinsons Land Corp. of retail tycoon and industrialist John Gokongwei fell 2.9 percent to P27.20, while GT Capital Holdings Inc. of tycoon George Ty dropped 2.1 percent to P1,220.

Most Asian markets, meanwhile, extended their losses this week, tracking a downturn on Wall Street where all three main indexes ended in the red.

Tokyo closed 1.0 percent off, Sydney fell 0.3 percent while Taipei, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur were also in negative territory.

Hong Kong lost 0.4 percent in the afternoon.

However, Shanghai edged up by the end of the day after a slightly better-than-forecast inflation reading for November and on hopes officials will unveil fresh measures to support the economy.

Consumer prices rose 1.5 percent last month, up from October and better than forecast in a survey by Bloomberg News.

But the reading remained well below China’s annual target of an increase of “around three percent” announced in March. With AFP

Shell may offer over 10% of shares in IPO

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. is studying the possibility of selling more than 10 percent of the company’s shares to the public once it firms up its initial public offering next year, its top executive said late Tuesday.

“The minimum required by law is 10 [percent of total shares] but we will see if 10 [percent] is good or we should do more. It’s not yet final,” Pilipinas Shell country chairman Ed Chua told reporters.

Shell’s planned IPO aims to comply with the Oil Deregulation Law of 1998, which required oil refiners to list at least 10 percent of their shares in the local bourse.

Shell’s IPO has been delayed for more than a decade because

of unfavorable market conditions, low oil prices and regulatory issues in the previous years.

“We’re planning for it [IPO] next year. Somewhere middle of next year but because of the elections we’ll have to see the timing...

The Philippines is a good place to invest but of course it depends on those from outside the country whether they share the same view,” Chua said.

He said the company would as-

sess the environment before conducting the IPO. Shell plans to use the proceeds from the planned IPO to fund “growth projects,” which Chua declined to identify.

He added Shell was still reviewing the company’s financial performance in the wake of the slump in world oil prices.

Crude prices hovered at $50 per barrel at the start of 2015 before plunging to below $40 recently, resulting in inventory losses for oil companies like Shell.

“Last year that happened to us, we had $110 at the start of 2014 then by the end of 2014 it went down to about $60 so $50 per barrel,” Chua said.

“How can I offer a good IPO if we would incur losses. The stock market was good last year but

now it is not doing so well, so that’s the factors that we are considering,” he said.

Chua, however, is more optimistic of profits this year.

Shell, a unit of Royal Dutch/ Shell Group, owns a 110,000-barrels-a-day refinery in Batangas, the country’s second after Petron Corp.’s facility in Bataan province.

Shell recently raised concerns on the decision of the Commission on Audit to impose impose P53.14 billion in taxes on the contractors of the Malampaya gas-topower project in northwest Palawan.

Shell was also forced to shut down its oil depot in Pandacan to comply with a Supreme Court ruling directing the oil companies to move out of the Manila residential district.

Govt registered budget deficit of P27b in October

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE government incurred a P27billion budget deficit in October as public spending rose for the fourth consecutive month, the Finance Department said Wednesday.

Finance said the budget deficit in October increased more than 10 times to P27 billion from a P2.5-billion gap year-on-year. The figure was also 50 percent more than the P18.02 billion deficit target for the month.

The budget deficit in the first 10 months of the year stood at P52.6 billion, up 56 percent from a gap of P33.6 billion on year. The

10-month gap, however, was 79 percent short of the deficit target of P247.49 billion.

The government programmed a full-year budget deficit of P283.7 billion.

Netting out interest payments, the October budget registered a deficit of P10.9 billion, a reversal of the P14.2-billion surplus last year. The primary balance in the first 10 months of the year stood at a surplus of P219.3 billion, down 9 percent from a surplus of P240.6 billion recorded in the January-to-October period a year ago.

Government revenues in October increased 7 percent year-

on-year to P163 billion but fell 13 percent short of the P187.61billion programmed collections for the month.

October collections brought the year-to-date take to P1.76 trillion, or a 12-percent increase from P1.57 trillion in the same period last year. The collections, however, missed the P1.86-trillion target for the period.

“Maintaining a consistently robust revenue performance is critical to funding our future.

Collections figures for the past 58 months have shown us on an uptrend, delivering concrete gains for our people in terms of increased funding for education,

health, and social services,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said.

“We ought to do everything we can to protect these gains towards the close of this administration and beyond,” he said.

Collections of the the Bureau of Internal Revenues in October increased 14 percent year-on-year to P115.8 billion but 13 percent short of the P128.42-billion target for the month. This marked the tenth consecutive month the agency fell short of the target.

BIR collections in the first 10 months of 2015 rose 8 percent to P1.19 trillion from P1.098 trillion on year.

B4

PSBank expects strong lending

By Julito G. Rada PHILIPPINE Savings Bank, the thrift banking arm of the Metrobank Group, said Wednesday it expects a double-digit growth in loans next year, driven by an expanding client base and an effective marketing strategy.

PSBank president Vicente Cuna Jr. did not give the specific loan growth guidance in 2016, as the bank is a listed company.

“We are targeting a doubledigit growth for loans next year. To achieve that, we have several initiatives. It’s through the expansion of our customer base and also through increasing our selling capability,” Cuna said in Makati City Wednesday.

Cuna said PSBank also planned to put up additional branches in 2016 to widen its nationwide coverage.

“We have 248 branches now.

We are looking at additional 10 to 15 branches next year. These will be located both in Manila and the provinces,” Cuna said.

PSBank’s net income declined 9 percent in the first nine months to P1.73 billion from P1.9 billion in the same period last year. The bank’s net income in 2014, however, included one-time gains from asset sales in relation to Basel 3 preparation.

The three-quarter numbers resulted in a return on equity of 12.5 percent. Core income increased 18.7 percent yearon-year.

Net margins and fee income grew 9.1 percent to P7.1 billion, respectively. Interest income from loans and receivables jumped 12.2 percent to P7.3 billion, on the back of higher consumer loans.

Toyota leaders. Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. gives honor and recognition to the 2015 most outstanding leaders and team members. This year’s roster consists of eight team members from different categories chosen for their extraordinary performance in living the Toyota way. Shown are TMP president Michinobu Sugata (center), along with MOLT awardees (from left) Adrian Dacoco, Donald Abrematea, Manuel Luis Ulanday, Angelo Bermil, Elijah Sue Marcial, Marvin Gardiner, Rommel Ramo and Felix Macatangay.

Vehicles sales rose 26% in November

By Othel V. Campos

Vehicle sales jumped 26 percent in November from a year ago, putting the automotive industry on track to achieve new record sales of 310,000 units this year.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and the Trucks Manufacturers Association said in a joint report their members sold 26,979 vehicles in November, up from 21,422 units sold in November 2014.

“With another impressive growth in November 2015, we are most likely to achieve our target of 310,000 units for the year,” said Campi president Rommel Gutierrez.

The November figure, however, was 5.9 percent lower than the monthly sales record of 28,667 units registered in October 2015.

This brought total sales in the first 11 months to 261,930 units, or 22.7 percent higher than 213,427 units sold in the same 11-month period in 2014. The figures exclude those reported by another industry group.

Data showed that sales of passenger cars or sedans increased 28.5 percent in the January-November period to 105,920 units from 82,437 units sold a year earlier.

Sales of commercial vehicles also grew 19.1 percent to 156,010 units from 130,990 units.

Asian utility vehicles posted sales growth of 12.3 percent while light commercial vehicles recorded an increase of 21.3 percent.

Light trucks, category IV and V trucks and buses also grew by 25.3 percent, 24.1 percent and 154.6 percent, respectively.

Campi said in November alone, passenger

car sales accelerated 32.5 percent to 10,649 units from 8,040 units in November 2014 while commercial vehicle sales rose 22 percent to 16,330 units from 13,382 units sold in the same month last year.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. led the industry with a 43.9-percent market share, followed by Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. with 18.5 percent.

Ford Motor Company came in third with 11-percent share while Isuzu Philippines Corp. was at the fourth spot with 7 percent.

Honda Cars Philippines had the fifth biggest share of 5.8 percent.

Data showed that on a month-on-month basis, sales of passenger cars went down by 5.2 percent from the October figure while sales of commercial and light commercial vehicles slowed 6.2 and 15.5 percent, respectively.

Both Campi and TMA expressed optimism that sales would pick up in December.

ADB pushes Mindanao public-private partnership THE Asian Development Bank said Wednesday it will team up with the Mindanao Development Authority to develop a public-private-partnership center in Mindanao.

ADB country manager Richard Bolt said this would be the first extension project of the PPP program in the country.

“We will help MinDA to establish a PPP center which will be an extension of the national program,” Bolt told reporters during ADB’s year-end briefing in Mandaluyong City.

Bolt said the establishment of a PPP center in Mindanao would be one of the first few steps to build the local capacities of the PPP. He said aside from the national projects included in the PPP

pipeline, there were also projects in rural areas which could be implemented under the same scheme.

Bolt said these projects included solid waste management, water supply sanitation and regional expressways.

“Those are the things that need regional perspectives and definitely some national perspectives.

