The Standard - 2015 May 13 - Wednesday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 85  3 Sections  32 Pages  P18  WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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New big quake jolts Nepalese

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Rep. Henry Cojuangco passes away

‘NO NUMBERS TO WIN BBL VOTE’ Next page

Forum. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. seems to be amused by a question from the media following the postponement of the voting on the Bangsamoro Basic Law during a forum in Congress on Tuesday. LINO SANTOS

Hawks equalize series

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‘Get real’ champions rock OPM

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PNP chief: Malaysian bomber next target AFTER the death of terrorists Zulkifli bin Hir of Malaysia and Abdul Basit Usman, Philippine National Police officerin-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina on Tuesday said the authorities are now training their guns on Malaysian bomb maker Amin Baco. “[The death of Malaysian bomb makers Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan, and Basit Usman] definitely led to a marking of major accomplishments in the fight versus terrorism.

However, we’re not going to put our guards down” Espina said in a chance interview at Camp Crame.

He said that there were many other terrorists at large, but PNP was determined “to account for all ... especially those who would create havoc”.

According to Espina, PNP is set to catch Jemaah Islamiyah member, Amin Baco, next.

Amin, 31, a Malaysian terrorist and a Jemaah Islamiyah member, is believed hiding with the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu, together with four other militants wanted by Malaysian police. They were reported to have f led to Mindanao following police crackdowns on militant activities in Malaysia.

“Mamasapano is just an operation to reach an objective.

All objectives are very noble and for the betterment of general public. We will not stop until highly valued terrorists are all accounted for,” Espina said.

Meanwhile, PNP awaits submission of more evidence needed to determine Usman’s DNA. “PNP Crime Laboratory and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) personnel in the field are busy collating all pieces of evidence that are relevant to the determination of the DNA” said Espina.

The PNP-OIC also said that the PNP would request proximate relatives, like parents” to cross-match with the DNA of Usman.

Usman, who was killed last May 3 in a Moro Islamic Liberation Front-controlled area.

Usman were among the targets of the bungled operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao with Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli Bin Hir or ìMarwan,î who was killed in the Jan. 25 mission. The police operation, however, cost the lives of 44 Special Action Force troopers, 16 Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters and three civilians. PNA

Inspection. Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang, second from right, is shown here after flying to Pagasa Island, the biggest in

the Kalayaan Island Group in Palawan where Beijing’s reclamation activities have sparked concern. Several foreign and local reporters flew with Catapang to Pagasa aboard a C-130 cargo plane. MANNY PALMERO

Uncertainty of passage moves BBL vote anew

By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Sandy Araneta THE independent minority bloc in the House of Representatives said Tuesday House leaders might not have enough support from lawmakers to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

The bloc’s leader, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, said the decision of the 75-man ad hoc panel to defer the voting on the BBL was triggered by the lack of support from House members to approve the draft bill being pushed by the administration and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

“This development indicates that the House majority has no solid numbers to pass the BBL because even their allies believe that Congress should not hurry the approval of a very vital and important measure,” said Romualdez.

“Congress should not pass the BBL under duress.”

“While we support peace with the MILF, the measure must be approved in consonance with the Constitution and existing laws.

The strong clamor to deliver justice for the victims of Mamasapano clash remains and the government and the MILF must ensure that this requirement is met,” Romualdez added.

Nevertheless, Romualdez said the move of the ad hoc panel, chaired by Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, to reset the voting next week was “a laudable act to allow members to study the pro-

posed amendments.”

This developed as House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. played down reports that the House leadership does not have enough number of votes to pass the BBL. “I am certain we have the numbers. More than that, we have to polish everything,” Belmonte told reporters.

Belmonte said the House is still on the right track to pass the BBL and that the delay in the supposed voting of the BBL last Monday would not affect its timetable much.

“The timetable is somehow affected, but not that much. We just want to ensure order. Of course we have the support of majority to pass it,” Belmonte said.

The Speaker said the ad hoc panel was expected to come up with its draft report on the measure that would be voted upon by the House members.

Belmonte pointed out that the House must pass a version of the BBL “that is acceptable to most.”

Otherwise, it would only be end up being questioned before the Supreme Court, Belmonte added.

House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Rep. Neptali

Gonzales II welcomed the move of the ad hoc panel to defer the voting, saying the effort was “aimed at consolidating amendments to the BBL.” “Let us give enough time for the members to study the proposed amendments. The draft will be submitted by chairman Rodriguez and then the copy will be given to members for their consideration,” Gonzales said.

It was learned that 12 members of the panel had proposed several amendments to the BBL, including the rewording of some provisions and the deletion of a few sections.

“There are additional amendments to be given. We better reset it (voting) for the meantime to have copies of all addendum. I feel that if I will not give in to request of consolidation, we are rushing things,” said Rodriguez.

The panel members will have to choose between the proposed amendments and the original sections of the bill as contained by the original version of the bill.

During the voting, Rodriguez is expected to push for the deletion of eight provisions deemed to be unconstitutional by many lawmakers.

In the Senate, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., chairman of the committee on local governments, said his panel would conduct another hearing to get the side of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. He will schedule the hearing after getting back to Manila from the two-day marathon hearings in Jolo, Sulu and Zamboanga City on

May 13 and 14.

“I think it is proper to hear the MNLF side because they have signed a peace agreement with the government, the 1996 Jakarta Agreement,” Marcos said.

“I made a promise to the people of Jolo and Zamboanga that they will have a chance to air their views on the BBL and so we set these hearings to fulfill that promise,” Marcos said.

The Jolo and Zamboanga hearings will be held in the same week the special committee of the House of Representatives gears up to vote on the final version of BBL it would present to the plenary.

Malacanang has signified its desire for the BBL to be passed before Congress adjourns on June 10.

However, BBL hearings suffered a setback in both Houses of Congress after 44 police commandos were killed by Muslim rebels in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, on Jan. 25.

This early, Marcos said the Senate is not likely to heed Malacanang’s appeal for the passage of the BBL without any amendments.

He said that even the Peace Council which Malacanang constituted to review BBL pointed the need for some changes in the draft BBL. “We will amend on the power sharing. We will amend on the administrative issues. We will amend on the economic issues. We will certainly amend on the constitutional issues,” Marcos said.

Marcos said he cannot commit to any deadline for the passage of the BBL in the Senate.

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Trillanes a bully, says Binay

By Vito Barcelo VICE President Jejomar Binay lashed out at Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for using his position to bully and intimidate honest and hardworking individuals from joining government service.

“We should encourage exceptional individuals to work in the government, but instead they are being turned off by the likes of Senator Trillanes who hide behind their parliamentary immunity to bully and harass people for personal gain,” Binay said in a statement.

The statement was released in reaction to Trillanes’ rude treatment of Home Development and Mutual (Pag-IBIG) Fund chief executive officer and president Darlene Marie Berberabe during the latest Blue Ribbon Subcommittee hearing Monday.

“His conduct is unbecoming of a senator of the republic. His demeanor is becoming more and more offensive with every hearing,” he said.

Binay said he recommended Berberabe to President Benigno S. Aquino III because of her competence and integrity.

“When I assumed the post as chairman of the Pag-IBIG Board Fund in 2010, the Globe Asiatique (GA) scam was big news. So from Day 1, I was determined to find a professional from the private sector who could clean up the Fund and institute needed reforms,” he said.

Binay also slammed Trillanes’ “patented template of lies, insinuations, and half-truths” in the Senate hearings.

“They invent lies and and make insinuations about a particular issue. And once they are caught with their lies, they move on to another issues. This has been the pattern in the past 20 hearings.

They jump from one issue to another because of the simple reason that they cannot substantiate any of their allegations,” Binay said.

He said Trillanes was determined to find dirt in the Pag-IBIG Fund simply because Binay was the chairman.

Boodle fight. Vice President Jejomar Binay (center) joins Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (left), Calapan City Mayor Arnan Panaligan (third from left), and hundreds of vendors in a boodle fight inside the Calapan City Public Market in Oriental Mindoro. VER NOVENO

‘Pagpag’ caused surveyed hunger to drop?

A LABOR group on Tuesday downplayed the results of a survey by the group Social Weather Stations saying the number of people experiencing hunger had declined, saying that was due to the proliferation of “pagpag” food that is accessible to poor Filipinos especially in Metro Manila.

“Pagpag” is a Filipino term for leftover food from fast-food restaurants that is scavenged from garbage sites and dumps.

“We would like to attribute this development to the proliferation of “pagpag” food— very cheap, very delicious and easily accessible to the poor,” said Trade Union Congress of the Philippines-Nagkaisa spokesman Alan Tanjusay.

The TUCP-Nagkaisa said the Aquino administration failed to make quality living for the majority of Filipinos by not meeting three benchmarks, including raising the income of the poor.

“The government failed to make power, water, telecom services af-

fordable and the third is that the government’s enormous savings could have been dedicated to new jobs,” the TUCP said.

SWS said about three milion Filipino families experienced “involuntary hunger” at least once during the first quarter of 2015.

The First Quarter 2015 Social Weather Survey, conducted from March 20 to 23, 2015, also showed that this was 3.7 points below the 17.2 percent (estimated at 3.8 million families) in December 2014, and the lowest in 10 years since May 2005, when it was at 12.0 percent, SWS said.

The survey firm said the measure of “Hunger” refers to involuntary suffering because the respondents answer a survey question that specifies hunger due to lack of food to eat.

SWS said both “Moderate Hunger” and “Severe Hunger” likewise declined.

The 13.5 percent total Hunger in March 2015 is the sum of 11.1 per-

cent (estimated at 2.5 million families) who experienced Moderate Hunger and 2.4 percent (estimated at 522,000 families) who experienced Severe Hunger, SWS said.

Moderate Hunger refers to those who experienced hunger “Only Once” or “A Few Times” in the last three months, while Severe Hunger refers to those who experienced it “Often” or “Always” in the last three months.

The few who did not state their frequency of hunger were classified under Moderate Hunger.

Both Moderate Hunger and Severe Hunger fell between December 2014 and March 2015.

Moderate Hunger fell by 2.1 points, from 13.2 percent (estimated at 2.9 million families) to 11.1 percent.

Severe Hunger declined by 1.7 points from 4.1 percent (est.

888,000 families) to 2.4 percent.

Hunger fell amid the decline in Self-Rated Poverty and Self-Rated Food Poverty

There was a 3.7-point fall in Hunger, a 1-point decline in Self-Rated Poverty, and a 5-point decline in Self-Rated Food-Poverty, between December 2014 and March 2015.

Hunger fell among the Poor, the Food-Poor, the Non-Poor and the Non-Food-Poor.

Overall Hunger (i.e. Moderate plus Severe) fell among the SelfRated Poor by 2.1 points, from 21.3 percent in December 2014 to 19.2 percent in March 2015.

It fell among the Not Poor/On the Borderline by 5.4 points, from 12.8 percent to 7.4 percent over the same period.

It fell among the Self-Rated Food-Poor by 4.9 points, from 28.8% to 23.9 percent.

It fell among the Not Food-Poor/ Food-Borderline by 1.3 points, from 9.0 percent to 7.7 percent.

At any point in time, Hunger among the Self-Rated Food-Poor is always greater than Hunger among the Self-Rated Poor. Vito Barcelo and Sandy Araneta

Tarlac Rep. Henry Cojuangco, co-leader of NPC, dies of aneurysm

By Maricel V. Cruz

COJUANGCO

TARLAC 1st District Rep. Enrique Cojuangco, younger brother of businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. and first cousin once removed of President Benigno Aquino III, died Tuesday morning after suffering an aneurysm. He was 74.

House leaders led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. and Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II expressed their sympathies to the Conjuangco family.

The Cojuangco brothers are also uncles of for-

mer defense secretary and defeated 2010 presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro.

Enrique Cojuangco was the first cousin of the late President Corazon Aquino.

He won the congressional seat in the first district of Tarlac in the 2010 and 2013 elections.

During the 15th Congress, Cojuangco served as the chairman of the House committee on economic affairs and was the principal proponent of House Bill 5286 or the proposed anti-trust bill, which seeks to curb monopolies and protect consumers and the

economy from unfair competition.

The Palace sent its condolences.

“We convey our deepest condolences to his bereaved family. Representative Cojuangco served for two terms and was known and admired for his professionalism and dedication to public service,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. A tweet by the House Media Relations Service said Cojuangco died at The Medical City.

Cojuangco, along with Batangas Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza, led the con-

tingent of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in the House.

In his honor, the House leadership vowed to pass the Fiar Competition Bill.

“On behalf of my colleagues, the officials of the Secretariat and the entire House of Representatives as well as of my family, our prayers and sympathies to Violeta, his widow, and their four children as well as to His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, Henry’s nephew,” Belmonte said.

“Henry, as we fondly called him, has been a staunch advocate and au-

thor of the Fair Competition Bill and will always be remembered for his dedication and very pleasant demeanor. We, his colleagues, hope to keep his memory alive by taking on his significant legislative advocacies,” Belmonte said.

He said that it was through the efforts of Cojuangco that the Fair Competition Bill remains alive in the House of Representatives The proposed bill is one of the longest bills pending in Congress having been first filed in the 8th Congress. – With Sandy Araneta and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

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The Lito is in the house. In a rare appearance in a Senate committee hearing, Senator Lito Lapid (right, right photo) attended a hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Order & Dangerous Drugs, chaired by Senator Grace Poe, to ask Sr. Supt. Arnold Gunnacao (left, left photo) and Deputy Director General Benjamin Magalong about the growing number of car thefts in the country. EY ACASIO

DOJ now says more pork cases to be filed

By Rey E. Requejo

AMID criticism that she is being selective in prosecuting corruption cases involving the pork barrel of lawmakers, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima backtracked on Tuesday and said the third batch of cases will be filed two weeks time.

De Lima said the filing of the charges remains a priority of the Department of Justice even as Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Jose Hernandez wondered why De Lima and her team of lawyers have not filed the third batch of charges.

The opposition United Nationalist Alliance also kept up the pressure on De Lima and asked her to explain why leaders of the ruling Liberal Party are missing from the latest list of 49 lawmakers who allegedly misused their pork barrel funds.

But De Lima said she directed Justice Undersecretary Jose Justiniano to submit a final recommendation on the third set of graft charges prepared by the National

Bureau of Investigation against former and incumbent lawmakers implicated in the PDAF scam.

“I told them to make time for this and to once and for all give me already a final recommendation on the third batch so as not to delay the cases further,” the DOJ chief said, in an interview.

De Lima explained that the delay in the filing of the third batch, which was reportedly already set since early last year, was due to “certain issues” - particularly the forgery of signatures of officials involved on documents gathered by NBI. “That is the only issue left – what will be the effect of the findings of fake signatures if the cases are filed. I want them to focus on that,” the Justice Secretary stressed.

But Sandiganbayan Justice Hernandez, chairman of the Fourt Division which is hearing the first batch of cases, asked government prosecutors why they have not filed any charges for the other personalities.

“File the second and third batches.

What are you waiting for? You have a very willing witness [in Marina Sula].

Without her testimony you will have no case,” Hernandez asked government lawyers in an open hearing.

“People are eagerly waiting for the sec-

ond and third batch(es). When important things are happening you have to speak up just like what this witness is doing,” Hernandez said.

But UNA interim president and Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco wondered why there were no LP leaders in the latest list released by the Commission on Audit.

“The list is incomplete as there are no bigwigs in it, only members of the Liberal Party who were given crumbs,” Tiangco said.

“COA already reported that there are disbursements that went to top LP people that constitute plunder, but they are not included in the lists that the agency released,” Tiangco added.

Tiangco said that the list is meant as a virtual showcase for the public to see that the administration is really into anti-corruption drive.

“It is more like of a smokescreen, and the administration is using the COA to cover up the LP bigwigs,” Tiangco said.

The COA released a list containing the names of the legislators that recommended funds meant to uplift the lives of Muslim Filipinos. A total of P670 million of funding went to doubtful non-government organizations (NGOs) from 2011 to 2013, according to the audit body.

After two terms, Lapid admits he was unfit senator

By Macon Ramos-Araneta AFTER almost 12 years as senator of the Philippines, movie actor Lito Lapid realized that he does not really fit the role of a senator because he lacked a college education, but he is still hoping his son Mark Lapid could succeed him when he leaves office next year.

In a very rare interview with reporters, Lapid said he was very happy the Filipino people elected him as senator, but he admitted he is always nervous in the Senate.

“Of course you know I [did not complete] formal education. I can’t answer some questions [during sessions and committee hearings], right?” Lapid told reporters, apparently the reason why he seldom attends plenary sessions and committee hearings.

But the senator insisted that he always tried to do his job as senator and that may be the reason why he was re-elected.

In 2016, the senator announced that he will run for mayor of Angeles City in Pampanga while Mark will run for senator in 2016, even as an independent candidate.

The Lapids belong to the Lakas party of former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. “[But] I am already a graduate,” the senator said, asking his supporters to support his son Mark, who is now chief operating officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority after serving a term as governor of Pampanga from 2004 to 2007.

More Sergio victims emerge

By Rey E. Requejo

The Evil Empire cometh. Robots in the image of Stormtroopers from the movie Star Wars are among features of the Lego store that was launched at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on Tuesday. DANNY PATA

MORE victims of the suspected illegal recruiters who allegedly duped Mary Jane Veloso to become a drug mule in Indonesia have expressed willingness to file criminal charges against them.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said the National Bureau of Investigation has received handwritten letters from several people narrating their experiences with Ma. Kristina Sergio and her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao.

“There are also other cases referred to us by the (Department of Foreign Affairs) for verification or validation. So automatically, that is assigned to the NBI component for investigation,” De Lima said.

But De Lima declined to divulge details because the complaints are being investigated by the NBI.

Earlier, more than 10 other victims of Sergio and Lacanilao have surfaced and also filed charges of illegal recruitment and human trafficking against the two.

The case filed by three of them – Lorna Valino, Ana Maries Gonzales and Jenalyn Paraiso – was already filed last week before the Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija regional trial court following inquest proceedings against Sergio and Lacanilao, who have been placed under arrest.

The charges of the others, along with those filed by Mary Jane and her parents, are undergoing preliminary investigation before the DOJ. In a related development, the Indonesian lawyer of Mary Jane arrived in the country and went to the DOJ to gather evidence and documents that would help in permanently saving her from death row.

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‘Poll automation problematic’

By Maricel V. Cruz

Commission on Elections chairman Andres Bautista on Tuesday said a full automation in the 2016 polls would be impossible even as he admitted that logistical issues would hamper manual count at precinct level.

At a congressional hearing, Bautista said the Comelec however would have to abide by the automated elections law.

“There are different schools of thought: a full automation and the other one where everything will be automated except for the precinct-level counting [of votes]. It can be subject to a fair debate, unless there is a consensus among stakeholders on how to conduct the elections,” Bautista told

Another CA justice named PRESIDEnT Benigno Aquino III has appointed an Antipolo Regional Trial Court judge as an associate justice of the Court of Appeals.

Ronaldo B. Martin was named associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. wrote in a May 12, 2015 letter formally informing Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno about the new appointment.

Martin, whose appointment came a few days after Assistant Solicitor General Sarah Jane Fernandez was named CA associate jusice, was on a short list of seven names drawn up by the Judicial and Bar Council in February.

The position was vacated by CA Associate Justice Vicente Veloso who retired on Jan. 7, 2015 upon reaching the compulsory retirement age of 70 years old.

Those on the JBC short list, apart from Martin, were: Manila RTC Judge Ruben Reynaldo G. Roxas; Manila RTC Judge Ma. Celestina Cruz-Mangrobang; Marikina City RTC Judge Geraldine FielMacaraig; lawyer Ruben Reynaldo T. Robeniol; Zamboanga City RTC Judge Gregorio V. Dela Pena III; and Makati City RTC Judge Jonel Sebastian S. Mercado. Sandy Araneta

the House committee on electoral reforms and suffrage.

Bautista appeared before the panel chaired by Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro to update Congress on its preparations for 2016 national elections.

Bautista said the Comelec would need to increase the precincts to as much as 300,000 from the current 82,000 in the event that a manual precinct-level counting was to be carried out.

Similarly, Bautista said the manual precinct-level count would need a million teachers, a figure that is much higher than the 250,000 teachers required under full automation.

“There is a logistical issue [if there will be manual precinct-level counting]. There are advantages, like transparency. We need to weigh them and consult the stakeholders and Congress,” Bautista said.

Also during the hearing, another Comelec official told the House panel

the poll body would conduct a parallel public bidding for the refurbishment and repair of the 80,000 Precinct Count Optical Scan machines and the purchase of 100,000 optical mark reader voting machines to ensure the conduct of 2016 polls.

Earlier, the Supreme Court voided a deal for the repair of PCOS units between Comelec and Smartmatic.

“We can’t wait for refurbishment bid to fail before buying new OMR units.

We have to do it at same time,” Comelec Executive Director Jose Tolentino said.

“If we had all the time, we would do one first [bidding for refurbishment/ repair] following the other [bidding for purchase], but May 9, 2016 is not a moving target. We will indicate in the terms of reference that the contract for the purchase of OMRs will be cancelled if the refurbishment/ repair deal will be secured,” Bautista pointed out.

Bautista

InvItatIon to BId for the Supply and delIvery of two (2) lotS Bottled water for SatellIte operatIonS Group (SoG) 1 under ITB No. 05-16-2015

InvItatIon to BId for the Supply and delIvery of ChIpS tray under ITB No. 05-18-2015 The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming public bidding for the Supply and Delivery of Chips Tray under ITB No. 05-18-2015.

Brief Description

Supply and Delivery of Chips Tray: • Tray # 1 : American Chips (39mm - 40mm) : Size - 213 x 71.6 x 23 mm. : Material - Plastic : Quantity - 17,300 pieces

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming public bidding for the Supply and Delivery of Two (2) Lots Bottled Water for Satellite Operations Group (SOG) 1 under ITB No. 05-16-2015.

LOT

• Tray # 2 : American Chips (43mm - 45mm) : Size - 238 x 71.6 x 25.5 mm. : Material - Plastic : Quantity - 14,350 pieces

1

• Tray # 3 : Plaques / Jettons (95 x 66 / 60 mm) : Size - 325 x 103.2 x 38 mm. : Material - Plastic : Quantity - 3,700 pieces

Delivery Schedule

• Tray # 4 : Plaques (108 x 75 mm) : Size - 340 x 116.2 x 43.5 mm. : Material - Plastic : Quantity - 1,500 pieces For the Prototype Samples: Within fifteen (15) calendar days from the effectivity date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

For the Four (4) Types of Chips Tray:

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC): Source of Funds:

Within thirty (30) calendar days from the effectivity date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

The ABC for the project is in the amount of Three Million Pesos (PhP 3,000,000.00), VAT Exclusive, Zero Rated Transaction.

Internally Funded

Bidders should have completed, within the last three (3) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

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

All particulars relative to Pre-Bid Conference, Detailed Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR. The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: 1.

2.

3.

4.

2

Activities Issuance of the Bidding Documents Pre-Bid Conference Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids

Schedule May 13, 2015 (Wed) to June 01, 2015 (Mon) May 20, 2015 (Wed), 2:00 p.m.

June 01, 2015 (Mon), 10:00 a.m.

June 01, 2015 (Mon), 10:00 a.m. onwards

Complete details of the project are indicated in the bidding documents which will be available to prospective bidders at the Bids and Awards Services Department (BASD), upon payment of the nonrefundable bidding fee of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 5,000.00) from the address below.

Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable bidding fee not later than the date of the submission of bids. The Pre-bid Conference is open to all prospective bidders. Prospective bidders should present to PAGCOR’s Cashier located at the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila either the Bidding Fee Slip which may be secured from the BASD or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

PAGCOR assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - Tie-Breaking Method, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 3 shall use a non-discretionary and non-discriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two or more bidders have been post-qualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final LCRB, based on the following procedures: 1.

In alphabetical order, the bidders shall pick one rolled paper.

2.

The lucky bidder who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as the final bidder having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Supply and Delivery of Twelve Thousand One Hundred Sixty-Eight (12,168) bottles of Five (5)-Gallon Purified Water Supply and Delivery of Fifteen Thousand Two Hundred Forty (15,240) boxes of 350mL Distilled Bottled Water TOTAL

Source of Funds:

APPROVED BUDGET FOR THE CONTRACT (ABC) (VAT Exclusive, Zero Rated Transaction) Two Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand Sixteen Pesos and 56/100 (PhP288,016.56) Three Million One Hundred Twenty-Two Thousand Sixty-Six Pesos and 40/100 (PhP3,122,066.40) Three Million Four Hundred Ten Thousand EightyTwo Pesos and 96/100 (PhP3,410,082.96) Internally Funded

DELIVERY SCHEDULE

The complete schedule of deliveries is provided in Section VI (Schedule of Requirements) of the Bidding Documents which will commence starting from the contract effectivity date specified in the Notice to Proceed

Bidders should have completed, within the last three (3) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

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

All particulars relative to Pre-Bid Conference, Detailed Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR. The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities 1. Issuance of the Bidding Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids 4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids

Schedule May 13, 2015 (Wed) to June 2, 2015 (Tue) May 21, 2015 at 2:30 p.m.

June 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

June 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. onwards

Complete details of the project are indicated in the bidding documents which will be available to prospective bidders at the Bids and Awards Services Department (BASD), upon payment of the non-refundable bidding fee based on the following matrix: Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000.00 and below More than 1 Million up to 5 Million

Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Pesos) 500.00 5,000.00

Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable bidding fee not later than the date of the submission of bids. The Pre-bid Conference is open to all prospective bidders. Prospective bidders should present to PAGCOR’s Cashier located at the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila either the Bidding Fee Slip which may be secured from the BASD or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

PAGCOR assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - TieBreaking Method, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 4 shall use a non-discretionary and nondiscriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two or more bidders have been post-qualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final bidder having the LCRB, based on the following procedures: 1.

2.

In alphabetical order, the bidders shall pick one rolled paper; and The lucky bidder who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as the final bidder having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract.

PAGCOR reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

PAGCOR reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

Please address all communications to the Bids and Awards Committee thru the BASD, Room 203, Second Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Tel No.: 524-3911, 521-1542 local 223/617.

Please address all communications to the Bids and Awards Committee thru the BASD, Room 203, Second (2nd) Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Tel No.: 524-3911, 521-1542 local 223/571.

(Sgd.) ALBERTO R. VILLARAMA Chairperson Bids and awards Committee (BaC) 3

(SGD) RODERICK R. CONSOLACION Chairperson Bids and awards Committee (BaC) 4

(tS-May 13 , 2015)

(tS-May 13 , 2015)

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Ride-sharing taxis curbed

Advocacy. The Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development marks this week’s observance of the National HIV Testing Week and the International AIDs Candlelight Memorial. LINO SANTOS

THE Philippines has become the first country to come up with national rules governing Uber and other ride-sharing services, the transport department said Tuesday, following criticism of the industry as unsafe and unregulated.

The transport department will on Wednesday publicly issue the new country-wide guidelines for the likes of Uber and GrabTaxi, a spokeswoman said, in a bid to promote better transport services.

Ride-sharing services—typically Internet and mobile app-based alternatives to traditional taxis—are gaining popularity in the Philippine capital Manila, notorious for creaking train systems, decrepit buses and traffic jams.

The new framework makes the Philippines the first country to have nationwide rules on ride-sharing, according to both the Philippine transport department and Uber. Previously, only local and city governments have regulated the services.

Prospective drivers will have to initially register with the ride-sharing company they want to work for, and then pay an annual $12 fee to a regulatory agency to allow them to operate, according to transport department spokeswoman Karen Lacsamana.

Previously the drivers did not have to pay a franchise fee or to register.

“We view technological innovation as a driver for progress, especially in transportation where it can provide safer and more convenient commuting options to the public,” Transport Secretary Joseph Abaya said in a statement. AFP

Sotto: Drug strategy harmful

By Macon Araneta and Sara Fabunan

SENATE Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III has called for an end to the state-sanctioned strategy called “Harm Reduction” intended for drug dependents.

Sotto said that the strategy requires the Department of Health to provide drug addicts with new and clean needles to inject themselves with illegal substance. The senator said he learned of the strategy/program being pilot-tested among drug dependents in a barangay in Cebu.

It supposedly aimed at minimizing the incidence of the transfer of HIV/AIDS through the use of needles among drug addicts and

dependents, Sotto said.

“It is as if the program is exempted from the operation of our criminal laws on drugs,” Sotto pointed out during a privilege speech he delivered on the Senate floor Monday.

He expressed serious doubts if President Aquino was aware of this practice.

While the program is a recognized strategy to stop illegal drugs, Sotto insisted this must be stopped

because it is a wrong approach in our society and culture.

“What message are we trying to send? Indonesia had just conveyed a strong message against drug trafficking, and here we are, with as much drug dependents as Indonesia might have, trying to use the soft approach like western nations do?” said Sotto.

He stressed that Western solutions are not necessarily fit for our Eastern mind-set.

Sotto said the practice started on October 8, 2014 under Dangerous Drugs Board Resolution No. 298-- “Approving the Proposed Operations Research on CommunityBased Comprehensive Services for People Who Inject Drugs in Baran-

gay Kamagayan, Cebu City.”

The resolution said Cebu City HIV/AIDS Registry indicated the primary cause of HIV transmission in Cebu City had shifted from sexual transmission in 2008 to injecting drug use starting 2010.

The DOH proposed the 24-month study in Bgy. Kamagayan after being identified as one of the key areas of widespread sharing of needles among PWIDs. This resulted in the growing number of HIV (Human Immuno Virus) and HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) positive cases.

The resolution also noted it approved the 24-hour scientific and medical study by the DOH, Philippine National AIDS Council, Cebu City local government and and

Population Services International, funded by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank to assess the effectiveness of a communitybased comprehensive services for people who inject drugs in Bgy. Kamagayan.

The resolution likewise declared Brgy. Kamagayan a safe zone, meaning there will be no arrests in relation to use or sasle of dangerous drugs insofar as the needle/ syringe exchange program is concerned, with respect to identified and registered PWID participants and Kamagayan Health Personnel for the given period of the study.

But Sotto said DDB has no power to exempt criminals or offenders from arrest or prosecution.

3 doctors face raps over ‘Jolo’ shooting

By Francisco Tuyay THREE physicians of a medical facility, four private guards and a security officer are facing criminal charges in connection with the accidental shooting of Cavite Vice Governor Jolo Revilla last February, police said.

The three doctors as Edgar Jaro Mendiola, Gracita Ybiernas and Eden Ferrer-Lasala, all members of Asian Hospital and Medical Center, PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Bartolome Tobias said on Tuesday.

The administrative charges against the 3 physicians were also filed before the Professional Regulation Commission

Monday last week, Tobias said.

Revilla was rushed to the Asian Hospital at about 5:30 pm February 28 after a government- issued 40 caliber Glock pistol he was cleaning accidentally went-off and pierced his chest.

Tobias said the three physicians violated the law since they are bound by “their duty to report to the nearest government authority the presence of Revilla at the hospital for serious physical injury.”

Facing obstruction of justice before the Department of Justice were four security guards and a security officer of Bulldog Security Agency.

The security guards were all assigned at the Asian Hospital while the security officer was designated as security coordinator of the Ayala-Alabang Village Security Department in Muntinlupa City.

Tobias said the three security guards at the Asian Hospital refused to cooperate and misled police investigators after denying that Revilla was admitted at the medical facility.

