The Standard - 2015 December 17 - Thursday

VOL. XXIX NO. 308 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 THURSday : dECEMBER 17, 2015 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Tribunal supports Comelec on ‘bio’

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if delisTed, rody Will BACK BiNAy

By Joel E. Zurbano and Rey E. Requejo

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said he will support the candidacy of Vice President Jejomar Binay instead of administration bet Manuel Roxas II, if he and Senator Grace Poe are disqualified from running in the 2016 elections.

“I don’t care if I’m disqualified but this much I can say: I do not have any respect for you,” Duterte said, addressing Roxas in an interview on ABS-CBN News. “If Grace and I are disqualified, I will campaign for Binay.”

The Commission on Elections is hearing disqualification cases filed against Poe and Duterte.

Poe filed a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec en banc after both the First and Second Division canceled her Certificate of Candidacy.

Duterte, on the other hand, has a pending disqualification case filed by Ruben Castor, who claimed the mayor was not a qualified substitute for PDP-Laban standard bearer Martin Diño as they did not belong to the same political party. Next page

Duterte cools down, says gunfights are for criminals

By John Paolo Bencito and Sandy araneta DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte backpedaled on his challenge to engage Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II to a duel.

In a private dinner with lawmakers associated with the National Unity Party at Romulo’s Cafe in Quezon City Tuesday night, Duterte said he never challenged Roxas to a duel.

“Gunfights are for criminals,” Duterte told Manila reporters Tuesday night.

“Mar [Roxas] will be running for president, right?” “[Roxas] doesn’t even know how to hold a gun. Why would I challenge him into a gun fight?” he added.

In the morning of the same day, Duterte had told Davao media that he would rather have a gunfight rather than a fistfight with Roxas, who earlier challenged the mayor to a slapping contest in his home in Cubao, Quezon City.

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Pandesal forum. President Fidel V. Ramos fields questions during the Pandesal Media Forum in Quezon City, where he shared his views on many topics including who he will endorse in next year’s elections. Lino SantoS

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Typhoon spawns floods, traffic RAIN-SOAKED residents in Mindoro huddled on rooftops Wednesday after Typhoon “Nona” (international name Melor) caused heavy flooding and killed at least nine people, authorities said.

They added that the number of casualties would likely rise because most of the affected provinces remained isolated after the storm took down telecommunication and power lines.

A barrage of rain in the Metro Manila on Tuesday night submerged some roads and caused traffic chaos, although flooding in the megacity of 12 million had subsided by Wednesday morning.

The death toll climbed after authorities on Mindoro reported five people had died there.

Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali said floodwaters rose sharply in parts of the island on Tuesday night, forcing residents to climb onto the roofs of their homes.

“The floods have begun to subside but there are still people on their roofs. Many homes were damaged. We are going to the areas on board the coast guard’s rubber boats today,” Umali said on radio dzMM. Disaster officials said they were still confirming the number of dead from the storm.

Initial damage to agriculture was pegged at P160 million, while damage to infrastructure was still being assessed.

The typhoon also wrecked more than 3,000 houses in Regions IVB, V, and VIII and forced the suspension of classes since Monday in 20 provinces, 23 cities and 34 municipalities.

Local officials said it may take weeks and even months before power lines can be restored in the badly affected munici-

palities in the Visayas, Bicol, Romblon, and Mindoro.

In Calapan City, the traditional dawn masses for the novena, were cancelled for the first time since World War II because of the damage wrought by Nona.

After drifting slowly across Mindoro overnight, Nona moved out into the South China Sea on Wednesday morning, the weather bureau said.

But forecasters warned it could still cause rain of up to 30 millimeters per hour in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, although Mindoro was expected to not be as badly hit.

Four others were earlier reported killed on Samar, an impoverished island of 1.5 million people in the eastern part of the country, where Melor first tore in from the Pacific Ocean on Monday afternoon.

Millions of people were also without power in the eastern Philippines and Mindoro, with no guarantees electricity would be restored before Christmas.

And 120,000 people remained in

managers, and I gave them my speech at the auditorium of Sto. Domingo church,” From A1 Ramos said.

Duterte met with Ramos last October Diño, a member of the Volunteers in a one-hour, closed-door session durAgainst Crime and Corruption, canceled ing the sidelines of the joint BIMP-EAGA his Certificate of Candidacy last October (Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines and named Duterte as his replacement. East Asean Growth Area) which was hostHe said he decided to withdraw his candi- ed by the Philippines this year at Davao dacy after the Comelec legal department City. recommended to the commission en banc Despite his remarks on having a presito declare him a nuisance candidate. dent from Mindanao, Ramos said he had Former President Fidel V. Ramos said not yet picked the candidate that he would Wednesday that it is the people who finally endorse. should decide who should be their leaders.

“Ask me again a week before the polls,” “When there’s a little doubt, let’s give Ramos said. the benefit of the doubt to the person conThe Supreme Court on Wednesday cerned, meaning let the people decide,” ordered the Senate Electoral Tribunal to Ramos told reporters at the Pandesal Fo- comment on a petition assailing its decirum in Quezon City. sion to uphold Poe’s eligibility in the 2013 Ramos added that if the pattern contin- senatorial elections. ued, there would only be one candidate In a special full court session, the jusleft. tices required the nine-member tribunal “We may end up with only one candi- to comment on the petition filed by Rizadate for the presidency if we follow this lito David questioning the SET ruling that process of elimination, which is of course dismissed his disqualification petition not the way our people want it. So give against Poe. them the benefit of the doubt,” Ramos The SET, composed of six senators and said. three Supreme Court justices, was given Poe and Duterte have tagged Roxas 15 days to comply with the order. as the one behind their disqualification The SET voted 5-4 in favor of Poe, but complaints as well as a black propaganda all the justices on the tribunal voted to campaign against them, accusations that disqualify her. David appealed the deciRoxas has repeatedly denied. sion before the Supreme Court, which has In what seemed like an endorsement set oral arguments for Jan. 16, 2016. of Duterte, Ramos said it was time for In his Dec. 8 petition, David asked the the Philippines to have a president from tribunal to overturn the majority decision Mindanao. of the SET that declared Poe a natural-born “The best is yet to come. Now is the Filipino eligible for her senatorial post. time to have a president from Mindanao,” He accused the five senators in the maRamos said, adding that he preferred the jority ruling of SET—Vicente Sotto III, next president to be younger than him. Loren Legarda, Pia Cayetano, Cynthia Ramos is 87; Duterte is 70.

Villar and Bam Aquino—of handing Ramos said both Poe and Duterte had down a political decision in favoring Poe. sought his advice before deciding to run Another case involving Poe is expected to for president. reach the Supreme Court after the two diviIn July, or almost two months before sions of the Comelec recently ruled to disPoe and Escudero declared their bid, the qualify her in the presidential poll over her tandem met with the former president in alleged failure to meet the 10-year residency his office in Makati. requirement under the Constitution.

Asked what the meeting was about, The Comelec en banc has yet to rule Ramos said the two sought his advice on on the cases filed by Estrella Elamparo, running a national campaign. former Senator Francisco Tatad, De La “They asked me, ‘How do you do it?’ So Salle University professor Antonio ConI gave them a copy of my old party plat- treras and former University of the East form, instructions to campaigners and law dean Amado Valdez.

If delisted...

storm shelters, the national disaster council said.

“This is going to be a sad Christmas for us,” Umali said.

Umali said Nona was the strongest storm to hit the province in 10 years.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau said it was monitoring another storm brewing over the Pacific east of the main southern island of Mindanao.

The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 typhoons a year, many of them deadly, with the strongest often happening towards the end of the year.

The most recent deadly storm to hit the country, Lando, killed 54 people and forced tens of thousands to flee their homes after it pummelled rice-growing northern provinces in October.

In November 2013, one of the strongest typhoons on record, Yolanda, flattened entire communities in the central region with tsunami-like waves, leaving 7,350 people dead or missing. Francisco Tuyay, Robert A. Evora, AFP, PNA

Duterte...

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“A gun duel. Rich folks are afraid to die. What am I afraid of?” Duterte said during the sidelines of a forum he attended on Tuesday.

He also made light of his word war with Roxas, and said he would send a priest to lecture him on how to behave in public.

“I consulted a doctor. They said that I shouldn’t engage in any brawl because I have mumps,” he added.

Roxas fired the first shot in the word war by saying Davao’s reputation as the safest city in the country was a myth.

Duterte responded by saying Roxas’ graduation from the Wharton Business School was a myth.

The two presidential aspirants then exchanged challenges, with Duterte threatening to slap Roxas, whom he called an idiot, if they saw each other on the campaign trail.

Roxas then challenged Duterte to a fistfight, but the mayor said he preferred to use guns.

But on Tuesday night, Duterte said he was not closing any doors to a possible reconciliation with Roxas, a former colleague at the House of Representatives. He said it was Roxas who started the word war.

“I did not start the verbal hassle. He doesn’t need [to say sorry.]

For true men, just reaching out his hand is enough,” Duterte said.

Duterte said it was Roxas, who was then Interior secretary, who gave him a “seal of good governance,” but later attacked his record in Davao.

In an interview with reporters in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, Roxas fired back at Duterte, saying it was the mayor who started the feud.

“I never lied to him. He is the one who is saying that I didn’t graduate. You know, it’s not important to me whatever his view...

It’s in the records—in the Internet,

there’s an alumni book, there’s even a record in [Wharton] school where I graduated,” said Roxas.

Addressing Duterte, Roxas urged the mayor to elevate the level of debate.

“Mayor Digong, let’s level up.

Our people deserve better. This mud-slinging of lies does not have a place in our political discourse.”

Roxas said he has already proven that he would stand up to Duterte’s bullying.

“Let’s leave the issue of gun fights, slapping or outrage. It’s clear that I will not back out from any fight against Mayor Duterte.

It’s clear that I’m not afraid and will meet him.”

Roxas added that he is willing to go in a one-on-one debate with Duterte to debunk his statements.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda got into the exchange Wednesday, attacking Duterte as “a two-bit goon” on his Facebook page.

“When you attack Mar Roxas on the basis of a chismis [gossip] and then you don’t fact check that rumor, it shows you are a lightweight and a rumor monger,” Lacierda said.

“When you dare to slap Mar Roxas because your minuscule capacity for rationality has repeatedly allowed you to indulge your whims and caprices, it shows you are a spoiled dictatorial brat,” he said.

“When you challenge Mar Roxas to a gun duel because you refuse to acknowledge your asinine error and knowing fully well as a lawyer it is a violation of the Revised Penal Code, it shows you are nothing but a two-bit goon,” Lacierda added.

Former President Fidel V. Ramos expressed disappointment with Roxas and Duterte, urging them to “act like a president.”

“We’re no longer in the period of Antonio Luna and Andres Bonifacio. Those who are together do not kill each other but unite to move our country, the Philippines, forward,” he added.

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Binay says LGUs not receiving aid VICE President Jejomar Binay has expressed frustration over the waste of medical funds worth billions of pesos because their allocation and disbursement are too centralized.

He said billions of pesos worth of medicines bought by the Department of Health do not reach local communities because of the loopholes in their distribution to local government units. The result is worse if an LGU is not allied to the ruling political party.

In his speech during the Galing Pook forum, Binay vowed to empower local government units should he become the next president, saying local government is the engine of growth.

“The law provides that the transfer of allotments should be automatic, but it has loopholes that a sitting president can use to abuse the procedure and impose his political bias against certain opposition LGUs,” Binay said.

He said lack of political authority hounds many

local government officials, and this results in slow medical help to many residents in the far- flung provinces.

“Most of our provincial hospitals and even city hospitals do not have the necessary equipment to provide secondary health care,” Binay said.

“In other words, they are unable to perform their mandated functions out of sheer lack of resources.”

Binay said he is frustrated because many of the resources intended for medical help to the provinces go to waste because the allocation and disbursement of funds are still too centralized.

“So much of the medical funds go to waste because the [Health Department] buys medicines that are not needed by local communities,” he said.

“Our rural health units all over the country sorely lack the equipment they need to provide primary health care or even first aid kits for treating minor wounds.” Vito Barcelo

oath-taking. Senator Grace Poe delivers her address as she inaugurates the headquarters of the Grace Poe Movement for President in Muñoz, Quezon City, and leads its officers’ oath-taking on Wednesday. lino SantoS

Court backs Comelec on biometrics policy THE Supreme Court on Wednesday sustained the Commission on Elections’ policy of ordering voters to register their biometrics before they can be allowed to vote in next year’s general elections.

Board meeting. President Benigno Aquino III presides over the board meeting of the National Economic and Development Authority in Malacañang on Wednesday. Malacañang Photo Bureau

Poe says the ‘near-poor’ also need dole THE government should help those affected by natural calamities and include the “near-poor” in its dole program because disasters are pushing thousands of families toward poverty, Senator Grace Poe said Wednesday.

She made her statement after Typhoon “Nona”—international name Melor— ravaged parts of Eastern Visayas and the Bicol region, and in particular Mindoro, Samar and Sorsogon.

More than 700,000 people were evacuated after many towns experienced flooding and power outages.

“Hundreds of thousands

of Filipino families flee their homes in the face of calamities,” said Poe, an independent presidential candidate in next year’s elections.

“Their fate rests entirely on events they can’t control. Often, they lose their livelihood and come home to shattered houses.

“Disasters increase the number of people at risk of becoming poor or those that fall under the “nearpoor” category.”

A 2014 research by the Philippine Institute of Development Studies says the families identified as nearpoor are not poor but have little or no buffer against

economic shocks.

Families in the Near-Poor Threshold have a monthly income of at least P12,400 and have a few assets but can easily become poor should a problem arise.

As a result, Poe proposed expanding the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer program to cover this sector that is driven to the edge or to just above the Total Poverty Threshold or TPT. The Philippine Statistics Authority places 25.8 percent of the Philippine population within the TPT. “Increasing the CCT budget by 10 percent or an additional P6 billion can cover those who are

vulnerable and likely to fall below the total poverty threshold when a disaster or conflict happens,” Poe said.

The government allocated P62.7 billion for the CCT or dole program in 2016.

Aside from the NPT, the cyclical poor or those in and out of poverty are also considered vulnerable during times of disasters.

“We must help these sectors get back on their feet by making them eligible for cash grants. Otherwise, they will fall into the poverty trap and it will be so much more difficult to help them.

Macon ramos-araneta

In a special attended by all justices, the high court unanimously upheld the validity of the Comelec’s “No Bio, No Boto” policy and subsequently lifted the temporary restraining order it earlier issued against that rule on Dec. 1.

The high court made its decision even as Malacañang said it will leave it up to the Comelec to decide on how to proceed following the high court’s ruling.

“We note the Resolution of the Supreme Court dismissing the petition filed against the Comelec’s ‘No Bio No Boto’ policy,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

“We leave it to the Comelec’s best judgment, as an independent constitutional body, on how to proceed in the light of the Supreme Court ruling in terms of ensuring that the preparations for the holding of the May 2016 elections are in place.”

The high court ruling was written by Associate Justice Estela PerlasBernabe. It dismissed for lack of merit the petition of the Kabataan party-list questioning the constitutionality of the policy that it says will disenfranchise some 2.4-registered voters who are without a digital photograph, a signature and fingerprints in their registration records.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon and his group argued that the new policy under Republic Act 10367, or the law on mandatory biometrics voter registration, and Comelec Resolutions 9721, 9863 and 10013 violate the Constitution as it adds a substantive requirement for Filipinos to be able to exercise their right to suffrage.

The petitioners also claimed that the new policy “violates due process as it is an unreasonable deprivation of the constitutional right to vote for millions of Filipinos who have failed to register their biometric information... for various reasons...”

But the high court dumped the petitioners’ arguments and instead agreed with the Comelec’s position that the registration of biometrics is not an additional substantive requirement.

“Registering is only one step towards voting, and it is not one of the elements that makes the citizen a qualified voter,” the high court said.

“Thus, unless it is shown that a registration requirement rises to the level of a literacy, property or other substantive requirement as contemplated by the framers of the Constitution... the same cannot be struck down as unconstitutional, as in this case.” rey e. requejo and Sandy araneta

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3 troops slain, 17 wounded in battles

By Francisco Tuyay AT LEAST three soldiers were killed while 17 others were wounded in two separate battles with the Abu Sayyaf group in Basilan and Sulu, the military reported on Wednesday.

The three fatalities were from a two-day operation that the military conducted against the Abu Sayyaf in Barangay Macalang at Al-Barka, Basilan, said Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Filemon Tan. Aside from the fatalities, Tan said 10 troopers were also hurt in the operation involving the 104th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion, 4th Special Forces Battalion, Marine Special Operations Group, and 12th Light Armor Cavalry.

Tan did not identify the dead and wounded soldiers pending notification of their next-ofkin, but claimed the Abu Sayyaf also sustained 15 fatalities and seven other casualties.

As the operation winded down in Al-Barka, the headquarters of the 32nd Infantry Battalion in Patikul, Sulu was attacked by at least 150 Abu Sayyaf bandits around 8:15 p.m.

Tuesday and resulted in seven soldiers being injured.

Joint Task Group commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado said blood at the battle site indicated that the attackers also sustained casualties after the hour-long battle, but he could not determine how many bandits were killed or wounded.

Pray for us. Despite the floods and hours-long commute Tuesday night, Catholics braved the rain at Wednesday dawn and filled the Santisimo Rosario Church at the University of Sto. Tomas for the first Christmas dawn mass, locally called simbang gabi, of the year.

JANSEN ROMERO

Aquino approval rating plunges, latest poll says

By Sandy Araneta PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III’s public satisfaction rating dropped nine points from +41 in September to +32 this month, according to the latest noncommissioned poll of the Social Weather Stations.

The approval rating is the lowest since June 2014 when Aquino slipped to +25 percent from average ratings of +55, +53 and +62 in the earlier years of his presidency.

Conducted from December 5 to 8, SWS said it interviewed 1,200 adults nationwide, 300 each in Metro Manila, Balance of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

According to the poll, 58 percent were satisfied from 64 percent

in September, 16 percent undecided from 14 percent, and 26 percent dissatisfied from 22 percent.

The SWS said Aquino’s net satisfaction rating plunged by half from +46 in September to +23 in December in Luzon areas outside Metro Manila.

Aquino’s ratings also dropped by eight points in Mindanao from +39 in September to +31 in December.

In the National Capital Region and Visayas, Aquino’s ratings improved from +18 to +23, and +50 to +58, respectively.

Despite the decrease of satisfaction and the increase in both the dissatisfied and the undecided, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda maintained that Aquino’s public satisfaction rating remains among the highest in history.

“While these historically high figures encourage us in the administration, we measure success by other metrics that reflect the quality of life of our citizens,” said Lacierda.

“The Aquino administration continues to do its work not for survey results but toward the more tangible benefits of good govern-

ance—poverty alleviation, job increase, and economic expansion,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda said a study conducted on the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program also show that 1.4-million households have already been able to rise above the poverty line as a result of the program.

“Indeed, the administration’s guiding principle of Daang Matuwid is truly oriented toward the Filipino people,” he said.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. attributed the high satisfaction rating from the Class E respondents to the implementation of the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer program.

‘Little country judge’ dies

By Rey E. Requejo

Quest for justice. Lawyer Harry Roque and his clients Marilou and Michelle Laude, sisters of slain transgender Jennifer Laude, file their plea asking the Supreme Court order the transfer of convicted US Marine Pfc. Joseph Scott Pemberton to the National Penitentiary. DANNY PATA

RETIRED Supreme Court Associate Justice Florentino Feliciano, who called himself a “judge from a little country,” passed away last Tuesday at the age of 87, the Supreme Court announced Wednesday.

American law professor Steve Charnovitz, in the book “Law in the Service of Human Dignity, Essays in Honour of Florentino Feliciano,” lauded Feliciano as a very learned yet simple and humble man.

“He likes to introduce his inquisition with the simple, humble words: ‘I’m just a judge from a little country’.

Many an experienced counsel has learned that this is just the beginning of a challenging, intellectual inquiry on the merits of a legal argument,” Charnovitz wrote.

Feliciano, who sat in the high court from 1986 to 1995, graduated magna cum laude from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1952 and received

his master of laws and doctor of juridical science degrees from Yale University.

Feliciano was a partner at SyCip Salazar Feliciano & Hernandez from 1962 to 1986 and managing partner from 1983 to 1986, where he gained international recognition for his expertise in commercial and international trade law.

He was a member of the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization from 1995 to 2001 and served as its chairman from 2000 to 2001.

In 2003, he rejoined SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan as senior counsel.

In 2003, he chaired the independent fact-finding commission that probed the “Magdalo” mutiny of 296 soldiers in Makati City.

Feliciano was a member of the ADB Administrative Tribunal from 1991 to 1995 and became president of the Asian Development Bank Administrative Tribunal from 2007.

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Treasury awash with P28-b idle cash By rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has asked the Bureau of Treasury to explain the purpose of its two cash sub-accounts with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas holding combined balances of P28,656,966,574.11. in a report released last Dec. 14, CoA said both accounts “have been idle for three years due to unknown details of their intended purpose.” the Commission reminded the Bureau of treasury that the maintaining accounts with specified or unexplained purpose ran contrary to Executive Order No. 449 requiring the agency to manage government funds in such a way as to optimize utilization of meager resources.

Based on the audit report, the bigger account held P28.266 billion, while the other contained P391.013 million. the date of last transaction involving either one was recorded on December 2011.

When asked for an explanation, the audit team was informed by the chief treasury operations officer ii of the National Cash Accounting Division that both accounts “have special purposes which thereby restricted the use thereof in order to ensure availability when needed.”

“Further inquiry disclosed that there are no documents to show the details of the intended purposes to determine whether there is immediate need for the funds or the funds can be used instead for other investible undertakings rather than remain idle,” the CoA report read.

Keeping such amount unused for three years had deprived the national government of potential income of at least P507.23 million based on average BSP fixed rate of 1.77 percent on time deposits.

“We recommended that Management exert effort to retrieve documents pertaining to the aforementioned cash maintained with the BSP to obtain information on its existence and status do that proper action may be instituted to maximize use thereof,” CoA said.

Compassion. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (left) and Party-List Coalition Foundation Inc. president and AGAP Party-List Rep. Nicanor Briones (right) raise the hands of senatorial candidate and Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez during the launching of the senatorial bets selected by the PCF. The 39-strong party-list coalition has promised to deliver 15.5-million votes in bloc voting that will give ‘malasakit’ (compassion) to the marginalized sectors. Ver NoVeNo

Bongbong: Draft Moro law dead

By Macon Araneta SENAtOr Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday declared the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law is dead. “it will never be resurrected under the administration of President Noynoy Aquino,” he added.

At a news conference, Marcos as chair of the Senate local government committee stressed that BBL has been dead for a long time since the house of representatives did not want it.

But Malacañang is not about to give up on the BBL, pressing the lawmakers to “rise to the challenge and seize the historic opportunity to enact the BBL.’’ Presidential Peace Adviser teresita Quintos Deles said that President Aquino has stressed that

the peace in the Bangsamoro is not an issue of his personal legacy and it is not just for the Bangsamoro but will bring benefits to the entire country.

Asked if the house of representatives killed BBL, Marcos said: “they don’t like it.”

“No matter how we forced it, they don’t want the BBL,” stressed Marcos whose committee conducted hearings on the proposed BBL that intended to bring lasting peace in Mindanao. house Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said if house members were asked to vote on the BBL this time, it would definitely be defeated.

While he had come out with the substitute bill, which was undergoing deliberation in the Senate, Marcos said the senators are still

on page 4, and “there were a hundred pages.”

Marcos also pointed out the issue raised by Enrile that a bill of local application like the BBL should have come first from the house.

“So even if we reach the point of voting, we still need to study if we still have to wait the house’s version,” he said. he doubted if the house of representatives and the Senate could still muster a quorum when Congress resumes its “short” sessions in January since many of the lawmakers might already start campaigning for the 2016 elections.