So the idea is to build a capacity of agencies, such as MinDA, to play their role in that,” Bolt said.

He said ADB would assist MinDA to conduct value-for-money analysis in proposed PPP projects.

“One of the first steps of any PPP project is to do this valuefor-money analysis. And if it looks like something that can get private sector involvement, there

is sufficient incentive for private sector to get involved,” Bolt said.

“It is to help MinDA to do that calculation. MinDA’s responsibility is on regional development planning and monitoring. It’s to help them to understand within the plan what is for PPP and what is for public investment,” he said.

The PPP program is the Aquino administration’s centerpiece infrastructure program.

The government has so far awarded 10 projects under the PPP program, with 14 other projects in different stages of procurement, two other projects for roll-out, four projects for government approval and four projects with on-going studies.

The awarded projects were Daang Hari – South Luzon Ex-

pressway Link Road, PPP for School Infrastructure Project (Phase 1), Ninoy Aquino International Airport Expressway Project (Phase 2), Modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center, Automatic Fare Collection System, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Passenger Terminal Building, Light Rail Transit Line 1 Cavite Extension and Operation and Maintenance and the Integrated Transport SystemSouthwest Terminal Project.

National Economic and Development Authority director general Arsenio Balisacan earlier said the implementation of the PPP projects was expected to spur the growth of the economy in the remaining months of the year. Gabrielle H. Binaday

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DA starts P76.3-m Mindanao farm road

December electricity rates go up—Meralco

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Agriculture Department said it started the P76.3-million concreting of Junction National Highway-Mamawan-DiculumMilidan farm-to-market road in Baliguian, Zamboanga del Norte.

The project is funded under the agency’s Philippine Rural Development Program.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said PRDP was a platform for an inclusive, valuechain oriented and climate resilient agriculture and fisheries sector.

“Reforms in the agricultural sector have been laid down under the Aquino administration to secure and sustain agriculture and fisheries for future generations. All the next leadership must do is continue with what we started” Alcala said.

The FMR will serve 9,702 project beneficiaries, of which majority are indigenous people belonging to Subanen and Lalibugan tribes, in an area covering more than 16,000 hectares.

DA said the 6.5-km road concreting, which includes construction of spillways, is expected to be completed in 400 calendar days.

The municipality Tampilisan may be the next to benefit from PRDP, with the rehabilitation and concreting of GalingonBalacbaan-Cabong-Tilubong FMR covering 14.38 kilometers with estimated project cost of P188 Million.

The Agriculture Department started in October a farmto-market road in Asuncion, Davao del Norte that will link around 100 hectares of cacao farm.

The P78.8-million road is part of PRDP, which covers the rehabilitation and concreting of 7.8 kilometers access road in the villages of New Visayas and Binancian.

PRDP is a special project of the Department of Agriculture and jointly funded by the World Bank, the national and local government units.

PRDP national deputy project director Arnel De Mesa said the road rehabilitation was the second PRDP-funded project in Davao del Norte.

The project will support a direct road influence area of 400 hectares planted with cacao, corn, banana, coconuts mango, durian and root crops.

With around 2,000 farmers to benefit the project, the road network connects the barangays of Kamansa, Sunlon, Buan and Binancian.

MANILA Electric Co. said Wednesday customers will experience higher power rates this month, after generation charges increased in the spot market.

Meralco, the country’s largest power retailer, said in a statement overall rates would increase by P0.055 per kilowatt-hour in December.

It said for a typical household consuming 200 per kWh, the monthly electricity bill would go up by P11, compared with November charges.

“The increase in the overall rates was primarily due to the

generation charge, which increased by P0.046 per kWh from last month,” Meralco said.

Meralco’s generation charge was placed at P4.130 per kWh in December, up from P4.08 per kWh in November.

Charges from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, Luzon’s trading floor of electricity, went up by P0.535 per kWh mainly due to the lower generation of

hydro-electric plants.

Meralco said there was also a higher extent of forced outages in November compared to October.

Meralco’s power supply under the power supply agreements also registered a slight increase of P0.009 per kWh, primarily due to lower dispatch of SEM Calaca coal plant and the increase in fuel cost of Ilijan natural gas plant driven by the weakening of the peso against the dollar.

The average rate of plants under independent power producers decreased by P0.005 per kWh, due to the higher dispatch of Sta. Rita natural gas plant.

Meralco’s sourced bulk of its power requirements from PSAs at 49.9 percent in November, 44.4

percent from IPPs and 5.7 percent from WESM. The transmission charge registered an increase of P0.007 per kWh due to the higher ancillary service charges.

There was also a combined increase of P0.002 per kWh in taxes and other charges (system loss and subsidies) following the increases in the generation and transmission charges.

“After a cumulative net rate reduction for the past seven months of P2.133 per kWh, the overall rate for residential customers is up by P0.055 per kWh this month,” Meralco said.

Meralco said power prices for households would still end the year 13 percent lower than in December 2014.

Solar project. Transnational Uyeno Solar Corp. and SojitzPla-Net Corp. of Japan inaugurate a solar photovoltaic system for Toyo Ink Philippines at the Carmelrey Industrial Park in Canlubang, Laguna, marking the first solar project in the Philippines under the TUSC-Sojitz alliance. Shown cutting the ribbon are (from left) Takehiro Tanaka of business strategy department of Infiniti Co. Ltd.; Jen Tablante, general manager of TUSC; Hattori Teruo, deputy general manager of Sojitz Pla-Net Corp; Takahiro Ochiai, president of Toyo Ink (Philippines) Co. Inc; and Masahiro Nomura, senior adviser and director of TUSC.

GSIS to release P2.6b to elderly, disability pensioners

By Gabrielle H. Binaday STATE-RUN Government Service Insurance System said Wednesday it is set to release P2.6 billion worth of cash gift to old-age and disability pensioners in celebration of the Christmas season this month.

GSIS president and general manager Robert Vergara said the allotment for the cash gift for the elderlies was 8 percent higher than the P2.4-billion allocation in 2014.

GSIS said around 235,180 old-age and disability pensioners would benefit from the cash gift.

Pensioners whose 2014 cash gift is above P10,000 are entitled to receive one-month pension not exceeding P12,600.

Those who received a cash gift of P10,000 and below in 2014 will be granted their one-

month pension not exceeding P10,000.

Retirees who availed of five-year lump-sum retirement benefit and became pensioners after Dec. 31, 2014 will get their cash gift for the first time this year in an amount equivalent to their one-month pension up to a maximum of P10,000.

Pensioners living abroad and those in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao who are on suspended status as of Dec. 31, 2015 are also eligible to receive the benefit provided they activate their status not later than April 30, 2016. They will receive their cash gift not later than May 31 next year.

Survivorship and dependent pensioners and retirees who will be receiving their regular monthly pension after Dec. 31 are not entitled to receive the cash gift.

New retirees from 2011 to 2015 are not eligible to receive the cash gifts. The agency said

they will only receive their first cash gift five years after their retirement date.

Members who were separated from the service from 2006 to 2015 before reaching age 6will be entitled to the benefit five years after regularly receiving their pension.

GSIS increased the benefits for its pensioners and members in September.

GSIS launched the “milestone” benefits scheme for pensioners who are 90 to 100 years old and above.

Under the scheme, P20,000 will be given to pensioners aged 90 to 94 years; P50,000 to pensioners aged 95 to 99 years; P100,000 to pensioners who are 100 years old and above.

GSIS said as of Sept. 1 this year, there were 6,000 pensioners with ages 90 to 94 years; 1,100 pensioners with ages 95 to 99 years; 181 pensioners who were 100 years old and above.

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THURSDAY: DECEMBER 10, 2015

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

Del Monte set to raise $360m

By Jenniffer B. Austria

FRUIT grower and canner Del Monte Pacific Ltd. said it plans to raise as much as $360 million through the issuance of perpetual preferred shares in the first half of 2016.

Round 2 of maritime boxing match C O M M E N TATORS on events as long and complex as the ongoing tussle between the Philippines and China are wont to borrow the terminology of the world of boxing.

Thus, they are talking and writing about the proceedings in the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration as though it were an event made up of rounds. PCA is an intergovernmental entity that provides facilities for the arbitration of disputes between countries and their institutions. It is the tribunal designated by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS, to hear and resolve issues arising under the terms of the Convention. The Philippines and China are signatories to the UNCLOS. In the eyes of the commentators, the presentation by the Philippines to the PCA of a 15-submission case against China seeking to invalidate China’s claim of sovereignty over virtually the entire South China Sea—encapsulated in China’s so-called nine-dash line—was Round 1 of a maritime boxing match between this country and its powerful neighbor to the northwest.

With the handing down, last month, of the 151-page decision to accept jurisdiction over, and to hear, the Philippine case, Round 1 has gone to the Philippines. Two sentences in the decision said it all. “(T) he tribunal was properly constituted under Annex VII (Arbitration) of UNCLOS. China’s non-appearance in these proceedings does not deprive the tribunal of jurisdiction.”

Maintaining the analogy with boxing, the commentators have said that Round 2 in the Philippines-China maritime match has begun.

Boxing rounds are not always won in succession by one boxer, note the commentators, and Round 2 might be won by the Chinese, they say.