Tobias said parallel charges were filed against the security officer of the Ayala Alabang Village for failing to provide information on the events surrounding Revilla’s shooting incidentt.

Workers’ dialogue. Participants of the Asia-North Africa Dialogue on

Tuesday discuss the steps toward helping migrant workers particularly women household service workers fight off abuses and exploitation. DANNY PATA

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news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

‘Kalayaan development plans all talk, no action’

DARAGA, Albay—The P4.7 billion Bicol International Airport here is now 47-percent complete and will be fully operational in July 2017.

The new airport will be a twostory passenger terminal with a floor are of 13,320 square meters, a 271-sqm cargo building, a 1,012 sqm administration building and an 8,049 square meter vehicle parking area, among others.

Bicol Regional Development Council chairman Albay Governor Joey Salceda said the new airport will provide a safe, economical and fast way to reach local and international destinations and spur the long-awaited economic growth in

this part of the country.

The international airport is expected to open Bicol to international tourism and benefit airline operators and passengers, cargo brokers and forwarders, travel agencies, construction suppliers and the local populace.

BIA is the centerpiece of the Guicadale (Guinobatan-CamaligDaraga-Legazpi) Economic Township, the country’s first, largest and most ambitious government-initiated geostatic intervention, a disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategy of moving people and firms out of harm’s way into safer grounds where they can prosper.

The township includes road

networks that link some 40 resettlement communities within the combined geographic areas of Guinobatan, Camalig, Daraga and Legazpi City which surround the BIA. Bicol, a potential economic zone, had long needed a safe international standard airport that can accommodate bigger aircrafts and service the growing volume of passengers in the region, Salceda said.

While the Legazpi Airport gives a ringside view of Albay’s natural wonders, particularly the majestic Mayon volcano, it is also close to identified disaster risk areas of the province which had deterred investors through the years.

The mayor of Kalayaan Island Group municipality in Palawan said the national government has been all talk and no action with regard to proposed tourism and fishing developments, adding that all these are raised every time military and political personalities make a trip to Pagasa Island.

Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon said his fifthclass municipality, with an Interal Revenue Allotment of P40 million, has to work harder to attain their vision for Kalayaan as a special zone for marine fisheries and tourism.

Pagasa is the largest among the disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea. China has been reported to have defaced coral reefs and established military installations.

On Monday, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Gregorio Catapang visited Pagasa as he told local and foreign media that the military plans to turn some islands into tourist sites by putting in place a ferry service in the disputed territory.

“What we want to happen is, from Palawan we can pass by Patag island, Lawak, Likas and then Pagasa. We can go back via Panata, Kota island and then Ayungin Shoal and back,” Catapang said.

Bito-onon however said that as early as February 2012, he had requested the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for assistance in constructing a sheltered port (boat marina) in the island, which he described as pivotal to the socio-economic development of Kalayaan.

He disclosed plans for the purchase of a 25-metre (82-foot), 10-million-peso ($224,000) steel-hulled boat and for the building of lodging houses for up to 30 tourists at a time and offer them souvenir merchandise.

Catapang, meanwhile, asked for support “to help Mayor Bito-onon to jumpstart his tourism for peace because... if there will be tourism, you will help the economy here.” aFP

Stop and smell. A girl admires sunflowers in Cawacawa, Ligao, Albay. Danny PaTa

Bicol International Airport 47% done, to be operational July 2017

By Florante S. Solmerin

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project:

Project Title

Delivery

Duration

Supply, Development and Maintenance of Website for APEC Women and the Economy Platform

30 c.d.

6 calendar months

Amount Php 2,000,000.00

Bidders should have completed, within Three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a similar contract costing at least fifty percent (50%) of the project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows:

Activities

Schedule

1. Issuance of Bid Documents

Starting 13 May 2015 (8:00-5:00) G/F, Trade and Industry Building 361 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City Telephone No. +63(2) 751-4997; Fax No. +63(2) 895-3515

2. Pre – bid Conference

19 May 2015, 09:30 AM at the Center Conference Room 6/F, Trade and Industry Building 361 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City

3. Submission & Opening of Bids

02 June 2015, 9:00 PM for Submission and 9:30 AM for Opening of Bids at the same venue of the Pre – bid Conference

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

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested bidders from the address stated above and payment of a non – refundable fee in the amount of five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00)

Hello, general.

Students of Kalayaan Elementary School in Palawan wave the Philippine flag as they greet Armed Forces chief of staff General Gregorio Catapang during his visit Monday.

Manny PalMero

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The DTI assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid.

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

For further information, please refer to: Lucky M. Lopez Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat Department of Trade and Industry G/F, Trade and Industry Building 361 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City Telephone No. +63(2) 751-4997; Fax No. +63(2) 895-3515 E-mail Address: luckylopez@dti.gov.ph (SGD) NORA K. TERRADO Undersecretary Chairperson, DTI-Bids and Awards

WUERDSNDEAY S D:AY: MIAY ,2 TH APR L 21 33 ,2 00 11 55

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OPINION OPINION

OPINION

SENATORS A MORE ARE ACCOUNTABLE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE

SEVILLA’S GENIE

IT IS woefully insufficient for Senate President Franklin Drilon to say that it TALK leaving legacy upon to retirement. is the about prerogative ofaeach senator hire consultants. Faced with a troubling Former Commission on Elections Chairman Jr. certainly Commission on Audit report that said senatorsSixto spentBrillantes P231.8 million of the left a problem at the agency.

Shortly before he stepped down, Brillantes led people’s money on consultants in 2014, Drilon needs to do more than wave the commission in approving a P268.8-million deal with Smartmatic for the the questions away. refurbishment of the 80,000 precinct count optical scan machines it had first Without naming names, the audit report cited examples of the excessive use acquired from the same company for use in the 2010 elections. of consultants by the senators.

The PCOS machines are supposed to be repaired and upgraded in time for Drilon immediately sought to disavow any responsibility. the May 2016 national polls.

“TheSupreme matter of hiring consultants a prerogative ofcontained each senator.

The conThe Court however shot is down the deal as in Comelec sultancy agreement number of consultants, and who these consulResolution 9922 and and the the Extended Warranty Contract Program 1, because tants are, are not cleared with my office.

I do not sign any consultancy agreethe poll agency failed to justify its resort to direct contracting. ments, ” Drilon Petitioners ofsaid. the case argued that the Comelec committed grave abuse He also said each senatorthe decides the consultant he or she hire based of discretion in approving deal,on which was anomalous andwill scandalous. on hisalso or her within hisseemed or her assigned budget.

They saidneed the poll body to be rushing to tap Smartmatic for the But the COA report also noted that the Senate’s actual spending on consulcontract. tancy services from January to November 2014 went past theprepare monthly The Comelec now is entertaining several options on how to forbudthe getary allocations. elections given the Supreme Court’s decision. It could bid out the refurbishWith the82,000 chamber’s credibility line, the Senate president’s first act ment of the – it says there ison stillthe time because the process is supposed be to share with the public a complete list of the senators and the contoshould last only five months. sultants they haveishired, themachines spirit of transparency and public accountabilAnother option to useinnew altogether – 23,000 of them – which ity. are now still in the bidding process. Under this set-up, though, many preCertainly, want to know why one consultant, thesaid COAthis recincts would we share a single machine.

The Comelec according spokesmantohas port, was paid P94,000 a month, and why one senator felt the need to hire 60 would slow down the counting Yet another scheme would entail transportof them. it perhaps to precincts compensate the lack ofvoting braincenter. power?AOr did he ing ballotsWas from a group of to afor designated manual scenario wouldofbe when voting is manual with automated transmission of use the army consultants to launch a vilification campaign against his povotes. extreme scenario is having no elections at all, which some doomliticalAn enemies?

The public needs to know. sayers to spook the people.

Thehave needmentioned for public accountability among the senators is all the more proThe poll, given body assures us it has enough timeother to putpublic in place any ofabout thesetheir alnounced their propensity to question officials ternatives, just These as soon as it obtains the themselves final decision of theguardians Supreme Court. expenditures. senators who style as moral need to This is reassuring for now, given that we have little over the year before citicome clean about how they have been spending the people’s money. zens troop to the polling Drilon centersneeds again.toWe willsome see, in theleadership. next few months, And Senate President show true whether Comelec can be as confident as it sounds.

More than a decade ago, this Senate president got into a huff and tried to It is easy to get around swept up intoSan theFrancisco election frenzy, is was expected throw his weight at the airport which when he askedtoto intensify as October, the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy, take off his shoes as part of the gateway security requirements. Outraged, nears. is bound to be another circus the campaign seasonthe begins.

DrilonThere said the US authorities should haveasexempted him from tight seThrough all this, we should remember that more fundamental than who will curity measures, given his high position in the government. get As elected is how will win, orDrilon lose. With equal interest and intensity he was backthey then, Senator is dead wrong.

The rules apply as towe all. watch the national and local races, let us ensure that the manner in which votes There ought to be no exemptions for the senators, certainly not from public are cast, counted and canvassed will truly reflect the people’s will. accountability.

LOWDOWN LOWDOWN JOJOA. A. JOJO ROBLES ROBLES NOWpractically wait just one Manila IT’S inevitable: minute.

Is it actually posAll Presidents since 1986 sible that Malacañang have experienced drops inis afraid thatas Congress popularity the end ofwould their no longer act as its terms approaches.

Therubber curstamp not just rent Chiefand Executive is nobend exover totogive palace what ception thisthe phenomenon. instance, the wildly it For wants? popular Cory reason Aquino,given upon The official by her to the hightheassumption House of Representatives est the land, on could ad office hoc in committee the get away with declaring a proposed Bangsamoro Basic revolutionary government Law for postponing the vote

yet again yesterday was to togive basically do whatever she itself time to make necwanted. Nearing the end of essary amendments. That’s a her tumultuous reign, Cory load of could notyou-know-what. even summon up The real reason the a fraction of the earlywhy crowds controversial measure can’t of supporters that were a get out ofofthe and hallmark hercommittee rallies when on to the plenary is because she took on the task of calltheforMalacañang-controlled ing the extension of lease in military the panelbases chaired offaction the US in by Cagayan de Oro Rep. the Philippines – a job that Rufus Rodriguez miserably isn’t even her government sure, to at accomplish. this point, that it can failed win in a vote.

It’s that simple.

Cory’s successors, for various reasons, the But don’t the suffered seventy-odd same fate. Fidel was members of Ramos Rodriguez’ hobbled by the Asian committee, you first might ask, currency crisis, which wiped for the most part long-standout economic gains that ingthe members of the palace’s

Big Railroad Network in the his term had ushered in.

House? Well, yes; but many Joseph Estrada, while he of these congressmen don’t failed to complete his term, really want to affix their sigquickly turned from a popunatures on leader the BBL at his the lar populist upon committee level, so fearful election into a bad parody of are theyuntil of the backlash himself, he was oustedin their home districts – espefor his alleged involvement cially in Mindanao. in the illegal numbers game “It’s notamong the same the of jueteng, otherassins.

Corona impeachment or the And Gloria Macapagal ArRH [reproductive health] royo was helpless to reverse billperception anymore,” ofa her lawmaker the term me. “It’s an election astold corruption-riddled, which caused heryear, survey numbers year next for one.” to dip into negative territory.

How embarrassing would Noynoy it President be, anyway, if AquiHouse no seems Feliciano to be suffering the Speaker Belmonte same isn’t fate able of to his winpredecesthe BBL

EDITOR

VIEWBACK FROM MALCOM CHANNEL ATTY. HARRY ALEJANDRO ROQUE JR. DEL ROSARIO

HAS OUR ON COMMISSION SEEKING ON HUMAN HIGHER RIGHTS OFFICE MADE A DIFFERENCE?

[ EDI TORI A L ]

EDITORI TORIAALL ] ] [ [ EDI

CONGRESS GROWS A PAIR INEVITABLE DECLINE

ED TO ED I TI O RR

M O N D AY, A P R I L 2 7, 2 0 1 5 lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

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ADELLECHUA CHUAADELLE CHUA ADELLE

EMBLEMATIC of the hypocrisy and mismanagement that have become the hallmarks of this administration, LIKE anyone else who enters politics, the chief of the Bureau of Customs, John Phillip Buhay Party List Lito Atienza had set Sevilla, resigned last week with disturbing allegations his sights on bigger game. But politics of political pressure and attempts to turn his agency being what it is here, one would need into a milking cow to raise campaign funds for favored a tremendous amount of money and candidates in the 2016 elections. a political machinery go with your Sevilla was the third Customs commissioner HANOI, Vietnam—I am to in the capital of aspiration. alsoperson has to to leave the agency under the administration of Vietnam as a One resource in sacrifice a semiPresident Benigno Aquino III, who has made the fight nar on “National Human compromises Rights Comprinciples to political against corruption the touchstone of his leadership. missions: from the with Region” to build Experiences a support network the Sevilla’s two predecessors had left the bureau amid sponsored by the Konrad Adenaer Stifpower brokers. allegations of corruption, tarnishing Mr. Aquino’s claims tung.

I accepted the invitation because Atienza is seeking a Senate seatofin of good governance. Sevilla took over in December 2013 athe long2016 desireelections. to evaluate He the affectivity of comes with with the promise of cleaning up what is widely perceived our own Commission of Human Rights goodits credentials—former Batasang as the most corrupt agency in the bureaucracy. since establishment through the 1987 Pambansa assemblyman, former That promise came crashing down less than two Constitution 28 years ago. This invitation National Housing Authority togeneral years later with Sevilla’s resignation. finally gave me to the opportunity finalthree –term Manila In announcing his resignation, Sevilla said he was lymanager, conduct this long-delayed study. mayor being pressured to appoint certain people to “very The Secretary starting point has to be the very and of Environment and sensitive” positions ahead of the 2016 elections, and high expectations of the people Natural Resources.

With all that that,the he admitted that he could not finish the job of ending CHR will be help hushould a promote shoo-in and for protect the Senate. corruption at the bureau. man in the country in when they The rights expense, however, running “I don’t compromise on morality,” the resigning created it in the Constitution itself.

Its a nationwide campaign these days Customs chief said. “The law is clear on what is first head, Chairperson Mary Bautista, is astronomical andsafeguarding the realitythe on allowed and [what is] not.” should be credited for the ground might not match one’s In its first statement following the resignation, the independence of the constitutional body aspiration.

Palace conspicuously ignored Sevilla’s allegations, from political interference. Congress then nevertheless, does notand run and simply announced his replacement, a person tookAtienza, the appointment of the Chair comments on FB posts—manythe of BBL, underscored theCommission moral right– from the private sector with extensive interests outCommissioners of issues to take on.

His latest of the them betray the pathetic ignorance of be a issue State to its integrity.

None of in several brokerage-related companies. A Palace should submitted for conformation taking with Justice Secretary PENSÉES behind them. But again, they to are these points of social justice spokesman assured the public that there would be the Commission on Appointments.

Leila de Lima for saying “it’s notheory longer red flags that invite close scrutiny,Rightfully if priority and moral theology were addressed no conflict of interest, as the new Customs chief, so, to the Supreme Court ruled my prosecute the other key FR. RANHILIO only because, in their sheer irratioby the posted comments.

The Alberto D. Lina, would divest himself of his interest that Chairperson Bautista and her figures in the Janet Lim Napolescompork CALLANGAN nality, they sound the alarm to the in his brokerage company—but said nothing of his bishops were reminded that missioners were notrather among those public barrel scam.”

AQUINO holdings in at least 10 other corporations. intellectual bankruptcy that makes officers whose appointments needed They consome priests were pedophiles.

“What???

It’stold no that longer her priority The announcement did little to engender firmation Congress.

Thisit insulated the werebyalso was shameFIRST, a disclaimer. One national to go after the other pork barrel confidence. chair and members of the Commission ful for them to have been involved daily, through an online post, atsuspects just because Are we expected to believe that Sevilla’s replacement from political interference. in the Pajero scandal. Itopposition would be tributed to me the statement that would truly divest himself of all his lucrative Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy The Constitution enumerates powless bothersome merely to the laugh off the Chief Justice had, in effect, prebusiness interests to take a job in the government ers ofsuch the Commission.

These include the obvious illogicality, butalready if this Estrada and Bong Revilla are judged the Binay case by her line of We can and oughtpower in an administration with only a year left? Or is his investigate, the power toa issue is to how our countrymen, good detained?

What about theorallies of questioning at the oral argument. appointment part of efforts that Sevilla resisted to summons, cite in contempt and power to part of them, reason (or, better, fail to raise the bar of President Aquino whom De Lima I made no such statement. Somemake sure the ruling party stays in power after 2016? ask assistance from any branch of batch governtowould do so!), that of said be in thedemonstration second to one did call me up however for public discourse and Aquino’s first Customs commissioner, who ment.aHere, we have a serious obstacle in dreadful want in thoughtfulness be charged?” asked Atienza, adding an interview on the subject.

I gave resigned under a cloud of suspicion when 2,000 task evaluating theshould performance of set more stringentthe andof make us it’sCommission. not areasonability matterFor of while her priority butand her him onIy curt replies though he container vans vanished from the bureau in 2011, the the courts fearful of democracy’s future instandards for the did attempt, by leading questions, duty aswhose long as she’s the may Secretary was a close associate of Lina.

DOJ performance be mea-of deed.

When irrationality prevails, to make me agree with him on Justice.

Lina was also Customs chief during the previous sured in terms of case disposal and/ exchange in public anything frightful is possible! or its this assessment—an enticement I administration, before he left abruptly as part of the Before Napoles conviction rate,the the CHR can only Priority investiTracing in broad strokes the hisspaces. steadfastly resisted. I made clear: “Hyatt 10” Cabinet members who abandoned the gate but to prosecute.

Development Assistance Fund scam toryhas ofno thepower condonation doctrine in I did not think it was right for me Arroyo government over an election-related scandal In this the out, case ofAtienza’s Carino Ivs.pointed Commission of broke first privileged jurisdiction, out that to comment on on-going proceedin 2005, and who now hold considerable influence in Human Rights, Court it has inSupreme our jurisprudence for speech inbeen thethe House raised thedefined ethics ings. What I did, however, was the Aquino administration. the full extent of the Commissions’ invessome time now—carried over from of allocating pork barrel funds to write a Facebook post on the docAdministration allies in the Senate have been fulsome tigative powers: “The function ofand receiving it impossible for a genuine democAmerican jurisprudence, that it congressmen.

His pork-fed colleagues trine of condonation. Justice Adolf in their praise for Sevilla, but have shown none of their evidence and has ascertaining therefrom the to long endure.

When actually roots in his our democratic in the House derided moral high for the second And, in all offinvestigation Perhaps (especially be- to President Noynoy Aquino re- Archsurveys showracy that Aquino’s poll survey it’s datatime with dismissive elections undiminished.

Azcuna was the first comment: usualremains eagernesstime. to launch a congressional facts of a controversy is not a judicial funcbishop Soc Villegas issued a stateconvictions. I was not advocating ground.

He thatto I had captured likelihood, for more time cause of about the aforementioned apturned from Canada thisplumb weekan almost numbers are continuing to statements justthought continuing Theinto reality, as some survey after survey allegations of corruption in theto Bureau of Customs, tion, properly speaking.ofTothis be piece considered ment on the draft BBL, perpetuation of juDethe Lima isof receiving also running for the succinctly.

He agreed particularly since Aquino such a probe such, the faculty evidence anda unfamiliar depths despite his do the“friendly work of governance, Com-to new, has shown, is that is might just expose come. proach of the nextdoctrine elections) promising that blueberry shipcommon comment was: “Bakit risprudence. I was however arguing withfaucets my Herminio analysis that efforts, the doctrine forces” ratherhis than political opponents.

Senate seat under Aquino’s ruling making factual conclusions in a controverIwould expect the Philippine campaign to Secretary barely keeping head above theof munications Meanwhile, some members open the palace so that ments save ex-ang simnakikiaalam na naman that it was not unreasonable and has its roots in our understanding But there can be no doubt that Sevilla must be sy must be accompanied by the authority Liberal Party while Atienza has further intensify.

Coloma now says that “there is waters of negative acceptability and Congress are reportedly griping passing the measure becomes ports. It wasbahan not too long ago whenwas there had in fact been consistentlybeen dito?”.

Nowhere apencouraged—or compelled—to name names and popular sovereignty. That note of ofincluded applying the law to those factual Jejomar concluinthe Vice President There is no other option for significant room offor improvement popularity. there is nothing any that serious analysis of the arguplied by High Court.

The comaboutprovide how And the palace move to apmore attractive to the committee he announced coconut water a detailed account of what he knows. His failure sions to the end that the controversy may I consider priceless!

Binay’s opposition United Aquino, really.

Butadvanced, history and the ment no serious examiand... [a] need to concurrence, continually ascerthat he can do, it seems, to reverse ments I got labeled me Nationalist a lackey of prove committee members. worked wonders do the same. to the do soBBL wouldin be the a betrayal of the morality he claimsThat’sThe beAlliance. decided or determined authoritatively, next day, I wrote anwould extended nation and of is, the reasons the Binays, a fraud, a charlatan— the of popular perceptain needsin of our people. ” paper—and the trend. level is to making only some for the Aquino the past; no sense “stickiness” But thea of truth therebuttal matter led his resignation, and thepeople public service he vowed finally and definitively, subject to such aparticle for this earned adduced.

Nothing more than peals an Atienza pathetic actually, hilarious, bethat tion that he is a failure as President What Aquino seems hell-bent on It is significant that Malacanang upholdhappy. when he They took office the Bureau of Customs.and saving or modesrecalled of reviewifas may Manila’s be proin thetopanel talkatdarkscrimping now. banana exports, which breached lot of flak for it. I do not mind the attack on bishops and priests.

The cause they were attacks on me, not problem with China started with De are against him. doing is to continue making public seems to have abandoned the stratopening his mouth and Aquino vided by law. This function, to repeat, the criticism, butbet I amthe alarmed the ly aboutInone supposed House about point corruption Not when has thethat $1 billion mark lastinyear, mak- capacity, Archbishop, a personal on when my argument.

In” stark contrast Lima she allowed Aquino to I see no reason why Aquino’s numappearances to prove that he is still egy of pretending to ignore the reinfluence peddling in the bureau, Mr. Sevilla has Commission does not have. kindreasons I got is symptomatic of athe more man who “collects” for every text farm on BBL. For only he ing fruitdiscussed the mostthevaluable exnecessity of inclusivethe posts of Prof.presidential Jemy Gatoverturn report finding let the the surveys genie outwhich of the show bottle,an and working, no amountvery of much It were is thisher lack of prosecutorial powers bers would improve in the coming in control and sults of insidious malady that is lethal to message to Aquino about the prog- really knows. ported agricultural product next peace dula of the University of Asia and ness, warned against equating doubletalk from in him orpopularhis former employers now of game-changing democracy: intolerance for dissent! the possessor enirreversible decline his in Mindanao withon the passage of ress the making. *** ContinuedononA11 A11 Continued can bill put itisback Continued A11 is good reason to ignore Continued on A10 If subsequent ity. Where once thein. palace shrugged dorsement powers.There

THE REAL THREAT

I see no reason Perhaps it’s why Aquino’s time to open numbers would the faucets so improve in the that passing BBL coming days. becomes more attractive to Congress.

sors, for yet another reason entirely. The second Aquino has been stuck with the vote in Rodriguez’s “noynoying” tag, whichcomhas mittee, Belmonte and led to theafter widespread belief that has minions done nothing his he chief have of all significance unreason-in but ensuredafter its passage ably raising that plenary to expectations the chief propohe could nent anddeliver of theeverything measure,

from good governance to baPresident Noynoy Aquino? sic infrastructure as he enters For a House majority that is the sixth to and last year of his so used having its way (or term.

Aquino’s way, really), failure like other PresiisOf notcourse, an option. dents before How iffy ishim, the Aquino passage isof fighting the waning of his the BBL, anyway? Well, the once-stratospheric popufact that some congressmen larity with everything that wanted a secret vote in exeche’s got.

And like those who utive session in order to pass went before him, he seems the measure anonymously doomed to fail. (aAquino’s proposal since reason for thrown resistoutthe into the nearby Payatas ing decline has to do with dump) isthat a dead giveaway; ensuring he stays out of many members jail whencommittee he steps down.

This want to make Aquino happy is why he repeatedly declares by passing his pet but these days, when he bill, attends they didn’t want to have even the most insignificantto withfunctions, the falloutthat thathewill ofdeal public is come from anti-BBL voters not a lame duck and that his in theirtoconstituencies. power make his chosen Thus the successor win postponement in next year’s

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A8

A8 A8

OPINION OPINION

OPINION

SENATORS A MORE ARE ACCOUNTABLE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE

SEVILLA’S GENIE

IT IS woefully insufficient for Senate President Franklin Drilon to say that it TALK leaving legacy upon to retirement. is the about prerogative ofaeach senator hire consultants. Faced with a troubling Former Commission on Elections Chairman Jr. certainly Commission on Audit report that said senatorsSixto spentBrillantes P231.8 million of the left a problem at the agency.

Shortly before he stepped down, Brillantes led people’s money on consultants in 2014, Drilon needs to do more than wave the commission in approving a P268.8-million deal with Smartmatic for the the questions away. refurbishment of the 80,000 precinct count optical scan machines it had first Without naming names, the audit report cited examples of the excessive use acquired from the same company for use in the 2010 elections. of consultants by the senators.

The PCOS machines are supposed to be repaired and upgraded in time for Drilon immediately sought to disavow any responsibility. the May 2016 national polls.

“TheSupreme matter of hiring consultants a prerogative ofcontained each senator.

The conThe Court however shot is down the deal as in Comelec sultancy agreement number of consultants, and who these consulResolution 9922 and and the the Extended Warranty Contract Program 1, because tants are, are not cleared with my office.

I do not sign any consultancy agreethe poll agency failed to justify its resort to direct contracting. ments, ” Drilon Petitioners ofsaid. the case argued that the Comelec committed grave abuse He also said each senatorthe decides the consultant he or she hire based of discretion in approving deal,on which was anomalous andwill scandalous. on hisalso or her within hisseemed or her assigned budget.

They saidneed the poll body to be rushing to tap Smartmatic for the But the COA report also noted that the Senate’s actual spending on consulcontract. tancy services from January to November 2014 went past theprepare monthly The Comelec now is entertaining several options on how to forbudthe getary allocations. elections given the Supreme Court’s decision. It could bid out the refurbishWith the82,000 chamber’s credibility line, the Senate president’s first act ment of the – it says there ison stillthe time because the process is supposed be to share with the public a complete list of the senators and the contoshould last only five months. sultants they haveishired, themachines spirit of transparency and public accountabilAnother option to useinnew altogether – 23,000 of them – which ity. are now still in the bidding process. Under this set-up, though, many preCertainly, want to know why one consultant, thesaid COAthis recincts would we share a single machine.

The Comelec according spokesmantohas port, was paid P94,000 a month, and why one senator felt the need to hire 60 would slow down the counting Yet another scheme would entail transportof them. it perhaps to precincts compensate the lack ofvoting braincenter. power?AOr did he ing ballotsWas from a group of to afor designated manual scenario wouldofbe when voting is manual with automated transmission of use the army consultants to launch a vilification campaign against his povotes. extreme scenario is having no elections at all, which some doomliticalAn enemies?

The public needs to know. sayers to spook the people.

Thehave needmentioned for public accountability among the senators is all the more proThe poll, given body assures us it has enough timeother to putpublic in place any ofabout thesetheir alnounced their propensity to question officials ternatives, just These as soon as it obtains the themselves final decision of theguardians Supreme Court. expenditures. senators who style as moral need to This is reassuring for now, given that we have little over the year before citicome clean about how they have been spending the people’s money. zens troop to the polling Drilon centersneeds again.toWe willsome see, in theleadership. next few months, And Senate President show true whether Comelec can be as confident as it sounds.

More than a decade ago, this Senate president got into a huff and tried to It is easy to get around swept up intoSan theFrancisco election frenzy, is was expected throw his weight at the airport which when he askedtoto intensify as October, the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy, take off his shoes as part of the gateway security requirements. Outraged, nears. is bound to be another circus the campaign seasonthe begins.

DrilonThere said the US authorities should haveasexempted him from tight seThrough all this, we should remember that more fundamental than who will curity measures, given his high position in the government. get As elected is how will win, orDrilon lose. With equal interest and intensity he was backthey then, Senator is dead wrong.

The rules apply as towe all. watch the national and local races, let us ensure that the manner in which votes There ought to be no exemptions for the senators, certainly not from public are cast, counted and canvassed will truly reflect the people’s will. accountability.

LOWDOWN LOWDOWN JOJOA. A. JOJO ROBLES ROBLES NOWpractically wait just one Manila IT’S inevitable: minute.

Is it actually posAll Presidents since 1986 sible that Malacañang have experienced drops inis afraid thatas Congress popularity the end ofwould their no longer act as its terms approaches.

Therubber curstamp not just rent Chiefand Executive is nobend exover totogive palace what ception thisthe phenomenon. instance, the wildly it For wants? popular Cory reason Aquino,given upon The official by her to the hightheassumption House of Representatives est the land, on could ad office hoc in committee the get away with declaring a proposed Bangsamoro Basic revolutionary government Law for postponing the vote

yet again yesterday was to togive basically do whatever she itself time to make necwanted. Nearing the end of essary amendments. That’s a her tumultuous reign, Cory load of could notyou-know-what. even summon up The real reason the a fraction of the earlywhy crowds controversial measure can’t of supporters that were a get out ofofthe and hallmark hercommittee rallies when on to the plenary is because she took on the task of calltheforMalacañang-controlled ing the extension of lease in military the panelbases chaired offaction the US in by Cagayan de Oro Rep. the Philippines – a job that Rufus Rodriguez miserably isn’t even her government sure, to at accomplish. this point, that it can failed win in a vote.

It’s that simple.

Cory’s successors, for various reasons, the But don’t the suffered seventy-odd same fate. Fidel was members of Ramos Rodriguez’ hobbled by the Asian committee, you first might ask, currency crisis, which wiped for the most part long-standout economic gains that ingthe members of the palace’s

Big Railroad Network in the his term had ushered in.

House? Well, yes; but many Joseph Estrada, while he of these congressmen don’t failed to complete his term, really want to affix their sigquickly turned from a popunatures on leader the BBL at his the lar populist upon committee level, so fearful election into a bad parody of are theyuntil of the backlash himself, he was oustedin their home districts – espefor his alleged involvement cially in Mindanao. in the illegal numbers game “It’s notamong the same the of jueteng, otherassins.

Corona impeachment or the And Gloria Macapagal ArRH [reproductive health] royo was helpless to reverse billperception anymore,” ofa her lawmaker the term me. “It’s an election astold corruption-riddled, which caused heryear, survey numbers year next for one.” to dip into negative territory.

How embarrassing would Noynoy it President be, anyway, if AquiHouse no seems Feliciano to be suffering the Speaker Belmonte same isn’t fate able of to his winpredecesthe BBL

EDITOR

VIEWBACK FROM MALCOM CHANNEL ATTY. HARRY ALEJANDRO ROQUE JR. DEL ROSARIO

HAS OUR ON COMMISSION SEEKING ON HUMAN HIGHER RIGHTS OFFICE MADE A DIFFERENCE?