Aside from lack of quorum, Marcos said there is also a “very strong objection” from some congressmen on the version that they

are deliberating.

“We already lack the material time. We ran out of time,” said Marcos. he hopes the next administration under the 17th Congress would adopt their unfinished task. “i hope they would continue what we had started in the Senate,” said Marcos who said there was a waste of time and so much efforts that it did not pass under the 16th Congress. he believes the failure to pass the BBL would have a negative impact on his vice presidential bid. “i hope they know that we did our best to come up with a law that will be beneficial to all the people in Mindanao.”

Since the BBL came to his committee last September last year, they never stopped working on it.

INC: Growth, expansion to continue in 2016 With 1,155 chapels dedicated here and abroad in the last five years and several more lined up in the next few months, iglesia ni Cristo spokesman Edwil Zabala said on Wednesday that the church’s unprecedented growth under the leadership of Executive Minister Ka Eduardo V. Manalo would continue in 2016 with the support of its membership worldwide.

“Our members have embraced

the vision of our leadership and their faith has been reinforced after seeing how the church has grown in leaps and bounds in the past five years,” said Zabala.

Of the 1,155 chapels dedicated since Ka Eduardo V. Manalo took over the reins of the iNC in September 2009, 64 are located outside the Philippines, covering 12 countries in four continents. in the United States alone, 37 chapels have been dedicated. Six

more chapels in the US will be dedicated in early 2016, as well as one in Canada and Japan. in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, 1,091 chapels have been built and renovated in the past five years, with several more in the pipeline in 2016.

According to the minister, “by the grace of God and the faith of our members, past and present, the church has not just survived all the challenges it has faced in its

first century of existence—it has thrived.”

Zabala said that the baseless, concerted attacks leveled against the church in recent months have not achieved their objectives.

“Our detractors have attempted in vain to sow disunity and erode our reputation; they have done neither. On the contrary, these empty charges have galvanized our membership, who see through the veiled attempts to undermine the church.”

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Fil-Ams hit out at Comelec bias Los Angeles—Despite the cold winter winds and chilling weather, scores of brave FilipinoAmerican leaders of the Grace Poe Movement rallied in front of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles to protest the Comelec’s exclusion of senator Grace Poe. Jun Caringal, GPM North Canada lead convenor, said, “The Aquino-Roxas political maneuver is for the candidate of the administration to have no competitor for the presidency and win by default.”

In a statement, the Fil-Am leaders said: “We vehemently protest this apparent anti-FilAm bias against Grace Poe. It seems the

Aquino administration is only after our remittances. More than 50 precent of the $20-billion remittances made by Overseas Filipino Workers come from the United States.”

On the other hand, the AquinoRoxas and the Comelec wanted to prevent a fellow Fil-Am from running in the highest position

in the land. “A very clear anti FilAm Bias which must be stopped, ” Caringal said.

Art Garcia, also of the GPMUSA, said, “This will be the first time in the history of electoral politics in the Philippines that the Comelec is out to disqualify a candidate like Senator Grace Poe who is not a nuisance candidate but has been duly elected in 2013 with close to 21 million votes.”

Veteran newsman larry Pelayo said, “ We honestly ask and wonder why is it the Comelec is running after Poe when they barely touch other nuisance candidates?

Therefore, davao City Mayor Rodrigo duterte should watch out and

also Vice-President Binay against the Aquino-Roxas demolition job with the use of the Comelec as the stamp pad.” dr. Veronico Agatep added, “ The Comelec acted in undue haste and abused its discretion. It is now left for the Supreme Court to correct the abuses of the Comelec.”

It is very clear that the Comelec is encroaching on the high court acting as the Presidential electoral tribunal’s jurisdiction in disqualifying candidates on the merits of their residency and citizenship.

After the protest, the rallyist enjoyed coffee and tea at a nearby coffee shop. A relief from strong and chilling december winds.

Defying the cold winds of winter, Fil-American leaders in Los Angeles protest the bias exemplified by the Commission on Elections in the case of Senator Grace Poe.

Old timers ahead in Pulse Asia survey of senate bets

By Sandy Araneta Old-tIMeRS in politics topped the ratings in the latest Pulse Asia survey of senatorial candidates in the 2016 elections, the survey company said on Wednesday.

In the Pulse Asia survey commissioned by media network ABS-CBN, incumbent Senator Vicente “tito” Sotto III led the survey with a 72.6 percent rating.

Second was former Senator Panfilo lacson with 65.3 percent voting preference and statistical ranking of 2nd to 3rd places.

Following lacson, who was also Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery, were incumbent Senator Ralph Recto with 62.9 percent and ranking of 2nd to 6th places, former senator Francis Pangilinan with 58 percent (ranking of 3rd and 6th places), Senate President Franklin drilon with 57.5 percent (ranking of 3rd and 7th places), former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also with 57.5 percent (3rd-7th places) and incumbent Senator Sergio Osmeña III with 52.1 percent (ranking of 5th and 9th places).

Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, who is running for the first time for the Senate, was 7th to 10th with 50.2 percent.

Former senator Richard Gordon, current chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, ranked 7th to 10th with 49.7 percent.

Anti-drug sting nets P100-m shabu

By Rio N. Araja tWO buy-bust operations, spearheaded by the Philippine drug enforcement Agency, have yielded P100 million worth of shabu in Metro Manila’s cities of Pasig and taguig.

PdeA director-general Arturo Cacdac Jr. said the entrapment operations took place in taguig and Pasay, only three hours apart on dec. 12.

Just after lunchtime, operatives of PdeA Special enforcement Service, led by director Ismael Fajardo Jr., along with the Philippine National Police-Special Operations Unit-3 Anti-Illegal drugs Group nabbed Reyniel Macahidhid, 24, of Purok 1, Barobo, Surigao del Sur, for selling one kilo of shabu with a street value of P5,000,000 to a poseur-buyer in the open parking of a mall in FtI, taguig.

Confiscated from Macahidhid’s possession were nine packs of suspected shabu weighing approxi-

mately nine kilograms worth P45,000,000 found inside his silver Nissan Sentra, one mobile phone, various identification cards and documents.

Three hours later, along diokno Street and Coral Way in Pasay City, the same operating units arrested Chiu Chien Chun, alias Qui Jan Jiun, a Chinese, in a buy-bust which yielded 10 kilos of suspected shabu worth P50,000,000 and confiscated a black Chevrolet tahoe wagon and a black pouch bag containing assorted mobile phones, keys, cellular SIMs and load cards.

Macahidhid and Chun are facing cases for violation of Section 5 (Sale of dangerous drugs) and Section 11 (Possession of dangerous drugs), Article II of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive dangerous drugs Act before the prosecutor’s office.

In Makati, the dangerous drugs Board awarded to the Makati anti-drug abuse council the award as the country’s best anti-drug council. With Joel Zurbano

Skills-training grant. Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco (fifth from left)

receives the P700,000 worth of grant from DTI-NCR Director Emma Asusano.

The grant will give free skills training to 400 marginalized fisherfolk from the 14 barangays of the city. With them are (from left) Beverly Jimenea, Winnalyn Mae Amaca, Marie Berte, Navotas Hanapbuhay Center program director Marita Trinidad and Tulong Puhunan unit head Violeta Perez. JUN B. DAVID

T H U R S D AY : D E C E M B E R 17, 2 0 1 5

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Power woes resolved, says Zamboanga cooperative

By A. Perez Rimando ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga Sibugay—The daily eight-hour power outages in Zamboanga City, which has plagued the highly urbanized city of about a million residents, appears to have been resolved by the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative since last Sunday, a top agency official said.

According to Zamcelco Board of Directors president Omar Sahi, the Energy Regulatory Commission has provisionally granted Zamcelco to draw power of 50 megawatts directly from the Western Mindanao Power Corp. diesel power plant based at barangay Sangali.

Sahi said ERC Chairman Jose Vicente Salazar and Commissioner Victoria YapTaruc signed the provisional authority Friday afternoon through the support of Rep. Celso Lobregat, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations handling the Energy Cluster.

Zamcelco’s proposal to purchase 50 MW from WMPC upon the expiration of the WMPC/NAPOCOR contract last Dec. 12, 2015 was taken up during the power forum here, with Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, National Electrification Administration Chief Edita Bueno, ERC lawyer Francis Juan and other concerned officials in attendance.

Zamcelco general manager Edgardo Ancheta said henceforth the co-op’s hourly demand of power supply allocation from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. is 37 MW from PSALM, 17 MW from TMI, and 8-9 MW from MAPALAD for a total of 52-9 MW; from 6:00 a.m. to 12 midnight—27 MW from PSALM, 10 MW from TMI, and 35-39 MW from WMPC for a total of 76 MW.

Cordillera dengue cases up 300% in first 11 mos.

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY—The number of dengue fever cases recorded in the region increased threefold during the first 11 months of this year compared to the similar period last year, health authorities reported.

After the storm. A boy bikes past an electric post downed by Typhoon ‘Nona’ in Bulan, Sorsogon. AFP

Amelita M. Pangilinan, regional director of the Cordillera office of the Department of Health, said that from January to November this year, there were a total of 9,858 dengue fever cases regionwide compared to the 2,478 cases recorded by the agency during the similar period last year.

The 298-percent increase should prompt the public to be careful of dengue-carrying mosquitoes that breed near containers of clear and stagnant water.

Mountain Province recorded the highest increase at 682 percent, with 688 cases recorded in the first 11 months of the year compared to 88 the previous period.

Kalinga, which registered 2,381 dengue cases this year compared to only 336 cases last year, came in second with a 609 percent increase.

Apayao recorded a 331 percent increase in the number of dengue fever cases with 986 this year compared to 229 last year. Baguio City, which documented a total of 1,433 cases this year compared to the 352 cases last year, registered a 307 percent increase in the all-weather illness.

Ifugao was able to report 750 dengue fever cases for the first 11 months of this year compared to the only 192 cases during the similar period last year which is equivalent to 291 percent increase.

Benguet reported a total of 1,890 dengue fever cases this year compared to the 526 cases last year which was equivalent to a 259 percent increase while Abra recorded the lowest increase at 64 percent tallying 970 cases this year compared to the 592 cases last year.

Pangilinan added that from four denguerelated deaths last year, fatalities attributed to the dreaded illness rose to 14 for the first eleven months of this year.

These increases have compelled health authorities to intensify their all-out campaign to inform the public on how they could avoid the disease.

Dengue fever is an acute febrile viral disease characterized by sudden onset of fever for two to seven days with intense headache, myalgia, arthralgia, retro-orbital pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting and rash.

Ex-solon says expressway design to displace 1,000 P’sinan residents

The exception. All other airports are back in operations except the Catarman Airport in

Samar province, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. ERIC APOLONIO

SISON, Pangasinan—More than 1,000 residents in the towns of Pozorrubio and Sison will be displaced once the Department of Public Works and Highways insists on following the old design of Section 3 of the 88-kilometer Tarlac-PangasinanLa Union Expresway which cuts through the populated communities of the two municipalities.

Former 5th district Rep. Mark Cojuangco said the huge number of residential and commercial building owners that stand to be displaced is more than enough to delay the completion of the multi-billion highway project contrary to previous commitments made by DPWH officials that the project will be completed before the end of next year.

“The government must be flexible in dealing with the people to be affected by the road project. DPWH officials should be open-

minded on the matter because the people who will be displaced will be deprived of their sources of livelihood,” Cojuangco stressed.

The former lawmaker said his proposal to realign the exit of the TPLEX from the original site in Saytan, Rosario, La Union to Katagintingan, Rosario, La Union which involves at least 5 kilometers distance would be the most feasible proposal. It would free the expected congestion at the mouth of Kennon Road and would lessen the number of people to be displaced in the urban centers of Pozorrubio and Sison.

According to him, once the affected residents decide to bring the issue to the court, the implementation of the project will be unjustly delayed which will be to the greater disadvantage of the motoring and commuting public. Dexter A. See

T H U R S D AY : D E C E M B E R 17, 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

CALL TO ARMS

[ EDI TORI A L ]

MUM ON WHAT MATTERS

OUR presidential candidates have given us a lot to chew on—and shake our heads about—in the past few days.

That slapmatch-fistfight-gunfire challenge exchanged by former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has exasperated us because it showed how low the level of discourse could go in this country.

The continuing legal saga of Senator Grace Poe who may or may not be disqualified from the race because of her citizenship and residency issues has also captured the country’s attention.

Even Senator Miriam Santiago has briefly managed to show us she could overcome her health issues with witty one-liners.

All these can be considered white noise when viewed in the context of issues that would make or break us in the next generation.

This week, with Typhoon “Nona” and “Onyok” coming in quick succession, we are once again reminded that climate change could cause serious disruptions.Who has heard of warm instead of chilly December days? Who expects a series of typhoons to batter the country towards the holidays?

Last weekend, the world rejoiced over the signing of an agreement in Paris. The deal essentially said that nations of the world recognized the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. This is so that warming would not accelerate: the consequences are dire and the prospects are grim.

The Philippine delegation took active part in the talks and even President Aquino himself made a brief statement on the need to take drastic measures to reverse climate change. We are one of the nearly 200 signatories to the historic pact.

But is any of the presidential candidates even aware of our commitment and the issue altogether, beyond motherhood statements on the need to take care of the environment? Sadly, we have not heard anything about how these candidates intend to deal with the effects of climate change here in our own backyard. Certainly, there will be more disasters—and leadership is not all about overseeing the packaging of relief goods and getting themselves photographed distributing them to the victims.

Let us no longer fan these candidates’ penchant for drama. We need real solutions from stable characters and sober minds. These candidates’ low talk is no match to how big a menace climate change is and could be.

A WATERY HELL LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES ACCORDING to one report, the Redemptorist priests of Baclaran Church were surprised by the massive turnout of the faithful for the first traditional Misa de Gallo early yesterday morning. When one of the fathers asked why the church was bursting at the seams for the beginning of the nineday novena masses, he was told by a helpful lay minister:

“Many of them are not really our regular parishioners, Father. They’re mostly people from Cavite who never made it home because of the flooding that began Tuesday evening.”

The politicians may bluster and brag, and the media may treat all their posturing as truly, earthshakingly important, but most ordinary Filipinos have other, more basic concerns.

Things like if they will get home from work and if they will have the strength to do it all over again the following day and the day after that.

The hugely underreported standstill in Metro Manila Tuesday night after just a couple of hours of rain is one such problem. And the fact that no one—not in Malacañan Palace, in the various camps of the presidential aspirants or even from among the other people seeking lower office— remarked on the disaster that made tens of thousands of people suffer is just another indication of how out of touch are politicians are with the citizens they promise to serve.

And the damage and loss brought about by

If you intend to cast your vote next May, try to remember what happened last Tuesday.

A9

Typhoon “Nona” wasn’t even confined to Metro Manila.

Large swaths of the Samar provinces suffered the most, as winds and rain took lives, knocked down power and communications lines and brought down homes and public infrastructure.

Yet, in Manila, politics was the biggest concern of the people who really should care. And the media was regaled with threats and counter-threats of bodily harm to be inflicted by one politician on another, mostly forgetting the pain, suffering and loss that the unseasonal typhoon inflicted on large numbers of people.

As far as I can recall, the

only significant thing the Aquino administration did to prepare for the typhoon was to change its original local name from “Nonoy” to “Nona,” which according to government meteorologists was done because of the similarity of the typhoon’s appellation to the nickname of the occupant of the Palace. After that, nothing more was heard from the people upon whom those most afflicted by the natural upheaval have placed their hopes.

By the way, in Metro Manila, the

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-

march of the zombies on the flooded streets was actually aggravated by the government, which has been constantly experimenting on ways to relieve traffic on Edsa using those bright orange lane dividers.

Because no one thought to put water in those dividers to steady them, they floated all over the highway when the floodwaters rose, thereby blocking traffic all over; the buses couldn’t get through, to say nothing of the cars heading home, creating a traffic mess

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

not seen since the Apec summit.

To make matters worse, the people who operate the Edsa MRT did not foresee the flooding of the subterranean Buendia station, creating a perfect storm of traffic that removed that crucial commuter railway as an option. Traffic cops disappeared when the rains got serious, as well, making sure that a watery hell was inevitable for everyone on the road that entire night.

Continued on A11

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

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

THE exclusion of veterans in the new salary standardization law has left military and police retirees understandably angry and embittered.

When I first heard the news that there was going to be an increase of the salaries of government workers, I was ecstatic. For one, it would mean that the pension of retirees like me from the uniformed services, whose value has been eroding over the last few years due to inflation, would also increase. Those who are advancing in years understand this very well. The ravages of time take their toll more on the senior citizens than the younger and stronger ones who are still able to work. It stands to reason therefore, that any increase in pension is most welcome to veterans to help them in paying for medical bills which are growing as one grows older.

Then I found out to my dismay that the salary standardization law will only be for those still currently working. With one stroke of pen, this law will consign all the veterans to a life of constant struggle just to make both ends meet. As things already currently stand, the treatment of veterans in this country leaves much to be desired. Unlike in many countries where veterans’ affairs are department levels, here, it is only a bureau under the Department of Defense. This shows the low level of priority that the government gives to veterans.

Indeed, about 26 months of differential pension increases have not yet been paid to the veterans by this administration. Since the passage of Commonwealth Act One in 1935, uniformed retirees have always counted on pension increases every time their active colleagues get salary increases. This would be the first time ever that this will not happen.

Maybe the veterans should not really be surprised. The President, after all, as some in the military have been saying, never really liked the military and police because of what happened to his family. He forgets that it was also the same military and police that protected his mother from ouster.

The sudden willingness of this administration to increase the pay of government workers after consistently resisting it is of course blatantly political. It wants to gain votes for the administration presidential candidate who has been languishing in fourth place and does not seem to be making any headway.

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 17, 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

CALL TO ARMS

[ EDI TORI A L ]

MUM ON WHAT MATTERS

OUR presidential candidates have given us a lot to chew on—and shake our heads about—in the past few days.

That slapmatch-fistfight-gunfire challenge exchanged by former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has exasperated us because it showed how low the level of discourse could go in this country.

The continuing legal saga of Senator Grace Poe who may or may not be disqualified from the race because of her citizenship and residency issues has also captured the country’s attention.

Even Senator Miriam Santiago has briefly managed to show us she could overcome her health issues with witty one-liners.

All these can be considered white noise when viewed in the context of issues that would make or break us in the next generation.

This week, with Typhoon “Nona” and “Onyok” coming in quick succession, we are once again reminded that climate change could cause serious disruptions.Who has heard of warm instead of chilly December days? Who expects a series of typhoons to batter the country towards the holidays?

Last weekend, the world rejoiced over the signing of an agreement in Paris. The deal essentially said that nations of the world recognized the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. This is so that warming would not accelerate: the consequences are dire and the prospects are grim.

The Philippine delegation took active part in the talks and even President Aquino himself made a brief statement on the need to take drastic measures to reverse climate change. We are one of the nearly 200 signatories to the historic pact.

But is any of the presidential candidates even aware of our commitment and the issue altogether, beyond motherhood statements on the need to take care of the environment? Sadly, we have not heard anything about how these candidates intend to deal with the effects of climate change here in our own backyard. Certainly, there will be more disasters—and leadership is not all about overseeing the packaging of relief goods and getting themselves photographed distributing them to the victims.

Let us no longer fan these candidates’ penchant for drama. We need real solutions from stable characters and sober minds. These candidates’ low talk is no match to how big a menace climate change is and could be.

A WATERY HELL LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES ACCORDING to one report, the Redemptorist priests of Baclaran Church were surprised by the massive turnout of the faithful for the first traditional Misa de Gallo early yesterday morning. When one of the fathers asked why the church was bursting at the seams for the beginning of the nineday novena masses, he was told by a helpful lay minister:

“Many of them are not really our regular parishioners, Father. They’re mostly people from Cavite who never made it home because of the flooding that began Tuesday evening.”

The politicians may bluster and brag, and the media may treat all their posturing as truly, earthshakingly important, but most ordinary Filipinos have other, more basic concerns.

Things like if they will get home from work and if they will have the strength to do it all over again the following day and the day after that.

The hugely underreported standstill in Metro Manila Tuesday night after just a couple of hours of rain is one such problem. And the fact that no one—not in Malacañan Palace, in the various camps of the presidential aspirants or even from among the other people seeking lower office— remarked on the disaster that made tens of thousands of people suffer is just another indication of how out of touch are politicians are with the citizens they promise to serve.

And the damage and loss brought about by

If you intend to cast your vote next May, try to remember what happened last Tuesday.

A9

Typhoon “Nona” wasn’t even confined to Metro Manila.

Large swaths of the Samar provinces suffered the most, as winds and rain took lives, knocked down power and communications lines and brought down homes and public infrastructure.

Yet, in Manila, politics was the biggest concern of the people who really should care. And the media was regaled with threats and counter-threats of bodily harm to be inflicted by one politician on another, mostly forgetting the pain, suffering and loss that the unseasonal typhoon inflicted on large numbers of people.

As far as I can recall, the

only significant thing the Aquino administration did to prepare for the typhoon was to change its original local name from “Nonoy” to “Nona,” which according to government meteorologists was done because of the similarity of the typhoon’s appellation to the nickname of the occupant of the Palace. After that, nothing more was heard from the people upon whom those most afflicted by the natural upheaval have placed their hopes.

By the way, in Metro Manila, the

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-

march of the zombies on the flooded streets was actually aggravated by the government, which has been constantly experimenting on ways to relieve traffic on Edsa using those bright orange lane dividers.

Because no one thought to put water in those dividers to steady them, they floated all over the highway when the floodwaters rose, thereby blocking traffic all over; the buses couldn’t get through, to say nothing of the cars heading home, creating a traffic mess

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

not seen since the Apec summit.

To make matters worse, the people who operate the Edsa MRT did not foresee the flooding of the subterranean Buendia station, creating a perfect storm of traffic that removed that crucial commuter railway as an option. Traffic cops disappeared when the rains got serious, as well, making sure that a watery hell was inevitable for everyone on the road that entire night.

Continued on A11

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

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

THE exclusion of veterans in the new salary standardization law has left military and police retirees understandably angry and embittered.

When I first heard the news that there was going to be an increase of the salaries of government workers, I was ecstatic. For one, it would mean that the pension of retirees like me from the uniformed services, whose value has been eroding over the last few years due to inflation, would also increase. Those who are advancing in years understand this very well. The ravages of time take their toll more on the senior citizens than the younger and stronger ones who are still able to work. It stands to reason therefore, that any increase in pension is most welcome to veterans to help them in paying for medical bills which are growing as one grows older.

Then I found out to my dismay that the salary standardization law will only be for those still currently working. With one stroke of pen, this law will consign all the veterans to a life of constant struggle just to make both ends meet. As things already currently stand, the treatment of veterans in this country leaves much to be desired. Unlike in many countries where veterans’ affairs are department levels, here, it is only a bureau under the Department of Defense. This shows the low level of priority that the government gives to veterans.

Indeed, about 26 months of differential pension increases have not yet been paid to the veterans by this administration. Since the passage of Commonwealth Act One in 1935, uniformed retirees have always counted on pension increases every time their active colleagues get salary increases. This would be the first time ever that this will not happen.

Maybe the veterans should not really be surprised. The President, after all, as some in the military have been saying, never really liked the military and police because of what happened to his family. He forgets that it was also the same military and police that protected his mother from ouster.

The sudden willingness of this administration to increase the pay of government workers after consistently resisting it is of course blatantly political. It wants to gain votes for the administration presidential candidate who has been languishing in fourth place and does not seem to be making any headway.

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 17, 2 0 1 5

A10

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

CAN CORRUPTION BE ERADICATED? TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

WE ALL know that elections, which come every three years in the Philippines, are a great source of entertainment. We watch girls in bikinis gyrating onstage to attract crowds before the candidates speak. We applaud when we see candidates dancing and clowning around to catch the attention of the crowd.

