The Standard - 2016 February 13 - Saturday

VOL. XXIX NO. 366 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 SATURdAy : FEBRUARy 13, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Duterte to Roxas: Prove that you’re ‘cut’

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allow PoE to Run, most votERs say

By Adelle Chua

A MAJORITY of voters nationwide either strongly or somewhat agree that presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe should be allowed to run despite the disqualification cases pending against her before the Supreme Court.

According to The Standard Poll conducted between Jan. 27 and Feb. 4 by this newspaper’s resident pollster, Junie Laylo, 22 percent of respondents strongly agree and 38 percent somewhat agree that Poe should be allowed to run notwithstanding the petitions questioning her natural-born citizenship and 10year residency, both constitutional requirements for the presidency.

Sixteen percent somewhat disagree and 7 percent strongly disagree, with another 17 percent saying they do not know enough about the issue to have an opinion.

Support for Poe was even stronger in Metro Manila, with 67 percent of respondents agreeing to let her run, 21 percent disagreeing, and 12 percent not knowing enough to have an opinion.

Support was lowest in Visayas and Mindanao, with both areas having net 30 percent agreement to her running. Respondents from the Visayas also claimed to know the least about the issue, with 22 percent not being able to form an opinion.

Meanwhile, 64 percent of respondents from urban areas either strongly or somewhat agree to let-

ting Poe run while 22 percent do not agree. Fifty-seven percent of respondents from rural areas agreed while 24 percent disagreed, with 19 percent not knowing enough.

On Dec. 1, 2015, the Second Division of the Commission on Elections unanimously voted to cancel Poe’s Certificate of Candidacy.

The petitioner, lawyer Estrella Elamparo, claimed the senator made material representations that are false in saying that, in 2013 when she was running for the Senate, she had been a resident of the Philippines for six years and six months.

POLL Poe said she had committed an honest mistake.

On Dec. 11, the Comelec’s First Division, acting on the consolidate petitions of former Senator Francisco Tatad, professor Antonio Contreras and law Dean Amado

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Escrow. Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista turns over to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo another set of source codes to be placed in escrow with the central bank. DANNY PATA

Poll bets alarmed over technical glitches

By Macon Ramos-Ataneta and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan CANDIDATES on Friday expressed worries over the ability of the Commission on Elections to conduct an orderly and credible election in May after the poll body admitted that there were

glitches in the software controlling its automated voting system.

Independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe and her running mate, Senator Francis Escudero urged the Comelec to meet with stakeholders to discuss the status of preparations for the May 9 elections, given reports that there were problems during the initial

testing of the vote-counting machines.

Poe and Escudero said such a meeting would help address concerns over glitches in the automated system that could hurt the credibility of the elections.

The team’s lawyer, George Garcia, said they were particularly concerned over a statement by the international Next page

Binay: Executive ability a must

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Duterte hits back on health woes

By Rio N. Araja, Joel E. Zurbano and John Paolo Bencito

BESET by questions about his health, presidential bet and Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, 70, said Friday he would accept administration candidate Manuel Roxas II’s challenge for him to open his medical records to public scrutiny if Roxas proves that he is “cut”—a euphemism for circumcised.

Allow...

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Valdez, also said that Poe committed material misrepresentations in her documents.

The Comelec en banc later upheld these decisions, but Poe appealed the cases before the Supreme Court.

The Standard Poll was taken at around the time oral arguments were being heard on the issue. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, in their pronouncements, appeared inclined to reject the disqualification petitions.

Meanwhile, only 45 percent of respondents nationwide strongly

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certifying company SLI Global Solutions that 1 or 2 percent of balloTs were rejected by the machines during a ballot verification test in Comelec’s storage facility in Laguna earlier this week.

Poe’s spokesman, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, said the reported problems gave them a reason to be cautious.

Vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also expressed alarm over the rejection of 1 to 2 percent of ballots.

With about 50 million ballots set for printing, such a rejection rate would mean 500,000 to one million ballots may be rejected, Marcos warned.

“Every time the Comelec’s preparations for the elections [don’t go] smoothly, all of us candidates are worried,” he said.

Marcos added that the Comelec’s statement that voting might be delayed in some areas was also a cause for concern because the delays had a potential for abuse.

or somewhat agree to allow Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to run for president, with 38 percent not agreeing and 18 percent not knowing about the issue to have an opinion. Net agreement stood at +8 percent.

Support for his running despite the disqualification case arising from his substitution to PDP Laban member Martin Diño was strongest in Mindanao at 62 percent and in Metro Manila at 54 percent.

Disagreement in Mindanao was at 25 percent, bringing the net figure to +37 percent.

Meanwhile, net agreement was lowest in (-12 percent) North/ Central Luzon with 34 percent agreeing and 46 percent disagreeing, and in South Luzon/ Bicol (-9 percent) with 36 percent

agreeing and 45 percent disagreeing to let him run.

The survey was conducted just before the First Division of the Comelec dismissed the four disqualification cases against Duterte on Feb. 3, 2016 for lack of merit.

The Standard Poll posed questions to 3,000 respondents across the country, with 300 from the National Capital Region, 700 from Northern and Central Luzon, 600 from South Luzon and Bicol, 700 in the Visayas and 700 from Mindanao.

All respondents were biometrically registered voters who said they are certain to vote in the May 2016 elections.

The Standard Poll has a margin of error of +/-1.8 percent nationwide.

“We have to make sure that if there are problems, they should immediately attend to them— that’s the main thing,” he said.

Senatorial candidate and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez urged the public to be vigilant in light of the Comelec’s admission that there were errors found in the source code for the consolidation and canvassing system and the vote counting machines.

“The people are watching all the developments for the May presidential elections. We should continue to remain vigilant,” Romualdez said.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the poll body was open to dialogue, but urged stakeholders to instead attend its meeting with the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Automated Election System on Feb. 16, which would address many of the issues that the candidates have raised.

In a press conference, Bautista said there was nothing to fear about the earlier glitches encountered since these could help the Comelec enhance preparations.

“What is important is come

Election Day, we are as close to perfect,” Bautista told the reporters after the turnover ceremony of the corrected source code at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

With the glitch fixed, the Comelec was ready for mock elections with 25,000 registered voters in 20 cities and municipalities nationwide Saturday.

“We want to emphasize that the mock elections for 2016 are the most extensive mock elections that haven been conducted,” Bautista said.

“We are having mock elections in 20 locations all over the country,” he said.

The Comelec said the objectives of the mock elections are 1) to test and ensure the adequate security, accuracy, system and functional capability and integrity of the vote counting machines, transmission devices, and consolidation and canvassing system; 2) to simulate the conduct of election (deployment, voting, and consolidation) and transmission procedures; and 3) to develop public confidence and acceptance of the Automated Filing System. With Maricel V. Cruz

Last week, Roxas said he was healthy enough to withstand the rigors of a presidential campaign and dared Duterte to reveal his medical history.

Duterte said he would never accept the challenge “as a matter of policy,” but later issued a statement that he was willing to disclose his medical records, “but on one condition.”

“Show us you’re cut,” he said, referring to Roxas.

The mayor’s official spokesman, Peter Laviña, made light of Duterte’s comment.

“Duterte has always looked at Mar Roxas as someone unfit to lead the country—someone who is not cut out for the position,” he said. “That was what the mayor meant when he dared Roxas to prove that he is cut.”

On Friday, Duterte admitted he had acute bronchitis on top of his Buerger’s Disease, a recurring inflammation and clotting of small and medium arteries and veins of the hands and feet.

Speaking to reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, Duterte broke his silence about his health after he suffered a migraine attack while inside the Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel in Pasig City for a speaking engagement before members of the Philippine Society of Hypertension and The Philippine Lipid and Arthrosclerosis Society on Thursday afternoon.

He said he was taken to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City for a check-up on that day, and stayed overnight at the hospital.

“I stayed there overnight. I am on antibiotics. I have to continue the medication. I am going home now. I am okay,” he said.

Migraine attacks are common occurrences associated with his slipped or bulging disc due to a motorcycle accident, he said.

“Because of my spinal [problem], that [Thursday] morning, my headache became severe. I have this spinal issue,” he added.

At the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, he was diagnosed with bronchitis, and was told by his physicians to take a rest for at least two to three days.

According to Duterte, he forgot to take his maintenance medicine, and dismissed speculation that he suffered a mild stroke.

