The Standard - 2015 05 16 - Saturday

VOL. XXIX  NO. 88  3 Sections  32 Pages  P18  SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015  www.manilastandardtoday.com  editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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Tagle named new head of Caritas Int’l

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Army chief slapped with graft charge

GRACE TO NOY: BE MY GUIDE Next page

Come a long way. File photo shows Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares at the start of her term in 2013. She is now among the most favored candidates for the 2016 presidential elections. EY ACASIO

Barako Bull stuns TNT, 94-87

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Regional hub role for PH

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‘AMLC probe will scare off businessmen’

By Vito Barcelo

‘Chilling effect.’ Vice President Jejomar Binay shows some documents to businessmen Ed Lacson (left) and Miguel Varela during the 36th National Conference of Employers at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on Friday. In his speech, Binay said the freeze order issued by the Court of Appeals on his bank accounts and those of his family and friends was creating a chilling effect on businesses. DANNY PATA

Grateful Poe seeks Aquino’s guidance

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Grace Poe said Friday she intends to seek the guidance of President Benigno Aquino III in whatever role she may find herself in for the good of the country.

In a text message to reporters, Poe said no one can deny the reforms in governance and economic gains under the Aquino administration.

“I believe in his vision for our country even before I was elected into office.

He has preserved with his vision even through many challenges,” said Poe, who is being wooed by the President to run in 2016 under the Liberal Party banner.

Aquino, also LP chairman, had even told Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, the presumptive LP presidential candidate in 2016, to do something to improve his approval ratings in the opinion polls.

Aquino met Poe before he left for a four-day visit to the United States and Canada.

While Aquino, did not directly tell Poe that the LP wanted her to be either its standard bearer or vice presidential candidate in next year’s election, the senator said the President told her the LP needs an alternative candidate.

She added that Aquino also made it clear to her the alternative candidate need not be an LP member, but someone who has the chance of winning the elections and who can carry out the current reforms of the present administration

“I believe in his vision for our country even before I was elected into office. He has preserved with his vision even through many challenges,” said Poe.

and its fight against corruption.

On Thursday, the President said he believes Poe would be among those who can continue the reforms that he said his administration has started.

Sought for her reaction on the Aquino’s remark, Poe said: “I am grateful that the President counts me as one of the ones who can continue what he started.”

The President last week confirmed his meeting with Poe, saying they talked about the 2016 elections.

Senator Francis Esecudro on Friday said most of those who aspire for higher position in 2016 are not prepared to do it right now because they lack the resources.

Escudero has been tagged as another possible candidate for higher office in 2016, but he brushed off as mere speculation that he would run beside Poe or Roxas.

“In my case, it is clear that I have no resources in connection with running in 2016 elections so I have to study carefully,” Escudero said.

Escudero said nobody has approached him to run for president.

Poe on Friday said the President was non-commital when he asked him point blank if he would support her run for the presidency even if she were not a Liberal Party member.

“I clearly asked him: Mr. President, if I am considered... will you support me even though I am not a Liberal?” Poe said, recalling her conversation with Aquino before he flew to the United States and Canada earlier this month.

“And he said he wants to have a consultation with his group even if I am not exactly a Liberal because I also have principles like the reforms he is pushing,” she said.

“But of course, the President has to consult his party for the approval. But he said, he would like to make that commitment,” she said.

Poe said she wanted to be sure of herself before deciding what to do in 2016.

“It is also most important that you have truly made a decision, not only because you think you can win but because you can really help people because our biggest problem is poverty,” Poe said.

The senator said she also needs to consult her mother, veteran actress Susan Roces.

VICE President Jejomar Binay said the leak of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) report requesting a freeze on his assets would have a chilling effect on the business community.

Binay, guest speaker at the 36th National Conference of Employers held at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City, said he hoped the AMLC report seeking a freeze of some 242 bank accounts—five of which are under his name—would be resolved soon.

“Let us all hope this whimsical use of regulatory powers is stopped sooner than later. It creates a chilling effect on confidence in business and banking system that is detrimental to our economy and development,” he said.

Binay joked that he hopes no one among the participants will be invited to attend the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearings for being called his friend.

“Now that I have referred to you as dear friends, I hope you will not get an instant invitation from the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee to prove you are not my dummies, and your companies, not my dummy corporations,” he quipped.

“It is also my prayer your bank accounts will not be subjected by AMLC to a freeze order solely on the basis of our friendship and association, or the fact that you are in the same room as Jojo Binay,” he added.

Binay lamented the order, fearing that persons close to him would also be persecuted.

“Such is the sad fate of some honest and hardworking businesspersons I know.

They were publicly ridiculed, intimidated and harassed, and their bank accounts now frozen simply because they happened to be my friends,” he said.

Binay said he was not surprised that AMLC’s report had been leaked to other parties even as he himself has not yet received a copy.

“I would no longer ask how they did get the report which according to the law is confidential. But I know why this repoprt was revealed,” he said.

The AMLC report was one-ided because it did not include his responses to its findings, Binay said.

“The AMLC is wrong – very wrong,” Binay said.

“You learned from media reports that I am supposed to have 242 bank accounts.

I even beat Bill Gates and Warren Buffet—and I didn’t know there were so many banks in the Philippines,” Binay said in Filipino.

Binay said the funds in his bank accounts came from his income, savings and investments before he joined government as well as the campaign donations when he ran for vice president in 2010.

“The AMLC claims that my only income comes from my job as the Vice President, so there is a discrepancy between that and what they see in my bank accounts. There is no truth to that,” Binay said.

“They did not ask how much my salary was before I became mayor. What my wife earned as a doctor and what I earned as a lawyer and a teacher, and what we realized from our businesses that began in the 1980s is not hidden wealth. We paid the correct taxes on those earnings,” Binay added.

The Vice President also stressed that the campaign contributions he received were duly reported to the Commission on Elections.

UP law professor Harry Roque said the freeze order on Binay’s assets does not constitute guilt in a criminal case, contrary to what his political rivals are trying to project. – With Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Army chief sued for corruption

By Florante S. Solmerin A GRAFT complaint has been filed before the Ombudsman against Army chief Lieutenant General Hernando Irriberi by three defense and military suppliers in connection with three ammunition-supply projects worth P97,789,500.

President Benigno Aquino III appointed Irriberi as Army chief in February 2014.

Irriberi is a known “favorite” of Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin whose office has also been rocked by corruption charges, including the P1.2-billion Huey contract.

The nine-page complaint against Irriberi, a copy of which was obtained by The Standard from a source at the Office of the Ombudsman, was filed on May 5, 2015, by Roperlynn Comahig, a representative of JoaviPhiippines Corporation with an office based on Unit 8J, Forbeswood Heights, Tower 2 at the Bonifacio Glbal City in Taguig City.

The firm is reportedly managed and operated by businesswoman Jocelyn Magcale who is said to have “deep connections” at the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines when it comes to “big-ticket items” for the Army.

Based on documents, JPC is “a domestic corporation engaged in the business of supplying defense and military equipment, among others, and representing foreign entities that supply defense and military equipment in procurement activities of the Philippine government.”

JPC’s foreign partners in the projects include Talon Security Consulting & Trade Ltd. (TSCTL) and Kompanija Sloboda, A.D. (KSAD).

The suppliers accuse Irriberi of violation of Section 3(f) of Republic Act 3019.

He is accused of not issuing the necessary documents for the suppliers to comply with the delivery of the items as prescribed by the Procurement Law on schedule.

The projects include the procurements of 1,635 rounds of ctg. 105mm HE with Fuze under Contract Number (ORD) 074-10-11 worth P49,050,000; 1,650 rounds of ctg. 105mm HE with Fuze under Contract No. (ORD) 090-1111 worth P44,500,000; and 1,862 rounds of ctg. 40mm AGL ammunition under Contract No. (ORD) 098-12-09 worth P4,189,500.

JPC claims that the projects were awarded to it through “public biddings” from 2010-2012, but because of the nonissuance of requisite documents such as the End-User Certificate (EUC) and Notice to Proceed by the Army chief, the contracts were shelved by Contract Termination Review Committee (CTRC).

But through appeals and negotiations, the CTRC approved the amendment on the contracts and then resolved and recommended their implementation right at the start of Irriberi’s term. It also imposed on the suppliers “ten percent liquidated damages and the amendment of the contracts instead of their rescission.”

But Irriberi refused to act on the amended contracts despite “reasonable follow ups.”

Santacruzan against K-to-12 Law. Youth and student groups marched on the Commission on Higher Education’s offices in Quezon City on Friday to protest the K-to-12 Law and to ask for President Benigno Aquino III’s resignation through a mock Santacruzan. MAnny PALMero

Survey: Most see no benefit in BBL okay

By Sandy Araneta MOST Filipinos see little or no benefit at all in seeking peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), with only one in five approving of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), a new survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) revealed yesterday.

“In terms of the benefit to Filipinos of the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the national opinion was somewhat negative in March 2015, with 42 percent saying there would be some or much benefit, while 56 percent thought there would be little or no benefit,” the SWS said in its survey conducted

from March 20 to 23.

Approval for the BBL dropped the its lowest rate after the Mamasapano, Maguindanao massacre of 44 police commandos in January. “(A) generally favorable attitude towards the peace agreements prevailed until after the Jan. 25 incident in Mamasapano, and in March 2015 attitudes towards the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law were on balance negative throughout the country,” the SWS said.

The survey consisted of faceto-face interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide, 300 each from Metro Manila, the balance of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

The margin of error on national percentages was 3 percent and on regional percentages, 6 percent, SWS said.

Respondents in the proposed core territory of the proposed Bansamoro political entity— with the exception of Sulu— said they were still hopeful, however, that the BBL would bring peace and development.

“Despite the storm of controversy that followed the Jan. 25 Mamasapano encounter, and the delays in Congressional deliberations on the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law that ensued, residents of the core territory of the Bangsamoro are still hopeful that Congress could pass the law. The exception to

this is in Sulu, where residents are somewhat not hopeful,” the SWS said.

A special survey, conducted in the core territory of the proposed Bangsamoro from Feb. 22 to March 1, 2015, found respondents who were somewhat more knowledge about the peace agreements and the proposed BBL. In the Sulu archipelago knowledge was less than in mainland areas of the core territory (Maguindanao, Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, six municipalities in Lanao del Norte, and 39 barangays in North Cotabato). Attitudes toward the proposed BBL were positive throughout this core territory.

– With Maricel V. Cruz

KL, Sulu sultanate hold talks on Sabah claim

By Francisco Tuyay THE Sultanate of Sulu and top Malaysian officials held exploratory talks last week over three key issues aimed at resolving the century-old Sabah issue, an official said Friday.

The issues were the 15-percent share of the Sultanate of Sulu in the Gross national Product of Sabah, power sharing in the state of Sabah, and the restoration of the Sultan of Sulu as Sultan of Sabah, said Sultan Abraham Idjirani, secretary-general of the Sultanate of Sulu He said the Malaysian officials were sent by Prime Minister Najib Razak to thresh out the pressing issues relating to Sabah, which for years had caused security problems for both parties.

Idjirani said the proposed 15-percent share in Sabah’s GNP was a new mechanism devised by the Sulu Sultanate to replace the rent on Sabah being paid to the sultanate, which is 5,300 ringgit or P67,000 a year.

Idjirani described the rent as di-

minutive and said the sultanate “This matter would surely spur sociomust share the income that Malaysia economic development in those areas,” was earning in the oil- and gas-rich Idjirani said.

Sabah.

Informed sources said Malaysia was offering the Sultanate two opREPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES tions on Sabah: a possible lump sum COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS payment or a higher rental fee.

When asked to comment, Idjirani ANNOUNCEMENT said they would rather pursue the immediate resolution of the Sabah President Benigno S. Aquino III has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for issue. confirmation the ad interim appointment of HON. “If the GNP of Sabah is $100 bilADELIO ANGELITO S. CRUZ, as Chief of Mission, Class II, in the Department of Foreign Affairs. lion annually, the Sultanate of Sulu... would get a hefty $15 billion for the The public may submit any information, written report or sworn complaints or oppositions in forty (40) same period—a major turning point copies on the above appointment to the CA Secretariat, that could spur massive socio-eco6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. nomic development in Mindanao,” Idjirani said.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone He said of that amount, 5 percent numbers 551-7532, 831-0893, 831-1824, 834-2706, would go to the Royal families of the 831-1566 and 834-2713.

Sultanate while the remaining 10 15 May 2015. percent would be distributed equally to the provinces of Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, ARTURO L. TIU Secretary Basilan, the Zamboanga peninsula, (TS-MAY 16, 2015) Palawan and part of the Visayas.

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Manila’s Tagle gets Caritas Int’l post

New Caritas President. Pope

Francis speaks to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle during a ceremony to bless the new image of Saint Pedro Calungsod at St Peter’s basilica last November 21 at the Vatican.

Tagle, 57, was elected head of the Caritas aid network, which includes 165 organizations around the world, at a general assembly in Rome.

AFP

By Sara Fabunan ManIla archbishop luis antonio cardinal Tagle, the newly elected president of catholic aid organization caritas Internationalis, has called for a strengthening of the church’s commitment to serve the poor and the marginalized.

Speaking on the phone from the United States to accept his new post, Tagle said a united effort is needed in building a “church of the poor.” “let us together strengthen the church of the poor so our witness can help guide us to a world of understanding justice, true freedom and peace,” Tagle said to delegates from over 130 caritas member-organizations from all over the world who were meeting in Rome to elect a new president.

“Thank you for your trust. I’m limited in my capacities but with all of you, with the love that Jesus has poured into our hearts and in the name of all of the poor people in the world, I accept this election,” he said.

The cardinal learned of his election while was in the US, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the catholic Theological University in chicago.

Rev. Edu gariguez, executive secretary of caritas Philippines, said Tagle will fly to Rome to formally assume the presidency of the global confederation of catholic charities. gariguez said there “there is not much fanfare or politicking or even campaigning” during the caritas elections. Because Tagle was not able to personally appear before the assembly, a video message from him was played instead.

Kentex workers to get aid Labor and Employment Secretary rosalinda baldoz said employees who were injured or died in the fire incident that destroyed a slipper factory in Valenzuela are entitled to claim corresponding benefits under the Employees Compensation Program.

Employees compensation commission Executive Director Stella Zipagan-Banawis said the injured victims may claim loss of income and medical reimbursements while the families of those who died may claim funeral and death benefits.

The four-hour fire that broke out at the Kentex Manufacturing corp. plant in Valenzuela city left 72 employees dead and 30 others missing.

Under the program, an employee who is unable to work because of a work-related injury is entitled to cash benefits to compensate for lost income.

“Workers can reimburse the cost of medicine, payment to providers of medical care, hospital

care, surgical expenses and the cost of medical appliances and supplies that they availed of from accredited hospitals,” Banawis said.

“Once their claim has been approved, they are qualified to enroll under the Katulong at gabay sa Manggagawang may Kapansanan (Kagabay),” Banawis added.

“The families of those who died as a result of the incident are entitled to receive funeral benefits worth P20,000 and death benefits in the form of monthly pensions. This is granted to the surviving spouse and a maximum of five dependent children of the worker,” Banawis said.

Meanwhile, the department accused Kentex of engaging in illegal labor sub-contracting.

“I need to say this in the wake of this deadly accident. The company has engaged, and is engaging, the services of an illegal sub-contractor, a violation of the labor code, and therefore, it is responsible for the sub-contractor’s workers,” labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

The sub-contractor, cJc Manpower Services with offices on Macarthur Highway, calvario, Meycauayan, Bulacan, was formerly known as Panday Management

and labor consultancy and is owned by a certain cynthia Dimayuga. “cJc has 104 workers deployed at Kentex at the time of the fire, and the DOlE has obtained a copy of the list of these workers provided by Jinky anne Salas, cJc Human Resource Manager. When compared to the list of missing persons of Valenzuela city’s DSWD, it appeared that 36 of the missing persons are cJc workers deployed at Kentex,” according to DOlE national capital Region Director alex avila.

In the Senate, senators on Friday called for a thorough investigation of the Valenzuela fire in order to punish those liable.

“We have to get a comprehensive and honest assessment to make sure that all at fault will be made accountable,” said Senator grace Poe. Senator chiz Escudero said the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Valenzuela city government and the Department of labor and Employment should jointly investigate and look into this incident, not only for possible violations of the fire and labor codes but also relevant local ordinances to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

Palace praises El Gamma act

By Sandy Araneta Malacanang on Friday congratulated the Filipino shadow-play group El gamma Penumbra for winning top prize of asia’s got Talent, considered as the biggest talent search in the region.

“We praise the group El gamma Penumbra for their victory in asia’s got Talent finals in Singapore,” said communications Secretary Herminio coloma Jr., in a text message to the Malacanang Press corps. “They symbolize the Filipinos’ wisdom and skill, which in many instances, have been proven in different fields.” coloma also praised third-place winner gerphil Flores, a Filipino singer, and 10-year-old Filipino singer gwyneth Dorado, who was also chosen as a finalist.

Four years after their grand finals bid in “Pilipinas got Talent,” El gamma

Penumbra was named the first winner of the asia-wide edition last Thursday.

Flores is also a former “Pilipinas got Talent” contestant.

The all-Filipino troupe from Tanauan, Batangas beat eight other finalists, including three other Philippine acts, after earning the most votes from the regional audience of “asia’s got Talent.”

Filipinos Marc nelson and Rovilson Fernandez host the show.

Khusugtun, a traditional music ensemble from Mongolia, placed second.

Both Filipino contenders in the top three were early favorites in the talent search, which debuted in March on the aXn asia channel.

El gamma Penumbra took the stage with its signature message of social relevance, this time about caring for the environment. Flores, meanwhile, had judge David Foster promising her global fame after her rendition of “The Impossible Dream.”

Laid to rest. Workers carry the coffin bearing a fire victim to a temporary tomb in Valen-

zuela City on Friday. Seventy-two people died when a fire tore through the Kentex slipper factory. NOEL CELIS

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Luy: No pork talks with Gigi

By Rio N. Araja

STATE witness Benhur Luy on Friday admitted that he never spoke Jessica Lucille “Gigi” Reyes, the former chief of staff of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, about pork barrel funds or kickbacks.

At a hearing before the Sandiganbayan which is hearing tha plunder case against Enrile and Reyes, Luy told the anti-graft court that he and Reyes just talked about the Cohen diet, a popular diet program, and not about the commission.

Luy claimed he was only spoke about pork barrel funds with Enrile’s deputy chief of staff, Jose Antonio Evangelista II. Reyes maintained any involvement in the release of Enrile’s pork barrel funds.

Luy said it was their middlemen who made the transactions with businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, suspected mastermind of the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund, and with Enrile’s office.

Provisional state witness Ruby Tuason, her husband Carlos Tuason, Napoles’ friend Maria Teresa de Joyo, and Napoles’ lawyer Alfred Villamor had been identified as the middlemen.

In a partial motion for reconsideration by lawyers Edwardson Ong and Mercedes Isabel Mayoralgo of Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas Law Offices, Evangelista supposedly took full responsibility for processing the disbursement of Enrile’s PDAF allocation.

During yesterday’s hearing, the Third Division questioned Luy’s documents for lack of important information, citing why there was no name of the alleged middlemen in his records of transaction in 2008.

For his part, Luy told the court that such transaction was only a continuation of an advance payment and he failed to document several transactions made with different lawmakers who directly dealt with Napoles.

“I recorded transactions that I directly handled. Napoles had her red notebook of her own transactions,” he added.

He maintained that there was no implementation of projects coursed through non-government organizations put up by Napoles, citing they even overpriced the projects.

He also testified that Napoles, who is now detained for serious illegal detention, charged a five-percent “tax” on the kickbacks she allegedly gave to lawmakers.

“The five percent tax just went to Napoles.

She benefited from the taxes,” he said, adding that a lawmaker would usually get a 40 percent kickback, of which 5 percent was being deducted as tax, he added.

The camp of Napoles, however, said Luy’s testimony was incredible with Napoles lawyer Stephen David saying it would be difficult to believe that the lawmakers would agree to 5 percent taxation from kickbacks.

“Would you think senators would give in to such scheme of percentage deduction unless if it would go to government’s coffers?” he asked. “There is no value-added tax on money one has stolen from the government.”

Napoles is facing several counts of plunder and graft suits along with Enrile, Senators Ramon Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada to ghost foundations for kickbacks.

The Makati City Regional Trial Court had earlier sentenced Napoles to suffer life imprisonment at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City for serious illegal detention of Luy.

Sympathy protest.

Members of labor groups light candles as they hold a sympathy protest in front of the gates of a footwear factory in Va l e n z u e l a Vity, three days after a fire that killed 72 of its workers.

AFP PHOTO

Charge allies, PNoy urged

By Sara D. Fabunan PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III should use his remaining time of his term to fulfill his promise of “tuwid na daan (straight path)” and prosecute all officials involved in the pork barrel scam even if it means charging his own allies.

“They should go after those involved in the pork barrel scam even if they are allies,” Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo said during the launching of the Serviam Foundation’s “Servant Leadership in Public Service” forum at the Archdiocese of Manila office in Intramuros.

“It’s more believable if they do that. They should not use ‘tuwid na daan’ in taking down their enemies,” Pabillo said, noting the persecution of those perceived to be against the Aquino administration.

With only a year to go before Aquino’s term ends, Pabillo said the people have yet to see “if the path is really straight” because “many are still corrupt and poor.”

According to him, all those implicated in the multi-billion peso scandal should be investigated including even the allies of Malacañang.

“They can no longer undo what they failed to do in the last five years but at least they can show that they are serious about it,” Pabillo said.

DFA salutes slain Lucenario FOREIGN Secretary Albert del Rosario and the entire foreign service held an emotional necrological service to salute the late ambassador Domingo Lucenario who was killed in the line of duty in a helicopter crash in northern Pakistan on May 8.

The Philippine flag flew at half-mast as employees of the Department of Foreign Affairs, all wearing black armbands, delivered eulogies for the ambassador whose career spanned more than 25 years.

Del Rosario called Lucenario “the diplomat’s diplomat” and an outstanding inspiration to the men and women of the Philippine Foreign Service.

“When he presents his credentials to our Creator he will

no doubt be received warmly and with open arms to hear the words: ‘Well done, my son, well done. You did good’,” the foreign secretary said in his eulogy.

Lucenario’s wife, lawyer Nida Lucenario, on the other hand, thanked Filipinos in countries where Lucenario had been assigned for calling him an “ambassador with a heart.”

“According to them, he is the only ambassador, regardless of your station in life, who they can call anytime and he will go to the Filipino who needs his help,” said Mrs. Lucenario, who was accompanied by her three children Marien, Domingo III, and Dominique.

“In this time of pain and sorrow, which is the most dif-

ficult time in our family, I still feel blessed that our family is still blessed when I have seen the tremendous outpouring of sympathy and love for Doy. We have nothing but grateful hearts to those who gave kind words, shard a memory, laughed and cried with us, and shared this moment with us,” she added.