It can be minimized, sure.

We also listen to candidates make promises which they do not intend to keep. It’s the moon and the stars, a paradise, waiting for Filipinos if they get elected.

But what are we witnessing now with the likes of Manuel Roxas II and Rodrigo Duterte challenging each other to a slapping contest, boxing and even a gun duel? They have both gone down to the gutter!

We may be amused, but this is no laughing matter. And they tell us they can give us paradise in 2016? *** President Aquino makes a big thing out of his alleged reforms to fight corruption. He cites Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, both of whom are his appointees, who are supposedly at the forefront of this fight.

Reforms, my foot! In more than five years of the Aquino administration, I have never seen so much graft and corruption in my life with

no less than BS Aquino III bribing both chambers of Congress with pork barrel funds to get what he wants.

It’s hypocritical for the President to claim that his anti-corruption reforms have minimized graft and corruption in government when we all know the contrary.

Corruption is bad because it denies the people the benefits, which they rightfully deserve, from government.

Corruption under the Aquino administration has become such that even the Department of Justice under Secretary Leila de Lima, who is running for the Senate, and Ombudsman Morales, have become the President’s attack dogs.

They are always ready to prosecute BS Aquino III’s political enemies while turning a blind eye on the President’s supporters and friends.

If the President can claim any legacy, it’s his brand of “selective justice.” He has one set of standards for his political enemies, and another one for his friends.

I can cite a few of the President’s allies who should have been fired a long time ago. Topping my list is Transportation and Communications Secretary “Jun” Abaya with Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and Social and Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman not far behind. They have become albatrosses in BS Aquino III’s ship of state.

President Aquino’s relative and very good friend Naia general manager Jose Angel Honrado must also be fired if the President truly believes in his anti-corruption reforms.

My gulay, Honrado is so incompetent that he doesn’t even know his job description.

I am certain that President Aquino is

THE INEFFICIENCY OF TELCOS THE merrymaking during the yuletide season has brought with it the steady influx of shoppers flooding our malls and shopping centers. They have increased the volume of traffic plying the main thoroughfares of the metropolis.

Adding to the holiday stress is another side effect caused by the severe traffic—the inefficiency of telecommunication companies to handle the added demand on their services during the rush hours. This happens because when people get stuck in traffic, commuters in particular, turn to their gadgets to “kill” time and avoid boredom.

The latest data on mobile telephone subscribers show that the number of mobile subscribers in the Philippines, now at 100 million, is expected to reach 117 million by next year.

With this number of subscribers, more than two billion SMS messages are reportedly being sent every day in any normal day. Think how much this expands during peak of rush hours of the holiday season.

Beyond the volume of text messages sent back and forth, there are those who prefer to update their social network accounts, watch movies or listen to music online, or play games —all of which put a heavier demand on the current available band width offered by the telaware that the biggest smuggler of them all is the brother-in-law of a Palace official who has become a billionaire many times over. Go to Customs, at the piers, and they will tell you who he is.

Santa Banana, graft and corruption under President Aquino has worsened so much so that it can now be found in all levels of government. *** Can corruption be really eradicated?

I have been a journalist for over 65 years, and I know that every president since the time of “Apo Pidiong” Quirino on to Ramon Magsaysay, Carlos P. Garcia, Diosdado Macapagal, then to 20 years of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, and then to Cory Aquino and to Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, had at one time or another had their administration accused of graft

MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ cos. Unavoidably, services suffer and communications break down because these service providers have not considered the need to expand their hardware, such as the introduction of additional repeaters for one.

Additionally, there is the obvious fact that these telco giants are over-subscribed already even as none of them would admit to this. Their equipment and infrastructure are not capable of handling the volume of communication services required by their subscribers. For this reason, I am very sure that majority of us have experienced a rise in the number of dropped calls or incidents when we are told that our phones have been unavailable, particularly during the times we are on the road trying to navigate heavy traffic.

It is no secret that the telcos have been raking in insane amounts of profits, more than enough to cover the fat salaries and kind bonuses of their management executives. They should therefore be more sensitive to the needs and priorities of their consumers and include in their annual plans the progressive update of their plat-

and corruption.

Quirino, for instance, was accused of having a “golden orinola.” But this was canard. Other presidents were also accused of many things.

Estrada was charged and convicted of plunder. However, he was pardoned by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

My gulay, even the late Cory Aquino was accused of having her “Kamaganak Inc.,” something like the “Kaklase, Kapartido, and Kabarilan” of her son.

We all know that graft and corruption continues in all levels of government, especially at the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. It’s something like people in government wanting to get the most out of their jobs. Strictly speaking, when employees take home pens and pencils and a few sheets of bond paper from their offices,

forms and systems instead of just focusing on getting the lion’s share of the market. If they cannot do this, then we should seriously consider the entry of a third party provider.

While the top two telcos are the biggest players in the market, I believe that there are a lot of opportunities for the smaller ones that may just need a sizable investment to grow and scale. Government should look into this and sincerely push to protect consumer rights and interest instead of being inutile and at times even lawyering for the interest of the telcos.

If government allows thirdparty providers to come and facilitate a more vigorous competitive environment, perhaps this might induce the bigwigs to finally be more concerned in serving the interests of their subscribers instead of just focusing on strategies on how to milk more profits from them.

Currently the situation is simply too comfortable for telcos such that they cannot be induced to go out of their way to ensure customer service satisfaction.

Recently, a number of thirdparty providers have categorically stated that the Philippine market is ripe for them because of the low level of service of the current providers. Maybe it is high time that we considered their suggestion.

that’s already graft and corruption.

My gulay, even the lowest of government personnel are sent to jail for graft and corruption. But government officials who steal by the millions seem to get away with it.

Even other countries like the United States and China, there is corruption. It all boils down to greed.

I have been asking the same question over and over again. Can corruption ever be stopped? I guess not, not even if we have an angel for a president. It’s part of the system where candidates for president have to spend no less than P3 billion just for the hope of winning.

Santa Banana, where do you think all the money comes from? For candidates with hopes of winning, the funds are from the usual taipans and Chinese contributors. The donors want political favors

and patronage. They don’t invest in candidates because they love them. For contributors, it’s always an issue of ROI—return on investment.

It’s actually this vicious cycle that breeds corruption. The people expect every candidate to throw around funds.

The masses always expect something from the candidates.

To many of the “masa,” elections are at time for getting something back from candidates they voted for.

There’s also an element of human discretion. At Customs, for example, so long as there’s human discretion in collecting duties, corrupt exists. It’s the same at the BIR when human discretion exists in tax assessments. Even if the system is computerized, there’s still human intervention involved. As they say, “garbage in, garbage out.”

Continued on A11

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

POP GOES THE WORLD

GET ME OUT OF THIS TELENOVELA

JENNY ORTUOSTE WITH the latest slappin’ and fistfightin’ ballyhoo, it’s getting mighty hot in here—can someone please turn down the testosterone levels?

I can now consider myself prescient, having discussed in my column last week about election candidates’ seeming preference for mudslinging and muckraking instead of presenting their platforms on issues and concerns so that the voting public can make enlightened and informed decisions.

So what did I tell you?

Subsequent events have only served to reinforce my opinion. What we got this week are ringside seats to highprofile trash-talking.

Call me a scold, but this is too much. The theatrics and tantrums of those two male presidential candidates are dumbing down the public discourse on the 2016 elections. This has shot past “ridiculous” and gone all the way to “I can’t believe this is happening in real life.” It’s like we’re trapped in a bad telenovela.

Really now, candidates— how do you expect to be tak-

en seriously? Challenging the foe to a physical fight? that’s something you should have left behind in kindergarten.

Good thing the female candidates have (so far) distanced themselves from the fray. It does no one any good to be seen brawling in the streets, as it were, when what candidates should be projecting is a respectable demeanor—“kagalanggalang” describes it best.

Where are the gentlemen?

What we got instead are hoodlums. You guys better go ahead and tear up those diplomas, much good they do you when the chips are down. Rein in those tempers —what will happen to us, the Filipino people, when you make decisions in that frame of mind? We need cool, we need calm, we need rational, not The Hulk.

Add to all our woes the monstrous traffic we enjoyed when the metro got drenched

by Typhoon “Nona” last Tuesday (Dec. 15). Just to give you one example, one of our editors here at The Standard endured four-and-a-

Call... From A9 I doubt very much that increasing government salaries will make any difference for Mar Roxas. It is too obvious a ploy, and the voters are not that stupid.

Still, the increase is good for government workers because they rightly deserve an increase in pay.

What is inexplicable is that the many retired uniformed personnel in both houses of Congress did not seem to have worked hard enough for their retired comrade in arms. There must be more than a half a dozen of them in the house. Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, if I am not mistaken, is even the chairman of the Defense Committee. There are also two senators who once wore uniforms. What did these gentlemen do? From what I was able to gather, it was Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte who both refused the inclusion of uniformed retirees because President Aquino and Secretary Abad wanted them excluded.

These former soldiers in Congress seem to have been swallowed up by the system. They may be congressman and senators and not in need of

Can... From A10 Thus, if you ask me if corruption will ever be eradicated, my answer is that it can be reduced and minimized. But so long as men have feet of clay and born with original sin, there will always be corruption not

half hours of traffic to drive the 3.4 kilometers from the office to his home. So that’s the Daang Matuwid, eh? Call it Daang Matrapik and be honest about it.

Instead of running off about educational qualifications or mistresses, how about telling us what you will do about the dismal traffic situation that is increasing costs for the regular folks, driving down productivity, and causing people stuck in traffic to develop urinary tract infections?

On second thought, you know what? Just keep on doing what you’re doing. That’s right, because sticking to the issues and presenting solutions and actions plans is so boring talaga. All that trash talk issuing from the mouths of educated people vying for the highest office in the land makes better copy and powers up ratings. Throw in a pabebe wave—that’ll get you noticed.

This is a rant, but I share the sentiments of many Filipinos here and abroad who are simply frustrated to the gills with what’s going on

that I have to use this column to ask, is this all we’re getting? This is what we have to choose from? We, the Filipino people, who labor under the most expensive power rates and the slowest broadband and the worst traffic and the highest taxes in the region, deserve better than this!

Candidates, you’re just giving the media (myself included), a field day. Facts like academic qualifications and political and public service track records can be checked. Black propaganda that consists of malicious fabrications or smears on personal lifestyles can be overturned by the judicious and prompt dissemination of facts. Disarm your audience by being honest—this is something so rare and unusual in politicians that anyone who does so will shoot to the top of public regard.

Do yourselves a favor and take a step back. Take time to think about what you’re doing and saying. Remember what you’re here for, and stick to what’s important—what you can do for the country.

pension but they should have tried to stand up for their retired friends and comrades. Even those retired personnel occupying senior positions in the executive branch did not seem to have tried hard to lobby for the veterans. It is sad.

So what can the veterans do?

Not much, really, because although veterans from all the services are organized into different associations, these veteran groups do not have a strong lobby unlike in the United States. Maybe it is time for veterans to flex their muscles. I do not know exactly the number of veterans but if there are about 250,000 veterans from all the services and multiply that number by ten because of extended families, there would be about 2.5 million voters which could influence the outcome of a national election.

Actually, this estimate is conservative because if one includes children, grandchildren, in-laws, relatives and friends, there would be more.

Maybe the veterans should pledge to make it their solemn duty not to vote for candidates of the Liberal Party.

This is, after all, the only language that politicians understand and this in essence was what the text (which I

received last December 9) of retired Police Director Van Luspo wanted to convey to all uniformed retirees.

Van Luspo is the current president of the police retirees association.

His message was basically a call to arms and although it is rather long, I would like to quote it verbatim here because it encapsulates the rage and frustration of all the retirees from our uniformed services. “Dapat malaman ng buong AFP, PNP, BJMP, BFP and PCG retirees na si Senator Antonio Trillanes III ang may akda ng batas na nag-alis ng pension increase natin kung ang mga active uniform service o aktibong nasa serbisyong kapulisan at kasundaluan ay may salary increase. Ito ay pinagtibay ng mga Liberal Party congressman at mga senator bilang pagtugon sa kagustuhan ni PNoy at ABAD na kung dadagdagan ang pension ng retiradong kasundaluan at kapulisan dahil malaking pundo ng gobyerno daan ang nawawala at napupunta daw sa prior ng retiradong pulis.”

Simply put, Van Luspo is blaming President Aquino, Secretary Abad and Senator Trillanes who as a former soldier should have been there to help instead of allowing himself to be used.

only in government, but in civil society as well.

I can only quote Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ president Archbishop Socrates Villegas when he said that killing, immorality, profanity and obscenity are forms of corruption.

Thus, for the next hundred years, we may as well have to live with corruption so long as we have the same system of government. But, frankly, I’d rather live in a democracy that we live in with all its warts rather than have another form of government which could be worse.

It’s been mentioned that platforms aren’t being discussed because it isn’t campaign period yet. But you are already airing advertisements! Isn’t that in a sense campaigning already, because you are trying to increase public awareness about yourself ?

The only difference between now and later is that you’re not mentioning yet what office you’re running for. And this goes for all candidates, you know who you are. Don’t think the people are stupid and can be taken in by celebrity endorsements and song-anddance. Well, maybe some of us, but not all.

Now, more than ever, the country needs a hero. Show us how that is you. Show us why we should give you the chance to serve us. Show us, in peace and humility, your plans for a better and brighter future for the Philippines and its long-suffering people.

Facebook: Jenny Ortuoste, Twitter: @jennyortuoste, Instagram: @jensdecember, Blog: http://jennyo.net

A watery... From A9 Who’s in charge here? Is anyone still making sure that the people, especially the tax-paying workers who got it in the neck last Tuesday, were still being given the service they were due in exchange for the power and pelf that their leaders enjoy?

All throughout government, not a creature was stirring last Tuesday night, not even that mouse of a President we still have.

We have all been left to fend for ourselves and the devil take the hindmost.

Who should pay for the loss of lives, the damage to crops, homes and infrastructure, the loss of productivity in the days that followed? Nobody, it seems.

If you intend to cast your vote next May, try to remember what happened last Tuesday. And, if you can, tune out the noise from the politicians, so you can hear the voice that tells you to never again entrust government to people who don’t really care if you live or die, as long as you vote for them on election day. *** I don’t know how many candidates for election in May were caught up in the horrific traffic created by the slightest of rains brought about by Nona that night. But I’m willing to bet anything that some of their supporters and sympathizers were—and these are the people I want to ask: Does your candidate really have a heart for the people and the willingness to work for their welfare? If you can’t say for sure, maybe it’s time to reconsider.

We’ve had enough of a government whose only priority is to make its head look good. Let’s not make the same mistake again in May.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LeBron, Love lead Cavs past Celts LOS ANGELES —LeBron James scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Kevin Love added 20 points and eight rebounds as the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers ripped host Boston 89-77 Tuesday.

Guarde, Bendillo net champs again ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat bets Carlyn Bless Guarde and Minette April Bentillo picked up from where they left off from the previous leg by emerging double winners anew in the recent Surallah, South Cotabato leg of the 2015 Cebuana Lhuillier Age-Group Tennis Championship that attracted close to a 100 entries.

Guarde squared off with the same opponent, Angel Cagadas in the finals of both the 16-under and 18-under age groups with the same results, beating Cagadas, 8- 3 in the younger category and repeating, 8-4, in the 18-under.

Bentillo pocketed the 12-under and 14-under crowns against different opponents, beating local bet Juliana Viloria, 8-1, in the 12-under and defeated Joyce Sapitanan from Tacurong City with the same score in the 14-under finals.

In the boys’ side of the tournament, also supported by Dunlop Sport and the host LGU, local bet Edczar Jay Sta. Maria delivered as he won the 12-under crown, whipping another local bet Jose Balonga, 8-1. He also bagged the 14-under title by disposing of Sultan Kudarat’s Wilfred Bentillo, 8-4.

Another Isulan bet, Vince EJ Tugade emerged champion in the 16-under as he took care of Kidapawan City’s Lisandro Jefferson Alqueza, 9-7, in the finals.

Amir Johnson (left) of the Boston Celtics defends LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. AFP

Rondo apologizes to referee for slur LOS ANGELES—Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo apologized Tuesday for using a homophobic slur during a game earlier this month to NBA referee Bill Kennedy, who came out in the wake of the controversy.

Rondo was issued a one-game ban last week by the National Basketball Association for his remark during the December 3 game against the Boston Celtics in Mexico City.

“My words toward Bill Kennedy were unacceptable and did not re-

flect my feelings toward the LGBT community,” Rondo said Tuesday.

“I want to be clear, from the bottom of my heart, that I am truly sorry for what I said to Bill. There is no place on or off the court for language that disrespects anyone’s sexual orientation.

“That is not who I am or what I believe and I will strive every day to be a better person.”

Kennedy, in his 18th season as an NBA referee, was confronted

by Rondo after calling two techni-

cal fouls and ejecting him from the game. Teammates had to restrain Rondo.

On Monday, Kennedy told Yahoo Sports: “I am proud to be an NBA referee and I am proud to be a gay man.”

Rondo was contrite.

“My actions during the game were out of frustration and emotion, period!” he tweeted. “They absolutely do not reflect my feelings toward the LGBT community. I did not mean to offend or disrespect anyone.” AFP

Typhoon washes out girls’ softball NON-STOP rains spawned by Typhoon Nona washed out the fifth day of action in the 2015 National Inter-Secondary Girls Softball Championships at the Barangka Baseball Field in Marikina.

Makati City booked the first semifinal berth with a 15-0 rout

of Sta. Rosa Tuesday for a 6-0 mark in Bracket A while at least five teams will slug it out for the three other seats at resumption of the event today (Thursday), weather-permitting.

The top two teams from each group after the single round elims

CESAFI champion stuns UST Tigers, 82-72

By Ronnie Nathanielsz THE University of San Carlos Warriors, champions of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc., stunned fancied University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ runners-up University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in a rousing 82-72 victory to enter the Final Four of the 2015 National Collegiate Championship Elite 8 tournament held at The Arena in San Juan City on Tuesday.

The CESAFI champions, whose games were covered by Viva Sports and telecast on prime time IBC 13 four days a week, clearly made sponsors sit up and take notice after shunning any investment in the storied Cebu collegiate league, which in recent years produced PBA superstars Junemar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter, among others.

The win set up a showdown between the Cesafi champions against UAAP titlist Far Eastern University Tamaraws in the semifinals, while San Beda College Red Lions tangle with NCAA champions Letran Knights.

The Warriors, anchored by CESAFI MVP Shooster Olago, used a solid inside game and crippling defense to prevail.

UST converted five triples in the first quarter to lead, 18-11, but the Warriors roared back to tie the count at 18-all at the end of the first quarter behind Fil-Australian William McAlloney, giving the Cebu squad a 27-21 lead before UST went to their outside shots to regain the lead at the halftime break, 34-33.

A 7-0 run with just over four minutes gone in the third quarter had USC regaining the lead for good, 57-51, going into the final quarter.

Another blast helped the Warriors race to their biggest lead of the game, 78-63, entering the last two minutes.

Olago, the Cameroonian star, exploded with 12 points down the stretch to top-score with 19 points and sealed a double-double with 15 rebounds, while McAlloney contributed 11 points in a classic victory that boosted the respect for the Cebu collegiate league against the fancied UAAP.

OLAGO

advance to the crossover semifinals of the event, sponsored by the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines and Cebuana Lhuillier for the country’s current aces and rising stars, with the winners disputing the championship worth P25,000.

Russian center Timofey Mozgov added nine points and 10 rebounds while Iman Shumpert came off the bench to score 10 points before suffering a groin injury as the Cavaliers won their third game in a row and improved the best record in the Eastern Conference to 16-7.

Avery Bradley scored 17 points to top the Celtics, who led 46-40 at half-time but shot only 26 percent in the second half and managed only 31 points after half-time in a physical contest.

“It’s fun to have that type of competition,” James said.

“We had to take the fight to them and we were ready for it. We love physical games. We can play any type of game. We knew it was going to be physical and we answered the call.”

The Celtics, who slid to seventh in the East at 14-11, fell behind during a 12-0 Cavaliers run in the third quarter that included a spectacular reverse slam dunk by James and smothering defensive work.

“That’s one of our staples we stress every single day —defending at a high level and trying to move the ball offensively,” James said.

“In the first half, we allowed them to get to some of their spots. Wasn’t as aggressive, but we still played very well.

“But in the second half, we just locked down and then we started moving the ball. We just kind of kept them off base.”

With Kyrie Irving on the verge of returning from an injury that has kept him out since June’s NBA Finals, the Cavaliers could be on the brink of finding their top form and surging ahead of a close pack of rivals.

“We just want to continue to get better no matter who is in the lineup,” James said.

“We have to continue to push our game, to push our envelope and if we continue to do that we will be successful.”

Shumpert’s injury gave Cavs coach Dave Blatt some worries.

“A little bit concerned,” Blatt said. “I have no idea what the extent, is but given what our recent history is, I’m concerned.” AFP

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Duo pleads not guilty in FIFA corruption scandal NEW YORK—Two prominent Latin American football officials pleaded not guilty Tuesday in a New York court over their alleged roles in the corruption scandal engulfing the game’s graft-mired world governing body FIFA. Rafael Callejas, who was president of Honduras from 1990 to 1994, and Juan Angel Napout, a FIFA vice president and former president of the South American football confederation CONMEBOL, are among a slew of current or former football officials charged with wrongdoing.

A total of 39 people and two companies have been charged by US authorities in connection with the multimillion-dollar corruption scandal that erupted at FIFA earlier this year when Swiss officials swooped on a luxury hotel in Zurich.

About a dozen have pleaded guilty over graft that dates back decades and has threatened to bring FIFA to its knees, along with its leadership.

Napout, a 57-year-old Paraguayan, was arrested earlier this month in another raid on the same fivestar Baur Au Lac hotel and extradited to the United States earlier Tuesday, escorted by two US police officers, appearing in court just hours later. AFP

Arcano tops PSA Golf Cup JONG Arcano of Inquirer Golf carded a gross 91 in wet condition to capture the Philippine Sportswriters Association Golf Cup crown at the Villamor Golf Club last Tuesday.

Ding Marcelo of Bulletin placed second with a 94, while Inquirer’s Musong Castillo shot a 96 to finish third in the 18-hole tournament sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission as chief backer and Sen. Chiz Escudero, Meralco, San Miguel Corp., Joseph Tambunting, ICTSI, PBA, Interconnect Systems, Inc., Bong Lopez, Philippine Super Liga and National Golf Association of the Philippines as major sponsors.

Other supporters of the tournament are athletics chief Popoy Juico, Sports Vision, Nancy Pascual and Associates, Tony Arevalo, Marvin Caparros, Pin High Golf’s Gary Sales, Agustin & Sons Realty, Callaway’s Raffy Mapua, Eagle Ridge’s Raymund Bunquin, Bagobo Hotel Davao, Sta. Lucia, Freddie Mendoza, Canlubang Golf and Country Club, Bong del Rosario, Pablo Soon and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Travel City Cup. Pasay City Mayor Tony Calixto (third from right) awarded the trophies to the winners, led by Moy Mongaya, trainer of winning horse Silver Sword in the 2nd Pasay-The Travel City Cup. With them are Gardy Cruz, Atty. Dennis Acorda, MMTC Chairman & President Dr. Norberto Quisumbing Jr., and Bing Tecson. Top favorite Silver Sword, owned by H. Hianan Jr., prevailed in the 2nd Pasay-The Travel City Cup to bag the top prize of P420,000 and a handsome trophy. She bested six other imported and local runners in this one of two featured races in the day-long festivities held in conjunction with the 152nd celebration of Pasay City. Meanwhile, far second favorite Guatemala (Kangoo-Western City) was the runaway winner in the 2nd Pasay City Mayor Tony Calixto Cup and rewarded owner Jun Sevilla another top prize of P420,000 plus a handsome silver trophy. “We are really very grateful to Metro Manila Turf Club, headed by its chairman and president Dr. Norberto Quisumbing Jr. for making this event possible for its second straight year. This event, which is part of our 152nd year anniversary, is really a success and highlighted our city as the premier Travel City of the country,” said Pasay City Mayor Calixto.