Could that happen? Is it possible that the Philippines, having scored a triumph on the PCA-jurisdiction issue, will now lose Round 2, which will go into the substance of this country’s claim? Possible but unlikely.

There are two principal reasons for this. One relates to the historical basis for China’s claim of sovereignty over all the area—water, reefs and all—encompassed by the nine-dash line. Highly commendable research performed by Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has convincingly shown, through old maps and charts, that China’s claim of sovereignty over the area is totally without basis. For his labors in this regard, Justice Carpio deserves the profound thanks of the Filipino people.

The second reason why it is unlikely that the five-member PCA will not give Round 2 to the Philippines is the fact that it is to the PCA that UNCLOS signatories are directed to go in cases of disputes regarding the interpretation of UNCLOS provisions. Actually, there is not much need for PCA interpretation because UNCLOS, which was negotiated over more than two decades, embodies clear definitions of words and phrases like “islands,” “low-tide elevations,” “shoals,” “territorial sea,” “continental shelf ” and “exclusive economic zone.”

In line with the well-known legal precept, PCA has no business interpreting things that are not ambiguous. PCA, a judicial body, will have to apply international maritime law as it is set out in UNCLOS. Nonetheless, PCA apparently has asked the Philippines for clarification on 26 points contained in its submission and has indicated that seven other submissions “will need to be considered in conjunction with the merits.”

Will the great Philippines-Chine maritime boxing match be a tworound affair, with the Philippines scoring a knockout? Certainly this country hopes so. With the strong historical basis for its claim—and the absence of any basis on China’s side, the clear language of UNCLOS, the high reputation of the PCA and the support of the international maritime community, there is every reason for believing that a Round 2 knockout is likely.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

The issue is part of the company’s thrust to convert of a substantial amount of its loans from short- to medium-term in order to significantly improve the group’s current ratio and liquidity.

Del Monte said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange it planned to issue dollar-denominated perpetual preference shares in the Philippines to be listed at the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Del Monte said it would launch the equity deal in 2016 after obtaining regulatory approvals and assessing the market conditions.

Del Monte, meanwhile, said net income in the first six months of fiscal year ending October 2015 hit $41.3 million, a turnaround from a loss of $21.7 million year-on-year.

Consolidated sales also jumped 20 percent to $1.13 billion from $993.6 million recorded in the same period a year ago on higher turnover from Americas and Asia

Pacific markets.

“After incurring losses arising from acquisition and transitionrelated expenses for the purchase of Del Monte Foods, we are on track to continue improving our financial performance having laid a strong foundation for sustained profits in the remainder of the year,” Del Monte managing director and chief executive Joselito Campos said.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the group expects to sustain profits in the remainder of the year and return to profitability in fiscal year 2016.

Del Monte also expects US unit Del Monte Foods Inc. to sustain its growth momentum in the second half fiscal year.

“Our performance in the second quarter reflects the fundamentals that have been restored since the group’s acquisition, coupled with effective promotion

of our products in the retail channel along with cost optimization programs,” said Del Monte Foods chief executive Nils Lommerin.

“We expect to maintain the momentum in the second half of our fiscal year having established Del Monte as the brand of choice for festive occasions. As we continue to unlock the growth potential of our products, accelerate our penetration of the food service sector and enter new vegetable market segments through Sager Creek, our results will improve further,” he said.

The group’s cash flow is expected to improve in the second semester with peak sales around Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, coupled with lower working capital needs past the production peak in October.

Del Monte Foods contributes about 80 percent to the group’s performance.

Clark reforestation. Clark Water Corp. is teaming up with various locators in the Clark Freeport Zone in support of the agency’s sustainable initiative to plant over 8,000 trees by 2020. Nanox Philippines Inc., L&T International Group Philippines Inc. and SMK Electronics Philippines collaborated with Clark Water to plant a 300 Narra, Mahogany and Ylang-ylang saplings inside the company’s used water treatment plant.

Clark Water’s regulatory and external Affairs head Noel Julao (right) and SMK Electronics general manager Mikio Otsubo lead the tree-planting activity during one of the reforestation programs set out for the year.

Jimenez cites Albay’s tourism potential LEGAZPI CITY—Albay alone can provide fun and adventure equivalent to a small country.

This is how Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez described Albay during a recent forum attended by world travel and tourism players here, referring to the province’s prize-winning tourism assets and program.

Albay “may have less than a million visitors a year but its potential is way beyond that,” Jimenez said. Albay and the DoT hosted the New Frontiers Forum sponsored by the Pacific Asia Travel Association from Nov. 25 to 27 at the Oriental Hotel in this city.

PATA chief executive Mario Hardy agrees and cited Albay’s lead role as a destination among what he termed as ‘new frontiers’ in global travel, especially its ecotourism program hinged on a wise strategy in adapting to the impacts of climate change.

The New Frontiers Forum was attended by 561 travel representatives from Australia, Bangladesh,

Canada, Fiji, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

Hardy said Albay’s leading role in global travel was confirmed when it won the Top Destination Award PATA CEO Challenge 2015, conferred on the province in London last month. The award further boosted Albay’s hosting of the PATA forum.

The forum’s theme—Ecotourism-Transcending Climate Change—fits well with Albay being the United Nation’s Global Model in adapting the impacts of Climate Change, according to Hardy.

“The choice of Albay province as the venue for this event also reflects the association’s primary advocacy of dispersing tourists to lesser-known yet attractive corners of the world. Albay is one such destination and has

been recognized as such, having recently been awarded the PATA CEO Challenge 2015 Top Destination in the category of Regions/ States/Provinces,” said Hardy.

He urged Albay to sustain its efforts in stepping up a sustainable ecotourism industry, especially in setting up infrastructures such as airports that would offer direct flights to intensify destinations connectivity.

“Albay has tremendous potential, I can see a very good future for the tourism industry here in your province, and when the new international airport opens, you can expect a huge influx of tourists flooding in,” he said.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda presented the province strategy for a strong tourism program during the PATA forum. He stressed that investments in tourism generated more returns for every dollar spent, citing that tourism created five jobs alone for every tourist that came in.

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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Hard lessons as coal chokes China DATONG, China—Coated in thick black dust, hundreds of miners emerge after another shift gouging out the coal that fueled China’s boom and its choking pollution—an industry now crippled by oversupply, but whose companies are seen as too big to fail.

The Tongmei Group they work for deep underground is typical of the lumbering and inefficient stateowned firms that dominate cities in China’s industrial heartlands.

The firm is the lifeblood of Datong, a city of three million people. It employs some 200,000 staff with nearly a million family dependents, housing and entertaining its workers and even running hospitals.

And it is in trouble.

For decades coal has been the backbone of the northern province of Shanxi, providing livelihoods for millions of miners, while private jet owning bosses became notorious for their

nouveau riche lifestyles.

China’s consumption of the fuel doubled in the decade to 2014 as the economy soared, reaching more than four billion tonnes a year.

That exacerbated a chronic and dangerous smog problem—Beijing declared its first “red alert” for pollution this week—and made China the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouses gases, putting it at the centre of crunch climate change talks under way in Paris.

Now some observers say China’s coal demand may have peaked -- a confluence of economic growth slowing to its lowest rate in 25 years and Beijing starting to reduce the carbondioxide-spewing fuel’s share of the national energy mix.

That has dragged coal prices down to their lowest level in a decade, putting the squeeze on Tongmei.

But manager Liu Congying says despite the shrinking market, he has little choice but to supply even more -the mine operates 24 hours a day with a maximum output of 6,000 tonnes an hour.

“If we didn’t increase production, we could not continue to run the business as we do now... including paying wages,” said Liu. AFP

East Asia Pacific aging faster than other places BEIJING—The East Asia Pacific region is aging at a faster rate than any other place in history, the World Bank warned Wednesday, a demographic shift likely to cramp public services and economic growth.

The region, which spans from Myanmar and China’s western borders as far east as Japan, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific islands, is now home to a third of the world’s over 65s—some 211 million people.

That lurch towards older populations will have a significant impact on economic growth in a area of the globe that has been financially booming for much of the last two decades, according to the study.

The report is titled “Live Long and Prosper:

Aging in East Asia and Pacific”—a reference to the so-called Vulcan salute from the Star Trek sci-fi series.

Sharp falls in birthrates and a rise in life expectancy will likely heap pressure on public services while economies will struggle to fill the shortfall of workingage employees.

The region “has undergone the most dramatic demographic transition we have ever seen”, said Axel van Trotsenburg, regional vice president of the World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific Region.

“All developing countries in the region risk getting old before getting rich.”

Much of the swing towards a graying population is taken up by

China—home to 130 million over 65s—but other middle income nations like Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia are also swiftly aging.

Industrialized East Asian nations such as Japan and South Korea have already experienced decades of aging populations.

Poorer nations such as Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines will not start to see a significant swing towards an older demographic for another two decades or so.