[ EDI TORI A L ]

EDITORI TORIAALL ] ] [ [ EDI

CONGRESS GROWS A PAIR INEVITABLE DECLINE

ED TO ED I TI O RR

M O N D AY, A P R I L 2 7, 2 0 1 5 lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

A9 A9

ADELLECHUA CHUAADELLE CHUA ADELLE

EMBLEMATIC of the hypocrisy and mismanagement that have become the hallmarks of this administration, LIKE anyone else who enters politics, the chief of the Bureau of Customs, John Phillip Buhay Party List Lito Atienza had set Sevilla, resigned last week with disturbing allegations his sights on bigger game. But politics of political pressure and attempts to turn his agency being what it is here, one would need into a milking cow to raise campaign funds for favored a tremendous amount of money and candidates in the 2016 elections. a political machinery go with your Sevilla was the third Customs commissioner HANOI, Vietnam—I am to in the capital of aspiration. alsoperson has to to leave the agency under the administration of Vietnam as a One resource in sacrifice a semiPresident Benigno Aquino III, who has made the fight nar on “National Human compromises Rights Comprinciples to political against corruption the touchstone of his leadership. missions: from the with Region” to build Experiences a support network the Sevilla’s two predecessors had left the bureau amid sponsored by the Konrad Adenaer Stifpower brokers. allegations of corruption, tarnishing Mr. Aquino’s claims tung.

I accepted the invitation because Atienza is seeking a Senate seatofin of good governance. Sevilla took over in December 2013 athe long2016 desireelections. to evaluate He the affectivity of comes with with the promise of cleaning up what is widely perceived our own Commission of Human Rights goodits credentials—former Batasang as the most corrupt agency in the bureaucracy. since establishment through the 1987 Pambansa assemblyman, former That promise came crashing down less than two Constitution 28 years ago. This invitation National Housing Authority togeneral years later with Sevilla’s resignation. finally gave me to the opportunity finalthree –term Manila In announcing his resignation, Sevilla said he was lymanager, conduct this long-delayed study. mayor being pressured to appoint certain people to “very The Secretary starting point has to be the very and of Environment and sensitive” positions ahead of the 2016 elections, and high expectations of the people Natural Resources.

With all that that,the he admitted that he could not finish the job of ending CHR will be help hushould a promote shoo-in and for protect the Senate. corruption at the bureau. man in the country in when they The rights expense, however, running “I don’t compromise on morality,” the resigning created it in the Constitution itself.

Its a nationwide campaign these days Customs chief said. “The law is clear on what is first head, Chairperson Mary Bautista, is astronomical andsafeguarding the realitythe on allowed and [what is] not.” should be credited for the ground might not match one’s In its first statement following the resignation, the independence of the constitutional body aspiration.

Palace conspicuously ignored Sevilla’s allegations, from political interference. Congress then nevertheless, does notand run and simply announced his replacement, a person tookAtienza, the appointment of the Chair comments on FB posts—manythe of BBL, underscored theCommission moral right– from the private sector with extensive interests outCommissioners of issues to take on.

His latest of the them betray the pathetic ignorance of be a issue State to its integrity.

None of in several brokerage-related companies. A Palace should submitted for conformation taking with Justice Secretary PENSÉES behind them. But again, they to are these points of social justice spokesman assured the public that there would be the Commission on Appointments.

Leila de Lima for saying “it’s notheory longer red flags that invite close scrutiny,Rightfully if priority and moral theology were addressed no conflict of interest, as the new Customs chief, so, to the Supreme Court ruled my prosecute the other key FR. RANHILIO only because, in their sheer irratioby the posted comments.

The Alberto D. Lina, would divest himself of his interest that Chairperson Bautista and her figures in the Janet Lim Napolescompork CALLANGAN nality, they sound the alarm to the in his brokerage company—but said nothing of his bishops were reminded that missioners were notrather among those public barrel scam.”

AQUINO holdings in at least 10 other corporations. intellectual bankruptcy that makes officers whose appointments needed They consome priests were pedophiles.

“What???

It’stold no that longer her priority The announcement did little to engender firmation Congress.

Thisit insulated the werebyalso was shameFIRST, a disclaimer. One national to go after the other pork barrel confidence. chair and members of the Commission ful for them to have been involved daily, through an online post, atsuspects just because Are we expected to believe that Sevilla’s replacement from political interference. in the Pajero scandal. Itopposition would be tributed to me the statement that would truly divest himself of all his lucrative Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy The Constitution enumerates powless bothersome merely to the laugh off the Chief Justice had, in effect, prebusiness interests to take a job in the government ers ofsuch the Commission.

These include the obvious illogicality, butalready if this Estrada and Bong Revilla are judged the Binay case by her line of We can and oughtpower in an administration with only a year left? Or is his investigate, the power toa issue is to how our countrymen, good detained?

What about theorallies of questioning at the oral argument. appointment part of efforts that Sevilla resisted to summons, cite in contempt and power to part of them, reason (or, better, fail to raise the bar of President Aquino whom De Lima I made no such statement. Somemake sure the ruling party stays in power after 2016? ask assistance from any branch of batch governtowould do so!), that of said be in thedemonstration second to one did call me up however for public discourse and Aquino’s first Customs commissioner, who ment.aHere, we have a serious obstacle in dreadful want in thoughtfulness be charged?” asked Atienza, adding an interview on the subject.

I gave resigned under a cloud of suspicion when 2,000 task evaluating theshould performance of set more stringentthe andof make us it’sCommission. not areasonability matterFor of while her priority butand her him onIy curt replies though he container vans vanished from the bureau in 2011, the the courts fearful of democracy’s future instandards for the did attempt, by leading questions, duty aswhose long as she’s the may Secretary was a close associate of Lina.

DOJ performance be mea-of deed.

When irrationality prevails, to make me agree with him on Justice.

Lina was also Customs chief during the previous sured in terms of case disposal and/ exchange in public anything frightful is possible! or its this assessment—an enticement I administration, before he left abruptly as part of the Before Napoles conviction rate,the the CHR can only Priority investiTracing in broad strokes the hisspaces. steadfastly resisted. I made clear: “Hyatt 10” Cabinet members who abandoned the gate but to prosecute.

Development Assistance Fund scam toryhas ofno thepower condonation doctrine in I did not think it was right for me Arroyo government over an election-related scandal In this the out, case ofAtienza’s Carino Ivs.pointed Commission of broke first privileged jurisdiction, out that to comment on on-going proceedin 2005, and who now hold considerable influence in Human Rights, Court it has inSupreme our jurisprudence for speech inbeen thethe House raised thedefined ethics ings. What I did, however, was the Aquino administration. the full extent of the Commissions’ invessome time now—carried over from of allocating pork barrel funds to write a Facebook post on the docAdministration allies in the Senate have been fulsome tigative powers: “The function ofand receiving it impossible for a genuine democAmerican jurisprudence, that it congressmen.

His pork-fed colleagues trine of condonation. Justice Adolf in their praise for Sevilla, but have shown none of their evidence and has ascertaining therefrom the to long endure.

When actually roots in his our democratic in the House derided moral high for the second And, in all offinvestigation Perhaps (especially be- to President Noynoy Aquino re- Archsurveys showracy that Aquino’s poll survey it’s datatime with dismissive elections undiminished.

Azcuna was the first comment: usualremains eagernesstime. to launch a congressional facts of a controversy is not a judicial funcbishop Soc Villegas issued a stateconvictions. I was not advocating ground.

He thatto I had captured likelihood, for more time cause of about the aforementioned apturned from Canada thisplumb weekan almost numbers are continuing to statements justthought continuing Theinto reality, as some survey after survey allegations of corruption in theto Bureau of Customs, tion, properly speaking.ofTothis be piece considered ment on the draft BBL, perpetuation of juDethe Lima isof receiving also running for the succinctly.

He agreed particularly since Aquino such a probe such, the faculty evidence anda unfamiliar depths despite his do the“friendly work of governance, Com-to new, has shown, is that is might just expose come. proach of the nextdoctrine elections) promising that blueberry shipcommon comment was: “Bakit risprudence. I was however arguing withfaucets my Herminio analysis that efforts, the doctrine forces” ratherhis than political opponents.

Senate seat under Aquino’s ruling making factual conclusions in a controverIwould expect the Philippine campaign to Secretary barely keeping head above theof munications Meanwhile, some members open the palace so that ments save ex-ang simnakikiaalam na naman that it was not unreasonable and has its roots in our understanding But there can be no doubt that Sevilla must be sy must be accompanied by the authority Liberal Party while Atienza has further intensify.

Coloma now says that “there is waters of negative acceptability and Congress are reportedly griping passing the measure becomes ports. It wasbahan not too long ago whenwas there had in fact been consistentlybeen dito?”.

Nowhere apencouraged—or compelled—to name names and popular sovereignty. That note of ofincluded applying the law to those factual Jejomar concluinthe Vice President There is no other option for significant room offor improvement popularity. there is nothing any that serious analysis of the arguplied by High Court.

The comaboutprovide how And the palace move to apmore attractive to the committee he announced coconut water a detailed account of what he knows. His failure sions to the end that the controversy may I consider priceless!

Binay’s opposition United Aquino, really.

Butadvanced, history and the ment no serious examiand... [a] need to concurrence, continually ascerthat he can do, it seems, to reverse ments I got labeled me Nationalist a lackey of prove committee members. worked wonders do the same. to the do soBBL wouldin be the a betrayal of the morality he claimsThat’sThe beAlliance. decided or determined authoritatively, next day, I wrote anwould extended nation and of is, the reasons the Binays, a fraud, a charlatan— the of popular perceptain needsin of our people. ” paper—and the trend. level is to making only some for the Aquino the past; no sense “stickiness” But thea of truth therebuttal matter led his resignation, and thepeople public service he vowed finally and definitively, subject to such aparticle for this earned adduced.

Nothing more than peals an Atienza pathetic actually, hilarious, bethat tion that he is a failure as President What Aquino seems hell-bent on It is significant that Malacanang upholdhappy. when he They took office the Bureau of Customs.and saving or modesrecalled of reviewifas may Manila’s be proin thetopanel talkatdarkscrimping now. banana exports, which breached lot of flak for it. I do not mind the attack on bishops and priests.

The cause they were attacks on me, not problem with China started with De are against him. doing is to continue making public seems to have abandoned the stratopening his mouth and Aquino vided by law. This function, to repeat, the criticism, butbet I amthe alarmed the ly aboutInone supposed House about point corruption Not when has thethat $1 billion mark lastinyear, mak- capacity, Archbishop, a personal on when my argument.

In” stark contrast Lima she allowed Aquino to I see no reason why Aquino’s numappearances to prove that he is still egy of pretending to ignore the reinfluence peddling in the bureau, Mr. Sevilla has Commission does not have. kindreasons I got is symptomatic of athe more man who “collects” for every text farm on BBL. For only he ing fruitdiscussed the mostthevaluable exnecessity of inclusivethe posts of Prof.presidential Jemy Gatoverturn report finding let the the surveys genie outwhich of the show bottle,an and working, no amountvery of much It were is thisher lack of prosecutorial powers bers would improve in the coming in control and sults of insidious malady that is lethal to message to Aquino about the prog- really knows. ported agricultural product next peace dula of the University of Asia and ness, warned against equating doubletalk from in him orpopularhis former employers now of game-changing democracy: intolerance for dissent! the possessor enirreversible decline his in Mindanao withon the passage of ress the making. *** ContinuedononA11 A11 Continued can bill put itisback Continued A11 is good reason to ignore Continued on A10 If subsequent ity. Where once thein. palace shrugged dorsement powers.There

THE REAL THREAT

I see no reason Perhaps it’s why Aquino’s time to open numbers would the faucets so improve in the that passing BBL coming days. becomes more attractive to Congress.

sors, for yet another reason entirely. The second Aquino has been stuck with the vote in Rodriguez’s “noynoying” tag, whichcomhas mittee, Belmonte and led to theafter widespread belief that has minions done nothing his he chief have of all significance unreason-in but ensuredafter its passage ably raising that plenary to expectations the chief propohe could nent anddeliver of theeverything measure,

from good governance to baPresident Noynoy Aquino? sic infrastructure as he enters For a House majority that is the sixth to and last year of his so used having its way (or term.

Aquino’s way, really), failure like other PresiisOf notcourse, an option. dents before How iffy ishim, the Aquino passage isof fighting the waning of his the BBL, anyway? Well, the once-stratospheric popufact that some congressmen larity with everything that wanted a secret vote in exeche’s got.

And like those who utive session in order to pass went before him, he seems the measure anonymously doomed to fail. (aAquino’s proposal since reason for thrown resistoutthe into the nearby Payatas ing decline has to do with dump) isthat a dead giveaway; ensuring he stays out of many members jail whencommittee he steps down.

This want to make Aquino happy is why he repeatedly declares by passing his pet but these days, when he bill, attends they didn’t want to have even the most insignificantto withfunctions, the falloutthat thathewill ofdeal public is come from anti-BBL voters not a lame duck and that his in theirtoconstituencies. power make his chosen Thus the successor win postponement in next year’s

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A10 INVESTORS’ RIGHTS THE reported oneTO THE on-one meeting POINT between President Aquino and Senator EMIL P. Grace Poe before the JURADO President left for the United States and Canada, supposedly on the forthcoming 2016 polls, speaks volumes.

Although Malacañang and Poe have been coy in making public what they talked about (amid speculation that the President and the ruling Liberal have been giving hints that it would be a Mar Roxas-Grace Poe tandem for next year’s election), nothing much has been said about whether or not the President would want Poe to be Mar’s running mate, or that Poe would run instead of Mar Roxas.

During his trip to Canada, the President gave hints that the administration’s presidential bet may not necessarily belong to the ruling party, but an alternative candidate. This gave rise to speculation that because of Mar’s low poll survey ratings, the President would rather have a winnable candidate like Poe, who has been no.

2 in all survey ratings.

Santa Banana, I cannot read what’s in the President’s mind, but does this mean that the President is ready to dump Mar Roxas, who gave way to him in 2010? It would seem so, which could only show the character of President Aquino. He really would do anything to remain in power – and, more importantly, stay out of jail.

Poe herself has been coy about running for the presidenIt’s an appeal not cy or the vice presiPersonally, only for justice and dency.

I believe it’s not yet fairness, but for time for Grace to run the recognition of for a higher office. it’s true that she the sacredness of While was no. 1 in the 2013 contracts. senatorial polls, it’s still too early for her for the presidency, although she has shown her competence and independence of mind as a senator.

If President Aquino believes that Poe’s mass base can make Mar win in 2016, I don’t agree with him. I cannot believe that mass base of Grace as the daughter of the late movie icon Fernando Poe Jr. can trickle down to Mar. That would be a stretch of the imagination. There have been instances in history where the President and Vice President belonged to different parties.

At this point, more than anything else, President Aquino wants somebody he can rely on—not to continue whatever reforms he is talking about—but to prevent him from landing in jail like his predecessor.

But will Poe, granting she makes it, prevent President Aquino from landing in jail? I don’t think so.

Grace may be a friend of President Aquino, but she will do what’s right as she did in the committee report on the Mamasapano incident. She pinned the ultimate blame on President Aquino. *** My wife and I were in Baguio City over the weekend, and people were still talking about the future of tourism in the North as a result of the efforts of the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to bully and evict all the investors who bought homes, built shops and restaurants, golf shareholders, unit owners at Manor Hotel and Forest Lodge and all sublessees.

In fact, I read the notice of eviction posted on all the doors of investors, quoting the decision of Arbitration Tribunal on the dispute for 18 years between BCDA and the developer Camp John Hay Development Corp., and for the decision of the Baguio Regional Trial affirming the Aribration Tribunals’ ruling verbatim.

But I was surprised at the RTC ruling on Page 4, Paragraph 3, which clearly states that “as for the lift of sub-lesses and/or vested right holders, they will be governed by the law on obligations and contracts.”

The law on obligations and contracts as provided for by the Philippine Civil Code, Article 1385, clearly states that “an order for mutual restitution cannot include properties currently in the possession of third persons who act in good faith.”

What is strange and suspicious about this notice of

W E D N E S D AY: M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

TRUE WEALTH ONE of the reasons the Philippines is a rich country is its huge population – 102 million Filipinos, the 12th largest consumer market on earth.

A country is rich not just because of its resources – its land, forests, minerals, oil, and other assets, the so-called natural capital; and its factories and infrastructure, its socalled physical capital.

A country is rich more because of its people; more specifically, the quality of its people. Human capital is people – their education, skill, talent, know-how. This is why it is so essential to educate people, equip them with knowledge and skills to have economic value and sustain the fine traditions (called culture) of the race.

The evidence shows human capital is the No. 1 reason why countries are rich. Human capital accounts for a huge portion of a country’s wealth, up to 60 percent, by some estimates.

Human capital is a large part of a country’s intangible assets.

Aside from human capital, intangible assets include a country’s institutional and social infrastructure (like rule of law), as well as resources omitted in the natural capital calculations—such as subsoil water, diamonds, and fisheries.

Why is rule of law part of wealth? Without rule of law, people, especially the rich, will get away with murder and corruption.

The only way for the underprivileged and dispossessed to get even with killers and the corrupt is fight or kill them using the original weapons of mass destruction – fists and guns. What results is internecine warfare.

Civil war will finish off a civilization. Remember great tribes which built fine monuments like pyramids only to disappear from the face of the earth? Warfare finished them off.

Ordinarily, a nation’s wealth is measured by its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the final value of goods and services produced in a given year.

But GDP is not a true and accurate measure of wealth.

GDP “is a measure of income, not wealth. It values a flow of goods and services, not a stock of assets. Gauging an economy by its GDP is like judging a company by its quarterly profits, without ever peeking at its balancesheet,” explains The Economist in an article in 2012.

Wealth measured by GDP is usually only a fifth a country’s true wealth.

In 2012, the United Nations published balance sheets for 20 nations in a report overseen by Sir Partha Dasgupta of Cambridge University. They included three kinds of asset: “manufactured”, or physical, capital (machinery, buildings, infrastructure and so on); human capital (the population’s education and skills); and natural capital (including land, forests, fossil fuels and minerals).

Using this UN method, the United States was found to have wealth of $118 trillion in 2008, more than ten times its GDP the same year (at 2000 prices). However, per capita, Americans were poorer, compared to the Japanese, who topped the list.

Relatedly, according to World Bank studies, existing wealth estimates show that in most countries, intangible capital is the largest share of total wealth.

Intangible capital is calculated as the difference be-

tween total wealth and tangible (produced and natural) capital.

VIRTUAL A recent World Bank paper uses new estimates of total wealth, natuREALITY ral capital, and physical capital for a TONY panel of countries to shed light on the constituents of the intangible LOPEZ capital residual.

According to the World Bank, since income is the return on wealth, the total wealth of any given country should be on the order of 20 times its GDP. Economists seem to calculate the value of human capital by getting the average life span of a person and multiplying that by an expected stream of income over his life span.

By this measure, the United States is the richest country on earth. The US is supposed to have wealth 20 times its GDP. The US GDP is $18 trillion. Twenty times that is $360 trillion.

America’s biggest asset is its technology developed by among the best brains on earth. America sent men on the moon and invented Microsoft Office, Google, Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Snapchat, the Apple iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, the Predator drone, and Hollywood blockbusters. With these inventions, America can locate and kill people at will, and control the minds of billions of people around their world, whose countries need not be invaded by the world’s greatest army (America’s).

This may explain why no matter how determined and single-minded the world’s worst terrorists are, America can never be defeated. This is also why the best place to live, in times of war and strife, is still the United States.

In the case of the Philippines, we simply import technology, such as the flawed adding (called precinct count optical scan) machines employed in the 2010 and 2013 elections. Since the technology was defective, Filipinos unwittingly elected the wrong people for the wrong positions. Leaders with character defects. So instead of being richer than we should be, the Philippines is not.

A World Bank estimate of the value of human capital using the lifetime income approach for a sample of 13 (mostly high-income) countries yields a mean share of human capital in total wealth of 62 percent—four times the value of produced capital and 15 times the value of natural capital.

The World Bank has developed a new system that measures the wealth of nations by integrating economic, social and environmental factors, not just income. The concept expands wealth beyond money and investments.

The new system anchors real wealth of nations on a combination of: Natural capital—The economic value of land, water, timber, sub-soil assets: oil, gold, iron, etc.; Produced assets—Machinery, factories, infrastructure: water systems, roads, railways, etc.; Human resources—The value represented by people’s productive capacity (e.g. education, nutrition); Social capital (not yet separately measured)—The productive value of human organizations and institutions such as families and communities, not represented in the individual, but in the collective processes.

The Philippines can be infinitely richer and a far better place to live in – if we invest in the best capital of all – humans. biznewsasia@gmail.com

eviction is that the RTC Sheriff ’s Office was the one that issued it, which can only mean that it was with the permission of the RTC judge. My question is: Why did the RTC judge allow the sheriff ’s office to issue the eviction notices when the judge herself issued the ruling that insofar as sub-lesses and/or vested right holders are governed by the law on obligations and contracts, this in effect would take the side of the BCDA which would like all sub-lesses and vested rights holders giving them only up to May 20 before evictions and padlocking of their properties. Santa Banana, something smells!

To make matters worse, while the Baguio RTC heard the side of some Camp John Hay investors last week and the answer of the BCDA last Monday, the judge suddenly went on leave for a week without resolving the case. To think that the deadline of the eviction of all sub-lesses just a week away!

With a looming deadline, some investors and sublessees have bonded together and filed a petition for certiorari with injuction to prevent their eviction on May 20 to protect their investment, and uphold their rights as possessors in good faith.

There’s an open letter to President Aquino from concerned homeowners and investors in Camp John

Hay, appealing for the observation of the law on obligation and contracts. As possessors who acted in good faith, and were not parties in the dispute before the Arbitration Tribunal. As a lawyer myself, I see no reason why the Appellate Court should not issue a temporary restraining order on the May 20 deadline for the eviction of the 1,631 investors. There has been jurisprudence to this effect.

Santa Banana, what makes matters worse is that the BCDA president Arnel Paciano Casanova has been coercing all sub-lessees to sign a Deed of Assignment (the sole purpose of which is to drag them into litigation with CJHDevco) as a precondition to their continued peaceful occupation of their fully-paid homes in the Camp. And these full payments, by order of arbitral decision, were used by the BCDA to pay its own obligation to CJHDevco.

Homeowners are both Filipino and foreign retirees who are direct descendents of soldiers who fought alongside their Filipino brothers in World War II. Others are retired OFWs. Many in fact are full-time retirees who simply want to spend their twilight years in the summer capital.

It’s an appeal not only for justice and fairness, but for the recognition of the sacredness of contracts.

W E D N E S D AY: M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

BABY STEPS TOWARD ECONOMIC DISASTER

By William Pesek THE longer China’s economy stalls, the lonelier Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of the People’s Bank of China, is certain to get. There’s simply no playbook for a central banker facing so many competing challenges: deflation, excessive debt, chaotic global financial markets and vested interests resisting reform. Zhou seems to have little choice but to make things up as he goes along.

But if Zhou is interested in consulting a cautionary tale, he might consider the decisions made by policy makers in Japan in 1998, when that country was on the precipice of deflation and bore an eerie resemblance to China’s present situation. (Japan’s deflationary slide was triggered by a massive debt buildup, a greying population and rigid industrial policies; if that sounds familiar to China watchers, it should.) Unfortunately, Zhou seems committed to repeating the mistakes made by Masaru Hayami, the former governor of the Bank of Japan.

On Monday, Zhou cut the PBOC’s one-year lending rate by 25 basis points to 5.1 percent, his third cut in six months. That excited China’s stock traders. But, as Hayami’s experience shows, incremental moves of this sort aren’t a long-term fix. If Zhou hopes to avoid deflation in China, he should pay particular attention to three of Hayami’s missteps.

First, Hayami should have been far

ON SEEKING... From A9 allies—DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno, then Mayor Alfredo Lim and the chief of police—culpable for the botched Luneta hostage-taking of Hong Kong tourists.

On a personal note, aside from Atienza, I would also like to see former Senator Richard Gordon, Reps.

Martin Romualdez, Rufus Rodriguez, and Leni Robredo in the Senate.

It’s time non-productive movie actors in the Senate are replaced Ill-fated diplomat The remains of Philippine Ambassador to Pakistan Domingo Lucenario, Jr will arrive today with a memorial service set on Friday at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The ill-fated diplomat died in a plane crash together with the Norwegian ambassador during an inspection tour of government projects in Pakistan.

Lucenario is a career diplomat who is respected by his colleagues and loved by overseas Filipino workers

#FAILOCRACY

more aggressive with monetary stimulus. Initially, his problem was sheer denial. Two months before he took the helm at the BOJ in 1998, his predecessor Yasuo Matsushita insisted that there was no reason to expect deflation in Japan; Hayami operated under the same delusion after taking office.

Hayami eventually acknowledged that deflation was an issue, but even then he wasn’t bold enough. Although Hayami is sometimes remembered as the father of quantitative easing, which he pioneered in 2001, his initial attempts at monetary stimulus were far too timid. Part of the reason current BOJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda is still pumping liquidity into the Japanese economy today is that 14 years ago Hayami only lowered rates hesitantly and incrementally. (The U.S. Federal Reserve, by contrast, is preparing an exit strategy from its more ambitious quantitative easing program after just six years.)

The second thing Hayami should have done—and Zhou should do now—is take toxic assets off bank and local-government balance sheets. For a decade, Tokyo underreported the magnitude of its bad-loan problem; as a result, corporate Japan only got serious about writing off bad debt beginning in the early 2000s. If the BOJ had loaded up on distressed assets during Hayami’s tenure, Japan’s financial sector might have healed long ago. Instead, Japan’s

distressed debt festered, its falling price cycle accelerated and its banks refused to extend credit because they suffered from what Kuroda calls a “deflationary mindset.”

Hayami’s third failing was that he was too timid with his bully pulpit. He was right to insist that Japanese deflation was less about the supply of yen than growth-stifling regulations, monopolistic behavior and a dearth of policy imagination in government. But he enabled Tokyo’s political paralysis in ways Zhou would be wise to avoid. Hayami, for example, could have sought a series of quid pro quos: I’ll print more yen, he might have told the government, if you shake up the banking sector, reduce trade barriers, cut red tape and tweak taxes to encourage innovation.

China can steer clear of these costly mistakes. Zhou could cut rates faster and by bigger increments as China’s deflation risks deepen. The PBOC could start taking loans that are destined to default off the books of big banks and municipalities. And Zhou could leverage his international gravitas to prod President Xi Jinping’s team to internationalize the country’s financial system and foster greater competition in the economy.

But until now Zhou has only initiated baby steps, just as Hayami did. And there’s no reason to expect the results this time will be any different.

Bloomberg

in his postings in Islamabad and Nairobi, Kenya. As former head of the consular department, he is credited with starting the shift to electronic passport of the Philippine document.

The Philippine Ambassadors Foundation, Inc. issued a statement mourning the passing away of Lucenario.

“Ambassador Lucenario died while performing his official duty of promoting the friendly relations between the Philippines and Pakistan .The tragedy is a great loss to the country and the foreign service of a distinguished civil servant,” said the PAFI statement.

I met and got to know Jun Lucenario during my tenure in the diplomatic service. I join PAFI and the DFA in expressing my deep sorrow and condolence to his family.

Showing our cards The Senate joint committee on defense and foreign affairs conducted a public hearing of China’s aggressive reclamation activities in the West

Philippine Sea. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV summoned Armed Forces top brass including AFP chief Gregorio Pio Catapang and foreign affairs officials.

Shouldn’t a sensitive matter involving national security be held in a closeddoor session? We are witnessing a public spectacle of officials discussing before live television cameras the country’s lack of resources— funds and military hardware— that can only embolden Chinese encroachment into our territorial waters.

The Chinese must be laughing at us for compromising our national security. You don’t hear the Chinese announcing their military buildup in the South China Sea. They just go and do it. They’re now right on our front door in the West Philippine Sea where they built on reclaimed land an airstrip and pier for their warships.

Meanwhile, we are engaged in our national pastime of talking issues to death.

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

A11

CONGRESS... From A9 only to coconut oil, is doing a lot of the heavy lifting already. And now, thanks to an ill-conceived House measure, the Cavendish banana industry – the second-biggest in the world – could use some saving itself.

House Bill 5161, like a particularly virulent agricultural pest, might just kill the banana industry, according to the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association Inc. The industry association has written the bill’s author, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, to tell him that his measure, aimed at regulating the establishment and implementation of agribusiness ventures arrangements in land reform areas, will have a chilling effect on the industry. And the banana industry is no small venture: in 2014, the total land area planted with different varieties of bananas all over the Philippines reached 441,951 hectares.

The Cavendish banana export industry employs 503,058 people receiving an estimated P44 billion in annual wages. Together with the workers’ families and relatives, more than three million individuals are dependent on the banana export industry.

Baguilat’s bill, PGBEA said, is unnecessary because there is no need for a law on the specific and restrictive regulation of AVAs between private investors and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). HB 5161 will unnecessarily allow interference by the government in purely private commercial transactions.

PBGEA said that the private sector is the most efficient and effective mover of business and investments. Involving the government in AVAs will further increase the presently cumbersome regulatory requirements for investments in the Philippines, including investments in agribusinesses in tandem with ARBs. If Congress wants to protect the interests of ARBs who enter into contracts with the private sector, Congress should provide support services to these ARBs instead of mandating governmental approval of all contracts which they enter into.

CHONG ARDIVILLA

WE DN E S DAY : M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

A12

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Nadal drops to no. 7 PARIS—Rafael Nadal has dropped three places to number seven in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday a day after his defeat in the Madrid Open final to Andy Murray.

It is the Spaniard’s lowest ranking in ten years as Serb Novak Djokovic, who did not compete in Spain, continues to dominate.

Murray holds third place after stunning nine-time French Open champion Nadal 6-3, 6-2 to win his second clay-court title in a week after Munich. The Scot closes in on Swiss

Roger Federer who went out in the second round in Madrid.

Milos Raonic, beaten in the Madrid quarter-finals, and Tomas Berdych, who made the semi-finals, each gain two places to sit fourth and fifth respectively.

Japn’s Keiji Nishikori made a run to the semi-finals in the Spanish capital, and drops one place to sixth. AFP

Stellar field slugs it out in unfamiliar territory THE ICTSI Anvaya Cove Invitational reels off today at the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club with the stellar field slugging it out on an unfamiliar terrain and under intense summer heat, ensuring a wide-open battle for the top

P650,000 purse in Morong, Bataan.

Three foursomes featuring the tour’s big guns highlight the opening round of the P3.5 million championship with reigning three-time Order of Merit winner Tony Lascuña and Eastridge leg

champion Angelo Que paired in an early clash of the favorites in the 7:30 a.m. flight that includes Anthony Fernando and former Philippine Open champion Gerald Rosales at the Seaside Nine, the backnine of the posh layout.

Photo contest to highlight race

PHILRACOM Commissioner Atty. Dondon Bagatsing (right) announces the staging of the 3rd Press Photographers of the Philippines Cup, a charity race for the benefit of the group’s members during his appearance at the PSA Forum. He is joined here by Manila Jockey Club, Inc. Marketing Head Nathan Mazo . EY ACASIO Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004

InvItatIon to BId for the ProCUreMent of fIve (5) Motor vehICLeS In the dePartMent of fInanCe 1.

The DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE (DOF), through the Government of the Philippines under the General Appropriations Act for FY 2015, intends to apply the sum of Seven Million Seven Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP7,700,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Procurement of Five (5) Motor Vehicles in the Department of Finance CY 2015 (the “Project”). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The DOF, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), now invites Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) registered contractors to apply for eligibility and to bid for the Procurement of Five (5) Motor Vehicles in the Department of Finance for CY 2015. Bidders should have completed, within three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project which is equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC for the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (R-IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. However, only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference, and raise or submit written queries or clarifications.

4.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA No. 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act No. 138.

5.

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

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on May 13, 2015 at the General Services Division, 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex, Pablo Ocampo Sr. St., Roxas Blvd., Manila upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Ten Thousand Pesos (PhP10,000.00), not later than the submission of their bids.

The Bidding Documents may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the PhilGEPS and the website of the DOF, provided that the Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

6.

The schedule of bidding activities are as follows: ACTIVITIES Posting of Invitation to Bid Issuance and Availability of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Request for Clarification Issuance of Supplemental Bid Bulletin Deadline for Submission of Bids Opening of Bids

7.

Schedules May 13, 2015 Starting May 13, 2015 May 20, 2015, 10:00 a.m.

May 22, 2015 May 25, 2015 June 1, 2015, 9:45 a.m.

June 1, 2015, 10:00 a.m.

Bids must be delivered to General Services Division, 7th Floor EDPC Building, BSP Complex, Pablo Ocampo Sr. St., Roxas Blvd., Manila on or before June 1, 2015, 9:45 a.m. The bidders shall drop their duly accomplished eligibility requirements, technical and financial proposals in two (2) separate envelopes in the bid box located at the abovementioned address. All the Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on the date indicated above at the DFG Conference Room, 4th Floor DOF Building. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend.

“LATE BIDS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED”

8.

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

(Sgd.) GIL S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and DOF-BAC Chairman

(TS-MAY 13, 2015)

THE Philippine Racing Commission aims to heighten interest in the staging of the Triple Crown series by sponsoring a photo contest starting this Sunday’s opening leg at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Cavite.

This year’s first leg of the Triple Crown will be held in cooperation with the Press Photographers of the Philippines and is dubbed the ‘3rd PPP Cup,’ a charity race for the benefit of the group’s members.

Founded in 1955, PPP counts among its members press photographers from various print and online publications.

Philracom commissioner Atty. Dondon Bagatsing and Nathan Mazo of the Manila Jockey Club graced the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate to discuss the partnership, now on its third year, between the two groups.

Bagatsing said proceeds of the race, which could go as high as P120,000, depending on the total of parimutuel sales for the event, will augment PPP’s fund for medical and burial assistance, workshops and seminars, and other services for its members.

PPP president Jun Mendoza of the Philippine Star thanked the Philracom Board, headed by chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, for its unwavering support to the photographers’ group via the race and photo contest.

First place winner in the photo contest will get P20,000, second placer receives P15,000, and third placer P10,000. Section editors of the winning photos also get corresponding prizes of P5,000, P3,000, and P2,000, respectively.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION MAKATI CITY BRANCH 136 IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF LUCY DOMINIQUE LLAMZON

SP. PROC CASE NO. M-7788 (2015)

SPS. RAYMOND C. DELOS SANTOS and CHERYL L. DE LEON-DELOS SANTOS, Petitioners. x----- --------------------------x ORDER A verified Petition for Adoption was filed in Court on March 24, 2015 by the Sps. Raymond C. Delos Santos and Cheryl L. De Leon Delos Santos. Petitioners desire to adopt 8-year old Lucy Dominique Llamzon “Lucy”, daughter of petitioner Cheryl L. De Leon Delos Santos from a previous relationship without the benefit of marriage. The minor’s biological father, Benjamin P. Llamzon, executed a written consent to this adoption. Even before her marriage to Raymond, Cheryl wanted to make legitimate her parental relationship with her daughter, Lucy. In turn, petitioner Raymond cared for and consistently treated Lucy as if she was his own offspring. From their marriage, petitioners have supported Lucy, raised her as their legitimate child, and paid for her education and living expenses. Petitioners aver that they have undergone pre-adoption services and that this adoption would promote the best interest of the child. They further aver that they have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications to adopt.

Petitioners pray that judgment be rendered declaring the minor to be their legitimate child and direct the concerned civil registrar to cancel the minors existing birth certificate and issue a new birth certificate, changing the minor’s name Lucy Dominique Llamzon to “Lucy Dominique De Leon De Los Santos.”

The Court finds the Petition to be sufficient in form and substance.

WHEREFORE, notice is hereby given that this case is set for hearing of June 18 and July 23, 2015, both at 9:00 a.m. at this Family Court located at the 12th Floor, Makati City Hall, at which date, time and place, all interested persons may appear and be heard.

The petitioner is required to cause the publication of this Order in a newspaper of general circulation to be determined through raffle, once a week for three (3) successive weeks before the abovescheduled hearing.

The Court Social Worker is DIRECTED to conduct case study and submit a report within 30 days from notice.

SO ORDERED. Makati City, March 30, 2015.

(Sgd.) RICO SEBASTIAN D. LIWANAG Presiding Judge

(TS-Apr. 29, May 6 & 13, 2015)

Full gate of entries for 1st leg of Philracom Triple Crown FOURTEEN enJENNY tries will participate ORTUOSTE in the first leg of the Philippine Racing THE HOARSE WHISPERER Commission Triple Crown series on May 17 at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Park.

The race series is the premier proving ground for elite 3YO Thoroughbreds.

Declared for the mile stakes race are Conrado Ong’s colt Breaking Bad, SC Stockfarm’s colt Cat Express, Alchy Enterprises’s colt Diamond’s Best, Felipe Vergara’s filly Driven, Joseph Dyhengco’s filly Hook Shot and colt Sky Hook, Aurora Sevilla’s colt Icon, Stony Road Horse Farm’s colt Incredible Hook, Oliver Velasquez’s colt Jebel Ali, Running Rich Racing’s filly Miss Brulay, Emmanuel King Jr.’s colt Money Talks, Bingson Tecson’s filly Princess Meili, George Raquidan’s filly Real Talk, and Kerby Chua’s Superv.

This is an incredibly talented field. I’m going with Dyhengco’s tandem of Hook Shot and Sky Hook, and Princess Meili and Miss Brulay.

Also on May 17 at SLLP is the Philracom-sponsored 3rd Press Photographers of the Philippines Cup, a charity race for the benefit of the group of press photographers from various print and online publications.

The agency is also sponsoring a photo contest open to PPP members for the duration of the Triple Crown series. Only photos that have been published in print or online the week following each Triple Crown race will be eligible for the contest.

Cash prizes are up for grabs. ***** May 16 at SLLP is action-packed. At SLLP, there’s the 1,400-meter Philracom Hopeful Stakes and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office 3YO Maiden race.

In the Hopeful are Rancho Santa Rosa’s colt Apple Du Zap, Dyhengco’s filly Burbank, Velasquez’s colt Cat’s Dream, Stony Road’s filly Hurricane Ridge, ACS Industrial Farm’s colt Jazz Wild, Amor Nacional’s colt Karangalan, Patrick Uy’s colt Mr. Minister, SC Stockfarm’s filly Princess Ella and colt Showtime, Benhur Abalos’s filly Song of Songs, Manuel de Asis’s colt Thunder Maxx, Denis Gaddi’s colt Wanderlust, and Yokishoti Enterprises’ filly Wannabe.

I pick Princess Ella, Hurricane Ridge, and Burbank.

For the PCSO race, Miss Dainty won the April 30 trial two lengths ahead of Golden Cup, followed

by Erik the Viking, Caravaggio, Divine Degrace, El Nido Island, and Knight’s Queen last. This is anybody’s race.

Meanwhile, at the Pimlico Racecourse in Maryland will be the Preakness Stakes, second jewel of the US Triple Crown. I’m going with American Pharoah, winner of the first leg. ***** Jockey Jesse B. Guce is sidelined with multiple fractures of the ribs and scapula after falling off Don Guru in Race 5 last May 11 at SLLP. Down the stretch, rider Christopher V. Garganta on Amulet, coming fast on the inside, swerved and clipped Don Guru, causing Guce to be unseated. The MJC Board of Stewards suspended Garganta for 36 racing days.

In the same race, jockey JD Miralles fell off Think Twice, without incurring injury. ***** Support is pouring in for the New Philippine Jockeys Association’s 1st Annual Jockeys Day Footrace, wherein a patron, for P5,000, can “declare” a jockey to run wearing silks, corporate tshirt, or other attire.

There are 10 “entries” so far: two each from PCSO Vice-Chairman and General Manager lawyer Joy Rojas II, PCSO Assistant General Manager-Gaming Sector Conrado C. Zabella, Philippine Racing Club EVP Allan Abesamis, and trainer Donie Sordan; and one each from Joey Villanueva and the PCSO Bayang Karerista (BK).

The PCSO BK’s entry is “syndicated,” with 17 officemates pooling their contributions to come up with the required amount to “declare” jockey Jerico G. Serrano.

Want to see jockey Patty Dilema run in a dress?

Here’s your chance! Sign up to be a footrace sponsor at the NPJA Page on Facebook, or at Gogirl Racing. * **** Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @gogirlracing, Blog: http://jennyo.net

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Meralco sinks foe, makes semis ABY Maraño came away with a 17-hit game as Meralco rolled past Coast Guard, 25-20, 25-20, 2520, and into the semifinal round of the Shakey’s VLeague Season 12 Open Conference at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Fun run to benefit young women A runfest for the benefit of underprivileged young women will be held by the end of the month at the Quirino Grandstand.

Dubbed ‘fun run and fun Walk for Women’s education,’ the event is co-presented by the Agricultural Credit Policy Council and uP sigma Alpha sorority Alumnae Association Inc., headed by president Andrea Domingo, the former Immigration commissioner.

Assembly time is at 5 a.m.

Proceeds of the meet will go to providing scholarships to underprivileged women to obtain quality education in state colleges and universities and trainings on livelihood for those who do not qualify for formal education.

Domingo was at the Philippine sportswriters Association forum on tuesday at shakey’s Malate to talk about the runfest, along with committee chairman Ding Pereyra, Joan Basay, representing ACPC, and project manager Atty. Josefina saliva. “the best way for filipinos to stay fit is to run, it’s very cheap and simple,” said Domingo, a former Pampanga congresswoman, in the session presented by san Miguel Corp., shakey’s, Accel, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. “running is an event everybody in the family can participate.”

ACPC Run Committee Chair Ding Pereyra (left), former Immigration Commissioner and UP Sigma Alpha Sorority President Andrea Domingo (center) and ACPC Project Development Officer Joan Baysa brief sportswriters of the coming 2nd Fun Run and Fun Walk for Women’s Education during Tuesday’s PSA Forum.

The event will be held on May 30, 5 a.m. at the Rizal Park. EY ACASIO

UP Manila alumni group holds 11th Chancellor’s Cup ALuMnI and friends of the university of the Philippines Manila College of Arts and sciences are being invited to the uP Manila CAs Alumni society, Inc.’s 11th Chancellor’s Cup golf tournament on May 15 at the Camp Aguinaldo Golf Course. tee off is at 7 a.m. Proceeds from the tournament will go to the schol-

Age-group netfest goes to Lanao. The 2015 Cebuana Lhuillier AgeGroup Tennis Championship series, an initiative of Philippine Tennis Association Chairman and sportsman/businessman Jean Henri Lhuillier to support the growth of the sport in the country, held a leg in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, hosted by Gov. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo. Supported by Dunlop, the official ball, the netfest attracted 176 entries from the area and neighboring provinces. Photo show the different age-group winners, including double winners Janus Al-Najeeb Ringia from Marbel and Ozamiz City bet Janmarie Anghag. Ringia won the 16- and 18-under boys’ division, while Anghag ruled the girls’ 14- and 16-under age groups. Lanao del Norte Vice Gov. Cristina Atay and Cebuana Lhuillier branch manager Jecel Ancero joined the winners after the awarding ceremonies. Remaining legs this month are in Baybay City (May 11 to 15); Ubay in Bohol (May 16 to 19); Jagna, also in Bohol (May 21 to 25); and Bais (May 26 to 31).

E XTR A J U D IC IA L S E T T LE ME N T OF ESTA TE O F E MI L I O Q U I N T O, S R . W ITH W A I VE R O F S HARE Notice is hereby given that C ONSOLACION QUINTO, HEIRS OF ELMER P. QUINTO NAMELY: TERESITA T. QUINTO, EMMANUEL T. QUINTO, EMELIE T. QUINTO, ELMER T. QUINTO JR. , ELOIASA T. QUINTO, EMERSON T. QUINTO AND EDISON T. QUINTO REPRESENTED BY TERESITA T. QUINTO , EMILIO P. QUINTO JR. MARRIED TO FARINA DUMINDIN QUINTO, ELLEN P. QUINTO, ELEAZAR P. QUINTO MARRIED TO VERENA PATRICIA C. QUINTO, ELEONOR P. QUINTO-SOBER MARRIED TO JIM SOBER AND ELTROY P. QUINTO MARRIED TO CHERRY ESPINO QUINTO ; ALL FILIPINOS, OF LEGAL AGE, AND WITH RESIDENT ADDRESS AT LUCAO, DAGUPAN CITY ARE THE SURVIVING LEGAL HEIRS OF THE LATE EMILIO QUINTO, SR. EXECUTED EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF EMILIO QUINTO, SR. WITH WAIVER OF SHARE OVER THE FOLLOWING PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED LUCAO DISTRICT, DAGUPAN CITY, COVERED BY TAX DECLARATION NOS. 4170014 AND 4173528 AND TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NOS. 66043, 66372, 66045, 25060, 31762, 25061, 47284, 47285, 47323, 48351, 48622, 52429, 48331, 43712, 47880, 49971, 49800, 52430, 52426, 52428, 52422, 52427, 12642, 51170, 51766, 66375, 51769, 36460, 37443, 36459, 25760, 30808, 66047 AND 66726 OF THE REGISTRY OF DEEDS OF DAGUPAN CITY. MUNICIPALITY OF SAN MANUEL COVERED BY TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NOS. 17628, 17629 AND 21550 OF THE REGISTRY OF DEEDS OF PANGASINAN. MUNICIPALITY OF BUGAL LON COVERED BY TAX DECLARATION NOS. 320 AND 321 AND TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 156229 THE REGISTRY OF DEEDS OF PANGASINAN. MUNICIPALITY OF CALASIAO COVERED BY TAX DECLARATION NOS. 103, 104, 136, 153, 271, 272, 446, 494, 606, 608, 610, 611, 626, 629, 159 AND 493 AND TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NOS. 159473 AND 122600 OF THE REGISTRY OF DEEDS OF PANGASINAN. MUNICIPALITY OF MALASIQUI COVERED BY TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 222420 OF THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OF PANGASINAN: THAT ALL HEIRS THAT CONSOLACION QUINTO, HEIRS OF ELMER P. QUINTO NAMELY: TERESITA T. QUINTO, EMMANUEL T. QUINTO, EMELIE T. QUINTO, ELMER T. QUINTO JR. , ELOIASA T. QUINTO, EMERSON T. QUINTO AND EDISON T. QUINTO REPRESENTED

BY TERESITA T. QUINTO , EMILIO P. QUINTO JR. MARRIED TO FARINA DUMINDIN QUINTO, ELLEN P. QUINTO, ELEAZAR P. QUINTO MARRIED TO VERENA PATRICIA C. QUINTO, ELEONOR P. QUINTO-SOBER MARRIED TO JIM SOBER AND ELTROY P. QUINTO MARRIED TO CHERRY ESPINO QUINTODO HEREBY DECLARE BY VIRTUE OF THIS INSTRUMENT THAT THEY AGREED TO DIVIDE THE SAID REAL PROPERTY AMONG HEIRS.; AS PER DOC NO. 308 PAGE NO. 63 BOOK IV SERIES OF 2015 BEFORE NOTARY PUBLIC OF ATTY. ANDREA A. TAN. ( T S - M AY 13 , 2 0 15 )

ars of the society and to the physical improvement projects for uP Manila CAs. Great prizes await the lucky raffle winners, while tournament winners will receive trophies. for details, contact Jun Que at 0917-8419869; Ding Garcia at +639189004991; or roger Cuan at +639175329802.

JOINT EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF SOPHIA GALVEZ-DE JESUS AND JOSE FROILAN DE JESUS, SR. WITH EQUAL OF SHARE AND RIGHTS Noti ce i s hereby gi ven that MA N U EL G. D E JES U S , TER E S ITA D E JES U S JA C IN TO, RA MON G. D E JE S U S , C OR A ZON G. D E JE S U S , S H IR LEY G. D E JES U S -D E D IOS, JOSE G. D E JES U S JR . , MA R IO G. D E JES U S , MA R ITA D E JE S U S -PE R E Z; ALL FILIP IN OS , OF LE GAL A GE, A N D WITH R ES ID EN T AD D R E S S AT S TA . MAR IA, B U LA C A N AR E TH E SU R V IVIN G LE GAL H E IR S OF TH E LA TE S OPH IA GA LV E ZD E JE S U S A N D JOSE FR OILA N D E JE S U S , S R ., EX E C U TE D JOIN T EX TR A JU D IC IAL S E TTLE MEN T OF ES TA TE WITH EQU AL OF S H A R E AN D R IGH TS OV E R A C E R TA IN PA R C E L OF LA N D S ITU A TED A T S TA .

MA R IA , B U LA C A N C OV E R E D B Y TR A N S FE R CE R TIFIC A TE OF TITLE N O. 214602 OF TH E REGIS TE R OF D EE D S OF B U LA C A N: TH AT A LL HEIR S TH AT MA N U E L G. D E JE S U S , TER E S ITA DE JE S U S JA C IN TO, R A MON G. D E JE S U S , C OR AZON G. D E JES U S , SH IR LEY G. D E JES U S -D E D IOS A N D JOS E G. D E JES U S JR , MAR IO G. D E JE S U S AN D MA R ITA D E JE S U S P E R E Z D O H E R E B Y D E C LA R E B Y V IR TU E OF TH IS IN S TR U MEN T TH AT TH EY AGR EE D TO D IVID E TH E SA ID R E A L PR OPE R TY IN E QU AL S H A R IN G A MON G H E IR S.; AS PE R D OC N O. 383 PA GE N O. 78 B OOK II S E R IES OF 2014 BE FOR E N OTA R Y PU B LIC OF A TTY .

C LA U D E TTE C . TOLE N TIN O. ( T S - M AY 13 , 2 0 15 )

the Power spikers im- Games tomorrow (Semifinals) the top two teams 12 noon – Army vs Meralco posed their will early with after the single round 2 p.m. – Cagayan vs PLDT their power game while semis will dispute the pouncing on the Lady Dolcrown in a best-ofphins’ poor set-ups to fashion out the three series starting May 21, accordone-hour, 11-minute victory, their sec- ing to the organizing sports Vision. ond straight to close out their elims camWith Maraño on the firing end paign in the season opening conference and Charleen Cruz providing backof the league sponsored by shakey’s. up with eight hits, the Power spikers Meralco ended up with a 4-3 slate, unloaded 47 kills as against the Lady edging navy, which had a 3-4 mark, Dolphins’ 31 with Angelica Legacion for no. 4 as the Power spikers joined upstaging sarah Jane espelita by acthe PLDt Home ultera, Army and counting for 21 of the team’s 37 exCagayan Valley in the semis featur- cellent sets. espelita, the league’s top ing the league’s four top teams. setter, could only come up with 17. the back-to-back victories also skipper steph Mercado added primed up Meralco against defend- seven markers while faye Guevara, ing champion Army at the start of fille Cainglet-Cayetano and Arianna the semis round tomorrow. Cagayan Angustia combined for 15 points for and PLDt tangle in the other match the Power spikers, who also protipped to go down-to-the-wire. duced seven blocks.

INVITATION TO BID FOR VARIOUS OFFICE SUPPLIES 1.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), through the PCSO Corporate Budget intends to apply the sum of One Million Nine Hundred Seventy Eight Thousand Six Hundred Ten Pesos and 50/100 (P1,978,610.50) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Various Office Supplies. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The PCSO now invites bids for Various Office Supplies. Delivery of the Goods is required within fifteen (15) calendar days. Bidders should have completed, within the last ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

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

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

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from PCSO Bids and Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on May 13, 2015 (Wednesday) from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

5.

6.

The PCSO will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on May 19, 2015 (Tuesday) at 1:30pm, BAC Room, 3/F Conservatory Building, 605 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City, which shall be open to all interested parties.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 10:00am of June 1, 2015 (Monday). All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on June 1, 2015 (Monday) at 10:30am at BAC Room, 3/F Conservatory Building, 605 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

7.

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

8.

For further information, please refer to: The BAC Chairman c/o The Secretariat PCSO BAC Room 3/F Conservatory Building 605 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City (02) 997-0247 (Telefax) www.pcso.gov.ph

(Sgd.) CONRADO C. ZABELLA BAC Chairman ( T S - M AY 13 , 2 0 15 )

EX OF S

Notic ELME T. QU T. QU REPR JR. M ELEA ELEO ELTR ALL F AT LU OF T SETT WAIV SITUA TAX D CERT 25061 47880 51170 66047 CITY. CERT REGI BUGA 321 A REGI CALA 153, 2 AND T OF T OF M NO. 2 ALL H QUIN EMEL EMER

BY T FARIN QUIN P. QU QUIN DECL TO D DOC NOTA

(TS-MA

Republic of the Philippines

ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Simplified Single Line Diagram of the Proposed Connection Scheme No.2

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE NEGROS-PANAY 230 kV BACKBONE PROJECTSTAGE 2 (CEBU SUBSTATION 230 kV UPGRADING), WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ERC CASE NO. 2015-049 RC NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), Applicant. x- - - - -- - -- - - ----- - - - - - -x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on March 12, 2015, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed with the Commission an application for the approval of the CebuNegros-Panay 230 kV Backbone Project - Stage 2 (Cebu Substation 230 kV Upgrading), with prayer for the issuance of a provisional authority.

In the said application, NGCP alleged, among others, the following: 1.

It is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the corporate vehicle of the consortium which was awarded the concession to assume the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136 (R.A. 9136), otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or the EPIRA. It was also awarded by Congress a franchise under R.A. 9511 (NGCP Franchise) to operate, manage, and maintain the nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines; STATEMENT OF THE CASE

2.

One of its functions and responsibilities enumerated in Section 9 of the EPIRA is to “improve and expand its transmission facilities, consistent with the Grid Code and the Transmission Development Plan (TDP) to be promulgated pursuant to this Act to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system: Provided, That TRANSCO (now NGCP) shall submit any plan for expansion or improvement of its facilities for approval by the ERC.”;

3.

In accordance with its mandate to ensure and maintain the quality, reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the Grid, it seeks authority from the Commission to immediately approve the implementation of the Cebu Negros-Panay (CNP) 230 kV Backbone Project - Stage 2 (Cebu Substation 230 kV Upgrading), which aims, among others, to meet the transmission capacity requirements of capacity additions and load centers; STATEMENT OF FACTS

Brief Background 4.

To augment the power generating capacity in Visayas, Thermal Visayas, Inc. (TVI), a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, will be constructing a 2x150 MW Coalfired Power Plant which will be located at Sitio Looc, Barangay Bato, Toledo City, Cebu Province. It is expected to be in commercial operation by 2017;

5.

Two (2) possible schemes were considered for the connection of the proposed power plant to the Cebu Grid: Connection Scheme 1: Connection to Calung-Calung Substation via 138 kV Line

6.

11. The proposed connection scheme will provide higher transmission capacity to accommodate future generation capacity addition of the power plant;

Based on the result of the system assessment, Connection Scheme No. 2 is the more optimal option for the connection of the 2x150 MW TVI power plant;

12. In addition, the central part of the Cebu Grid consists of seven (7) major substations interconnected through 138 kV transmission lines. The proposed connection scheme will serve as a major component of the 230 kV backbone system, a long-term transmission plan in the Visayas Grid intended to alleviate the existing 138 kV system;

The recommended connection scheme will requtre the following components:

The Bato Switching Station and the 230 kV transmission lines were classified as Connection Assets. Hence, it will be implemented by TVI pursuant to the December 15, 2014 Decision of the Commission in ERC Case No. 2014-088 MC. On the other hand, the proposed 230 kV facility in Cebu Substation will be constructed to accommodate the entry of the power plant since NGCP’s existing facilities in Cebu are rated only at 138 kV. The upgraded substation will also cater to the 230 kV termination of Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line (initially energized at 138 kV). Hence, the proposed Cebu 230 kV Substation will be considered as a transmission asset upon the energization of the Cebu-Lapu Lapu Transmission Line at 230 kV;

8.

The proposed 230 kV facility in Cebu will be constructed within the vicinity of the existing Cebu Substation and will also be linked to the existing 138 kV system.

Moreover, the main switchgear station, as well as portion of the associated transmission lines, will be located adjacent to the existing high-voltage equipment in the substation. As such, the implementation of the proposed 230 kV facility, as well as its operation, will be directly associated with the existing facility.

In consideration of the security and reliability of the existing transmission system in Cebu Substation, the proposed 230 kV facility shall be implemented by NGCP;

Justifications 9.

Table No. 1 Summary of Loadings of Monitored Transmission Component for Connection Scheme No. 2 Year 2017, Peak Demand Condition Capacity, % MVA Loading/Component Monitored Component per Component Outage At During NComponent Normal 1 Condition Condition Colon - Cebu 138 kV 392 41.26 60.01 Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line Lines Colon – Lapu lapu 138 kV 196 45.42 64.65 Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line Line Quiot - Cebu 138 kV Line 196 46.65 72.8 Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line Colon - Quiot 138 kV Line 196 67.06 93.32 Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line Colon - Toledo 138 kV Line 196 46.03 61.95 Calungcalung-Colon 138 kV Line Calungcalung-Toledo 138 196 9.94 41.03 Colon - Toledo 138 kV kV Line Line Calungcalung-Colon 138 196 31.56 54.29 Colon - Toledo 138 kV kV Line Line Bato - Cebu 230 kV Line 1,276 11.81 23.65 Bato - Cebu 230 kV Line Cebu S/S 2x300 MVA 300 49.3 99.7 300 MVA Transformer at Transformers Cebu Table No. 2 Summary of Loadings of Monitored Transmission Component for Connection Scheme No. 2 Year 2019, Peak Demand Condition Capacity, % MVA Loading/Component Monitored Component per Component Outage At During N-1 Component Normal Condition Condition Colon - Cebu 138 kV 392 34.53 50.18 Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line Lines Colon - Lapu lapu 138 kV 196 38.83 54.87 Colon-Cebu 138 kV Line Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line 196 36.21 57.97 Colon-Cebu 138 kV Line Colon - Quiot 138 kV Line 196 58.67 80.56 Colon-Cebu 138 kV Line Colon - Toledo 138 kV Line 196 44.01 58.95 Calungcalung-Colon 138 kV Line Calungcalung-Toledo 138 196 7.78 41.05 Colon - Toledo 138 kV kV Line Line Calungcalung - Colon 138 196 29.47 51.30 Colon - Toledo 138 kV Line Bato - Cebu 230 kV Line 1,276 11.7 23.46 Bato - Cebu 230 kV Line Cebu S/S 2x300 MVA 300 49.7 100 300 MVA Transformer Transformers at Cebu

Connection Scheme 2: Connection to Cebu Substation via 230 kV Line

i. Switching Station in Bato; ii. 230 kV transmission lines from the proposed Switching Station towards Cebu Substation; and iii. 230 kV Expansion of the Cebu Substation; 7.

10. For the proposed connection scheme, TVI Power Plant can dispatch its maximum generation of 300 MW without overloading the associated transmission lines during normal and N-1 conditions. The loadings of the monitored transmission component associated with the proposed connection scheme are tabulated as follows:

The TVI Power Plant is proposed to be connected to Cebu Substation via 230 kV overhead lines. The connection scheme will involve the 230 kV upgrading at the Cebu Substation and construction of a 230 kV switching station near the power plant and double circuit overhead transmission lines. The overhead line will utilize a 4x795 MCM ACSR conductor and will have a transfer capacity of 1,200 MW (with N-1 contingency);

13. Finally, the proposed connection scheme will provide termination for the Cebu Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line upon its energization at 230 kV; Components of the Project 14. The implementation Substation;

of the project

involves

the expansion works at Cebu

15. The project component are as follows: Cebu Substation Upgrading

Cebu 230 kV GIS

• • • • • •

• • Extension of the Bato - Cebu 230 kV • Lines Extension of the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu • 230 kV Lines • Extension of the Colon/Quiot Cebu 138 kV Lines

• •

2 x 300 MVA, 230/138-13.8 kV Transformer 8 x 230 kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear 1 x 138 kV Air-Insulated Switchgear 2 sets of 230 kV Bus Disconnect Switch Station Service Transformers and Metal-Clad Switchgears Installation of associated protection, control and communication system Revamping works at the 138 kV switchyards Construction of associated buildings/facilities 230 kV Overhead Line, SP-DC, 4x795 MCM ACSR, 750 m 230 kV Underground Cables, Double Circuit of 600 MW-capacity, 425 m 230 kV Overhead Line (conductors and line accessories) , 2 x 795 MCM ACSR, 150 m 138 kV Underground Cables, Double Circuit of 180 MW-Capacity, 250 m 138 kV Underground Cables, Single Circuit of 180 MW-Capacity, 100 m

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Solar prepares hero’s welcome for Pacman

LOTTO RESULTS

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

By Ronnie Nathanielsz EIGHT-DIVISION world champion Manny Pacquiao will receive a hero’s welcome when he arrives today with his family from Los Angeles, where he underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, aggravated in Round 4 of his “Battle for Greatness” with undefeated pound-forpound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May 2.

Solar Entertainment, which acquired the exclusive television rights for the unprecedented multi-network coverage of the fight, has organized a massive motorcade, following a press conference at the VIP lounge of Philippine Airlines Centennial Terminal 2.

Solar Sports said that with pain shooting up his right shoulder, Pacquiao still tried to give the boxing world an exciting fight against Mayweather Jr. Even if he was not able to throw his vaunted right hook, Pacquiao did not stop chasing the undefeated American around the ring.

Pacquiao lost via unanimous decision to May-

weather in what was billed as the biggest fight of both boxers’ careers. The Filipino also lost his World Boxing Organization welterweight title and a chance of entering the history books as the first man to defeat Mayweather.

Pacquiao may have lost a lot in Las Vegas, but his head remains unbowed.

The members of the TV panel that covered the fight at ringside all felt that Pacquiao won a close fight.

TV analyst and Philippine Star columnist Quinito Henson and boxing man Mike Ochosa of Viva Sports both had Pacquiao the winner by two points, while this reporter also of Viva

Pacquiao

Sports and the Standard had Pacquiao eking out a close one-point decision, mainly because of his aggression and the fact that he threw the harder punches and had Mayweather in trouble in Rounds 4 and 6.

This contrasted sharply with the scores of the three American judges, with Dave Moretti turning

16. The existing Cebu Substation has six (6) 138 kV switch bays which accommodates eleven (11) air-insulated switchgears and six (6) compact air-insulated switchgears.

It has two (2) 100 MVA, 138/69-13.8 kV power transformers; 17. A new 230 kV facility will be constructed within the vicinity of the Cebu Substation.