President Benigno S. Aquino III, who was accompanied

by Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Presidential Management Staff Chief Julia Abad, arrived at Lucenario’s wake at Arlington Chapel of the Heritage Park in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City at 5:50 p.m.

Lucenario’s burial is scheduled to be interred on May 16.

Diplomat’s diplomat. President Benigno S. Aquino III listens to lawyer Nida Lucenario and her children Marien, Domingo III, and Dominique during the wake for the late ambassador Domingo Lucenario Jr. at the Heritage Park in Taguig City on Thursday. MALACAñANG PHOTO /ROBERT VIñAS

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‘Efficient legal system will promote inclusive growth’

By Maricel V. Cruz

House speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said an effective legal system in the country would attract investors and promote inclusive growth in the country.

“Clearly, the proper functioning of our country’s legal system is strongly linked to matters of good governance and economic growth,” Belmonte said in his speech before the members of the Philippine Bar Association.

Belmonte cited Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, in her 2007 paper titled “Justice and the Cost of Doing Business”, where the latter said the

effective functioning of the judicial system has significant implications on the growth of the economy and on foreign investments.

In her paper, Sereno also pointed out that governance problems were at least as important as economic or financial problems in doing business. “Moreover, difficulties in settling legal conflicts were

deemed of greater concern by responding businessmen than poor, physical infrastructure and access to credit,” Belmonte said.

Belmonte nonetheless said the country is on the right track now and “in better shape today than it was four or five years ago.” the economy, for instance, has registered higher growth rates averaging at around 6.3 percent annually. the country has also improved its ranking in various global competitiveness report cards and has been given an investment grade credit rating.

“However, we still have much to do to eradicate poverty in our country. We need to make eco-

nomic growth more inclusive, to create more and better jobs for our people, raise their income and enhance their living conditions.

We need more investments and business activities to absorb our growing labor force,” the speaker said.

On the Asean integration, Belmonte said it was essential that the Philippines continue working toward a legal environment that is conducive to attracting investments and enhancing competitiveness. “the existing legal framework may not be sufficient for the region to achieve a completely free exchange of goods and services,” he pointed out.

Prayers for the dead. Members of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation offer prayers in front of a funeral parlor in Valenzuela City

Filipino flight inspector dies of heart attack in Thailand

By Eric B. Apolonio A fLIgHt operations safety inspector of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines died of heart attack on thursday before he can board his flight back to Manila from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Capt. D’artagnan espolon Mercano, 68, had just performed his task as principal operations inspector of CAAP in thailand and was supposed to board Cebu Pacific flight 5J930 bound for Manila when he collapsed at the airport’s departure area.

He was given CPr at the airport and was brought to Samitivej Shinakarin Hospital in Suanluang in Bangkok where he was pronounced dead at 8:45 thursday night.

An Adamson University chemical engineering alumnus, Mercano began his career as YS11 Captain at filipinas Orient Airways in 1969, a B747-200 Captain of Philippine Airlines in 1974 and from 1999 he became a B747-200 Captain of KAB Airlines-nigeria, Aero Pilipinas Airlines, Orient thai Airlines, Phuket Airlines thailand and Jet 8 Airlines Singapore until 2010 where he retired. He then assumed his job at the CAAP. Colleagues and friends described him as “jolly, generous and kind”.

Mercano’s bereaved family includes spouse emma Antonette Viray and children genevieve, James Patrick and Danica nicole.

where the remains of the victims of the May 13 factory fire temporarily lie. AFP

Caloocan City officials, staff volunteer for school cleanup

By Jun David

Summer in the city. Children in Makati can swim all day long in their inflatable pools. DIANA NOCHE

DePArtMent heads and employees of the Caloocan City Hall will take the lead in volunteering their labor and personal resources for the yearly clean-up drive and beautification project in different public schools in the city. this initiative is in support of the yearly Brigada eskwela project of the Department of education (Deped) in preparation for the opening of classes.

Mayor Oscar Malapitan said that aside from volunteering their time and skills in the clean-up drive, city hall employees also gathered their own funds in order to buy cleaning implements which could be used during the week-long program. the mayor appealed to his constituents to support Brigada eskwela by volunteering manpower or by donating materials that could be used in repairing broken chairs and tables, windows and comfort rooms in schools.

“We hope that the city hall employees will serve

as an example to the residents of Caloocan. We acknowledge the need of our public schools to be more conducive to learning and prepared in times of disasters. And through the unity of the local government, the teachers, parents, students and the community, we can make this happen. I encourage everyone to adopt a local school and extend whatever help they can,” he said.

Malapitan ordered the city engineering office to do dredging and declogging operations in canals and sewers, especially in areas near the schools where flooding is frequent. the city mayor noted the success of last year’s Brigada eskwela where private and public individuals volunteered their resources and skills to prepare the schools and classrooms for the opening of classes.

Brigada eskwela, with the theme “tayo Para sa Kalinisan at Kahandaan ng Ating mga Paaralan”, will be conducted on May 18-22, 2015 in 88 primary and secondary schools all over Caloocan.

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Collective pull. Fishermen of Barangay San Manuel Norte pull their nets together along the shoreline in Agoo, La Union. CHRISTINE JUNIO

Peasants in Negros decry greed of landlords THOUSANDS of Negros peasants took a day off from hacienda work to seek divine assistance on Friday, May 15, during the death anniversary and feast of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, to stop the greed of their landlords.

“We pray for an end to their greed that has caused widespread poverty and misery among peasants. We also ask divine intervention in convincing our lawmakers to immediately pass legislations that will extend and overhaul the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Buksan po sana ninyo ang kanilang puso at isipan upang maisulong ang hustisya para sa mga aping mangunguma,” said Alberto Jayme, Negros chapter president of the national peasant federation Task Force Mapalad (TFM).

The activity, dubbed “Mass and March for Land and Justice,” also included a program held in front of the Fountain of Justice at the old city hall Friday morning where farmers spoke of their sufferings due to landlessness, 27 years after CARP implementation and amid the non-passage of House Bill 4296 and House Bill 4375. In the afternoon, the farmers proceeded to the office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Bacolod to dialogue with DAR local officials on specific land cases.

HB 4296 seeks to renew the DAR’s authority to issue notices of coverage and provide adequate funding for support services to agricultural landholdings that have not yet been placed under the CARP. HB 4375 seeks to create an independent Agrarian Reform Commission to review the actual accomplishment of CARP and investigate circumventions and violations of the CARP Law with a view to cause those landholdings to be redistributed to qualified beneficiaries.

Bontoc’s mountain cracks likely to cause landslides

By Dexter A. See

Bontoc, Mountain Province—Possible widening of cracks along the surface of the mountains above Sitios Khefa and Pawek in Barangay Samoki of this municipality may trigger landslides threatening 115 residential houses, the old catholic church, an elementary school and a day-care center situated at the foot of the mountain.

This was the result of the ocular conducted by geologists of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau—Cordillera Administrative Region, ac-

companied by personnel of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the affected residents recently.

Supervising Geologist Benigno Ceasar L. Espejo of said that cracks are evident on a portion of the mountain above the threatened village. There is also indication of ground movement in the past which may be repeated, causing landslides as the soil is loose.

He added that the ground could move to the right, left or downward, causing a massive landslide.

Espejo advised residents to evacuate their residential houses and move to safer places especially if it rains continuously for three days, or in the event of an earth-

quake, to prevent possible loss of lives.

Governor Leonard G. Mayaen who is also the chairman of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had requested the MGB-CAR to conduct the inspection following the report of the Khefa-Pawek Parents Movement Organization that mountain rocks roll down the village and residents have seen cracks on the surface of the mountain.

The people said they could not sleep peacefully at night especially when it rains or when typhoons hit

the province. They fear rock slides and soil erosion that might subsequently bury their houses, resulting in loss of lives and serious damage to property.

MGB-CAR said cracks on mountainous slopes could worsen in the future with the introduction of natural and man-made interventions that would pose serious danger to life and limb.

Espejo advised people living in mountain slopes to immediately report to their office the existence of fractures and cracks in their places for immediate evaluation.

Agri extension workers undergo Internet training

By Johanne Margarette R. Macob

Peasants’ plea. Thousands of farmers celebrate their patron saint’s feast in a protest march. JIMMY DOMINGO for Task Force Mapalad

STA. BARBARA, PANGASINAN—The training arm of the Department of Agriculture in the region, the Agricultural Training Institute- Regional Training Center 1, conducted a Skills Enhancement Training on Computer-Internet Literacy among agricultural extension workers.

At least 30 workers from Pangasinan and La Union participated in the five-day training at the ATI-RTC1, Brgy. Tebag East, Sta. Barbara this week.

“The training aims to equip and strengthen the capabilities of AEWs [to help them become] effective and efficient and to update them on new technology

especially the knowledge sharing and learning, ICT-based tools in agriculture, and the e-learning component of the e-extension program,” said Maricel Dacapias, ATI-RTC1 information officer.

According to ATI-RTC1 Director Rogelio Evangelista, they want to instill that technology provides help in their extension programs. He said that they hoped “participants will learn that although technology is often complex, it is simply a way of doing things.”

The training also focused on creating an electronic and interactive bridge where farmers, fishermen, and other stakeholders meet and transact to enhance productivity, profitability, and global competitiveness.

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OPINION OPINION

OPINION

A MORE WORDS FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE IN HIS MOUTH

SEVILLA’S GENIE

TALK about leaving legacy upon PRESIDENT Aquinoamay believe heretirement. is just being candid, but his brand of candor Former Commission on Elections Chairman betrays his basic inadequacies as a genuine leader. Sixto Brillantes Jr. certainly leftAta an problem at the Shortly before hefor stepped Brillantes led event with the agency.

Governance Commission GOCCsdown, and the governmentthe commission in approving a P268.8-million deal with Smartmatic for the owned and -controlled corporations that fall under it, Mr. Aquino became visibly refurbishment of the 80,000 precinct count optical scan machines it had first upset at his speechwriters for turning in a long speech at the last minute. acquired from the same company for use in the 2010 elections.

As a result, there was no teleprompter, and what was eventually given to him The PCOS machines are supposed to be repaired and upgraded in time for were four drafts of a hastily-done message he was supposed to deliver to his the May 2016 national polls. audience.

The Supreme Court however shot down the deal as contained in Comelec The event9922 was and a turnover of dividends from Contract the GOCCs to the government Resolution the Extended Warranty Program 1, because and an acknowledgment of the collective good work that the GOCCs had the poll agency failed to justify its resort to direct contracting. accomplished—and during his term, of course.

Petitioners of theall case argued that the Comelec committed grave abuse of In discretion approving thepleased deal, which anomalous andofscandalous. fact, the in President was so that hewas ordered the review the benefits They also said the poll body seemed to be rushing to tap Smartmatic forathe of GOCCs’ employees. Recall that at the beginning of his term, he ordered cap contract. on the benefits of same corporations amid reports that these officials were paying The Comelec now is entertaining themselves unconscionable bonuses. several options on how to prepare for the elections givenhad the no Supreme decision. could bid outwhom the refurbishHe however similar Court’s kind words for hisItspeechwriters, he chided ment of the 82,000 – it says there is still time because the process is supposed for their inefficiency. to last only five months.

“My speechwriters learn to get altogether ready earlier.

You should the Another option is toshould use new machines – 23,000 of themfollow – which efficiency of the ” he said, speaking extemporaneously. are now still in GOCCs, the bidding process.

Under this set-up, though, many preIt is strange that a chief executive would openly acknowledge dependence cincts would share a single machine. The Comelec spokesmanhishas said this on other people whose sole task it is to put words in his mouth.

While everybody would slow down the counting Yet another scheme would entail transportknows thatfrom such a team its importance is not highlighted precisely because ing ballots groupexists, of precincts to a designated voting center.

A manual it is supposed to be staywhen in thevoting background. scenario would is manual with automated transmission of votes.

An extreme scenario is having noPresident elections says. at all,We which some they doomThe main attraction are the words that all assume are sayers have his own, notmentioned his writers’.to spook the people.

The bodywords assures us ittheirs has enough to put in place of these alEvenpoll if those were indeed, time is it not logical that any the President or ternatives, just as soon as it obtains the final decision of the Supreme Court. his alter egos would have given the team guidance on what he wants to include This reassuring now, giventhat thatheweshould have little over thefirst year before in theisfirst place? Isfor it not natural review them before he citieven zens troop to the polling centers again. We will see, in the next few months, utters the first syllable, after the writers’ bosses have supposedly gone over them? whether Comelec can be as confident as it sounds. unthinking leader up would a foreign script and then chastise the ItWhat is easy to get swept intoread thefrom election frenzy, which is expected to scriptwriters? if the prepared speechfor didthe notfiling comeofoncertificates time, should not have intensify as October, the deadline of he candidacy, scribbled a few notes ontohis and perhaps his writers privately? nears.

There is bound be own another circus astold the off campaign season begins.

We knowallnow Aquino does not surprises.

He wants speech Through this,that we Mr. should remember thatlike more fundamental thanhis who will ready in theisteleprompter he could mouth atinterest will. He and always has to blame get elected how they willsowin, or lose.

Withaway equal intensity as we watch the national and races, us ensure manner in which votes somebody, anybody, forlocal the big andletlittle things that the go as planned. areThis cast,President counted and canvassed will truly reflect the people’s will. would rather sound silly than admit he was wrong.

BACK LOWDOWN CHANNEL JOJO A. ALEJANDRO ROBLES DEL ROSARIO IT’S practically inevitable: DESPITE people pushing and All Presidents 1986 pulling her to run since for higher office, Senator Grace Poe is showhave experienced drops in ing politicalassavvy by biding her popularity the end of their time. She knows sheThe doescurnot terms approaches. haveChief to make a decision rent Executive is nountil exthe deadline nears for the subception to this phenomenon. mission of certificates of candiFor instance, the wildly dacy in October this year. With popular Cory Aquino, Vice President Jejomar upon Binay her assumption to the highpolitically damaged by allegaest office in the could tions of graft andland, unexplained get awayGrace withPoe declaring a wealth, should be revolutionary government able to overtake him in the next

Social Weather Stations she and to basically do whatever Pulse Asia surveys. wanted. Nearing the end of Acting on an Anti-Money her tumultuous reign, report Cory Laundering Council could not even summon up that the Vice President and ahis fraction of the early crowds alleged dummies deposited of supportersin that were aca P600-million 242 bank hallmark of her rallies when counts , the Court of Appeals she taskfamily of callhas took frozenonthethe Binay assetsfor which certain tooffurther ing the is extension lease erode poll ratings of the the USVP’s military bases in Against this the Philippines political – a job backthat drop,government Senator Poe miserably confirmed her President Aquino talked to her failed to accomplish. without either one providing Cory’sof their successors, details meeting. for The various reasons, the senator, however, suffered said the Pressame Fidel ident fate. told her he’sRamos lookingwas for hobbled by thecandidate first Asian an alternative who currency crisis,hiswhich wiped will continue reform proout theThe economic gains that gram. key word is “alter-

native.” could in. be lookhis termAquino had ushered ing at Poe as the ruling Liberal Joseph Estrada, while he Party’s presidential candidate in failed to complete 2016 since there washisnoterm, menquickly turned from a popution of a vice presidential slot lar populist leaderallupon offer.

We thought alonghis the election a bad parodywas of LP’s andinto PNoy’s candidate himself, untilLocal he was ousted Interior and Government Secretary Mar Roxas.

So did for his alleged involvement Mar Now, he might have in theRoxas. illegal numbers game tojueteng, step asideamong again. other sins. of Being treated like a doormat And Gloria Macapagal Aris the price Mar pays being royo was helpless to for reverse the President’s ultimate underthe perception of her term ling. But Aquino is delusional if as corruption-riddled, which he thinks his endorsement still caused her survey numbers has political value The reason to dip into territory.

Mar’s ratingnegative is not moving up Noynoy Aquiis President because of voters perception no to be suffering the he’sseems Noynoy’s clone.

Aquino’s frenzied effort to same fate of his predeces-

EDITOR

POWER VIEW FROM POINT MALCOM

ELIZABETH

ATTY. HARRY ANGSIOCO ROQUE JR.

CERVICAL HAS OUR CANCER 101 COMMISSION

[ EDI TORI A L ]

EDITORI TORIAALL ]] [[ EDI

PLAYING HER CARDS RIGHT INEVITABLE DECLINE

EDITOR EDITOR

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

OPINION

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ADELLECHUA CHUA ADELLE CHUA ADELLE

CANCER kills. And some cancers afflict and kill women much more than men. Cervical cancer is among those.

However, in the Philippines, very few know about cervical cancer.

EMBLEMATIC of the hypocrisy and mismanagement Last May 13, I was invited by Likhaan that have become the hallmarks of this administration, Center for Women’s Health to do the the chief of the Bureau of Customs, John Phillip closing remarks for the forum entitled, Sevilla, resigned last week with disturbing allegations “Do Women Really Need Cervical of political pressure and attempts to turn his agency Cancer Vaccine?”. Admittedly, I hesiinto a milking cow to raise campaign funds for favored tated in accepting the invite because candidates in the 2016 elections.

I know next to nothing the disSevilla was the third Customs commissioner HANOI, Vietnam—I am inabout the capital of ease except a few pieces have read. to leave the agency under the administration of Vietnam as afor resource personI in a semiAndoneven these Human focused Rights on theComconPresident Benigno Aquino III, who has made the fight nar “National troversies surrounding the HPV vacagainst corruption the touchstone of his leadership. missions: Experiences from the Region” cine, considered the best prevention Sevilla’s two predecessors had left the bureau amid sponsored by the as Konrad Adenaer Stifagainst this cancer. allegations of corruption, tarnishing Mr. Aquino’s claims tung.

I accepted the invitation because of of good governance. Sevilla took over in December 2013 a long evaluate I’m desire glad Ito said yes the andaffectivity made itofa with the promise of cleaning up what is widely perceived our own Human point to Commission be present atofthe entireRights event. as the most corrupt agency in the bureaucracy. since its establishment through the 1987 It opened my eyes to the horrors of That promise came crashing down less than two Constitution 28 years This cervical cancer andago. also toinvitation ways by years later with Sevilla’s resignation. finally to the opportunity to finalwhichgave the me problem can be addressed.

In announcing his resignation, Sevilla said he was ly conduct this to long-delayed According the Worldstudy.

Health Orbeing pressured to appoint certain people to “very The starting point has to be the very ganization, “cervical cancer is the secsensitive” positions ahead of the 2016 elections, and high expectations of the people that the ond most common cancer in women admitted that he could not finish the job of ending CHR will help promote and protect huliving in less-developed regions with corruption at the bureau. man rights in the country when they an estimated new itself. cases Its in “I don’t compromise on morality,” the resigning created it in the445,000 Constitution 2012 (84 percent of new cases worldCustoms chief said. “The law is clear on what is first head, Chairperson Mary Bautista, wide). be In 2012, approximately 270,000 allowed and [what is] not.” should credited for safeguarding the women died of from cancerbody and In its first statement following the resignation, the independence the cervical constitutional Palace conspicuously ignored Sevilla’s allegations, morepolitical than 85 percent ofCongress these deaths from interference. then and simply announced his replacement, a person took the appointment the Chair and occurring in low andofmiddle-income comments on FB posts—manythe of Commissioners BBL, ”underscored theCommission moral right from the private sector with extensive interests of the countries. them betray the pathetic ignorance ofher a State to its integrity.

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

Department of Health (DOH) Secrered flags that invite close scrutiny,Rightfully if and moral theology were addressed no conflict of interest, as the new Customs chief, so, the Supreme Court ruled tary Esperanza Cabral said that in our 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 comcountry, 8,000 Filipinas are diagnosed 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 withsome the disease yearly, and 3,000 of AQUINO holdings in at least 10 other corporations. intellectual bankruptcy that makes officers whose appointments needed They conpriests were pedophiles. them die.

Coming from WHO’s data The announcement did little to engender firmation Congress.

Thisit insulated the werebyalso told that was shameFIRST, a disclaimer. One national linking this cancer with poverty, Caconfidence. chair andfor members thebeen Commission ful them to of have involved daily, through an online post, atbral’sin figures got me to thinking, how Are we expected to believe that Sevilla’s replacement from political interference. the Pajero scandal. It would be tributed to me the statement that many ofbothersome our women die of to thethe disease would truly divest himself of all his lucrative The Constitution enumerates powless merely laugh off the Chief Justice had, in effect, prewithout being diagnosed because business interests to take a job in the government ers ofsuch the even Commission.

These include the obvious illogicality, but if this judged the Binay case by her line of We can and oughtpower of being poor? in an administration with only a year left? Or is his investigate, the powerortoa issue is to how our countrymen, good questioning at the oral argument. appointment part of efforts that Sevilla resisted to summons, cite in contempt andby power to Cervical cancer is caused certain part of them, reason (or, better, fail to raise the bar of I made no such statement. Somemake sure the ruling party stays in power after 2016? ask assistance from any demonstration branch of governtypes human papilloma virus (HPV) toofdo so!), that of one did call me up however for public discourse and Aquino’s first Customs commissioner, who ment.

Here, we have a serious obstacle in aare dreadful want in thoughtfulness and sexually transmitted.

HPV vian interview on the subject. I gave resigned under a cloud of suspicion when 2,000 task ofreasonability evaluating theshould performance of set more stringentthe and make us ruses are quite common.

It has more him onIy curt replies though he container vans vanished from the bureau in 2011, the Commission.

For while the courts and fearful of democracy’s future inthan 100 types and 13 of these cause standards for the DOJ did attempt, by leading questions, was a close associate of Lina. whose performance may prevails, be meadeed. irrationality cancer.

70 When percent of cervical cancers to make me agree with him on Lina was also Customs chief during the previous suredanything in terms of case disposal and/ or its exchange in public frightful is possible! and precancerous cervical lesions are this assessment—an enticement I administration, before he left abruptly as part of the conviction rate, the CHR can only investiTracing intypes broad strokes caused

by HPV 16 and 18.the hisspaces. steadfastly resisted.

I made clear: “Hyatt 10” Cabinet members who abandoned the gate but has no power to prosecute. tory people of the condonation doctrine in Most are infected

by HPV I did not think it was right for me Arroyo government over an election-related scandal In this the case of Carino Commission of jurisdiction, Ivs.pointed out that shortly after they start being sexually to comment on on-going proceedin 2005, and who now hold considerable influence in Human Rights, Court defined it has beenthe inSupreme ourisjurisprudence for active.

While HPV sexually investransings. What I did, however, was the Aquino administration. the full extent of the Commissions’ some time now—carried over from mitted, it is important to note that one 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 trine of condonation. Justice Adolf can be infected even without penetrain their praise for Sevilla, but have shown none of their evidence and ascertaining therefrom the to long endure.