“Don’t be worried about my health. Worry about yourselves,” he said.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Duterte’s running mate, earlier told the media waiting for Duterte at the Crowne Plaza Hotel that the Davao City mayor suffered from a migraine attack, and was just in a holding area taking a rest.

Duterte was walking his way through the hallway when he stopped and leaned on the wall.

Cayetano spoke on Duterte’s behalf at the convention.

Duterte said he gave instructions to his staff to tell the media he was still in the hotel.

Last year, the PDP-Laban presidential bet admitted to having Buerger’s Disease, a debilitating ail-

ment that causes extreme pain from spasms in veins clogged as a result of either smoking or high cholesterol levels, or both.

The condition could be fatal if blood clots travel from the clogged veins to the patient’s lungs or other sensitive organs.

Mortality among those whose lungs are compromised is about 95 percent.

Because his illness was caused by smoking, Duterte said he banned smoking in Davao City.

He, however, denied he had throat cancer, accusing Roxas of spreading the rumor.

He then said he had a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, a serious complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease, due to drinking.

A spokesman for the PDP-Laban also tried to allay fears about the mayor’s health.

“There’s no need to worry about the health of Mayor Duterte,” said Poala Alvarez, party spokeswoman.

“He just needs to take a brief respite from his hectic campaign schedule.”

“We can assure everyone, including his supporters throughout the country that Mayor Duterte can very well sustain the rigors of a nationwide campaign in the run-up to the May elections,” she added.

Alvarez said doctors are monitoring Duterte’s medical condition after he suffered a migraine attack.

“Mayor Duterte is hale and hearty and determined to go out and meet and greet his supporters across the country to expound on his platform of governance anchored on peace and order, inclusive economic growth ad equality under the law,” Alvarez said.

Duterte’s camp on Friday also accused Roxas of using the government’s Bottom Up Budgeting to bribe local chief executives to support the administration bet.

Laviña said the BUB was Roxas’ campaign kitty.

On Thursday, Roxas said he would allot an additional P100 billion, or the equivalent of P1,000 for each of the 100 million residents in local government units, including barangays, under the expanded BUB program if elected president.

“After three years of implementing this program, we are now ready to expand this program not only for towns but it will be BUB for the barangays. All 42,000 barangays will be part of this program,” Roxas said during the Liga ng Barangay sa Pilipinas Forum held at the PICC in Pasay City on Thursday.

Laviña said this was tantamount to dangling P1,000 in front of local officials to promote Roxas’ presidential bid.

“Mar [Roxas] is holding the life of every Filipino hostage by dangling P1,000 at the start of his presidential campaign, conditioning it on his fate come May 9,” he said.

“How this money is supposed to be spent under the BUB process is very questionable. The whole premise of this promise is questionable,” he added.

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Binay: Executive ability a must VICE President Jejomar Binay said Friday what the people need is a President who has executive ability and not one with experience but has proved incompetent,a remark apparently aimed at Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II.

Third day. Presidential candidate Jejomar Binay is warmly received by the residents of Cavite City during his third day of campaigning on Thursday.

Poe not giving up hope on citizenship case DAGUPAN CITY—Independent presidential candidate Grace Poe said Friday the DNA tests that she took with her supposed family from Guimaras had proved negative.

In an interview following a media briefing at the Star Plaza Hotel here, Poe also said the succeeding tests with the members of the Lorena family likewise did not match.

She was referring to her supposed aunt, Lorena RodriguezDechavez, who had approached her when she was in Iloilo.

Dechavez and her kin offered to take DNA tests with the senator and even allowed the exhumation of her father’s body to determine if they were related to the senator.

Poe said there were other people who had approached her and expressed willingness to take DNA tests. She said at least three people had so far approached her, and that some others had also wanted to be tested.

She said she was not losing hope despite the results of the negative results of three DNA tests to find her biological parents and substantiate her assertion that she is a natural-born Filipino citizen.

Poe is facing disqualification charges before the Supreme Court over the questions on her citizenship, being a foundling found in a Catholic Church in Iloilo province sometime in 1968.

She says her arguments before the Supreme Court on the issue

of her citizenship is not based on DNA but on the rights of a foundling not to be stateless.

“Even if we cannot establish the blood relatives of my parents, what is important is for a foundling to be recognized in our country,” Poe said.

“Even if I am not able to determine the relatives of my parents, the most important thing is for the rights of the foundlings in this country to be recognized.”

She lashed back at Vice President Jejomar Binay for questioning her lack of experience in running for president.

Binay, the standard bearer of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance, was quoted as saying Poe’s experience as a teacher was not

enough for her to seek the presidency.

“It’s true I am a neophyte in the government, but I don’t need several decades in the government to become a president,” Poe said as she thanked the people of Pangasinan for considering her an adopted daughter.

She also extolled of her accomplishments as a neophyte senator.

“We did our job well. We handled the big challenges that went to the Senate,” she said.

It was the second time that Poe campaigned in the province of her father, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. Pangasinan is No. 3 among the vote-rich provinces in the country with a 1.7-million voting population. Macon Ramos-araneta

The United Nationalist Alliance party led by Binay is now in Batangas, his home province, on the fourth day of campaign rally.

The province has 1.5 million registered voters.

“There are candidates out there who may be experienced, but are incompetent,” Binay said.

“We don’t need one who simply goes to bed and wakes up suddenly wishing to become President.

What we need is a President who has executive ability.”

Binay told the crowd it was about time a Batangueño became President to lead the county to progress.

“My character is solid and I am known for being frugal. People who hail from Batangas are known for being fond of saving money,” he said.

The first Batangueño president was the late Jose P. Laurel who served during the Japanese occupation.

Binay said he was the most qualified presidential candidate because of his executive experience as Makati mayor.

He took a swipe at the other candidates who, he said, were experienced but bumbling, apparently referring to Roxas who had been described as dazed and confused during the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” in Tacloban when he was Interior secretary.

Binay also chided another candidate who, despite having little experience, suddenly decided to become president, a swipe apparently directed at Senator Grace Poe. Binay said he would name Senator Gringo Honasan, his running mate, as anti-crime czar if he was elected president. Vito Barcelo

UNA condemns murder of reelectionist official

Mass wedding. About 300 couples tie the knot during a mass wedding in Manila on Friday. Danny PaTa

THE United Nationalist Alliance condemned the killing of former Santo Tomas, Batangas, Councilor Damasino Mabilangan Jr. who was slain Friday morning by still unidentified armed men.

UNA spokesman Mon Ilagan said a member of the political party was in Batangas when UNA received news that Mabilangan was shot dead while jogging.

“We strongly condemn the killing of Councilor Caloy Mabilangan. The Vice President [Jejomar Binay]

has conveyed his sympathies to the family of the late councilor,” Ilagan said.

Mabilangan ran for vice mayor of Santo Tomas in 2013 under UNA, and was said to be running for reelection as councilor of Santo Tomas town this year.

He was the brother of former communist rebel Leopoldo Mabilangan who was assassinated on April 3, 1994, in Santo Tomas.

Leopoldo was supposed to run for mayor of Santo Tomas or for congressman of Batan-

gas’ Third District.

Ilagan said the spate of election-related killings was putting in doubt the holding of orderly and peaceful elections in May. He said UNA supporters in the provinces were either being threatened or harassed.

“UNA strongly deplores any form of violence and will not allow violence to subvert the ends of the democratic process by way of harassment, threats or any kind of intimidation to disempower political opponents,” Ilagan said. Vito Barcelo

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De Lima approved transfer

By Rey E. Requejo FORMER Justice Secretary Leila de Lima Friday came to the defense of ousted Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Siegfried Mison and admitted she approved the transfer of Korean fugitive Cho Seongdae.

Kidapawan carnival. Street dancers roar as the Kidapawan City foundation anniversary parade concluded Friday.

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All bets to join Feb. 21 debate

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE five presidential candidates for the 2016 elections have already confirmed that they will attend the debate on Feb. 21, Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista said Friday.

Bautista said presidential candidates Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance, former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II of the Liberal Party, independent candidate Senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte PDPLaban have all confirmed their participation.

The debate will be the first presidential debate to be conducted outside of Metro Manila and will be held at Cagayan de Oro.

“All the five representatives of the presidential candidates confirmed that all of them will be attending the first presidential debate in CDO on Feb. 21,” Bautista said.

The debate will be moderated by GMA news anchor Mike Enriquez and Jessica Sojo and co-hosted by John Nery of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Bautista said the four topics to be discussed in the debate are economic development, peace and order, track records and the Mindanao issue.