It be linked to the existing 138 kV switchbays via two (2) 300 MVA 230/138-13.8 kV power transformers. It will be composed of eight (8) 230 kV GIS’s that will accommodate the following: a) Connection of two (2) 230/138 kV power transformers; b) Termination of double circuit transmission lines from the Bato Switching Station; c) Termination of the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line; and d) Future connection of additional 300 MVA, 230/138-13.8 kV power transformer; In order to accommodate the termination of the secondary side of the new transformers, there is a need to transfer the termination of the existing transmission line from Quiot Substation and the existing and ongoing transmission lines from Colon Substation; Conceptual Design for the Associated Transmission Lines 18. It will involve the construction of short transmission lines which will link the BatoCebu 230 kV Line and the Cebu Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line to the proposed GIS Building. Due to limited area at the substation, the proposed line extension of the Bato-Cebu and Cebu Lapu-Lapu Transmission Lines were initially planned to be installed utilizing same structures. However, due to insufficient area within the substation to allow the laying of structural foundation for the multi-circuit lines, the proposed transmission links will be constructed separately; 19. The proposed line extension of the Bato - Cebu 230 kV Lines will be composed generally of an overhead line, which will be routed near the perimeter of the substation in order to avoid overhead line crossing between the existing lines. On the other hand, the proposed line extension for the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line will be composed of an underground cable system designed at 230 kV which will be routed along the roadway within the substation; 20. The project will also involve a 138 kV underground cable system which will accommodate the transfer of termination of the existing Colon/Quiot- Cebu 138 kV Lines; Provision for the Energization of the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line at 138 kV 21. The construction of the new substation will also facilitate the energization of the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line at 138 kV and its proposed connection to the existing Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line 1. As such, a portion of the proposed 230 kV GIS will be initially energized at 138 kV and shall be isolated from the 230 kV-energized portion through the installation of additional two (2) 230 kV bus disconnect switches. The 138 kV-energized portion of the GIS will serve as the connection point between the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu Transmission Line and the existing Colon - Cebu 138 kV Line 1, which will be temporarily connected to the 230 kV switchgear intended for the future 3rd transformer.

P0.0 M+

in what the group collectively felt was a scandalous 118-110 scorecard.

Once again, Pacquiao exemplified that the Filipino spirit is unbreakable, that it will not stop fighting against whatever odds.

Upon his arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, a press conference will be held for Pacquiao to address the local media. Pacquiao and his entourage will then proceed to Makati City, where he will be officially welcomed by the team that made sure Pacquiao-Mayweather would be available to as many Filipinos as possible.

That team is headed py Solar Entertainment Corporation President and CEO Wilson Tieng, along with representatives of ABSCBN, GMA, TV5, SkyCable, CignalTV and a few of Manny’s closest supporters.

Allegation in Support of the Prayer for Provisional Approval

Conceptual Design for the Substation Proposed 230 kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) at Cebu Substation

P0.0 M+

24. The proposed 230 kV facility in Cebu Substation is an integral component of the recommended scheme for the connection of the TVI Power Plant to the Grid which is expected to start its commercial operation in 2017. Without the project, the 230 kV Transmission Lines from the proposed Switching Station in Bato towards Cebu Substation will be inoperable and TVI will not be able to dispatch its capacity to the Grid; 25. The connection of the TVI Power Plant to the transmission system will vastly improve the adequacy and reliability of the power system in Visayas. Considering the necessity of the Project and the length of time necessary for its completion, its implementation must commence as scheduled. Thus, it prays for the issuance of a provisional authority; 26. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Christian B. Ereño, Head of the Visayas System Planning Division Transmission Planning Department of NGCP, is hereto attached to the application as Annex “B”; and 27. It prays that the Commission: a.

lssue, immediately upon filing of the application, a provisional authority for the implementation of the CNP 230 kV Backbone Project-Stage 2 (Cebu Substation 230 kV Upgrading); and

b.

Approve, after notice and hearing, the application for the implementation of the CNP 230 kV Backbone Project Stage 2 (Cebu Substation 230 kV Upgrading); and render judgment making the provisional approval permanent.

The Commission has set the application for jurisdictional hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on June 2, 2015 (Tuesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence. No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

All such persons who may wish to have a copy of the application may request the applicant, prior to the date of the initial hearing, that they be furnished with a copy of the application. The applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Likewise, any such person may examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the usual office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson, ZENAIDA G. CRUZ DUCUT, and the Honorable Commissioners, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, ALFREDO J. NON, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 20th day of April, 2015 at Pasig City.

The temporary connection scheme will involve the installation of a 138 kV underground cable which will be routed along the proposed cable trench for the Cebu - Lapu-Lapu 230 kV Transmission Line; 22. The estimated cost of the Project is One Billion Six Hundred Thirty Six Million One Hundred Forty Eight Thousand Two Hundred Twelve and 02/100 Pesos (PHP1,636,148,212.02); 23. The duration of the implementation of the project is twenty eight (28) months including the topographic and geological survey, preparation of bidding documents, procurement stage and actual construction;

ATTY. FRANCIS SATURNINO C. JUAN Executive Director III

(ST-M AY 6 & 13 , 2015)

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

A16

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

Batang Pier’s hot start continues Games Wednesday

(Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City) 4:15 p.m. • Meralco vs. NLEX 7 p.m. • Barangay Ginebra vs. Kia

By Jeric Lopez GLOBALPORT finally broke the curse.

For the first time in franchise history, the Batang Pier beat the Star Hotshots, hacking out a tough 91-89 escape win to grab its third straight victory and the solo leadership in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

GlobalPort now sits at the top of the heap with a blazing 3-0 mark, the best start in franchise history. ‘’Ito ang pinaka-good start ng GlobalPort and this is our first win against Purefoods (Star Hotshots). This is a very positive sign for our team,’’ said coach Pido Jarencio.

With the game tied up heading into the final two minutes of play, GlobalPort banked on some clutch plays from its 1-2 backcourt punch.

Terrence Romeo’s lay-up with 1:51 remaining gave the Batang Pier an 89-87 edge, before following up with a tough defensive stance.

Romeo forced Joe Devance to turn the ball over with over 30 seconds remaining as the Star Hotshots blew a chance to tie. Stanley Pringle then made the most of GlobalPort’s possession as he knocked down a jumper with 12.1 seconds left to stretch it to 91-87 for the Batang Pier.

Marqus Blakely converted on a putback off a Mark Barroca miss on the other end to make it 91-89 with 7.1 seconds left and keep the Hotshots alive.

On the inbound pass, GlobalPort almost threw the ball away after a loose ball scramble, but fortunately for it, the ball remained on its side after a video review of an out-of-bounds play with only 2.9 ticks left.

The Star Hotshots then failed to foul, letting time expire and allowing the Batang Pier to escape.

Omar Krayem was on cue all game, with a game-high 20 points, including four timely triples and three assists off the bench, while Romeo and Pringle did damage as well with 17 and 15 points, respectively, for GlobalPort.

Hawks equalize series with Wizards Paul Millsap (left) of the Atlanta Hawks shoots against Marcin Gortat of the Washington Wizards in Game Four of the Eastern Conference semifinals during the 2015 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center in Washington, DC. The Hawks leveled the series at 2-2. AFP

WA S H I N G T O N — Guard Jeff Teague scored 26 points as the Atlanta Hawks held off the Washington Wizards for a 106-101 win in game four of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Monday.

Forward Paul Millsap scored 19 points and centre Al Horford had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Atlanta, who rebounded from a buzzer-beating loss in game three to level the series at 2-2.

Washington, who were playing their third consecutive game without injured star John Wall, got to within three points 104-101 in the final seconds but couldn’t engineer another buzzer-beating miracle.

Forward Paul Pierce missed a wideopen shot from beyond the arc with seven seconds remaining. Pierce hit the game winner in game three.

Nadal drops to no. 7 in world TURN TO A12

Millsap sank two free throws for the final points with less than one second remaining to seal the victory.

Wizards coach Randy Wittman called the timeout with 9.5 seconds left and the Wizards down by three.

Nene Hilario provided a screen at the top of the key on Hawks forward DeMarre Carroll, and Pierce darted to the right and got open but his shot bounced off the rim.

“The open one is always the hardest one to make,” said Wizards guard Bradley Beal, who scored a playoff career-high 34 points.

Dennis Schroder added 14 points

and eight assists off the bench for top-seeded Atlanta, which finished with 30 assists on 41 baskets.

“Their guards broke us down too much,” Wittman said.

The Hawks outscored Washington 32-16 in the paint and shot 59.1 percent in the first half to compile a 10-point lead at the break.

“That’s how we play,” Millsap said of the points in the paint disparity. “We attack.”

In the Western Conference, Golden State routed Memphis, 10184, to level their series at two wins apiece. AFP

Hero’s welcome awaits Pacman TURN TO A15

B1

WEDNESDAY: MAY 13, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Agriculture finance. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. signed a tripartite agreement with Kubota Philippines Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.-Hong Kong in an effort to boost the agricultural sector. The program creates a mechanism for qualified single proprietors and cottage industries to get financial access for the purchase of selected agro-industrial machineries at Kubota. Shown signing the agreement are (from left) Metrobank executive vice president and head of institutional banking sector Mary Mylene Caparas, Kubota Philippines president and general manager Koji Okaze and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.-Hong Kong joint general manager of investment banking Asia Yoshihiro Nishi.

Exports rebounded in March

By Julito G. Rada

EXPORTS rebounded with a 2.1 percent growth in March to end a three-month slump that began in December 2014, on higher global demand for electronics, transport equipment, garments and minerals, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

Data showed merchandise exports hit $5.376 billion in March, up from $5.268 billion recorded a year ago.

Increased sales of manufactured and mineral products kept growth afloat in March, offsetting the declines in total agro-based and petroleum products, National Economic and Development Authority directorgeneral and Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement.

Balisacan said among selected economies in the East and

Southeast Asian region, only the Philippines and Vietnam recorded a positive exports growth in March.

“Considering that exports have been declining since December 2014, the performance of the country’s exports for March 2015 is a welcome development as exports are starting to revert back to positive territory,” Balisacan said.

The positive growth was mainly brought about by the increase in seven major commodities, including coconut oil; machinery

and transport equipment; chemicals; metal components; other mineral products; articles of apparel and clothing accessories; and electronic products.

Data showed that despite the recovery in March, total exports in the first three months of 2015 decreased 0.2 percent to $14.247 billion from $14.277 billion a year ago.

Electronics remained the country’s top export with total receipts of $2.332 billion, accounting for 43.4 percent of the total exports revenue in March 2015. It increased 4.5 percent from $2.232 billion registered in March 2014.

Machinery and transport equipment, the second top export earner, climbed 42.4 percent to $417.30 million. Garments exports rose 15.3 percent to $193 million while mineral exports rose 20.8 percent to $277 million.

Japan remained the country’s

top destination of exports with revenue amounting to $1.118 billion, or 20.8 percent of the total. Exports to Japan, however, fell 15.6 percent in March.

Other top markets were the US, with a 16.4-percent share; China, 10.9 percent; and Hong Kong, 9.5 percent.

Exports in 2014 grew 9 percent to a record $61.81 billion from $56.698 billion in 2013.

“Moving forward, growth in exports will likely be driven by favorable economic environment in the United States, and in part supported by cheap oil prices and accommodative monetary policy in the European Union,” Balisacan said.

Balisacan cited the need to actively pursue and continue current initiatives of strengthening the capacity of various industries to be resilient against calamities and extreme weather conditions.

supported by the expansion in average asset base and a slight improvement in spreads.

Non-interest income rose 23 percent to P5.13 billion, mainly due to notable increases in income attributable to the bank’s insurance business, fees and commissions and securities trading.

The increase in operating expenses was maintained at 8.8 percent, driven by manpower-related and regulatory costs. The bank’s cost-to-income ratio improved to 50.3 percent from last year’s 54.4 percent.

BPI said net loans grew 14 percent to P730 billion, as lending to companies increased 13 percent and retail loans grew 16 percent.

Total deposits climbed 17 percent to P1.159 trillion.

The bank maintained its asset quality despite the growth in average loan balances year-on-year. Gross 90-day non-performing

Closing May 12, 2015

8500 8000 7500 7000 6500 6000

7,794.55 16.65

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing MAY 12, 2015 46

P44.790

45

CLOSE

44 43 42

HIGH P44.740 LOW P44.850 AVERAGE P44.796 VOLUME 909.500M

P500.00-P650.00 LPG/11-kg tank P39.65-P45.25 Unleaded Gasoline P28.00-P31.30 Diesel

BPI’s net income climbs 36% to P4.9b BANK of the Philippine Islands, the country’s third largest lender, said net income in the first quarter jumped 36 percent to P4.9 billion from P3.6 billion a year ago, boosted by core lending and fee businesses.

“We are pleased with our first-quarter results… We begin the year with strong momentum, and are focused on growing our core lending and fee businesses, while maintaining cost efficiency,” BPI president and chief executive Cezar Consing said in a statement Tuesday.

The first-quarter results translated into an annualized return on equity and return on assets of 13.8 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively.

Both net interest income and non-interest income showed improvements against the same period last year. Net interest income climbed 15 percent to P9.43 billion,

PSe comPoSite index

loan ratio was 1.7 percent, down from 1.89 percent in same period last year. Reserve cover improved to 111.7 percent.

“The bank ended the first quarter with P145.6 billion in capital, after settlement of dividends in respect of 2014 H2 [second half] of P3.5 billion on March 17, 2015,” the bank said.

Consolidated common equity tier 1 capital adequacy ratio stood at 14.81 percent while total capital adequacy ration was 15.67 percent.

BPI said it planned to put up more branches in the coming months in the Visayas and Mindanao to seize the growth opportunities in the countryside.

BPI had 825 branches and 2,575 automated teller machines nationwide as of end-2014.

The bank posted an P18-billion profit in 2014, lower than P18.8 billion in 2013.

Julito G. Rada

oPriceS il P today

P35.40-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, May 12, 2015

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

44.6090

Japan

Yen

0.008325

0.3714

UK

Pound

1.559000

69.5454

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128977

5.7535

Switzerland

Franc

1.070893

47.7715

Canada

Dollar

0.826720

36.8792

Singapore

Dollar

0.748055

33.3700

Australia

Dollar

0.790826

35.2780

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652450

118.3231

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266745

11.8992

Brunei

Dollar

0.745268

33.2457

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029682

1.3241

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.1451

Euro

Euro

1.115700

49.7703

Korea

Won

0.000913

0.0407

China

Yuan

0.161041

7.1839

India

Rupee

0.015637

0.6976

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.277894

12.3966

New Zealand

Dollar

0.735510

32.8104

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032485

1.4491 Source: PDS Bridge

WEDNESDAY: MAY 13, 2015

B2

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Tuesday, May 12, 2015

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 104 63 2.49 4.2 18.48 31.6 9.5 2.95 890 1.01 99.4 1.46 30.5 75 94.95 137 361.2 59 174.8 1700 127.9 3.26

2.5 66 84.6 84.5 45.8 1.97 2.03 12.02 23.55 6.3 1.75 625 0.225 78 0.9 18.02 58 76.5 95 276 45 107.6 1200 66 2.65

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

7.5 70.85 111.70 101.50 47.8 2.54 2.04 15.34 23 7.40 1.78 815.00 0.445 94.5 0.98 18.24 30.50 76.00 94 318.8 45 171 1450.00 65.00 3.09

35.6 1.6 1.04 1.41 7.92 40.3 32 14.6 62.5 10.08 29.15

1.04 10.72 8.44 9.79 5.43 9.54 1.06 8.61 18.06 67.9 14 0.0076 13.24 3.12 0.395 168 8.65 34.1 2.3 1.63 16 24.4 16.2 7.62 250.2 3.87 9 3.7 9.94 3.03 2.22 1 4.72 1.65 6 201.6 1.67 0.122 1.02 2.01 143.4 4.28 0.670 1.39

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab Federal Res. Inv. Group First Gen Corp.

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

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

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

42.3 1.65 1.08 2.04 11.3 51 90.00 19.52 125 28 58.15 2.41 1.76 12.8 20.650 11.40 8.00 10.36 1.75 14.5 27.1 92 14.10 0.4150 14.20 6 0.590 211.60 10.22 32.25 2.62 2.51 52.10 24.6 27.55 7.4 263.80 4.16 9.73 4.4 11.80 3.95 2.29 2.31 5.01 1.93 6.21 193 1.66 0.162 1.37 2.36 200 4.5 0.68 1.31

0.7 59.2 31.85 7.39 2.27 3.4 3.35 800 11.06 84 3.35 5.14 0.66 1380 6.68 72.6 8.9 5.29 6.66 9.25 0.9 18.9 0.73 5.53 6.55 0.0670 2.31 0.84 2.99 87 3.5 934 2.2 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.45 48.1 20.85 6.62 1.210 1.4 1.6 600 7.390 14.18 2.6 4.25 0.144 818 5.3 46.6 4.96 3 3.52 4.43 0.59 12 0.580 4.22 4.5 0.036 1.23 0.450 2.26 66.7 1.5 709.5 1.13 0.93 85.2 0.200 0.173 0.310

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

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

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

Minerales Industrias Corp.

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

0.465 57.90 24.80 7.00 1.50 0.300 0.3 804.5 8.21 14.46 3.6 4.35 0.270 1300 6.40 70.95 4.2 5.07 6.26 8.1 0.72 15.04 0.67 4.62 4.99 0.0380 1.400 1.180 2.42 67.95 2.96 898.00 1.30 0.83 98.45 0.3650 0.2330 0.315

10.5 26.95 1.99

6.01 12 0.91

8990 HLDG 8.800 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 10.30 A. Brown Co., Inc. 0.70

47 5 1.66 2.36 15.3 113 148 20.6 125 32 65.8 4.57 23.35 21.6 12.98 9.13 12.34 2.89 17 31.8 109 20.75 0.820 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 12.5 79 3.95 4 45.45 33.9 90 13.98 292.4 5.25 13.04 6.8 14.5 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.68 7.86 8.1 253 3.28 0.315 2.5 2.68 226.6 5.5 1.3 2.17

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 7.5 7.5 70.9 70.5 111.70 110.50 101.60 100.00 48.1 47.8 2.51 2.31 2.10 2.00 15.44 15.2 23.5 23 7.72 7.39 1.70 1.67 849.50 819.00 0.480 0.435 94 93.1 1.1 1.03 18.32 18.24 30.55 30.00 75.50 75.25 94.5 93.85 318.6 315 45 44.75 169.2 167.2 1460.00 1455.00 66.00 64.85 3.11 3.1 INDUSTRIAL 42.35 42 1.65 1.65 1.07 1.06 2.06 2.03 11.56 11.3 49.3 49.25 88.00 88.00 19.78 19.48 125.1 125.1 29.5 26.85 59.9 58.1 2.41 2.28 1.82 1.75 12.96 12.76 21.450 20.7 11.42 11.34 7.98 7.85 10.34 10.12 1.8 1.75 15.4 14.5 27.35 26.65 91.75 89.55 14.30 14.30 0.4100 0.4100 14.22 14.20 6.08 5.98 0.600 0.580 212.80 210.20 10.3 10.16 32.35 32.35 2.6 2.55 2.79 2.51 52.15 52.10 24.7 24.3 28.5 57.5 7.68 7.41 264.60 262.40 4.2 4.15 9.73 9.51 4.4 4.38 11.80 11.60 4.09 3.96 2.30 2.26 2.33 2.25 5.07 5.01 1.93 1.81 6.3 6.17 193 190 1.65 1.59 0.165 0.161 1.36 1.36 2.37 2.31 207 199.7 4.47 4.47 0.71 0.68 1.31 1.31 HOLDING FIRMS 0.470 0.465 58.00 56.50 25.40 24.70 6.95 6.95 1.50 1.50 0.300 0.280 0.29 0.29 805 790.5 8.25 8.19 14.86 14.60 3.5 3.5 4.35 4.35 0.280 0.265 1310 1285 6.40 6.40 72.70 70.00 4.2 4.2 6.47 6.47 5.5 5.01 8.1 7.6 0.73 0.72 15.3 15.04 0.67 0.66 4.7 4.6 5 5 0.0380 0.0380 1.390 1.380 1.180 1.150 2.42 2.42 67.95 66.45 2.96 2.81 902.00 891.00 1.35 1.24 0.89 0.89 95.50 93.80 0.3700 0.3700 0.2300 0.2180 0.320 0.305 PROPERTY 8.800 8.590 10.30 10.30 0.90 0.71

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

7.5 70.9 111.00 101.10 48.1 2.51 2.07 15.2 23.1 7.50 1.70 849.50 0.480 93.4 1.1 18.24 30.00 75.25 94.5 317.6 44.95 168.4 1460.00 64.85 3.1

0.00 0.07 -0.63 -0.39 0.63 -1.18 1.47 -0.91 0.43 1.35 -4.49 4.23 7.87 -1.16 12.24 0.00 -1.64 -0.99 0.53 -0.38 -0.11 -1.52 0.69 -0.23 0.32

127,400 10,630 1,154,090 5,618,430 75,700 187,000 180,000 179,300 714,500 20,800 12,000 1,920 50,000 2,394,570 2,010,000 171,000 40,000 18,400 1,030 52,690 42,600 456,220 120 25,090 352,000

-90,000.00 431,458.00 -28,124,749.00 -351,917,794.00 -110,355.00

42.3 1.65 1.07 2.03 11.32 49.25 88.00 19.68 125.1 27.9 58.15 2.31 1.8 12.76 21.150 11.42 7.88 10.12 1.8 15 27.25 89.6 14.30 0.4100 14.20 6 0.590 212.00 10.3 32.35 2.55 2.79 52.10 24.7 28 7.5 262.60 4.2 9.58 4.4 11.64 4.00 2.27 2.27 5.04 1.93 6.3 190.6 1.61 0.161 1.36 2.31 206 4.47 0.69 1.31

0.00 0.00 -0.93 -0.49 0.18 -3.43 -2.22 0.82 0.08 -0.36 0.00 -4.15 2.27 -0.31 2.42 0.18 -1.50 -2.32 2.86 3.45 0.55 -2.61 1.42 -1.20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.19 0.78 0.31 -2.67 11.16 0.00 0.41 1.63 1.35 -0.45 0.96 -1.54 0.00 -1.36 1.27 -0.87 -1.73 0.60 0.00 1.45 -1.24 -3.01 -0.62 -0.73 -2.12 3.00 -0.67 1.47 0.00

1,333,600 2 25,000 351,000 5,100 100 20 317,200 10 177,800 204,340 4,962,000 331,000 76,700 9,113,200 1,265,200 41,673,600 59,700 34,000 63,400 2,029,000 1,003,950 2,000 240,000 9,200 939,000 257,000 600,070 622,400 2,900 36,000 32,000 6,200 1,027,900 708,900 93,900 191,200 3,638,000 2,639,300 10,000 40,800 377,000 743,000 783,000 494,800 10,000 53,700 3,020 609,000 1,760,000 90,000 1,491,000 4,546,570 17,000 1,785,000 169,000

0.470 57.75 25.25 6.95 1.50 0.285 0.29 803 8.21 14.60 3.5 4.35 0.275 1303 6.40 72.50 4.2 6.47 5.01 7.7 0.72 15.26 0.66 4.67 5 0.0380 1.380 1.170 2.42 66.45 2.96 899.00 1.28 0.89 93.90 0.3700 0.2200 0.305

1.08 -0.26 1.81 -0.71 0.00 -5.00 -3.39 -0.19 0.00 0.97 -2.78 0.00 1.85 0.23 0.00 2.18 0.00 27.61 -19.97 -4.94 0.00 1.46 -1.49 1.08 0.20 0.00 -1.43 -0.85 0.00 -2.21 0.00 0.11 -1.54 7.23 -4.62 1.37 -5.58 -3.17

780,000 1,394,100 10,382,100 1,300 5,000 17,640,000 2,190,000 258,310 412,300 8,360,000 1,000 400,000 380,000 322,245 51,700 1,878,000 4,000 100 200 16,938,100 396,000 4,166,400 222,000 18,103,000 70,000 1,000,000 20,000 2,124,000 4,000 159,440 7,000 337,680 318,000 3,000 15,610 2,070,000 1,660,000 750,000

8.600 10.30 0.83

-2.27 0.00 18.57

1,192,200 -1,991,665.00 600 55,872,000 15,750.00

-101,000.00 1,497,680.00 2,601,855.00 -17,000.00 1,566,130.00 -69,136,255.50

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

High

2.07 40 6.15 5.4 1.54 1.97 0.201 0.98 1.09 0.305 2.25 1.87 1.8 6.34 4.88 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 3.6 20.6 1.02 7.56 1.96 8.59

1.29 29.1 4.1 4.96 0.89 1.1 0.083 0.445 0.85 0.188 1.4 1.42 1.19 2.8 2.75 0.090 0.325 0.39 23 2.57 21.35 1.64 3.08 15.08 0.69 3.38 1 5.69

Araneta Prop `A’ 1.290 Ayala Land `B’ 40.35 Belle Corp. `A’ 4.09 Cebu Holdings 5.2 Century Property 0.88 City & Land Dev. 1.26 Crown Equities Inc. 0.159 Cyber Bay Corp.

0.450 Empire East Land 0.860 Ever Gotesco 0.182 Global-Estate 1.37 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.90 Interport `A’ 1.40 Keppel Properties 3.68 Megaworld Corp.

5.37 MRC Allied Ind. 0.125 Phil. Estates Corp.

0.3350 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.4700 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 21.90 Primex Corp.

7.35 Robinson’s Land `B’ 28.95 Rockwell 1.72 Shang Properties Inc. 3.30 SM Prime Holdings 19.64 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.76 Starmalls 6.9 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 0.970 Vista Land & Lifescapes 7.400

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 12.46 15.82 0.1460 4.61 99.1 12.3 9 4 1700 2090 8.41 33 1.97 119.5 7 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 2.85 2.2 5.9 1.97 2.46 15.2 0.62 1.040 22.8 6.41 4 110.2 14 3486 0.710 2.28 48.5 90.1 11.6 0.87 10.2 0.490

1.97 32.5 1 0.6 10 9.61 0.0770 2.95 46.55 10.14 5.88 2.58 830 1600 5.95 30 1.36 105 3.01 0.012 0.036 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.69 1.1 1.05 0.490 1.8 8.7 0.34 0.37 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2726 0.380 0.32 31.45 60.55 7.59 0.63 6.45 0.305

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.2 1.73 10.98 4.2 0.48 0.455 0.475 0.023 0.026 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 8.65 0.236 6.5 6.98 0.61 0.78 5.99 1.08 0.330 0.2130 0.2160 0.014 0.014 3.660 20.2 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

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

DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown MG Holdings NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils.

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

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

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

Low

Close

1.350 1.300 40.50 39.65 4.15 4.07 5.2 5.15 0.89 0.87 1.30 1.23 0.161 0.159 0.445 0.445 0.860 0.860 0.188 0.187 1.37 1.36 1.91 1.88 1.45 1.39 5.46 3.96 5.38 5.3 0.125 0.122 0.3400 0.3300 0.4650 0.4550 30.00 20.80 7.3 7.27 29.30 28.70 1.73 1.71 3.30 3.23 19.68 19.44 0.77 0.75 7 6.57 0.980 0.960 7.430 7.260 SERVICES 6.5 6.33 62.4 61.5 1.1 1.03 0.690 0.670 14 13.5 12.30 11.70 0.1000 0.0970 4.34 4 86.15 85.25 10 10 7.00 6.98 2.86 2.86 976 976 2238 2184 6.25 6.19 25.50 22.00 1.43 1.40 113 109.1 7.00 6.90 0.014 0.014 0.225 0.221 1.2700 1.2600 2.41 2.4 10.00 9.65 2.09 2.09 1.3 1.25 37.50 25.00 0.680 0.670 2 1.98 9.96 9.6 0.360 0.355 0.475 0.450 18.5 18.46 4.52 4.50 2.95 2.95 138.00 136.00 14.72 14.40 2820.00 2782.00 0.700 0.670 1.710 1.640 40.00 39.00 85.60 85.00 10.50 10.34 0.68 0.67 6.85 6.62 0.335 0.330

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.300 40.35 4.12 5.2 0.88 1.25 0.160 0.445 0.860 0.187 1.37 1.88 1.43 5.46 5.33 0.122 0.3400 0.4600 29.30 7.29 29.15 1.72 3.30 19.64 0.75 6.9 0.980 7.420

0.78 0.00 0.73 0.00 0.00 -0.79 0.63 -1.11 0.00 2.75 0.00 -1.05 2.14 48.37 -0.74 -2.40 1.49 -2.13 33.79 -0.82 0.69 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.32 0.00 1.03 0.27

238,000 2,968,400 1,547,000 25,000 6,193,000 347,000 11,210,000 50,000 2,026,000 110,000 1,603,000 15,819,000 528,000 12,000 16,555,200 1,030,000 110,000 2,400,000 34,500 76,400 3,216,600 363,000 22,000 7,249,800 1,191,000 45,900 140,000 7,425,900

130,000.00 -21,971,210.00 2,676,480.00

6.5 61.5 1.03 0.680 13.5 12.20 0.0980 4.15 85.85 10 6.98 2.86 976 2200 6.20 24.00 1.42 111.7 7.00 0.014 0.222 1.2600 2.4 9.80 2.09 1.3 37.50 0.670 1.98 9.8 0.360 0.475 18.46 4.50 2.95 138.00 14.72 2816.00 0.670 1.650 39.45 85.00 10.40 0.68 6.66 0.335

0.00 0.00 -0.96 1.49 -3.30 4.27 -2.00 2.47 0.18 0.00 -0.29 -0.35 1.56 -1.70 0.00 9.09 -1.39 1.64 0.00 7.69 -1.33 0.00 0.00 -2.00 0.00 1.56 50.00 -1.47 -1.00 -1.01 1.41 7.95 0.22 0.00 -9.23 -1.85 0.00 -0.56 -1.47 0.00 1.28 -1.16 0.78 0.00 0.91 1.52

72,700 23,040 147,000 1,127,000 12,100 28,000,600 15,260,000 1,693,000 373,810 3,100 122,900 30,000 10 18,355 58,100 3,400 75,000 1,063,350 1,200 100,000 10,950,000 172,000 16,000 120,100 10,000 48,000 33,500 232,000 69,000 9,212,600 50,000 1,060,000 40,400 18,000 2,000 290 98,100 78,065 4,541,000 27,361,000 3,453,700 984,400 3,091,600 69,000 1,939,200 340,000

-1.85 0.00 -1.10 0.00 4.48 0.00 0.00 -2.25 -1.62 1.68 1.43 2.60 0.00 7.14 0.00 -2.10 2.08 -0.51 0.00 0.00 0.00 7.69 -0.22 0.85 9.00 0.00 -2.35 0.90 10.00

27,000,000 20,000 75,800 320,000 61,600 5,000 1,307,000 508,000 17,000 13,679,000 960,000 10,490,000 2,280,000 3,200,000 2,100,000 201,000 3,224,200 968,000 55,000 581,000 2,700,000 200,000 143,000 739,600 42,243,000 41,800,000 1,099,280 2,522,900 200,000

-1.12 0.00 0.00 -0.08 0.00 0.00 0.29 -0.45 0.10 0.33 -3.62

282,280 5,040 10 35,700 1,000 1,001,000 32,000 505 505 306,000 10,000

-841,730.00

-2.80

988,000

-88,780.00

2.08 -2.02 -9.85 1.07

1,866,800 3,800 5,200 2,229,600

8,204,662.00

0.24

8,380

-30,432.00

-3,355,280.00 -11,250.00 -19,780.00 -167,910.00 -5,122,980.00 -11,605,781.00

MST

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

SHARES 13,897,286 87,141,469 93,196,130 139,610,586 114,461,280 159,308,366 611,728,996

2,196,000.00 -595,854.00

7,106,716.00 -834,680.00 11,361,977.00 174,650.00 -141,482.00

39,983,235.00 1,650.00 -7,490.00

4,928,058.00 -1,251.00

-10,771,749.00 115,400.00

63,900.00 7,274,065.00 -1,189,608.00 -127,261,995.00 -169,118.00

-15,972,750.00 275,716.50

-82,000.00

-164,600.00

50,085,614.00 356,638.00

-2,600.00

-8,961,195.00

12,906,210.00 -8,333,850.00 -8,893,306.00 366,810.00 -41,040.00

801,632.00

-2,876.00 389,520.00

-79,236,811.00 62,580.00 34,550.00

-22,101,307.50 -71,757,190.00

290,000.00 -129,541,225.00 1,600,810.00 -48,924,224.00

-156,577,005.00 128,000.00 70,947,246.50 -88,948,975.00

-8,930,036.00

32,733,470.00 8,200.00

-1,153,515.50

70 553 525 120 8.21 12.28 1060

-92,165,985.00 -26,000.00

1047 76.9 84.8

-1,364,504.00

6.98 10.96 15 88 12.88 130.7

6.5 61.5 1.04 0.670 13.96 11.70 0.1000 4.05 85.7 10 7.00 2.87 961 2238 6.20 22.00 1.44 109.9 7.00 0.013 0.225 1.2600 2.4 10.00 2.09 1.28 25.00 0.680 2 9.9 0.355 0.440 18.42 4.50 3.25 140.60 14.72 2832.00 0.680 1.650 38.95 86.00 10.32 0.68 6.6 0.330

0.0054 2.89 8.15 0.255 6.7000 7.4000 1.05 0.89 8.02 1.79 0.350 0.231 0.241 0.0140 0.0150 4.29 26.5 3.95 0.7100 2.100 0.0130 0.0130 4.45 7.02 2.11 0.016 162.00 7.8 0.0100

0.0053 0.0052 0.0053 2.89 2.89 2.89 8.23 8.05 8.06 0.255 0.255 0.255 7.1900 7.0000 7.0000 7.4000 7.4000 7.4000 1.05 1.03 1.05 0.89 0.87 0.87 8.03 7.89 7.89 1.83 1.76 1.82 0.360 0.340 0.355 0.240 0.231 0.237 0.242 0.235 0.241 0.0150 0.0140 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 4.25 4.2 4.2 27.15 26.45 27.05 3.98 3.91 3.93 0.7100 0.7100 0.7100 2.100 2.080 2.100 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0140 0.0140 0.0140 4.45 4.40 4.44 7.14 7.01 7.08 3.03 2.1 2.3 0.016 0.015 0.016 162.00 157.80 158.20 8.11 7.2 7.87 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 PREFERRED 33 ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 62.7 62.45 62 62 490 Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ 520 520 520 520 500 Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ 525 525 525 525 101.5 First Gen G 119.1 119.1 119 119 5.88 GMA Holdings Inc. 6 6 6 6 6.5 Leisure and Resort 1.09 1.09 1.08 1.09 997 PCOR-Preferred A 1050 1053 1053 1053 PCOR-Preferred B 1100 1095 1095 1095 1011 PF Pref 2 1048 1049 1048 1049 74.2 SMC Preferred A 76 76.25 76 76.25 75 SMC Preferred C 86.95 85.1 83.8 83.8 WARRANTS & BONDS 0.8900 LR Warrant 4.650 4.710 4.380 4.520 SME 2.4 Double Dragon 9.61 9.86 9.56 9.81 3.5 Makati Fin. Corp.