When Arch- actually has roots in our democratic to cover President’s role aincongressional the in- off Both launched ad war inthe major ofcomment: jail. Reghis Romero wants to lock up surveys showracy that Aquino’s poll survey dataan with dismissive elections remains undiminished.

Azcuna was first to usualthe eagerness to launch investigation tive sex.

Skin-to-skin genital contact is facts of a controversy is not a judicial funcbishop Socthe Villegas issued a state- convictions. I was not advocating cident which left dead 44after members newspapers, but the going on hiscaptured son and away key.

He thought thatto I had numbers arethrow continuing to plumb statements about justattacks continuing Theinto reality, as survey survey allegations of corruption in theof Bureau of Customs, tion, properly speaking.

To be considered another established mode of transmisonwhen the draft an almost the perpetuation of this piece of juthe shown, PNP-Special Action Poe’s expose behind the scenes are doctrine far darker, if not new, Theagreed story ment began the BBL, elder the succinctly.

He particularly since suchForces. a probe such, the faculty evidence and unfamiliar depths despite his do the“friendly work of governance, Comhas is that Aquino is might just sion.risprudence.

It is also of important to state that common comment was: “Bakit Ireceiving was however arguing committee report found Aquino “ulmore tragic.

Romero’s businesses R-II Holdings with my analysis that the doctrine forces” rather than political opponents. making factual conclusions in a controverefforts, I expect the campaign to munications Secretary Herminio barely keeping his head above the one can be repeatedly infected by the nakikiaalam na naman ang simthat it was not unreasonable and timatelyBut responsible” forno thedoubt ill-fated When he bankrupt, and R-II Builders were floundering. hasnearly its roots in our understanding there can be that Sevilla mustnow be was sy must beinaccompanied by the authority further intensify.

Coloma says that “there is waters of negative acceptability and virus. bahan dito?”.

Nowhere was there had fact been consistently appoliceencouraged—or operation whencompelled—to he put suspendReghis his popular sights on taking That He turned to his son, Mikee, who name names trained and sovereignty. note of of applying the law to those factual A plied distinct characteristic ofconclucerviThere other option for significant room offor improvement popularity. therein is nothing any serious analysis ofa the arguby the High Court. The comed PNP chiefAnd charge of the overHisHarbor Terminal,I consider Inc., bailed outistheno father by giving him provide aPurisima detailed account of what he knows. failure Center sions to the end that thethat controversy may concurrence, priceless! cal cancer is the fact even if most Aquino, really.

But history and the ment advanced, no serious examiand... [a] need to continually ascerthat he can do, it seems, to reverse ments I got labeled me a lackey of mission to get international terrorist which his son had had grown from a job and an allowance of P2-million a to do so would be a betrayal of the morality he claims be decided or determined authoritatively, The next day, I wrote an extended nation and rebuttal of the reasons HPV infections happen after sexual the Binays, a fraud, a charlatan— “stickiness” of the popular perceptain the needs of our people. ” the trend.

Marwan. company of five employees to 500.

Famonth.

Later on, Reghis wanted his alled to his resignation, and the public service he vowed finally and definitively, subject to such aparticle for this paper—and earned a Nothing more than peals an pathetic actually, hilarious, beinitiation, WHO saysifas that “the cantion thatthe he isadduced. a to failure as President What Aquino seems hell-bent It istoMoney significant that Malacanang thicker than blood therly love does not to for be evident lowance raised P5 million a month uphold when he took office at the Bureau of Customs. or modes of review may be prolotseem of flak it. on I do not mind attack on bishops and priests.

The cause they were attacks on me, not cer takes 15 to 20 years to develop in Apparently, blood is not always when the elder Romero filed non-bailto support his high-flying lifestyle.

His are against doing is toand continue making seems toInhave abandoned the stratopening his mouth about corruption vided by law. This function, to repeat, the criticism, butpublic I am alarmed that thehim.

Archbishop, in a personal capacity, on my argument.

In stark contrast women with normal immune systems, thicker than water.

Money seems to able cases of qualified theft against son claim to fame was being kidnapped toIofsee no reason why Aquino’s numappearances is still egy ofinfluence pretending to ignore re- Mr. peddling in thethe bureau, Sevilla hasto prove Commission does not have.” kind that I got he is symptomatic a more discussed necessity of inclusivewere the of Prof.

Jemy Gatbe denser.

That in working, Mikee in very no than cities.

Norand (5) toposts ten in women with gether with his girlfriend in Dos Pallet the the surveys genie much outwhich of is theevident bottle,an and no amount of less It five is this lack of years prosecutorial powers would inthe the coming much infive control and sults of show insidious malady that bers is lethal to improve ness, warned against equating peace dula of the University of Asia and the family feud between businessman mally, a parent would move heaven doubletalk from him or his former employers now democracy: intolerance for dissent! irreversible decline in his popular- the possessor of game-changing enin Mindanao with the passage of Continued on A11 Continued on A11 Reghis Romero and his son, Mikee. and earth to keep his or her child out Continued on A11 can put it back is good reason to ignore Continued on A10 If subsequent ity. Where once thein. palace shrugged dorsement powers.There

ON HUMAN RIGHTS MADE A DIFFERENCE?

THE REAL THREAT

If elected, Poe

I see nobe reason would the why Aquino’s country’s third numbers would woman president improve in the after Corazon coming days.

Aquino and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

sors, for yet another reason entirely. The second Aquipick a winner is so he could no been stuck havehas a protector whowith can the in“noynoying” tag, which sulate him from the slewhas of led to the widespread belief charges he faces, including viothat nothingand of lationheofhas thedone Constitution significance after trust, unreasonbetrayal of public when he leaves office in 2016. that ably raising expectations other probable option is heThe could deliver everything

to have Poegovernance run as Roxas’ vice from good to bapresident to giveasMar’s cansic infrastructure he enters didacy Aquino is his in a the sixtha boost. and last year of bind.

He would prefer a loyal term.

Mar but theother poll surveys OfRoxas course, like Presido not show him winning. On dents before him, Aquino is the other hand, if he dumps fighting the waning of his Mar and chooses Grace, he canonce-stratospheric not be too sure if Poe aspopuPresilarity with protect everything dent would him. that he’sGrace got. And whoto Poe like is those grateful Aquino for including in the went before him, heherseems LP senatorial doomed to fail.slate in the 2013 elections in reason which she Aquino’s for finished resistfirst. however, ing theEnsuing declineevents, has to do with would show ensuring thather he independence stays out of during the inquiryThis into jail when heSenate steps down. the alleged unexplained wealth isofwhy he repeatedly then Philippine declares National these days, attends Police Chiefwhen AlanhePurisima, even the most insignificant a close Aquino ally. Poe and ofPurisima’s public functions, that he is paths crossed again not duck and probe that his on a lame separate Senate on the Mamasapano power to make massacre. his chosen Administration tried successor win in officials next year’s

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S AT U R D AY : M AY 1 6 , 2 0 1 5 T H U R S D AY : A P R I L 2 3 , 2 0 1 5

A8

OPINION OPINION

OPINION

A MORE WORDS FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE IN HIS MOUTH

SEVILLA’S GENIE

TALK about leaving legacy upon PRESIDENT Aquinoamay believe heretirement. is just being candid, but his brand of candor Former Commission on Elections Chairman betrays his basic inadequacies as a genuine leader. Sixto Brillantes Jr. certainly leftAta an problem at the Shortly before hefor stepped Brillantes led event with the agency.

Governance Commission GOCCsdown, and the governmentthe commission in approving a P268.8-million deal with Smartmatic for the owned and -controlled corporations that fall under it, Mr. Aquino became visibly refurbishment of the 80,000 precinct count optical scan machines it had first upset at his speechwriters for turning in a long speech at the last minute. acquired from the same company for use in the 2010 elections.

As a result, there was no teleprompter, and what was eventually given to him The PCOS machines are supposed to be repaired and upgraded in time for were four drafts of a hastily-done message he was supposed to deliver to his the May 2016 national polls. audience.

The Supreme Court however shot down the deal as contained in Comelec The event9922 was and a turnover of dividends from Contract the GOCCs to the government Resolution the Extended Warranty Program 1, because and an acknowledgment of the collective good work that the GOCCs had the poll agency failed to justify its resort to direct contracting. accomplished—and during his term, of course.

Petitioners of theall case argued that the Comelec committed grave abuse of In discretion approving thepleased deal, which anomalous andofscandalous. fact, the in President was so that hewas ordered the review the benefits They also said the poll body seemed to be rushing to tap Smartmatic forathe of GOCCs’ employees. Recall that at the beginning of his term, he ordered cap contract. on the benefits of same corporations amid reports that these officials were paying The Comelec now is entertaining themselves unconscionable bonuses. several options on how to prepare for the elections givenhad the no Supreme decision. could bid outwhom the refurbishHe however similar Court’s kind words for hisItspeechwriters, he chided ment of the 82,000 – it says there is still time because the process is supposed for their inefficiency. to last only five months.

“My speechwriters learn to get altogether ready earlier.

You should the Another option is toshould use new machines – 23,000 of themfollow – which efficiency of the ” he said, speaking extemporaneously. are now still in GOCCs, the bidding process.

Under this set-up, though, many preIt is strange that a chief executive would openly acknowledge dependence cincts would share a single machine. The Comelec spokesmanhishas said this on other people whose sole task it is to put words in his mouth.

While everybody would slow down the counting Yet another scheme would entail transportknows thatfrom such a team its importance is not highlighted precisely because ing ballots groupexists, of precincts to a designated voting center.

A manual it is supposed to be staywhen in thevoting background. scenario would is manual with automated transmission of votes.

An extreme scenario is having noPresident elections says. at all,We which some they doomThe main attraction are the words that all assume are sayers have his own, notmentioned his writers’.to spook the people.

The bodywords assures us ittheirs has enough to put in place of these alEvenpoll if those were indeed, time is it not logical that any the President or ternatives, just as soon as it obtains the final decision of the Supreme Court. his alter egos would have given the team guidance on what he wants to include This reassuring now, giventhat thatheweshould have little over thefirst year before in theisfirst place? Isfor it not natural review them before he citieven zens troop to the polling centers again. We will see, in the next few months, utters the first syllable, after the writers’ bosses have supposedly gone over them? whether Comelec can be as confident as it sounds. unthinking leader up would a foreign script and then chastise the ItWhat is easy to get swept intoread thefrom election frenzy, which is expected to scriptwriters? if the prepared speechfor didthe notfiling comeofoncertificates time, should not have intensify as October, the deadline of he candidacy, scribbled a few notes ontohis and perhaps his writers privately? nears.

There is bound be own another circus astold the off campaign season begins.

We knowallnow Aquino does not surprises.

He wants speech Through this,that we Mr. should remember thatlike more fundamental thanhis who will ready in theisteleprompter he could mouth atinterest will. He and always has to blame get elected how they willsowin, or lose.

Withaway equal intensity as we watch the national and races, us ensure manner in which votes somebody, anybody, forlocal the big andletlittle things that the go as planned. areThis cast,President counted and canvassed will truly reflect the people’s will. would rather sound silly than admit he was wrong.

BACK LOWDOWN CHANNEL JOJO A. ALEJANDRO ROBLES DEL ROSARIO IT’S practically inevitable: DESPITE people pushing and All Presidents 1986 pulling her to run since for higher office, Senator Grace Poe is showhave experienced drops in ing politicalassavvy by biding her popularity the end of their time. She knows sheThe doescurnot terms approaches. haveChief to make a decision rent Executive is nountil exthe deadline nears for the subception to this phenomenon. mission of certificates of candiFor instance, the wildly dacy in October this year. With popular Cory Aquino, Vice President Jejomar upon Binay her assumption to the highpolitically damaged by allegaest office in the could tions of graft andland, unexplained get awayGrace withPoe declaring a wealth, should be revolutionary government able to overtake him in the next

Social Weather Stations she and to basically do whatever Pulse Asia surveys. wanted. Nearing the end of Acting on an Anti-Money her tumultuous reign, report Cory Laundering Council could not even summon up that the Vice President and ahis fraction of the early crowds alleged dummies deposited of supportersin that were aca P600-million 242 bank hallmark of her rallies when counts , the Court of Appeals she taskfamily of callhas took frozenonthethe Binay assetsfor which certain tooffurther ing the is extension lease erode poll ratings of the the USVP’s military bases in Against this the Philippines political – a job backthat drop,government Senator Poe miserably confirmed her President Aquino talked to her failed to accomplish. without either one providing Cory’sof their successors, details meeting. for The various reasons, the senator, however, suffered said the Pressame Fidel ident fate. told her he’sRamos lookingwas for hobbled by thecandidate first Asian an alternative who currency crisis,hiswhich wiped will continue reform proout theThe economic gains that gram. key word is “alter-

native.” could in. be lookhis termAquino had ushered ing at Poe as the ruling Liberal Joseph Estrada, while he Party’s presidential candidate in failed to complete 2016 since there washisnoterm, menquickly turned from a popution of a vice presidential slot lar populist leaderallupon offer.

We thought alonghis the election a bad parodywas of LP’s andinto PNoy’s candidate himself, untilLocal he was ousted Interior and Government Secretary Mar Roxas.

So did for his alleged involvement Mar Now, he might have in theRoxas. illegal numbers game tojueteng, step asideamong again. other sins. of Being treated like a doormat And Gloria Macapagal Aris the price Mar pays being royo was helpless to for reverse the President’s ultimate underthe perception of her term ling. But Aquino is delusional if as corruption-riddled, which he thinks his endorsement still caused her survey numbers has political value The reason to dip into territory.

Mar’s ratingnegative is not moving up Noynoy Aquiis President because of voters perception no to be suffering the he’sseems Noynoy’s clone.

Aquino’s frenzied effort to same fate of his predeces-

EDITOR

POWER VIEW FROM POINT MALCOM

ELIZABETH

ATTY. HARRY ANGSIOCO ROQUE JR.

CERVICAL HAS OUR CANCER 101 COMMISSION

[ EDI TORI A L ]

EDITORI TORIAALL ]] [[ EDI

PLAYING HER CARDS RIGHT INEVITABLE DECLINE

EDITOR EDITOR

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

OPINION

A9

ADELLECHUA CHUA ADELLE CHUA ADELLE

CANCER kills. And some cancers afflict and kill women much more than men. Cervical cancer is among those.

However, in the Philippines, very few know about cervical cancer.

EMBLEMATIC of the hypocrisy and mismanagement Last May 13, I was invited by Likhaan that have become the hallmarks of this administration, Center for Women’s Health to do the the chief of the Bureau of Customs, John Phillip closing remarks for the forum entitled, Sevilla, resigned last week with disturbing allegations “Do Women Really Need Cervical of political pressure and attempts to turn his agency Cancer Vaccine?”. Admittedly, I hesiinto a milking cow to raise campaign funds for favored tated in accepting the invite because candidates in the 2016 elections.

I know next to nothing the disSevilla was the third Customs commissioner HANOI, Vietnam—I am inabout the capital of ease except a few pieces have read. to leave the agency under the administration of Vietnam as afor resource personI in a semiAndoneven these Human focused Rights on theComconPresident Benigno Aquino III, who has made the fight nar “National troversies surrounding the HPV vacagainst corruption the touchstone of his leadership. missions: Experiences from the Region” cine, considered the best prevention Sevilla’s two predecessors had left the bureau amid sponsored by the as Konrad Adenaer Stifagainst this cancer. allegations of corruption, tarnishing Mr. Aquino’s claims tung.

I accepted the invitation because of of good governance. Sevilla took over in December 2013 a long evaluate I’m desire glad Ito said yes the andaffectivity made itofa with the promise of cleaning up what is widely perceived our own Human point to Commission be present atofthe entireRights event. as the most corrupt agency in the bureaucracy. since its establishment through the 1987 It opened my eyes to the horrors of That promise came crashing down less than two Constitution 28 years This cervical cancer andago. also toinvitation ways by years later with Sevilla’s resignation. finally to the opportunity to finalwhichgave the me problem can be addressed.

In announcing his resignation, Sevilla said he was ly conduct this to long-delayed According the Worldstudy.

Health Orbeing pressured to appoint certain people to “very The starting point has to be the very ganization, “cervical cancer is the secsensitive” positions ahead of the 2016 elections, and high expectations of the people that the ond most common cancer in women admitted that he could not finish the job of ending CHR will help promote and protect huliving in less-developed regions with corruption at the bureau. man rights in the country when they an estimated new itself. cases Its in “I don’t compromise on morality,” the resigning created it in the445,000 Constitution 2012 (84 percent of new cases worldCustoms chief said. “The law is clear on what is first head, Chairperson Mary Bautista, wide). be In 2012, approximately 270,000 allowed and [what is] not.” should credited for safeguarding the women died of from cancerbody and In its first statement following the resignation, the independence the cervical constitutional Palace conspicuously ignored Sevilla’s allegations, morepolitical than 85 percent ofCongress these deaths from interference. then and simply announced his replacement, a person took the appointment the Chair and occurring in low andofmiddle-income comments on FB posts—manythe of Commissioners BBL, ”underscored theCommission moral right from the private sector with extensive interests of the countries. them betray the pathetic ignorance ofher a State to its integrity.

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

Department of Health (DOH) Secrered flags that invite close scrutiny,Rightfully if and moral theology were addressed no conflict of interest, as the new Customs chief, so, the Supreme Court ruled tary Esperanza Cabral said that in our 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 comcountry, 8,000 Filipinas are diagnosed 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 withsome the disease yearly, and 3,000 of AQUINO holdings in at least 10 other corporations. intellectual bankruptcy that makes officers whose appointments needed They conpriests were pedophiles. them die.

Coming from WHO’s data The announcement did little to engender firmation Congress.

Thisit insulated the werebyalso told that was shameFIRST, a disclaimer. One national linking this cancer with poverty, Caconfidence. chair andfor members thebeen Commission ful them to of have involved daily, through an online post, atbral’sin figures got me to thinking, how Are we expected to believe that Sevilla’s replacement from political interference. the Pajero scandal. It would be tributed to me the statement that many ofbothersome our women die of to thethe disease would truly divest himself of all his lucrative The Constitution enumerates powless merely laugh off the Chief Justice had, in effect, prewithout being diagnosed because business interests to take a job in the government ers ofsuch the even Commission.

These include the obvious illogicality, but if this judged the Binay case by her line of We can and oughtpower of being poor? in an administration with only a year left? Or is his investigate, the powerortoa issue is to how our countrymen, good questioning at the oral argument. appointment part of efforts that Sevilla resisted to summons, cite in contempt andby power to Cervical cancer is caused certain part of them, reason (or, better, fail to raise the bar of I made no such statement. Somemake sure the ruling party stays in power after 2016? ask assistance from any demonstration branch of governtypes human papilloma virus (HPV) toofdo so!), that of one did call me up however for public discourse and Aquino’s first Customs commissioner, who ment.

Here, we have a serious obstacle in aare dreadful want in thoughtfulness and sexually transmitted.

HPV vian interview on the subject. I gave resigned under a cloud of suspicion when 2,000 task ofreasonability evaluating theshould performance of set more stringentthe and make us ruses are quite common.

It has more him onIy curt replies though he container vans vanished from the bureau in 2011, the Commission.

For while the courts and fearful of democracy’s future inthan 100 types and 13 of these cause standards for the DOJ did attempt, by leading questions, was a close associate of Lina. whose performance may prevails, be meadeed. irrationality cancer.

70 When percent of cervical cancers to make me agree with him on Lina was also Customs chief during the previous suredanything in terms of case disposal and/ or its exchange in public frightful is possible! and precancerous cervical lesions are this assessment—an enticement I administration, before he left abruptly as part of the conviction rate, the CHR can only investiTracing intypes broad strokes caused

by HPV 16 and 18.the hisspaces. steadfastly resisted.

I made clear: “Hyatt 10” Cabinet members who abandoned the gate but has no power to prosecute. tory people of the condonation doctrine in Most are infected

by HPV I did not think it was right for me Arroyo government over an election-related scandal In this the case of Carino Commission of jurisdiction, Ivs.pointed out that shortly after they start being sexually to comment on on-going proceedin 2005, and who now hold considerable influence in Human Rights, Court defined it has beenthe inSupreme ourisjurisprudence for active.

While HPV sexually investransings. What I did, however, was the Aquino administration. the full extent of the Commissions’ some time now—carried over from mitted, it is important to note that one 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 trine of condonation. Justice Adolf can be infected even without penetrain their praise for Sevilla, but have shown none of their evidence and ascertaining therefrom the to long endure.

When Arch- actually has roots in our democratic to cover President’s role aincongressional the in- off Both launched ad war inthe major ofcomment: jail. Reghis Romero wants to lock up surveys showracy that Aquino’s poll survey dataan with dismissive elections remains undiminished.

Azcuna was first to usualthe eagerness to launch investigation tive sex.

Skin-to-skin genital contact is facts of a controversy is not a judicial funcbishop Socthe Villegas issued a state- convictions. I was not advocating cident which left dead 44after members newspapers, but the going on hiscaptured son and away key.

He thought thatto I had numbers arethrow continuing to plumb statements about justattacks continuing Theinto reality, as survey survey allegations of corruption in theof Bureau of Customs, tion, properly speaking.

To be considered another established mode of transmisonwhen the draft an almost the perpetuation of this piece of juthe shown, PNP-Special Action Poe’s expose behind the scenes are doctrine far darker, if not new, Theagreed story ment began the BBL, elder the succinctly.

He particularly since suchForces. a probe such, the faculty evidence and unfamiliar depths despite his do the“friendly work of governance, Comhas is that Aquino is might just sion.risprudence.

It is also of important to state that common comment was: “Bakit Ireceiving was however arguing committee report found Aquino “ulmore tragic.

Romero’s businesses R-II Holdings with my analysis that the doctrine forces” rather than political opponents. making factual conclusions in a controverefforts, I expect the campaign to munications Secretary Herminio barely keeping his head above the one can be repeatedly infected by the nakikiaalam na naman ang simthat it was not unreasonable and timatelyBut responsible” forno thedoubt ill-fated When he bankrupt, and R-II Builders were floundering. hasnearly its roots in our understanding there can be that Sevilla mustnow be was sy must beinaccompanied by the authority further intensify.

Coloma says that “there is waters of negative acceptability and virus. bahan dito?”.

Nowhere was there had fact been consistently appoliceencouraged—or operation whencompelled—to he put suspendReghis his popular sights on taking That He turned to his son, Mikee, who name names trained and sovereignty. note of of applying the law to those factual A plied distinct characteristic ofconclucerviThere other option for significant room offor improvement popularity. therein is nothing any serious analysis ofa the arguby the High Court. The comed PNP chiefAnd charge of the overHisHarbor Terminal,I consider Inc., bailed outistheno father by giving him provide aPurisima detailed account of what he knows. failure Center sions to the end that thethat controversy may concurrence, priceless! cal cancer is the fact even if most Aquino, really.