Los Angeles’ Olympic bid to focus on security NEW YORK—Events such as the terror shootings in Paris and San Bernadino and the threat that closed Los Angeles schools Tuesday have helped make security a major priority for the Los Angeles 2024 Olympic bid committee.

The US Olympic Committee (USOC) board of directors met Tuesday in New York and received an update from bid officials even as a threat to schools led authorities in Los Angeles to shut schools.

“It’s something we’ve given a lot of thought to,” Los Angeles 2024 bid chief executive Gene Sykes said. “It’s obviously a very high priority for us.

“Everything that happens in the world impacts on how we have to plan for this.”

USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun notes that the US government will take the lead in security matters as it does in coordinating many major US sports events such as the Super Bowl.

“The discussions that we have with the federal government going forward are very impor-

tant,” Blackmun said.

“You cannot skimp on security.”

Casey Wasserman, chairman of the Los Angeles 2024 bid committee, said that while security is a general concern at every Olympics, there were no specific worries over LA plans in the wake of the school threat or the shootings in nearby San Bernadino.

“Security is a concern for everyone in all markets but it hasn’t been a specific concern that anyone has raised to me about Los Angeles,” Wasserman said.

Concern over possible doubling of cost for a $1 billion Olympic Village was raised but that was for a general site from among 24 early possibilities. A handful remain and Wasserman said a choice is due in

a “reasonably short period of time.”

Concerns about fair competition in the wake of doping uncovered in Russia’s athletics program was mentioned, with the USOC backing the idea of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as a global test group and the Court of Arbitration for Sport to adjudicate its findings.

“It’s a global issue,” Blackmun said. “We have to look to the IOC, to WADA, for solutions that will work on a global basis. We’re proud of the work we’ve done.

We’re happy with the relationship we have with USADA (US AntiDoping Agency). But the real needle mover in this has to come from the (International Olympic Committee) IOC and WADA.”

Franzia Executive Cycling Team pedals way to fitness

Juan Carlos Barrios is only 19 and is the youngest member of Team Franzia.

THE Franzia Executive Cycling Team has proudly raced for fun, fitness and friendly competitions for five years now since Fly Ace President, Lucio “Jun” Cochanco, Jr. founded the team in 2010.

This year, the elite bike squad pulled another huge milestone at the recent Subic-Bataan-Zambales leg of Giro de Pilipinas, where they won trophies in four categories: 1st Place Team Manager’s Category, Stage 1, 39.3 KM Individual Time Trial; 4th Place Team Manager’s Category General Classification; 1st Place Junior Category Stage 2 90-KM Road Race and 5th Place Team Manager’s Category.

Behind this competitive dominance is Team Franzia’s solid team work, founded on shared passion for the sport and for a wine brand that makes each life milestone a certified winning moment.

Growing Support Now comprised of more than 50 professionals that include doctors, lawyers, to successful business owners and managers, the growth of Team Franzia indicates the increasing interest in

the sport, as well as the importance of achieving work-life balance while staying in top shape.

“I took up this sport mainly because of health reasons. Secondly, it’s my preferred form of exercise. Apart from the exhilarating outdoor adventure, cycling is an enjoyable regimen that increases cardiovascular fitness level and metabolism,” said Cochanco, Team Franzia Founder and Owner.

“I’m proud to have created a team whose members are driven by the same passion and commitment to the sport.

Biking allows us to engage with others who love the sport as much as we do. As for the wine brand Franzia, it is a fitting name for the team that gives priority to health and enjoys many life celebrations whether big or small,” he added.

Additionally, what makes cycling and wine a perfect tandem is that both positively boost relationships and one’s health and fitness levels, according to Dr. Ramon Luis Liboro, gastrointernist and Team Franzia rider of four years.

Dr. Liboro is a staunch advocate of cycling. “Through the sport, we get to

meet like-minded people whom we developed bonds that go beyond cycling.

We also learned to prioritize what is truly important in this life, like faith and family,” he enthused.

Cycling, either for leisure or for competitive sport, offers better de-stressing and increased work productivity for those who practice it by heart. As for the virtues of drinking wine, Dr. Liboro mentioned numerous studies which have shown that moderate wine consumption can increase one’s high-density lipoprotein (HDL or good cholesterol) by as much as 20%.

“Consumed together with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, it makes sense that cycling and wine go together nicely. Of course, making time for both the small and big moments of life is what brings beauty and deeper meaning to our personal journeys,” Dr. Liboro noted.

Franzia is the world’s best-selling wine brand. In the Philippines, Franzia is exclusively distributed by Fly Ace Corporation and is available in all major supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants, and bars nationwide.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Elman 1 rules Pacman chessfest

By Arman D. Armero GENERAL Santos City—Elman 1, a team backstopped by International Master Joel Pimentel Jr. and National Master Hamed Nouri, turned back Aqua Eternal, 3-1, in the ninth and final round to bring their total to 16 points overall and run away with the title and the P400,000 cash prize late Wednesday at the close of the team competition of the 2nd Manny D. Pacquiao Random Chess Championship at the SM Mall here.

Pimentel lost to International Master Ronald Dableo in their top board tussle, but Nouri, June Syrell Coleta and Romeo Sadia won in the lower boards to lead Elman 1 to the victory.

Elman’s 1 sister team Elman A, led by unheralded Raymond Salcedo and Luffe Magdalaga, ended up tied for second and third places with Nica Team Ilonggo of NM Rolando Andador with similar 14 points. They split the combined second and third place cash prizes of P350,000.

Cafe Ligbeans B, Team Zamboanga, Team Larry D, Tagaytay City Chess Team and Batucan and Friends finished fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively, and also won cash prizes put up by Cong.

Pacquiao, who gave away prizes up to the 50th placer.

Dableo, who finished with 8.5 points, emerged as the Top Board 1 player, while Jerry Areque of Tagaytay City Chess Team, was the Top Board 2 player with 8.0 points.

Eutemio Coquillo of MJ Yabut Realty-Pam-Cdo A, took the top plum in Board 3 with 7.5 points, while John Michael Parrenas of Suralla, So. Cotabato topped Board 4 with 8.5.

Meanwhile, 25 players, led by GM Joey Antonio, IMs Jan Emmanuel Garcia, Richelieu Salcedo, Chito Garma and Pimentel, Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus and NMs Leo Mercado, Jared Docena and Nouri, stayed tied for the lead after three rounds of the individual event of the tournament organized by the MP Chess Players Association, headed by GM Eugene Torre.

The entire Foton Tornadoes’ team, composed of the players and coaching staff, enjoyed the rugged beauty of Caramoan in Camarines Sur as an incentive after winning the recent Philippine Superliga Grand Prix with a three-set victory over defending champion Petron. MVP Lindsay Stalzer, co-import Katie Messing, local volleyball superstar Jaja Santiago, together with setter Ivy Perez, led the team in its title drive. Photo shows the team at the white sands of Caramoan, one of the country’s top tourist attractions. Foton will represent the country in next year’s Asian Volleyball Confederation Club Championship for winning the PSL Grand Prix.

Tornadoes to represent PH in Asian club tourney

By Lito Cinco

IT will be the first time that Foton will be tasked to represent the country in next year’s staging of the Asian Volleyball Confederation Club Championship in Manila, with the Tornadoes earning the privilege after winning the recent Philippine Superliga Grand Prix tournament against defending champion Petron.

And if not for the fact that Petron’s superstar player Dindin Santiago Manabat is pregnant, she could be playing with sister Jaja, a mainstay of Foton, in that international tournament, according to Tornadoes’ team manager Alvin Lu.

“Last year, Petron played in the same tournament and we know, Petron is already a very strong team, but the opposition there was much stronger and they could not make much headway.

So looking ahead to next year, we already requested the other

PSL teams to lend us some of their players as reinforcements.

After all, we are not just carrying Foton, but the country as well in the tournament. And Dindin was on top of our list.

Now, we have to look for other big players. What is good is that the other teams have already agreed to our request,” said Lu at a recent victory party of the Foton Tornadoes for its Blue Army supporters at the company

office in Caloocan.

What he is not sure of is who would be Foton’s imports for that tournament.

“Lindsay (Stalzer, the MVP at the PSL Grand Prix ) and Katie (Messing) have yet to finalize their own plans where to play next year and we still do not know of their availability.

Our coaching staff will make its own recommendation based on what the team needs. We will hold invitational try-

outs early next year as we will have some players on the present team who will not be available next year,” added Lu. But one thing is definite, the Foton Tornadoes are looking to repeat its championship run in 2016.

“The pressure will be bigger because we already have won and all the other teams will be there trying to take that away from us,” said Foton head coach Vilet Ponce de Leon.

Nagaowa shifts back to boxing

By Randy Caluag JUJEATH ‘Bad Girl’ Nagaowa shifts back to boxing as she vies for the World Boxing Organization female atomweight title against reigning champion Nao Ikeyama of Japan this weekend in Colombia, Sri Lanka.

The 28-year-old native of Baguio City, Benguet admitted that her lack of fights as a Mixed Martial Artist forced her to return to boxing, where she once reigned as atomweight champion of the World Boxing Council.

Nagaowa is currently signed with ONE Championship.

“Hinihintay ko pa kasi ‘yung offer ng ONE sa akin,”

said Nagaowa in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate.

Nagaowa began her MMA career last year, winning her first two bouts under ONE Championship, the last one held in December of last year.

“Maganda ang simula ko, ‘yun sana ang priority ko (MMA),” she added in the session presented by San Miguel Corp., Accel, Shakey’s, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

But without a call coming her way, Nagaowa had to take up boxing again starting February of this year.

Nagaowa said she thought her stint as a boxer was over

until she got an offer to fight Yu Jue Luo of China last June in Macao and pocketed the World International Boxing Association title.

Credit goes to coach Joven Jorda, who molded her to become a stronger and thinking fighter. Jorda said they had two months of preparation for this title fight. “Handang handa na po si Jujeath, laban na lang ang kulan,” said Jorda.

Nagaowa is going for her second title against Ikeyama.

“Baka nandito ‘yung suwerte ko (sa boxing),” she said.

Still, her dream of fighting in the octagon remains.

“Kaya ako nag MMA, pangarap ko kasi talaga yun,” Nagaowa added.

Everlast, the world leader in boxing apparel, supports World Boxing International Association atomweight champion Jujeath Nagaowa in her quest for a second world title on Saturday in Sri Lanka. With her (from left) are Armand Racho, chief finance officer of Regent Distributor, the exclusive distributor of the Everlast brand in the country, coach Joven Jorda, Mia Yumul of Fashion Rack and junior brand manager Eric Nastor.

T H U R S DAY : D E C E M B E R 17, 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS Former champion Gradovich 6/55 looms as Donaire’s next foe 6/45

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

FORMER International Boxing Federation featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich looms as the next opponent of newly crowned World Boxing Organization super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire even as Top Rank promoter Bob Arum will also be talking to undefeated Jessie Magdaleno, about a possible title fight a with the Filipino Flash.

Arum told The Standard/boxingmirror. com that he will be talking to the two guys about the next fight of Donaire, even as he revealed that Gradovich was “willing to come down to 122 pounds” to make the fight.

Donaire’s father/trainer Dodong Donaire is leaning towards Gradovich, who he said was a good boxer, but lacked punching power.

Arum said he wants to first “make sure Nonito is completely healed” from the twisted ankle he suffered when he was accidentally tripped by the referee in the sixth round of his brutal battle with Mexico’s Cesar Juarez and was hampered the remainder of the fight and had even thought of quitting.

Arum praised Donaire for “a great fight and a gutsy performance,” and emphasized that it was “absolutely a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender.

Gradovich, who is 29 years old, has a record of 20-1-1 with 9 knockouts. He won the IBF featherweight title with a 12-round split decision over Australian Billy Dib on March 1, 2013, but lost the title to Lee Selby by an eighth-round technical decision when he suffered a nasty cut and was forced to retire on May 30 this year.

In a return to the ring last Oct. 24, Gradovich, who is currently ranked No. 7 by the IBF, scored an eighth-round split decision win over Brazil’s Aldimir Silva Santos.

The 24-year-old Magdaleno, who is ranked No. 3 by both the WBO and the WBA, has a record of 22-0 with 16 knockouts. The talented southpaw is coming off a first-round knockout of Filipino Vergel Nebran, whom he dropped twice in the opening round of a scheduled 10-round bout last Oct. 17.

Announcement of Pacman-Bradley delayed BY all accounts, eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao will face Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley for the third time on April 9 next year and Top Rank’s Bob Arum was planning to make an official announcement on Friday, except that the Filipino ring icon “held it up,” according to the American promoter.

“I’m getting frustrated. There are people talking about crazy money in different places (in the middle east). This is insane,” said the Top Rank promoter.

However, Arum believes that “hopefully by the end of the week, it will all straighten out.”

He warned Team Pacquiao that “if this goes on any longer, I’ll not be able to do a fight.

HBO had offered unbeaten Terence Crawford a date, while Bradley is not going to stay around forever and it may end up with Manny not having anybody to fight.”

Arum, who promotes both Bradley and Crawford added: “I can’t leave everybody out of action” He insisted that while big money is supposedly being offered by Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, “when push comes to shove, they won’t put up the money.” R. Nathanielsz

Manny Pacquiao “held up” the announcement of his third fight with Timothy Bradley, according to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.

00-00-00-00-00-00

P0 M+

00-00-00-00-00-00

P0 M

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

PH Open reduced to 54 holes TYPHOON Nona washed out the opening round of the Philippine Open presented by ICTSI, reducing the staging of Asia’s oldest national Open to 54 holes at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

This marks the first time in the 98-year history of the country’s premier golf championship that it will be played through 54 holes although it was not held four times, the last in 2013.

“Typhoon Melor (Nona) did not make landfall at the Luisita Golf and Country Club which is located about a two-hour drive from Manila but heavy rainfall has forced us to postpone the start of the event and reduce it to three rounds,” said Asian Tour tournament director Wanchai Meechai.

The $300,000 Asian Tour event was scheduled to start yesterday but incessant rain spawned by the typhoon from late Tuesday night made it impossible for the 132-player field to play and start their chase for top honors.

“There’s no mud or flood but non-stop rain from 10 p.m. Tuesday, so they cannot play at all,” said Luisita’s Jeric Hechanova.

Officials announced the decision at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, as continuous rainfall is expected until Thursday.

“The decision was made in the best interest of the tournament and our Asian Tour members,” said Wanchai.

The Philippine Open presented by ICTSI, which used to be the opening leg of the Asian Tour, now serves as the final event on the 2015 Asian Tour season. Marcus Both of Australia will defend his title against an elite field consisting of two Order of Merit champions and no fewer than 15 Asian Tour winners.

2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Juvic Pagunsan and Miguel Tabuena, the local tour’s reigning OOM champion, head the local challenge along with Tony Lascuna, Jay Bayron and Cassius Casas with former champion Angelo Que opting to skip the circuit’s final event due to a sore shoulder.

Rest in Peace: A tribute to Cash Pineda CAPT. Winston Arpon, brother-inSYLVIA LOPEZ law of Cash Pineda ALEJANDRO emailed our bridge members last Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015 of “the sad news that Cash Pineda died last night in a vehicular accident in Tarlac.”

From Winston we learn of his bio as Cash did not elaborate to us, his bridgemates his background.

“Born on November 2, 1936 to parents who were both doctors, he was the third of siblings Gagalangin, Tondo. After a year in engineering at UP, he continued his studies Institute of Technology, returned home to help run the family’s rural bank bus thereafter, moved to and settled in Guam for years where he operated a title his retirement, the Alis-Bayan turned Balik-Bayan made Tarlac his home, enjoy

helping prove “there’s more fun in the Philippines, “with the game of bridge by friends who mourn his passing.”

Before Cash relocated to Tarlac, he joined the Philippine Tournament Bridge Association and was an active member. He joined the weekly bridge Games especially my Alejandro Duplicate Bridge Games.

When playing with him, I asked him why he relocated to the Philippines. He said simply “Back in the States I had to wash my three cars. Got me thinking. Out here, I simply call to Maria for coffee and the coffee instantly appears.”

We were together in the Board of Directors of the Philippine Tournament Bridge Association. He supported my efforts to getting the consent of Prof.

Leiliani Ladera-Gonzalo, Dean of the U.P. College of Human Kinetics. To let Joseph Maliwat to teach the bridge

students to play bridge. Until now Joseph continues to teach there. We presented to Cash the Board’s Certificate for meritorious contribution to the development of bridge.

After Cash moved to Tarlac his presence at the bridge game was getting scarcer.

Two years ago, Cash and I agreed to play on first tournament on Saturday, February 2014. As usual, Cash was prompt and was on time ready to play. I was the one that failed to up because I suffered a stroke around midnight.

I wept when Pocholo Lozano texted before midnight of the demise of Cash.

Vicky Garchitorena thanked me for my prayers and good words on Popoy”. He always enjoyed his bridge with you.”

We, the regular bridge players at the Alejandro Duplicate Bridge Game at Forbes Park, Makati City pray fervently

for Mr. Cash Pineda for his speedy arrival to God the Almighty Father and we urgently urge Cash to message us who bid SEVEN NOTRUMP first, you or Johnny.

Dec. 8 all those present at my game offered our prayers: Joli Kansil

Nalin & Hiranthi Samarasingha Fusako Breckner Hector M. Tarrazona Justo Manlongat Satomi Suzuki Chuchay Tuason Chris Tweddell Margaret Lim Kwok Mencie M. de Vera Salma Nugent Mila Camus Mehbooba I. Khan Dina Velasco Harumi Ieda Nena Ramirez Abla Assad Shrikant Wad Teresita Holley Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@yaho

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A16

T HURS DAY : DE CE M B E R 1 7 , 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

Jewel Ponferada of Rain or Shine tries to maneuver his way against the defense of Meralco’s Chris Newsome in a PBA Philippine Cup game won by the Elasto Painters, 97-87.

Painters boost bid for semis

By Jeric Lopez

RAIN or Shine took care of business as it cruised to a 9787 victory over exiting Meralco to hold a tighter grip on second place and move a step closer to securing a Top 2 finish in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

Jeff Chan fired five triples on his way to a game-high 24 points on 57 percent shooting, while grabbing eight rebounds to lead the Elasto Painters’ charge.

Not to be outdone, Raymund Almazan likewise had monster double-double performance of 21 points and a game-high 17 re-

Games Friday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. - Talk ‘N Text vs. GlobalPort bounds for Rain or Shine.

The Elasto Painters are now 8-2 in the team standings, where they kept their second-running

spot behind pace-setting San Miguel Beer.

An explosive second half allowed Rain or Shine to seize control of the game en route to the win.

The Elasto Painters outscored the Bolts, 55-38, in the final 24 minutes after trailing, 43-49, at halftime.

The Painters now need to win their final assignment against NLEX on Saturday to grab an outright semifinal berth and a Top 2 finish.

“This is an important win for us. We needed this to remain at No. 2. Now we just need to win our last game to get to the semifinals,’’ said Rain or Shine coach

Yeng Guiao.

Meralco ended its dismal conference with only one win against 10 losses.

Jared Dillinger led Meralco with 15 points off the bench.

The scores: RAIN OR SHINE 97 - Chan 24, Almazan 21, Cruz 13, Belga 9, Norwood 8, Quinahan 5, Ahanmisi 4, Ponferada 4, Teng 3, Ibanes 2, Matias 2, Trollano 2, Tiu 0.

MERALCO 87 - Dillinger 15, Amer 13, Newsome 12, Alapag 10, Nabong 9, Hodge 8, Hugnatan 8, Buenafe 7, Al-Hussaini 5, David 0, Faundo 0.

Quarters: 23-22, 42-49, 67-66, 97-87

LEBRON, LOVE CARRY CAVALIERS

PACMAN DELAYS FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT

TURN TO A12

TURN TO A15

Perpetual to have 3 coaches

By Peter Atencio NICK Omorogbe will stay on to become part of the University of Perpetual Help’s three-man coaching staff in the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

Omorogbe, who was initially chosen two months ago, will help out school owner Antonio Tamayo and lawyer Barry Neil Tobias handle the coaching reins of the Altas.

Jeff Tamayo, the Las Pinas-based school’s athletic director and representative to the NCAA Management Committee, on Tuesday said the three have been named to the coaching staff.

While the three will start training the team immediately, Omorogbe had been prepping the squad since October.

“They will start preparations as soon as possible,” said Tamayo.

Antonio Tamayo used to play with former Perpetual coach Aric del Rosario for the Santo Tomas Tigercubs.

B1

THURSDAY: DECEMBER 17, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

PTT expansion. PTT Philippines Corp., a unit of PTT Public Co. Ltd. of Thailand, unveils a plan to invest P3 billion over the next five years to expand the company’s network.

PTT Philippines currently has 94 stations and plans to have a total of 300 by 2020. Shown during a media briefing at Plaza Ibarra in Quezon City are (from left) PTT Philippines director for operations and logistics Korawat Sungmongrol, general manager Danilo Alabado, marketing director Thitiroj Rergsumbran, president and chief executive Sukanya Seriyothin, PTT Philippines Foundation Inc. president Paul Patricio Senador and corporate communications manager Vittaya Viboonterawud. MANNY PALMERO

Davao blocks Sasa port bidding

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Davao City council has blocked the auction of the P19-billion Davao Sasa Port Modernization Project under the public-private partnership program.

The Sangguniang Panglungsod ng Davao on Tuesday issued a resolution stopping the Sasa port bidding because of “the irregular procedure as well as the various questions raised against the Sasa Port Modernization project now being bid out without prior consultation and expressed approval of the local government as provided for by the Local Government Code.”

The City Council resolution cited Section 2 (c) of Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code, which provides that national agencies and offices should

“conduct periodic consultations with appropriate local government units, non-governmental and people’s organizations and other concerned sectors of the community before any project or program is implemented in their respective jurisdictions.”

The resolution also based its objection to Section 27 of the same law, which states that “no project or program shall be implemented by government authorities unless the consultations mentioned in Section 2 (c) and 26 hereof are complied with, and prior approval of the sanggunian concerned is

obtained.”

The Transportation Department or the PPP Center did not conduct any prior consultation regarding the bidding for the port project, according to the Davao City council.

The Transportation Department recently prequalified Asian Terminals Inc., International Container Terminal Services Inc., Bollore Africa Logistics, Singapore-based Portek International Pte. Ltd. and San Miguel Corp. for the Davao Sasa Port project.

The project also faces questions and opposition from the Davao City Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

“This unnecessary project was being forced upon Davao without the proper consultation. This resolution will now enable Davaoeños to contribute meaningfully toward defining the correct need and use of Sasa Port,” Alexander

Valoria, president of the Anflocor Management and Investment Corp., said in a statement.

Davao-based businesses said there was no plan for break-bulk and bulk cargo, which is important for Davao City.

Sasa Port is actually designed for break bulk cargo vessels, which is vital to the economy of Davao City. About 500,000 metric tons of steel, wheat, fertilizer, motor vehicles, heavy equipment and other cargo not suitable for containers went through Sasa Port in 2014, according to data from the Philippine Ports Authority.

The Davao Integrated Port and Stevedoring Services Corp., an operator at the Sasa port, said the the current capacity of Sasa stood at 700,000 twentyfoot equivalent units. The yearly volume handled by DIPSSCOR, a subsidiary of ICTSI, was only 300,000 TEUs.

Govt considers Clark as backup capital to Manila

By Karl Lester M. Yap and Siegfrid Alegado As insurance against some natural disaster crippling the government in Manila, the Philippines is building an alternate capital. Its chosen site is an air base that was damaged 24 years ago by one of the biggest volcanic explosions of the 20th century.