The report’s authors warn most East Asian health systems are not prepared for the demands on health care and pensions posed by an aging populous, compounding the impact of a shrinking workforce. AFP

General audience. Pope Francis kisses a child as he arrives for his weekly

general audience at St Peter’s square on December 9, 2015. AFP

Devotion. Indian Sikh devotees pay respects during dense fog at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on December 9, 2015. AFP

Police set to storm Buddhist temple SEOUL—Hundreds of South Korean police stood set to storm Seoul’s top Buddhist temple on Wednesday, after a senior monk appealed for more time to resolve a standoff over a wanted labor activist holed up inside.

Han Sang-Gyun, the head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, sought sanctuary in the Jogye Temple in downtown Seoul following a massive antigovernment demonstration on November 14.

Police issued an arrest warrant for Han, accusing him of inciting violence during the protest, and had given him an ultimatum to surrender by 4:00 pm (0700 GMT) Wednesday.

If Han failed to comply, the country’s top police officer, Kang Sin-Myeong, had said his men would raid the temple and remove him by force.

At Han’s request, the Jogye Order—South Korea’s leading Buddhist organization—has been mediating with the government ever since he took refuge.

One monk told AFP that the activist had been on hunger strike for the past 11 days, taking only a little water and some salt.

As Wednesday’s deadline passed and with monks and scores of young Buddhist followers forming a human barricade at the entrance to the temple, the head of the order, the Venerable Jaesung, appealed for calm and an extension to resolve the situation. AFP

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

ERRORS & OMISSIONS

BE IT KNOWN THAT AJ RIANO CONSTRUCTION CORP. represented by its President, JOSE R. RIANO with office address at #10 Martin St. Carmen Subd. Bahay Toro, Project 6, Q.C. has changed its corporate name and is now AJ RIANO CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT RENTALS CORP. as per SEC approval dated August 28, 2015

In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published.

We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

(TS-DEC. 10, 2015)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Aurora Municipality of San Luis -ooOooBIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE/JOINT VENTURE-SELECTION COMMITTEE Invitation to Submit Comparative Proposals Public notice is hereby given that the Bids and Awards Committee/Joint Venture-Selection Committee of the Municipality of San Luis, Aurora (BAC/ JV-SC) and E Power Technologies Corp., the original proponent of the Joint Venture agreement for the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of San Luis Mini Hydro Power Plant Project (Project),have completed successful negotiations on December 01, 2015 under Stage 2 of the Competitive Challenge process pursuant to Municipal Ordinance No. 2015-012, Series of 2015.The total project cost is estimated to be EIGHTY FIVE MILLION PESOS (PhP 85,000,000.00).

Final notice is hereby given to eligible private sector proponents (PSPs) to submit their comparative proposals. Interested PSPs must submit their notarized Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to submit comparative proposals on or before 5:00 in the afternoon of [date which is ten (10) days from publication of this notice]. EOIs must and can only be submitted by the PSP that will apply for eligibility and submit comparative proposals. The EOI must also contain an undertaking that ithas completed a similar project, that it can secure the necessary governmental approvals to implement all the components of the project, and that it can pursue the project.

Further, the EOI must contain a commitment by the PSP that it, and its associates, partners, subsidiaries, affiliates and assignees will adhere to the Municipal Ordinance, policies, pronouncements of and qualification criteria set by the BAC/JV-SC, and that it will not seek and obtain a writ of injunction or prohibition or restraining order against the BAC/JV-SC, the Municipality and its officials to prevent or restrain the Competitive Challenge process, the award of the Project and carrying out the Project, and that it will not institute any criminal, civil and/or administrative cases against the officials of the BAC/ JV-SC and the Municipality.

If no notarized EOI from a proper entity is received within the above-prescribed period, the Project will be awarded to the OP and Stage 3 of the Competitive Challenge process is deemed terminated.

PSPs which have filed their EOIs may obtain the forms for pre-qualification and eligibility, and tender documents from the Office of the BAC/JV-SC c/o the Office of the Municipal Budget Officer at Municipal Building, San Luis, Auroraupon payment of a non-refundable fee of Philippine Pesos: Fifty Thousand (PhP50,000.00). The PSPs must submit their comparative proposals from [day after last day of 10th day set above] to [30th day after], during office hours. If no PSP procures the tender documents and/or submits compliant comparative proposals, the Project will be awarded to the OP and Stage 3 of the Competitive Challenge process is deemed terminated.

The BAC/JV-SC reserves the right to reject any and all application for qualification and eligibility found not in conformity with the aforesaid Municipal Ordinance, relevant issuances, and this Notice.

(SGD.) ANATALIO Q. HERNANDEZ, JR. BAC Chairman Approved:

(TS-DEC. 10 & 16, 2015)

(SGD.) ANNABELLE C. TANGSON, CPA, MGM Municipal Mayor

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Pollution alerts spread in China BEIJING—Pollution red alerts spread to more Chinese cities, state media reported Wednesday as Beijing entered its third day of heavy smog, with officials warning poor conditions could last until Saturday in some places.

Dingzhou and Xinji, two cities in Hebei province, which surrounds Beijing, followed the capital’s lead to issue their first ever red alerts, the state-run China Daily reported, while 27 other cities across northern parts of the country also upgraded their public warning levels Tuesday, it said.

More than 300 million people in the region were affected by the toxic air, it added.

“According to forecasts, from December 8 to 12, the overall conditions for the atmospheric diffusion [of smog] are unfavorable,” said the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau on its official website earlier this week.

On Wednesday, Beijing continued to choke under levels of PM2.5—harmful microscopic particles that penetrate deep into the lungs—above 250 micrograms per cubic meter, according to the US embassy, which issues independent readings.

The World Health Organization’s recommended maximum exposure is 25.

The capital issued its first ever red alert for pollution on Monday—the highest in the four-tiered, color-coded warning system adopted nationally, but lacking in standardization, with regulations differing from city to city.

It has grounded half of the city’s private cars, ordered construction sites and certain factories shut, and recommended school closures, causing parents to scramble for childcare options. AFP

Election meeting. Federal counsellors applaud at the start of an election meeting of the Federal assembly on December 9, 2015, at the House of Parliament in Bern. Switzerland’s parliament is set to elect a new government cabinet, with the the populist rightwing, anti-immigrant Swiss People’s Party expected to secure a second post on the seven-member Federal Council after triumphing in the parliamentary polls. AFP

US envoy probed for remarks BANGKOK—The US ambassador to Thailand is under investigation for royal defamation over comments he made criticizing the lengthy jail sentences from the kingdom’s lese majeste law, a foreign media group and police said Wednesday.

Under Thai law anyone convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent can face up to 15 years in jail on each count.

Prosecutions have surged since the royalist army grabbed power last year, with record-breaking

sentences handed down in recent months to transgressors.

The Foreign Correspondent’s Club of Thailand, which represents international media inside the junta-run kingdom, said it had been asked to cooperate in the probe after US ambassador Glyn T. Davies delivered a speech there last month.

The body has been asked to assist police “in an official investigation into whether comments made

by US Ambassador Glyn Davies at the club on 25 November violated article 112 of the criminal code, the lese majeste law,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The FCCT is cooperating with the police,” it added.

A senior Thai police source confirmed to AFP that they had

received a complaint and were investigating the ambassador’s comments.

In a wide-ranging talk to the FCCT, which also heaped praise on the 88-year-old Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Davies expressed concern at the long jail terms by military tribunals for alleged lese majeste.

“We are also concerned by the lengthy and unprecedented prison sentences handed down by Thai military courts against civilians for violating the lese majeste law,” he told the FCCT audience.

“We believe no one should be jailed for peacefully expressing their views and we strongly support the ability of individuals and independent organizations to research and to report on important

issues without fear of retaliation.”

In Thailand, any member of the public can make an allegation of royal defamation and police are duty bound to investigate—a situation critics of the law say often results in an effective witch-hunt.

Media must heavily self censor when reporting on such cases for fear of falling foul of the law.

Ambassador Davies comments centered on criticism of the royal defamation law, not the royal family.

However in recent years the law has been increasingly broadly interpreted.

Davies spoke for more than an hour at the club on Washington’s long relationship with Thailand, saying Washington respected and admired Bhumibol—”the only

monarch ever born in America”.

“We think he has done so many, many wonderful things not just for Thailand but for the United States and for the region,” he said.

But he added Washington was alarmed by recent convictions under the law.

Ultra-nationalists seized on his remarks and organized a small protest led by a firebrand monk outside the American embassy in Bangkok two days later.

Like all foreign envoys, ambassador Davies has diplomatic immunity so it is unlikely the probe will lead to an arrest. However, Thailand can rescind his credentials at any time.

The US embassy could not be immediately reached for official comment. AFP

Beatles’ retreat opened to public

Relief. A man carrying a baby cries after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border with other migrants and refugees near the town of Gevgelija on December 4, 2015. Since last week, Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are deemed economic migrants and told to turn back. Over 1,500 people are stuck on the border, and they are mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis. AFP

DEHRADUN, India—An abandoned spiritual retreat in northern India where The Beatles famously learned to meditate has been opened to the public, with plans to turn it into a touristy yoga center.

The ashram, located in the town of Rishikesh on the banks of the holy Ganges River, became derelict after its flamboyant guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi abandoned the place in the 1970s.

But authorities in the state of Uttarakhand began cleaning up the place several months ago for Tuesday’s opening, exactly 35 years after John Lennon was assassinated in New York.