But history and the ment advanced, no serious examiand... [a] need to continually ascerthat he can do, it seems, to reverse ments I got labeled me a lackey of mission to get international terrorist which his son had had grown from a job and an allowance of P2-million a to do so would be a betrayal of the morality he claims be decided or determined authoritatively, The next day, I wrote an extended nation and rebuttal of the reasons HPV infections happen after sexual the Binays, a fraud, a charlatan— “stickiness” of the popular perceptain the needs of our people. ” the trend.

Marwan. company of five employees to 500.

Famonth.

Later on, Reghis wanted his alled to his resignation, and the public service he vowed finally and definitively, subject to such aparticle for this paper—and earned a Nothing more than peals an pathetic actually, hilarious, beinitiation, WHO saysifas that “the cantion thatthe he isadduced. a to failure as President What Aquino seems hell-bent It istoMoney significant that Malacanang thicker than blood therly love does not to for be evident lowance raised P5 million a month uphold when he took office at the Bureau of Customs. or modes of review may be prolotseem of flak it. on I do not mind attack on bishops and priests.

The cause they were attacks on me, not cer takes 15 to 20 years to develop in Apparently, blood is not always when the elder Romero filed non-bailto support his high-flying lifestyle.

His are against doing is toand continue making seems toInhave abandoned the stratopening his mouth about corruption vided by law. This function, to repeat, the criticism, butpublic I am alarmed that thehim.

Archbishop, in a personal capacity, on my argument.

In stark contrast women with normal immune systems, thicker than water.

Money seems to able cases of qualified theft against son claim to fame was being kidnapped toIofsee no reason why Aquino’s numappearances is still egy ofinfluence pretending to ignore re- Mr. peddling in thethe bureau, Sevilla hasto prove Commission does not have.” kind that I got he is symptomatic a more discussed necessity of inclusivewere the of Prof.

Jemy Gatbe denser.

That in working, Mikee in very no than cities.

Norand (5) toposts ten in women with gether with his girlfriend in Dos Pallet the the surveys genie much outwhich of is theevident bottle,an and no amount of less It five is this lack of years prosecutorial powers would inthe the coming much infive control and sults of show insidious malady that bers is lethal to improve ness, warned against equating peace dula of the University of Asia and the family feud between businessman mally, a parent would move heaven doubletalk from him or his former employers now democracy: intolerance for dissent! irreversible decline in his popular- the possessor of game-changing enin Mindanao with the passage of Continued on A11 Continued on A11 Reghis Romero and his son, Mikee. and earth to keep his or her child out Continued on A11 can put it back is good reason to ignore Continued on A10 If subsequent ity. Where once thein. palace shrugged dorsement powers.There

ON HUMAN RIGHTS MADE A DIFFERENCE?

THE REAL THREAT

If elected, Poe

I see nobe reason would the why Aquino’s country’s third numbers would woman president improve in the after Corazon coming days.

Aquino and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

sors, for yet another reason entirely. The second Aquipick a winner is so he could no been stuck havehas a protector whowith can the in“noynoying” tag, which sulate him from the slewhas of led to the widespread belief charges he faces, including viothat nothingand of lationheofhas thedone Constitution significance after trust, unreasonbetrayal of public when he leaves office in 2016. that ably raising expectations other probable option is heThe could deliver everything

to have Poegovernance run as Roxas’ vice from good to bapresident to giveasMar’s cansic infrastructure he enters didacy Aquino is his in a the sixtha boost. and last year of bind.

He would prefer a loyal term.

Mar but theother poll surveys OfRoxas course, like Presido not show him winning. On dents before him, Aquino is the other hand, if he dumps fighting the waning of his Mar and chooses Grace, he canonce-stratospheric not be too sure if Poe aspopuPresilarity with protect everything dent would him. that he’sGrace got. And whoto Poe like is those grateful Aquino for including in the went before him, heherseems LP senatorial doomed to fail.slate in the 2013 elections in reason which she Aquino’s for finished resistfirst. however, ing theEnsuing declineevents, has to do with would show ensuring thather he independence stays out of during the inquiryThis into jail when heSenate steps down. the alleged unexplained wealth isofwhy he repeatedly then Philippine declares National these days, attends Police Chiefwhen AlanhePurisima, even the most insignificant a close Aquino ally. Poe and ofPurisima’s public functions, that he is paths crossed again not duck and probe that his on a lame separate Senate on the Mamasapano power to make massacre. his chosen Administration tried successor win in officials next year’s

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A10 OUR SELFCREATED CRISIS WITH CHINA

S AT U R D AY : M AY 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

JUSTICE FOR MINDANAO LUMADS WHILE I am fully supportive of a good Bangsamoro Basic Law, one that complies totally with the Constitution as well as substantially with the political agreements with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a critical threshold issue for me is how the rights of indigenous peoples are addressed. Unfortunately, the original draft falls far short of what is demanded by basic norms of justice. I hope that the human rights advocates in the House of Representatives, legislators like Kaka Bag-ao and Barry Gutierrez, as well as the Makabayan Party List Representatives, make sure changes are done to ensure that this is addressed. I hope that our Representatives from Mindanao, including the Chairman of the Ad Hoc House Committee Rufus Rodriguez, also champion such changes.

North Cotabato Representative Nancy Catamco, in the sponsorship speech she delivered on proposed amendments to the BBL, eloquently argues the amendments needed and why. A graduate of Ateneo de Davao University and one of the most passionate and competent legislators in this country, she certainly knows what she is talking about, being a Manobo-Tagabawa and the Chairperson of the Committee on National Cultural Communities.

In her sponsorship speech, Catamco starts with something all of us from Mindanao know but frequently disregard: “Sa wala pa ang gobyerno, sa wala pa ang Kristiyano, ug sa wala pa ang Islam, naa na ang Lumad, apil sa mga bitoon ug mga sapa….Naa na ang mga Manobo, ug mga Teduray, ug mga B’laan. . .”( “In the beginning, when there was no government yet, no Christians, or Islam, the Lumads were already there, together with the stars and the rivers…There were already the Manobos, the Tedurays, the B’laans…”)

This declaration, according to Catamco, “gembodies the sentiments of many Lumads—or the Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples.” She points out: “Time and again, we are confronted with the same struggle for respect and recognition of the rights of the Lumads first, within the ARMM, and now, in the Bangsamoro. While indigenous people’s rights have already been recognized and encapsulated in the national sphere, through the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), this recognition failed to muster meaningful implementation in the ARMM, and similarly, in the present articulation of indigenous people’s rights in the Bangsamoro Basic Law.” Representative Catamco then shared the Lumad narrative of Mindanao history: “Lumads and Moros represent two distinct types of indigenous minorities. Spanish anti-Muslim prejudices indicate that throughout the Spanish colonial period (1565–1898), Moros were treated very differently than the Lumads, despite the fact that both were native to Mindanao. American colonizers (1898–1946) initially administered the Muslim Moro groups separately and granted them a limited degree of autonomy; during this period, the Lumads and other small-scale groups were referred to as ‘Pagans,’ and later as the ‘non-Christian tribes’. Since Philippine independence in 1946, the national government has carried over the administrative separation of Moros and IP’s from the mainstream Filipino groups, as well as from each other, with different generations of separate bureaucratic offices.”

Unfortunately, as Representative Catamco points out, notwithstanding the separate identities provided in in the expanded ARMM Organic Act, the cultural identity and rights to the ancestral domains of the Lumads/Non-Moro Indigenous People’s remains problematic in the ARMM. And now, in the BBL, we have “the omission of the full rights of the Lumads”

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA

WE ARE the only country that has loudly been expressing our apprehension that China would one day eject us from the Spratly islands. We have been most vociferous in accusing China of expansionism while the rest of our Asean neighbors are having a hard time trying to decipher what we want to get in our antagonism of our giant neighbor. The latest of our verbal tussle with China pertains to its reclamation in the Subi (Zamora) reef.

We reacted sharply by accusing China of “aggression.” It was followed by the visit of AFP chief of staff, Gen. Gregorio Catapang, to show that we are deeply entrenched in the area, and are not alone.

But for all our saber rattling, the world is not taking us seriously. Instead of insisting that the Spratly islands be demilitarized, we announced plan to start our own reclamation for us to build a military base.

Our announcement instantly forfeited all of what we have been saying against China.

Of course, we are free to do what we want to do in the islands we presently occupy. As some hysterical anti-Chinese would say, to build our own facilities is an exercise in sovereignty. The question is this: What is our objective in having to build a military base in an uninhibited island? Will it deter the Chinese from continuing their reclamation? If such is the case, then for Christ’s sake, let’s do it! If not, then why spend P800 million worth of military base that could otherwise be spent to stretch the life span of Filipinos whose principal mortality is due to hunger, malnutrition and diseases that are already non-existent in most countries.

We must bear in mind that the US’ “pivot to Asia” policy is not about protecting the interest of this country. It is, first and foremost, a policy to secure their interest which it sees China as a rival to its hegemony in this part of the world. Our role is to merely prop up an empire that is on the decline.

General Catapang, no less, admitted that we allowed the US to have eight military faculties under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement for which we are obligated to provide, often inside our camps with free water and electricity, and rent-free as they used to enjoy before their presence here expired in 1991.

Some die-hard pro-Americans argue that US presence would serve as a deterrent to China’s expansionist design. They insist that the agreement we signed is similar to what they signed with Japan and Germany. But why exact the same terms from a country that served as her most faithful ally during the Second World War and fought the enemy it now considers its partner? Moreover, the agreement signed by Japan to allow the US to maintain military bases in its only between Christians and Muslims, but of a widterritory is one which it has no choice about. ened fratricidal war participated in by the traitorous The world is laughing because everybody knows elite taking their cue from the US. that we fought side-by-side with the Americans in The sad part is that Malaysia has not offered a driving out the Japanese militarist during the war, and military base despite the fact that it is also a claimhere we are providing facilities for their warriors that ant to the Spratly islands. On the contrary, Seccaused untold misery and sufferings to our people for retary del Rosario was rebuffed by the Malaysian a war they chose to fight in our terPrime Minister Najib Razak when ritory. The expanded military role he tried to discuss our seemingly of Japan has nothing to do in securUS-made conflict with China. It ing our interest or in protecting the was embarrassing because nobody islands we occupy, or in ensuring For all our saber from among the Asean supported free navigation, but in the desire of our position. We have become a rattling, the world pariah among our Asean partners the US to control the oil and other mineral resources that could be extreating us like a leper that nobody, is not taking us tracted in the China Sea. not even Vietnam, comes to our side seriously.

In fact, as we pass through this crito express concern. Rather, they sis in warding off a Malaysian-sponfear that heightening tension with sored secessionist rebellion, the US, China could do more harm to their to which many expect would come economy. to our succor, has not offered us any Our plan to build a military base assurance, like pacifying the MILF that would allow the US and Japanese navies to dock or issuing a statement that it would stand by our side would be considered by China as a serious threat to to preserve the territorial integrity of this country. It its own security. Allowing them to use the Kalayaan has not even advised its local quislings to forgo the Islands as their military base could bring us closer to idea of supporting the passage of the Bangsamoro possible confrontation. China may no longer accept Basic Law not in deference that we are an ally, but on our position as a claimant state, which at the moment the prospect that it could ignite a bloody civil war not is tolerated on the basis that the islands are a disputed

BACK­ BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

Representative Catamco proposed several provisions to be included in the BBL. Among others, she suggests a definition of Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples to establish clearly and unambiguously their ethnic identity, recognizing explicitly their diverse identities and distinct cultures, traditions and histories.

In her speech, Catamco also raised a very important point that pro-BBL legislators and supporters must bear in mind.

She recalled that in the North Cotabato vs. Government of the Republic of the Philippines case, where the Supreme Court declared the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain unconstitutional, the High Court reprimanded the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process “when it failed to conduct systematic consultations, and dishonoured one of the three underlying principles of the comprehensive peace process, that it “should be communitybased, reflecting the sentiments, values and principles important to all Filipinos” and “shall be defined not by the government alone, nor by the different contending groups only, but by all Filipinos as one community”. In that case, the Supreme Court also pointed out that besides being irreconcilable with the Constitution, the MOA-AD is also inconsistent with the Indigenous Peoples Rights Acts, among other national laws.

As an expert in constitutional law and as someone who has worked on ancestral domain and indigenous peoples’ legal issues for the last twenty-five years both here and abroad, I predict: without adequate provisions protecting their rights, Lumads, who are clearly real-parties-in-interest, will join petitions in the Supreme Court that would question the constitutionality of the BBL. They will be invoking genocide, as some groups have now done, and will be supported by human rights and indigenous peoples organizations in the Philippines and all over the world. And they will be vindicated. Sadly, the whole BBL could be declared unconstitutional for such a failure, a pity because this is really just one aspect of the law.

There is a critical mass behind these amendments to recognize indigenous peoples rights. The Peace Council, for example, has supported a better formulation of indigenous peoples’ rights. And, indeed, even the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has gone a long way from its refusal to even consider the issue as late as 2010 to the general provisions they agreed to in the draft BBL. I personally believe that is not a red line for the MILF and that, reluctantly, they would accept these amendments given that this is the right thing to do. In my view, the MILF is not in bad faith on this; it certainly has no intention to oppress Lumads. Understandably, they want full control of land and natural resources in the areas of the Bangsamoro. That is expected but it is not right, given the rights of these indigenous peoples. That is why the national government must step in.

Although there is a commitment, to be included in the law, to pass a Bangsamoro indigenous peoples’ rights law within 18 months after passage, this is not credible given that the ARMM legislative assembly has not enacted such a law in nearly 20 years of existence.

Rep. Catamco is right: “Now, this is a historic moment – and could be our last – to correct this historical injustice and decades of neglect against our Lumads. Let us get to the heart of this problem. A radical transformation is imperative.

My friends, it is not just about the percentage in their share of their natural resources. No, this goes beyond giving slots to them in the Parliament. This is about identity; this is about dignity; this is about respect; this is about lands and their spiritual relationship with their lands; this is about the meaning of their existence and their right to flourish as indigenous peoples. This is about justice that brings about peace.”

Dean Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs

territory, but as an aggressor for allowing our occupation over the islands to be substituted by the US and Japan navies.

Instead of seeking a moratorium to the construction of military bases in the area, we have chosen to follow what the Chinese are doing. But will our decision to build our own military base alter the present military advantage of China to our favor? China is just a stone’s throw away from the islands we occupy, and we have closed our options to peacefully negotiate our dispute in a “go for broke” fashion.

We pushed ourselves to the limits of wanting to be bullied by our continued arrogance.

It is this kind of political atmosphere that has justified the call by the local warmongers in collusion with the merchants of death of the need to buy those expensive but defective weapons from the US and Japan. Some believe that the US is not really contemplating in going to war with China over some uninhabited islands or would even go to war for the sake of the Philippines. Rather, the heightened tension is a Washington-generated scheme to pressure us into procuring more arms. The Asean countries got the cue, which is why none of them are in a hurry to rearm. They know that the US faces a serious crisis of economic downtrend which they see as affecting its military power in Asia. (rpkapunan@gmail.com)

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OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

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THE BBL CANNOT BE CONSTITUTIONAL AND NEED AMENDMENTS AT THE SAME TIME

IN EARLY April 2015, President Benigno Aquino III called for a ‘‘peace panel’’ ostensibly to study the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and to make appropriate recommendations to Congress. The five-man body was led by retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. President Aquino, however, admitted that the peace panel would help Malacañang promote the BBL and make it acceptable to the general public. By that statement, the President confirmed that the peace panel will be a mere rubber stamp of Malacañang.

Since Congress, and not the President, has the power to create a new public office, this column raised questions about the constitutionality of the creation of the peace panel. A few days later, Abigail Valte, the deputy presidential spokesman, announced that the peace panel was re-named a “peace council” and that it will be a “private entity.” Valte also revealed that President Aquino expanded the composition of the peace council to include many other “co-convenors,” and that its members will be divided into several clusters to study the different parts of the draft BBL. Why the members of an alleged “private entity” like the peace council needed to be chosen by President Aquino was not explained by Valte.

Anyway, the peace council held its first and only meeting at the Hotel Inter-Continental Manila in Makati. Who paid for the expenses of this meeting has not been identified. Since the peace council is a “private entity,” it

is illegal for the government to spend public money for its expenses. Civil rights advocates are monitoring this matter.

Last week, Davide disclosed to Congress what the peace council had to say about the BBL. In fine, Davide said that while the BBL substantially conforms to the provisions of the 1987 Constitution in that it does not create a Bangsamoro sub-state, the BBL needed “refinement and fine tuning” as regards its provisions. In other words, the peace council concluded that the BBL is constitutional, but it needed amendments.

How can that be? How can the BBL be in accord with the Constitution and still need some substantial amendments?

The opinion of the peace council that the BBL does not create a Bangsamoro sub-state does not, by itself, warrant the conclusion that the BBL itself is constitutionally compliant. There are numerous provisions in the BBL which are repugnant to the Constitution, particularly the parliamentary form of government for the Bangsamoro territory. Even the process by which the BBL was drafted did not conform to the procedure mandated by the Constitution. In the wake of the numerous opposing public views relating to the BBL, the Filipino people need to know the truth about its validity. Instead of doing that, the peace council came out with an equivocal, conditional, and lukewarm opinion.

Did the members or “co-convenors” of the peace council really deliberate on the merits of the BBL or is the official position of the peace council merely

the views of the lawyers composing it or assisting it in its work? The biggest question is this – why wasn’t this peace council convened from the very beginning when the BBL was being drafted?

From what the peace council announced, it seems that President Aquino was telling the truth after all – the “private” peace council created upon his “suggestion” is truly the rubber stamp of Malacañang. *** There is a big squatter colony near the ABS-CBN studios and Mother Ignacia Street in Quezon City. This colony is only one of many in Quezon City – between Quezon Avenue and East Avenue near the Lung Center of the Philippines; along Commonwealth Avenue near Tandang Sora Avenue; along Araneta Avenue on the way to Balintawak; and under the bridges along Rodriguez and Quezon Avenues.

Occupants of these squatter colonies are not necessarily poor. Many of them have electricity and water utility connections, and color television sets with access to cable television. Those who have shanties facing the streets use them as eateries and stores. Many own roosters bred for cockfighting. Some occupants rent out their telephones.

Drunkards dominate the night life.

These colonies are also sanctuaries for drug dealers and other criminals.

These squatters deprive the real land owner of the beneficial use of the property, and they do not pay real estate taxes. To avoid possible foreclosure by the city government in the event of tax deficiency, the helpless landowners end up paying the taxes. A squatter colony also lowers the value of real es-

PLAYING... From A9

CERVICAL... From A9

mas by the Abu Sayyaf. He claimed he escaped from his captors and did not pay ransom. It turned out the son paid a ransom of P10 million.

Years later, strapped for cash, Reghis sold his 68.11 percent stake in Harbour Center Port Terminal to Mikee, a successful entrepreneur and present owner of the PBA team Global Port.

Reghis claims the sale was fake and that his signature was forged, allegedly by Mikee. But that does not make sense since the elder Romero reported the sale to the SEC in 2012 and again in 2013. Besides, the deeds of assignment transferring the father’s shares to Mikee’s company, Harbour Center Port Terminals, Inc. was duly signed and notarized with Reghis even paying the BIR all the taxes from the sale.Who would pay taxes for a fake deal? These are the basis and ground for a Manila court to rule in favor of Michael Romero as the true owner of Harbor Center Port Terminals.

Cutting through the arguments and accusations, the matter boils down to money. The son has it. His father wants it. And when Mikee said “no mas,” the unsatiable Reghis took extreme measure to show his son who’s still the boss even if it means imprisonment. How sad and how tragic.

Noynoy annoyed President Noynoy Aquino was visibly annoyed with his speechwriters who submitted late a speech he delivered at the turnover of P26-billion in dividends from Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations. He also berated them for not providing a teleprompter which forced him to read from a hard copy and to flub his lines.

Used to being spoon-fed, Aquino is not the smooth talker his audience thought he was. Without the teleprompter, he couldn’t ad lib or deliver an impromptu speech. But that’s Noynoy who, when he’s not blaming the media for being the messenger of bad news, scolds his speechwriters for delivering a sloppy speech.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma and presidential speechwriter Nonong Quezon were at a loss for words on what really happened at the GOCC event in Malacañang last Wednesday.

weakened immune systems”. This means that the disease can only be detected much later after infection. Thus, a sexually active teen-ager of fifteen can be infected by HPV and if this develops into cancer, it can only be diagnosed when she is already in her mid-thirties.

The risk factors may partially explain why diagnosed cervical cancer is more prevalent among women in poor countries. WHO says such factors include: early first sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners, tobacco use, and immune suppression ie, HIVinfected persons are a higher risk of HPV infection.

The good news about HPV infection is that most clear up on their own. Also, there are known ways of prevention and cure. Early detection and treatment in developed countries prevent up to 80 percent of cervical cancers.

Medical practitioners say that cervical cancer treatment is very expensive. One has to spend well over a million pesos for this. Definitely, our economically marginalized women and their families will not be able to afford this.

As in other serious diseases, prevention is much better than cure. It is also much less expensive.

Certainly, cervical cancer is a reproductive health concern. Our RH law has strong provisions that can help prevent this cancer including family planning and RH and sexuality education for adolescents.

Family planning, contraceptives included, can help couples achieve their desired number of children as well as properly space pregnancies.

On the other hand, RH education can help young people decide and behave responsibly. Hopefully, sexual debut is delayed and having multiple sexual partners is prevented. These are among the risk factors identified with cervical cancer.

Thus, the full and proper implementation of the RH law is key in fighting this disease. Moreover the law’s implementation, since it prioritizes poor wom-

tate in the neighborhood.

Last week, a demolition crew from Quezon City Hall assisted by police operatives caused the demolition of the squatter colony along Mother Ignacia Street. The squatters threw rocks and feces at them. Their violent and debased response under such circumstances confirms that the squatters are hardly the tranquil, oppressed people they are stereo-typically portrayed by left-leading troublemakers and socalled urban poor leaders who have no regard for the rights of the landowner.

It was reported that the demolition was ordered by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, who wants to convert the entire area to a glitter center for his “City of the Stars” – his ostentatious plan to make Quezon City the movie star capital of the country. Since a squatter colony has no place in Bautista’s glitter center, the squatter colony had to go.

Meanwhile, the other squatter colonies in Quezon City are allowed to remain untouched. Why? Squatter colonies are rich sources of votes, and Bautista knows this. If a landowner wants Bautista to demolish a squatter colony, the landowner must give Bautista a very good reason for kicking out his voters – his source of political power. If none is given, no demolition is forthcoming.

In ordering the demolition of the squatter colony at Mother Ignacia Avenue, Mayor Herbert Bautista showed his manifest partiality towards his former colleagues in show business.