“This is the first time a presidential debate is held outside MM and it will be held in Mindanao,” he added, sayng that the debate is patterned from CNN Republican Debate.

On March 20, the second leg of debate will be held in Visayas which will be sponsored by the TV5 and the Philippine Star.

The April 24 presidential debate in Luzon will be hosted by ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin; while the lone vice presidential debate to be held on April 10 in Metro Manila will be taken care by CNN Philippines and Business Mirror.

It will now be the lead media entities that shall be given the prerogative to identify the host facilities, preferably in schools.

Section 7 of the Fair Election Act states that the Comelec “may require national television and radio networks to sponsor at least three national debates among presidential candidates and at least one among vice presidential candidates.”

MILF reiterates commitment to peace MALACAÑANG on Friday hailed the joint agreement signed between the Philippine government peace panel and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Kuala Lumpur.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the joint agreement reflects the shared commitment of both parties to the attainment of the Bangsamoro’s aspirations on long term peace and progress.

Coloma said the renewal of the mandates of the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group and the International Monitoring Team

until March 31, 2017 “fortifies the peace infrastructure as these bodies have been instrumental in bringing about salutary results in peace-keeping as well as in sustained campaigns against criminal and terror elements.”

“The continuation of other normalization programs on transitional justice and reconciliation, camps transformation and provision of socio-economic packages serve to strengthen confidence on the sustainability of the peace process,” he added.

The Palace official said both the GPH

and the MILF will persevere in continuing efforts to create awareness and build consensus so that the next steps—including the enactment of a basic law and the setting up of a new governance framework—may be vigorously pursued and fully implemented in the near future.

The Kuala Lumpur meeting was held Feb. 10 to 11 after Congress failed to pass the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law which is a codification of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro signed between the government and the MILF in March 2014. PNA

De Lima said Mison should not be held administratively liable for ordering the transfer of Cho from the BI Warden Facility in Taguig City to the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines detention cell in Quezon City because there were valid reasons to do so.

“I was informed about it and it was cleared with me. There was justifiable reason to transfer the subject Korean fugitive to a more secure place because of prior instances of escape,” De Lima said, in a text message.

“It was also my understanding that there were indications that BI personnel were involved, hence, it was no longer advisable or safe to keep that fugitive in [the BI] facility,” the former Justice secretary added.

Mison, who was removed from his post last month and was replaced by Commissioner Ronaldo Geron Jr., also denied liability.

“My decision to put the suspect under ISAFP custody had the approval of former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima,” Mison said.

“It was decided not on a whim or abuse of discretion but due to the exigency of the service and to find out more information regarding Cho’s connections within BI. Since I became Commissioner of the Bureau, I have never acted without the express approval of the Secretary of Justice,” he added.

The former BI chief stressed that he had the discretion to decide on the custody of any foreign national who has committed an immigration violation.

“In the case of Cho Seongdae, I deemed it proper to place him in what I thought as a more secure facility in Camp Aguinaldo, based on information available at hand and only after I got the approval of Justice Secretary De Lima,” Mison said.

Mison questioned the recommendation of the National Bureau of Investigation for filing of administrative charge of grave misconduct against him prior to his ouster.

Mison was reacting to Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas’ statement that the BI would continue to investigate the “possibility” of Mison’s accountability.

Caparas revealed the probe as he announced another reshuffle of about 200 Bureau of Immigration employees despite a ban on the transfers and movements of officers and employees in the civil service during the election period.

BI officials could not explain the basis or motive of the two plans, but Bi officials theorized that the moves may be connected to Mison’s order last year to limit the powers assigned to Associate Commissioner Gilbert Repizo after he was linked to the case of Chinese fugitive Wang Bo. Repizo, who sources claimed is associated with Caparas, was stripped of some powers after he was blamed for the continued detention of Wang in the Philippines although he was already set for deportation to China, which had asked for his extradition over a criminal case.

Caparas said the BI will implement another administrative revamp although it is prohibited by the Omnibus Election Code and other election laws.

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‘Inaction’ on graft complaint slammed

By Florante S. Solmerin

Unity caravan. Voters line the streets of La Union in droves to welcome vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. who brought his ‘Unity Caravan’ to the province on Friday.

Plan for displaced OFWs—Bongbong

By Macon Ramos-Araneta VICE presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos said the national government should coordinate with local government executives to form a plan to avert a possible crisis when some 1.5 million overseas Filipinos in the Middle East lose their jobs due to the drop in oil prices.

He proposed the action as 1.5 million Filipinos who will be rendered jobless in Saudi Arabia will add tremendously to the already huge number of domestically unemployed once they return home and no local employments will be available.

He said LGU officials can convince investors to open or

expand its human resource requirements and hire even temporarily jobless OFWs. “Local officials can talk to owners or operators of business establishments in their respective jurisdictions to help by employing, at the very least temporarily, OFWs that have returned because they lost their jobs abroad. Our

OFWs are skilled and I’m sure they will fit in easily,” he said.

But Marcos admitted this is only “first aid” and the government should still come up with a genuine solution.

He said since Ilocos Norte, his home province, has the most number of families that have relatives or friends working abroad, local officials should start negotiating with the business community in the province to assist displaced Ilocano OFWs. Senator Sonny Angara believes the passage of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration bill will boost the government’s capacity to assist migrant workers who lost their jobs.

“The OWWA should now be

more prepared and equipped to assist OFWs who lost their jobs and were forced to come home,” he said.

“We must help them get back on their feet and start anew here in their home country,” added Angara, acting chairman of the Senate labor committee and sponsor of the OWWA bill.

Under the proposed measure, which was recently ratified by both of houses of Congress and soon to be signed into law by the President, the OWWA is declared as a national government agency thus the entire OWWA Fund, which is sourced through the contributions of its members, should be used primarily for OFW services and programs.

A FORMER police general who accused Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Hernando Irriberi and other officials criticized Ombudsman Conchita Morales for not acting on his complaint over the purchase of ammunition with a purportedly fake export license from the US State Department.

“To date, [the] Ombudsman has not provided the respondents copy of my complaint.

For almost three months the wheel of justice has not turned,” said Romulo Maningding, owner and manager of Reforma Enterprises.

Aside from Irriberi, the complaint, filed last Nov. 27., also includeed AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics Brigadier General Yucoco; Chief Superintendent Elmo Francis Sarona, Firearms and Explosive Office of the Philippine National Police; Mechanical and Chemical Industries Corp., Export Manager Gulderen Baglacer and Marketing Director Hasan Sahan; MKEK’s local representatives Eduard R. Del Mundo of the Caballo Negro Industriya Corp., and Alan M. Mendoza of the System Nomics Inc.; and several John Does.

Irriberi was also facing separate criminal and graft complaints, also gathering dust at the Ombudsman, for scrapping ammunition projects, worth P98 million, that was won through public bidding by Joavi Philippines Corp., without legal basis.

Late last month, Morales said the AFP and PNP remained in the bracket of most corrupt institutions of the government.

The case involves the delivery of MKEK of 4,500 rounds and 1,000 rounds of 105mm howitzer ammunition with fuses for the Army and Navy, respectively.

The cargo was unloaded at Subic Port and delivered to the warehouse at Camp Aquino, Tarlac for the Army and Sangley Point, Cavite City for the Navy.

“I am not even sure if the Bureau of Customs has done internal investigation nor the Firearms and Explosives Office of the Philippine National Police conducted their own inquiry. On the part of the AFP, I doubt if they did their own investigation,” Maningding said.

“What is disturbing is the cognizance of US State Department of the violations committed by MKEK on [the] issue of fake Export License and possible unauthorized production of the US fuse,” Maningding said when asked for more details regarding the issue.

14 new judges appointed

Not the usual Valentine’s. Members of the Akbayan Citizens Action Party hold a

protest in front of the Mega-Q Mart in Quezon City reminding voters against politicians who woo them for their votes but quickly forget after getting elected. MANNY PALMERO

PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed 14 new judges for Mindanao, according to the transmittal letter sent to Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno

by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. “I am pleased to transmit herewith the appointment letters of the following judges signed by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III,” the transmittal letter signed by Ochoa said.