8.4 8.23 6.5 8.23 13.5 IRipple E-Business Intl 77.65 77.5 70 70 5.95 Xurpas 9.35 9.5 9.35 9.45 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 105.6 First Metro ETF 126.7 127 125.9 127

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,052,596,540.20 2,032,843,081.23 1,863,484,122.54 608,743,097.84 1,199,990,837.61 431,288,501.5737 7,229,612,100.99

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,794.34 (down) 11.74 INDUSTRIAL 12,108.44 (up) 76.16 HOLDING FIRMS 6,968.14 (up) 32.36 PROPERTY 3,200.89 (down) 2.61 SERVICES 2,139.17 (up) 1.50 MINING & OIL 15,356.34 (down) 51.56 PSEI 7,794.55 (up) 16.65 All Shares Index 4,494.10 (up) 6.62 Gainers: 95 Losers: 93; Unchanged: 57; Total: 242

-23,071,885.00 -346,000.00

-33,787,572.00 -75,000.00

3,680,186.00

-346,120.00 96,878,682.00 31,700.00 -15,137,225.00

-11,774,460.00

49,076,622.00

-63,500.00

125,880.00 -3,780.00 36,966,799.00

4,140.00 61,656.00 -27,462,710.00 13,800.00 -5,483,600.00 -89,059,085.00 -3,523,066.00 9,462,618.00 -6,441,686.00

-258,120.00 -409,900.00

2,325,080.00 17,000.00

-9,000.00 -438,990.00 14,302,745.00 -585,900.00 135,626.00 9,250,610.00 -233,600.00 -43,042,699.00 -54,530.00 -2,893,649.50

43,400.00 3,549,314.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Manila Broadcasting

37.50

50.00

Keppel Holdings `B'

5.01

-19.97

Keppel Properties

5.46

48.37

IRipple E-Business Intl

70

-9.85

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

29.30

33.79

Paxys Inc.

2.95

-9.23

Keppel Holdings `A'

6.47

27.61

Wellex Industries

0.2200

-5.58

A. Brown Co., Inc.

0.83

18.57

ATN Holdings A

0.285

-5.00

Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

1.1

12.24

Lopez Holdings Corp.

7.7

-4.94

Mabuhay Vinyl

2.79

11.16

Top Frontier

93.90

-4.62

United Paragon

0.0110

10.00

I-Remit Inc.

1.70

-4.49

Grand Plaza Hotel

24.00

9.09

Crown Asia

2.31

-4.15

PhilexPetroleum

2.3

9.00

SMC Preferred C

83.8

-3.62

WEDNESDAY: MAY 13, 2015

B3

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

Stock market rises; URC, Bloomberry lead gainers

STOCKS rose for the second day Tuesday, after the government announced both exports and manufacturing rebounded in March and companies reported strong first-quarter earnings.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 16 points, or 0.2 percent, to close at 7,794.28 on Tuesday. It was up 7.8 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, advanced 6 points, or 0.2 percent, to settle at 4,494.10 on a value turnover of P7.2 billion. Losers edged gainers, 93 to 92, while 57 issues were unchanged.

Universal Robina Corp., the food manufacturing unit of tycoon John Gokongwei, emerged as the most active stock with a value turnover of P926 million. It rose 3 percent to P206.

Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. was the biggest gainer among the 20 most active stocks, as it climbed 4.3 percent to P12.20. Chemical producer D&L Industries Inc. rose 2.4 percent to P21.15.

Meanwhile, some Asian stocks fell for

the first time in three days, after a decline in US equities, as investors watched Greece’s bailout talks and energy shares retreated.

The euro recovered Tuesday after being hit by concerns about Greece’s bailout reform talks, while Shanghai added to the previous day’s strong rally after China’s interest rate cut raised hopes for further economy-boosting measures.

Regional investors still remain jittery about proceedings in Europe as Athens warned it is close to running out of money, while Wall Street also provided a negative lead.

Tokyo reversed early losses thanks to bargain buying and ended marginally up, adding 3.93 points to close at 19,624.84. Sydney rose 0.88 percent, or 49.50 points, to 5,674.70 hours before the government unveils its budget later in the day.

Shanghai jumped 1.56 percent, or 67.64 points, to 4,401.22 a day after rallying

Puregold registers net profit of P1.05b

However, the bloc’s finance ministers, meeting in Brussels, said Greece could not hope for any of the final 7.2-billioneuro tranche of its 240-billion-euro EUIMF bailout until it makes key reforms.

And with Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis admitting the country faced an imminent crisis, investors fear for its future in the eurozone.

On Wall Street the Dow fell 0.47 percent, the S&P 500 dropped 0.51 percent and the Nasdaq lost 0.20 percent.

With AFP

METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Please be advised that the Annual Meeting of the stockholders of METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION will be held on Friday, 29th day of May 2015, 11 a.m. at The Ballroom, New World Makati Hotel, Esperanza St, Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, for the following purposes:

Pl e a se b e a d vi se d th a t th e A nnual M eet ing of t he s t oc k holder s of M E T RO

1. PAC To approve theVESTMEN minutes of the ofO the Annual Meeting the Company held last May 30, IFIC IN TSmeeting C ORP RA T I O NStockholders' will be held on Fofr iday , 29t h day o2014 f Ma y 2 0 1 5 , 1 1 a .m. a t Th e B allr oom , New W or ld M ak at i Hot el, E s per anz a 2.

St, Ma ka ti , Me tro Ma n i l a , Ph ilippines , f or t he f ollowing pur pos es :

To consider and approve the President’s Report and the Annual Report for the year 2014

1.

To a p p ro ve th e mi n u tes of t he m eet ing of t he A nnual S t oc k holder s ’

2.

To co n si d e r a n d a p p r ov e t he P r es ident ’s Repor t and t he A nnual R e p o rt fo r th e ye a r 2 014

3.

To consider thee Audited Statements for the ended 31 st December 2014 contained in Me eand ti n gadopt o f th C o mpFinancial a ny held las t M ay 30,year 2014 the Annual Report

4.

To ratify all acts of the Board of Directors and Management for the year 2014

5.

To approve the reclassification of a total of 150 million Class B preferred shares with par value of Php1 per 3 . To co n si d e r a n d a d o p t t he A udit ed F inanc ial S t at em ent s f or t he share into 15 billion Class A preferred shares with par value of Php 0.01 per share, thereby decreasing the ye a r e n d e d 3 1 st D e ce m ber 2014 c ont ained in t he A nnual Repor t number of Class B preferred shares from 1.5 billion to 1.35 billion and correspondingly increasing the number of Class A preferred sharesMETRO from 5 billion to 20 billion PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION

4.

6.

7.

By Jennifer B. Austria

Puregold Price Club Inc., the country’s second largest grocery retailer, said consolidated net income in the first quarter grew 11.7 percent to P1.05 billion from P943 million in the same period in 2014.

more than three percent but Hong Kong retreated 1.12 percent, or 311.02 points, to 27,407.18.

Seoul closed flat, edging down 0.61 points to 2,096.77.

US shares ticked down on Monday, ending a two-day advance, as nerves set in over Greece’s bailout reform talks.

Athens has managed to garner enough money to repay the International Monetary Fund 750 million euros ($840 million) and avoid a default, keeping it from tumbling out of the eurozone for now.

To ra ti fy a l l a cts o f th e B oar d of Dir ec t or s and M anagem ent f or t he ye a the r 2 0increase 14 To approve of the authorized capital stock from Php30.05 billion up to Php40.05 billion divided

into 38.5 billion common NOTICE shares with a par valueMEETING of Php1.00 per share and 20 billion Class A preferred shares STOCKHOLDERS 5 . a par Tovalue a p pof roPhp0.01 ve th eper reshare clOF a sANNUAL sand if ic1.35 at ion of Class a OF t otBal of 150 m illion s B of Php1 per with billion preferred shares with aClas par value share p re fe rre d sh a re s w i th par v alue of P hp1 per s har e int o 15 billion

C advised l a ss Athatpthe re fe rre dMeeting sh arof esthewit h par vofalue ofPACIFIC P hp INVESTMENTS 0. 01 per s har e, Please be Annual stockholders METRO CORPORATION th day th eonre bissuance y d29 e cre siMay n g 2015, the num ber ofout Clas s New B pr ef er rthe edauthorized s harEsperanza es capital f r omSt,stock 11 a.m. at The Ballroom, World Makati Hotel, Makati, will be held Friday, To approve the ofaof common shares whether of the increase in or the Metro Manila, the5following 1 .5 bPhilippines, i l l i o n to for 1 .3 b i l l i onpurposes: and c or r es pondingly inc r eas ing t he num ber

unissued capital stock in favor of an investor or investors that the Board of Directors, acting as a body, may f Cdetermine l a ss A pand re fe d shar es listing f r om of5 the billion t o 20common billionshares in the Philippine Stock identify o and therre corresponding such issued Exchange 1. To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Annual Stockholders' Meeting of the Company held last May 30,

6.

To a p p ro ve th e i n creas e of t he aut hor iz ed c apit al s t oc k f r om

2014

8.

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9.

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3.

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sto ck fabillion vobusiness r Class o f a nAas ipreferred n may v es tproperly orshares or inv espar tbefore orvalue s t hat t he0.01 B oar Dir ec t or s , thereof.

11. To transact such other come the meeting andd atofany adjournment Puregold said in a disclosure to the stock share intoi n15 with of Php per share, thereby decreasing the a cti n gofaClass sab d y, mashares y ident y and er m ine and and t he c or r esincreasing ponding number Bo preferred fromif1.5 billiondet to 1.35 billion correspondingly the number exchange net sales increased 12.5 percent in the l i sti n gAhas opreferred f th e shares su i ss 5of ued cto om he P2015, hilippine t oc k date for the The Board of Directors fixed thech close business ononthes har 29thes dayinof tApril as the S record of Class from billion 20m billion January-March period to P20.69 billion from a a n g e entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting. determination ofExch stockholders year ago, on strong consumer demand.

6. To approve the increase of the authorized capital stock from Php30.05 billion up to Php40.05 billion divided of Php1.00 per share and billion Class Net margin in the first quarter stood at 8 . into To 38.5 a p pbillion ro vecommon th e l shares i sti n gwith ona par t hevalue P hilippine S t oc k E x c20 hange of aA preferred t ot al shares par1 value Php0.01 per share 1.35es billion preferred sharespany with a tpar value Net sales increased Very truly yours,with o f 1a ,8 2 ,0 0of0 ,0 0 0 co mm onand s har is sClass ued Bby t he Com o M et rof o Php1 per 5.1 percent. share Pa ci fi c H o l d i n g s, In c. on F ebr uar y 9, 2014, in ac c or danc e wit h The company said income from 12.5% in the Januarycuapprove rre n t the PSE ru l eof s common a n d r egulat ions out f orofatheplac inginand s ubs c rcapital ipt ion 7. To issuance shares whether increase the authorized stock or the operations rose 9.3 percent to P1.48 billion March period to P20.69 tra n sa cti o n stock in favor of an investor or investors that the Board of Directors, acting as a body, may unissued capital in the first quarter. billion, on strong identify and determine and the corresponding listing of the such issued common shares in the Philippine Stock ANTONIO A. PICAZO “We are excited about the growth consumer demand. Corporate 9Secretary . Exchange To e l e ct th e D i re cto rs and I ndependent Dir ec t or s of t he Com pany prospects for Puregold in 2015. During fo r th e e n su i n g ye a r Makati City 8. To approve the listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange of a total of 1,812,000,000 common shares issued by the first quarter, we have opened the first Holdings, Inc. on February 9, 2014, in accordance with current PSE rules and 1 0 . the ToCompany a p p o i ntot Metro th e ePacific xte rn al audit or of t he Com pany f or t he y ear 2015 Lawson store in Sta. Ana, Manila and regulations for a placing and subscription transaction have acquired the nine-store NE Bodega 19.1 . To Toelect trathe n sa ct su ch o th er busDirectors ines s ofasthemCompany ay pr oper c om e bef or e t he Directors and Independent for thelyensuing year supermarket, two S&R QSR stores and me e ti n g a n d a t a n y a djour nm ent t her eof . four Puregold stores outside Metro 10. To appoint the external auditor of the Company for the year 2015 Manila,” said Puregold outgoing president Th e Bo a rd o f D i re cto rs h a s f ix ed t he c los e of bus ines s on t he 29t h day 11.riTo mayeproperly comedet before theinat meeting Leonardo Dayao. o f Ap l 2transact 0 1 5 , such a s other th e business re co rdasdat f or t he er m ion and of atsany t ocadjournment k holder sthereof.

He said same-store sales grew 4.4 percent in the first quarter, exceeding the e n ti tl e d to n o ti ce o f a n d to vot e at t he A nnual S t oc k holder s ’ M eet ing.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on the 29th day of April 2015, as the record date for the company’s expectations. determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting.

The company had 233 Puregold stores, nine S&R Membership stores and six S&R New York Style Pizza stores as of end-March.

Ve ry truly truyours, l y yo u rs, Very Puregold allocated P5.5 billion for capital expenditures this year primarily to finance store expansion and fund possible acquisitions.

Dayao earlier said the company would spend P2.5 billion to put up 25 A. PICAZO AANTONIO N TON IO A . PIC A ZO Puregold stores, P1.5 billion to build two S&R stores and another P1.5 billion Secretary CCorporate o rp o ra te Se cre ta ry for acquisitions.

Makati City Ma ka ti C i ty Aside from growing the Puregold format, the company is also accelerating the expansion of S&R stores by putting up two stores over the next five years.

(TS-MAY 13 , 2015) One S&R store cost between P500 million to P700 million.

B4

BUSINESS

8 Canadian banks eyeing PH

By Othel V. Campos

AT LEAST eight banks and insurance companies have expressed interest to expand and invest in the Philippines, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said Tuesday.

“We met with top financial companies and about eight major banks and insurance companies we spoke to in Canada showed interest in the Philippines,” Domingo told reporters at the sidelines of the EU-Philippines business conference at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.

Domingo accompanied President Benigno Aquino III during

a three-day state visit in Canada from May 7 to 9.

Among the major banks interested in the Philippines are Bank of Montreal and TB Bank Group.

Officials of both banks were present during a round table meeting in Toronto with Canada’s biggest business groups and independent companies.

Domingo said while interest in

the Philippine mining sector was not as vibrant as in the past, the Canadian financial sector was taking the lead in investing in the Philippines.

He added aside from financial services, two Canadian companies expressed interest to set up cranberry and raspberry plantations in the Philippines.

The Philippines is working out a bilateral trade agreement with Canada and recently signed a mutual coordination cooperation agreement during the state visit.

Both countries are also reviewing the investment promotion and mutual protection agreement to improve trade relations.

The Philippines has over 40 investment promotion and mutual protection agreements with different countries.

Earlier, the Board of Investments said Canada was aware the Philippines was an emerging market.

Meanwhile, European countries are interested in making the Philippines the hub of their business operations in Southeast Asia.

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines said in a press briefing it was pushing for legal and legislative support from the Philippine government to make investing here worthwhile.

World trade officials. Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo (third from left) and Undersecretary Ponciano Manalo Jr. (left) pose with officers

of the World Trade Centers Association during a courtesy call on April 29, 2015 at the Indurstry and Investments Building in Makati City. Joining them are (from left) WTC Cyprus director Mehran Eftekhar, WTCA chairman Ghazi Abu Nahl, WTC Metro Manila chairman and chief executive Guillermo Luchangco and WTCA vice chairman and treasurer John Drew.

D&L Industries raising capital base to P18b

By Jenniffer B. Austria D&L Industries Inc. said it will increase capital stock to P18 billion from P4 billion to give the company adequate fund raising options in the future and support growth.

D&L chief finance officer Alvin Lao said in a briefing the company’s board of director decided to increase the company’s authorized capital stock because the current base was already 90 percent subscribed.

The company also declared a 100 percent stock dividend to partially fund the increase in the capital base.

“In order to remain financially flexible, we need to increase

our capitalization. Implementing this through stock dividends instead of equity sales, we avoid shareholder dilution.

There’s little incentive for us today to undertake such dilutive means of raising capital as our current cost of debt and gearing are low,” Lao said.

He said D&L would also seek shareholders’ approval on the sale of Chemrez Technologies’ property to associate LBL Prime Properties worth P335.4 million.

The proposed transaction comprises a 6,000-square-meter land with building and other improvements located in Calle Industria, Quezon City.

“It’s a property owned by Chemrez, and D&L outside of

Chemrez does not hold any property. This step is being done to continue our focus on ensuring that the resources of the group are deployed into the assets of the core business. Property ownership is clearly not a core business of D&L,” Lao said.

LBL is the property company of the Lao family, which specializes in the development of land and properties for industrial, commercial and hospitality use.

The company’s industrial assets include areas in major gateway cities in the Philippines, including Manila and Cebu.

Meanwhile, D&L reported that net income in the first quarter of the year jumped 16 percent to P512 million as revenues climbed

15 percent to P4.83 billion.

The 15-percent growth in revenues was driven by increased volume in food ingredients and oleochemicals.

D&L said it would build on the progress made in the first quarter, bolstered by the sustained strength of the food ingredients and oleochemicals businesses and abating logistical headwinds in the specialty plastics business.

D&L is engaged in product customization and specialization for the food, plastics, and aerosol industries.

It manufactures customized food ingredients, specialty raw materials for plastics, and oleochemicals for personal and home care use.

Ayala increases equity in KL firm

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. is increasing its stake in Malaysian development and construction company MCT Bhd to as much as 32.95 percent from 9.16 percent.

Ayala Land said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its whollyowned subsidiary Regent Wise Investments Ltd. recently signed call option agreements with the two founders and majority shareholders of MCT--Barry Goh Ming Choon and Tong Seech Wi. Ayala Land said the agreements would give the company the opportunity to increase its shareholdings in MCT up to a maximum of 32.95 percent.

The call options are exercisable for one month beginning on October 7, 2015.

“The signing of the agreement affirms ALI’s confidence in its partnership with MCT and the synergies that will benefit both companies,” Ayala Land said.

Ayala Land in April acquired a 9.16-percent interest in MCT Bhd through a private placement amounting to $43 million (P1.9 billion). Ayala Land will have one board seat in MCT. The stake in the Malaysian company marked Ayala Land’s first significant investment in Southeast Asia.

Ayala Land said the investment in MCT Bhd will allow it to enter the Malaysian market with an experienced team, benefit from synergies of the partnership and further add value to MCT over the long term to enable it to become a key player in the Malaysian real estate market.

Aside from Malaysia, Ayala Land is looking at investment opportunities in Vietnam, Indonesia and Myanmar.

Established in 1999 as a construction company, MCT Bhd is a property development company specializing in mixed-use projects that include retail, office, hotel and mid to affordable residential units.

MCT Bhd, listed under the main market of Bursa Malaysia, has several ongoing projects in OneCitySubang Jaya and Cyberjaya, as well as a land bank in Dengkil, 1.5 kilometers away south of Cyberjaya, all located in the Klang Valley in Malaysia.

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

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

Creative smuggling FOR criminals, it looks like desperation is the mother of invention, judging from the outrageous schemes that smugglers are cooking up to maintain their lucrative but risky business. A week ago, Happy Hour came across this item about this s-o-b who stuffed rare birds (yellow-crested cockatoos mostly) inside plastic mineral water bottles.

The asstards cut off the bottom of the plastic bottles then just shoved the feathered creatures inside, looking very pathetic with no elbow room (make that feather room) to even move their heads, shocked obviously from the way their eyes were peering out.

The apprehension of these birds, packed in a crate inside a ship, is a result of the vigilance of Indonesia’s Tanjung Perak police and Customs officials who are trying to determine if some of the crew from the ship were working with the smuggler—reportedly a 37-yearold man from east Java. Indonesia in fact has been stepping up its efforts to apprehend smugglers and traffickers, and according to reports, this is the third time that police apprehended illegal wildlife smugglers in the last two months. Apparently, smuggled items are packed into pipes and other materials that do not pass through the X-ray machines anymore if they are sent below the deck.

According to East Java environment authorities, the birds have been so weakened and some are on the verge of death—what with no water and very little air/oxygen coming through the bottle’s open neck.

Last year, US authorities caught a Canadian of Chinese descent who tried to smuggle 51 live turtles inside his sweatpants across the Detroit and Windsor-Ontario border. Someone had tipped the US Fish and Wildlife Service about a box labeled “live fish” and the smuggling attempt by the suspect. So when he arrived, agents followed his movements and saw him remove the contents of the said box, go in between two trucks with a grocery bag then come out minutes later with no bag. A vigilant agent spotted the unusual bulges under the man’s sweatpants on both legs, authorities said. That’s when they found the live turtles (with some fetching as much as $800)— creatures that are in great demand in exotic restaurants in many parts of Asia. Turtle soup, anyone?

Scholars receive enrolment certificates from SM

With the school year 2015-2016 starting in four or five weeks, a lot of parents are chewing their nails in stress just thinking about the increased rates of tuition, miscellaneous, books and other educational expenses for their children. Some 145 graduates from the national capital region, however, will spare their parents the burden, having passed the qualifying exams to a scholarship this school year courtesy of SM Foundation Inc., allowing them to enroll in universities or colleges of their choice in their desired courses of study.

Accompanied by their parents and guardians, the scholars, who came all the way from various parts of Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Taguig, Tanay, Valenzuela, Malabon and Navotas, were welcomed at the Mall of Asia Arena Annex by SMFI executive director Debbie Sy and SMFI executive director for education Linda Atayde. The scholars were briefed on the duties, responsibilities and benefits of SM scholars

by Eleanor Lansang, the manager of the scholarship program.

This batch includes Mark Kennedy Estrada of Quezon City High School; Marlon Mejoy of Maysan National High School in Valenzuela, Bulacan; Batman Odulio of Pitogo High School in Makati; and John Paul Gabriel Rodriguez of Mariano Ponce High School in Bulacan—all of whom expressed overwhelming gratitude for the great opportunity that will get them started on the journey to reach their dreams.

Since 1993, SMFI has been providing college scholarships to underprivileged but bright high school graduates. SM scholars are provided full scholarship grants complete with a monthly stipend, plus an opportunity to work part-time in SM malls to get relevant work experience and help augment their allowances during Christmas and summer breaks. Upon graduation, scholars are also given the opportunity to join the SM Group. The program so far has produced over 1,900 scholar-graduates and currently supports 1,500 scholars in its 82 partner schools nationwide.

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

Cheers!

B5

MetroPac weighs Vietnam toll road

By Jenniffer B. Austria

METRO Pacific Tollways Corp., the toll road unit of infrastructure conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is evaluating offers to invest in a $600-million project in Vietnam through CII Bridges and Roads Investment Joint Stock Co. (CII B&R).

“We are being offered new projects in Vietnam. We are now are evaluating a new project that will connect Ho Chi Minh to outskirts. This road project is in the magnitude of $600 million,” MPTC president Ramoncito Fernandez in a press briefing.

“The population [in Vietnam] is growing and people are conveying from motorcycles to four-wheeled vehicle as the middle class is also growing.

MPTC in January acquired a 45-percent interest in CII

Bridges for $90 million, marking the company’s initial foray in Vietnam.

CII Bridges has various road and brigade projects in and around Ho Chi Minh. Its portfolio includes 17 kilometers of roads operating at 38,000 vehicles per day.

It has road projects under preand on-going construction stages covering 55 kilometers with an expected combined traffic volume of 43,000 vehicles daily.

“CII is the right partner that

is holding right now a good portfolio of existing roads plus potential projects in their own concession. So we are happy with the partnership and the portfolio it brings with it,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, MPIC said net income in the first quarter of the year rose four percent to P2.4 billion, while core net income grew at faster rate of 14 percent to P2.6 billion from P2.2 billion on year.

MPIC said the rise in core net income was due mainly to strong traffic growth on all the roads and an increased shareholding in Manila North Tollways Corp.

The growth at Maynilad Water Services due to higher volumes sold, volume growth and increased effective shareholding in Manila Electric Co. boosted the company’s financial performance in the first three months of 2015.

New IT park. PHCOLO Inc. executive director Jose Miguel Vasquez recieves the company’s registration agreement from Philippine Economic Zone Authority director-general Lilia de Lima as an ecozone developer/ operator of an information technology park located at Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City. The park will be known as The Peak Tower.

Smart’s Internet promo pays dividends IT’S a major gambit that has paid off. The move of Smart Communications Inc. to offer free mobile Internet access to subscribers for five months up to end-February 2015 has boosted rather than dampened the growth in mobile Internet revenues in the first quarter of the year.

Parent Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. said the mobile Internet revenues of Smart and sister Digitel Mobile Philippines jumped 19 percent in the first quarter year-on-year to P2.2 billion from P1.9 billion. Sustained quarter-on-quarter growth was registered from the first quarter of 2014.

“The uplift of our mobile Internet revenues underscores the success of our Free Internet offer,” said PLDT and Smart president and chief executive Napoleon Nazareno.

Smart ran the Free Internet

promo giving Smart, Sun Cellular and Talk ‘N Text subscribers 30 MB of free data per day from September 2014 to February 2015.

Subscribers had access not just to social networking sites like Facebook, but also to their favorite Web sites and relevant applications.

PLDT and Smart chairman Manny Pangilinan said during the launch of the promo the move was meant to “provide a much larger number of Filipinos the opportunity to try out and experience the Internet [and] enjoy its benefits.”

The market response to the promo was robust, as over six million mobile phone subscribers of Smart, Sun, and Talk ‘N Text signed up, 70 percent of whom were first-time mobile Internet users.

Mobile data usage in the Smart network surged 188 percent in the first quarter to 21,598 terabytes.

Moreover, Smart found a way to give its customers a “soft landing” when the Free Internet offer ended on Feb. 28. Subscribers now get 30 MB of free Internet access per day whenever they buy prepaid packages for voice and text messaging.

They can avail of these for as low as P10 a day.

Smart announced new Big Bytes data packages for prepaid and broadband subscribers, which give them even more generous mobile data access.

A P50 Big Bytes subscription already includes 300MB of allaccess mobile data, 500MB for Smart’s SPINNR music service, and 100MB for YouTube or Skype Qik, valid for three days.

Other efforts to stimulate data usage include sponsored data from SafeZone and content partnerships with global digital services from Disney, Skype, Deezer and YouTube.

WEDNESDAY: MAY 13, 2015

B6

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

Factory output surges 13.6%

By Julito G. Rada

FACTORY production surged 13.6 percent year-on-year in March, the fastest pace in 15 months, rebounding from a 0.8 percent contraction recorded in February, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

The National Economic and Development Authority said the recovery of the manufacturing sector was led by an increase in both production volume and value.

Data showed the volume of production index rose 13.6 percent while the value of production index increased 7.4 percent.

“This growth is fueled by the strong production performance by the majority of the sub-sectors led by the double-digit growth of tobacco, basic metals and petroleum,” Neda director-general and Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in a statement.

“This rebound in March suggests a promising first-quarter manufacturing performance. The Philippine business sector maintains expectations of favorable performance in the near term and growth drivers in the past year are

expected to perform positively in the next period,” Balisacan said.

“For consumer goods, production value of tobacco and beverages continued to be vigorous all through the first quarter, which is attributed to the implementation of uniform excise tax on local and foreign cigarettes,” Balisacan said.

For intermediate goods, production values in all except for wood products expanded yearon-year, driven by petroleum, chemicals, and textile. Petroleum posted a 60-percent growth in production value and a 95.9-percent growth in production volume.