Therefore, unless a landowner in Quezon City has connections with show business, he should expect Bautista to side with the squatters.

en, may lessen these women’s vulnerability to cervical cancer.

As far as prevention is concerned, experts are advocating HPV vaccination for girls ideally before they get to be sexually active, meaning adolescents aged nine to thirteen, and screening for sexually active women aged 30 and above.

The HPV vaccination is where the controversy lies.

While the WHO and our own medical experts are confident that such vaccines are safe, there are some health advocates who are not as convinced.

Participating in the Likhaan-led forum has educated me on cervical cancer. It has also made me aware of the importance of the HPV vaccine. However, it is crucial to reach out to the more vulnerable women who presently are without opportunities to learn about this.

Our Department of Health has included HPV vaccination in its school-based immunization program and targets girls. It has even declared the month of August as Adolescent Immunization Month. I personally think that it is high time for national government to embark on a comprehensive program that will deal with cervical cancer. However, the first step should always be education.

Since cervical cancer is little understood by the Filipino population in general and women in poor communities in particular, education must start where they are—in their communities. The women are key here. Educating them about this serious problem will not only enable them to make informed choice in giving their consent to vaccinating their daughters (and in the future, their sons), they will likely be also convinced to get themselves screened.

Cervical cancer must be prevented and women in poor communities are indispensable in achieving this. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on FaceBook

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Federer takes on Rafa next ROME —Swiss world number two Roger Federer survived a late fightback by Kevin Anderson Thursday to book his place in the quarter-finals and a possible last four match-up with Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open.

Elsewhere, Britain’s Andy Murray (fatigue) and defending women’s champion Serena Williams (elbow) withdrew, while men’s defending champion Novak Djokovic was put through his paces before ousting big-hitting Brazilian qualifier Thomaz Bellucci 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 to set up a quarter-final meeting with Japanese fifth see Kei Nishikori.

Federer, bidding to win his first title on the red clay of the Foro Italico, swept Anderson aside 6-3 in the first set and looked to be heading to an easy win on Centre Court before the 15th-seeded South African launched a late fightback.

Anderson stubbornly saved two match points in the second set before Federer sealed the win 7-5 to book a last eight clash with Tomas Berdych, who ended the hopes of local hope Fabio Fognini in a thrilling contest won 6-3, 3-6,

7-6 (7/2) by the Czech.

If Federer accounts for Berdych he will meet seven-time champion Nadal —a 6-4, 6-4 winner over big-serving American John Isner—in the semi-finals on Saturday, providing the Spaniard overcomes Swiss Stan Wawrinka on Friday.

Nadal came into the event looking to make amends for his defeat to Murray in the final of the Madrid Masters last week, when the Scot took his victory streak to a remarkable 10 wins out of 10 on clay this season.

The Spaniard said he is “more than happy” as he looks to put the mediocre form that has besieged his clay court game lately behind him as he ups the tempo ahead of bidding for a 10th French Open title at Roland Garros.

“I’m more than happy, I think I played a fantastic match against a very, very tough opponent,” said Nadal. AFP

Swiss Roger Federer returns the ball to South African Kevin Anderson during the ATP Tennis Open tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome. AFP

Streb tops crowded Quail leaderboard CH A R LOT TE —Rober t Streb fired a seven-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead in the US PGA Tour’s $7.1 million Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow.

Streb, seeking to add a second US tour title to the McGladrey Classic trophy he lifted in October, had seven birdies without a bogey in a morning round that stood up to all afternoon challenges.

Patrick Reed, playing alongside world number one Rory McIlroy, had eight birdies, grabbing a

share of the lead before his second bogey of the day at the 17th saw him finish in a tie for second on 66 with Kevin Chappell.

McIlroy ran into even more trouble at 17, where a double bogey halted his bid for a late surge.

“One big mistake,” said McIlroy, whose tee shot at the tough par-three hit the rocks in front of the green and deflected into the water.

US veteran Stewart Cink, who has not won since the 2009 British Open, was among a group of five play-

ers sharing fourth place on five-under 67.

He was joined by Webb Simpson, Ricky Barnes, Michael Thompson, Chesson Hadley and Billy Hurley.

South Korea’s K.J. Choi, Sweden’s Carl Pettersson and American Patrick Rodgers were tied on 68, and defending champion J.B. Holmes headed a big group sharing 13th place on three-under 69.

Northern Ireland’s McIlroy, who earned his first US PGA Tour victory at this event in 2010, was a stroke further back on 70.

Despite his miscue at the 17th, he said his round overall was satisfactory.

“I did what I wanted to,” McIlroy said. “I took advantage of the par fives and made birdie on a couple of par fours.”

Streb teed off on the back nine and got up and down for birdie at the parfive 10th.

He rolled in a 19-footer for birdie at 11, then picked up another stroke at the par-five 15th.

Streb’s run continued with a 35-foot birdie putt at 17. AFP

Brady Asian Industry Sports Awards at New World Hotel appeals suspension LOS ANGELES—New England quarterback Tom Brady will fight his four-game NFL suspension over the “Deflategate” scandal, the NFL Players Association said Thursday, but the union’s demand for a neutral arbitrator was denied.

“Given the NFL’s history of inconsistency and arbitrary decisions in disciplinary matters, it is only fair that a neutral arbitrator hear this appeal,” the union said in a statement.

But the league said Thursday night that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would preside over the appeal.

Brady, a four-time Super Bowl champ, was suspended for the first four games of the upcoming season after Ted Wells, the third-party investigator hired by the league, found it was likely that Brady was “at least generally aware” that team equipment personnel deliberately deflated footballs below league minimums before the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts in January. AFP

MMC Sportz, an international sports advertising and marketing agency behind many successful partnerships and events, including the International Premier Tennis League, launched the inaugural Asian Industry Sports Awards recently at a media gathering at the New World Makati Hotel in Manila, Philippines.

The Asian Industry Sports Awards has been created to recognize and celebrate the business leaders, organizations, facilities and campaigns at the forefront of the sporting industry, that have made a contribution to the growth and development of sport across the Asian region.

“The vision and core strategies for the sporting landscape in Asia, as implemented by supporting federal and national bodies, have ensured the region remains ahead of the game, constantly setting new standards that have become the envy of the international sporting arena. It’s now time to showcase and recognize these incredible achievements,” said Eric Gottschalk, CEO of MMC. Recognizing achievements in 10 separate categories, both professional and community focused, each submission will be subject to a rigid and transparent 3-step judging process, facilitated by an international panel of the region’s leading industry experts and overseen by auditors in strict accordance with the international sport industry award rules.

“We want to give credibility to the

Farid Schoucair (left), General Manager of New World Hotel Makati, and Eric Gottschalk, CEO of MMC State, are shown during the press conference at the Glasshouse, New World Hotel Makati.

awards and therefore the awards have to be judged by experts and confirmed by an independent auditors,” explained Gottschalk.

The awards will be presented at a red carpet star-studded celebrity gala on the 25 of September 2015 at the New World Makati Hotel, Manila, Philippines.

“The Philippines have made major strides in its contribution to the devel-

opment of sports in Asia mainly by hosting key sporting events such as the FIBA Asia, Suzuki Cup and IPTL while boxing, basketball and football have very successfully competed on the international level in recent years. Therefore we feel like that the Philippines would be a great place to bring the industry leaders to recognize the sports industry for the first time.”

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Bayron snatches 2-shot lead MORONG – Jay Bayron pricked young Micah Shin’s bubble early to wrest control but blew a big lead with a faltering finish, settling for a 70 and a two-stroke edge over Tony Lascuña in the third round of the P3.5 million ICTSI Anvaya Cove Invitational at the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club here yesterday.

Bayron went on a birdie-binge and charged back from two shots down to lead by many as five with a bogey-free fourunder card after 13 holes. But he fumbled with a missed-green bogey on No. 16, birdied the next but hit an errant drive on No. 18 and holed out with a double-bogey for a 33-37 card and a 209.

While Bayron wavered at the finish, Lascuña used a strong windup to keep it close at 211, ramming in two birdies in the last four holes to salvage a 71.

Shin, who set a course record 66 Thursday to upstage the star-studded field, never recovered from a bogey-riddled 42 at the front and tumbled to fifth at 214 after a 77, enabling the big-hitting Orlan Sumcad to take the third spot and a crack at the top

P650,000 purse in today’s championship flight.

Sumcad, who emerged the surprise runner-up to Thai Itthipat Buranatanyarat in last month’s ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic of the Asian Development Tour, rallied with two birdies in the last six holes to fire a 70 and keep himself on track for a breakthrough victory on the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour with a 212.

Cassius Casas matched that four-under overall output with a 71 while Angelo Que failed to sustain a second round 67 with a woeful 74 and slipped to sixth at 215, six shots off Bayron heading to the final 18 holes of the fifth leg of this year’s ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Frankie Miñoza and Miguel Tabuena both matched par 72s and remained tied at 216 while Michael Bibat also shot a 72 to join Japanese Toru Nakajima (73), Rufino Bayron (74) and Mars Pucay (75) at 218.

“It won’t be easy. For as long as there are holes to play, I can’t be so sure (of victory),” said Jay Bayron, seeking to end a year-long drought that started after he rallied from nine strokes down to snatch the ICTSI Splendido crown from brother Rufino early last year.

Truly, with Lascuña as chief rival, Bayron could only hope for the best with the former also raring to nail his first win in the season after racking up five victories last year en route to retaining the PGT Order of Merit crown for the third straight year.

PH chess Triathlon highlights team bags Smart’s SarBay fest 4 golds in Thailand THE Philippines ran away with four gold medals and obtained two Fide Master titles against an elite field in the recent FIDE World Schools Championships held May 6 to 14 at the Dusit Hotel in Pattaya, Thailand.

John Merill Jacutina, an incoming Grade 9 student at the Far Eastern University, scored 6.5 points out of a possible nine to rule the boys’ U-15 category and clinch a Fide Masters’ title in the process.

Jacutina won his first three matches, lost his fourth game against Candidate Master Ng Jen Seng of Malaysia, but scored three draws and two wins in the next five rounds to secure the gold medal. He added a bronze medal in the blitz category.

Not to be outdone, Kylen Joy Mordido of the University of the East finished in a three-way tie for first place with Mekanova Annagozel of Turkmenistan and Zhang Zhiao of China in the girls’ U-13 category with seven points to clinch the gold and likewise obtain a (Woman) Fide title.

Mordido actually finished second to Annagozel after the tiebreak, but was awarded the gold medal per tournament rules.

International Master and Tromso Chess Olympiad Philippine team mainstay Paolo Bersamina, meanwhile, settled for the silver in the standard (long game) event, but easily ruled the blitz side with six points out of a possible seven.

The National University student lost only once in seven games in the blitz category to clinch the gold.

Fide Master Shania Mae Mendoza, also of FEU, gave the Philippines its fourth gold medal in the girls’ U-17 category in style, as she went undefeated in nine matches.

The 16-year-old Mendoza won seven and drew twice -- against WCM Sapane Saloni of India in the sixth round and Ovesova Mengli of Turkmenistan in the next round. She added another silver in the blitz category where she scored six points, half a point behind blitz champion Jiang Zhaoyi of China.

SMART Communications is once again supporting the annual Sarangani Bay Festival to help promote tourism in the region as well as raise public awareness on the importance of environmental preservation and protection.

The festivities will run from May 15 to 17 in the municipality of Glan, Sarangani. Smart is sponsoring various activities during the three-day festival, including the Talk ‘N Text Day on the 15th, the SwimBike-Run for the Environment triathlon event on the 16th, and the Community Coastal Cleanup and release of fingerlings to the bay on the 17th.

Smart has been supporting the environmental campaign during SarBay Festival for the fourth straight year now as part of its advocacy to help promote ecological stewardship, and to push Sarangani as an eco-tourism hub south of the country.

Sarangani Bay is a 230-kilometer stretch of shoreline that is home to diverse marine life, including the world-famous tuna.

“The need to protect the environment has become all the more pressing with the onset of climate change. Getting

more people involved in this global effort to save the planet is very important. At Smart, we take initiatives like the SarBay Fest as an opportunity to promote not only the beauty of our country but also the protection of its resources to a bigger stage,” said Ramon R. Isberto, head of Public Affairs at Smart.

Smart has been giving tourism a push with its digital tourism initiative, and its Doon Po Sa Amin mapping competition that encourages crowd-sourcing of content from young students on what’s unique about their hometowns.

As the country’s leading wireless provider with facilities strategically located nationwide, Smart also recognizes it plays a key role in advancing the institutionalization of sound environmental practices in the industry.

It has been planting trees and mangrove propagules in various adopted sites nationwide in an effort to offset the greenhouse gas emissions of its operations. It is one of the key proponents of the Marikina Watershed Initiative that aims to reforest and rehabilitate Metro Manila’s flood water catch basin.

Jay Bayron watches the flight of his shot.

Republic of the Philippines

M ari ano M arcos St at e Uni versi t y Batac City 2906, Ilocos Norte BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

INVITATION TO BID : GOODS/SERVICES 15-010 Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), with offices at Quiling Sur, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, invites suppliers/ manufacturers/distributors to apply for eligibility and/or to bid for the hereunder project: PROJECT

ABC

Opening of Bids

Pre-Bid Conference

BID DOCS FEE

1. Office equipment and P 643,288.00 appliances for the University

May 25, 2015; 2:00 PM

June 8, 2015; P 2:00 PM

2. Various IT equipment for P8,804,269.00 the University

May 25, 2015; 2:00 PM

June 8, 2015; P 9,000.00 2:00 PM

3. Various Equipment University

May 25, 2015; 2:00 PM

June 8, 2015; 2:00 PM

Laboratory P8,582,740.00 for the

4. Various Farm P Implements and Tools for the University

412,000.00

for P 2nd

2,916000

5. Feed ingredients Feedmill Project, quarter 2015

650.00

9,000.00

May 25, 2015; P 2:30 PM

500.00

May 25, 2015; P 3,000.00 2:30 PM

Bidding will be conducted via open and public competitive bidding using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion in accordance with Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act,” and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), particularly, but not limited to the following: a) A bidder must be a Filipino citizen; for corporations, partnerships, or organizations, at least seventy five percent (75%) interest, or outstanding capital stock, must be owned by Filipino citizens. b) All bids must be accompanied by a valid bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the prescribed amount. c)

A bidder must have been awarded a contract similar to the Project, the cost of which is at least fifty percent (50%) of thereof, completed and accepted within the last two (2) years, reckoned from the date of the opening of bidsas herein above indicated.

d) Bids must be delivered/submitted to the Conference Room, FEM Hall, Mariano Marcos State University, Quiling Sur, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte on or before. e)

Bids received in excess of the ABC will be automatically rejected.

Public bidding is an invitation to make an offer. It is therefore understood that any bid may be accepted or rejected orthe bid process invalidated, at any time prior to contract award, without liability to anyone.

Complete set of bid documents may be secured from the MMSU BAC Secretariat at the address below or downloaded from the MMSU website or from the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) website. A bidder must pay a non-refundable fee as above indicated, due and payable upon issuance of the set of bid document or if secured via any of the websites, prior to submission of the bid documents.

Some of the winners of the 2014 Tempra-Mother’s Day Treat

are shown after participating in the event honoring mothers with fun and games at the Skydome SM-North EDSA. They are joined here by Tito Tolentino (left), Country Manager of Taisho Pharmaceutical (Philippines); Cleo Roda Nodado (fourth from left), Marketing Manager of Taisho; Ma. Eric Pablo Lejano (seventh from left), Business Unit Director and event host Raqi Tera (right). It was Tempra’s third Mother’s Day event, also backed the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

For further information please contact the MMSU BAC Secretariat at the address indicated below, Monday thru Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM: AGNES L. GABRIEL Office of the MMSU BAC Secretariat FEM Hall, Mariano Marcos State University Quiling Sur, Batac City 077-600-0461 aslgabriel@yahoo.com www.mmsu.edu.ph.

(TS-MAY 16, 2015)

(Sgd.) RAMON A LEAÑO BAC Chairman

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Maraño named finals’ best player IF there was an X factor in Petron’s dominance over Shopinas in the recently concluded 2015 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference women’s volleyball tournament best-of-three finals series, it had to be Abigail Maraño.

A gem of a spiker from De La Salle University, Maraño provided the firepower to help the Blaze Spikers crush the Lady Clickers and complete a historic 13-game sweep en route to their second consecutive title in this highly competitive inter-club tournament organized by Sports Core.

With Maraño leading the charge, Petron clinched a convincing straight-set victory in Game 1; 25-18, 25-14, 25-19, and an emphatic win in Game 2; 25-17, 22-25, 30-28, 25-17, to emerge as SpurwayPSL Press Corps Most Valuable Player of the Finals series.

The PSL Press Corps is led by its president, Marc Reyes of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Maraño was the engine that

SYLVIA LOPEZ ALEJANDRO

I

WE are featuring the final column of Phillip Alder, who has written for New York, this column.

“It is tough to write one’s final column. But I must pay particular tribute to Alan Truscott. We first met in 1971, when I was 19. Ceri Evans and I won a junior event in London for which the prize was a trip to New York to play in the Fun City Regional.

Alan organized our tour, including arranging for us to be invited to a Long Island country club where all the local bridge experts were given the run of the club, then after a huge buffet dinner, we played in a duplicate with a club member. (Evans and I finished second and third, causing a small stir.)

Alan took us to the old New York Times building off Times Square, where we saw his archaic typewriter.

In those days, the paper

powered the mighty Blaze Spikers as she delivered seven points in Game 1 before tallying a game-high 15 kills for total of 18 points in Game 2, a performance that was highlighted by a running attack in the crucial stretch of the third set that extinguished the furious rally of the gritty Lady Clickers.

But more than her attacking and defensive prowess in the middle position, it was her deep familiarity with the system of Shopinas coach Ramil de Jesus that gave Petron a huge advantage in the titular showdown.

“I gave my team some pointers on the set plays and defensive patterns of coach Ramil,” said Maraño, who was one of de Jesus’

most trusted wards when the Lady Archers won three straight titles in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines from 2008 to 2011.

“The strength of coach Ramil’s team is in blocking and service.

That’s why we strengthened our defense and improved our service receptions, because if we have a good receive, it will be easier for us to execute our attacks.”

Maraño, however, added that despite winning the title from the opposite side, she remains happy with the achievement of her former teammates, most of them are her close friends.

“They had limited time to train, yet they still made it all the way to the finals. I’m so happy for them,” said Maraño, who edged teammate Dindin Manabat and conference MVP Rachel Anne Daquis in the prestigious honor dished out by the reporters covering the league through the support of Spurway Enterprise.

Alder’s final column was typeset by hand.

Those initial experiences and the hot weather made me want to return, which I did several times. Then I moved to the United States in 1985 for a job that turned out not even to pay the rent. But when the word went around, many people came to my rescue. Dorothy and Alan Truscott let me live with them for some nine months, when we had bridge evenings with top New York players like Edgar Kaplan, Dick Frey, Andy Bernstein and the husband and wife Tom and Estee Griffin.

Frey put me in touch with George Rosenkranz, a collaboration that resulted in a close friendship and several books, and Kaplan gave me a job at the Bridge World, which continues today.

Alan always assumed that I would take over this column, but when I moved to Florida because my teaching career had expanded greatly, he

though that was that.

When he had to go in the hospital in early 2005, however, I covered for him.

And with email and the Internet, it really did not matters where I lived. Don Caswell, then the editor, persuaded the powers that be to take me on.

After Caswell retired, Neil Grenzlinger became my editor. They were both bridge players. But when Grenzlinger was reassigned, for the last few years I have had several editors who do not play bridge. This has been interesting for them and me. In tough circumstances, they have done a great job.

As a player, I won several junior titles and the English national team championship, the Crockford’s Cup. But sadly I have not won a national title in the United States, getting close three times.

-oOoIn response to some of my readers who requested

for bigger fonts, I have consulted my editor, Ray Mallari. He said I will have to make the column shorter.

With your indulgence some articles will have to be continued in the next column.

-oOoThe Cambridge Club results for Thursday, 7 May. Madame Chris Tweddell announced the results: A great turnout again with 8 tables.

And wow, look at the scores for those coming first for both North East/West.

Congratulations to Sylvia Alejandro and Satomi Suzuki, first place North South score of 70.63%. Second North/ South were Ditas Jalbuena and Pocholo Lozano.

Congratulations to Barry Randall and Susan Kwee, first place East/West with score of 71.43%. Second East/West were Gemma Tan and Salma Nugent.

Comments to: sylvia. alejandro@yahoo.com

ANNOUNCEMENT For ABS-CBNmobile Prepaid SIM Cards For ABS-CBNmobile Prepaid SIM Cards, SIM Card expiry will be as follows: 1.

Existing subscribers who have reloaded less than 60 days prior to June 17, 2015: • New expiry will be applied: • Validity of the SIM cards will be one hundred and twenty (120) days if subscriber has no reload activity • Or sixty (60) days from the expiration date of the reloaded prepaid credits, if subscriber did not reload thereafter.

2.

Existing subscribers who have not loaded for at least 60 days prior to June 17, 2015: • Validity of the SIM card will still be ninety (90)days from day of from the initial use if subscriber has no reload activity • Or thirty (30) days from the expiration date of the reloaded prepaid credits, if subscriber did not reload thereafter.

• If subscriber reloads again by June 17, 2015 onwards, the new expiry will apply— validity of the SIM cards will be sixty (60) days from the expiration date of the reloaded prepaid credits.

3.

New subscribers with activation date starting June 17, 2015 onwards • New expiry will be applied: • Validity of the SIM cards will be one hundred and twenty (120) days if subscriber has no reload activity • Or sixty (60) days from the expiration date of the reloaded prepaid credits, if subscriber did not reload thereafter.

Load your ABS-CBNmobile Prepaid SIM Card regularly to avoid deactivation.

For more information on ABS-CBNmobile Prepaid, visit www.abscbnmobile.com.

(TS-MAY 16, 2015)

Members of the Petron Blaze Spikers, ledby Aby Marano, are shown after receiving their championship trophy. ROMAN PROSPERO

Batang PBA champs. The Batang Globalport-Antipolo won against Batang

TNT-Quezon City, 65-24, in the finals of the 2015 Batang PBA, 12-under division. Shown here are PBA Chairman Pato Gregorio and Globalport Team owner Mikee Romero with son, Santi (holding the trophy). The team, coached by Karl Santos, Justin Tan, Andrew Estrella and Matthew Sia, is composed of MVP Diethird Torres, Ethan Alian, Kenji Duremdes, Gelo Rivero, Sam Alonzo, Xymon Nadurata, Angelo Torrios, Andre Tan, Enzo Compentete, Andre Minas, Kerby Ang, Enrico Torres, Loy Jugo, James Ison and Javi Jugo.