“We want to conserve the place

and retain its original charm,” D.V.S. Khati, Uttarakhand’s chief wildlife warden, told AFP on Wednesday.

“We plan to have a yoga center here as well soon. We hope the ashram in its new avatar will give a major boost to tourism in the region.”

Indian tourists are being charged an entry fee of 150 rupees ($2.24) and 700 rupees ($10.50) for foreigners.

Located on the edge of a reserve, the ashram remained a popular pilgrimage for hardcore Beatles fans despite becoming derelict and being taken over by the wildlife department in 2003.

Fans could sneak in by climbing over the perimeter walls, with

a meditation hall decorated with colorful graffiti the main attraction.

The Beatles stayed at the ashram, spread over nearly 7.2 hectares and located in the Himalayan foothills, in 1968 to learn transcendental meditation from the guru Maharishi.

But the Fab Four and the guru fell out during their visit, for various reasons. Ringo Starr reportedly objected to the vegetarian diet, while John Lennon felt that the Maharishi’s claim to celibacy was a lie.

However, the group wrote many of their songs for their famous “White Album” during and immediately after their stint at the ashram. 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 Aegle Wellness Center offers a total wellness experience

The Greek-inspired Jacuzzi area

The wellness center's waiting area

AEGLE WELLNESS CENTER RISES AT THE CITY CLUB

The colon hydrotherapy room

The soothing interiors leading to the Jacuzzi area add to the relaxing ambience

The laboratory offers various medical diagnostic and screening tests

The body contouring treatment room

The hyperbaric chamber helps facilitate natural healing and regeneration

The facial treatment room

I

n Greek mythology, Aegle is a goddess of healing, and she also happens to be the daughter of Aesclepius, the god of medicine.

It is perhaps more than appropriate that the new state-of-the-art integrated health and wellness facility at the exclusive The City Club in Makati is named Aegle Wellness Center. Touted as “the Philippines’ first and only facility where body, mind and spirit are nurtured sustainably” in a city center and private island resort setting, Aegle – which launched its Mykonos Beach facility at the Balesin Island Resort in Quezon Province – promises a total wellness experience with some of the latest medical treatments that can reverse the effects of ageing, enhance vitality and boost one’s energy.

This “magnum opus” – in the words of business tycoon and Alphaland Corporation chairman Roberto V. Ongpin – was spawned when he was going over articles talking about the booming spa/wellness industry (estimated to be worth over $3.4 trillion as of 2013 according to nonprofit research group SRI International). This triggered the businessman’s interest, whose further research on the subject made him realize that there are only a “few genuine wellness centers around the world. Many of the so-called spas and wellness centers have simply added on rooms with fancy and exotic features to simulate a new experience,” he wrote in a letter last November to members of the exclusive Balesin Island Resort.

“Some of them, in fact, have no scientific basis at all for calling themselves a spa or a wellness center. Neither are they equipped with the scientific equipment nor the medical, nutritional and therapeutic staff to provide you with a genuine, world-class spa experience,” he stated.

PHOTOS BY RAMON RUIZ

Alphaland Corporation's COO Anna Ongpin, chairman Roberto Ongpin and president Atty. Mario Oreta

Aegle medical director Dr. Ben Valdecañas with Alphaland's Roberto Ongpin and MFCB chairman Babe Romualdez

While Balesin and The City Club included a spa, the businessman saw them as nothing more than massage facilities. But the grandeur of the facilities both in the island resort and the city center convinced him that it would not take much to elevate them into topnotch wellness centers in every sense of the word. “I determined that no real self respecting wellness center could call itself such unless it had complete medical diagnostic facilities,” he said, adding that for one to have a real wellness treatment, a thorough diagnosis of the body must first be conducted – which necessitates having complete, world class diagnostic facilities as well.

Adding to the top-class status of the wellness center

is the involvement of Dr. Claude Chauchard, a foremost authority on wellness and antiaging and Dr. Ben Valdecañas, an acclaimed medical wellness doctor. Chauchard is a proponent of the chrono-geno nutrition diet, a blood type-based weight loss method. He started his own practice at Clinique de Paris in 1994. Dr. Chauchard’s philosophy is encapsulated in Total Ageing Management, which is not merely skin-deep or cosmetic, but is a medically based systematic regimen that builds and regenerates from the inside.

Valdecañas, known in the field of sports and orthopedic medicine, serves as the medical director of Aegle. He is a specialist in regenerative medicine research for both hospital-based programs and

clinical applications, and uses the latest that molecular biology has to offer in optimizing health and human performance through customized micronutrient supplementation, personalized exercise programs, and careful attention to diet and nutrition.

Wellness programs offered

by Aegle include in-depth diagnostics, anti-aging therapies, detoxification, nourishing and relaxing treatments that promise to leave one feeling young and rejuvenated. One of the featured services includes the hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) that addresses illnesses caused by decreasing oxygen tension that could lead to premature cell death. HBOT has been proven to facilitate and enhance natural healing and regeneration of the body regardless of age.

Among the medical diagnostics and screening programs include blood chemistry that utilizes the latest technology in clinical biochemistry to measure various components such as sugar, cholesterol, proteins, functional enzymes, and the like. Also available is hormone profiling, plethysmography (a test that reveals the extent of blockage of arteries and prevent the progression of coronary artery disease), live blood analysis, among others, intravenous vitamin therapy and spa treatments that include body salt scrub, massage therapy, steam therapy and herbal soak.

To schedule a consultation, call +63 949 889 6237, +632 737 0077 or email aeglewellness@ alphaland.com.ph for an appointment. Aegle Wellness Center is located at 6th Floor, The City Club, 7232 Ayala Avenue Extension, Makati City. Visit www.aeglewellnesscenter.com for more information.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

You can use momentum to push (and pull) yourself up

Slowly lower yourself over the bar to begin your 'negative pull ups' and stay in the position for a few seconds

Stay in this position for as long as you can

Use a box to help you reach the chin over bar position

Stay in a hanging position for your upper body to get used to carrying your body weight

HOW TO FINALLY NAIL THAT PULL-UP Once upon a time, pullups were my Everest.

Someone I was training with told me that pullFINE FETTLE ups were the

BY BUBBLES PARAISO ultimate test of strength, and that if I didn’t have that down, I’m a weakling.

So, no matter how heavy I went for squats, deadlifts and other workouts, the fact that I could not do a single pull-up was frustrating for me. I wanted to nail that pull-up, and not just a single one but to do at least three consecutive ones – chin over bar.

The pull-up, also known as the upper body squat, is one of the most effective upper body workouts one can perform. Organizations and even the military use it as one of their standard fitness strength tests. It is uncommon for women to be able to do pull-ups, what with that infamous New York Times article explaining why women can’t do pull-ups which is why most won’t even bother to try anymore. Women believe that they are physically incapable of doing pull-ups, but seeing a lot of other women athletes debunk this belief proves that it is all in the mind.

Pull-ups aren’t only for men or “elite” female athletes. I believe that if I was able to pass that hurdle, so can you. Again, it’s all in the mind.

If there’s one important thing I learned in mastering the pull-up, it's that you shouldn’t rely on machines or bands. I used to do band assisted pull-ups and I never seemed to graduate from it. In all my years training in gyms, I’ve never seen a woman who does machine pull-ups ever graduate from that either. You have to learn how to push (well, technically, pull) yourself on your own.

The most effective way I’ve learned on how to perfect that pull-up is by doing negatives.

If you’re familiar with the Ido Portal Method, these are called supinated chin-ups. The exercise is quite similar and it builds your strength enough that sooner rather than later, you’ll have that pull-up down.

See, positive strength is needed to contract your muscles, static strength to hold yourself up, and negative strength to extend your muscles.

Negative strength is needed to be able to lower yourself down from the bar with complete muscle control. To be able to do a pull-up, you need to build all these strengths in unison.

HERE’S HOW TO DO A NEGATIVE PULL-UP:

1. Get yourself over a pull-up bar. If it’s a bit too high, you can start by stepping on a box before you can grip that bar. It’s up to you how you’re going to hold the bar, but supinated usually means palms facing you.

2. You can jump up and use the momentum to hold yourself over the bar, making sure your chin is over it.

Lower down a few inches then hold your position for 3-5 counts

3. Hold yourself up steadily for as long as you can.

4. After a few seconds, begin to lower yourself down. Hold yourself in a spot for about 5-10 seconds.

5. Lower your body a bit further, then count for 5-10 again. The slower you move your body down, the better. Do this until you’re just in a dead hang over the bar, and stay there for a few more seconds. Repeat 3-5 times or until tired.

Once your body becomes accustomed to that move, you can add a few more seconds on the hangs until your body is strong enough to do that pull-up. Negatives also help strengthen you enough to not just perform a single pull-up, but to do a lot of reps doing it.

You can build your pull-up further by incorporating grip variations: neutral, overhand, underhand, wide, narrow grips just to name a few. Some grips are easier and some harder, but they all help in one goal: for you to nail that pull-up. Personally I find narrow overhand grip the hardest, but as I keep saying, it’s all in the mind – I’ll nail 10 of those one day. So what are you waiting for? Get over that pull-up bar now and start training!