It’s not like there were many good options: the Southeast Asian country is one of the worst affected by storms, volcanoes and other natural disasters. Just this week, Philippine authorities evacuated more than 700,000 people as Typhoon Melor made its landfall Monday. Schools were shut in the

greater Manila area and nearby cities Wednesday as a storm led to major traffic jams with floods across the capital.

“Can we allow the government to be paralyzed in case a disaster strikes Manila?” Arnel Casanova, president of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, said in an interview.

“We must have a facility that will allow the government to function with communications, databases, logistics,” Casanova said.

The government of outgoing President Benigno Aquino plans to turn the former US military base, Clark City, into a backup capital, complete with facilities for government agencies, the cen-

tral bank and financial exchanges, Casanova said in Manila late Monday.

BCDA, the state manager of former military properties, has discussed the plan with the government agency tasked to manage disaster risk, Casanova said. The master plan for the Clark development has been approved by the president, including those for the alternate capital, he said.

Government agencies and the central bank were asked in September to put up business continuity centers in Clark and the BCDA is allotting about 100 hectares (247 acres) to 200 hectares for these, he said.

The stock and fixed-income ex-

changes and the Treasury will also be invited, he said.

Aquino has made disaster resiliency a priority, particularly after Super Typhoon Haiyan killed more than 6,000 people and destroyed an entire city in 2013. The government held an earthquake drill in July in Manila, ranked among the world’s 10 most disaster-prone cities, according to Verisk Maplecroft.

The nation has had frequent reminders of the disruptions that natural disasters can cause. In 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted after lying dormant for more than 600 years, covering Clark Air Base in ash and destroying buildings.

Bloomberg

PSe comPoSite

index

Closing December 16, 2015

8000 7700 7400 7100 6800 6500

6,807.72 106.37

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing DECEMBER 16, 2015 43.50 44.60 45.40

P47.340

46.20

CLOSE

47.00

HIGH P47.290 LOW P47.360 AVERAGE P47.324 VOLUME 604.900M

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 16, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.3800

Japan

Yen

0.008219

0.3894

UK

Pound

1.504100

71.2643

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129031

6.1135

Switzerland

Franc

1.009184

47.8151

Canada

Dollar

0.728067

Singapore

Dollar

0.711744

33.7224

Australia

Dollar

0.718288

34.0325

Bahrain

Dinar

2.656184

125.8500

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266581

12.6306

Brunei

Dollar

0.709220

33.6028

34.4958

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.027855

1.3198

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

12.9016

Euro

Euro

1.093400

51.8053

Korea

Won

0.000850

0.0403

China

Yuan

0.154775

7.3332

India

Rupee

0.014967

0.7091

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.232558

11.0186

New Zealand

Dollar

0.675311

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030545

31.9962 1.4472 Source: PDS Bridge

THURSDAY: DECEMBER 17, 2015

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Wednesday, december 16, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 4.2 17 30.45 2.6 1.01 100 30.5 91.5 361.2 57 180 1700 124 47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 3.95 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 238 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17 0.59 59.2 30.05 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 156 0.710 0.435 0.510 10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 41.4 5.6

STOCKS

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.8 2.7 46 45.05 100.70 99.80 83.15 82.35 38.5 37.9 1.32 1.28 15 14.8 18.4 18.04 1.75 1.7 0.570 0.490 79.6 76.75 16.76 16.60 51.50 51.00 289.8 289.2 32.8 31.95 137 135.6 1450.00 1440.00 56.95 56.80 INDUSTRIAL 35.9 Aboitiz Power Corp.

39.3 40.3 39.2 1.11 Agrinurture Inc. 4.58 4.8 4.56 1.01 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.74 0.79 0.78 1.86 Alsons Cons.

1.38 1.39 1.36 7.92 Asiabest Group 10.38 10.6 10.32 32 C. Azuc De Tarlac 91.10 99.95 99.95 15.32 Century Food 16.24 16.5 16.36 10.08 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 20.45 20.6 20.45 29.15 Concepcion 44.5 44.3 41 1.5 Crown Asia 2.3 2.3 2.27 1.5 Da Vinci Capital 1.66 1.7 1.6 10.72 Del Monte 12.2 12.48 11.92 9.55 DNL Industries Inc. 8.560 8.93 8.620 9.04 Emperador 9.00 9.00 8.90 6.02 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.84 6.04 5.78 8.86 EEI 5.07 5.19 5.06 20.2 First Gen Corp.

22.45 22.65 22 71.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 68 68 67.3 13.86 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.48 11.56 11.56 13.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.26 14.50 14.26 5.34 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.61 5.78 5.76 0.395 Ionics Inc 2.170 2.260 2.130 173 Jollibee Foods Corp.

204.00 209.00 204.40 LBC Express 12.46 12.42 12.3 2.3 LMG Chemicals 1.83 1.81 1.8 1.63 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.2 3.2 3.2 23.35 Manila Water Co. Inc. 24.75 25.05 24.65 17.3 Maxs Group 20.5 20.15 19.9 5.88 Megawide 5.8 5.87 5.8 250.2 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 316.00 323.60 316.00 3.87 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.61 3.83 3.7 8.45 Petron Corporation 7.00 7.05 6.98 3.03 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 3.76 3.75 3.72 1.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.59 1.62 1.59 1 Pryce Corp. `A’ 2.33 2.39 2.3 4.02 RFM Corporation 3.98 4.01 3.97 161 San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ 124.4 124.4 121 1.55 Splash Corporation 2.45 2.49 2.44 0.138 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.146 0.147 0.144 1.02 TKC Steel Corp.

1.10 1.09 1.02 2.09 Trans-Asia Oil 2.17 2.19 2.15 152 Universal Robina 176.3 177.7 175 4.28 Victorias Milling 4.54 4.54 4.54 0.640 Vitarich Corp.

0.61 0.61 0.61 1.2 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.08 1.08 1.05 HOLDING FIRMS 0.44 Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.390 0.390 0.380 48.1 Aboitiz Equity 55.9000 56.3000 55.3500 20.85 Alliance Global Inc. 15.58 16.08 15.64 6.62 Anscor `A’ 6.20 6.50 6.20 0.23 ATN Holdings A 0.221 0.221 0.221 0.23 ATN Holdings B 0.221 0.220 0.220 634.5 Ayala Corp `A’ 734.5 758.5 737 7.390 Cosco Capital 8.01 8.12 7.87 12.8 DMCI Holdings 13.00 13.10 12.82 2.6 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.94 5.9 5.36 2.26 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

4.15 4.37 4.25 0.152 Forum Pacific 0.235 0.230 0.220 837 GT Capital 1251 1279 1255 49.55 JG Summit Holdings 70.00 70.15 69.00 4.84 Lopez Holdings Corp.

6.88 6.92 6.81 0.59 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.69 0.7 0.69 12 LT Group 13.9 14.46 13.52 4.2 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 5.1 5.22 5.1 4.5 Minerales Industrias Corp. 9.8 9.85 9.7 0.030 Pacifica `A’ 0.0310 0.0310 0.0300 1.23 Prime Media Hldg 1.250 1.260 1.260 0.550 Prime Orion 1.910 1.940 1.870 59.3 San Miguel Corp `A’ 44.95 45.60 44.50 751 SM Investments Inc. 810.00 828.00 811.50 1.13 Solid Group Inc. 1.20 1.19 1.15 80 Top Frontier 72.000 71.100 69.950 0.211 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.2900 0.2900 0.2800 0.179 Wellex Industries 0.1950 0.2160 0.1960 0.310 Zeus Holdings 0.255 0.270 0.240 PROPERTY 6.74 8990 HLDG 7.000 7.050 6.990 12 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 7.20 7.20 7.20 0.65 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.83 0.84 0.83 1.2 Araneta Prop `A’ 1.060 1.060 1.050 30.05 Ayala Land `B’ 34.850 36.000 35.100 3.36 Belle Corp. `A’ 3 3.03 3 2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.68 12.02 19.6 1.02 0.225 78 17.8 62 276 41 118.2 1200 59

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank PB Bank Phil. National Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank

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

SHARES 10,457,855 63,664,653 87,882,270 127,631,388 71,005,922 250,465,960 612,571,228

2.8 45.6 100.00 82.00 38.5 1.30 15 18.06 1.66 0.530 76.55 16.40 51.00 290 31.7 137 1440.00 56.90

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Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.8 46 100.00 83.00 38 1.32 15 18.08 1.7 0.520 79.4 16.76 51.40 289.4 32 136 1440.00 56.80

0.00 0.88 0.00 1.22 -1.30 1.54 0.00 0.11 2.41 -1.89 3.72 2.20 0.78 -0.21 0.95 -0.73 0.00 -0.18

113,000 15,400 1,030,480 2,369,900 166,300 54,000 431,100 31,100 25,000 1,384,000 2,268,010 14,400 1,319,200 400 611,700 597,790 105 25,770

40.1 4.7 0.78 1.38 10.32 99.95 16.5 20.5 44.3 2.3 1.7 12.46 8.900 9.00 6.04 5.09 22.45 67.5 11.56 14.50 5.76 2.230 205.00 12.3 1.8 3.2 24.8 20 5.87 323.60 3.82 7.02 3.75 1.59 2.3 4.00 121.9 2.45 0.145 1.08 2.19 176 4.54 0.61 1.08

2.04 2.62 5.41 0.00 -0.58 9.71 1.60 0.24 -0.45 0.00 2.41 2.13 3.97 0.00 3.42 0.39 0.00 -0.74 -7.37 1.68 2.67 2.76 0.49 -1.28 -1.64 0.00 0.20 -2.44 1.21 2.41 5.82 0.29 -0.27 0.00 -1.29 0.50 -2.01 0.00 -0.68 -1.82 0.92 -0.17 0.00 0.00 0.00

2,020,400 1,194,000 32,000 1,954,000 1,800 400 869,700 681,600 700 406,000 597,000 56,600 13,919,600 250,100 15,215,200 51,500 3,904,700 180,990 1,500 553,700 3,600 3,393,000 1,102,980 109,900 12,000 28,000 1,567,200 2,440,600 82,200 122,350 104,000 1,440,900 55,000 102,000 114,000 26,000 27,090 795,000 2,190,000 85,000 2,871,000 2,363,490 82,000 114,000 34,000

0.385 56.1000 16.00 6.49 0.221 0.220 757 7.9 12.98 5.45 4.35 0.220 1258 69.00 6.92 0.69 14.4 5.2 9.83 0.0300 1.260 1.900 45.60 828.00 1.15 70.000 0.2850 0.1960 0.240

-1.28 0.36 2.70 4.68 0.00 -0.45 3.06 -1.37 -0.15 -8.25 4.82 -6.38 0.56 -1.43 0.58 0.00 3.60 1.96 0.31 -3.23 0.80 -0.52 1.45 2.22 -4.17 -2.78 -1.72 0.51 -5.88

930,000 1,426,340 10,168,000 2,000 690,000 930,000 336,250 5,407,100 7,037,400 13,100 30,000 3,310,000 202,020 117,000 345,600 117,000 3,839,800 21,002,900 986,300 22,400,000 7,000 2,572,000 203,500 311,020 10,000 31,530 530,000 60,000 360,000

7.000 7.20 0.84 1.060 35.900 3

0.00 0.00 1.20 0.00 3.01 0.00

8,179,100 31,997,000.00 100 509,000 80,000 14,415,800 102,080,315.00 1,765,000 -91,500.00

315,990.00 -12,139,495 19,464,348.00 -34,030.00 -2,071,500.00 -526,770.00 2,850,389.00 121,570.00 130,069.50 18,221,360 -13,067,794.00 -14,500.00 -902,840.50 -56,145,265.00 -2,238,590.00 -136,150.00 1,724,348.00 40,950.00 9,160.00 475,338.00 36,971,773.00 -1,243,179.00 -4,825,499.00 -77,233.00 -41,026,270.00 -3,854,127.50 7,773,282.00 -303,750.00 -137,531,644.00

-35,871,590.00 687,202.00 469,524.00 17,121,418.00 377,650.00 1,806,424.00 1,620.00 -51,970.00 -2,628,554.00 -9,800.00 -711,390.00 -287,521,080.00 363,200.00

-43,648,504.50 -58,217,400.00

59,116,280.00 23,039,711.00 -17,012,488.00

-42,987,550.00 -211,202.00 -16,826,262.00 363,961.00

105,020.00 -1,673,860.00 -94,761,040.00 -2,119,906.50

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

5.59 1.44 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 2.22 2.1 5.94 0.180 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

4.96 0.79 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 1.15 1.42 4.13 0.090 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

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

Double Dragon Empire East Land Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. 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 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 7.67 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 1 15.2

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 4.8 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 0.011 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 0.650 6

0.62 1.040 22.8 4 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.335 0.37 14.54 2.28 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

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

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

DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Manila Bulletin Melco Crown Metro Retail MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

0.0098 17.24 12.7 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 0.020 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 6.47 6.5 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 1.54 0.012 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

Abra Mining 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’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum

70 553 8.21 12.28 111 1060 1047 78.95 84.8

33 490 5.88 6.5 101 997 1011 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F Alterra Capital Italpinas Xurpas

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

High

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

5.15 5.15 5.15 0.56 0.55 0.56 1.030 1.000 1.02 0.121 0.120 0.121 0.455 0.455 0.455 26 24.65 25 0.820 0.820 0.820 1.04 1.00 1.02 1.85 1.81 1.83 4.29 4.19 4.27 0.081 0.081 0.081 8.62 8.55 8.56 27.00 25.40 26.55 1.46 1.46 1.46 3.2 3.2 3.2 22.50 21.95 22.00 0.74 0.74 0.74 6.5 6.15 6.15 0.930 0.870 0.880 5.130 5.050 5.070 SERVICES 6.97 7.05 6.98 7 62.5 64.2 63.2 63.2 1.11 1.15 1.13 1.15 0.480 0.490 0.475 0.475 4.38 4.55 4.34 4.55 0.0410 0.0420 0.0410 0.0420 3.29 3.37 3.26 3.37 81.5 81.5 81.4 81.5 9.88 9.53 9.51 9.51 4.97 5.29 4.95 4.99 1750 1830 1766 1815 6.80 6.99 6.80 6.80 1.26 1.28 1.26 1.26 68.15 69 67.9 68.4 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.157 0.158 0.155 0.155 1.3900 1.3900 1.3800 1.3800 2.05 1.98 1.9 1.9 7.97 7.99 7.97 7.99 4.21 4.50 4.15 4.50 0.520 0.550 0.510 0.510 2.31 2.39 2.29 2.38 3.74 3.77 3.73 3.74 0.265 0.280 0.270 0.275 0.850 0.880 0.830 0.840 18.46 18.4 18 18 2.7 2.65 2.65 2.65 20.95 20.95 20.50 20.95 1980.00 2030.00 2004.00 2026.00 0.450 0.465 0.450 0.465 0.700 0.710 0.690 0.700 33.45 33.65 33.45 33.55 63.00 64.30 62.70 62.70 5.90 6.14 5.93 6.08 3.72 3.84 3.74 3.78 0.465 0.470 0.460 0.460 3.51 3.67 3.51 3.6 0.330 0.340 0.310 0.310 4.100 4.110 4.100 4.110 MINING & OIL 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 0.0048 4.18 4.18 4.15 4.18 3.9100 4.5 4.5 4.5000 0.6 0.62 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.56 0.59 7.30 7.68 7.20 7.20 0.68 0.70 0.68 0.7 0.280 0.285 0.275 0.275 0.182 0.181 0.179 0.179 0.197 0.197 0.197 0.197 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 2.01 2 2.06 2 6.24 6.36 6.27 6.3 2.77 2.81 2.6 2.78 1.2700 1.2700 1.2500 1.2600 0.0100 0.0099 0.0099 0.0099 4.76 4.750 4.67 4.69 1.31 1.300 1.30 1.30 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 132.70 134.00 132.60 133.60 2.13 2.2 2.13 2.2 PREFERRED 65 65.85 64.5 65.85 520 520 515 515 6.45 6.47 6.46 6.46 1.12 1.13 1.12 1.12 108.6 108.6 108.6 108.6 1050 1060 1060 1060 1020 1020 1018 1018 77 77.4 77.4 77.4 81 82 81.7 82 78.85 78.6 78.6 78.6 79.95 80 79.85 80 SME 3.3 3.3 3.22 3.3 3.28 3.4 3.22 3.23 15.16 15.2 14.9 15.04 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 110 111.4 109.8 111.4

6.63 1.82 -0.97 0.83 -1.09 1.01 0.00 2.00 1.10 2.89 5.19 -1.04 4.53 4.29 0.00 1.15 0.00 -12.14 2.33 -0.39

2,000 1,386,000 50,000 1,700,000 70,000 2,869,300 1,000 1,331,000 15,597,000 43,606,000 10,000 10,000 8,957,500 4,000 3,000 10,930,900 270,000 15,000 643,000 15,224,600

0.43 1.12 3.60 -1.04 3.88 2.44 2.43 0.00 -3.74 0.40 3.71 0.00 0.00 0.37 0.00 -1.27 -0.72 -7.32 0.25 6.89 -1.92 3.03 0.00 3.77 -1.18 -2.49 -1.85 0.00 2.32 3.33 0.00 0.30 -0.48 3.05 1.61 -1.08 2.56 -6.06 0.24

60,800 3,220 46,000 410,000 676,000 6,800,000 35,000 663,410 1,200 66,000 54,085 116,900 151,000 1,305,600 3,000,000 2,180,000 838,000 57,000 9,900 1,197,000 2,000 3,169,000 6,093,000 1,240,000 4,366,000 1,000 1,000 3,858,500 135,600 480,000 18,696,000 1,064,700 362,420 1,253,900 2,807,000 2,940,000 152,000 500,000 16,000

0.00 0.00 15.09 0.00 -1.67 -1.37 2.94 -1.79 -1.65 0.00 10.00 0.00 -0.50 0.96 0.36 -0.79 -1.00 -1.47 -0.76 0.00 0.68 3.29

78,000,000 170,000 5,000 176,000 1,365,000 35,500 2,032,000 400,000 7,010,000 260,000 31,100,000 1,000,000 82,000 2,517,600 81,000 974,000 3,300,000 336,000 172,000 120,700,000 614,620 19,000

1.31 -0.96 0.16 0.00 0.00 0.95 -0.20 0.52 1.23 -0.32 0.06

47,830 8,000 12,000 18,000 100 100 4,400 50 620 1,000 160,570

0.00 -1.52 -0.79

28,000 1,048,000 374,500

1.27

12,680

-133,220.00

941,480.00 -47,380.00 6,288,870.00 -81,381,760.00 -53,051,690.00 5,462,195.00

-11,463,012.00 7,000.00

726,690.00 -24,058,680.50 46,658,025.00 25,200.00 -47,058,691.50

34,271.00 -278,910.00 -270,450.00 4,319,250.00

80,644,920.00 10,503,690.00 -2,265,490.00 6,400,695.00 -5,493,122.50 1,997,860.00 184,000.00 -3,400.00

-279,230.00

67,000.00

-2,166,579.00 -63,940.00 -18,960.00 59,800.00 -18,960.00 -51,069,226.00 415,828.00

106,000.00 -341,765.00

2,341,694.00

T op L oSerS

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,516.13 (UP) 14.24 INDUSTRIAL 10,713.25 (UP) 100.45 HOLDING FIRMS 6,388.70 (UP) 81.49 PROPERTY 2,974.27 (UP) 64.14 SERVICES 1,505.22 (UP) 24.54 MINING & OIL 10,409.47 (UP) 52.78 PSEI 6,807.72 (UP) 106.37 All Shares Index 3,917.57 (UP) 45.90 Gainers: 94; Losers: 61; Unchanged: 39; Total: 194

Close

4.83 0.55 1.03 0.120 0.460 24.75 0.820 1.00 1.81 4.15 0.077 8.65 25.40 1.4 3.2 21.75 0.74 7 0.860 5.090

T op g ainerS VALUE 664,493,679.85 1,273,531,946.34 1,530,634,373.11 1,425,995,901.84 801,617,651.235 108,250,567.86 5,815,102,451.235

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 17, 2015

B3

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

Holcim summit. Holcim Philippines officials and experts brief dealers from Luzon on the business opportunities in the coming year. Fielding questions from the

participants during a business summit held at the InterContinental Hotel in Makati City are (from left) William Sumalinog, vice president for sales of Holcim Philippines; Eduardo Sahagun, president and country CEO of Holcim Philippines; Alvin Ang, professor at the Economics Department of Ateneo de Manila University; and Arnel Castillo, supply chain head of Holcim Philippines.

Stock market advances; Globe up THE stock market rallied Wednesday as buying confidence returned to trading floors ahead of an expected US interest rate rise.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index jumped 106.37 points, or 1.6 percent, to 6,807.72 on a value turnover of P5.8 billion. Gainers beat losers, 94 to 61, with 39 issues unchanged.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. advanced 3.1 percent to P757, while property unit Ayala Land Inc. climbed 3 percent to P35.90. Unit Globe Telecom Inc., the secondbiggest telecommunications firm, surged 3.7 percent to P1,815.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-largest lender in terms of assets, rose 3.7 percent to P79.40, while Robinsons Land Corp. of industrialist John Gokongwei gained 4.5 percent to P26.55.

Asian markets also surged Wednesday, while the dollar held its strength after overnight gains.

After more than a week of sharp losses, equities enjoyed some healthy buying after a rally in New York and Europe fueled by upbeat economic data and a rare rally in oil prices.

Regional stock markets were all higher, with Tokyo climbing 2.6 percent by the close, Sydney up 2.4 percent and Seoul 1.9 percent higher. Shanghai gained 0.2 percent.

Hong Kong closed up two percent to end a nine-session losing streak--its longest run of selling since 1984--that saw it stumble more than five percent.

There were also gains in other markets, with, Jakarta and Taipei each climbing more than one percent.

The gains in Asia tracked strong advances in Europe Tuesday, where Paris and Frankfurt added more than three percent while in New York the Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 climbed around one percent. With AFP

MetroPac buys 51% of Bulacan hospital

By Jenniffer B. Austria

METRO Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc., the hospital investment unit of conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is acquiring 51 percent of Sacred Heart Hospital of Malolos Inc. for P150 million.

Metro Pacific said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the unit signed an investments agreement with the SHHM, a 47-year old institution based in Bulacan.

SHHM is a level 2 hospital established in 1968 by spouses Alberto Reyes, a pioneering surgeon in Bulacan, and Juanita Reyes, an anesthesiologist.

The Bulacan hospital will use proceeds from the investment to fund an expansion program to increase patient beds and acquire

various medical equipment.

“While proud of our long history and modest growth from very humble beginnings, we know we can achieve more to serve our fellow Bulaceños with the help of a corporate group like Metro Pacific. Our family welcomes this new milestone in the life of our hospital as we venture to become a bigger player in Bulacan,” said Alberto Reyes said in a statement MPHH president Augusto Palisoc Jr. welcomed the opportunity

to be part of the hospital’s growth plans.

“We thank the Reyes family for opening their doors to us and giving us this great opportunity to participate in the growth of this prestigious hospital,” Palisoc said.

MPHH is the largest private hospital chain in the Philippines with over 2,600 beds across 10 hospitals to date. Assets include six in Metro Manila (Makati Medical Center, Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Asian Hospital, De Los Santos Medical Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, and Manila Doctors Hospital) and four outside of the capital region (Central Luzon Doctors’ Hospital in Tarlac, Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod, Davao Doctors Hospital in Davao and West Metro Medical Center in Zamboanga).

The transaction is expected to

be completed in January 2016 upon the fulfillment of certain conditions specified in the agreement.

SHHM is the third deal to be announced by Metro Pacific’s hospital group. MPHH in November announced plans to buy a 20-percent stake Manila Doctors Hospital along United Nations Avenue in Ermita, Manila.