The new judges for the municipal trial courts in the provinces of Mindanao are:

Jerry B. Patcho of the 6th MCTC, Labason-GutalacKalawit, Zamboanga del Norte; Kathia C. Adasa-Santiago of the 7th MCTC, LiloyTampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte; Rowena S. CarpitanosMagallanes of the 9th MCTC, Salug-Godod, Zamboanga del Norte; Johnabel H. Tabunda of the 7th MCTC, DimatalingTabina-Pitogo, Zamboanga del Sur; Glenn Perez Quimba of the 2nd MCTC, BangaTantangan, South Cotabato; Jeanecel G. Vercide-Climaco of MTC, Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay; Nemeson Bal Canete of MTC, Carmen, Agu-

san del Norte; Tristram Cosin Tenebro of MTC, San Fernando, Bukidnon; Charles Sang-an Concon of MTC, Marangusan (San Marino), Compostella Valley; Regina Feliciano Sison-Montiel of MTC, New Corella, Davao del Norte; Chalmer Cuenca Gevieso of MTC, Maasin, Sarangani; Joselita Emia Jadraque-Augusto of MTC Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; Jose Edgar Ramirez Sinangote of 4th MCTC, Bagumbayan, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat; and Macabinta P. Derogongan of MTCC, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. PNA

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Provincial buses should have GPS

By Darwin G. Amojelar

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has ordered provincial bus operators to install Global Positioning System devices on their bus units by April 30.

Shirts, anyone? A man looks at some t-shirts bearing the face of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte in Kidapawan City. GEONARRI SOLMERANO

“The LTFRB’s main aim is to protect the safety of the riding public by regulating the speed limit of buses traversing our national roads and highways. With the use of the latest and innovative technology, we believe we can modernize our transpsaort system and provide the commuters with reliable, convenient, and safe transportation services,” LTFRB Chairman Winston Ginez said.

The installation of GPS devices on PUBs is a measure being taken by the government to minimize road risk, as the device can help the LTFRB check if a bus is within the speed limit and on its proper route based on the approved franchise.

As mandated by LTFRB Memorandum Circular Nos. 2015-021 and 2015-026, all bus operators are required to install and register GPS devices on their units on or before April 30 for provincial buses entering Metro Manila; May 1 to Aug. 30 for Metro Manila buses; Sept. 1 to Dec. 31 for inter-regional buses not entering Metro Manila and Jan. 1 to April 30, 2017 for intra-regional buses.

The LTFRB has already informed bus transport associations, such as the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines and Southern Luzon Bus Operators Association, of the initial list of up-to-spec GPS devices.

Bus operators who fail to install GPS devices will be penalized P5,000 per unit. After the 30-day grace period

from the end of the compliance period, an additional penalty of P1,000 per unit per month will be imposed.

The LTFRB will also penalize operators or drivers found tampering with the devices: P5,000 for the first offense; P10,000 for the second offense; and P15,000 and the suspension of their certificate of public convenience for 30 days for the third and subsequent offenses.

Meanwhile, LTFRB issued a show cause order penalizing an Uber driver found to be operating an illegal private unit and threatening the life of a passenger using a metal pipe.

The Order was issued due the complaint posted by Christine Fulgencio in social media against the Uber driver identified as Nicolo Lizaso, where the complainant said that the driver threw a fit of anger, cussed and threatened to hit her with a metal pipe while inside their private village in Pasig City.

The driver, according to the complainant, after threatening her drove away, almost ran over the village security guards in the main entrance gate of Valle Verde 6, leaving his drivers’ license in the process.

In compliance with the Show Cause Order, Uber Systems Inc., admitted that after receiving the complaint from Fulgencio, the transport network company suspended Lizaso’s account to prevent him from accepting passengers online via Uber application.

PNP files more raps vs Marcelino

By Rey E. Requejo EMBATTLED Marine Lt. Colonel Ferdinand Marcelino also faces illegal possession of firearms and violation of election gun ban, aside from the drug complaint initially filed against him, after authorities discovered the license of his gun he was carrying when he was arrested was already expired.

The Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group has filed before the Department of Justice another criminal complaint for illegal possession of firearm and violation of election gun

ban against Marcelino.

The DoJ is currently conducting preliminary investigation on charges of conspiracy in manufacture and possession of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 earlier filed against the former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency official.

Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Anthony Fadullon on Friday said that the DoJ will conduct preliminary investigation on the new charges against Marcelino for violations of the Omnibus Election Code and the

Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act. Fadullon said the case was assigned to Assistant State Prosecutor Mike Humarang for hearing.

The anti-narcotics group also found out that Marcelino does not have a certificate of exemption from gun ban.

As defined under Rule I, Section I of the Commission on Elections Resolution 10015, from Jan.10 to June 8, 2016, it is prohibited to bear, carry or transport firearms and other deadly weapons during the election period, unless authorized by the Comelec.

Resolved. Makati City acting Mayor Romulo Peña shows a board resolution allocat-

ing P499 million for the education needs and allowances of teaching and non-teaching personnel of Makati City. DANNY PATA

Sandiganbayan clears Cayetano wife anew

By Rio N. Araja THE Sandiganbayan on Friday upheld its previous decision to clear Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano and her city administrator of a criminal offense for allegedly preventing the conduct of the city council’s maiden session in 2010.

In a five-page resolution, Associate Justice Efren de la Cruz of the anti-graft court’s First Divi-

sion maintained the prosecution in its motion for reconsideration failed to present new argument or evidence to warrant the reversal of the court’s December 20015 decision.

“The motion [for reconsideration] is devoid of merit. The Court finds no compelling reasons to reverse or set aside the questioned resolution on the absence of probable cause for the issuance of warrants of arrest against the accused,”

the resolution read.

“Then and now, the prosecution does not dispute the existence of the Aug. 13, 2010 letter, complaints’ receipt of the Aug. 16, 2010, the findings of the Bureau of Fire and Protection that the city hall was a fire hazard, and the preparation of a room at the city auditorium with amenities where the Sangguniang Panglungsod would conduct its session.”

In a December 2015 resolution,

the Sandiganbayan dismissed the case against Cayetano and city administrator Jose Montales, citing the failure of the prosecution to present new evidence that the duo violated Article 143 of the Revised Penal Code.

Article 143 states that any acts tending to prevent the meetings of the Assembly and similar bodies is punishable by a penalty of prision mayor and a fine not exceeding P10,000.

“The penalty of reclusion temporal and a fine of P20,000 shall be imposed in case of a second conviction,” the law stipulates.

In October 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman filed charges against Cayetano and Montales for their alleged unlawful effort to block then Vice Mayor George Elias and the city councilors to hold their first assembly on Aug. 16, 2010 by padlocking the city’s session hall.

s at u r d ay : f e b r u a r y 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

A7

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Soldier kills alleged jihadist in Sulu

By Florante S. Solmerin A SUSPECTED Islamic jihadist was shot and killed by an Army officer after the former attacked and wounded the latter while patrolling the vicinity of their camp before dawn Friday in Barangay Bunhanginan, Patikul, Sulu.

Joint Task Group Sulu commander Brigadier General Alan Arrojado said the body of the jihadist had been turned over to the police for identification and proper disposition.

He said Master Sergeant Esmeraldo Manugay, although he only suffered minor hack wounds on his head and back, was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment.

“It was Manugay himself who shot and killed the jihadist,” Arrojado said.

Manugay of the 10th Infantry Battalion, was doing his rounds at 5:15 a.m. in the periphery of their headquarters when the jihadist attacked him from behind.

“The jihadist hacked the duty officer and tried to grab his firearm.

They scuffled and when Manubay had the chance he shot the suspect in the head who died on the spot,” Arrojado said.

The gunshot woke up the entire headquarters and the battalion commander immediately sent two companies of soldiers to conduct route security to make sure no more enemies lurking in and outside the headquarters’ vicinity.

The island province of Sulu, like Basilan, is the lair the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group. According to the military, there at least more or less 200 ASG fully armed members who were subjects of intensified operations by nearly division-size government troopers.

Glimmer of hope. The drought brought about by El Niño is getting worse in Tuba, Benguet, but the showers in the past days have given farmers a glimmer of hope for farmers. Still, the weather bureau expects more dry weather conditions ahead. DAVID chAN

Recruiters refuse to enter plea on trafficking charge

By Ferdie G. Domingo

STO. DOMINGO, Nueva Ecija—The two alleged recruiters of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina sentenced to death in Indonesia for drug trafficking, yesterday refused to enter a plea on the qualified human trafficking case filed against them before the Regional Trial Court here.