Believe me, you’ll feel like a superhero after you’ve nailed that pull-up.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @bubblesparaiso

Continue on lowering yourself down until your arms are straight

Stay in starting position for a few breaths then repeat

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

HYATT CITY OF DREAMS MANILA

partners with Operation Smile Philippines

for THE GIFT OF SMILES

T

he Hyatt City of Dreams Manila has partnered with Operation Smile Philippines to give the gift of smiles to children with cleft palate conditions. The partnership was launched following the hotel’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony last December 2.

The hotel’s general manager Stephen Radcliffe, along with Operation Smile Philippines’ executive director Gian Trebol, lit up the 6-m (20-ft) tall holiday tree to mark the beginning of hope for the child beneficiaries. Guests are welcome to support this cause by purchasing custom-made stuffed toy bears priced at P400, which will be sold until the end of the year or until supplies last. Each of the proceeds will be granted to the children of Operation Smile Philippines.

Give a gift of smile this Christmas and head down to Hyatt City of Dreams Manila to support this cause.

For updates and more information visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.hyatt.com/ en/hotel/home, or follow their Twitter account at @HYATTCODManila and @ hyattcityofdreamsmanila for Instagram.

UNPLUG FROM THE HOLIDAY STRESS WITH THE FARM AT SAN BENITO

S

tressed from the holiday traffic, excess shopping, and binge parties?

Take a breather for a few days and let your body and mind recuperate from the Christmas blues. Sometimes, leaving town and finding a sanctuary helps calm the mind and body. In The Farm at San Benito, guests are rewarded with complete relaxation in peaceful serenity far and away from any stressors. And yes, that includes relieving yourself of your mobile and other electronic gadgets.

This Christmas, head out to The Farm, recharge and at the same time Share the Gift of Wellness with your friends and loved ones.

Until December 31, The Farm at San Benito will reward those who bring their friends when they have their wellness retreats. Book for a 7-Night Retreat together with your friend and both your accommodation fees for your last night stay are free. If you have to be back to the city for all the festivities, you may opt for a Day at The Farm. Your stay includes P6,100 allowance for any meals and beverage, healing sanctuary treatment or integrated medical service of your choice. Guests are welcome to use the swimming pools, gym, meditation lounges and pavilions, and at the same time can participate in daily movement and fitness activities like yoga, meditation, circuit training, aqua aerobics, boot camp training, plyometrics, calisthenics, oil of life tour, food prep class, and power walks. Heal your body and prepare for the rigorous days ahead.

The Farm at San Benito is among those honored by Senses Germany as The Best Medical Resort in The World, and was

recently conferred the Hall of Famer status

by Trip Advisor this 2015. To avail of this limited time offering, simply visit http://www.

thefarmatsanbenito.com. For direct inquiries, call (+632) 884-8074, (+63918) 884-8080, or email: reservations@thefarm.com.ph

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

NTC Trainer Tanya Dela-Cruz Aguila

TRAINER IN YOUR POCKET

BY BERNADETTE LUNAS

E

xercising regularly used to be a challenge. But thanks to fitness apps, working out is now possible wherever and whenever convenient. Much like a personal coach, they teach workout routines and instruct how to do the proper forms, but the primary difference is they fit right in our pockets, and oh – they’re usually free.

The Nike Training Club is one of those apps; it can be downloaded for free on iOS App Store and Google Play Store. Since its launch in 2011, it has been downloaded 20 million times and counting. But unlike most fitness apps, NTC provides over 135 athleteinspired training sessions developed by Nike’s network of master trainers and athletes, and it serves as a community where users can interact with others and share their goals and progress on social media.

Nike officials point out that NTC is geared towards women, “Because we recognized that the way women work out is quite different from men,” reasons Nike country marketing manager Patrick Reyes. He explains further, “Women are more social [when it comes to exercising]: they like group classes, and when they workout they like to share it to encourage and push each other.”

According to Reyes, using the app, which is available in 17 languages, begins with a question about the user’s fitness goals – whether it’s getting fit, getting lean, getting strong or getting focused, “and based on that,

The Nike Training Club (NTC) App, available for iOS and Android devices, is just one of the many tools Nike offers to expand the athletic potential of women

Nike Philippines country marketing manager Patrick Reyes

the NTC recommends workouts developed by our network of master trainers.”

The workout routines range from beginner, intermediate to advanced. Each program, which targets specific areas of the body, has a video demonstration performed by the master trainers themselves. “They’ll train you, they’ll push you, and they’ll stop if you press pause.”

And when on pause, users can click on each form to see the how-to instructions.

Training programs include Hollywood Ab Blast, a 15-minute workout that works the abs; Tighten and Tone, a routine that helps

NTC Trainers Sambie Rodriguez, Lian Melegrito and Tanya Dela Cruz-Aguila show the proper forms for each workout on NTC

Three groups of girls perform different workouts available on the NTC App

strengthen arms and legs; and Butt Buster, which targets the butt.

In the Philippines, Reyes says one of the biggest barriers of women when it comes to working out regularly is not having a right routine or not knowing the right training technique. The NTC app addresses this problem with its different kinds of expertsapproved workouts.

“NTC taps into the expertise of world-class coaches and trainers, and helps Filipinas customize their workouts according to their own fitness needs,” says Reyes.

NTC Trainer Sambie Rodriguez (rightmost) leads the Butt Buster workout

The app also offers nutritional advice, drill tips and source of motivation from friends who are also doing the workouts.

“It’s a fast-growing community and the great thing about the app is you can share [your progress] to your friends on social media,” raves Reyes.

In 2014, Nike launched the NTC Tour, a five-hour training challenge led by Nike master trainers. This year, the live NTC events visited 13 different cities around the world.

Visit www.nike.com to know more about the NTC App.

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 10, 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Viva Films collaborates with Star Cinema for the comedy Beauty and the Bestie

My Bebe Love: #KiligPaMore is produced by OctoArts Films

Star Cinema’s All You Need is Pag-ibig stars an ensemble cast

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Honor Thy Father is an entry from Reality Entertainment

Quantum Films’ Walang Forever is a romantic comedy

mmFF rounDup: A rockinG mix oF Film GenreS D

by JAo GAVino

ecember is once again upon us, and with the Christmas season’s cold winds also comes the 41st edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

This year’s iteration of the annual festival, which runs from Dec. 25 until Jan. 7 of the coming year, features eight different films hand-picked from a pool of 21, spanning genres from romance to comedy, to action and horror, and everything in between, with the occasional blending of genres.

With a promising lineup of films and an equally star-studded pool of celebrities, it’s hard not to get excited about the upcoming festival, showcasing the best and brightest of Philippine cinema.

Here are our thoughts and expectations on the festival’s eight featured films: Beauty and the Bestie (Action, comeDy,

by StAr cinemA & ViVA FilmS) Hot off the success of last year’s The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin, the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time, director Wenn Deramas and actor Vice Ganda

reunite once again for the fourth time in MMFF history in what is touted as an “action-comedy movie for the whole family.” Accompanying Vice is his “bestie,” Coco Martin, alongside James Reid and Nadine Lustre.

If Vice Ganda’s previous films are to be any indication, this is going to be an action-comedy film, with a very great emphasis on the comedy part, with Vice focusing on comedy and Coco Martin doing the action scenes.

With the JaDine love team, the movie also goes for a slight tinge of a rom-com. And with Wenn Deramas at the helm, a triedand-tested formula – a comedy film with an underlying moral, often with a family-centered tone, is expected.

Details about the movie’s plot are scarce from the teaser, but Beauty and the Bestie will most likely be a family-friendly comedy film, which draws viewers in with the laughs, and hits home with a somewhat deeper message.

Expect it to be one of the funniest, highest-grossing films of the year. Just don’t expect anything groundbreaking in terms of the storytelling or plot.

honor thy Father/ Con Man (crime thriller, DrAmA, Action, by reAlity entertAinment) Erik Matti combines his substantial directorial chops alongside John Lloyd Cruz’s equally considerable acting skills in this dark, unsettling movie centered on themes of religion and family, previously screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.

John Lloyd plays Edgar, a father who finds himself lost in his obnoxiously pious wife, Kaye (Meryll Soriano)’s world. When a get-rich-quick scheme orchestrated by Kaye goes wrong, however, Edgar finds himself surrounded by angry parishioners eager to get their money back, with his family’s lives on the line.

What follows is a dark, vicious tale of a father determined to save his family – no matter what the cost.

With the trailer showing beautiful, powerful shots with a dark color palette, expect this movie to be deep, dark and violent, with an underlying theme, that, when explored enough, is just as equally deep, dark and violent as the scenes in the movie. Just don’t expect it to shatter box office records.

all you need is Pag-iBig (romAntic comeDy,

by StAr cinemA) Last year’s sleeper hit That Thing Called Tadhana’s director, Antoinette Jadaone, returns with All You Need is Pag-ibig, a romantic comedy starring Kris Aquino and her son Bimby, Derek Ramsay, Kim Chiu and Xian Lim. Judging by the film’s teaser trailer, it centers on different people and different couples as they struggle with their day-to-day love lives (or lack thereof).