For capital goods, the growth in basic metals and transport production, particularly in nonferrous metals, iron and steel offset the performance of fabricated metal products and machinery including electrical.

Guimaras mangoes.

The carabao mango, the sweetest variety of its kind in the world and Guimaras’ top export, took center stage during the Manggahan Agri-Trade Fair held on May 11 to 22. Guimaras province is expected to benefit from the festival’s 12-day run and its pre-festival events (April 9 to May 10). Last year’s celebration posted P7.3-million in sales and over 100,000 tourist arrivals.

DoE endorses more wind projects

REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS

LUNGSOD NG MAKATI LUNGSOD NG MAKATI Bids and Awards Committee Bids and Awards Committee Rizal corner F. Zobel Makati City J.P.J.P. Rizal St.St. corner F. Zobel St.,St., Makati City 870-1000 Fax 899-8988 Tel.Tel. No.No. 870-1000 Fax No.No. 899-8988 www.makati.gov.ph www.makati.gov.ph

INVITATIONTO TOBID BID INVITATION APPROVED BUDGET BUDGET IMPLEMENTINGAPPROVED NO. NAME NAME PROJECT AND BRIEF DESCRIPTIONIMPLEMENTING FOR THE CONTRACT NO. OFOF PROJECT AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION FOR THE CONTRACT OFFICE OFFICE (ABC) (ABC) Acquisition Hardware and Software Data and Acquisition of of Hardware and Software forfor Data and Information Management Protocol – Phase II for UDD P3,043,332.00 1 1 Information Management Protocol – Phase II for UDD P3,043,332.00 the use of Urban Development Department the use of Urban Development Department Sampiro Music Festival OM P3,317,000.00 2 2 Sampiro Music Festival OM P3,317,000.00 Birthday Cakes Senior Citizens Makati City MSWD P13,219,758.75 3 3 Birthday Cakes forfor Senior Citizens of of Makati City MSWD P13,219,758.75 Various materials maintenance materials forfor thethe maintenance of of DEPW P2,770,413.00 4 4 Various DEPW P2,770,413.00 streetlights District I and streetlights at at District I and II II Makati T-Shirts with print students and teaching Makati T-Shirts with print forfor students and teaching & non-teaching personnel various schools 5 5 & non-teaching personnel of of various schools of of Dep-Ed Makati Dep-Ed Makati e-Learning Management System Grades 5 and Management System forfor Grades 5 and 6 6 e-Learning 9 students various schools Dep-Ed Makati 9 students of of various schools of of Dep-Ed Makati VITEK 2 GN and other laboratory supplies for the VITEK 2 GN and other laboratory supplies for the 7 7 use use Ospital Makati of of Ospital ngng Makati Fan Aerobic Culture Bottles and other laboratory Aerobic Culture Bottles and other laboratory 8 8 Fan supplies use Ospital Makati supplies forfor thethe use of of Ospital ngng Makati Tris Buffer and other laboratory supplies Tris Buffer and other laboratory supplies forfor thethe 9 9 use use Ospital Makati of of Ospital ngng Makati Evacuated Tubes and other laboratory supplies Evacuated Tubes and other laboratory supplies forfor 1010 thethe use Ospital Makati use of of Ospital ngng Makati Polyvitex Mixtures and other laboratory supplies Mixtures and other laboratory supplies 1111 Polyvitex use Ospital Makati forfor thethe use of of Ospital ngng Makati

1. 1.

DEP-ED DEP-ED

P60,766,200.00 P60,766,200.00

DEP-ED DEP-ED

P24,306,352.00 P24,306,352.00

OSMAK OSMAK

P6,468,000.00 P6,468,000.00

OSMAK OSMAK

P6,174,999.68 P6,174,999.68

OSMAK OSMAK

P3,878,071.94 P3,878,071.94

OSMAK OSMAK

P3,001,317.75 P3,001,317.75

OSMAK OSMAK

P2,288,746.06 P2,288,746.06

The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT, through Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites interested The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT, through itsits Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites interested bidders apply eligibility and above projects, with Approved Budget Contract bidders to to apply forfor eligibility and to to bidbid forfor thethe above projects, with Approved Budget forfor thethe Contract (ABC) indicated, inclusive taxes, such limited value added (VAT), income tax, local (ABC) indicated, inclusive of of allall taxes, such as,as, butbut notnot limited to,to, value added taxtax (VAT), income tax, local taxes and other fiscal levies. taxes and other fiscal levies.

Bids received excess the ABC shall automatically rejected Bid Opening.

Bids received in in excess ofof the ABC shall bebe automatically rejected at at Bid Opening.

2. 2.

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

3. 3.

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

Filipino citizens, pursuant to to RARA 5183 and subject to to Commonwealth ActAct 138.

4. 4.

A complete Bidding Documents will available one day after posting / publication the A complete setset of of Bidding Documents will bebe available one (1)(1) day after posting / publication ofof the above projects Closing Date (before the deadline the submission bids),weekdays only above projects upup toto Closing Date (before the deadline ofof the submission ofof bids),weekdays only from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee forfor Bidding Documents amount stated issued order payment City Government thethe Bidding Documents in in thethe amount stated onon thethe issued order of of payment to to thethe City Government of of Makati Cashier.

Makati Cashier.

5. 5.

The BAC hold a Pre-Bid Conference May 2015 (02:00 P.M.) PiodelPilar Conference The BAC willwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference onon May 19,19, 2015 (02:00 P.M.) at at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Makati City Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. F. Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Makati City discuss Eligibility Requirements and Technical and Financial Components these projects. to to discuss Eligibility Requirements and thethe Technical and Financial Components of of these projects.

However, only those interested Bidders who have purchased Bidding Documents allowed raise However, only those interested Bidders who have purchased thethe Bidding Documents areare allowed to to raise and submit queries clarifications regarding Bidding Documents. and submit queries or or clarifications regarding thethe Bidding Documents.

6. 6.

Deadline Submission Bids shall before June 2015 (02:00 P.M.), PiodelPilar Deadline ofof Submission ofof Bids shall bebe onon or or before June 02,02, 2015 (02:00 P.M.), at at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. F. Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Makati City.

Makati City.

Opening Bids shall June 2015 (02:00 P.M.), PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st Opening ofof Bids shall bebe onon June 02,02, 2015 (02:00 P.M.), at at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Makati City. floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. F. Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Makati City.

7. 7.

Bids opened presence Bidders’ representatives who choose attend said Bids willwill bebe opened in in thethe presence of of thethe Bidders’ representatives who choose to to attend at at thethe said address.

Bids must accompanied a bid security in any acceptable forms and in the amount address.

AllAll Bids must bebe accompanied byby a bid security in any of of thethe acceptable forms and in the amount stated ITB Clause Late bids shall not accepted. stated in in ITB Clause 18.18.

Late bids shall not bebe accepted.

8. 8.

The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT reserves right accept reject any bid, annul bidding The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT reserves thethe right to to accept or or reject any bid, to to annul thethe bidding process, reject bids any time prior contract award, reduce corresponding ABC and process, to to reject allall bids at at any time prior to to contract award, or or to to reduce thethe corresponding ABC and Terms Reference (TOR), without thereby incurring any liability affected bidder bidders.

Terms of of Reference (TOR), without thereby incurring any liability to to thethe affected bidder or or bidders.

For further information, please visit contact: BAC BAC SECRETARIAT OFFICE For further information, please visit or or contact: SECRETARIAT OFFICE Makati City Government Makati City Government th Floor, New Makati City Hall Building New Makati City Hall Building 9th9Floor, Zobel Street, Brgy.Poblacion, Makati City F. F. Zobel Street, Brgy.Poblacion, Makati City Tel. No. 870-1000 loc.

1331; Fax No. 899-8988 Tel. No. 870-1000 loc.

1331; Fax No. 899-8988 website: www.makati.gov.ph website: www.makati.gov.ph (Sgd.) MS. VISSIA MARIE ALDON (Sgd.) MS. VISSIA MARIE P. P. ALDON Chairperson Chairperson

(TS-MAY 2015) (TS-MAY 13,13, 2015)

in tariff rate lower than the P8.53 per kilowatt-hour rate approved for the first 200 MW. THE Energy Department has “We have increased and endorsed an increase in the submitted that to the ERC. That number of wind projects that will make the installed target for can qualify for incentives. wind at 400 MW,” Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho LUNGSOD NG MAKATI LUNGSOD NG MAKATI Petilla told reporters.

Bids and Awards Committee Bids and Awards Committee Rizal corner F. Zobel Makati City J.P.J.P. Rizal St.St. corner F. Zobel St.,St., Makati City Petilla said the Tel. No. 870-1000 Fax No. 899-8988 Tel. No. 870-1000 Fax No. 899-8988 www.makati.gov.ph www.makati.gov.ph additional installation target for wind would INVITATIONTO TOBID BID INVITATION allow other serious APPROVED BUDGET BUDGET players in the wind IMPLEMENTING APPROVED IMPLEMENTING NO. NAME PROJECT AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION FOR THE CONTRACT NO. NAME OFOF PROJECT AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION FOR THE CONTRACT OFFICE OFFICE (ABC) (ABC) sector to avail of the Building Maintenance Services various Building Maintenance Services forfor various Elementary and High Schools Makati City GSD P17,864,869.33 feed-in tariff, including 1 1 Elementary and High Schools of of Makati City forfor GSD P17,864,869.33 year 2015 (July-December) year 2015 (July-December) Trans-Asia Oil and Janitorial Services at Makati City Hall Compound Services at Makati City Hall Compound GSD P8,769,366.15 2 2 Janitorial GSD P8,769,366.15 year 2015 (July-December) forfor year 2015 (July-December) Energy Development Janitorial Services Ospital Makati year Services at at Ospital ngng Makati forfor year GSD P8,599,985.41 3 3 Janitorial GSD P8,599,985.41 2015 (July-December) 2015 (July-December) Corp.’s 54-MW wind Security Services at Makati City Hall Compound for Security Services at Makati City Hall Compound for GSD P15,139,752.04 4 4 year GSD P15,139,752.04 year 2015 (July-December) 2015 (July-December) project in Guimaras and Security Services Ospital Makati year Services at at Ospital ngng Makati forfor year GSD P10,444,619.42 5 5 Security GSD P10,444,619.42 Alternergy Wind One 2015 (July-December) 2015 (July-December) Security Services Makati Parks and Garden, Security Services at at Makati Parks and Garden, Corp.’s 54-MW wind DEPW & II, Makati Aqua Sports Arena and East GSD P6,842,955.90 6 6 DEPW I &I II, Makati Aqua Sports Arena and East GSD P6,842,955.90 Rembo Junk Yard year 2015 (July-December) project in Pilillia, Rizal.

Rembo Junk Yard forfor year 2015 (July-December) TheMAKATI MAKATICITY CITYGOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT,through throughitsitsBids Bidsand andAwards AwardsCommittee Committee(BAC), (BAC),invites invites “But they cannot 1. 1. The interested bidders apply eligibility and above projects, with Approved Budget interested bidders to to apply forfor eligibility and to to bidbid forfor thethe above projects, with Approved Budget forfor Contract (ABC) indicated, inclusive taxes, such limited value added (VAT), get the same FIT rate thethe Contract (ABC) indicated, inclusive of of allall taxes, such as,as, butbut notnot limited to,to, value added taxtax (VAT), income tax, local taxes and other fiscal levies. income tax, local taxes and other fiscal levies. as the first….It would Bids received in excess of the ABC shall automatically rejected Bid Opening.

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall bebe automatically rejected at at Bid Opening. be decided by ERC Bidding conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary 2. 2. Bidding willwill bebe conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary Regulatory “pass/fail” criterion specified Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) Republic Act [Energy “pass/fail” criterion asas specified in in thethe Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

(RA) 9184, otherwise known asas thethe “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Commission],” he said.

Bidding restricted Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, organizations with 3. 3. Bidding is is restricted to to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or or organizations with at at Petilla said the National least sixty percent (60%) interest outstanding capital stock belonging citizens Philippines, least sixty percent (60%) interest or or outstanding capital stock belonging to to citizens of of thethe Philippines, and citizens organizations a country laws regulations which grant similar rights and to to citizens or or organizations of of a country thethe laws or or regulations of of which grant similar rights or or Renewable Energy Board privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. had recommended a 4.

A complete set of Bidding Documents will be available one (1) day after posting / publication 4.

A complete set of Bidding Documents will be available one (1) day after posting / publication theabove aboveprojects projectsupuptotoClosing ClosingDate Date(before (beforethe thedeadline deadlineofofthe thesubmission submissionofof ofofthe bids),weekdays only from 8:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m. from address below and upon payment bids),weekdays only from 8:00 a.m. toto 5:00 p.m. from thethe address below and upon payment of of a a 6-percent digression rate non-refundable fee Bidding Documents amount stated issued order payment non-refundable fee forfor thethe Bidding Documents in in thethe amount stated onon thethe issued order of of payment for new wind projects. “I City Government Makati Cashier. to to thethe City Government of of Makati Cashier.

The BAC hold a Pre-Bid Conference May 2015 (02:00 P.M.) PiodelPilar Conference would say it is more than 5. 5. The BAC willwill hold a Pre-Bid Conference onon May 26,26, 2015 (02:00 P.M.) at at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Makati City Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. F. Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Makati City discuss Eligibility Requirements and Technical and Financial Components these projects. P8, but definitely less than to to discuss Eligibility Requirements and thethe Technical and Financial Components of of these projects.

However, only those interested Bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents are allowed However, only those interested Bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents are allowed to to P8.0,” he said. Petilla said raise and submit queries clarifications regarding Bidding Documents. raise and submit queries or or clarifications regarding thethe Bidding Documents.

Deadline Submission Bids shall before June 2015 (02:00 P.M.), PiodelPilar the department was also 6. 6. Deadline ofof Submission ofof Bids shall bebe onon or or before June 09,09, 2015 (02:00 P.M.), at at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. F. Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, set to issue a policy on the Makati City.

Makati City. feed-in tariff quota.

Opening Bids shall June 2015 (02:00 P.M.), PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st Opening ofof Bids shall bebe onon June 09,09, 2015 (02:00 P.M.), at at PiodelPilar Conference Room, 21st floor, New Makati City Hall Building, Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Makati City. floor, New Makati City Hall Building, F. F. Zobel Street, Brgy.

Poblacion, Makati City.

“I’m going to issue a Bids opened presence Bidders’ representatives who choose attend said 7. 7. Bids willwill bebe opened in in thethe presence of of thethe Bidders’ representatives who choose to to attend at at thethe said policy increasing FIT address.

All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the address. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated ITB Clause Late bids shall not accepted. amount stated in in ITB Clause 18.18.

Late bids shall not bebe accepted. quota that will be linked The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT reserves right accept reject any bid, annul bidding 8. 8. The MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT reserves thethe right to to accept or or reject any bid, to to annul thethe bidding process, reject bids any time prior contract award, reduce corresponding ABC and with additional coal fired process, to to reject allall bids at at any time prior to to contract award, or or to to reduce thethe corresponding ABC and Terms Reference (TOR), without thereby incurring any liability affected bidder bidders.

Terms of of Reference (TOR), without thereby incurring any liability to to thethe affected bidder or or bidders. plants. Every time you build a coal, then we have For further information, please visit contact:BAC BAC SECRETARIAT OFFICE For further information, please visit or or contact: SECRETARIAT OFFICE Makati City Government Makati City Government to increase the FIT to keep Floor, New Makati City Hall Building New Makati City Hall Building 9 9Floor, Zobel Street, Brgy.Poblacion, Makati City F. F. Zobel Street, Brgy.Poblacion, Makati City the balance…However, Tel. No. 870-1000 loc.

1331; Fax No. 899-8988 Tel. No. 870-1000 loc.

1331; Fax No. 899-8988 website: www.makati.gov.ph website: www.makati.gov.ph the succeeding FIT will now have to be bid it out.

(Sgd.) MS. VISSIA MARIE ALDON (Sgd.) MS. VISSIA MARIE P. P. ALDON Chairperson Chairperson It will no longer be a race,” (TS-MAY 2015) (TS-MAY 13,13, 2015) he said.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

The agency said it endorsed an additional 200-megawatt installation target for wind projects, which would bring the total to 400 MW. The additional target, however, will enjoy a feed-

REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS

th th

w e d n e s d aY : M aY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

4 killed as new quake hits Nepal KATHMANDU—A new earthquake and several powerful aftershocks hit devastated Nepal on Tuesday, killing at least four people and sending terrified residents running into the streets of the traumatized capital.

The 7.3-magnitude quake struck at 12:35 pm, some 76 kilometers east of Kathmandu, the US Geological Survey said, more than two weeks after a 7.8-magnitude quake which killed more than 8,000 people.

Tuesday’s quake was felt as far away as New Delhi, and officials said it caused buildings to collapse in Chinese-controlled Tibet.

A second tremor of 6.3 magnitude struck around half an hour later, followed by aftershocks, according to the USGS. “According to the reports that we have received from the ground, four people have been killed due to collapsed buildings,” Paul Dillon, spokesman for the International Organization for Migration, told AFP. All the deaths were in the Chautara district, east of Kathmandu, which suffered huge damage in the April 25 disaster.

The ground swayed for close to a minute from the first tremor on Tuesday, and sirens wailed, according to an AFP correspondent in Kathmandu.

“We felt it and suddenly there were huge crowds running up and down,” said resident Suresh Sharma, who was in a vegetable market at the time.

“It was very scary and very difficult to make my way out,” added the 63-year-old.

“The last time we had the big quake I ran out of my house and barely escaped.

This one felt just like that one. I can’t believe it’s happening again.”

Although the latest quake did not appear to be as severe as the April 25 one, residents were terrified that buildings which were already badly damaged could come crashing down. AFP

Presentation. Models present creations by Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons during the Dior 2016 cruise collection show on May 11, 2015, at the Palais Bulle in Theoule-sur-Mer, southeastern France. AFP

El Niño to be substantial, Australian savants warn

SYDNEY—Australian scientists Tuesday forecast a “substantial” El Niño weather phenomenon for 2015, potentially spelling deadly and costly climate extremes, after officially declaring its onset in the tropical Pacific.

El Niño had been expected last year when record-breaking temperatures made 2014 the hottest in more than a century. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said while the thresholds were not met until now it was expected to be a significant event.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also confirmed the phenomenon had begun and forecast it would continue into late 2015.

“There’s always a little bit of doubt when it comes to intensity forecasts, but across the models as a whole we’d suggest that this will be quite

a substantial El Niño event,” David Jones, from the bureau’s climate information services branch said.

“Certainly the models aren’t predicting a weak event. They are predicting a moderate-to-strong El Niño event. So this is a proper El Niño event, this is not a weak one or a near miss as we saw last year.”

The El Niño phenomenon— which is associated with drought conditions in Australia—can cause havoc to farmers and global agricultural markets, hitting economies heavily dependent on the land.

The last El Niño five years ago

had a major impact with monsoons in Southeast Asia, droughts in southern Australia, the Philippines and Ecuador, blizzards in the United States, heat waves in Brazil and killer floods in Mexico.

It occurs when the trade winds that circulate over waters in the tropical Pacific start to weaken and sea surface temperatures rise.

US officials announced earlier this year that the long-awaited El Niño had arrived, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration described it as of “weak strength”.

Australian scientists said models were now showing it was likely to see an increased intensity from about September and have potential global impacts.

“Last year we saw some indices, such as the sea surface temperatures at times exceed El Niño thresholds... but we didn’t see them all coming to-

gether at the same time or we didn’t see it sustained,” Jones explained.

He said this year’s pattern could create drier conditions in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and parts of Southeast Asia.

In the past it has caused heavierthan-normal rainfall in the eastern Pacific and South America—raising the specter of floods and landslides, while the southwest United States and southern Africa tend to be drier.

An El Niño is potentially a bad sign for large swathes of Australia, including the states of Queensland and New South Wales, which are already in the grip of severe drought.

Neil Plummer, the bureau’s assistant director for climate information services, said it was often associated with below average rainfall across eastern Australia and warmer temperatures in the southern half over the hottest months. AFP

Kerry to push Putin on Ukraine crisis SOCHI, Russia—US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in the Russian resort of Sochi Tuesday for high-stakes talks seeking to push President Vladimir Putin to fully implement a shaky Ukraine ceasefire.

Kerry was to meet Putin in the Black Sea city at “a critical moment” for Ukraine aiming to ensure the “next steps in concrete implementation” of the ceasefire deal are taken, a senior State Department official said.

The top US diplomat also wanted to discuss the conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Libya as well as brief Putin on the state of the negotiations seeking to reach a po-

tentially historic deal on curtailing Iran’s nuclear program.

Kerry will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and then Putin.

It is the highest-level trip by a US official to Russia since Kerry visited Moscow in May 2013.

Ties between Moscow and Washington collapsed when Russia seized the southern Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in early 2014 and buttressed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

But after a year of tensions, signs are emerging that both Russia and the West may be ready to seek detente.

And on a host of global is-

sues—from the threat of Islamic militants in Iraq to the civil war in Syria where US-backed Syrian rebels are seeking to oust President Bashar al-Assad—Washington aims to engage Moscow’s help.

“We have a lot of business we could do together if there is interest,” the senior State Department official told reporters traveling on Kerry’s plane.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the visit by Kerry as “extremely positive” and said that his talks with Putin would cover a wide range of topics, from US-Russian bilateral ties to other international “hot-button issues”.

AFP

Meeting. French Finance Minister Michel Sapin, left, speaks with his German counterpart Wolfgang Schaeuble on May 12 before an Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting at the European Council in Brussels. AFP

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5

B8

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Stranded migrants expected to starve

LANGKAWI, Malaysia—Thousands of migrants believed to be stranded at sea without food and water could die unless Southeast Asian governments act urgently to rescue them, migrant groups and the UN warned Tuesday.

3Nearly 2,000 boat people from Myanmar and Bangladesh have swum ashore, been rescued or intercepted off Malaysia and Indonesia in recent days, many of them thin, weak or in poor health after weeks at sea.

People smugglers are believed to be dumping their human cargoes after being diverted from Thailand—a key stop on human-smuggling routes— where authorities have launched a crackdown on the trade.

The Arakan Project, a group advocating for the rights of Rohingya—a Muslim minority that is unwanted by Myanmar’s government—has said as many as 8,000 people may be adrift.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said search and rescue operations were urgently needed.

“It needs a regional effort... we don’t have the capacity to search for them, but governments do.

They have boats and satellites,” said Joe Lowry, a Bangkokbased spokesman for the

IOM, a 157-member-state intergovernmental organisation.

He told AFP those still at sea may be in a “very bad condition or even dead” if not found soon.

Thousands of poor Rohingya and Bangladeshis risk the perilous sea and land trafficking route from the Bay of Bengal region through Thailand and into Malaysia each year.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said 25,000 people are believed to have embarked from January to March, double the previous year’s pace, and that an estimated 300 had died.

“It appears people are holding people captive on the sea because they are afraid to disembark,” said Vivian Tan, spokeswoman for the UNHCR in Bangkok.

She said some vessels, and their passengers, may have been abandoned by smugglers, adding that regional cooperation was needed to address the crisis and that the UNHCR was willing to help. AFP

Gala Dianna Agron attends the “China: Through The Looking Glass” Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. AFP

Jailed for insulting the king

In memoriam. German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen lays a wreath at

the Hall of Remembrance during her visit on May 12 to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial museum in Jerusalem that commemorates the six million Jews killed by the Nazis during World War II. AFP

BANGKOK—A Thai court on Tuesday jailed a mentally ill 65-year-old woman for one year for allegedly defaming the monarchy by insulting a portrait of the nation’s revered king.

Thitinan Kaewjantranont, a so-called Red Shirt supporter of the toppled former government, was accused of “inappropriate action against a portrait of the king” at the Constitutional Court in northern Bangkok on July 13, 2012, with no further details given.

Initially Thitinan was given a suspended sentence for the 2012 offence as she was deemed to suffer from mental health problems, but the Court of Appeals rolled back the oneyear suspended sentence Tuesday after prosecutors appealed.

“The defendant’s behavior was so evil... her actions should not be imitated by others, so the Court of Appeals lifted her one year jail term suspension,” a judge said,

reading the ruling.

Recognizing she suffers from mental health issues, the court said she is ordered to see doctors every six months, without giving details of her condition.

Thailand’s monarchy is protected by one of the world’s harshest lese majeste laws, and convictions have surged since a military coup last May. Under Section 112 of Thailand’s criminal code, anyone convicted of insulting the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.

In late April the International Commission of Juristsan international human rights group said at least 49 people have fallen foul of the royal defamation rules since the coup, including those investigated, detained, convicted or awaiting verdicts.

Critics of the law say it is used as a weapon against political enemies of the royalist elite. AFP

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 1 3 : 2 0 1 5

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

LIFE

The new Twenty-Four Seven McKinley building in BGC houses Focus Global’s five showroom floors. Ample and complimentary parking is provided for guests.

LUXURY

HOME FOCUS A new lifestyle hub arises in the Fort

→ Turn to next page

C1

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 1 3 : 2 0 1 5

C2

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

LUXURY

FOAM AND FUNCTION Make your kitchen the best it can be! Sub-Zero and Wolf, industry leader in premium refrigeration, wine storage and cooking equipment offers unparalleled performance with flexible design features.

Boasting its patented dual-stacked sealed burners, Wolf Sealed Burner Rangetops give you precise control for consistently delicious results!

F

Uratex partners with Sixinch

oam – that soft, spongy material that fills mattresses, chairs and couches – may be regarded as more functional than sexy, but Uratex is out to correct that misperception.

The country’s leading manufacturer and distributor of foam, Uratex has teamed up with Sixinch Design B.V.B.A. to form Sixinch Philippines. Sixinch is a Belgian firm whose founders have redefined the use of foam in all sorts of industrial and creative applications.

Established in Belgium in 2003 by Pieter Jamart and Michel Sels, Sixinch sought to position foam as a platform to develop creative designs to bring a refreshing yet efficient look to the average office, living room or study, thus transforming the mundane and making it desirable.

As the founders explain it, Sixinch furniture is padded with high-density foam where cushioning is required, then sprayed directly with unique flexible coating to cre-

TRINITY Designed by Pieter Jamart - one of the designers of SIXINCH

ate smooth and seamless pieces using the consistency of one material.

Sixinch,” says Jamart, pertains to the six inches trapped between our ears. “Our brains and mental power unleash all sorts of creativity to such an intensity that we can realize our dreams when it comes to the appearance and design of the many places where we live and do business.

We are only bound by our imagination.”

While Sixinch Philippines formally bows in July, incoming president Bigboy Cheng can’t contain his excitement. The Filipino user, he says, “has an undying thirst for innovation and creativity, especially as far as our workspaces and living spaces are concerned.”

According to him, when creativity fuses with technology and acute understanding of what the customer wants, something unique, appealing and long-lasting is born.

“Expect great things,” Cheng promises.

CLIFFY 6000 Designed

by Rainer Mutsch - one of the designers of SIXINCH

Sub-Zero and Wolf ensures your food stays as fresh and flavorful as possible with precise professional grade instruments to preserve and prepare your meals.

HOME FOCUS From C1

To call Focus Global’s sprawling new premises at TwentyFour Seven McKinley in the Fort a showroom would be an understatement.

Instead, it is a sleek collection of showrooms spread out over five floors, measuring a total of more than 5,000 square meters of space dedicated to showcasing some of the most coveted, most prestigious brands in home design today.

Occupying two floors are premium Italian furniture brands B&B and Maxalto, which offer contemporary pieces developed in collaboration with internationally renowned designers.

Other floors house the timeless American furniture brand, Ethan Allen; German brands Dornbracht and Villeroy & Boch; and kitchen specialists Siematic, Miele, Sub-Zero and Wolf, to name a few.

In fact, Focus Global, which was established in 1991

by Stephen Sy, positions itself as more than a distributor or importer; it is a true marketing company that actively builds partnerships with the brands it represents.

While certainly the biggest showroom to date, Focus Global at the Fort has other showrooms located in Makati, Mandaluyong and Cebu, each one exuding the same rarefied air of prestige and sophistication, bolstered by impeccable service.

Focus Global is at Twenty-Four Seven McKinley, Bonifacio Global City. For inquiries, please call (02) 634 8587.

Keep your food fresher longer. More than just a refrigerator, Sub-Zero is a food preservation system with its pioneering freshness technology and advance performance features.

LOUIS III SOFA Designed by: Pieter Jamart - One of the designers of SIXINCH

From left: Peachy Cheng-Medina (Managing Director of RGC Group of Companies), Bigboy Cheng (PR Director of RGC Group of Companies/ President Sixinch Phil.), Michel Sels (Founder of Sixinch), Pieter Jamart (Founder of Sixinch), Naty Cheng (CEO of RGC Group of Companies) and Pinky Cheng-Rosagas (Finance Director of RGC Group of Companies)

ELEGANT REVERBERATIONS Shiseido at the Biennale The Venice Biennale, which opened last week, is increasingly becoming the art event that sees the worlds of art, luxury, high society, serious money and equally serious branding collide. Amid the national pavilions, Rolls Royce set up its own, scattered with scented roses and British artist Isaac Julien showing his views of glacier caves in Iceland.

Clé de Peau Beauté, the ultra-luxury beauty line from the Shiseido Group, had a pavilion of its own, too, which it called “Reverberation - Pavilion of Light and Sound,” designed by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. Housed in the historic Palazzo Pisani Conservatory, the project reflects Clé de Peau Beauté’s global brand strategy, which encompasses taking up new creative challenges through artistic collaborations.

The nine-meter high pavilion has an architectural form that echoes a smooth arc. In creating the pavilion, Shigeru Ban was inspired by the “Lights of Venice” theme of Clé de Peau Beauté’s 2015 Autumn/ Winter Collection, executing a design that is a dynamic yet delicate evocation of the brand. Light filtering through makeup cases

used in constructing the exterior walls combines exclusively with music floating through the space, performed in the pavilion by live musicians. Together, the light and sound weave a fascinating, poetic atmosphere.

Said Shigeru Ban of his work, “This is a space filled with mysterious light and shadows, and harmonious sounds. This is not makeup applied to a historical facade, but rather a method for drawing out the charm of the existing content.”

Photos courtesy of image.net

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 1 3 : 2 0 1 5

LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

C3

IS E-CONSULTATION THE FUTURE OF INTERIOR DESIGN?

BY ED BIADO

As the millennial style gets increasingly virtual, there are very few things today that you can’t do on the Internet. Perhaps the latest to take their trade online are interior designers who are now able to conduct business online – from client acquisition to closing the deal to design execution.

One of the buzziest new players in the field is Philadelphiabased ZOOM Interiors, a firm founded by three 24-year-old George Washington University graduates whose goal is to make interior design exciting again and fit the millennial mindset. The startup “blends the accessibility of ‘fast fashion’ (think Forever 21 and H&M) and the on-demand aspect of Uber,” according to the website Technical.ly.

For as low as $199, clients are provided with a mood board and digital rendering of the space to be made over based on an online consultation via Skype and their answers to a style questionnaire. They are also provided with a list of furniture, fixtures and products – one option is to purchase the goods themselves; the other is to order them through ZOOM. As with any undertaking with millennials in mind, ZOOM ensures affordability.

“ZOOM Interiors is the virtual mecca for affordable interiors and stylish design,” which mission is “to make interior design accessible and affordable to everyone by bringing it completely online,” says ZoomInteriors.com. If your budget is really that tight, then you can just browse through the blog section of the website for a generous serving of design inspiration for free.