INSIDE SPORTS RONNIE NATHANIELSZ

TWO good men and outstanding supporters of sports were lost to our country last week and as we mourn their passing, we are incensed how one of them, youthful boxing promoter Edgar De Castro of Taal, Batangas, who was loved by the townsfolk, especially the poor as they cried like never before over his senseless killing by motorcycle-riding gunmen in front of his Malate home even when he raised both hands in surrender and asked them not to shoot.

Despite his pleas, Edgar was shot in a cold-blooded murder that reflects the inherent incompetence and inefficiency of the police under the Department of Interior and Local Government to not just stop senseless killings by motorcycle-riding gunmen, but to crackdown on illegal firearms in the hands of criminal elements.

Edgar de Castro was a good and decent young man, who by sheer dint of hard work and perseverance, rose from the ranks of the poor to build a future in business, which included his passion for boxing and his desire to help less fortunate boxers in their quest for glory both for themselves and our country.

In partnership with Japan’s Ryuta Kato, they formed United Boxing Promotions International, with gyms in Malate and in Japan and from their ranks emerged potential world champions in super flyweight Warlito Parrenas and flyweight Adrian Diale, among others.

Many of the vendors, who attended the church service and later the burial spoke in glowing terms of how Edgar always helped them one time asking a woman at the market place how many kids she had

A few good men and then asking her what the cost of all her produce was. He then pulled out his wallet, bought it all and told the woman to go home and look after her children.

As we stopped by a roadside vendor selling fruits, who inquired where we were coming from and after we told him it was the funeral of Edgar De Castro, he told us he was a friend and a kind and generous person always ready to help the poor.

Edgar’s eldest sister in extolling his virtues and thanking the people who crowded the church and the cemetery to express their grief and their gratitude cried out for justice for her youngest brother, even as hundreds wearing t-shirts with the message “We love you Edgar” and “Justice for Edgar” reflected the prevalent sentiments.

Question is, will this government pursue the killers and the mastermind and truly serve the demands of justice or will it be another of the countless murders and assassinations that have been thrown into the dustbin of callousness and indifference?

As we shed a tear for Edgar de Castro, whose fight cards we covered for Viva Sports on “The Main Event” on Pinoy Box Office over Sky Cable, we remember how he, his partner Kato and trainer Warren Evison and matchmaker Art Monis and the boxers themselves always thanked us for helping build up the confidence and reputation of a new breed of talented young Filipino boxers and the exposure they got from our combined efforts.

The life of a good and decent young Filipino was brutally snuffed out by a vicious killer. It’s up to this government to right this

terrible wrong and answer the cry for justice, which rang out across the historic town of Taal last Thursday.

The thousands who paid their last respects to Congressman Henry Cojuangco at the De La Salle Greenhills Chapel last Wednesday evening and the unending stream of flowers, reflected a deep down respect and affection for a kind and generous man, who was friend of everybody and an enemy of no one.

Just like his esteemed elder brother, Ambassador Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, chairman of San Miguel Corporation, Henry loved sports, especially basketball, boxing and of course horseracing.

We last saw Henry together with Boss Danding and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada at special ringside at the Smart Araneta Coiseum, watching ALA Promotions “Pinoy Pride 30,” which starred the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, WBO light flyweight Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and the returning Dinning fivedivision world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, who both won in spectacular fashion, pleasing Henry and Boss Danding as he is affectionately called by those who know him well.

In years past, we enjoyed the company of the Cojuangco brothers at the World Basketball Club championships in Spain and the historic 1985 victory of the San Miguel Beer team in the 1985 Jones Cup finals, where they beat a star-studded American team in overtime and also the ABC Championships in Kuala Lumpur in January.

Henry had the remarkable capacity to accept defeat with grace and victory with humility that set him apart among the heroes of our time.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

P0.0 M+

Villarito settles for javelin bronze THE Philippines’ Rosie Villarito came up with a 46.67-meter heave in the women’s javelin throw in the ongoing Taiwan Open athletics’ meet.

Her performance was good for a bronze medal finish.

Villarito already made it to the national team to the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore after she had a 49.83-meter showing in the PATAFA Weekly Relays.

Her performance, though, was below the SEA Games bronze medal standard of 48.31 meters.

Meanwhile, Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will face Jamaican rival Veronica Campbell-Brown at the Shanghai Diamond League meeting on Sunday as she begins her quest for a third straight 100m world title.

Fraser-Pryce’s first 100m of the year will be closely watched after an injury-hit 2014, and comes just a few months before she returns to China for the August world championships in Beijing.

The 28-year-old won 100m Olympic gold at Beijing’s Birds Nest stadium in 2008, but she will be tested on Sunday with the highly decorated Campbell-Brown among five rivals with personal bests below 11 seconds.

Campbell-Brown, 33, was the overall winner in the 100m event in last season’s 14-meet Diamond League series and won at the IAAF Continental Cup in Marrakech. Peter Atencio, AFP

Barako Bull stuns TNT, 94-87

By Peter Atencio

CANADIAN import Liam McMorrow imposed his size inside the paint to carry Barako Bull past Commissioner’s Cup champion Talk ‘N Text, 94-87, yesterday in in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The 6’11 McMorrow bullied his way to 26 points and put up monster numbers off the boards with 28 rebounds as Barako Bull posted its third straight victory to climb into a tie for the lead with GlobalPort.

McMorrow immediately went to work in the first quarter, joining forces with Jake Pascual, Dylan Ababou and RR Garcia in leading the Energy Boosters to a 2514 first quarter headstart.

After Ababou hit a triple and Pascual scored on a jumper, McMorrow followed up with a short stab that touched off an 8-0 run which gave them an 11-point lead at the end of

the first frame, 25-14.

In the second quarter, the Tropang Texters fought back and managed to inch closer at 30-31 on Jay Washington’s triple, but Paolo Hubalde and Joseph hit consecutive jumpers to keep Talk N Text at bay.

With McMorrow scoring at will inside and Ababou hitting a triple, Barako Bull restored a 50-41 lead at the half, and stretched it to 15, 68-53 on another basket from McMorrow.

Steffphon Pettigrew scored 23 points and had 13 rebounds for the Tropang Texters while Washington added 14 points and seven boards.

Acquired Asset Management Group 7th Flr. JELP Business Solutions Center Shaw Boulevard Mandaluyong City

INVITATION TO BID May 16, 2015 The Pag-IBIG Fund Committee on Disposition of Acquired Assets shall conduct a second (2nd) public auction for the sale of acquired asset properties at 7th Flr. JELP Business Solutions Center, 409 Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong City on: NO. OF DATE AREAS UNITS June 16, 2015 Cavite 679 Laguna, Metro Manila 633 June 17, 2015 Batangas, Bulacan, and Rizal TOT AL 1312 GENERAL GUIDELINES 1.

Interested parties are required to secure copies of: (a) INSTRUCTION TO BIDDERS (HQP-AAF-104) and (b) OFFER TO BID (HQP-AAF-103) from the office of the Acquired Assets Management at 7th Flr. JELP Business Solutions Center, 409 Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong City or may download the forms at www. pagibigfund.gov.ph (link Disposition of Acquired Assets for Public Auction).

2.

Properties shall be sold on an “AS IS, WHERE IS” basis.

3.

All interested buyers are encouraged to inspect the property/ies before tendering their offer/s. The list of the properties may be viewed at www.pagibigfund.gov.ph/ aa/aa.aspx (Other properties for sale-Disposition of Acquired Assets for Public Auction).

4.

Bidders are also encouraged to visit our website, www.pagibigfund.gov.ph/ aa/aa.aspx five (5) days prior the actual auction date, to check whether there are any erratum posted on the list of properties posted under the sealed public auction.

5.

Sealed proposals shall be received by the Committee on Disposition of Acquired Assets’ Secretariat at 7th Flr. Training Room JELP Business Solutions Center, 409 Shaw Blvd. Mandaluyong City, starting 9:00 AM but not later than 12:00 NN on the scheduled date; the said proposals shall be opened immediately in the presence of the committee and attending bidders Bidders are advised to submit their proposals only on the scheduled date of batch. No proposals shall be accepted by the committee earlier or later than the scheduled date.

6.

The Bid Offer shall not be lower than the minimum bid set by the Fund

7.

Each bid proposal shall be accompanied by a BIDDER’S BOND either in CASH or MANAGER’S CHECK issued by any commercial bank, payable to Pag-IBIG Fund for an amount equivalent to 10% of the BID PRICE. It shall likewise serve as the down payment of the winning bidder.

8.

Payment of the remaining ninety percent (90%) bid offer balance may either be thru any of the following modes: a. b. c.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, May 16, 2015 ACROSS 1 5 9 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 22 24 25 26 29 31 32 33 36 37 40 41 42 43 45 47 48 51 52 54 58 59 61 62 63 64 65 66 67

Tijuana locale Zen riddle Made the scene Black, to Donne Ottoman title Get — (manage) Be a party to Spill the beans Rumormonger Dregs Jetted forth Stir-fry pans Late bloomers Game hunter’s trek Nuisances Video-game pioneer Kin of the twist Roswell crasher Novelist — Follett Treat a wound Umbrella spoke Naval off.

Trailing Mexico’s Sierra — Bradley and Sharif Century plant Zigzag course Evening in Paris Fete Garden perennials Tequila cactus Essay byline Europe-Asia range Pocket change Lois of “Lois & Clark” Wheel hub Damage, slangily Appian Way, e.g.

Made to match

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 16 21 23 26 27 28

Loaded for — French cleric Average guys Kind of protest Japanese theater Gives the eye Triumphant cry Collars a crook Horse Storm warnings — Carlo Big computer key Traipses about Greek column type Twinges Wine served warm Nefertiti’s god Stadium fillers

29 30 32 33 34 35 38 39 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 53 55 56 57 60

Copper and zinc Female relative Have qualms Karachi language Bake pottery Comply Pack animal AOL message Stuck, as a ship Relish-tray items Unassuming Angora product Silvery fish Mr. Spock’s forte Texas tourist site Tower topper Sherpa’s sighting Cavity detector (hyph.)

Icicle site Husky’s burden Sanction

PREVIOUS PUZZLE SOLVED

9.

5-16-15

© 2015 UFS, Dist. by Univ. Uclick for UFS

Cash – on which the approved purchase price shall be paid not later than thirty (30) calendar days from date of receipt of Notice of Award (NOA).

Installment basis – on which payment shall be in equal monthly installment inclusive of interest and provided the chosen payment term shall not exceed twelve (12) months.

Pag-IBIG Housing Loan – payment shall be in the form of monthly amortization based on the approved loan term, which may be up to a maximum of thirty (30) years with the following considerations: 1. Loan approval and term shall be subject to eligibility requirements stipulated under the Pag-IBIG End-User Home Financing Program guidelines; 2. The loan amount shall be the bidder’s bid offer, net of the 10% downpayment; 3. In case the housing loan application has been disapproved, the 10% bidder’s bond shall be forfeited in favor of the Fund.

4. The buyer shall be required to file his Pag-IBIG housing loan application and pay the following incidental expenses within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the Notice of Approval of Sale: a. Processing fee of Three Thousand Pesos (the P1,000.00 shall be paid on the auction day while the remaining P2,000.00 shall be paid upon submission of complete requirements); b. Equity, if applicable; c. One year advance insurance premiums (sales redemption insurance as well as fire and allied peril insurance); 5. In case the Bid Offer, net of the ten percent (10%) bid bond and additional discount, is still higher than the appraisal value of the property, the amount in excess of the appraisal value shall be treated as equity. It shall be paid by the buyer within thirty (30) calendar days upon receipt of Notice of Loan Approval.

6. Original Borrowers who wish to participate on the Sealed Public Auction shall not be allowed to bid thru housing loan availment. They may only bid thru cash or installment basis.

Additional Discounts shall be given to winning bidders depending on their chosen mode of purchase, as follows: MODE OF PURCHASE CASH INSTALLMENT

10.

ADDITIONAL DISCOUNT 20% 10%

The Bidders shall be present at the opening of bids. Bidders may designate their Authorized Representatives, provided they shall issue the following documents: a. b.

Special Power of Attorney for individual-bidder Secretary’s Certificate for company-bidder

11.

The Opening of Bids shall commence from 12:01 PM until completion.

12.

The bidder who offers the highest bid shall be declared as the winner.

13.

In case of a tied highest bid, it shall be resolved by applying the following order of preference: a. b.

Cash Offer (Mode of Payment); Time of entry/registration in the auction room

If there is still a tie, it shall be resolved immediately by an open auction between/ among the tied highest bidders.

14.

The non-winning bidders’ respective bid bonds shall be returned to them immediately together with an Acknowledgment Receipt once a winning bidder has been declared.

15.

If the winning bidder fails or refuses to push through with the purchase of the property, or fails to pay in full the remaining balance within 30 calendar days from receipt of the Notice of Award (NOA), he shall lose his right as winning bidder and the 10% bidder’s bond shall be forfeited in favor of the Fund.

16.

Interested parties may visit the ACQUIRED ASSETS MANAGEMENT or contact MS. ROSCIEL A. BRIONES or MR. CONAN ACENAS at tel. nos. 654-1398 and 654-2410. You may also email your inquiries for further details at aad_ms@ pagibigfund.gov.ph.

PAG-IBIG FUND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY OR ALL BIDS, TO WAIVE ANY FORMALITY THEREIN OR ACCEPT SUCH BIDS AS MAY BE CONSIDERED MOST ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE FUND. THE DECISION OF THE FUND IS FINAL AND BINDING. _______________________________ (Sgd.) ATTY. DIGNA P. MAGPANTAY Vice President Acquired Asset Management (MAY 16, 2015)

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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

Rockets forge death match with Clippers Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets (left) and DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers battle for the rebound in Game 6 of their teams’ western conference playoffs at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. AFP

LOS ANGELES—The Clippers had appeared to be heading for a similar series win.

But the Rockets put together a stunning comeback, erasing a 19-point third-quarter deficit to shock the clippers 119-107 and force a decisive game seven back in Houston on Sunday.

“We gave this one away, there’s no doubt about that,” said Clippers coach Doc Rivers, whose team was out-scored 40-15 in the fourth

quarter. “But it’s still 3-3, and we have a game seven.”

Rivers admitted it would be tough for his players to regroup af-

ter their second straight failure to put away a series which they had led 3-1.

It was an outcome that looked impossible when Rockets star James Harden went to the bench with 1:33 remaining in the third quarter, his team trailing by 17.

Harden never even got back in the game, as Corey Brewer and Josh Smith spearheaded the Rockets’ remarkable resurgence.

Brewer and Smith combined for 29 points over the final 12 minutes,

Federer takes on Rafa next TURN TO A12

each finishing with 19.

“This is what we fought all season for—for home court to be able to put the pressure back on them for a game seven at our house,” Smith said.

Blake Griffin, who finished with 28 points for Los Angeles, didn’t score in the final period -- nor did Matt Barnes or DeAndre Jordan.

“We got very tentative,” Rivers said. “Very few people event wanted to shoot in stretches. It happens, but it’s awful to watch.” AFP

LeBron, Cavs rout Bulls, make East finals CHICAGO—The Cleveland Cavaliers punched their ticket to the NBA Eastern Conference finals on Thursday, but in the West the Los Angeles Clippers stunningly failed to get past the Houston Rockets.

Cleveland superstar LeBron James got plenty of help from his supporting cast in the Cavaliers’ 94-73 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

With the win the Cavs completed a four-games-to-two triumph over the Bulls in their best-of-seven second-round series, and will now face either the Atlanta Hawks or Washington Wizards for a place in the NBA finals.

There was no such drama in Chicago, where the Cavaliers seized their opportunity to eliminate the Bulls despite a tough shooting night for James and a first-half injury to Kyrie Irving.

James connected on just seven of 23 attempts from the floor, but he still finished one rebound shy of a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds.

The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player said that, as always, he just tried to make the most of his team’s chance to advance.

“I just love the moment and I just try to not waste the opportunity,” he said. “Is it always going to work out that way? No. There’s going to be series where you can close out and win and you just don’t do it. For me, my mindset is just to go out and try to win every game.”

Irving reinjured his left knee in the second quarter and sat out much of the game, but a string of lesser-known players stepped up to help the Cavs seal the series.

Matthew Dellavedova scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, Iman Shumpert scored 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds and J.R. Smith added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers.

“The power of team trumps all,” Cleveland coach David Blatt said.

While James will be playing in his fifth straight Eastern Conference finals, the last four were during his tenure in Miami.

The Cavaliers are back in the conference finals for the first time since 2009. AFP

Maraño named Superliga Finals’ MVP TURN TO A14

B1

SATURDAY: MAY16, 2015

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Aboitiz buying Lafarge plants

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CONGLOMERATE Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. said Friday it signed an agreement with CRH Plc. of Ireland to acquire the cement operations of Lafarge of France in the Philippines.

AEV said the planned acquisition of Lafarge cement plants would enable the conglomerate to diversify its business consisting of power generation, banking, agribusiness and real estate development AEV said in a disclosure to

the stock exchange it was in exclusive negotiations with CRH. AEV said it planned to invest with CRH to acquire four Luzon-based cement manufacturing plants in Norzagaray, Bulacan; Teresa, Rizal; and Taysan, Batangas; a

plant in Danao City, Cebu and associated limestone quarries.

Under the agreement, AEV and CRH will acquire majority of the shares of Lafarge Republic Inc. and the shares in Luzon Continental Land Corp. and Lafarge Cement Services Philippines Inc., which together constitute the majority of Lafarge’s Philippine cement operations.

“We are very pleased with the prospect of entering this new business, which is a solid opportunity that will support our thrust to develop infrastructure as one of our core businesses and create a more diversified income

source for AEV,” AEV president Erramon Aboitiz said.

“Together with CRH, we aim to take an already successful Philippine cement operations and management team to greater heights, as the country’s need for quality cement will continue to grow in line with its resurgent economy and infrastructure sector,” Aboitiz said.

AEV’s move to venture into cement business will complement the conglomerate’s earlier plans to invest into infrastructure as its firth led of core businesses.

“Venturing into infrastructure meets our growth criteria. We are

very optimistic of the potential gains this new core business will bring to the Group amid the huge demand for infrastructure in the Philippines,” Aboitiz said.

Conclusion of any transaction would be subject to the successful completion of the merger between Lafarge S.A. and Holcim Ltd. and the approval by the boards of both CRH and AEV, the conglomerate said.

Lafarge and Holcim Ltd. of Switzerland are disposing of assets to win regulatory approval for their planned merger to create the world’s biggest cement firm.

PSe comPoSite index Closing May 15, 2015

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CLOSE

44 43 42

HIGH P44.460 LOW P44.560 AVERAGE P44.512 VOLUME 722.200M

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

oPriceS il P today

DBP remittance. President Aquino receives from Development Bank of the Philippines chairman Jose Nuñez Jr. (right) a dividend check

amounting to P3.135 billion for remittance to the National Treasury during the 2015 Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations Dividends Day at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday. Forty nine agencies remitted P36.36 billion to the National Treasury, surpassing the collections made last year, with 10 GOCCs belonging to the elite circle for remitting at least P1 billion to the government.

P35.40-P39.15 Kerosene P23.70-P24.40 Auto LPG

Maynilad Water pursues claim against MWSS

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, May 15, 2015

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

44.5690

Japan

Yen

0.008391

0.3740

UK

Pound

1.577900

70.3254

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.129026

5.7506

Switzerland

Franc

1.096251

48.8588

Canada

Dollar

0.833889

37.1656

Singapore

Dollar

0.758035

33.7849

Australia

Dollar

0.807168

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652379

118.2139

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266667

11.8851

Brunei

Dollar

0.755173

33.6573

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.029842

1.3300

UAE

Dirham

0.272257

12.1342

Euro

Euro

1.141400

50.8711

Korea

Won

0.000918

0.0409

China

Yuan

0.161259

7.1872

India

Rupee

0.015759

0.7024

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.279330

12.4495

New Zealand

Dollar

0.749400

33.4000

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032732

1.4588

35.9747

Source: PDS Bridge

MAYNILAD Water Services Inc. said Friday it will pursue an appeal against the government’s decision to grant a lower water rate increase despite a favorable ruling from an arbitration body.

Maynilad reiterated its position after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Board granted the company a 7.52-percent adjustment to the basic water rate.

“We received formal advice that the MWSS approved a 7.52-percent adjustment to the basic rate for the cumulative consumer price index we are entitled to,” said Maynilad chief finance officer Randy Estrellado.

MWSS earlier said it approved an average increase of P1.35 per cubic meter to the Westzone concessionaire’s basic charge of P31.25 per cubic meter.

The currency exchange rate adjustment component of the basic charge was not included due to the implementation of a differential adjustment.

“This is a step in the right direction as we are entitled to a CPI adjustment and any delays will just increase future adjustments.

Additionally, any positive adjustment now will reduce the continuing claim we have on the government undertaking,” Estrellado said.

“Note that since P1 CERA is the same regardless of consumption, low consuming customers will actually experience tariff cut,” Estrellado added.

Maynilad customers who consume 10 cubic meters will see a decrease of P4.12 a month. Those who consume 20 cubic meters will see an increase of P2.22 per month, while those using up 30 cubic meters will

pay P15.52 more.

Estrellado said despite the rate adjustment, the company would still pursue the arbitration case in Singapore.

“We are still pursuing the arbitration in Singapore. We are just waiting for the government’s new nominee to the arbitration panel after its first nominee requested his name be withdrawn,” Estrellado said.

The International Chamber of Commerce last year ruled in favor of Maynilad, approving a higher tariff, including passing the income tax to consumers.

The appeals panel’s decision translates into an average increase of P3.06 per cubic meter.

Maynilad earlier filed another arbitration case before the international arbitration court in Singapore against the government for its alleged refusal to implement a tariff increase.