Manila Doctors is a 300-bed tertiary hospital founded in 1956 by a group of pioneering doctors and later expanded in 1979 under the current leadership of the George Ty Group through Metrobank Foundation Inc..

The MPHH group also recently signed an agreement with Southwestern University for a possible joint venture in mnodernizing the latter’s 100-bed training hospital in Cebu.

Govt pushing for creation of WESM in Mindanao

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Department is pushing for the establishment of a Wholesale Electricity Spot Market in Mindanao with the anticipated excess power supply in the island next year.

Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada told reporters the agency started studies on the migration of the Interim Mindanao Electricity Market to a full WESM, similar to the Luzon and Visayas WESM. The WESM is the country’s trading floor of electricity operated by Philippine Electricity Market Corp.

“By next year, by second half, there will be excess power supply in Mindanao. So what we’re do-

ing is prepare their market rules,” Monsada said.

Monsada said the government also put the privatization of the contracted capacities of the 210-megawatt Mindanao coal plant amid the current power shortage.

“If they privatize, it will be problematic because supply is still short. They [Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.] changed the target schedule, it was the practical move,” she said.

PEMC earlier said it would conduct an assessment of Mindanao’s readiness to integrate the IMEM to the WESM with the entry of new power plants in the island.

“With the anticipated arrival of new generation in the region,

PEMC also foresees that supply in the grid will soon stabilize. Once this becomes certain, PEMC will be able to conduct an assessment on Mindanao’s readiness for WESM integration,” PEMC president Melinda Ocampo said earlier.

Ocampo said the IMEM’s integration to the WESM of Luzon and the Visayas “would allow the optimal dispatch of all existing resources not only within the region, but throughout the three main grids of the country.”

Among the capacities that are expected to come on stream is the first unit of the 210-MW Sarangani coal plant and the 300-MW Therma coal station in Davao.

PEMC launched the interim electricity market in Mindanao

during the latter part of 2013, but it was put under “intervention” in February 2014, effectively halting its operations.

The system operator put the Mindanao market under intervention in February last year after the shutdown of the 210-megawatt Mindanao coal plant.

“The temporary pause has turned into an opportunity for PEMC and DoE to thresh out technical and commercial issues with NGCP [National Grid Corporation of the Philippines], PSALM [Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.] and IMEM participants through the conduct of coordination meetings and focus group discussions,” Ocampo said.

B4

Free flow of labor in Asean pressed

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE Philippines should expedite the implementation of mutual recognition arrangements to allow the free flow of professional workers in the country, state-run think tank Philippine Institute of Development Studies said Wednesday.

MRAs enable the qualifications of professionals from one country to be mutually recognized by other signatory countries. They promote mutual agreement on standards, licensing and certification of professional workers among the Asean member-states.

The PIDS said in a recent study the benefits from the freer flow of professional are “immense.”

It said these benefits should encourage Asean countries to take necessary steps to remove the impediments delaying the implementation of the MRAs. “Increased cross-border movement of skilled labor presents significant economic advantages both for sending and receiving countries,” it said.

The PIDS said there were challenges in the implementation of MRAs due to constitutional limitations and other legislations that restrict the practice of profession to Filipino nationals.

“A survey undertaken for the AEC [Asean Economic Community] scorecard project, which measured the Philippines’ readiness to Asean integration, underscored the slow progress of MRA implementation due to a number of deterring factors,” the think tank said.

These challenges include the absence of comprehensive databases, research studies on best practices and review of foreign reciprocity; absence of a coordinating body that would provide the necessary information on what MRA is, its objectives and mechanics involved as well as its implications.

Canon plant’s opening. Canon Business Machines Philippines Inc. officially opens its manufacturing facility at First Philippine Industrial Park in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. Shown are (from left) Canon Business Machines Philippines president Kazuhiko Yamada, Canon China managing director Hideki Ozawa, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa, Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general Lilia de Lima, Canon Inc. chief executive Fujio Mitarai, Canon procurement headquarters managing director Toshio Homma and Canon peripheral products operations chief executive Takayuki Miyamoto.

Clark firm makes 1 Boeing part exports st

By Othel V. Campos

A JAPANESE company which began manufacturing aircraft interiors and components in Clark Freeport Zone in November made its first shipment to The Boeing Co., the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer.

Jamco Philippines Inc. started its production last month and began shipping out floor panels for Boeing 777 on Dec. 9.

“Our first shipment to Boeing marks a ma-

jor milestone for Jamco,” said Jamco Philippines purchasing manager Hermie Flores said.

Flores said by 2016, Jamco aimed to ship out 3,000 pieces of floor panels every month.

“Going forward, we are planning to ship 350 panels every month for [each] 777 galley. So if you are going to multiply that for the rate of Boeing, that would be 3,000 panels a month because they are producing 8.3 airplanes every month,” Flores said.

Jamco manufactures commercial aircraft interior components and sub-assemble parts for Jamco America and Jamco Corp. in Tokyo, Japan.

The company conducts panel assembly for Boeing’s 777 and 787 aircraft.

The Japanese firm invested $2.4 million

or about P105 million in its first venture in Clark, as part of its expansion overseas.

Clark Development Corp.’s marketing department said Jamco and supplier Show Aircraft Industry Philippines Inc. made actual investments of more than $2 million and $227,272, respectively.

Clark Development Corp. president Arthur Tugade welcomed the prompt delivery of aircraft products to Boeing, following the Japanese investors’ assurance of producing high-quality products with international standards.

Jamco employs 283 workers in Clark Freeport.

Jamco is a joint American and Japanese company with a 60-40 ratio, while Jamco’s supplier, SAIP is 99-percent Japaneseowned.

PH banks face brighter outlook in 2016—Fitch

By Julito G. Rada PHILIPPINE banks face a brighter outlook in 2016, compared with other lenders in the region, amid the slowdown in Chinese economy and expected interest rate hike in the United States, global debt watcher Fitch Ratings said in a report Wednesday.

Fitch said in its 2016 Outlook Report that Philippine banks were enjoying a positive outlook, better than mostly stable outlook for other banking regimes in the region.

“With respect to the outlook on ratings, we have a stable outlook on the overwhelming

majority except Mongolia and the Philippines [negative and positive, respectively],” Fitch said.

“Banking sectors within the Asia-Pacific region are likely to face a more challenging year ahead as financial systems adjust to slowing growth in China and the prospect of higher US interest rates,” Fitch said.

The London-based credit rating agency said earnings and capital buffers built up in recent years meant that most banking systems start from a position of strength going into the weaker economic backdrop next year.

“We have a higher propor-

tion of banking systems on negative sector outlooks for 2016 than was the case in 2015.

This is driven by the prospect of deteriorating asset quality, a more cautious risk appetite from most banks contributing to weaker credit growth, and margin pressures—all of which is likely to lead to slower profit growth,” it said.

Fitch said it expected the growth of China’s economy to slow down to 6.3 percent in 2016 and 6 percent in 2017. The US interest rates would increase gradually in 2016, it said.

Fitch said in an earlier report Philippine banks—with robust

domestic demand, resilient external liquidity flows and low private external debt—were better positioned to face the macroeconomic challenges than other Asean banking systems.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., however, said local lenders should continue finding ways on how to further strengthen their positions amid the influx of foreign banks taking advantage of the more liberalized banking industry.

Another major global debt watcher, Moody’s Investors Service, also gave Philippine banks a positive outlook.

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

SM North solar site linked to Luzon grid

ICTSI establishes outsourcing unit

By Alena Mae S. Flores By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Energy Department has included the 1.5-megawatt solar powered rooftop at the SM City North Edsa shopping mall in Quezon City as one of the new sources of power in the Luzon grid.

The solar power plant was included during the Philippine Electricity Market Update presentation under the list of new generation capacities for Luzon grid.

The solar plant, owned and operated by Solar Philippines Commercial Rooftop Projects Inc., is covered by a renewable energy service contract issued by the department.

The SM North Edsa solar powered rooftop, the largest solar powered rooftop in a commercial establishment in Southeast Asia, is composed of 5,760 solar panels.

It produces enough power to energize 1,000 households or 150,000 10-watt light bulbs or charge 214,285 cellular phones.

The power generated from the solar panels could offset 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide or the equivalent of planting 6,000 trees per year.

Energy assistant secretary Mario Marasigan said in a statement the inclusion of the solar power plant at SM North in the electricity market meant that the power it generates would contribute to the stabilization of the power supply in Luzon.

Marasigan said the power plant was also included under the feed-in-tariff system, a scheme that involves the obligations on the part of electric power industry participant to source electricity from renewable energy generation at a guaranteed fixed price applicable to a given period of time.

“Unlike other solar rooftop projects which are dedicated for self-use of the building, Solar Philippines’ SMNE solar power plant is the only commercial rooftop solar project within the heart of the Metro Manila that is connected to the Luzon grid, thus, contributing additional capacity to the power supply within Luzon areas,” Marasigan said.

The solar powered rooftop, located at the multi-level carpark building, was inaugurated

by President Benigno Aquino, SM Prime President Hans Sy and Solar Philippines President Leandro Leviste in November 2014.

“It is part of SM Prime’s continuing commitment towards making its operations sustainable and environment friendly as the world prepares for the effects of climate change,” Sy said at that time.

PORT operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. formed a new company for its business process outsourcing operations in the Asia-Pacific.

The company owned by billionaire Enrique Razon Jr. told the stock exchange subsidiary Cordilla Properties Holdings Inc. established a premier shared services company called ICTSI Asia Pacific Business Services Inc. The new company aims to deliver business process outsourcing and other related services to subsidiaries and affiliates of ICTSI in the Asia-Pacific region and other clients globally.

SSC will operate as a separate support organization to provide cost-efficient services to ICTSI’s business units.

“More importantly, the SSC will streamline business processes, enable best practices, create operational efficiencies and deliver a superior customer experience,” ICTSI said.

ICTSI said net income in the first nine months improved to $143.7 million from $142.3 million a year ago as gross revenues from port operations rose 2 percent to $792 million from $779.2 million.

ICTSI attributed the revenue increase to volume growth at most of the company’s terminals and favorable volume mix and higher ancillary services at

Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. in Zambales province.

The port operator handled consolidated volume of 5.77 million twenty-foot equivalent units in the first nine months of the year, or 7 percent more than 5.41 million TEUs it handled in the same period in 2014.

The increase in volume was mainly due to the increased container traffic at Contecon Manzanillo S.A. in Manzanillo, Mexico; Operadora Portuaria Centroamericana S.A. de C.V. in Puerto Cortez, Honduras; Pakistan International Container Terminal in Karachi, Pakistan; Yantai International Container Terminal in Yantai, China; and the company’s new terminal, ICTSI Iraq in Basra, Iraq.

The company’s eight key terminal operations in Manila, Brazil, Poland, Madagascar, China, Ecuador, Pakistan and Honduras,

which accounted for 77 percent of the group’s consolidated volume in the first nine months of 2015, grew 5 percent year-on-year.

ICTSI’s capital expenditures amounted to $254.6 million in the nine-month period, or about 48 percent of the $530-million capital expenditure budget for the whole 2015.

“The established budget is mainly allocated for the completion of development at the company’s new container terminals in Mexico, Honduras and Iraq, capacity expansion in its terminal operation in Manila, and to start the development of the new terminals in Democratic Republic of Congo and Australia,” ICTSI said.

ICTSI invested $79.1 million in the development of Sociedad Puerto Industrial Aguadulce S.A., its joint venture container terminal development project with PSA International Pte Ltd. in Buenaventura, Colombia.

Port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. opens its shared services company, ICTSI Asia Pacific Business Services Inc., to deliver business process outsourcing and other related services to subsidiaries and affiliates of the ICTSI Group in the Asia-Pacific region and other clients worldwide.

Shown cutting the ribbon for the opening of the facility at 5 Ecom Building in Pasay City are (from left) APBS general manager Antonio Coronel, ICTSI senior vice president and regional head of Asia Pacific Christian Gonzalez and ICTSI vice president for business development in Asia Jose Manuel De Jesus.

BSP approves guidelines on mergers of rural banks

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas, state-run Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. and Land Bank of the Philippines approved the implementing guidelines for the consolidation and mergers of rural banks.

CPRB was established to strengthen and enhance the viability of rural banks through mergers and consolidation.

The program is also expected to enable rural banks to improve their financial strength, enhance viability and generate better return to shareholders. It aims to strengthen management and governance, generate synergies

and economies of scale through common infrastructure, systems and resources and expand market reach.

“The implementing guidelines set out the eligibility requirements for proponent banks, the procedures for application and the related documentary requirements, the program supports and regulatory incentives,” Bangko Sentral said in a statement Wednesday.

“For proponent banks that wish to avail of the Equity Investment Facility from the LBP under the program, their eligibility shall be subject to the guidelines on the LBP Equity Investment Facility,” it said.

It said to avail of the program,

letters of intent or application duly supported by the certification of board and shareholders’ approvals of proponent banks should be duly submitted to and received by PDIC by Aug. 25, 2017.

Proponent banks may avail of funding assistance for financial advisory services and business process improvement services.

Proponent banks must submit three sets of documents to PDIC, such as letter to PDIC and Bangko Sentral indicating their intention to consolidate or merge under the program; duly accomplished application form; and resolution of the board of directors of the respective pro-

ponent banks approving the consolidation or merger.

“The proponent banks shall secure the approval of their respective board of directors and shareholders on the final plan of consolidation or merger. Within 60 days from receipt of the financial adviser’s final report, the proponent banks shall secure the regulatory consent of PDIC, BSP and SEC as provided under existing laws for all banks on consolidations or mergers,” it said.

Upon issuance of the certificate of authority to operate as the surviving bank, the proponent banks shall secure from the SEC the certificate of registration of the surviving bank.

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THURSDAY: DECEMBER 17, 2015

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

More CEB aircraft arriving DoTC and Abaya: Two too-big situations ONE of the most obvious guideposts for undertaking the revision of a governmental structure is to ensure that the resulting sub-structures are not so large as to exceed their capacity to operate efficaciously and efficiently. A government department that encompasses more than one major sector or area of society is bound, because of the overstretch, to fail on account of having too many things on its plate.

An excellent case in point is DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications). Merely contemplating its legislative mandate—regulation and supervision of the nation’s transportation and communication systems—is enough to make a person gasp. Indeed, when the last Reorganization Commission announced the lumping together in one Cabinet department of both the transportation and the communication sector, I was moved to ask, do the reorganizers know what they’re doing?

Consider, first, the fact that factually and operationally there is no intimate connection between transportation and communication.

True, every sector of the economy needs transportation and communication services, but the connection between transportation and communication is by no means as close as the connection between, say, social welfare and social development. It is as though the members of the Reorganization Commission did not accord enough importance and respect to this country’s transportation and communications sectors.

Then consider the size, reach and scope of the transportation sector and the communication sector. As things stand, the head of the DOTC office supervising the Metro Manila light rail transit system – the LRT and the MRT—is up to his neck in serious problems relating to the basic issues of system efficiency, passenger safety and financial soundness. The same can be said about the heads of the agencies regulating the issuance of things like car plates and drivers’ licenses (Land Transportation Authority) and the grant of franchises to buses, taxis and other public-utility transportation facilities (Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board). Their offices are mere components of the transportation sector, yet they are barely managing to keep their regulatory heads above water.

That’s only land transportation. Throw in the maritime component of the transportation sector (the Maritime Industry Authority) and the air component (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) and one begins to grasp the enormity of the administrative and regulatory terrain that is allotted by law to DOTC. The NAIA tanim-bala criminal syndicate, the replacement of decrepit vessels and buses, road safety and airport development – these are but some of the numerous contentious issues that the Secretary of Transportation and Communication and his people have to find acceptable and lasting solutions for.

In the age of the Internet, satellite technology and broadband capability, communication is very much an equal partner of transportation in the operational mandate of DOTC. That DOTC has its work cut out for it in the communication sector is indicated by the growing complaint about the state of Philippine broadband capability. That capability is said to compare unfavorably with the similar capabilities in Southeast Asia. Indeed, it is said to be one of the slowest. And DOTC must be able to provide steady support for this country’s BPO industry, which has displaced India’s as the world’s largest.

And there is the highly technical and almost always controversial work of NTC (National Telecommunications Commission). One gets the impression that NTC has not been getting the full and undivided attention of current DOTC head, Secretary Joseph Abaya, and his predecessors, who have appeared to be deeply immersed in the work of DOTC’s transportation constituency.

I believe that I am echoing the sentiments of most knowledgeable Filipinos when I say that Secretary Abaya has not been the creative and problem-solving chief executive officer that a department as critically important as DOTC needs. Truth to tell, neither was former Secretary (and now presidential candidate) Mar Roxas.

Thus, we appear to have a pair of too-big situations here. DOTC is too big a department and needs to be split up into two full-fledged departments. And the DOTC CEO job is too big for Secretary Joseph Abaya. He simply has not been able to cope.

The good news is that Joseph Abaya will probably be gone after June 2016. But the problem of a humongously large and inefficacious DOTC will still be there, waiting to be solved with utmost speed by Congress.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CEBU Air Inc. said Wednesday it expects the delivery of more aircraft next year to serve its growing domestic and international routes.

“We’re pleased to see the CEB effect in these markets, and will continue to study destinations where we can grow traffic. As we take delivery of more aircraft in 2016, including brand-new ATR 72-600s for Cebgo, we look forward to serving more guests, and creating more tourism and business opportunities to benefit the destinations we fly to,” Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said.

Cebu Pacific’s 55-strong fleet is comprised of eight Airbus A319, 33 Airbus A320, six Airbus A330 and eight ATR-72 500 aircraft.

Between 2016 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of five more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo and 16 ATR 72-600 aircraft.

The airline offers flights to a network of over 90 routes on 60 destinations, spanning Guam, Sydney, Dubai, Bali and Seoul. It operates flights from six Philippine hubs—Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Clark and Kalibo.

The operator of Cebu Pacific named the countries or regions with the highest passenger growth from January to September this year as Australia, the Middle East and Japan.

Data from Australia’s Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics, showed that Cebu Pacific garnered a 38 percent market share on the ManilaSydney route from September 2014 to September 2015. Overall traffic between Manila and Sydney also grew by 67 percent since the airline entered the market in September 2014.

The airline’s Middle East growth was driven by the launch of Kuwait, Riyadh and Doha in recent months, as part of the airline’s expansion in the region.

Cebu Pacific will launch its Manila to Fukuoka route on December 17, after expanding to CebuNarita (Tokyo) last March 2015.

Cebu Pacific in the domestic market stimulated more travel between Manila and Tagbilaran (Bohol) with additional twice daily flight frequencies.

SM Prime award.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., one of the leading integrated property companies in Southeast Asia, is recognized as among the Top 50 Publicly Listed Companies in Asean. Receiving the distinction during the inaugural Asean Corporate Governance Awards held on November 14 at the Manila Polo Club, Makati City are (from left) SM Prime executive vice president Jeffrey Lim; SM Prime assistant vice president for enterprise risk management Eunice Sottop; and SM Prime chief finance officer John Nai Peng Ong.

Negros solar firm building power link

By Alena Mae S. Flores NEGROS Island Solar Power Inc., or IslaSol, sought the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission to build a power line that will connect the 40.7-megawatt solar power plant to the Visayas grid.

IslaSol said it planned to interconnect the solar project in Manapla, Negros Occidental to the Visayas grid through the Cadiz-Victorias 69 kV line of Northern Negros Electric Cooperative through the Cadiz substation of National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.

The construction of the 17-kilometer line directly connecting the solar power plant to the NGCP Cadiz substation will take approximately four months to complete. It will serve as the main transmission line used for the dispatch of the plant.

The company placed the cost of

the construction of the dedicated facility at P139.59 million, inclusive of the construction of the switchyard. It will fully fund the construction to avoid any unregulated charges.

IslaSol said connecting the solar power plant’s switchyard to the Visayas grid was a prerequisite for its commercial operations.

“It is critical that a provisional authority be issued considering that the deadline to avail of the feed-in tariff allocation is on March 16, 2016 or until the installation target of 500 MW for solar power pants has been fully subscribed, whichever comes first,” it said.

The Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure, managed

by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets, earlier acquired a majority stake in islaSol. PINAI’s investors include the Government Service Insurance

System, Asian Development Bank, APG Asset Management and Macquarie.

APG Asset, is a strong supporter of investments in sustainable energy generation, acquired a minority stake in islaSol along with PINAI. IslaSol was developed by Bronzeoak Philippines, which remains a shareholder and the operator of the power plant.

The project comprises of two solar farms in Negros Occidental, with 32 MW of capacity in La Carlota and Manapla solar power plant.

The power plants are expected to supply approximately 200,000 homes with electricity generated from over 300,000 solar photovoltaic modules.

Both plants are under construction and scheduled for completion in early 2016 in time for the March 2016 deadline to avail of the feed-in tariff.

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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Poland no country for refugees LININ, Poland—For most refugees arriving in Poland, it is only a stop on the way to wealthier and more welcoming European Union members.

In attendance. Model Kelly Rohrbach attends The Premiere of Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, on December 14, 2015, in Hollywood, California. AFP

The small percentage who choose to stay on in the devoutly Catholic country are faced with a population whose majority is hostile to migrants, especially Muslims, and an integration policy that only exists on paper.

“No one wants to stay here,” said a Muslim Chechen in her 30s and single mother of three who wanted to keep her face hidden and remain anonymous for fear of repercussions.

“Impossible to find a job, an apartment. There’s practically no financial help. That’s why everyone leaves,” she told AFP. Christian refugee Adnan Saad, who came to Poland with his family along with 200 other Syrians thanks to a Christian non-profit organization, wanted at first to stay in Poland—unlike the others who left for Germany.

Today, he is coming around to their point of view.

The Polish authorities “did our papers, they did our situation to be legal. This is good. Now we need some support. Here is good but I think it’s not enough,” said the Damascus native.

“In the four months I’ve been here, I’ve had my eyes opened. Those who left for Germany were probably right.”

Last year, more than 6,500 people requested refugee status in Poland, the majority of them Chechens.

After making their refugee claim, they are taken to a welcome center like the one in Linin.

Located in a well-appointed former barracks, the center is currently accommodating 217 people, most of them Muslim Chechens. More than half are

Pakistan recalls school massacre PESHAWAR—Pakistan deployed paramilitary forces and police in major cities Wednesday as it marked the first anniversary of a Taliban school massacre that left 151 people dead, shocking a country already scarred by nearly a decade of attacks.

The assault by nine gunmen on an army-run school in the northwestern city of Peshawar, which mostly claimed the lives of schoolchildren, was Pakistan’s deadliest ever extremist assault.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to attend a ceremony at the Army Public School in Peshawar Wednesday, along with the powerful military chief General Raheel Sharif and opposition leader Imran Khan.

“Security has been beefed up throughout the country and ad-

ditional police troops have been deployed in major cities, while paramilitary troops have been deployed at places deemed sensitive,” a spokesman for the Interior Ministry told AFP Wednesday without elaborating.

Soldiers were standing at alert on main roads and junctions in Peshawar early Wednesday ahead of the ceremony. A security official told AFP Tuesday that almost a full brigade would be deployed in the city.

Army Public Schools across the country are “particularly under threat”, he said, especially in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, which neighbors the capital Islamabad.

Khan called on the nation to stand firm against extremism in honour of the victims of the “un-

imaginable tragedy”.

“A yr later we must honor the memory of APS martyrs & courage of the survivors by strengthening our resolve to defeat terrorists’ agenda,” he said on Twitter.

Of the 151 people slaughtered by the Taliban in the hours-long siege, 134 were children, according to the army’s final toll.

The attack hardened public opinion against extremism and prompted a military-led crackdown that has improved security, with 2015 on course for the fewest deaths linked to extremist violence since 2007, the year the Pakistani Taliban was formed.