With new condominium and apartment buildings rising at every corner of the metropolis, this kind of service is something that can totally be offered here in Metro Manila. We have a thriving millennial population who are either moving to the city or moving out of their parents’ homes to live closer to work – most of whom are excited to create stylish personal spaces.

And if the popularity of Uber and the recent government actions in formalizing ride-sharing schemes are any indication, it’s safe to say that we’re quite tech-savvy as well. A concept like ZOOM’s “Martha Stewart for millennials” might just be a hit.

The ZOOM Interiors office in Philly

ZOOM Interiors blog

The super-stylish founders of ZOOM interiors (Beatrice Fischel-Bock, Madeline Fraser and Elizabeth Grover)

BACK IN PIEDMONT FOR NEBBIOLO PRIMA

I am back in Alba and it’s my second time in less than three years.

Last time I was here I only had the chance to visit the historic Pio Cesare winery and stayed less than 48 hours. This time I will enjoy my full week and the rare opportunity to quench my insatiable taste for Nebbiolo wines.

I am very fortunate to be one of around a hundred journalists from over 20 countries to be in town for the 20th edition of the Nebbiolo Prima, formerly known as the Alba Wine Exhibit (when it first started in 1996).

The Nebbiolo Prima is an annual event that previews newly released vintages, and is organized by the Union of Alba Wine Producers or Albeisa for short.

Albeisa is a non-profit organization founded in 1973 by Renato Ratti with the noble purpose of promoting the great Alba wines. Albeisa also manages the use of the unique-shaped Alba bottles, which are already identified as the trademark container of the best wines of Langhe. This uniquely shaped bottle of Albeisa is among the few recognized regionally symbolic wine bottles that wine consumers can easily identify with, like Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Rhine and Port bottles.

Nebbiolo, primarily grown in Piedmont, together with Sangiovese, primarily grown in Tuscany, are Italy’s two proudest indigenous grape varietals. This year’s edition will feature over 479 Nebbiolo wines from the Piedmont’s most known and ex-

pensive DOCG regions of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero. The vintages to be tasted are: Barolo 2011, Barolo Riserva 2009, Barbaresco 2012, Barbaresco Riserva 2011, Roero 2012 and Roero Riserva 2011. The Nebbiolo Prima is purely an event for the wine press people.

IMPORTANCE OF FOREIGN PRESS

According to Alberto Cordero di Montezemolo, President of Albeisa, only good-credentialed wine writers were invited to attend the Nebbiolo Prima, and for this year, 70 percent of the invited press people are foreign journalists while the remaining 30 percent are local press people.

I was among the international wine writers generously billeted at the Hotel Calissano – a relatively new luxury hotel built just five years ago from the old Calissano Winery founded in 1872 by wine manufacturer and trader Luigi Calissano. The winery was closed in the 1980s after being at one point Alba’s largest wine factory. The historic wine cellar of the Calissano winery, however, has been partially restored, and has in fact been chosen as the venue for the “Meet & Greet with Wine Producers”, one of 2015 Nebbiolo Prima’s important events.

FIVE DAYS OF NEBBIOLO WINES GALORE

The formal opening of this year’s Nebbiolo Prima took place at the captivating 18th century castle, Castello di Guarene just on Sunday, May 10. The Castello di Guarene also offers an unmatched incredible panoramic view of the hills of Langhe, Roero, Monferrato with the Alps in its beautiful backdrop. The inauguration was made in two

press conferences coming one after another – one for the Italian press conducted in Italian, and the other for the foreign press, conducted in English. Alberto Cordero di Montezemolo welcomed the delegates in a brief but informative session.

The traditional opening aperitif (a Nebbiolo Prima tradition) ensued after, with the “aperitif ” term loosely used to mean predinner drinks, when in fact there were almost 100 different wines available for tasting and the food was more of a dinner course than just simple `wine chow’.

The wines being poured liberally included non-Nebbiolo wines like local white varietals Arneis and Moscato, sparkling wines, Dolcetto, and even Chardonnays and Rieslings. The food was also incredible. I had two hefty servings of their suckling pig version (very similar to our lechon de leche) and some veggies, and I was super full. From Monday to Friday, serious tastings ranging from 60 to 120 wines per morning commence, with the afternoon schedule reserved for select winery and vineyard tours.

The venue for the tastings is the Palazzo Mostre e Congress, walking distance from Hotel Calissano. The daily tastings will be organized based on the designations of origin (DOCG), the municipality, and the sub-area.

All tastings will be done blind – but I am sure the wines will be revealed after the end of each morning tasting spree.

As of this writing, I just attended the inaugural aperitif event at the Castello di Guarene.

To be continued on my next column when I give my assessment of the Nebbiolo wines tasted, and my journey to select wineries in this beautiful wine region of Northern Italy. Ciao!

For comments, inquiries, wine event coverage, wine consultancy and other wine related concerns, please e-mail me at protegeinc@yahoo.com. I am a proud member of the Federation Internationale des Journalists et Ecrivains du Vin et des Spiritueux or FIJEV since 2010. You can also follow me on twitter at www. twitter.com/sherwinlao

W E D N E S D AY : M AY 1 3 : 2 0 1 5

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LIFE

BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE EDITOR

g l w e e ke n d @ g m a i l . c o m

Main course: US Angus beef shortribs with foie gras in dark bitter chocolate sauce

Salad: Prosciutto chévre,dried mano & strawberry salad with dark chocolate vinaigrette Milk chocolate mascarpone millefeuille

Dessert trio: Milk chocolate mascarpone mille-feuille.

Dark chocolate tartlet with mango chutney and white chocolate pistachio ball

TIDY WHITIES

AND CHOCOLATE DREAMS Ariel takes up the chocolate challenge

BY BAMBINA OLIVARES WISE

I

f you’re going to get Manila’s most stylish ladies to a laundry detergent launch, you’d better be creative about it.

Tapping Mons Romulo to host a chic and intimate lunch with some of her closest friends at the elegant, sunshine-filled Florabel restaurant in Estancia, Ariel recently teamed up with Chef Florabel Co-Yatco to design an irresistible menu centered around everybody’s favorite ingredient – chocolate.

As food, chocolate may be hard to resist, and each course of Chef Florabel’s menu, from the green asparagus purée infused with white chocolate and the chocolate vinaigrette on the prosciutto and strawberry salad to the beef shortribs with foie gras and dark chocolate sauce and the piéce de résistance chocolate-laden dessert trio, proved the theory right.

Chocolate also happens to be one of laundry’s worst enemies. And Ariel, according to Mukta Maheshwari, Procter

& Gamble Philippines’ Brand Manager for Fabric Care, was ready to prove that the premium laundry detergent has what it takes to wash even the most stubborn stains.

In between chocolate courses, Chef Florabel put Ariel to the test. A white fabric, stained with the dark chocolate balsamic vinaigrette that could be a nightmare for regular detergents, was no problem with Ariel’s 1-wash clean, since Ariel’s fast-acting enzymes break down tough stains – and the scarf returned spotless – before the lunch even ended.

Said Mons Romulo, “It’s really fresh for a brand like Ariel to present its product in such a unique way, where we see before our eyes how Ariel delivers its promise of removing even tough stains.”

As they say, to see is to believe. I was there, and I became a believer, both in Chef Florabel’s unforgettable culinary skills, and Ariel’s stain-removing power.

Ariel Brand Manager Mukta Maheshwari holds up the stained table napkin as guests snap photos

Soup dish: Purée of green asparagus with white chocolate curls.

Host Mons Romulo strikes a pose with her good friend, celebrated Chef Florabel

W EDNES DAY : M AY 13 : 2015

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

C5

Maserati sculpture Neptune in the Wind

by Oliviero Rainaldi

‘NEPTUNE IN THE WIND’ SCULPTURE IN SHANGHAI An extraordinary Maserati-related work of art by internationally famous artist and sculptor Oliviero Rainaldi was celebrated at an exclusive party attended by more than 200 VIPs, together with special guests such as the sculpture’s creator Rainaldi, Maserati CEO Harald Wester and Director of Museum of Contemporay Arts Samuel Kung.

But we need to look back 100 years to explain the all-important background to this story. Maserati was founded in 1914 in Bologna, where the Maserati brothers adopted the symbol of the Trident, created by the artist of the family Mario Maserati and inspired by the famous statue of Neptune in Bologna, and made it the logo to encapsulate the new company’s identity in a single image. After more than 100 years, Maserati’s history is still continuing and evolving, constantly expressing the artistic mix at the core of its vision.

Oliviero Rainaldi, an Italian artist and sculptor of international renown who concentrates on the sculpture’s figure and material to produce works featuring a simple style, flowing lines, classical

Maserati car on display

beauty, refined composition and a condensed yet dynamic form, was assigned on behalf of Maserati to create a sculpture in honor of its tradition. As a result, the “Neptune in the Wind” sculpture was born.

This fine work celebrating the company’s 100 years is in bas-relief on a slab of Crystal white marble.

Measuring 260 cm high by 190 cm wide and weighing 600 kg, in stone specially delivered from Vietnam due to its non-standard measurements, the sculpture is a marvelous sight. The type of marble used has the distinctive characteristic of being perfectly white both on the surface and in transparency,

PHOTO CREDIT STEFANO BARONI

a feature exploited to the full in this particular work, completed

by LED backlighting for an even more stunning effect.

The entire work is framed by a 5 mm steel band, shaped on the back and supported by a special slightly inclined easel-shaped structure. The use of this technique is innovative, both because this frame has functions beyond its traditional decorative purpose and due to the work’s considerable size. The final result allows the sculpture to be viewed in two ways, with natural lighting as well as with the integral lighting system, generating an additional and

Maserati sculpture Neptune in the Wind making of by Oliviero Rainaldi

completely different effect.

What’s more, the sculpture sets outs to express some of the specific connotations of the Maserati brand: power, dynamism, speed and elegance, symbolized by the mythical figure of Neptune with his Trident.

The artist has also created 20 numbered exquisite tiles (1-20) in backlit white marble, measuring 25x30 cm and reproducing the full-size sculpture, again in backlit white marble.

The sculpture, alongside many other creations by Oliviero Rainaldi, is being hosted at the MoCA - Museum of Contemporary Art in Shanghai at the special exhibition Echos: Sculptures by Oliviero

Rainaldi, the artist’s very first solo show not only in Shanghai but also anywhere in China. After the opening ceremony held on April 9 with a glittering vernissage and over 600 guests, this exhibition will run until 24 May. “Echos” is an exhibition which visitors can not only see but also hear and feel - an experience with close associations with that of driving a Maserati itself.

Maserati, main sponsor of the exhibition, thanks not only Oliviero Rainaldi for the excellent artwork, but also Stefano Beltrame, Consul General of the Republic of Italy in Shanghai, for his continuous support, Ambassador Umberto Vattani, President of Venice International University, which has established close cooperation with China, producing outstanding exhibitions there and underlining the importance of the Italian art in China, Dato’ Rosemarie Wee and the Shangri-La Hotel staff, the Italian Embassy and the Italian Trade Agency in Kuala Lumpur and of course all the Management of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai Foundation.

DRAGONPAY-READY SUMMER DESTINATIONS

D

o you feel the sand on your feet? Or the breeze of the wind accompanied by the scent of the sea? That is right! Summer is just around the block waiting for the girls and the boys to change from uniforms and corporate-wear to swim shorts and bikini clad attires. Blend in with the hunks and the daring ones by hitting these go-to spots this summer season with the assistance of Dragonpay, your online payment solution.

First on the list is the globally acclaimed Hundred Islands National Park in Alaminos, Pangasinan. If deciding which island to visit is the culprit of your trip discussion, try out this amazing

location and you’ll hit a hundred birds in one stone. The Hundred Islands is a go-to spot for those seeking to complete their Philippine experience by participating in an island-hopping activity.

Each island may surprise you for they were naturally built for different ventures. One island may be the perfect venue to hike and camp. One island may attract you with its built-in cave. Another may seduce you to relax and sunbathe under the bronzing sun.

Second on the list is the virgin island of Calaguas. The serene island is situated near Vinzons, Camarines Norte. Although it requires a two-hour boat ride, the journey is definitely worth the time.. This par-

adise beach will transport you to another dimension with its white sand and blue sea, and its calmness and quietness will lure you to extend a day or two.

Third but definitely not the least is the eco-friendly paradise of El Nido, located in Northern Palawan. Visit caves, lagoons, or scuba dive in its clear waters.

This heaven-sent island should definitely be on everyone’s list across the globe.. Sit back and relax, or breeze through the different natural-made islands, this peaceful haven will certainly conquer your senses.

If the only hindrance to booking your next dream vacation online is the absence of a credit card, don’t

The magnificent rock formations in Hundred Islands

worry! Dragonpay can definitely bring you to your desired destination. Dragonpay lets you buy your plane or bus tickets as well as book your hotel b online, which you can pay for in cash over-the-counter with their many partner banks and non-bank establishments. You can book your plane tickets at Airasia. com, Airpaz.com, and Tripmoba. com. For those traveling by land, you can book online at Pinoytrav-

el.com.ph, Clickbus.com.ph and Iwantseats.com.ph. And for lodging and booking accommodations, you can do it at Travelbook. ph, Tripmoba.com and Travelpal. ph. Now, anyone can easily book a vacation online anytime this summer season – even the younger boys and girls who do not own a set of credit cards. To know more about Dragonpay, visit www.dragonpay.ph – More ways to pay.

W EDNES DAY : M AY 13 : 2015

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SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Peobo Bryson performs at the New Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila tonight

PEABO BRYSON AT RESORTS WORLD MANILA H Katy Perry mesmerizes audience at the Philippine Arena with a tantalising performance of her hit songs complemented with several costume changes and hypnotizing lighting design. The 40,000 fans can’t stop screaming and dancing

KATY PERRY IMAGES TAKEN USING SMART S6 EDGE COURTESY OF SMART INFINITY

THE KATY PERRY EXPERIENCE NICKIE WANG It started with a “Roar” and ended with “Firework.” That’s how the Manila leg of Katy Perry’s Prismatic concert, which also marked the anniversary of her world tour, can be succinctly described.

“One year ago today, we started this show in the United Kingdom.

One hundred thirty-eight shows later, we are here in Manila. It may be the biggest show we’ve ever played for the Prismatic tour,” exclaimed the California-born pop star before the almost 40 thousand screaming fans.

No KatyCat (a moniker given to a Katy Perry fan) left disappointed as the 30-year-old singer delivered an energy-filled and visually stunning show on May 7 at the country’s biggest indoor concert venue, the 55-thousand-seater Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Although the show started a bit late, Katy strutted out on stage at around 9:30 p.m. or an hour after the front act The Dolls began to set the party ambiance around the huge arena, everybody was not disappointed with her high-caliber performance. The wait was definitely worth it as Katy per-

formed one hit after another including her biggest singles “Part of Me,” “California Gurls,” “Teenage Dream” and “I Kissed a Girl.”

Wearing a full-length yellow gown, with giant stick-on sunflowers as her props around the stage, she breathed new life to the ballads “Unconditionally” and “By The Grace of God,” which she dedicated to the Filipino crowd that danced and sang along with her throughout the show. Constantly making a connection with her audience, she even called a fan onstage and took a selfie with him.

She also tried to learn a few Tagalog phrases like “mahal kita” and “salamat” with the help of the fan she spotted from the audience.

Katy also dazzled all the KatyCats with her interesting wardrobe. She emerged from the backstage at the start of the show clad in metallic dress and quickly dashed to the backstage coming out onstage with another costume change. During the performance, the singer also dressed up in a couple of cat-inspired costumes, neon multi-colored dresses and some Egyptian inspired outfits. And by different wigs complemente each ensemble as well.

Backed by a dynamic dance crew, she was able to sustain her energy from start to finish.

Her vocals sounded clear and crisp, too. Each song almost

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 43 45 46 48 50 51 52 54 58

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE ACROSS 1 P.D.Q. — 5 Not sunny-side up 9 Pep up 14 Queens stadium 15 Port near Mauna Loa 16 Astaire sister 17 Mallard cousin 18 Gaelic pop star 19 Finalizes 20 Accord 22 Used-car deals 24 Countesses’ hus bands

26 27 30 35 36 37 38 39 42

Diamond — Ned of “Deliverance” Arnold action flick (2 wds.)

Expire, as a policy Reimbursed The Force was with him Deadly snake Move like a scared rabbit Veto

62 63 65 66 67 68 69 70 71

Brooks and Gibson Grimace Mrs. Kramden Party animal?

Leaflets Earth envelope Marsh stalker Is parched Akhenaten, “the — Pharaoh” Attractive guys By and by Gallivant Sprightly Modem-speed unit Sacked out Lugged about Like gargoyles — -majeste

DOWN 1 Tub session 2 Disoriented 3 Grill steaks 4 Gridders’ headgear 5 Porter nom de plume (2 wds.)

6 Fake leather 7 England’s Isle of — 8 Loud noise 9 Dog star 10 For best results 11 Tender cutlets

sounded like the studio version, well a bit different due to variations in arrangements and her attempts at mashups.

In terms of attendance and with the frenzied reception from fans, also the amount of work the people behind the whole show exerted to put up the concert, it’s easy enough to say that this was the best concert Katy has staged in Manila, so far. It’s actually the pop star’s third visit to the Philippines that’s why she already knew Filipinos speak Tagalog. It’s interesting though that no one briefed the singer-songwriter that Filipinos also speak English.

“I know that you don’t understand me right now and unfortunately, I don’t know much of your language either. I wish we could speak the same language, right?” she told the crowd that was actually shouting back at her “We do [understand you].”

The badly planned traffic route at the Philippine Arena complex left the audience in vehicles moving at a snail’s pace after the concert on their way out of the Ciudad de Victoria (some of them were able to leave only after almost three hours,) then it would have been a perfect concert experience. Nonetheless, as people drove back to Quezon City and the nearby areas, everybody was satisfied with the two-

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2015

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“Vogue” rival Loch of note Warren of “Dillinger” Not be detected Law Find fault with Palette adjunct Orchard tree Solemn event Column order Mandate Jazz instruments Subatomic particle Retail giant Less cooked Glisten Gridiron pass Sizzled Chic Horror flick extra Follow — car!

Quasimodo’s creator Monogram pt.

Indian boy of film Fit — — tied Singer Burl Yield Find fault

hour pop spectacle. You could only read exultant Facebook and Instagram posts about their Katy Perry experience.

AFFORDABLE DATA TERMS FOR VIDEO LOVERS As part of the company’s mission in undertaking customer centric changes, Smart Communications, Inc. has unveiled an affordable video services package to mobile subscribers.

A Smart Communications official on Sunday told reporters that both postpaid and prepaid subscribers can access video apps starting from P5, which gives them 65MB of data for watching 15 minutes of standard definition videos, valid for one day.

The new data sachets, which they consider as part of the “on-going evolution of the telco subscribers into digital customers,” will allow mobile device users enjoy YouTube, Vimeo, ViewStream, Skype Qik, Dailymotion and Dubsmash for only a few pesos.

“This move reinforces Smart’s push to deliver fast, fun and worry-free mobile Internet to serve all the needs of Filipinos – whether to connect with loved ones, access news and information, or enjoy the vast wealth of enriching and entertaining online content”, the executive furthered.

Fall in love all over again with the timeless love songs of American R&B and soul singer-songwriter Peabo Bryson as the total performer holds a one-night only concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of the country’s premier destination for worldclass entertainment, Resorts World Manila (RWM at 8 o’clock tonight.

Celebrated for his illustrious musical career with his collaborations with big name artists as Minnie Riperton, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Debbie Gibson, Roberta Flack, and Angela Bofill among others, the two-time Grammy award-winning Bryson has also ventured into opera during his career, most notably in his role as Sporting Life in the Michigan Opera Theater of Detroit’s version of George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess in 1998.

This month fans may get another rare chance to reminisce Bryson’s greatest solo hits all over again such as “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again”, “By The Time This Night Is Over”, “Love Will Always Find A Way”, “Tonight I Celebrate My Love”, “Love Is A Waiting Game”, and such beloved Disney classics as “Beauty and The Beast” and “A Whole New World”.

Consistent with RWM’s goal of showcasing only the best talents from here and abroad, the intimate show promises to relive the magical tunes of previous decades with Peabo Bryson’s biggest hits for his many fans here in the country.

Tickets for Peabo Bryson Live at RWM are now available at Ticketworld – 891-9999, Ticketnet – 9115555, SM Tickets – 470-2222 and Resorts World Box Office – 908-8000 local 7700.

W EDNES DAY : M AY 13 : 2015

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

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PAPAL CHEF ON ‘PROFILES’ A From C8

rewarding experience.”

This is how Chef Jessie Sincioco described her chance to cook for Pope Francis when he visited the Philippines last January 2015.

It was during the birthday of Mary, the Virgin (or Mama Mary to most Catholics) when she received the news that she was handpicked by the papal visit committee led by Apostolic Nuncio Guiseppe Pinto and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle to cook for the pope.

Before this rewarding experience, Chef Jessie wasn’t passionate about cooking. Although she grew up in a household that served complete meals, from appetizers, soup, salad, to the main course and dessert, spending time in the kitchen wasn’t appealing to her.

It was the influence of her aunt, Estelita Dy, that made her change her mind. She fell in love with baking and won the grand prize in the Great Maya Cookfest in 1983.

Today, she now manages JCS Gastronomie, Inc. and operates Chef Jessie Rockwell Club, Top of the Citi, and 100, the revolving restaurant in the city.

Meet Chef Jessie on Friday as Profiles host Mitzi Borromeo sits

down with her and shares her success story.

Profiles airs Fridays at 9:30 p.m. only on CNN Philippines.

HHHHH With an entire world of hit shows, blockbusters and movie classics, and top-rating series, TV viewers nowadays crave for options and flexibility in their cable TV subscription so they can experience all the programs they want. It’s no longer enough that a subscriber only has access to a fixed number of channels. What fun and relaxation seekers want these days, especially moms who aim to provide all the best for her family, is the power to choose the channels they can tune-in to.

Thankfully, subscribers can now add more channels to their basic plan through SELECT – a SKYcable-pioneered cable TV service that allow you to personalize your channel line-up.

The widest, biggest, and most diverse channel roster in the country awaits every cable subscriber. Enjoy channels that fit the preference and interest of every family member from SKYcable’s wide range of genre based channels such as: movies, cartoons, learning, sports, lifestyle, music, news, general en-

Apostolic Nuncio to Manila Giuseppe Pinto and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle chose Jessie Sincioco to be the chef for Pope Francis during his visit to Manila

tertainment, and foreign (Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indian).

Expand and choose from over 90 a la carte HD and standard definition channels to add to your basic cable – which you can opt to renew or change after every month, without having to upgrade your cable plan. With this capability at your fingertips, everyone at home can create a cable TV experience that’s genuinely their own, for as low as P20 per month Never miss out on the latest shows and stay up-to-date with the hottest trends through the

biggest and most innovative digital cable TV service provider in the Philippines. Only SKYcable provides quality home entertainment, with its widest range of over 190 HD and standard definition channels, and top-of-the-line services such as SELECT that enables you to add channels to your basic plan, iRECORD that records, pauses, and rewinds live TV, and PAY-PER-VIEW and FREE VIEW that let you watch live and real-time coverage of sporting events and concerts, as well as movies and TV specials.

To subscribe and know more about SKYcable, log on to www. mysky.com.ph, or call the 24-hour customer service hotlines at 02381-0000 for Metro Manila and Rizal, 046-484-4701 for Cavite, 049-534-1555 for Binan, Calamba and Sta. Rosa, Laguna, 02-5208560 for San Pedro, Laguna, 044693-5877 for Bulacan, 074-4424841 for Baguio, 032-421-1818 for Cebu, 034-432 0051 for Bacolod, 033-300-1210 for Iloilo, 035-2251010 for Dumaguete, 082-3055456 for Davao, and 083-301-3134 for Gen. Santos City.

NATIONWIDE AUDITIONS FOR ‘KISPINOY’ REACHING FEVER PITCH

T

Richard Gutierrez and Jinri Park host KISPINOY, a reality TV search for K-Pop Pinoys to be telecast on TV5

he KISPINOY fever is taking the Philippines by storm.

Richard Gutierrez, one of local showbiz’s most celebrated dreamboats and KISPINOY main host, is impressed by the huge turnout at the nationwide auditions. “The program is something different. It is a talent search but there is also the Korean component.”

To be aired on primetime on TV5 starting June, KISPINOY is a reality-based talent search that aims to discover and develop the next K-Pop sensation. Expect drama, tension, and surprises as the contestants vie for a chance to win a recording and management contract and to be trained extensively in Korea under the K-Pop system.

“Filipinos are naturally gifted performers. That’s why we came all the way here to Manila. We believe that a Filipino is the next K-Pop idol,” says Matthew Choi, KISPINOY founder and producer.

To transform these Pinoy K-Pop aspirants into the total K-Pop package, some of Korea’s top artists and star makers will sit as judges or act as mentors to the shortlisted hopefuls. They

will see to it that every facet that makes one a certified K-Pop star is closely supervised, from styling to sound to dance moves and singing prowess.

KISPINOY is produced by YU&IQ International, Inc., in partnership with YU&IQ Korea and NH Media. A major investor of KISPINOY, YU&IQ Korea (formerly Ryu’s Entertainment) is the impresario behind the award-winning film and television shows starring Seo Young Hee and Lee Mun Sik. “It makes me proud to know that these talented Filipino kids are headed for Asian and global stardom,” adds Richard. His KISPINOY co-host, the sultry Korean model Jinri Park looks forward to gracing the nationwide auditions. “I will be interviewing the KISPINOY aspirants and going behind-the-scenes. I am very excited about it,” shares Jinri.

And indeed, the KISPINOY auditions are heating up.

To date, the biggest turnout was at the Cinematheque in Davao City where almost a thousand braved the long queues despite the humid weather. Thankfully, it rained by the afternoon of Day One, but then you have to

give it to the Davaoeños who remained very passionate and tireless. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they seized it.

Two of the Davao misses to keep an eye on are Mary, 18, and 15-year-old Jayrah. Mary has been singing since she was 4. Her vocal pipes are just amazing and with a sob story to boot (Mary’s Japanese dad abandoned them), viewers are sure to cheer her on if and when she makes the final cut.

Jayrah, on the other hand, is hard to ignore with her blue locks.

KISPINOY is open to all Filipinos ages 13 and up. Those interested can record their songs and dance performances in booths that will be set up in designated SM malls nationwide.

These recordings will be sent to Korea for screening.

The remaining audition dates and venues are as follows: May 13 and14, SM City North Edsa; May 13-15, SM City Cebu; and May 21-23, SM City Dasmarinas and SM City Bacolod.

To catch more of the KISPINOY fever, connect with them through their social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

W EDNES DAY : M AY 13 : 2015

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Fifth Dynamics - Daryl Jay Santos (bass guitar), Mark Cordovales (vocals), John Peterson Layva (rhythm guitar), Eljon Nono (lead guitar) and Aldrin Condat (drums) Fifth Dynamics surprised as they received their award when project head, Chris Cahilig announced that they are one of the three champions chosen for McJIM Dreams Get Real.

‘GET REAL’ CHAMPIONS ROCKING OPM SCENE ISAH V. RED Barely a year after the first McJim Classic Leather Dreams Get Real: The Search for the Next OPM Star declared three emerging recording artists winners, the three music talens have stamped a mark in the local music industry.

With chart-topping and viral hits along with malls, bars and corporate gigs across the country and radio and television guest appearances, the triple-tie winners—Fifth Dynamics, JBK, and Neo Domingo—are rocking the music scene after McJim took a chance on them and helped them in charting a direction for their budding careers.

Much sought-after boy band JBK, composed of Joshua Bulot, Bryan Del Rosario, and Kim Lawrenz Ordonio, is making everyone’s heart melt. The group’s R&B-infused ballad,“Anong Meron Ka,” enjoys wide airplay on nationwide radio and on music TV channels.

The group readily acknowledges how McJim has been instrumental in chasing their dreams.

“Because of McJim Dreams Get Real talent search, doors of opportunities were opened, helping us land in different shows,” says Del Rosario of JBK. “We also released our single with the help of McJim, which is a huge deal for us. Plus, seeing people recognize and support us is priceless.”

On the other hand, Fifth Dynamics, led by former The Voice of the Philippines contestant Mark

Cordovales and members John Peterson Leyva, Wence Escabas, Aldrin Condat, and Jhay Santos, has released two chart-topping singles titled “Anyare” and “Pogi Kame”.

“Before, we just listen to our favorite bands on the radio, but now we hear our own songs being requested.

That’s crazy!” says Cordovales.

He added that McJim supported them and other winners in a number of ways that resulted in a stable career for all three of them.

McJim’s support includes series of shows across the country, music video sponsorships, bus advertisements, posters, and the overall creative direction of the band.

The third winner, Neo Domingo, also topped national and local charts with his debut single “Pagbigyan Mo Na”. It was likewise named as the Most Wanted Song of 97.1 Barangay LS FM. The rising pop balladeer is also expanding his horizons by reviving the late ’90s and early 2000s novelty genre.

His follow-up novelty single “Kaching-Kaching,” featuring his fellow McJim dreamer Fifth Dynamics, is now heavily played on different stations and is currently in the soundtrack of GMA’s hit sitcom Ismol Family.

“McJim Dreams Get Real has been a huge help in launching my career. Seeing my name and my singles on different top charts together with those of big names in the music industry is a dream come true,” Domingo avers.

“My newest single is very different from my genre but I’m thankful that fans still like to listen to my music. I grew up in a generation where novelty songs are like

a national anthem and I want this generation to experience that kind of music,” says Domingo.

The talents are likewise in the process of completing their debut albums produced by award-winning arranger and composer Jonathan Ong of SonicState Studio.

But there is no stopping what McJim has set out to do, which is to open more doors of opportunity for aspiring artists and to give them a platform on which they can showcase their talents.

Banking on the success of last year’s competition, McJim‘s Dreams Get Real: The Search for the Next OPM Star will have a second season. It will be open to all unsigned male and female solo artists, aged 15 to 35 years old, with Filipino lineage.

To all aspiring artists who want to follow in the footsteps of the three McJim Dreamers, McJim Classic Leather extends this invitation: send your video recording or a Youtube link of your performance/s (you may opt to submit a cover or an original song of any genre of your choice) together with the filled-out application form on or before May 15.

Chris Cahilig, Dreams Get Real project head, proudly declares, “We aim to make Dreams Get Real talent search even bigger, brighter, and better this year. We now offer a full album and music video grant; P100,000 in cash prize; artist marketing support; and a talent management contract to the sole winner!”

Like the official McJim classic leather facebook page at www. facebook.com/OfficialMcJIM and get more information on how you can be the next OPM star. ➜ Continued on C7

Neo Domingo bagged two trophies for his single “Pagbigyan Mo Na” composed by Urie Tesorio. He won “DJ’s Choice” award and went on a triple-tie with Fifth Dynamics and JBK as Grand Champions of McJIM Dreams Get Real.

JBK - Joshua Bulot, Bryan Del Rosario, Kim Ordonio Boy band, JBK receiving their championship trophy after the unexpected announcement of triple tie between JBK, Neo Domingo and Fifth Dynamics.

Aside from the trophies, the Grand Champions also received a talent management contract and a grant to produce their own music videos.