SATURDAY: MAY 16, 2015

B2

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

MST BuSineSS Daily STockS Review Friday, May 15, 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 99.4 1.46 30.5 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 78 0.9 18.02 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. Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

7.49 71.2 114.00 100.40 48.15 2.50 2.07 15.7 23.3 7.40 1.69 94.2 1.09 18.20 75.00 94 317.8 44.95 165.3 1480.00 65.05 3.07

35.6 1.04 1.41 7.92 14.6 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 13.24 3.12 0.395 168 8.65 2.3 1.63 24.4 16.2 7.62 250.2 3.87 9 3.7 3.03 2.22 1 4.72 1.65 6 201.6 1.67 0.122 2.01 143.4 0.670 1.39

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Century Food 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. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

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

Petron Corporation Phil H2O 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. Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

42.4 1.08 2.04 11.52 19.2 28 58.05 2 1.76 12.9 20.100 11.42 7.80 10.00 1.75 14.2 27.3 89 14.10 13.86 5.9 0.580 211.40 10.2 2.49 2.76 25 28 7.6 268.80 4.1 9.68 4.4 3.93 2.26 2.16 5.03 1.92 6.7 188 1.6 0.160 2.29 211.8 0.67 1.29

0.7 59.2 31.85 7.39 2.27 3.4 3.35 800 11.06 84 3.68 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 0.84 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 1.15 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 0.450 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 ‘B’ 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 Orion 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

0.470 57.25 24.05 7.00 1.51 0.285 0.29 810 8.38 14.70 3.5 4.32 0.265 1403 6.39 71.75 4.2 6.43 5.45 7.5 0.75 15.26 0.68 4.75 5 0.0380 1.040 66.95 2.81 900.00 1.28 0.84 90.00 0.3750 0.2290 0.305

10.5 1.99 2.07 0.375 40 6.15 5.4 5.6

6.01 0.91 1.29 0.192 29.1 4.1 4.96 2.8

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’

8.700 0.79 1.350 0.265 40.20 4.07 5.2 6.45

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

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 7.75 7.2 71.25 70.6 115.40 113.20 101.00 99.90 78.25 48.1 2.50 2.50 2.15 2.09 15.9 15.1 23.55 23.1 7.40 7.40 1.69 1.68 94.2 93.25 1.1 1.09 18.30 18.24 75.95 74.90 94 93.9 318 317 45.65 44.95 168.5 165.5 1475.00 1475.00 65.30 65.00 3.12 3.1 INDUSTRIAL 42.65 42.15 1.09 1.06 2.12 2.03 11.6 11.5 19.5 19.2 28.95 27.9 58.25 57 2.11 1.91 1.76 1.76 12.9 12.64 20.650 20.15 11.48 11.36 8.09 7.86 10.30 10.02 1.83 1.75 14.92 14.04 27.95 27.7 90.5 88.6 14.98 14.10 13.98 13.88 5.9 5.75 0.580 0.580 212.00 211.00 10.46 10.2 2.5 2.48 3.05 3.04 26.2 25 28.4 27.55 7.56 7.4 273.00 267.00 4.21 4.1 10.06 9.50 4.1 4.03 4.10 3.93 2.40 2.30 2.4 2.15 5.05 4.99 1.93 1.91 6.69 6.07 192 188 1.59 1.56 0.160 0.160 2.31 2.27 212 208.2 0.72 0.67 1.32 1.29 HOLDING FIRMS 0.470 0.470 57.90 57.20 24.60 24.20 7.00 6.90 1.63 1.61 0.290 0.280 0.29 0.28 823.5 810 8.39 8.33 15.38 14.80 3.4 3.4 4.47 4.37 0.265 0.255 1417 1404 6.36 6.36 73.40 71.80 4.2 4.2 5.47 5.47 6.89 6.5 7.87 7.53 0.76 0.75 15.76 15.2 0.68 0.67 4.79 4.73 5 5 0.0380 0.0380 1.120 1.040 67.00 66.50 2.96 2.81 914.00 900.00 1.27 1.20 0.83 0.81 91.95 88.00 0.3900 0.3700 0.2380 0.2250 0.310 0.310 ROPERTY 8.880 8.500 0.89 0.78 1.330 1.300 0.240 0.240 40.80 40.20 4.15 4.05 5.2 5.18 5.8 5.8

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

7.2 71 115.00 100.00 48.1 2.50 2.10 15.8 23.25 7.40 1.68 93.75 1.09 18.30 74.90 94 317 45.1 167 1475.00 65.10 3.12

-3.87 -0.28 0.88 -0.40 -0.10 0.00 1.45 0.64 -0.21 0.00 -0.59 -0.48 0.00 0.55 -0.13 0.00 -0.25 0.33 1.03 -0.34 0.08 1.63

39,400 75,150 2,669,660 4,152,300 214,900 3,000 35,000 12,400 1,925,200 3,300 27,000 3,245,680 26,000 12,300 60,960 3,540 1,070 11,400 639,430 105 28,490 341,000

42.35 1.08 2.1 11.5 19.32 28 57 2 1.76 12.68 20.300 11.38 8.02 10.30 1.83 14.58 27.8 89.5 14.98 13.98 5.9 0.580 212.00 10.4 2.5 3.05 26 27.95 7.4 273.00 4.2 10.02 4.03 4.05 2.35 2.32 5.03 1.93 6.2 188 1.59 0.160 2.27 210.6 0.72 1.32

-0.12 0.00 2.94 -0.17 0.63 0.00 -1.81 0.00 0.00 -1.71 1.00 -0.35 2.82 3.00 4.57 2.68 1.83 0.56 6.24 0.87 0.00 0.00 0.28 1.96 0.40 10.51 4.00 -0.18 -2.63 1.56 2.44 3.51 -8.41 3.05 3.98 7.41 0.00 0.52 -7.46 0.00 -0.63 0.00 -0.87 -0.57 7.46 2.33

3,450,500 2,686,000 1,422,000 5,000 164,800 150,300 160,330 12,569,000 51,000 150,300 1,740,100 270,800 29,046,500 383,000 37,000 70,800 1,862,500 306,050 4,600 19,500 377,000 11,000 1,521,790 1,758,700 107,000 106,000 2,390,800 91,500 164,000 347,860 1,962,000 8,427,300 11,000 447,000 930,000 845,000 1,556,000 80,000 8,300 10,270 77,000 460,000 155,000 2,378,590 1,172,000 35,000

0.470 57.65 24.40 7.00 1.61 0.285 0.29 821 9.38 15.10 3.4 4.37 0.265 1410 6.36 72.00 4.2 5.47 6.55 7.71 0.75 15.5 0.68 4.73 5 0.0380 1.100 66.50 2.96 910.00 1.21 0.81 88.10 0.3900 0.2330 0.310

0.00 0.70 1.46 0.00 6.62 0.00 0.00 1.36 11.93 2.72 -2.86 1.16 0.00 0.50 -0.47 0.35 0.00 -14.93 20.18 2.80 0.00 1.57 0.00 -0.42 0.00 0.00 5.77 -0.67 5.34 1.11 -5.47 -3.57 -2.11 4.00 1.75 1.64

40,000 1,073,880 12,165,300 10,800 5,000 4,420,000 12,000 379,800 1,223,700 10,444,900 9,000 282,000 800,000 442,230 31,300 1,193,870 2,000 100 1,600 9,106,600 45,000 4,985,000 201,000 13,193,000 56,800 2,000,000 11,153,000 133,760 16,000 207,160 93,000 117,000 23,040 10,350,000 740,000 200,000

8.790 0.84 1.300 0.240 40.70 4.1 5.19 5.8

1.03 6.33 -3.70 -9.43 1.24 0.74 -0.19 -10.08

229,400 11,503,000 159,000 30,000 6,424,200 609,000 48,000 400

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

High

Low

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.54 1.97 1.48 0.201 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

0.89 1.1 0.97 0.083 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

Century Property 0.89 City & Land Dev. 1.30 Cityland Dev. `A’ 1.04 Crown Equities Inc. 0.157 Empire East Land 0.850 Ever Gotesco 0.182 Global-Estate 1.39 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.90 Interport `A’ 1.43 Keppel Properties 6.60 Megaworld Corp.

5.28 MRC Allied Ind. 0.125 Phil. Estates Corp.

0.3300 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.4650 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 25.05 Primex Corp.

7.28 Robinson’s Land `B’ 30.00 Rockwell 1.71 Shang Properties Inc. 3.30 SM Prime Holdings 19.56 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.74 Starmalls 7.1 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 0.980 Vista Land & Lifescapes 7.300

-1.12 0.00 14.42 -0.64 0.00 -1.10 0.00 6.32 -1.40 0.00 -0.57 0.80 0.00 5.38 7.78 0.14 0.00 1.17 0.30 0.72 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.05

2,320,000 1,000 333,000 12,660,000 102,000 140,000 944,000 49,766,000 147,000 200 19,416,700 7,080,000 250,000 30,000 61,400 93,500 1,279,800 1,529,000 45,000 5,482,500 336,000 2,000 70,000 16,307,000

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 12.46 15.82 0.1460 4.61 99.1 12.3 9 2090 8.41 33 1.97 119.5 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 2.85 2.2 5.9 1.97 2.46 15.2 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 1600 5.95 30 1.36 105 8.72 0.012 0.036 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.69 1.1 1.05 0.490 1.8 8.7 3 2.28 79 4.39 2726 0.380 0.32 31.45 60.55 7.59 0.63 6.45 0.305

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. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `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 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.

0.00 -0.08 0.95 0.00 -1.01 -5.66 1.02 0.00 6.11 0.00 1.47 1.84 1.77 -3.57 -1.43 1.83 0.16 8.33 3.83 0.79 0.00 0.72 -2.38 0.78 -20.00 1.49 0.00 0.42 -5.86 -1.64 -1.54 0.94 0.00 -1.49 -1.72 -0.25 4.42 -0.93 0.00 -0.45 -4.41

48,100 5,590 41,000 1,394,000 56,900 33,599,100 8,320,000 397,000 2,421,830 5,300 89,600 65,280 156,900 1,100 2,149,000 379,030 1,200 4,600,000 3,010,000 166,000 1,000 3,668,900 2,000 1,000 26,390 16,000 60,000 307,100 29,000 4,000 310 197,500 72,530 3,138,000 34,079,000 919,400 945,470 3,871,800 27,000 2,625,000 600,000

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 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 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

1.92 -0.73 0.25 -1.96 8.68 1.39 -0.94 -1.14 0.00 0.56 0.00 4.22 4.62 0.00 7.14 -2.21 -1.80 -2.31 0.48 -7.69 0.00 0.91 -0.72 -2.30 0.00 3.16 0.38 -9.09

30,000,000 236,000 186,900 1,470,000 49,300 4,400 507,000 1,523,000 300 4,752,000 180,000 23,620,000 5,340,000 3,100,000 19,600,000 940,000 2,462,400 2,201,000 14,000 2,000,000 8,100,000 119,000 501,600 3,190,000 1,000,000 932,670 806,800 800,000

70 120 515 8.21 12.28 1060

33 101.5 480 5.88 6.5 997

-1,330,426.00

1047 76.9 78.95 84.8

1011 74.2 74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 SMC Preferred A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C

0.32 -0.83 0.00 2.48 0.93 4.17 7.83 1.33 0.39 0.00 -10.37

292,660 10,000 9,000 100,000 400,000 1,000 4,295 8,610 192,910 5,450 28,970

8,510.00 8,800.00 130,000.00 7,200.00 28,122,950.00 830,810.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

1.76

2,195,000

-367,070.00

10.96 15 88 12.88

2.4 3.5 13.5 5.95

0.00 -9.00 10.15 7.19

2,510,600 33,800 30 4,344,000

392,468.00

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

0.78

15,310

3,667,605.50 88,623,731.00 -158,666,862.00 21,040.00 15,800.00 5,914,565.00 -123,740,406.50

0.89 0.88 0.88 1.30 1.30 1.30 1.20 1.10 1.19 0.157 0.153 0.156 0.850 0.850 0.850 0.182 0.181 0.180 1.41 1.39 1.39 2.02 1.91 2.02 1.41 1.38 1.41 6.60 6.60 6.60 5.38 5.23 5.25 0.127 0.123 0.126 0.3300 0.3250 0.3300 0.5000 0.4900 0.4900 32.75 25.05 27.00 7.3 7.28 7.29 30.20 29.70 30.00 1.73 1.71 1.73 3.31 3.30 3.31 19.98 19.62 19.70 0.75 0.73 0.74 7.1 7.1 7.1 0.990 0.980 0.980 7.450 7.310 7.450 SERVICES 6.57 6.57 6.49 6.57 61.9 61.95 61.75 61.85 1.05 1.06 1.06 1.06 0.680 0.680 0.680 0.680 13.8 13.66 13.5 13.66 10.60 10.70 10.00 10.00 0.0980 0.1000 0.0980 0.0990 4 4.08 4 4 85.95 91.2 88.1 91.2 10 10 10 10 6.80 6.95 6.80 6.90 2504 2584 2504 2550 6.20 6.31 6.20 6.31 28.00 27.00 25.00 27.00 1.40 1.42 1.35 1.38 109 111.4 109.2 111 12.38 12.4 12.4 12.4 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.013 0.235 0.245 0.232 0.244 1.2600 1.3000 1.2700 1.2700 2.41 2.41 2.41 2.41 9.73 10.08 9.70 9.80 2.10 2.05 2.05 2.05 1.29 1.3 1.3 1.3 80.00 82.00 62.25 64.00 0.670 0.680 0.680 0.680 2 2 2 2 9.46 9.65 9.46 9.5 4.78 4.79 4.50 4.50 3.05 3 3 3 130.00 128.00 128.00 128.00 16.94 17.10 16.04 17.10 2850.00 2864.00 2846.00 2850.00 0.670 0.670 0.650 0.660 1.740 1.740 1.710 1.710 39.95 39.95 39.55 39.85 83.80 88.20 83.60 87.50 10.80 10.84 10.68 10.70 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67 6.69 6.73 6.61 6.66 0.340 0.325 0.325 0.325 MINING & OIL 0.0052 0.0053 0.0052 0.0053 2.73 2.71 2.69 2.71 8.05 8.16 8.06 8.07 0.255 0.250 0.250 0.250 6.8000 7.7400 6.8000 7.3900 7.2000 7.7000 6.8000 7.3000 1.06 1.06 1.03 1.05 0.88 0.87 0.86 0.87 7.79 7.90 7.79 7.79 1.8 1.82 1.79 1.81 0.345 0.365 0.345 0.345 0.237 0.248 0.237 0.247 0.238 0.250 0.245 0.249 0.0150 0.0150 0.0140 0.0150 0.0140 0.0150 0.0140 0.0150 4.08 4.27 3.99 3.99 27.75 27.75 26.6 27.25 3.89 3.94 3.78 3.8 2.090 2.100 2.100 2.100 0.0130 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 4.40 4.45 4.44 4.44 6.98 7 6.92 6.93 2.17 2.27 2.11 2.12 0.016 0.016 0.016 0.016 158.00 163.10 158.00 163.00 7.8 8.07 7.82 7.83 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 PREFERRED 62.8 63.2 62.8 63 120 119 119 119 520 520 520 520 6.05 6.2 6.19 6.2 1.08 1.09 1.09 1.09 1080 1125 1100 1125 1085 1180 1105 1170 1050 1064 1051 1064 76.4 76.7 76.3 76.7 84 84 84 84 96.95 86.95 86.9 86.9 WARRANTS & BONDS 4.550 4.880 4.580 4.630 SME 10.04 10.14 9.8 10.04 9.89 9.99 8.89 9 66 75 66.1 72.7 9.59 10.28 9.6 10.28 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 127.4 128.5 127.7 128.4

-1,353,470.00 -3,600.00 63,550.00 -394,150.00 33,457,910.00 46,200.00 -28,401,443.00 2,000.00

MST

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

SHARES 14,029,057 81,294,853 85,532,921 137,410,501 110,506,051 113,880,246 549,557,369

-3,599,309.50

-248,040.00 334,655.00 -25,237,584.00 116,400.00 128,366.50

-81,458,605.00 -65,660.00 -210,000.00 354,030.00

-4,111,895.00 -400,950.00

1,333,200.00 -5,974,645.00 -740,362.00 74,537,949.00 -170,022.00

-35,150.00 -5,924,860.00 -16,114,671.50

13,880.00 26,110.00

111,703,846.00 7,280,310.00

35,157,475.00

15,472,566.00 -1,192,660.00 8,962,619.00 373,580.00 -37,440.00 23,200.00 5,196,022.00 60,190.00

12,338,494.00 44,800.00

-9,084,334.00 -618,793,995.00 -3,500.00

64,224,370.00 -3,271,442.00 -29,294,052.00

611,800.00

-35,854,225.00 199,068.00 9,179,551.00

-19,210,711.00

20,031,388.00

9,744,020.00

-51,700.00 -2,356,601.50

34,704,685.00

Double Dragon Makati Fin. Corp.

IRipple E-Business Intl Xurpas

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,249,508,568.72 1,944,023,187.863 2,018,744,449.349 756,871,984.23 1,309,583,026.26 269,291,438.145 7,619,057,520.572

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,805.47 (up) 2.25 INDUSTRIAL 12,262.11 (up) 82.47 HOLDING FIRMS 7,046.25 (up) 66.53 PROPERTY 3,226.27 (up) 31.63 SERVICES 2,1677.77 (up) 12.87 MINING & OIL 15,551.67 (up) 175.33 PSEI 7,881.95 (up) 50.51 All Shares Index 4,546.13 (up) 23.63 Gainers: 104 Losers: 69; Unchanged: 49; Total: 222

-10,451,740.00 -2,325,120.00 -8,928,778.00

-19,800.00 -24,393,803.00

-485,520.00 405,000.00 75,251,542.00 -108,000.00 -19,984,370.50

-103,406.00 20,782,540.00

24,323,890.00

-132,240.00

23,799,408.00

1,620,314.00

2,122,256.00 -134,473,220.00 -270,600.00 1,256,340.00 -9,112,755.00 3,207,539.50 1,353,922.00 -271,516.00

-576,924.00

-4,760.00

-2,257,100.00

-779,830.00 12,269,625.00 -1,037,050.00

-1,600,850.00 636,410.00 -63,255,270.00 68,958.00 1,323,864.00

327,000.00 -162,400.00

-2,403,740.00

22,727,800.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Keppel Holdings `B'

6.55

20.18

Manila Broadcasting

64.00

-20.00

Cityland Dev. `A'

1.19

14.42

Keppel Holdings `A'

5.47

-14.93

Mabuhay Vinyl

3.05

10.51

Cebu Prop. `A'

5.8

-10.08

IRipple E-Business Intl

72.7

10.15

Arthaland Corp.

0.240

-9.43

Benguet Corp `A'

7.3900

8.68

United Paragon

0.0100

-9.09

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.013

8.33

Makati Fin. Corp.

9

-9.00

PCOR-Preferred B

1170

7.83

Phil H2O

4.03

-8.41

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

27.00

7.78

Oriental Pet. `A'

0.0120

-7.69

Vitarich Corp.

0.72

7.46

Roxas Holdings

6.2

-7.46

Pryce Corp. `A'

2.32

7.41

PAL Holdings Inc.

4.50

-5.86

SATURDAY: MAY 16, 2015

B3

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

Vista Land eyes P40-b projects

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PROPERTY developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. said it plans to roll out P40 billion worth of residential projects this year, up 48 percent from P27 billion it launched in 2014.

New Security Bank branches. Security Bank continues to strengthen its branch presence in Mandaluyong with the simultaneous inauguration of three new branches in Edsa, Libertad and Pioneer. Shown during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Mandaluyong-Libertad branch are (from left) Security Bank branch banking group head Leslie Cham, Domingo Juan Sebastian Guevara of Guevent Group of Companies, Guevent Medical Clinic chief executive Eden Cacanindin, building owner and Libertad Trading owner Teresita Concepcion, Rev. Jaime Marquez, Security Bank chairman Alberto Villarosa and Almira Alcantara.

Stocks climb for 5th straight day STOCKS rose for the fifth day, boosted by positive first-quarter earnings reported by major conglomerates and following an overnight rally on Wall Street.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 50 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 7,881.95 Friday. The benchmark was also up 9 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, rose 23 points, or 0.5 percent, to settle at 4,546.13, on a value turnover of P7.6 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 104 to 69, while 49 issues were unchanged.

Cebu Air Inc., the operator of budget carrier Cebu Pacific, emerged the biggest gainer among the 20 most active stocks, as it jumped 6.1 percent to P91.20. The airline company said first-quarter net profit surged to P2.23 billion from P164.2 million a year ago.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. climbed 3.2 percent to P163, while parent DMCI Holdings Inc., the investment company of the Consunji family, advanced 2.7 percent to P15.10.

Energy Development Corp., the largest geothermal power producer, rose 2.8 percent to P8.02, while property developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc.

added 2.1 percent to close at P7.45.

Meanwhile, Asian markets mostly advanced Friday following a healthy rally on Wall Street, while Tokyo was supported by a weaker yen and Hong Kong enjoyed strong buying in the afternoon to put on almost two percent.

The euro remained a target for buying after this week’s upbeat eurozone growth data and despite Greece’s struggles to hammer out a debt reform deal with creditors.

Tokyo’s Nikkei index climbed 0.83 percent, or 162.68 points to finish at 19,732.92 and Sydney put on 0.68 percent, or 38.9 points, to 5,735.5. With AFP Hong Kong rose 1.96 percent, or

EDC’s core net income increases 14% to P2.5b

By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY Development Corp. said Friday consolidated recurring net income attributable to equity holders of parent First Gen Corp. rose 14 percent in the first quarter to P2.5 billion from P2.2 billion in the same period last year.

EDC said in a statement to the stock exchange the increase in core net income was led by higher energy sales of the Bacman geothermal plants and the newly-commissioned Nasulo geothermal project.

EDC said inclusive of nonrecurring items, consolidated net income attributable to equity holders of the parent rose 4 percent to P2.5 billion from P2.4 billion a year ago.

EDC president and chief operating officer Richard Tantoco said the

first-quarter results “meet our expectations.”

“The first quarter’s reported operating expenses, when annualized, are expected to be on the lower end of full year estimates.

The pace of activities in our different project locations normally accelerate starting the second quarter, together with a corresponding rise in expenditure levels,” he said.

Tantoco earlier said he expected modest net income gains this year. “[Net income this year] is better than last year but it’s not realistic to expect similar 40-percent increase than last year,” he said. “We are looking at modest gains.”

The company posted recurring net income attributable to EDC of P9.2 billion in 2014, up 40 percent from 2013.

Vista Land president and chief executive Manuel Paolo Villar said in a news briefing the company would launch 20,000 housing units this year across all residential brands. The company launched 13,000 units in 2014.

Vista Land will also accelerate capital spending this year to P25.1 billion. It said it would spend P15.7 billion to finance construction activities, P5.5 billion for land development and the remaining P3.9 billion for land acquisition.

The company is accelerating project developments after it posted a 10-percent growth in net income and revenues in the first quarter.

Villar said first-quarter net income climbed to P1.64 billion from P1.49 billion in the same period a year ago as revenues rose to P6.06 billion from P5.49 billion.

The property firm launched 13 projects in the first three months with total sales value of P12 billion.

It said of the 13 projects, 11 catered to the low and affordable market. These new projects

are located in Quezon, Negros Occidental, Bacolod, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro. Vista Land said given the strong first-quarter performance, it expected 2015 to be another record year for the company.

“We are pleased to have been able to sustain solid growth achieved over the past years and should have no problem achieving our full-year targets,” said Vista Land chairman Manuel Villar Jr. “Our positive outlook for the year is also due to the fact that Vista Land’s land bank and existing projects are beneficiaries of the Philippines’ macroeconomic fundamentals and the government’s push to accelerate infrastructure development,” he said.

The country’s largest homebuilder, Vista Land is recognized for themed and masterplanned communities.

Its brands include Camella, Crown Asia, Brittany and Vista Residences, that offer quality housing across all market segments.