But critics warn that long-term steps are not being taken to eradicate the scourge of extremism in society. AFP

Pastor jailed for life in North Korea SEOUL—A North Korean court has sentenced a Canadian pastor to life imprisonment with hard labor, while rejecting a prosecution call for the death penalty after his conviction on sedition charges.

South Korean-born Hyeon Soo Lim, pastor at the Light Korean Presbyterian Church in Toronto, is the latest in a series of foreign missionaries to be arrested, deported or jailed for allegedly meddling in state affairs.

“The defendant Lim admitted all the charges against him including viciously defaming our system and our supreme dignity as well as plotting to overthrow our state,” the North’s official KCNA news agency said.

According to KCNA, the pros-

ecutor had asked the Supreme Court to hand down a death sentence, arguing that the pastor’s crimes merited “the sternest punishment.”

Lim was detained by North Korean authorities in January after arriving from China. The specific actions that resulted in the sedition allegations have never been detailed.

According to his church in Toronto, he was on a purely humanitarian mission and had visited the North on numerous occasions to support work with orphanages and nursing homes.

In August, the North released a video showing Lim attending a Sunday service at Pyongyang’s Pongsu Church and confessing to

various charges in an address to a small congregation that included a number of foreigners.

“I committed the gravest crime of insulting and defaming the top dignity and the leadership of the republic,” Lim said in the video.

Detained foreigners are habitually required to make public and officially scripted pronouncements of their guilt in order to help secure their eventual release.

“The trial demonstrated again what kind of miserable fate awaits people like Lim—the followers of the US and South Korean regimes that ceaselessly try to annihilate our socialist system and defame the supreme dignity of our sacred republic,” KCNA said. AFP

children.

The refugees receive three meals a day, a bus takes the children to school while the adults can attend language lessons.

Each person also receives 70 zloty (16 euros, $18) a month in pocket money, a sum that the young Chechen mother called “almost inhuman.”

The hard part comes after they leave the center.

“While the [immigrant] reception policy may work, the integration policy only exists on paper,” said Daniel Brzezinski from the local Praktycy Kultury non-profit organisation that works with immigrant children.

“It’s the NGOs and local authorities who try to take over from there.”

After they leave the center, the state only offers each refugee 100-270 euros ($110-300) a month for a year.

They are then left to their own devices, supported only by non-profit organizations that offer language lessons or help them overcome administrative hurdles.

“The lack of housing and resulting risk of homelessness, the lack of work and financial benefits that are higher in western Europe discourage refugees from staying in Poland,” the national audit chamber NIK said in a November report.

“The absence of any integration policy by the state is a policy itself. I think it’s a deliberate choice,” said Piotr Bystrianin of the Ocalenie (Salvation) foundation that helps integrate migrants.

A cause for concern is the increasing hostility with which immigrants are viewed by most Poles, as well as the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party that has been in power since October.

Poland welcomed 90,000 Chechens without incident in previous years but “in the last year, six months, the attitude has changed,” Brzezinski said. AFP Republic of the Philippines Department of Finance

Securities and Exchange Commission SEC Building, EDSA, Greenhills, Mandaluyong City MARKETS & SECURITIES REGULATION DEPARTMENT

December 10, 2015 AG Finance, Incorporated Unit 2205A East PSE Centre, Exchange Road Ortigas Center, Pasig City 1605 Tel. No. 635-2835 ATTENTION:

Arsenio K. Sebial, Jr. President Diane Madelyn C. Ching Corporate Secretary

Gentlemen: This pertains to the letter dated 02 December 2015 requesting approval by the Commission for the necessary changes to be made in the Notice of Agenda for the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting (ASM) under the provision of SRC Rule 20 par. 20.3.3.4.

As discussed in the letter, the company inadvertently failed to include in the Notice of ASM the following agenda: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Election of Directors Appointment of External Auditors Other Matters Adjournment

This Department takes note of the inadvertent omission in the Notice of Agenda for the intended ASM and had considered that the distributed DIS thoroughly discussed the omitted portion of the agenda and accordingly complied the required information under SEC Form 20-IS and Annex C, as amended for Item 5 page10 for the election of Directors and Officers and Item 7 page 13 for nomination of Independent Public Accountants.

Likewise, a clearance was obtained prior to distribution of DIS. The Commission shall allow the re-distribution of the updated Notice of Agenda to shareholders provided that all the following conditions are met: 1. Publication in a national newspaper of general circulation the order of the Commission granting the request of the company to make such changes in the Notice of Agenda; 2. Submission of updated Notice of Agenda within five (5) business days from the date of this letter to the Commission; and 3. Distribution of updated Notice of Agenda at least five (5) business days before the date of the stockholders’ meeting.

Very truly yours, (SGD) VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO JR. Director (TS-DEC. 17, 2015)

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Welcoming ceremony. Honor guard soldiers stand at attention during a welcoming ceremony for Poland’s President Andrzej Duda (not pictured) ahead of his meeting with Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko (not pictured) in Kiev on December 15, 2015. Duda arrived in Kiev on December 14 for an official visit. AFP

Resolution targets IS oil money Same surname upheld for married Japanese TOKYO—Japan’s Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a law that married couples must have a common surname, a defeat for campaigners who have blasted the 19th century statute as sexist and archaic.

The top court’s Grand Bench— its highest ruling body—said the law did not violate the constitution, broadcaster NHK and other Japanese media reported.

The ruling is likely to satisfy conservatives who call it essential to maintaining the country’s family structure.

In a separate decision the court decided that another law, dating from the same period and requiring divorced women to wait six months before remarrying, was in violation of the constitution.

But judges stopped short of abolishing the waiting period, saying only that a ban lasting more than 100 days was unconstitutional—a ruling that suggested that a shorter period was acceptable.

The surname rule is a throwback to Japan’s feudal family system, in which all women and children came under the control of the male head of the household.

That family system was abolished in 1948 as part of broad reforms pushed by the post-World War II US occupation, but Japan’s civil code maintained the surname provision.

“It does not violate the constitution,” NHK quoted presiding justice Itsuro Terada as saying.

AFP

PARIS—A draft resolution to be submitted to the UN Security Council takes “explicit” aim at the Islamic State group and its lucrative trade in oil, French Finance Minister Michel Sapin told AFP in an interview Wednesday.

Sapin said the resolution, to be debated Thursday, would send a “very strong political message: the fight against the financing of terrorism is one of the priorities of the United Nations’ members and every state must take the necessary measures.”

And ahead of Thursday’s meeting with of all 15 finance ministers of Security Council member states— the first of its kind—Sapin warned that countries that fail to turn off the tap on jihadists’ funding could potentially face sanctions.

France requested the meeting following the terror attacks in Paris last month that left 130 people dead and were claimed by IS. Sapin has made cutting off extremists’ financing a key goal since the French capital was first hit by ji-

hadists in January, when gunmen attacked the Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket.

Based on an earlier resolution targeting Al-Qaeda, the new text “will be explicitly extended to Daesh”, Sapin said, using another term for IS. He added that it will “in particular aim for the freezing of assets that in one way or another stem from oil smuggling”.

“It will also demand that states exercise special vigilance with regard to the smuggling of works of art that could feed big movements like Daesh,” the minister said.

Adam Szubin, the US Treasury’s acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial crimes, said last week that IS has reaped more than $500 million (460 million euros) in black

market oil sales, looted bank vaults captured in Iraq and Syria, and raised millions more through extortion.

But to run what amounts to a mini-state, it needs steady and renewable sources of funding -- so it needs access to the international financial system to move money and import supplies, according to Szubin.

Sapin said he expects the UN resolution to be passed unanimously.

“I cannot see what country could oppose effective action in the fight against the financing of terrorism,” he said.

The UN resolution would provide “legal support” to countries taking action against IS finances, Sapin said.

The international community would then need to ensure that states were taking the same measures—a task that would fall to the Financial Action Task Force, a Paris-based intergovernmental body that develops policies against money laundering and terrorist financing.

“Each country would be subject to review to see if it has taken all the necessary measures,” Sapin told AFP. AFP

Vanessa Redgrave calls Merkel a hero PARIS—She has spent her life and her fortune supporting left-wing causes, but actress Vanessa Redgrave has found a new and unlikely hero in Angela Merkel.

For the Oscar and Emmy award winner, the conservative German Chancellor is Europe’s new mother courage.

While Merkel faces growing opposition to her stance on migrants in her own party, Redgrave hailed her as the only world leader to have grasped the gravity of the “refugee emergency”.

“I give a big bravo to Angela Merkel,” Redgrave told AFP. “She

has tried to do the right thing. I don’t know if they are trying to get rid of her behind the scenes, but I applaud her.

“There is this thing in that woman that is very, very special,” said the veteran actor, 78, one of the legends of British stage and screen and an ambassador for the UN’s children agency UNICEF. Merkel was named the Financial Times “Person of the Year” earlier this week days after becoming the first female politician in nearly 30 years to win the same accolade from Time magazine.

While Redgrave lauded Merkel’s “decency”, she was scathing about

her own government’s efforts, and in particular the hard-line attitude of interior minister Theresa May, whom she dismissed as “a Dracula of a Home Secretary”.

She said Britain had attempted to keep the problem at arm’s length by containing it in the squalid “Jungle” camp near Calais in northern France, where up to 4,500 migrants trying to reach the UK now live in a squalid shanty town.

“It’s horrific. Of course the British realize they are putting this problem onto another country, and people are angry. But the media poisons the atmosphere.” AFP

Ceremony. A Buddhist monk wears a Santa hat in front of a Christmas tree before a lighting ceremony at the main gate of Jogye Temple in Seoul on December 16, 2015. AFP

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS

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WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

W EL L BEING

LIFE

Jun Cochanco and Dietmar Spille's Q&A with event host Gretchen Ho during the launch

HEALTHY HYDRATION WITH GEROLSTEINER, THE WORLD’S NUMBER 1 SPARKLING MINERAL WATER

G

ermany’s most trusted and the world’s No.1 sparkling mineral water is finally in the Philippines to share to Filipino consumers a holistic approach to fulfilling their body’s important mineral intake.

Filipinos usually take for granted the essential nutrients that the body needs. And though proper diet and nutrition is more practiced now, a normal Filipino meal won’t usually contain all the essential nutrients and minerals that the body needs to fully function.

“The great importance of minerals to our body cannot be

underestimated,” explains Dietmar Spille, Executive Vice PresidentInternational of Gerolsteiner. “Based on clinical studies, the proper supplementation and absorption of minerals are vital in supporting the body and its organs’ functions. And since most minerals like calcium and magnesium cannot be generated by the body, supplying it daily with water with high-mineral content like Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water is clearly tantamount to its long-term health and survival,” he adds.

Touted as “Designed by Nature,” Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water came from the Volcanic

Eifel located in the subterranean aquifers in Gerolstein in Germany and is bottled directly at source.

The geological location where the water is acquired makes it 100 percent naturally rich in essential minerals such as calcium needed for healthy bones, teeth and muscles; magnesium needed for proper functioning of the nervous system and necessary for efficient muscular function; and a bicarbonate, acidneutralizing substance that gives the water a pleasant, well-balanced natural taste. The brand’s mineral components are the highest among other water brands.

Fly Ace Corporation executives with Dietmar Spille, executive vice president international of Gerolsteiner (fifth from left) with Gretchen Ho (fourth from left), event host

Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water came from the Volcanic Eifel located in the subterranean aquifers in Gerolstein, Germany

Known globally, Gerolsteiner Mineral Water is not only a ‘lifestyle’ proudly carries with it 120 years of water; it’s something that greatly tradition and innovation since helps replenish lost minerals in 1888. Its process of acquisition the body. In this busy modern remains unchanged through age where people seek for quick strict product monitoring, ways to optimize their health from the source to the bottle. for longer, enjoyable lives, this High quality checks of over mineral-rich thirst-quencher 400 microbiology and is their best, reliable option,” chemical analyses daily are explains Jun L. Cochanco, done to monitor that the president of Fly Ace product does not contain Corporation, the official any substances that may distributor of Gerolsteiner potentially harm people in the Philippines. or the environment.

The perfect sustenance Germany’s most trusted for daily hydration, sparkling water is Gerolsteiner Sparkling made available in the Mineral Water is also a Philippines through Fly great source of hydration Ace Corporation, one of especially after performing the country’s top exclusive strenuous physical distributors of over 20 activities like high-impact bestselling food and sports, or a great source to beverage brands in the improve the stamina while world. Know more about recovering from sickness.

Gerolsteiner by visiting “Gerolsteiner Sparkling Gerolsteiner Sparkling www.gerolstenier.com.

Natural Mineral Water

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GORGEOUS ANY DAY OF THE MONTH

Tips on keeping the glow on during the holiday season

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his is the season of Christmas parties, family reunions and night outs. And during this busy and festive month, ladies want nothing but to look their best. Sometimes, however, things go the other way, especially when that time of the month comes.

For most women, monthly visits mean irritability, breakouts and bloating – three ugly things that are certainly not invited to any party. While the monthly period is inevitable, it is still possible to be gorgeous and glowing any day of this season. PhilippineUS registered nutritionist-dietitian Cheshire Que and Philippine Dermatological Society fellow and The Skin Specialist’s director Dr. Jean Marquez share these tips to help you survive the holiday season beautifully.

EAT MODERATELY AND MINDFULLY

Holiday parties seem like the time when we all excuse ourselves from healthy food choices. And while it’s no sin to indulge for the merry season of Christmas, the key is to eat moderately and mindfully. That sure sounds easier said than done. Before you go crazy at the buffet spread, experts recommend to fuel up before going to the party.

“Have cereal or oatmeal with fruits, which are loaded with fiber and antioxidants – it’s a simple way of keeping yourself from noshing too much carbs and fats,” says Que. Instead of diving in to the first tray or buffet station you see, Que highly suggests to take the time to scan the spread and carefully choose what you’d like before piling them up

on your plate. Food items “should include veggies, protein and a healthy amount of fats such as salmon. Don’t miss a bowl of clear soup or glass of water before the meal begins; hydration is crucial for efficient metabolism and beating the bloat.”

GET MOVING

When our schedules are packed with Christmas-related activities, exercising gets pushed down, if not off, our lists. But Que says a total of one-and-a-half hour of moderate intensity exercise weekly is enough to increase the system’s capacity to burn calories and prevent those unsightly Santa belly. Dr. Marquez also emphasizes that exercising has glowing effect on the skin as it helps in releasing endorphins which is responsible for the feeling of euphoria. “So you’re always on the go and ready to party for the entire holiday season.”

AIM FOR 7-8 HOURS OF SLEEP

Delaying and neglecting sleep during the holidays is somehow unavoidable, but know

Get glowing and gorgeous this holiday season with Jeunesse Sanitary Napkin and Liner

that it’s bad for your hormones, which then affects the appetite and cravings. Dr. Marquez recommends aiming for seven to eight fully restorative hours of shut-eye to prevent breakouts and dark circles around the eyes.

“It’s also the ultimate in skin anti-aging that costs zero,” she adds.

The worst part of having all jacked up hormones (estrogen and progesterone) during PMS is experiencing a bad case of mood swings, anxiety and irritability. When it’s that time of the month, use Jeunesse Anion Sanitary napkin and liners which are equipped with a special soft top sheet material with quick absorbing properties,

dirt-free and sterilized virgin pulp for superior liquid-retention, breathable bottom layer, non-toxic adhesive to keep material intact, and special anion chip. The anion chip helps prevent bacteria, reduce feminine discomfort, and eliminate unwanted odors.

In addition to the many benefits of anion, a recent research at the University of California reveals that negative ions stabilize serotonin levels of the brain, thus boosting a person’s positive outlook and mood.

Wellgold International Inc. distributes Jeunesse Anion Sanitary Napkin and Liners which are currently available at Watsons, selected Mercury Drug outlets, SM Department Store’s health and beauty section, Robinson’s Supermarket, Shopwise, Rustan’s, Waltermart, Landmark Department Store, UP Town Center’s Merkado Department Store, PCX stores, selected Metro Gaisano outlets, selected LCC Malls in Bicol, plus other stores nationwide. You may also purchase it online via www.lazada.com.ph. For more information, log on to www.jeunesseanion.com and follow Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Jeunesse Anion.

SMELL FRESH AS A ROSE

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ow would you like to smell like a rose all day without using any perfume?

It sounds like a dream, but, believe it or not, it’s now possible to emit the sweet, romantic and sensual scent of fresh roses from the inside by taking in Fine Etiquette Rose Supplement. Fine Etiquette is a health supplement that fights off unwanted body odors and acts as a fragrant agent that gives off an irresistible smell that comes from within.

The Fine Etiquette Rose supplement contains oil extracted from Bulgarian damask roses, one of the best and precious sources of perfume oil since ancient times. It is said that it takes 2,500 roses to extract a mere 1cc of oil. The oil is then incorporated with other organic ingredients like fermented rice germ and soybean oils that give the mixture its natural deodorant properties.

To achieve natural fragrance without spending too much on perfumes, just take three

capsules daily. The fresh scent will be apparent within a few days of taking the supplement.

Another beauty essential that works from the inside is Premium HyC150. Premium HyC150, which is manufactured by Japan Co. Ltd., promises to make the user feel good and healthy.

Touted as the fountain of youth, Premium HyC150 contains hyaluronic acid, collagen and ubiquinol and is fortified with vitamin C, biotin, elastin and pearl coix. Incorporated in a drink, these ingredients promote body cell repair, prevent sagging and moisturize the skin and boost the body’s energy. Studies conducted in Japan, North America and in Europe show that about 93 percent of Premium HyC150 consumers have improved hair, nail and skin conditions with continued use.

Exude the beauty and unleash that confidence from within with Fine Etiquette Rose and Premium HyC150 supplements.

For more information, visit www.HyC150.com, call (02) 546-7297 or 0917-7750779, like their Facebook page HyC150 or follow them on Twitter and Instagram @HyC150. The supplements are available at select Watsons stores nationwide and on Lazada Philippines.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

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The majestic view of Mt. Arayat national park gives a sense of peace

WHY GOLF IS GOOD FOR WOMEN

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t’s a well-known fact that stress is bad for the health, and can be a distraction that deters one from reaching your goals. Women are most especially susceptible to stress with the multifarious roles they play – wife, mother, and career woman.

A good way to beat stress is to find a sport such as golf that provides opportunities to de-stress while allowing one to enjoy the beauty of nature. While this sport is generally associated with men, women can also benefit from it in more ways than one. For instance, the sport can teach one patience and perseverance as it requires hitting a small ball for some distance until one can finally sink it in a small hole in the ground.

Aside from making one feel good at achieving a goal and helping one cope with stress, the game has several beneficial aspects that can make one look at life more positively.

IT’S A GOOD FORM OF EXERCISE

Since golf requires long hours of walking around the course and swinging your club (depending on how many holes you plan to play), you burn calories without you noticing it. Golf requires an average round of 18 holes which takes about four hours, which can make you burn up to an amazing 1,500 calories, lower cholesterol, regulate blood pressure, and help

cut the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

IT IMPROVES YOUR SOCIAL LIFE

Golf is probably one of the most social sports ever invented. Each round of golf allows you to chat with your friends and partners for hours, not to mention that it’s a great opportunity to meet and gain new friends.

IT PROVIDES GREAT VIEWS OF NATURE

One benefit of golf is that it allows you to breathe in fresh air, as playing the sport requires you to be outside, in areas mostly surrounded by trees.

This is beneficial to health as fresh air is full of negative ions which refresh your body, providing a natural lift.

Playing golf on beautifully manicured greenery set in nature’s breathtaking views can give one a sense of peace and relaxation.

So you want to beat stress? Get away from the noise, noise, traffic and pollution, and look for golf courses located in the country’s most beautiful surroundings like the Clark SunValley Golf & Resorts – a project of the Donggwang Clark Corporation (DCC), the Philippine subsidiary of the SunValley Group of South Korea.

Nestled atop rolling mountains right beside the historic Sacobia River with a majestic view of Mount

Green fairways and fresh air will help you de-stress as you play at Clark SunValley Golf & Resorts’ state-of-the-art golf courses

Pinatubo, the Clark SunValley Golf & Resorts is also located at an altitude of 370m above sea level, giving golfers great views of nature. Its location provides the right amount of hazards and a fair share of windy conditions which make each hole challenging, yet fun and enjoyable.

“There are still too many women who are unaware of how great golf is as a sport. And this is what we want to communicate to Filipino

women, that in the Clark SunValley Golf & Resorts, we are providing them a unique leisure experience that will make each game of golf more valuable and entertaining than anywhere else,” said managing director Tug ho Rhewy of the SunValley Group of South Korea.

Once completed, the Clark SunValley Golf & Resorts will also feature residential villas, a commercial mall, international school, waterpark, casino and

a luxury five-star international hotel, making it a world-class recreational village.

DCC is currently offering onetime membership fee good for two persons, with no green fees, monthly and annual fees. Just sign up and enjoy its two challenging courses while enjoying a perfectly relaxing view of nature. For inquiries on golf memberships, you may call at (+63) 45-499-5184, (+63) 45-499-5185.

MORE ACCESSIBLE SERVICES WITH MEDICARD

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ommunications technology has changed the way we all live today.

It has made people closer and more reachable, and the same also holds true for health and medical services.

Leading health maintenance organization provider MediCard Philippines brings optimal health closer to Filipinos through its enhanced IT infrastructure and call center operations. These improved communication systems help MediCard members and non-members get health services faster and easier wherever they are.

“MediCard continues to pave the way in providing quality health services to Filipinos nationwide. Aside from accredited professionals and upgraded facilities, our IT and communication systems are regularly updated to bring our services closer to everyone,” says Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines.

The HMO’s partnership with several leading technology companies gives minimal service interruption, allowing MediCard personnel to cut the time in logging onto their system and speed

up their services. MediCard’s security mechanisms also ensure the integrity of patients’ personal information.

The upgraded call center system of MediCard also provides optimal customer experience with real-time call monitoring and quality assessment tools at par with the industry’s best, giving reassurance to clients that their calls are handled by competent customer management assistants who properly and promptly address their concerns.

The MediCard call centers also operate

in three independent sites 24/7, 365 days a year to ensure business continuity even after office hours and in the event of disaster or emergency.

For inquiries on membership eligibility and benefits, feedbacks and approvals for emergency, inpatient and outpatient related concerns, please call (02) 841-8080 and toll free 1-800-1888-9001.

Visit the MediCard official website at www.medicardphils.com and Facebook page www.facebook.com/MEDICard.Philippines.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

TRIATHLON INSPIRATIONS

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riathlon is fast becoming the goto sports for extreme athletes and enthusiasts. The high-level intensity sport is an activity that combines swimming, cycling and running in one event and usually the victory is very momentous for the person finishing the leg. While many can just aspire to be a triathlete, there are so many inspirational stories that prove that anything is possible for anyone who has the discipline, perseverance and willingness to train.

The Tri United series male and female champions in the Long Distance category, Augusto Benedicto’s and Lezette Albarote’s finisher story is inspirational and can be a testament to those aspiring to be a triathlete. Augusto started biking as an ice-delivery boy in Tarlac and Lezette only learned how to swim when she was already 35. It was a scorching hot day when the triathletes crossed the finish line in the recent Tri United 3 race. After

hours of swimming, biking and running from Subic to Pampanga, the two were declared the champions.

These triathlon inspirations finished strong in the third leg of the Tri United triathlon series organized by Active Health which aims to develop progressive athletes.

Active Health has a four-way approach in helping the active community. It provides training through sports clinics, gear through Active Health merchandise, nutrition through supplements, and events through races such as Tri United 3. August, a member of the Active Health Elite Team, topped the male Long Distance category with a time of 4:48. Swimming was the most difficult leg for him and biking on the uphill roads. Over 800 participants joined Tri United 3 which has two individual categories: Tri King Distance which covers a 1-km swim, 60-km bike and 10-km run, and Long Distance, a grueling race composed of a 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run.