During their arraignment, Maria Cristina Sergio and Julius Lacanilao did not enter a plea, prompting the Baloc RTC Branch 37 to enter a mandatory not guilty

plea as required by the rules.

The two, who were facing charges for allegedly sending 2.6 kilograms of heroin in Veloso’s suitcase in April 2010, were arraigned

after Baloc RTC Branch 37 Judge Nelson Tribiana dismissed with finality their motions to defer their arraignment last month.

Veloso was arrested and eventually sentenced to death, but her execution was put on hold at the last minute in April last year to allow her to testify against her alleged recruiters in the Philippines.

Sergio and Lacanilao, who surrendered to authorities last year and had been detained at the provincial jail in Barangay Caalibangbangan in Cabanatu-

an City, had earlier pleaded not guilty to the illegal recruitment and estafa charges filed against them.

Present during the arraignment were counsels from the Public Attorney’s Office led by State Prosecutor Roland Estepa, and Private Prosecutor, lawyer Edne Olalia of the National Union of People’s Lawyers.

The court has set for March 9 the pre-trial conference of the two.

It also ordered the defense to file its pre-trial brief five days before the March 9 hearing.

El Niño to persist, affect 34 provinces

By Rio N. Araja

Briefing. President Benigno Aquino III graces the briefing on the various infrastructure projects in Camarines Sur during the inauguration of the widened Pili Diversion Road in Pili on Friday. MAlAcAñANG Photo BuReAu

A STRONG El Niño episode will persist, affecting 25 provinces in a drought condition and nine others in a dry spell condition through the month, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Those suffering drought are Palawan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del

Sur, Misamis Occidental, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

The provinces of Rizal, Catanduanes, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur are experiencing a dry spell.

Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Sorsogon, Bohol, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur have been in a dry condition.

Drought is characterized by three months of way below normal rainfall conditions or a 60 percent reduction from the average, while dry spell is associated with consecutive months of below normal rainfall conditions or 21 percent to 60 percent reduction from the average.

A dry condition is a two-consecutive month of below normal rainfall conditions or a 21 percent to 60 percent reduction from the average.

The El Niño is forecast to gradually weaken between March and May, and may neutralize by July, the weather bureau said.

A8

S AT U R D AY : F E B R U A R Y 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

ARBITRARINESS AND THE CONSTITUTION

[ EDI TORI A L ]

HOT TOPIC NOW that the campaign period for national posts has begun, talking about climate change and disaster preparedness may seem out of season.

After all, why discuss rain and flooding and the warming of the atmosphere when people in the capital are enjoying cool, nonthreatening weather? Disasters have not been in the news recently.

What would be more fashionable these days is to pit one candidate against the other, focus on their unique traits and sound bytes, watch the mudslinging like it were a spectator sport and enjoy the faux prosperity that the season always offers.

Equally attractive is the speculation on who will win and who will claim to be victims of cheating.

But elsewhere in the country, entire provinces are suffering from the effects of El Niño. Already, farmers and fisherfolk see the erosion of income that would have sustained them for months. Hydroelectric sources of energy cannot live up to their potential. Blackouts punish communities, disrupting trade and inconveniencing the people.

This isn’t a case of waking up to a warm morning. All these are related.

Again, in a matter of weeks or months, we will certainly see disasters take their toll on lives, property, livelihood and infrastructure. How will we have improved from how we were this time last year and the year before?

Contrary to setting aside the topic in this campaign season’s conversations, voters should demand that the candidates vying for their support should have a solid agenda for mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects at whatever level of government they seek.

We should only take seriously those who can articulate a real plan to protect the people, make them less vulnerable, and enable them to build back better when disasters do strike. After all, these calamities do not distinguish between a regular year and an election year.

WOMEN AND THE 2016 ELECTIONS POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO WE HAVE reached that point when women running for the highest government positions are no longer looked at as aberrations. After all, the Philippines has had two women presidents, a feat that very few countries can equal, a respectable number of senators, representatives, and Cabinet secretaries. This is good because it appears that the image of a leader has evolved to the extent that significant pub-

lic offices are not anymore considered as exclusively men’s turf.

However, we are also at that stage when candidates can get away with publicly disregarding, even disrespecting women’s rights.

We are also still at that phase when very few candidates, males and females, consider addressing women’s issues as a priority in their platforms of governance. A few are even caught bluffing their way out when pressed for their agenda for women. Something is very wrong here.

Let’s look at the numbers. Two presidential, one vice presidential, and around seven senatorial candidates are women. For

the top post, Senator Grace Poe, despite the disqualification cases she faces, remains a strong contender. Per the most recent Pulse Asia survey, Poe leads the other candidates with the other woman bet, Senator Miriam DefensorSantiago, said to be battling cancer, occupying the last position.

The numbers of vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo are continuously improving. Per the same survey, she ranks third following Senators Chiz Escudero and Bongbong Marcos but ahead of three other candidates.

What possibilities do these survey ranks show us? One, barring disqualification, we may

A9

Candidates should be asked how they will uphold human rights, particularly women’s rights.

have another woman president in the person of Grace Poe. If the Supreme Court disqualifies her, we will definitely have a male president. Of the male presidential candidates, Binay is only ahead of Mar Roxas and Digong Duterte (who are both in the third spot) by three points.

Therefore, the biggest beneficiary of Poe votes may win the race.

How do these possibilities look for the Filipino women? I expect a Poe presidency to be, at the very least, friendly to women’s issues. After all, she is a modern woman who spent a good part of her life in the United States and may be free from the very traditional and conservative views on women. However, I find her platform wanting

in terms of what gender-specific problems her presidency will prioritize.

Of the other candidates, only one, Defensor-Santiago, has an unquestionable track record in addressing women’s rights. At this point and with the very lackluster campaign she is running, it might need a miracle for her to win.

Of the men, only Duterte has some good record on women’s issues with the progressive policies he has put in place in Davao City and his pro-RH, pro-divorce pronouncements. But, and this is a big BUT, Duterte is also first to

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

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

publicly disrespect women’s rights with his machismo. Publicly making sexual advances to women during his campaign sorties, using his power as a male and a politician to just go on kissing female supporters like he owns them cannot be acceptable and defendable any which way one looks at it. These acts speak volumes of how he regards women and one wonders how he will respect women if he becomes president. Candidates allied with him who defended these actions are, to say the least, disappointing.

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Remember the Tolentino Playgirls scandal? I say that Duterte’s actions are the same, if not worse. Not a few are turned-off. No wonder, some are saying that Duterte is sabotaging his own chances at the presidency.

Binay and Roxas have virtually no track record on defending women’s rights. Binay is anti-RH, and well, Roxas, resigned from the Board of one foundation that was at the forefront of the pro-RH struggle. Roxas was a fencesitter on the RH issue (and may I add, on many other controversial issues).

Continued on A11

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

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

SUPPORTERS of Senator Grace Poe’s controversial, issue-ridden quest for the presidency in May 2016 lament that the 1987 Constitution is unfair to foundlings like Poe. They invite attention to the provision of the Constitution which restricts the presidency to natural-born citizens of the Philippines, a provision which excludes foundlings from the equation.

Poe’s critics retort that the Constitution may not be perfect or ideal, but because it is the fundamental law of the land, it must be obeyed by everyone—by the government, by the people, and by Poe—and as long as he is sojourning in the Philippines, by Poe’s American husband as well.

As in past charters, many provisions in the 1987 Constitution are rather arbitrary. Ironically, however, its arbitrary provisions create a set of rules that must be followed by everyone precisely because their arbitrary nature applies to everyone. Thus, a provision of the Constitution may seem arbitrary, but its arbitrariness is somehow diluted when one realizes that the provision applies to everybody in the Philippines, regardless of gender, age, financial status, educational attainment, or religious affiliation.

For instance, the Constitution prescribes the minimum age for election to specific high public offices—40 years for the president and vice president; 35 for senators; and 25 for members of the House of Representatives. How these minimum age ceilings were arrived appears to be whimsical, but nobody is complaining.

While the presidency of the Philippines is admittedly a very important office, why must the president be at least 40 years old to qualify for it? Although it may be argued that virtues and qualities come with age, this 40-year age requirement suggests that only those who are a least 40 years old are wise, experienced, and competent enough to run the country as its president. That is arbitrary, because one who is at least 40 years old but who has no experience in public office—like Corazon Aquino and Fernando Poe Jr.—is qualified to run for president, while a less-than-40-year old senator with the political experience of a threeterm representative is disallowed from running for the presidency. Despite the whimsical nature of this age requirement, nobody is complaining.