SATURDAY: MAY 16, 2015

B4

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

New PCCCI officers.

Outgoing Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Anson Tan (left) and incoming president Wong Cheung Sha hand a plaque of appreciation to Senator Cynthia Villar, the inducting officer and inspirational speaker during the organization’s induction ceremony at the Golden Bay Fresh Seafood Restaurant, Pasay City. The senator urged the newly-elected officers of PCCCI and its members to continue promoting trade and investments here and abroad.

She reminded them to keep at pace with the market and policy shifts due to the impending regional integration.

In BrIef

Remittances jump

CASH remittances by Filipinos working overseas in March rose 11.3 percent to $2.101 billion from $1.888 billion a year ago on the back of sustained demand for local skilled workers abroad, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

Data showed the figure was the highest growth since the 11.4-percent recorded in December 2009 and cash remittances in the first three months of the year to $5.791 billion, up 5.5 percent from $5.49 billion a year ago.

“Cash remittances from land-based [$4.4 billion] and sea-based [$1.4 billion] workers expanded by 5.3 and 6.1 percent, respectively. Primary sources of cash remittances were the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong, and Canada,” the Bangko Sentral said.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, increased 11 percent in March to $2.3 billion from $2.1 billion a year ago. It was the strongest expansion for the past 15 months since the 13.8 percent in December 2013.

Julito G. Rada

JG Summit nets P6b

JG SUMMIT Holdings Inc. of retail and airline tycoon John Gokongwei said it registered a net profit of P6 billion in the first three months of the year, up 11 percent from P5.4 billion year-on-year, boosted by higher income from core units, especially the airline business.

JG Summit said in a disclosure to the stock exchange consolidated revenues increased 31 percent to P57.1 billion from P43.4 billion on year.

JG Summit’s food manufacturing unit Universal Robins Corp. posted a 24-percent increase in revenues to P28.6 billion, while real estate unit Robinsons Land Corp. posted a 20-percent hike sales to P4.9 billion from P4.1 billion.

Airline unit Cebu Air Inc. registered total revenues of P14.2 billion, up 21 percent, as passenger revenues jumped 22.2 percent t P10.8 billion.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Euro 4 lead time

VEHICLE assemblers and importers are asking the Environment Department to honor a previous agreement allowing all models with to have a lead time of at least until 2017 to conform to the Euro 4 emission standards.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines and the Truck Manufacturers Association have no unified positions, but both expressed concerns the Environment measure would affect the automotive industry and ancillary sectors, such as the transport and fuel supply segements.

“We’re still working on some provisions. We need to discuss all concerns surrounding this development,” Campi president Rommel Gutierrez told reporters at the sidelines of the 20th Anniversary of the organization at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City. Othel V. Campos

Agriculture expands 1.78% in first three months—PSA

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

AGRICULTURE production grew 1.78 percent in the first quarter of the year, up from an expansion of 0.66 percent year-on-year on increased contribution from the crops, livestock and poultry subsector, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday.

The value of production based on current prices, however, declined 1.65 percent to P380.1 billion from P386 billion last year due to the lower farmgate prices of commodities.

The crops subsector, which accounted for more than half of the total production, expanded 1.65 percent. Palay (unmilled rice) output reached 4.37 million metric tons, up 1.41 percent from 4.30 million MT on year.

The PSA attributed the higher palay production to increased harvest in Mimaropa, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Ilocos Region.

Corn production rose 3.97 percent from 2.27 million MT on year to 2.36 million MT this year due to the higher output in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Mimaropa and Northern Mindanao.

Coconut production in-

creased 0.05 percent to 3.339 million MT from 3.337 million MT a year ago.

“Recoveries from typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley and from typhoon Yolanda in Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Leyte, Samar and Romblon were observed during the period,” the PSA said.

It livestock output expanded 3.23 percent from a growth of 1.21 percent on year due to the high production of carabaos during the period.

“Increased numbers of animals disposed for slaughter were cited in Ilocos Region, Western Visayas and Davao Region. Cattle production went up by 0.13 percent due to higher disposition in major producing regions in Luzon and Mindanao as a result of higher demand for beef,” the PSA said.

The poultry sector grew 5.42 percent from a 1.34-percent expansion last year due to the increased production of chicken, egg and ducks. The PSA said more marketable Peking ducks were disposed in Northern Mindanao.

The PSA, however, said production of the fisheries subsector contracted 2.57 percent from a 3.06-percent decline in the same period last year.

The negative growth in the fisheries subsector was due to the low production of milkfish, roundscad tuna, skipjack and seaweed.

The International Monetary Fund said last month it expected economic growth to remain strong in the first quarter this year, on higher government spending and strong construction sector.

SM Prime wins $3.1-b Cebu reclamation contract SM PRIME Holdings Inc. was awarded a deal to reclaim and develop land Cebu province in a project valued at P138 billion.

The 1,500-hectare redevelopment may be completed in eight years, SM Prime executive vice president Jeffrey Lim said in a mobile-phone message Friday.

“Yes, the project has been officially awarded the SM Prime Holdings Inc. We already signed the joint venture agreement with Cordova,” Lim said.

Adelino Sitoy, mayor of the town of Cordova, confirmed the venture with SM Prime, subject to the approval of President Benigno Aquino III.

“This will be the biggest reclamation in the country,” Sitoy said in a phone interview. Cebu province, including Cordova, will have 51 percent of the reclaimed area where a cruise ship terminal, a university, a hospital and mixed-use developments are planned, the mayor said.

SM Prime, owned by the nation’s richest tycoon Henry Sy Sr., is also waiting for national government approval on two reclamation proposals in the neighboring cities of Parañaque and Pasay in Metro Manila worth a combined P100 billion.

The Cebu Provincial Reclamation Authority will endorse the

project to the main agency in Manila next week, Sitoy said.

“SM is replicating the success of the Mall of Asia reclamation project in Manila,” said Anton Alfonso, an analyst at RCBC Securities Inc. “This project will cement and expand SM’s footprint in a province that is considered as the economic center in that part of the country.”

Mall of Asia, one of the biggest shopping centers in the Philippines, owned by SM Prime, is located on reclaimed land along Manila Bay. SM Prime rose 0.1 percent to P19.70 at the close of trading.

Shares of SM Investments Corp., parent of SM Prime, gained 1.1

percent to P910.

The reclamation will triple Cordova’s current 800 hectares of land, while reducing its 3,500-hectare fishing area by more than a third, Sitoy said.

It’s also an effort to clean up the town’s image after revelations it had become a center for online child pornography.

“This will be our redeeming feature,” Sitoy said, adding that local authorities are cleaning up the town and no new cases of child exploitation had surfaced recently. “We will make Cordova the most beautiful city in the country.” Bloomberg, Jenniffer B. Austria

S AT U R D AY : M AY 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

B5

ceSAR bARRioqUinTo EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

world

Dress rehearsal. French tenor Roberto Alagna, right, and US baritone Thomas Hampson, center, perform during the dress rehearsal of the opera “King Arthur” (“Le Roi Arthus”) by the late French composer Ernest Chausson at the Opera Bastille in Paris on May 13. The opera is directed by British opera director Graham Vick. AFP

‘War crimes justice unlikely’ THE HAGUE—The chances of anyone being prosecuted for Syrian war crimes are today smaller than ever, experts say, as realpolitik smothers an increasingly solid mountain of evidence accumulated during the often barbaric four-year conflict.

Rights groups have steadfastly documented atrocities committed on the ground, and on Wednesday a committee of renowned investigators said it had enough evidence to prosecute up the chain of command to Presi-

dent Bashar al-Assad himself.

But while those dossiers, collected by the Western-backed Commission for International Justice and Accountability including former investigators from international tribunals,

claim for the first time to be “trial ready,” the world is not.

For political reasons, there is no court able to judge the crimes committed in a conflict that has killed more than 220,000 people, including at least 67,000 civilians and 11,000 children.

“It’s very likely that no conflict has ever received as much investigative attention of mass atrocities, war crimes and crimes against humanity, with so little justice,” said London-based international law expert Mark Kersten.

The International Criminal

Court, which judges the world’s most serious crimes, has no jurisdiction in Syria as it is not a member and ally Russia is expected to block the UN Security Council from authorizing an ICC investigation.

At the same time, many now consider Assad a “necessary evil” in any peaceful end to the conflict, so the international community is also unlikely to set up an ad hoc tribunal such as that created after the 1990s wars in the former Yugoslavia.

“You have to wait for regime

change in Syria, for a postrevolution truth commission, fact-finding and settling with the past by a new administration,” Olivier Ribbelink, senior researcher at the TMC Asser Institute in The Hague, told AFP. Some countries have universal jurisdiction laws that allow them to prosecute crimes not committed on their soil, but those would likely only be used against rebels, including European nationals fighting alongside the Islamic State group. AFP

Johnny Depp’s dogs to head home SYDNEY—Johnny Depp’s pet dogs Pistol and Boo were expected to fly out of Australia on Friday and escape threats to put them down, after a complex and often comical quarantine wrangle.

But Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, who had warned the dogs could be destroyed within hours, said the threat had not entirely disappeared if Depp was unable to get the terriers home to America.

“I’m informed that Pistol and Boo are preparing to f ly on a private jet back to the United States, which is the best news that

I’ve got,” Joyce said.

“Obviously, there’s an investigation as to how they came out into Australia.

“Mr Depp decided that he’d step around our nation’s laws,” Joyce told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The actor, who is in Queensland state to film “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” faces a formal interview with quarantine officers as part of investigations into how the Yorkshire terriers were allegedly smuggled in.

Sydney’s Daily Telegraph said Depp and his

actress-model wife Amber Heard, who have made no public comments on the issue, told the agriculture department they would f ly out with Boo and Pistol on Friday night.

However, Joyce also voiced fears the United States might not let the terriers back in.

He said he was “seriously worried” they might not have the right permits to return home and could be left “stateless.”

“The question is if he breached our laws, then did he follow the correct laws in the US?” Joyce said. AFP

Modern-day saints. This picture taken in Jerusalem on May 12 shows the Mamilla Monastery, built over the tomb of Palestinian nun Marie Alphonsine Ghattas’ remains, a few days ahead of her canonization in Rome. Marie Alphonsine Ghattas of Jerusalem and Mariam Bawardy of Galilee, another nun born in the 19th century, are on May 17, 2015, to become the first modern-day Palestinian saints. AFP

B6

s at u r D aY : M aY 1 6 , 2 0 1 5

WORLD

cesar barrioquinto EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

750 rescued off Indonesia LHOKSEUMAWE, Indonesia—More than 750 Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants were rescued off Indonesia on Friday, police said, as Myanmar undermined calls for a coordinated response to Southeast Asia’s human-trafficking crisis by threatening to boycott a planned summit.

Indonesian police said passengers aboard one vessel carrying 712 people recounted how their boat sank off the east coast of the huge island of Sumatra after earlier being driven away by Malaysia.

Activists estimate up to 8,000 migrants are at sea in Southeast Asia.

But the decision by Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand to turn away stricken boats filled with starving Bangladeshis and ethnic Rohingya from Myanmar has been met with outrage, including from the US and UN. “According to initial information we got from them they were pushed away by the Malaysian navy to the border of Indonesian waters,” said Sunarya, police chief in the city of Langsa in Aceh province, where the migrants arrived.

The boat, whose passengers included 61 children, was sinking but Indonesian fishermen ferried them to shore, he said.

Forty-seven more people from another vessel were rescued not far down the coast after the hungry passengers leaped into the water pleading with local fishing boats to help them.

Nearly 600 migrants were already sheltering in Aceh after managing to get ashore in recent days.

Earlier Friday, another boat carrying about 300 Rohingya—a persecuted Muslim minority in Myanmar—left Thailand’s waters, a Thai official said, after authorities repaired its engine and provided some food.

The boat’s passengers included many children and women who wept as they begged for food and water, after arriving near the southern Thai island of Koh Lipe on Thursday. AFP

In Cannes. South African-US actress Charlize Theron gestures towards her partner as she arrives for the screening of the film “Mad Max: Fury Road” during the 68th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southeastern France, on May 14. AFP

B. B. King, King of the Blues, dies at age 89 WASHINGTON—B.B. King, with his ever-present guitar Lucille, rose from sharecropper poverty in deep Mississippi to become the face of the American blues worldwide and an inspiration for generations of rock guitarists everywhere.

“The King of the Blues,” as he was universally known, led a life of non-stop touring, electrifying audiences in some 100 countries with his biting guitar licks and soulful songs of love and angst such as “The Thrill is Gone” and “How Blue Can You Get.” King died Thursday at age 89 in Las Vegas, which was the blues legend’s primary residence amid years of incessant travel, his daughter said.

King kept up a grueling touring schedule even in his 80s, despite living with Type II diabetes for more than two decades.

But King’s fans noticed last year that some performances were increasingly erratic, and he

canceled remaining dates in October after falling ill at a show in Chicago.

A consummate entertainer with a husky baritone who made a successful crossover from traditional African American audiences to rock and pop fans, King for decades gave upwards of 300 concerts a year, racking up 15 Grammy awards.

“I have a disease which I believe might be contagious,” he told AFP in an interview in 2007.

“It’s called ‘need more.’”

Almost as well known was his “woman,” the Gibson ES-355 guitar he named Lucille, after a woman who was the focus of a fight between two men in Arkansas that led to a house being set on fire and King nearly being burned to death as he tried to rescue his instrument.

Through Lucille he delivered an unmistakable mix of slow but sharp bites and long, moaning bends that influenced other gui-

tar legends such as Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him the third greatest guitar legend after Jimi Hendrix and Duane Allman and one ahead of Clapton. But his influence probably eclipsed all of theirs.

Riley B. King was born September 16, 1925, on a cotton plantation in Itta Bena, Mississippi. His father left home when he was five, he was working in the fields at seven, and his mother died when he was nine.

A kindly white plantation owner bought him a red guitar when he was 12, and, as he moved up to driving a tractor on the farm, he spent his spare time singing in local Gospel groups and on street corners for spare change.

Eventually he made his way north to Memphis, Tennessee, a music capital which was to become his longtime base. Blues

legend Sonny Boy Williamson put King on his radio show, where he made such an impression the young musician soon got his own program, Sepia Swing Club.

On the radio he took the nickname Beal Street Blues Boy, then shortened it to Blues Boy King, and then B.B. King.

In 1949 he made his first six singles, and two years later hit paydirt with “Three O’Clock Blues.” It held the number one slot on the national rhythm and blues charts for 15 weeks.

He told interviewers he had always wanted to sing Gospel music, but it was blues that brought in money.

He developed his distinct style in the 1950s as he toured incessantly with his band. Charismatic, a natural entertainer, he wove stories from the poor south with tales and jokes from his love life, in between cracking blues numbers backed by a phalanx of Memphis horns. AFP

Taiwan restricts Japan food imports TAIPEI—Taiwan Friday imposed new restrictions on food imported from Japan after hundreds of products were recalled over fake labels that disguised they came from areas affected by the country’s 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.

Taiwan banned Japanese food imports from five areas near Fukushima in March 2011, a few weeks after a devastating quake and tsunami triggered a nuclear meltdown at a power plant and radioactive particles were detected in some imports.

From Friday, all food im-

ports from Japan will be required to carry certificates to prove that they are not from the five banned areas while some will also need “radiation inspection certificates,” according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare.

In March, Taiwanese authorities recalled hundreds of Japanese food items that were found with fake labels that hid their origins near the site of the nuclear disaster.

“The measures are necessary to... protect Taiwanese consumers’ health and welfare. The government and

(food) companies should work together to provide safe food products,” the ministry said in a statement.

Japanese food products are popular in Taiwan and the Apple Daily newspaper reported that stocks of some best-selling chocolates and pre-packaged french fries could run out in three months due to delays caused by the new requirements.

Japan has pledged to jointly investigate the false labeling case with Taiwan and urged the island to remove the new restrictions.

AFP

Sara Chin’s creations. Models present creations by Italian designer Sara Chin during the international festival A mill of Fashion in Minsk on May 14. AFP

S AT U R D AY : M AY 1 6 : 2 0 1 5

PROPERTY

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA

jdlacsamana@gmail.com

EDITOR

B7

GETTING DIZZY, GOING FOODIE DOWN SOUTH It used to be a trip to Tagaytay meant having a picnic by the ridge, and soaking up a stunning view of Taal Lake. Live a little. Unless one has a deathly fear of heights, check out Sky Ranch, a five-hectare amusement park managed by SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Located beside historic Taal Vista Hotel, this theme park combines attractions like the stupendous 63-meter tall Sky Eye ferris wheel, and its selection of dining hot spots, from fast-food to family-style outlets. Something the doctor ordered for stressed-out urban denizens like us.

HOTEL WITH A FLAIR TO OPEN IN PUERTO PRINCESA

A

new accommodation concept is taking shape in the Palawan capital of Puerto Princersa. The Canvas Boutique Hotel will have gallery spaces, an art walk, and a trendy restaurant. It will also appeal to business travelers looking for a comfortable working environment, and to leisure travelers who want to unwind after touring central Palawan’s many attractions.

Rooms at the Canvas will be adorned by murals by up and coming Filipino artists Nice Buenaventura, Hannah Liongoren, and Tof Zapanta of Human Projector. They will also be bathed in natural light and outfitted with modern furniture and adjustable lighting.

Guests will know they are in for something special when they walk into the soaring, gallery-like lobby with its hanging sculptures, unique etch-

ings and contemporary, minimalist furniture.

Murals by graphic artist duo Marcushiro Nada and Bru Sim of the Electrolychee Studio litter the hallways. The Canvas’ restaurant opens to the lobby, displaying the same modern flair. Outside guests can unwind around the attractive 20-meter swimming pool and landscaped grounds.

The hotel will regularly play host to art exhibitions, outdoor concerts, and food fairs.

“The Canvas will be more than just a great place to stay,” promised Reginaldo Halili, president of hotel operator Oak Drive Hotels. “It will also be a key venue for community events and art in Puerto Princesa - a space that will highlight the best of Palawan’s burgeoning art and music scene while still offering guests a relaxing and pleasurable signature hotel experience.”

Guests at the Canvas Boutique Hotel can enjoy the Puerto Princesa area’s latest attractions which include the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, recently voted one of the world’s new seven wonders.

Other highlights include the islands and whale sharks of Honda Bay, firefly watching on the Iwahig River, numerous beaches within striking distance of the city, and trekking and wildlife-watching in the pristine jungle of central Palawan.

“Puerto Princesa is one of the prime ecotourism destinations in the Philippines,” said Mitzi Cañafranca, director at Oak Drive Hotels. “Guests can be exploring one of the world›s great cave systems one minute, trekking to see monitor lizards and monkeys the next minute, and topping it all with some rest and relaxation on a beautiful remote beach.”

Art, nature, and oodles of comfort in palawan

STA. LUCIA IN ILOILO. Developer Sta Lucia Land is expanding to Iloilo City with the start of its second phase of Greenmeadows, a community built around the Lake Victoria. The 80-hectare development will have a mall, condominium building, townhouses and office buildings, and another 50 hectares of residential space. Greenmeadows Iloilo is within the reach of Jaro Cathedral, SM City Iloilo, University of San Agustin, Iloilo Doctor’s Hospital, Central Philippine University, and the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. Best of all ,Lake Victoria lies at the heart of the community, five hectares of calming waters surrounded by forests and home to a variety of marine life on one end, and a watersports hub on the other.

SAN JUAN’S BEST FRIEND. Property developer, Ortigas & Co. took home two awards during San Juan City’s recent 108th Founding Anniversary: first, a legacy of service award to the Ortigas family for doing socio-civic activities around town, and second, for being the top taxpayer in 2014.

No surprise there. The lifestyle center of San Juan over the past three decades has been the Ortigas & Co.’s retail crown jewel—Greenhills Shopping Center. Home to more than 1,000 tenants, this bargain destination has taken a leap forward through a P25-billion redevelopment plan. “San Juan has been our partner since the 1970s, when we first embarked on a project to create the Greenhills Subdivisions.” said Joey Santos, senior vice president of Ortigas & Co. “Our relationship is as strong as the structures we have built in the city over time “

S AT U R D AY : M AY 1 6 : 2 0 1 5

B8 Beam me up, Scotty, to PHI regional HQ

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY

REGIONAL HUB ROLE EYED FOR PH CONSTRUCTION

T

he Philippine government is gearing up to boost construction opportunities in the country in a bid to set it up as a regional base for foreign companies from where they could set up offices, and employ Filipino engineers and operators.

A major part of the gameplan is to open up local construction and related industries to foreign companies by helping them to get construction permits as regular contractors more easily, and participate in local projects with full equity.

Speaking recently at the 2nd EU-Philippines Business Dialogue, Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said the Department of Trade and Industry, which chairs the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP), will issue in a month’s time the guidelines for a new license category called Quadruple A.

Construction opportunities galore for foreign firms.

“The Philippines needs more foreign contractors,” Singson said.

“We are opening the Quadruple A category for foreigners so they can be granted construction permits not only on a per-project ba-

sis but so they can be registered as regular contractors.”

Singson pointedly told attending members of the various European business organizations that opportunities galore awaited

them in the booming local construction scene. “You can take advantage of the quadruple vehicle we’re issuing very soon so you can locate your operations here and take advantage of the thou-

sands of Filipino engineers and operators,” he said.

Singson revealed that a proposed board resolution for the creation of the Quadruple A category license was tabled back in 2013, but did not push through because local contractors were against it.

“We’ve had several dialogues with the local contractors and all they are asking is that they will not be put at a disadvantage by allowing foreign contractors to be registered.

We have come to an agreement that there will be minimum investment requirements of about P1 billion— it cannot be less than what the Filipino contractors with Triple A license are investing,” Singson said.

“The guidelines will be issued

by DTI very soon—in a month it should be out. It’s a matter of (Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo) signing the resolution.

That should be sufficient as this was already supported by the economic cluster,” he added.

ROXAS EAST TOWER IN QC GETS ‘FLYING’ SEND-OFF THE RESIDENCES AT COMMONWEALTH NEARS COMPLETION

C

entury Properties Group (CPG) recently topped off its latest project, a 21-storey condominium, Roxas East, even as it feverishly puts the finishing touches to another development, The Residences at Commonwealth, part of its 8-building, 2.4-hectare community in Quezon City.

Roxas East is the fourth building of The Residences at Commonwealth that was topped off following the tower com-

pletion of Osmena West, Quezon North, and Osmena East.

The activity was led by Century Properties’ chief operating officer Jose Marco R. Antonio, and attended by CPG officials.

The Residences at Commonwealth is Century’s first residential community in Quezon City. It features spacious units and unobstructed views of the Sierra Madre Mountain, Quezon City, Pasig City, and the Ortigas CBD.

Up , up and away. Century Properties officials release balloons with The Residences at Commonwealth’s colors to mark the topping off of Roxas East.