Padyak. A former ice-delivery boy, Augusto Benedicto now pedals to compete worldwide in various triathlons. He is also an elite athlete of Active Health.

Benedicto finished first place in the Long Distance category in the recently concluded Tri United 3, eclipsing the competition with a time of 4:48:00

Like fine wine, 40-year-old Lezette Albarote, refuses to treat her age as a hindrance. Instead, she sees this as an advantage in doing her best and improving herself

The 33-year-old athlete has been delivering ice to customers all over Paniqui, Tarlac and this unintentional training developed his stamina and strong leg muscles, which led him into joining track-and-field competitions and junior duathlons. Urged by his coaches, he then got introduced to triathlons and today, August is a consistent podium finisher here and abroad.

“I train daily. Either I swim in the morning, bike or run in the afternoon,” August says.

“I value the coaches, sponsors and people who support me, so I push myself to always do my best.”

Lezette is a 40-year-old wife, mother and full-time employee in the local government of Bukidnon, where she travels daily from her home in General Santos. “I have an 8 to 5 job, and I make it a point to wake up at 3:30 a.m., have breakfast, and train for two hours before work,” she says. “At 6:00 p.m., when I get home, I set aside an hour to train some more.”

Lezette had no coach but had the support of her family – a husband who is also a

Albarote placed first in the distaff race of the recently concluded Tri United 3, with a time of 5:46:11

cyclist and her 18-year-old son. Discipline and perseverance led her to train daily, maintaining her vegetarian diet with no junk food and sugary stuff. Starting late in the game, Lezette proves that age is not a hindrance in becoming a triathlete. “I used to play just badminton, which is a team sport. But I got busy and then got into running because it is something I can do alone in my own time,” she explains. “Then I tried biking and I liked it, so I challenged myself into joining triathlons, and learned how to swim at 35.” She adds, “Don’t be intimidated to join triathlons. Find a group and gain friends who will push you to do harder. Later on, you will see your figure improving, which will also boost your confidence. Love yourself by finding time to train even with a busy schedule.”

You too can become one of them.

Visit www.activehealth.ph for 2016 race schedules and details and get started on this life-changing journey.

DISCOVER ASIA’S MARTIAL ARTS WITH CEBU PACIFIC

Visitors can directly observe, train, and compete with the Judokas in Kodokan, Japan

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artial arts even in the modern world continues to fascinate people from all over the globe.

Sometimes, the more history and tradition is behind the practice, the more tourists and enthusiasts are eager to learn.

In Asia, the most prominent places to visit to learn traditional martial arts is in South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines where the art of Taekwondo, Judo, and Arnis take center stage annually in various major

events organized by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), International Judo Federation (IJF), and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). Throughout the year, thousands of enthusiasts flock to different local and international venues to watch competitions such as World Championships, World Cups, Grand Prix, and National Championships.

Taekwondo is one of the oldest forms of martial arts that originated in Korea. It made its Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games.

In South Korea, enthusiasts and practitioners can visit the Namsahgol Hanok Village or the International Kumgang Taekwondo Center in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul to learn and experience a deeper sense of appreciation for Taekwondo. Characterized by diverse kicking techniques – from jumping and spinning kicks, to head-height kicks, this form of martial arts helps enhance flexibility and improve coordination.

Judo, meaning “the gentle way,” was developed in Japan in 1882 and is now part of the Olympics. This form of martial art relies on flexibility and the efficient

use of balance, leverage and movement in the performance of throws and other skills, rather than brute strength. Judokas, or Judo practitioners, are trained at the heart of Tokyo where the most regarded Judo institute in the whole of Japan resides, Kodokan. Established by the founder of the martial arts himself, Kano Jigoro, Kodokan is welcome to visitors from abroad who want to train every April. This is the time when the institute hosts the All Japan Judo Championships, the biggest Judo tournament in the nation. Visitors can also learn about the history and heritage of the art of Judo by visiting the facility, freely observing sessions and checking out its historical museum.

In the Philippines, Kali, Arnis or Eskrima are widely becoming popular worldwide.

It is a weapons-based fighting system indigenous to the Philippines dating back to the pre-colonial Spanish era and was originally the primary form of warfare.

Kali is the traditional fighting form that makes use of bladed weapons, with native Filipino warriors, indigenous tribesmen,

and noblemen among its most prevalent disciples. Kali was widely taught in institutions called Bothoan together with military tactics, and traditional medicine.

However, the practice was diminished when the colonial period began. In the late 1800s, the fighting system was renamed to what it is called now, Arnis, in honor of the cultural tradition it was associated with during the years of its depravation. In 2009, Republic Act No. 9850 declared Arnis as the national martial art and sport of the Philippines. Today, martial arts pilgrims can visit the different chapters of Modern Arnis Mano-Mano Filipino Martial Arts throughout Metro Manila. For a deeper experiential appreciation, a visit to the Cebu Aikido-Arnis Center in Cebu City and the Mandirigmang Kaliradman in Davao City is a must.

Aspirants, enthusiasts, or curious visitors, get ready to immerse yourselves in the world of martial arts and book your flights with Cebu Pacific. Check booking dates and visit www.cebupacificair.com today.

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 17, 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

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Charles M. sChulz’s legaCy debuts on the big sCreen The lovable characters in The Peanuts movie

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harlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved Peanuts Gang finally make their big-screen debut in state of the art 3D animation. Charlie Brown, the world’s most beloved underdog, embarks on an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his archnemesis, the Red Baron. From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the Ice Age films, Snoopy and Charlie Brown The Peanuts Movie will prove that every underdog has his day.

Over the years, many studios had pursued a big screen version of Peanuts, but the Schulz family resisted. Their thinking began to change when director Steve Martino, highly regarded pioneer in the field of computer animation who along with Michael Thurmeier expressed his passion and ideas for the project. Moreover, Craig Schulz had admired Martino’s work, including the way his film Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! was true to the style of Dr. Seuss.

In 2012, Schulz phoned Fox

Animation Studios executive Ralph Millero to say that he had a script that he had written with his son Bryan Schulz and the younger Schulz’s writing partner, Cornelius Uliano. (The three screenwriters also serve as producers.) Moving with the speed of one of those fastballs that always seem to whiz

by Charlie Brown, Millero took the script to Fox Animation Studios President Vanessa Morrison, who immediately set the wheels in motion. Blue Sky and Fox had accomplished what every major studio had attempted: secure the film rights to one of the world’s most coveted properties.

The approach and care that Martino showed impressed the Schulz family. “We were very lucky to get Steve on board,” recalls Craig Schulz. “Over the years, we had dealt with many people who would come in say they’ve grown up with “Peants”, and that they had a great story.

But it’s not easy to step in the world my dad created, and to understand how he drew the strip. Steve Martino got it.”

To say that Martino felt some pressure would be an

understatement. “I thought about Schroeder and his little toy piano, and on the day we were entrusted with these icons, I felt like I had a grand piano on my shoulders.

I had artists lining up outside my door!” Adds supervising animator Nick Bruno: “It was the first time my dad called with an opinion on how not to screw up a project of ours!”

Rounding out the producing team is one of the film industry’s most respected filmmakers, the multi-talented (and lifelong Peanuts fan) Paul Feig. “I almost fainted when Ralph Millero approached me to work on the film,” jokes Feig. “It was like getting the phone call to come on board for the re-make of ‘Star Wars.’”

A wholesome movie for the whole family reverberating with so much positive values and vibes that dad and mom will definitely approve!

Best seen on the big screen replete of Charles M. Schulz’s heartwarming themes and Blue Sky Studios’ impressive animation details, Snoopy and Charlie Brown The Peanuts Movie hits cinemas Jan. 8 nationwide.

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 17, 2015

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

BEhinD iSaBELLE DaZa’S UnExPECtED nEW RELatiOnShiP

TV sTars help mall To be Top-of-mind for saVings-ConsCious Cebuanos

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he’s doing it all –modelling, acting, hosting and influencing. Despite being busy working on multiple big projects, Isabelle Daza is still able to manage her own business, work on her own social media show, travel, go out with friends, stay fit, cook, and even invest time to relax and pamper herself. She is undeniably a woman who embodies what it truly means to be unstoppable.

But just like every woman, Belle gets slowed down by that one unavoidable time of the month - heavy red days. “Especially when your pad is bulky, and you’re in middle of taping, running around all day, you feel like you’re not giving your best. Something is bothering you. It’s sticky, hot and heavy – and yet it’s never an excuse to not perform.”

Thankfully, she’s found the pad she can finally swear by– light and breathable, it’s the newest and breakthrough Whisper Skin Love. “It’s very thin it feels like a panty liner but it also gives you full coverage. I’ve never seen or tried anything like it. I love it so much!” Belle gushed, passionately sharing her Whisper Skin Love experience at the exclusive launch held at the EDSA Shangri-la Chi Spa. Belle isn’t ashamed to admit she feels like she’s in a new relationship with her pad, of all things. “I am now loyal to my pad. And it can’t just be me telling you about it, I want you guys to experience it. Trust me, you will remain faithful to Whisper Skin Love.”

In a coral pink midriff-baring two-piece dress, Belle shared the love with today’s top bloggers, breaking the news to them: finally, the first and only pad with breathable protection that promises to bring a new standard of comfort to the period experience is in the country. All ladies can now feel the love of Whisper Skin Love.

“Whisper has always been committed to helping women push the boundaries any time of the month, and Belle is truly the perfect endorser who embodies what it means to be unstoppable,” said Whisper Brand Manager, Jan Ang. “And at the end of the day, our mission in Whisper is to empower all the go-getters by giving them the best and most comfortable period experience. So, on the most

Isabelle Daza redefines the meaning of unstoppable

uncomfortable days, they feel limitless and free to do whatever and wear whatever they want.”

Isabelle adds on, “Being so comfortable on your period really goes a long way – you can do so much more and feel less conscious and restricted. And with Whisper Skin Love, I would even go as far as saying you’ll forget you’re on your period!”

The most innovative pad in the category, Whisper Skin Love with breathable protection features a gentle to skin, Japan-designed cushiony soft top sheet at one third of the thickness of a regular pad but with three times more the absorbency.

“Aside from being absorbent, it has always been my dream to have a pad that is not heavy and bulky so that I can still wear tight dresses or pants even during that time of the month.” Belle shared.

“With Skin Love, it was really goodbye bulky and hello breathable for me! It’s so comfortable, it feels like my second skin! Best pad relationship ever.” she said.

Just like Belle, all the ladies deserve to feel the love every day of the month. The new Whisper Skin Love Day pack of eights (28cm) and All Night pack of sixes (31cm) are now available in leading supermarkets, drugstores, and convenience stores nationwide for only P69.00. Why not also share your all new period experience with the hash tags #WhisperSkinLove and #FeeltheLOVE. For more information, visit https://www. everydayme.com.ph/tag/whisper.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Dignity of manner 6 Draw with a laser 10 Oasis feature 14 Again and again 15 Bok — 16 Overpraise 17 Golfer Sam — 18 Cause to split 19 Handel contemporary 20 Upper body

21 23 25 26 29 32 37 38 39 40

Pries open Startled cries Kubrick’s computer Memo abbr.

Guard animals of ancient Egypt Luau, for one Friend, slangily Brandish Czech capital Our ancestors (hyph.)

43 44 45 46 47 48 49 51 53 58 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

Most of the planet Piped up After taxes Changed decor Intuit Averages NASA counterpart Sauce in a wok Dagwood specialty Phoenician port Knock — — loop Purina rival Bygone rulers Cousin of PDQ Very, informally Frat-party wear Tree trunk Inventory wd.

Blow, as a horse

DOWN 1 Racetrack start 2 Point — — return 3 Anatomical passage 4 Add herbs 5 Set up a fund 6 Neutral shade 7 After that 8 Seashells 9 Nine-headed monster 10 Come again?

11 Rochester’s Jane

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2015

12 13 22 24 26 27 28 30 31 33 34 35 36 38 39 41 42 47 48 50 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 60 61 62

RN assistants Poe’s “Annabel —” Lord Tennyson Duelers’ pride More than dislike Cease-fire Slightly tinted Dow Jones fig.

Kid Flair for music Booster rocket More certain Dry runs Traveled along Collins and Donahue Mai — (rum drink) — kwon do Conked out Monty — Locusts aplenty Sends packing Fair (hyph.)

Shrunken sea Where hackles rise Audit aces Mine, actually Shakespeare heavy Blacken with heat Sec’y Marvy

ebuanos and Cebuanos-at-heart continue to favor Parkmall over familiar, ‘templated’ malls.

In November, Parkmall scored a phenomenal repeat of its certified hit 36-Hour Non-Stop Sale. The non-stop sale started at 10 a.m. on Nov. 14 and ended at 10 p.m. on the following dan.

Shoppers had their fill of nonstop raffles, in-store gimmicks, and the appearance of celebrities Robi Domingo of ABS-CBN and Kapuso young actor Teejay Marquez who joined the crowd in the shopping madness. “We are happy to be known as the mall with unique activities that remain a hit among the locals,” says Neal Co, general manager of Parkmall.

It was the perfect way to usher in the Christmas season at Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu. Expect more savings and attractions, like its new Atrium with a splendid-looking Talisay tree as its focal point, from the mall that remains the easy choice for locals and tourists alike. With an eight-year retail leadership to its belt, Parkmall continues to pay it forward, champion local artists,

Robbie Domingo with shoppers

and make shopping a memorable and rewarding experience.

To think that back in 2007, naysayers doubted that the site, which used to be a reclamation area would become a future growth center and hub. “But we believed in our vision and worked hard to achieve it,” adds Yael Sacris-Torrejos, mall manager of Parkmall.

Today, Parkmall enjoys an uncontested reputation as the top-of-mind mall where Cebuanos troop to enjoy big savings, get their money’s worth, and spend a good time bonding with friends, family, and officemates at its various stores, restaurants, and defining al fresco dining options.

Teejay Marquez with guests

T HUR S DAY : DECEMBER 17, 2015

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SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

Leonardo diCaprio’s Latest and Loudest buzz

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alab PoI Dancers ; toDo bIgay granD cHamPIon

Alab Poi Dancers is the grand champion winning P200,00

Prince Erich takes home a hundred grand

from c8

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ancing trio Alab Poi Dancers won the first “Todo BiGay” grand champion last Saturday in It’s Showtime after the group impressed the madlang people and the hurados with their creative use of fire and laser lights in their performance.

As the winners, Alab Poi Dancers took home P200,000.00 while interpretative dancer and second placer Prince Erich won P100,000.00, and cheerdancing group and third placer EMU Cheerdancers brought home P50,000.00.

Former Miss International Melanie Marquez, You’re My Home star Assunta De Rossi, and Vice Ganda were judges for the finals.

HHHHH Heart Ignores basHers With numerous “trolls” in social media, Heart Evangelista has no time for them. She totally is unmindful of her and her husband’s bashers.

She has gotten inured from what she has been hearing or reading regarding her and Senator Chiz Escudero, especially on Facebook. Heart said this during a guest appearance in the Winnie Monsod hosted show Bawal ang Pasaway ni Mareng Winnie Monsod on GMA News TV last Monday.

EMU Cheerdancers bags P50, 000.00

“In the beginning, it drove me crazy. Especially ako sanay ako sa social media. I’m very active on Instagram, Facebook, so nung umpisa nakikita ko lahat,” Heart said referring to the t”rolls” on social media.

Chiz told her not to mind the bashers.

“Pero siyempre bilang asawa or bilang kaibigan din, parang nasasaktan ako para sa kanya. Hindi ba?

So I have learned to let go,” Heart said.

“Eventually, siguro, you get immune din to what they throw at him or even at me,” Chiz’s wife added.

Chiz Escudero still leads in most surveys among vice-presidential aspirants.

‘tHe rIse of Harry Potter, Jr’ now fIlmIng

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ccording to NBC News, a Los Angeles film company is producing an animated film and television series titled Troll: The Rise Of Harry Potter Jr. The movie reprises the 1986 cult classic film Troll as a fulllength 3D animated feature. The original 1986 film was penned and directed by John Carl Buechler, who along with Peter Davy, will produce the new animated feature under Davy’s film company Media Trust Entertainment.

Academy Award winner Patricia Arquette has been signed for the voice of the witch, and up and coming child

actor Baxter Bartlett is slated to be the voice of young Harry Potter Jr. Plans are underway to round out the remainder of the characters. Cast members in the original 1986 live-action feature included Michael Moriarty, Shelley Hack, June Lockhart and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Arnel Pineda, lead singer of the iconic rock band Journey, as well as other artists will be creating the soundtrack as well as contributing original material written specifically for the project. Sanre Entertainment, which is headed by Rene Walter, will be handling the musical direction for this feature film.

The film is being represented

and distributed internationally

by London-based SC Films International, sales, distribution, production and finance company.

SC Films confirmed they are also in final negotiations with 3D animation studios in Canada and China to provide production services for the project.

The new animated feature will revisit the world of the wizardry originally created in the 1986 TROLL movie in which a wicked, magical troll wizard envisages taking over the world. Only Harry Potter Jr., with the help of a magical witch, can save the planet from the clutches of the troll wizard and his evil force.

n what the movie critics and cineastes consider his (latest) most powerful performance, Academy Award nominee Leonardo DiCaprio stars in a fully immersive and visceral cinematic experience in The Revenant, directed, produced and co-written by Academy Award®-winning director Alejandro G. Iñárritu.

The Revenant also gathers an impressive highly pedigreed cast that includes Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, Will Poulter, Forrest Goodluck, Paul Anderson, Kristoffer Joner, Joshua Burge and Duane Howard.

Inspired by true events, DiCaprio plays the legendary Hugh Glass, a fur trapper in an epic adventure set in the unchartered 19th century American Frontier. Based on author Michael Punke’s The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge (2002), it is one of the most extensively researched. Glass’s mythology began in 1823 when he was among thousands joining the fur trade, a driving new force in the US economy. It was a time when many saw the wild as a spiritual void that demanded to be tamed and conquered by the steeliest of men. And so they poured into the unknown, plying unmapped rivers, disappearing into impossibly lush forests, seeking not only excitement and adventure but also profits -often in fierce competition with the Native tribes for whom these lands had long been home.

Many such men died anonymously, but Glass entered the annals of American folklore by flat-out refusing to die. His legend sparked after he faced one of the West’s most feared dangers: a startled grizzly bear. Even for the most tested frontiersmen, that should have been the end, but not for Glass.

In Iñárritu’s telling of the tale, a mauled Glass clings to life – then suffers a human betrayal that fuels him to continue at any cost. In spite of tremendous loss, Glass pulls himself from an early grave – clawing his way through a gauntlet of unknown perils and unfamiliar cultures

on a journey that becomes not just a search for reckoning but for redemption. As Glass moves through the frontier in turmoil, he comes to reject the urge for destruction that once drove him.

He has become a “revenant” -one returned from the dead.

Immersing audiences in the unparalleled beauty, mystery and dangers of life in 1823 America, the film explores one man’s transformation in a quest for survival. Part thriller, part wilderness journey, The Revenant explores primal drives not only for life itself, but for dignity, justice, faith, family and home.

Known for such films as 21 Grams, Babel and the Academy Award®-winning Best Picture Birdman, The Revenant is Iñárritu’s first historical epic.

He brings his distinctive mix of visual immediacy and emotional intimacy to a story that transports audiences to a time and place that have rarely been experienced through visceral modern filmmaking.

The film’s wilderness-based production mirrored the harsh conditions Glass and company actually lived through in the 1800s. Iñárritu and his whole cast and crew were up for all that was thrown at them, welcoming the challenges of shooting in Canada and Argentina, regions known for unpredictable weather and untouched wilds, in order to fully understand the experience of fur trappers in the early 19th century.

Leonardo DiCaprio shares, “The Revenant is an incredible journey through the harshest elements of an uncharted America. It’s about the power of a man’s spirit. Hugh Glass’s story is the stuff of campfire legends, but Alejandro uses that folklore to explore what it really means to have all the chips stacked against you, what the human spirit can endure and what happens to you when you do endure.”

Hailed as this era’s most technically advanced film with impossible camera moves, The Revenant opens on Jan.27 from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Leonardo DiCapirio in a scene from The Revenant

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Hugh Glass, a legendary fur trapper

Tom Hardy joins DiCaprio in the immersive movie

T HUR S DAY : DECEM BER 17, 2015

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

The cast of Beauty and the Bestie (from left) James Reid and Nadine Lustre is the other love team in movie, Vice Ganda is Erika and Coco Martin is agent Emman

VICE, COCO, JADINE SPREAD LOVE AND LAUGHTER AT THE MMFF ISAH V. RED Star Cinema continues its tradition of non-stop fun and laughter for the whole family in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) as it collaborates with Viva Films for its “MerryGalo” -Wenn V. Deramas’ Beauty And The Bestie starring Vice Ganda and Coco Martin.

With a script by Mel Del Rosario, Beauty And The Bestie marks the fifth team-up of the phenomenal and unbeatable tandem of Deramas and Vice Ganda at the MMFF, this time with Kapamilya Primetime King Coco Martin.

The film is centered on Erika (Vice Ganda), a gay photographer, and his former best friend, special agent Emman (Coco Martin).

Emman offers Erika a secret mission to pose as the missing Miss Uzeklovakia in the Miss Uniworid 2015 pageant to prevent the latter’s recluse country from waging a possible world war.

As Erika accepts the mission, the former BFFs find themselves entangled in the crazy world of beauty pageants in their actionpacked adventure of finding the

ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio and veteran lead actor Christopher de Leon with the cast and crew of Kakabakaba ka ba at the world premiere of the film's digital restored version

elusive Miss Uzeklovakia. As they race against time, Erika and Emman find themselves in an awkward situation that forces them to rekindle a peculiar flame in their past.

This action-packed, laugh-aminute comedy also stars James Reid and Nadine Lustre, two of the hottest young stars today and whose love team is soaring high on ABS-CBN’s top-rating primetime series, On The Wings Of Love. Completing the wackygang of Beauty And The Bestie are child superstars Marco Masa and

Alonzo Muhlach, Badji Mortiz, Karia Estrada, Ryan Bang, MC Calaquian, and Lassy.

Beauty And The Bestie is showing in all cinemas nationwide starting Dec. 25.

CHARO, CHRISTOPHER RE-UNITE WITH KAKABAKABA KA BA CAST ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio and actor Christopher de Leon had a memorable reunion with the cast and the team behind the 35-year-

old Filipino classic, Kakabakaba Ka Ba? during the world premiere of its digitally restored version at a special screening of Cinema One Originals at Trinoma.

Charo, one of the lead stars of multi-awarded director Mike de Leon’s musical-comedy film in the 80s, praised the director for the film’s satirical story and good mix of music that made it a great film.

Cinema One Channel Head Ronald Arguelles meanwhile, shared that Filipino classic films like Kakabakaba Ka Ba? are close

to Cinema One as the channel shares the same advocacy with ABS-CBN’s film restoration group to expose the younger generation to classic, well-made Filipino films.

Leo Katigbak, head of ABS-CBN Film Archive and Restoration also revealed that films such as Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising also by De Leon, Haplos, Langis at Tubig, and even some of Star Cinema’s well-loved films are already part of the line-up for digital restoration.

Other members of the cast present at the event were Boboy Garovillo, Leo Martinez, Nanette Inventor, Joe Hardi the UP Concert Chorus, original crew members Ding Achacoso, Cesar Hernando, and screenplay cowriter and the film’s production designer Raquel Villavicencio.

Kakabakaba Ka Ba? officially closes the 2015 Cinema One Originals Festival as the last film to be shown in this year’s Filipino classics film program line-up.

The digitally restored version of Kakabakaba Ka Ba? will also have a limited theatrical run in the first quarter of 2016. It is one of the classic films that ABS-CBN’s film restoration arm has restored for the younger generation to see so they can appreciate Filipino classic films.

ABS-CBN film restoration and Cinema One are united in the sagip pelikula advocacy of the network.

Continued on C7