It will be recalled that under the 1935 Constitution, the minimum age for the presidency was 40 years, and that under the 1973 Constitution, the mininum age was increased to 50. Why? Did candidates deteriorate in wisdom, experience, and competence in the past decades that the 1973 Constitution had to increase the minimum age?

Political observers say that the increase in the minimum age was designed to prevent then Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., the top political opposition leader of the period, who was already 40 years old in early 1973, from running for president during the administration Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

A8

S AT U R D AY : F E B R U A R Y 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

ARBITRARINESS AND THE CONSTITUTION

[ EDI TORI A L ]

HOT TOPIC NOW that the campaign period for national posts has begun, talking about climate change and disaster preparedness may seem out of season.

After all, why discuss rain and flooding and the warming of the atmosphere when people in the capital are enjoying cool, nonthreatening weather? Disasters have not been in the news recently.

What would be more fashionable these days is to pit one candidate against the other, focus on their unique traits and sound bytes, watch the mudslinging like it were a spectator sport and enjoy the faux prosperity that the season always offers.

Equally attractive is the speculation on who will win and who will claim to be victims of cheating.

But elsewhere in the country, entire provinces are suffering from the effects of El Niño. Already, farmers and fisherfolk see the erosion of income that would have sustained them for months. Hydroelectric sources of energy cannot live up to their potential. Blackouts punish communities, disrupting trade and inconveniencing the people.

This isn’t a case of waking up to a warm morning. All these are related.

Again, in a matter of weeks or months, we will certainly see disasters take their toll on lives, property, livelihood and infrastructure. How will we have improved from how we were this time last year and the year before?

Contrary to setting aside the topic in this campaign season’s conversations, voters should demand that the candidates vying for their support should have a solid agenda for mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects at whatever level of government they seek.

We should only take seriously those who can articulate a real plan to protect the people, make them less vulnerable, and enable them to build back better when disasters do strike. After all, these calamities do not distinguish between a regular year and an election year.

WOMEN AND THE 2016 ELECTIONS POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO WE HAVE reached that point when women running for the highest government positions are no longer looked at as aberrations. After all, the Philippines has had two women presidents, a feat that very few countries can equal, a respectable number of senators, representatives, and Cabinet secretaries. This is good because it appears that the image of a leader has evolved to the extent that significant pub-

lic offices are not anymore considered as exclusively men’s turf.

However, we are also at that stage when candidates can get away with publicly disregarding, even disrespecting women’s rights.

We are also still at that phase when very few candidates, males and females, consider addressing women’s issues as a priority in their platforms of governance. A few are even caught bluffing their way out when pressed for their agenda for women. Something is very wrong here.

Let’s look at the numbers. Two presidential, one vice presidential, and around seven senatorial candidates are women. For

the top post, Senator Grace Poe, despite the disqualification cases she faces, remains a strong contender. Per the most recent Pulse Asia survey, Poe leads the other candidates with the other woman bet, Senator Miriam DefensorSantiago, said to be battling cancer, occupying the last position.

The numbers of vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo are continuously improving. Per the same survey, she ranks third following Senators Chiz Escudero and Bongbong Marcos but ahead of three other candidates.

What possibilities do these survey ranks show us? One, barring disqualification, we may

A9

Candidates should be asked how they will uphold human rights, particularly women’s rights.

have another woman president in the person of Grace Poe. If the Supreme Court disqualifies her, we will definitely have a male president. Of the male presidential candidates, Binay is only ahead of Mar Roxas and Digong Duterte (who are both in the third spot) by three points.

Therefore, the biggest beneficiary of Poe votes may win the race.

How do these possibilities look for the Filipino women? I expect a Poe presidency to be, at the very least, friendly to women’s issues. After all, she is a modern woman who spent a good part of her life in the United States and may be free from the very traditional and conservative views on women. However, I find her platform wanting

in terms of what gender-specific problems her presidency will prioritize.

Of the other candidates, only one, Defensor-Santiago, has an unquestionable track record in addressing women’s rights. At this point and with the very lackluster campaign she is running, it might need a miracle for her to win.

Of the men, only Duterte has some good record on women’s issues with the progressive policies he has put in place in Davao City and his pro-RH, pro-divorce pronouncements. But, and this is a big BUT, Duterte is also first to

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

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

publicly disrespect women’s rights with his machismo. Publicly making sexual advances to women during his campaign sorties, using his power as a male and a politician to just go on kissing female supporters like he owns them cannot be acceptable and defendable any which way one looks at it. These acts speak volumes of how he regards women and one wonders how he will respect women if he becomes president. Candidates allied with him who defended these actions are, to say the least, disappointing.

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Remember the Tolentino Playgirls scandal? I say that Duterte’s actions are the same, if not worse. Not a few are turned-off. No wonder, some are saying that Duterte is sabotaging his own chances at the presidency.

Binay and Roxas have virtually no track record on defending women’s rights. Binay is anti-RH, and well, Roxas, resigned from the Board of one foundation that was at the forefront of the pro-RH struggle. Roxas was a fencesitter on the RH issue (and may I add, on many other controversial issues).

Continued on A11

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

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

SUPPORTERS of Senator Grace Poe’s controversial, issue-ridden quest for the presidency in May 2016 lament that the 1987 Constitution is unfair to foundlings like Poe. They invite attention to the provision of the Constitution which restricts the presidency to natural-born citizens of the Philippines, a provision which excludes foundlings from the equation.

Poe’s critics retort that the Constitution may not be perfect or ideal, but because it is the fundamental law of the land, it must be obeyed by everyone—by the government, by the people, and by Poe—and as long as he is sojourning in the Philippines, by Poe’s American husband as well.

As in past charters, many provisions in the 1987 Constitution are rather arbitrary. Ironically, however, its arbitrary provisions create a set of rules that must be followed by everyone precisely because their arbitrary nature applies to everyone. Thus, a provision of the Constitution may seem arbitrary, but its arbitrariness is somehow diluted when one realizes that the provision applies to everybody in the Philippines, regardless of gender, age, financial status, educational attainment, or religious affiliation.

For instance, the Constitution prescribes the minimum age for election to specific high public offices—40 years for the president and vice president; 35 for senators; and 25 for members of the House of Representatives. How these minimum age ceilings were arrived appears to be whimsical, but nobody is complaining.

While the presidency of the Philippines is admittedly a very important office, why must the president be at least 40 years old to qualify for it? Although it may be argued that virtues and qualities come with age, this 40-year age requirement suggests that only those who are a least 40 years old are wise, experienced, and competent enough to run the country as its president. That is arbitrary, because one who is at least 40 years old but who has no experience in public office—like Corazon Aquino and Fernando Poe Jr.—is qualified to run for president, while a less-than-40-year old senator with the political experience of a threeterm representative is disallowed from running for the presidency. Despite the whimsical nature of this age requirement, nobody is complaining.

It will be recalled that under the 1935 Constitution, the minimum age for the presidency was 40 years, and that under the 1973 Constitution, the mininum age was increased to 50. Why? Did candidates deteriorate in wisdom, experience, and competence in the past decades that the 1973 Constitution had to increase the minimum age?

Political observers say that the increase in the minimum age was designed to prevent then Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., the top political opposition leader of the period, who was already 40 years old in early 1973, from running for president during the administration Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

A10

S AT U R D AY : F E B R U A R Y 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

BETTING ON TWO CANDIDATES BACK­ BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN THE continued flirtation of this corrupt-cum-stooge administration with Senator Grace Poe’s camp explains why the rating of its own presidential candidate, Manuel “Mar” Roxas, continues to lag behind that of the other candidates. This despite the fact that Mar Roxas supposedly enjoys the enormous advantage of unlimited logistical support, political machinery with a complete ticket down the line, and government apparatus used to ensure his election.

Signs of possible betting on two horses, or should we say treachery, is seen in the administra-

Grace Poe is reciprocating to the flirtation, and some could sense that.

tion’s conduct of keeping silent on the issue of Grace Poe’s qualification to run for president knowing that she is not a naturalborn citizen. As we see it, PNoy is not doing anything to stop this travesty of our Constitution. He is tacitly encouraging this overtly ambitious woman to run with Roxas—equally dumb not to sense that he stands like a cuckold man whose broker is playing around with another candidate. Second, many of his yellow pretenders for freedom and transparency, and the known money bags, are now marching in troves endorsing the Cinderella from the US. There seems to be a tongue-in-cheek relation between the broker and the anointed. From the broker’s point of view, the inability of Mar Roxas to take off is sending ominous signals that he is not the man that could provide him the insurance ticket that he will not follow the woman who is now rotting in jail.