Expect it to be along the lines of 2010’s Valentine’s Day, with various people with various heartaches often crossing paths with each other, all unified by one thought – sometimes, all you need is pag-ibig.

Walang Forever (romAntic comeDy,

by QuAntum FilmS) Jennylyn Mercado stars as Mia, a “celebrated writer of romantic-comedy films,” who is at a point in her life where she finds trouble in believing in the concept of a long-lasting relationship (hence the title).

Things suddenly take a turn for the unexpected when Ethan, Mia’s ex-boyfriend played by Jericho

Rosales, returns, also a doubter of everlasting love because of their prior breakup.

Directed by Dan Villegas, expect this movie to pull out a few surprises from under its sleeves, despite being a well-rounded rom-com all throughout.

My BeBe love: #KiligPaMore (romAntic comeDy, GmA FilmS) The AlDub love team of Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards appears on the big screen for the very first time in My Bebe Love, a romantic comedy from GMA Films, directed by Jose Javier Reyes.

In her movie debut, Maine plays Anna while Alden is Dondi.. Anna is a tenacious, unruly girl who seeks the attention of her father, played by Vic Sotto, whereas Dondi is a nerd, at the beck and call of his domineering aunt, played

by Ai-Ai de las Alas, who often makes the decisions for him.

The two bump into each other and immediately, their personalities clash. Eventually, however, the two fall for each other, and work their differences out. ➜ continued on c6

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 10, 2015

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

PALAWAñA WinS miSS SCUbA intERnAtiOnAL 2015

P

alaweña Cindy Madumma bested 17 open water diver beauties from the four corners of the planet in the finals of the environmental Miss Scuba International 2015 pageant at Sutera Harbour Resort in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia on Nov.27.

Madduma, a 27-year-old graduate of nursing at Palawan State University, did a landscape painting of the St. Paul Underground River new wonders of nature during the talent portion of the contest.

Miss Scuba International pro-

motes the welfare and wonders of the underwater world through beauty queens. Tabitha Eleanor Lipkin of USA, last year’s winner, handed her the title.

Madumma was Miss Global Philippines Tourism Ambassador 2014 and competed in Miss Tourism World 2014 in Caracas, Venezuela. She followed last year’s Amanda Dada and the first runner up finish of Paula Bernasor in 2013. Madumma wore a Muslim Princess designed national costume by Edwin Uy that won Best

National Costume, the second win for Uy following Parul Shah at Miss Grand International 2015.

Miss Venezuela Kiara Aiello was first runner-up and Miss Congeniality, Miss USA Tessa Ptacek second runner-up while Miss United Kingdom Sarah Winterbottom and Miss Latvia Ilze Jankovska won Miss Photogenic and Miss Talent.

Aside from being certified scuba divers, the contestants were judged in individual talent, Scuba Tourism and Marine Conservation knowledge, personality, catwalk

Cindy Madumma is Miss Scuba International 2015

and appearance and interview.

The Miss Scuba International Organization, formed by Robert Lo in 2011, organized a beauty pageant that focuses on saving the oceans through the celebration of the inner beauty and courage of today’s modern women advocating worldwide marine conservation and protection. Lo hopes that through his pageant, more people would understand how fragile the oceans are and how to make a difference by protecting it for generations to come. – EtOn b. COnCEPCiOn

PHOtO by ALLEn CAbS

MMFF Roundup¼ From C5

Expect this movie to be a funny, lighthearted movie, with AlDub kalyeserye references and characters thrown in for good measure. Also, expect it to be one of the highest-grossing films of the year, riding off the popularity and social media frenzy stirred up by the AlDub tandem’s movie debut, in direct competition with Vice Ganda’s Beauty and the Bestie.

NilalaNg (HORROR, ACtiOn, by HAUntED tOWERS PiCtURES) Seasoned actor Cesar Montano and former Japanese adult movie actress Maria Ozawa unite in Nilalang, an action-horror movie about a series of killings with a supernatural appearance being investigated by Montano’s character, NBI investigator Tony.

Tony teams up with Miyuki, the heiress to an organized crime syndicate from Japan. The duo tackles the corruption prevalent in Philippine society, along with a centuries-old curse that may be the cause for the multiple murders happening in Manila.

Suspense horror Nilalang is an official enrty from Viva Films

Expect this movie to be something different, with a unique premise and a capable cast combining their talent into what may be a really good action-thriller.

Just don’t place those expectations too high, as Filipino horror movies haven’t been exactly good as of late.

HauNted MaNsioN (HORROR, by REgAL EntERtAinmEnt) “Teenagers stuck in a large, abandoned house with haunted and supernatural goings-on” isn’t exactly a revolutionary concept when it comes to movie plots; in fact, it’s quite the opposite of revolutionary.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 45 46 48 50 51 52 56 60 61 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Weight rebate 5 Excessive 10 Butterfly stage 14 Poet’s black 15 Advances 16 Whaler of fiction 17 New Year’s Eve word 18 Pantyhose brand 19 Churn up 20 Braced oneself 22 Terrestrial

24 25 26 30 34 35 37 38 39 40 41 43

Turkish potentate Zippy’s word Chair feature They pay monthly Female kangaroos Put up alfalfa Olden times “Ben- —” Tease Gullet Eye amorously Remains undecided

Runner’s concern Flimsier Earned, as assets Band booking Playfully shy Educational institution Kabob sticks Drama prize Drive onward Ersatz butter Crooked Brother’s daughter Great Lakes state Toodle-oos Park feature By — of hard work

DOWN 1 Afternoon receptions 2 Border on 3 Cattle-call reward 4 Wins over 5 Free Fido 6 Exigency 7 Mr. Hammarskjold 8 Natural impulse 9 Tried 10 Not completely 11 Oops! (hyph.)

12 Water carrier

When a Palanca-award-winning writer of films like Jose Rizal and Muro Ami orchestrates the movie as its director, however, it could be a whole different story.

With Jun Lana at the helm, it’s difficult to simply set aside Haunted Mansion at first glance.

It marks the MarNella (Marlo Mortel and Janella Salvador) love team’s film debut, along with a bunch of other young actors and actresses.

It’s quite difficult to expect something great from a film with such a worn-out premise; in fact the only thing we can expect from such a premise could be a whole lot of jump scares, loud noises, and overacting teenagers.

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Like a pro Size above med.

Howard or Perlman Committee type (2 wds.)

Scratchy — Haggard Buyer Lingerie buy Tent dweller Vestige Repaired a seam Feminine principle Aerie hatchlings Identifying Grain cutters Building material Fruit pastry Help-wanted abbr.

Lee J. — Not defy Bus route Sheik colleague Dry wines Post-kindergarten Jockey’s brake Carbon deposit Round veggie

Haunted Mansion from Regal Entertainment is another horror movie

With Lana directing, however, it could be a hallmark in filmmaking – either as a groundbreaking movie breathing new life into a tired and beaten genre, or as the lowest point in an otherwise promising director’s career.

Buy Now, die later (HORROR, by QUAntUm FiLmS) A movie comprised of five interconnected mini-stories, with each representing one of the five senses, Buy Now, Die Later is a horror film starring Vhong Navarro, Alex Gonzaga, John Lapus, and Rayver Cruz, among others, directed

by Randolph Longjas.

With a premise fairly similar to

Horror comedy Buy Now, Die Later is Quantum Films’ second MMFF entry

the Shake, Rattle, and Roll films in the past, it’s hard not to get intrigued by what this movie has to offer, especially with the teaser trailer giving out an equally fascinating vibe. With John Lapus and Vhong Navarro playing roles in the movie, however, it’s hard not to assume that most of the scares will be overshadowed by comedy.

Expect this movie to be an interesting take on a unique storytelling style. However, be warned that it could also be a comedy under the guise of a horror movie, filled with humor and occasional scares sprinkled throughout.

(Jao Gavino is a student majoring in journalism at University of Sto. Tomas.)

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 10, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

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susaN admoNIshes daughter to FIght

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t was past midnight when Susan Roces went to her daughter’s house after Comelec ruled Senator Grace Poe was not qualified to run for presidency in 2016 based on evidence submitted by a petitioner.

Roces was from the taping of Ang Probinsyano. She heard the decision on the radio when the cast was on a dinner break during the taping of the series adapted from Fernando Poe Jr.’s film of the same title.

“As a mother she only wanted to give me a big hug and moral support during those times,” Poe recalled in an interview on the radio the day after the Comelec handed down the decision.

She recalls her mother telling her that the same problems her father faced in 2004 when he ran for president. These kind of sacrifices are worth every bit of it when her desire to help her fellow Filipinos is burning.

“My mother taught me to be brave and her coming over to my house to be with me and to tell me that these things are not new as my father also hurdled the same,” the senator said.

“Sabi niya worth it naman ito eh. Kasi kung saka-sakaling ikaw ay pagpalain at sabihin ng Diyos na ikaw ay karapat-dapat para dyan, ang dami mong pwedeng tulungan,” added Grace.

From c8

The senator is hoping the Supreme Court would allow her to run, just like her father, and let the people make their own decision.