This good-for-nothing big spender is entertaining the idea that betting on two

horses would be his best assurance to deflect possible charges that await him after he steps down from office.

The apprehension that the candidacy of Mar Roxas is not getting anywhere is not wholly one-sided as PNoy might think. Maybe Roxas is not charismatic.

Like PNoy, he has not accomplished anything during his term from being a congressman to senator, yet was voted by what some quarters would say by the magic of an alienoperated computer voting system that handed to him the so-called “mandate of our people.” The poor rating of Mar is compounded by the fact that he is an acerbic politician who just could not fine tune to the right frequency to get the people’s support.

The official benediction of PNoy added to his woes because people are now tired of promises. Instead, they are looking forward to make their sweet revenge against anybody whom this administration will endorse. Maybe Roxas can marshal incumbent local politicians to fill up his rallies, but wily as they are, they are there to get their share of the campaign fund but would shift silently to the candidates who are likely to be voted by their constituents. Otherwise, it will be their own constituents who will point at them as traitors.

Grace Poe is reciprocating to the flirtation, and some could sense that. For one, even if the Bangsamoro Basic Law bill was not acted upon by Congress, Poe nonetheless did a splendid job by not submitting the official report of the Mamasapano hearing. It was a wellcoordinated job done by Poe, for even if during the hearing in the Senate that it clearly pointed to President Aquino as having participated in the planning and monitoring, he could not be indicted on the basis that no official report was submitted by Poe. Nothing could be cited that PNoy allowed the carnage to happen by not sending any reinforcement.

The railroading done

by Senator Poe to deflect PNoy’s liability is now being reciprocated with deep gratitude and one could see this by the shameful conduct of his two appointees to the Supreme Court, namely Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, and Justice Marvic Leonen. It is worst for Leonen because he participated and possibly authored some of the provisions in the BBL

EAGLE EYES DEAN TONY LA VIÑA ENERGY security is an essential part of development. There is no doubt that we need reliable energy not just to keep businesses going but to inject progress in other sectors too—health, agriculture, transport; name it and it needs dependable electricity. When we think of the future of energy, therefore, we must consider how energy can best be used to drive other sectors which collectively contribute to the country’s development.

There is also the need to prioritize access to energy in the future. There are challenges however in making this happen and reforms have to be introduced at the policy and governance levels.

One of our major findings in our policy brief “Striking a Balance: CoalFired Power Plants: in the Philippines’ Energy Future,” points to the disconnect between the country’s aspiration of sustainable development and energy security. The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 mandates the government to “ensure and accelerate” the total electrification of the country, provide adequate and continuous supply of energy, ensure socially and environmentally sound energy sources and promote the utilization of indigenous, new and renewable energy sources to lessen dependence on energy. Among these, however, the implementation of the policy seems to lean heavily toward merely considering affordability, an insight that was validated which he knows will not just violate the Constitution, but will defy it because it was designed to supplant our basic law.

Leonen went further to exhibit his ignorance by suggesting that the issue on Poe’s citizenship be decided by the people, sidetracking that the Constitution already prohibits citizens who are not natural-born citizens from running for President, and that has already been decided by the people when they ratified the 1987 Constitution.

Another is the promise of Poe that if elected, she will work hard to ensure the passage of the Freedom of Information bill, a bill that has been the centerpiece of this administration who is more concerned on cosmetic freedom rather than on tangible freedom; and that she will continue to “fight” for our claim in the West Philippine Sea. The FOI bill is opposed by

A WAY FORWARD ON ENERGY

by an industry player at the launch of our policy brief last year. The government has been expected to go for the least cost-technology —which in the most facile sense, appears to be coal —because of mere affordability, but this is a shortsighted and unbalanced criterion or standard. The identification of health, environmental and social impact as externalities and not as inherent considerations for choosing our energy source decouples energy security from genuine development.

How could this be changed? One way is to tighten interagency cooperation in the aspect of decision-making. The Department of Energy is the prime government actor in this arena, but it must broaden the space and scope for exhaustive consultations with other government agencies such as the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Health. In our policy brief, we pointed out that “input from Neda only comes in when government funds and exposure are involved.” Furthermore, “private ventures solely fall under the jurisdiction of the DoE with very minimal to no intra-government involvement towards approval, with the exception of DENR.” Communities and civil society groups must also be included and considered in assessing options for sourcing energy. Theirs is the voice that often gets

drowned out in the process of approving permits for CFPP operations, as we have found out in the focus group discussions we conducted. They have concerns that are legitimate and critical, not to mention the fact that host communities are the ones that directly bear the social and environmental effects of utilizing CFPPs. Without comprehensive inputs from other government agencies and stakeholders, we will continue to have a limited understanding of the overall effects of CFPPs. This makes it easy— but also costly, at the same time—for government to veer towards the CFPP technology in meeting the country’s energy needs, exposing a huge loophole in the implementation of the Epira law as it is skewed towards the low-cost option.

What exacerbates this is the weak implementation of the 2008 Renewable Energy Act and the paucity of similar policies that support, promote and incentivize investments for other sources of energy.

The government must then reform its energy policy to make it more cognizant of the bigger picture, responsive to the long-term needs of the citizenry and appropriate for the context of sustainable development. Only then can we walk the talk, in the sense that we will see to it that our local policies and actions are compatible with the commitments we make on a global level.

We advocated a paradigm change when we pushed

for the adoption of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, both of which called for battling climate change by supporting cleaner sources of energy; we must be consistent, as only by being consistent can then we be truly credible.

We further recommend that the following steps be taken: review the Philippine Energy Planning process, identify an optimal energy mix for the Philippines in setting the baseload, study the viability of energy technologies, including renewable energy, against updated growth scenarios of the country, conduct a full cost accounting of energy technology options and determine the competitiveness of energy technology options.

This will guide us in doing away with the disconnect between our goal to attain sustainable development and also achieving energy security.

The government needs only to be firm and aggressive in doing these in order to send the right signal to the private sector. While CFPPs have a role to play in filling our energy needs in the short-term, we could not and must not rely on them in the coming decades. The rest of the world is making a transition towards cleaner energy and we must do the same. The price of getting left behind is steep.

The future is not with coal. It is with renewables.

The future is not tomorrow.

It is already here today.

many because it will practically amend our laws on espionage and treason designed to protect our national security much that traitors, spies, mercenaries and publicity seekers disguised as investigative reporters will have a field day selling this country in the name of freedom of information. That will be counterproductive to the function of our intelligence services.

Even if we might assume that Poe enjoys the “silent promotion” of her candidacy by PNoy, that kind of unofficial blessing will not do her good for once the people realized that she is a sub-stooge of this government that claims to be honest. Voters will shy away from her, the same way they are now punishing Roxas. In fact, the greatest blunder this administration can commit is when Poe is disqualified by the Supreme Court, which is likely to happen.This ex-

plains why the SC is dillydallying on its decision.

Some of them still would want to please PNoy while others are determined not to join the bandwagon of being branded as clowns in robe.

Senator Poe could not even distinguish whether she wants to fight China to get back those uninhabited islets we claim as ours or to stand firm over those that remain under our control.

The issue over the South China Sea is to commit the incoming administration to continue paying our share for the military expense in patrolling the South China Sea for the interest of the US. Our claim has become pathetic and humiliating because to most political observers, they see no immediate danger of China attacking or planning to overrun the remaining islands under our control.

Rather, the US has become a financially bankrupt superpower that it is

scrounging for military and naval contribution from the Philippines, Japan, Australia, and as far as India, to help her patrol the South China to allegedly counteract the enhanced Chinese presence in the area without telling its allies where their common strategic interest lies to necessitate their presence.

From the Straits of Taiwan to South China Sea, and down to the Straits of Malacca, that body of water has ever since been free for navigation, except that there are now increased activities that are engaged in oil exploration, concessions mostly given by the Philippines to the US. It is now the concession that we gave that is being stretched by the US to equate their interest as our interest and the rest of Asia to require its allies to foot the bill, and Poe is too gullible to know that.