HHHHH NINgNINg actress Is Best New Female tV PersoNalIty A serious health scare rocks the simple and happy life of Ningning (Jana Agoncillo) as she begins to experience blurry vision in the top-rating Kapamilya tanghali serye.

After a series of colorful and memorable moments in her young life, Ningning begins to deal with a very serious health threat when she tells her best friend Macmac (John Steven de Guzman) that her eyesight is getting blurry. Ningning’s revelation also worries her father Dondon (Ketchup Eusebio) who plans to have Ningning’s eyesight checked by a doctor.

The health bout Ningning is facing is not far from the serious health condition of six-year-old Ashley, the little girl diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and epidermolysis bullosa whom Jana portrayed last week in MMK. Because of Jana’s touching performance in the heartrending episode, MMK earned the fourth spot in the list of the most-watched weekend programs nationwide on Nov. 28. The episode also garnered

Jana Agoncillo plays Ningning in the morning drama series on ABS-CBN

a rating of 25.7 percent, according to Kantar Media.

Jana’s titular role also continues to captivate audiences since it remains as the most-watched morning weekday program nationwide.

Based on data from Kantar Media, it scored a national TV rating of 15.7 percent for November versus GMA’s Princess in the Palace’s 11.8 percent.

From left, Charina Sarte, Rosanna Ocampo, Sassa Jimenez, Maureen Disini, and Vania Romoff at Metrowear Luxe

Jana also received another recognition for her stellar acting as she was named as Best New Female TV Personality in the 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television.

She bested older actresses in her category including Loisa Andalio, Maine Mendoza, Mariz Racal, MJ Lastimosa, and Stephanie Yamut.

Will Jana continue to wow audiences with her drama skills as her character Ningning faces a big battle in her young life? Will the spark in Ningning’s eyes eventually fade or will her serious health scare be prevented?

Ningning airs weekdays before It’s Showtime on ABS-CBN. HHHHH metro’s all-Female desIgNers FashIoN show oN lIFestyle Metro’s all-female designers fashion show Metrowear Luxe, will air exclusively on Lifestyle on Dec.11, 9:30 p.m., to introduce more Filipinos to rising Filipino female designers making waves in the fashion industry.

Metrowear Luxe recently celebrated the distinct fashion aesthetics of Charina Sarte, Rosanna Ocampo, Sassa Jimenez, Maureen Disini, and Vania Romoff –five rising Flipino female designers receiving recognitions for their talent.

Metro editor-in-chief Sar-

Kapuso reaffirms filsCap partnership GMA Network, through the signing of a new Music License Agreement with the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP) on Dec. 3, continues to recognize the rights of composers, authors and publishers to their original musical works.

Present during the contract

GMA CEO Atty, Felipe L. Gozon (second from right) signs partnership deal wih Filscap' President Noel Cabagnon (second from left )

signing held at the GMA Network Center were GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Senior Vice President for Finance and ICT Ronaldo P. Mastrili, First Vice President for

Post Production Edward D. Achacoso, Vice President for Legal Affairs Atty. Lynn P. Delfin, FILSCAP President Noel Cabangon, Chairman Nonoy Tan, General Manager Atty. Mark Thursday

Alciso, and Corporate Secretary Kedy Sanchez.

Filscap, with an extensive collection of both local and foreign musical works, “is recognized worldwide as the sole and official

ah Meier said the idea behind Metrowear Luxe is to celebrate female designers.

“It has been a while since we celebrated a female designer, that’s why we decided to do a group show and celebrate all-female designers who are really starting to crank up the pace and momentum in the fashion industry.”

She added, “We really wanted to represent all types of women in Metrowear Luxe and all the designs that were showcased by the designers represented that.”

Sarah also praised young designer Rosenthal Tee who opened the show with her modern minimalist aesthetic designs, saying that Rosenthal “will do really well in the industry.”

Manila’s high society and famous personalities also graced Metrowear Luxe including Heart Evangelista, Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez, Isabelle Daza, Kiana Valenciano, BJ Pascual, Janine Gutierrez, Kelsey Merritt, Phoemela Barranda, Nicole Ortega, Raymond Guttierez, and Tim Yap, among others.

Metro is a premiere fashion and lifestyle magazine in the country that aims to empower women in Philippine fashion. It is one of the titles published every month by ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc.

music copyright society in the Philippines.”

Gozon emphasized the importance of the Network’s partnership with Filscap saying, “Tayo ang kauna-unahang nakipag-contract sa Filscap. And we are honoring and recognizing their rights, so we are law-abiding. That’s how important it is.”

“Ang pinaka-importante dito is the recognition of the rights which are accorded to the composers, not only the Filipino composers but also the foreign composers that are represented by foreign affiliates,” says Cabangon of the three-year agreement.

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 10, 2015

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

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sarah g launches popster with Xeleb ISAH V. RED Manila’s pop princess Sarah Geronimo added another item on her long list of accomplishments.

She, in partnership with Xeleb, launched a bubble-popping app called “Sarah G. Popsters” on Nov. 24 at The Mind Museum.

The event took guests into a different world upon entry. An assortment of oversized balloons and clean white interiors made guests feel as if they were stepping into the game itself.

The guests were welcomed by Xeleb Chief Marketing Officer Cholo Tagaysay, who explained that Xeleb, a subsidiary of Xurpas Inc., is the first Philippine mobile application company to partner with local celebrities in making their own gaming apps. It started with Anne Cutis’ Anne Galing, followed by Adventures of Kuya Kim, Market Master Erwan, and Trip Ni Belle. He then formally introduced their newest app, “Sarah G. Popsters”, this time in collaboration with the country’s popstar princess, Sarah Geronimo.

The guests were delighted to see Sarah G. fiercely strutting on stage, as she performed three song covers. She thanked Xeleb for the opportunity to connect with her fans on a different levelafter the performance.

The arcade-inspired game is played by popping bubbles to the music of Sarah, and when certain levels are unlocked, songs, which were personally chosen by Sarah G play in full. Some of her chosen tunes include “Kilometro,” “Sa

Iyo,” and “Tayo.” “‘Sa Iyo’ was released when I was just very new in the industry, but that point was really a turning point in my career. I remember receiving an award for Best Dance Recording from Awit Awards, and it was huge for me—it was my first original song,” Sarah explained. “‘Kilometro’ received the Gold Global Sound Award in Australia this year. That was such a proud moment for me.”

The game, which has already been downloaded by many, enables fans and non-fans alike to enjoy a fun activity and listen to great songs altogether.

“You will really get to know me more—because I personally got to know myself more when we were creating this game. I know I’m not as active on social media, but I’d like to think of this game as an avenue for my fans to really get to know me,” said Sarah Those with brave hearts then took turns to try their hand at singing on stage, just like Sarah did, while more reserved guests continued to enjoy drinks and food catered by Florabel.

The venue overflowed with laughter and cheer, as attendees relaxed and let loose while enjoying good food, company, and music –care of Xeleb’s latest partner, Ms. Sarah Geronimo.

Sarah G. Popsters is available for download on Google Play.

HHHHH DZMM still reigns supreMe in Mega Manila DZMM is still Mega Manila’s undisputed no. 1 source for news, information, and commentary as it topped all AM radio stations in the latest Kantar Media Radio Audience Measurement survey.

In September this year, DZMM

registered an average audience share of 27 percent, or five points higher than DZRH and DWWW, which both hit 22 percent.

Coming on the heels of DZMM’s ratings victory are the recognitions it recently received for its excellent news coverage and for promoting good people management in public and private sectors.

Recently, DZMM received the Hall of Fame award as Best Radio Station of the Year at the Makatao Awards for Media Excellence given by the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP), an organization composed of business executives and companies.

Radyo Patrol Balita Alas Siyete, anchored by ‘Kabayan’ Noli De Castro and Ted Failon was also named Best Radio News Program, while Usapang De Campanilla was named Best Public Affairs Radio Program.

Anthony Taberna, meanwhile, was hailed Best Public Affairs Radio Host for the news and commentary program Dos Por Dos. In light of these victories, DZMM continues to thank listeners and viewers via Radyo Panalo promo that will run until the end of the year.

Every day, DZMM anchors give away transistor radios in different barangays to those who correctly answer the question of the day.

For the latest news and commentary, tune in to DZMM Radyo Patrol Sais Trenta, the no.1 AM radio station in Mega Manila, DZMM TeleRadyo (SkyCable Channel 26), or via online live streaming on dzmm.com.ph.

For updates, follow @DZMMTeleradyo on Twitter, or like www.facebook.com/DZMMTeleRadyo. ➜ continued on c7

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1 JV Colayco Chief Business Development Officer, Andy Garcia Chief Technology Officer, Sarah Geronimo, Mar Corpuz Chief Financial Officer, Cholo Tagaysay Chief Marketing Officer, Isabelle Daza Xeleb Partner 2 Sarah Geronimo shows off her newest game where you will hear her sing her hits as you play along!

3 Sarah Geronimo performs her hits during the launch of her game Sarah G Popsters 4 Hear Sarah’s hit songs as you advance into the game

DZMM received the Hall of Fame award as Best Radio Station of the Year at the PMAP Makatao Awards for Media Excellence

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