Facebook Page: Dean Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

rpkapunan@gmail.com

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

HOW BERNIE SANDERS SPENT HIS SOVIET HONEYMOON attracted the energy of left-wing activists who were initially involved because of their support for the Sandinista Revolution and opposition to US intervention in Central America. The Yaroslavl project received more broad-based backing, including from a number of business people in the city.

The Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev was opening to the world, no longer exactly an enemy of the US and more an intriguing, unknown entity.

In 1987, Gorbachev effectively signed the planned economy’s death sentence, permitting socalled “cooperatives”—essentially private companies that could produce and trade goods as freely as the tired and greedy bureaucracy allowed. Thus began the second stage of what Gorbachev called perestroika, or restructuring. It also included political reforms that attempted to shift the center of power from the Communist Party to the Soviets—a system of representative government that handled the Soviet Union’s housekeeping.

Soviet newspapers and magazines were beginning to publish documents and eyewitness accounts from the time of Stalin’s purges. It was dawning on a large part of the Soviet people that their own Communist state, and not the West, was, and had long been, their biggest enemy.

Rallies and marches against the Communists’ monopoly on power were springing up across the country. (Two years later, I attended one such gathering in Moscow with more than one million others—still the biggest protest I’ve ever seen.)

At the same time, of course, the economy was falling apart, not just because oil prices were at record lows and the Soviet gov-

ernment was beginning to print money desperately to finance essential programs, but because the centralized planning system was rotten: Essentially, bureaucrats across the country were falsely reporting that plans and quotas were being met, when in fact workers were stealing all they could, and their bosses were either lost in a stupor of incomprehension or trying to figure out how the new “cooperatives” could help them get rich.

During the “honeymoon” in Yaroslavl, Sanders interviewed Alexander Ryabkov, head of the city’s executive committee—the Soviet equivalent of a mayor— for a Burlington radio station.

Ryabkov, a career bureaucrat obsessed with construction, gave a stilted account of the city’s plan to build an apartment for every family in the city by 2000—a year that lay in a too-distant future in a country where no one, not even Gorbachev himself, could predict what would happen the following week. My grandmother’s sister lived in a communal apartment in Yaroslavl, where the kitchen and other amenities were shared with her neighbors, and she never expected to move into a place of her own. Less than a year after the Sanders visit, Ryabkov stepped down after being accused of pripiski, the common practice of reporting an inflated rate of compliance with the central plan that many bureaucrats used to appropriate scarce resources.

Judging by the interview, Sanders wasn’t particularly impressed by Ryabkov’s claims. He noted that the quality of housing and health care in Vermont was far better than in Yaroslavl. In response, Ryabkov told him that a typical Yaroslavl family only

spent three to four percent of its income on rent and utilities and that health care was free. Unsurprisingly. Sanders sounded as if he liked that part, on principle.

Sanders was doing what every American who witnessed the perestroika-era Soviet Union or even read about it in a newspaper did: trying to make comparisons and find similarities. Yaroslavl’s Kirov Street looked to him like Burlington’s Church Street: both led to a church. In Yaroslavl, housing and health care were the most important issues; they were important in Burlington, too. After decades of hostility, it was finally possible to travel and talk to people. That wasn’t trivial: In 1988, foreign correspondents based in Moscow still had to ask the Foreign Ministry for permission to travel outside the capital. Most Russians were meeting Americans for the first time. There was a sense of new opportunities, of an emerging warmth between the two nations.

“We never knew what friends we had until we came to Leningrad,” Billy Joel sang after touring the Soviet Union in 1987.

Nonetheless, Yaroslavl in 1988 wasn’t a pretty picture: an exhausted industrial city on the Volga, its only attraction the ancient churches that were kept shining white and gold for the tourists’ sake. The infrastructure was threadbare, falling apart like everything in the Soviet economy in those days. Just four months before Sanders’ visit, a freight train derailed in Yaroslavl, spilling almost a ton of heptyl, a highly toxic rocket propellant that was such an extreme danger to locals that some neighborhoods had to be evacuated while more than 1,000 people dug up the contaminated earth and removed it in trucks to

be burned.

There is nothing Sanders could have seen in the Volga River city that he would have wanted to transplant to Vermont. And he never sang the Soviet Union’s praises. In his book, he only said that his “honeymoon”—actually, a working trip with a delegation of 10—had been “very strange.”

He never became a Russophile, either. As senator, he backed US sanctions against Russia after it annexed Crimea,calling for the political and economic isolation of President Vladimir Putin.

To his credit, however, Sanders has continued to meet with Yaroslavl delegations that kept coming to Burlington long after he ceased to be mayor. Irina Novikova, who is in charge of the exchanges in Yaroslavl, last saw him in the US in 2013. She was impressed. “He’s a man of global thinking,” she told me.

“An uncommon man, with this broad perspective on the whole world.”

Sanders is unashamed of his leftist views, which seem to appeal to a large number of Democratic voters. His Russian trip, though, wasn’t about leftist ideology: In 1988, that was much easier to find in Nicaragua or Cuba than in the Soviet Union. Rather, it was about keeping an open mind about a bizarre land that was slowly emerging after decades of oppression and isolation. I appreciate the open-mindedness: My country has since sunk back into a Sovietstyle mire, and when it opens up again, people like Sanders will be welcome. They always are the first to show up.

I just hope he understood during that 1988 trip that free health care and housing aren’t really free. I can’t tell from his speeches if he did. Bloomberg

peached officials.

Despite the virtual identity in of President Ferdinand Marcos. the duties of senators and repThere is, however, no evidence to resentatives, the Constitution support that theory. Besides, not imposes a higher minimum age all of the delegates who wrote the requirement for senators. This 1973 Constitution were allies of seems to suggest that senators President Marcos. Several del- are wiser, more experienced, and egates opposed to the Marcos ad- more competent than represenministration—Diosdado Macapa- tatives. Many members of the gal, Dakila Castro, Pacifico Ortiz, House will disagree. to name a few—actively particiWisdom, experience, and compated in drafting the Charter. petence are different facets of an The duties of members of Con- ideal candidate for elective public gress, whether in the Senate or in office, but the Constitution whimthe House of Representatives, are sically treats all three as synonyms. virtually identical, except that the Nobody is complaining.

Senate may concur in treaties enThe Constitution mandates tered into by the president. Even that justices of the Supreme the power of the House to im- Court must retire upon turning peach is hardly any different from 70 years old. This is also arbithe power of the Senate to try im- trary. Does a justice become

incompetent or senile upon reaching the age of 70? Apparently not, as seen in the number of retired magistrates working elsewhere after leaving the bench. Recent history reveals that one magistrate became the Secretary of Justice under President Joseph Estrada, and another still writes a newspaper column today. Nonetheless, justices have to retire when they turn 70 because the Constitution says so.

Nobody is complaining.

In America, the justices of the United States Supreme Court are appointed for life. Thus, they can serve beyond their 70th birthday. Are American justices who reach 70 healthier in mind and body than Filipino justices who reach that age?

Another question—why does the Constitution set a retirement age of 70 for justices and judges, while the rest of the workers in the civil service must retire at 65?

Are justices and judges healthier in mind and body than other civil servants that they are given a longer period to serve in the government? Some justify this special treatment by citing that justices and judges are highly skilled and trained individuals so much so that their service should be maximized for the public good. If that is so, then why are professors of public universities, who are also highly skilled and trained individuals, compelled to retire at age 65? Once more, nobody is complaining.

There are many other arbitrary

provisions in the Constitution.

One is the definition of a naturalborn citizen, which leaves out foundlings. Why can’t foundlings be considered eligible for the presidency? It’s not their fault that they are foundlings. Well, it’s not the fault of those who seek the disqualification of Poe, either. It’s just that the Constitution says so.

Disqualifying Poe from running for president is not discrimination against foundlings. It is to enforce the Constitution which, while mandating arbitrary standards, nonetheless imposes it on everyone without exception. The compulsory nature of its arbitrary provisions is what makes the Constitution unique and, more importantly, binding on everybody, Poe included.

ever, as of now, she is third and the leading candidate, Senator Chiz Escudero, is ahead by many points.

Escudero has never been known as a women’s rights advocate. While he voted yes to the RH law in the end, he was never on the side of the advocates and has even made anti-RH remarks before. Escudero is too much of a political chameleon perceived as being neither here nor there on social issues.

Solely on gender issues, the other candidates who have dis-

played some level of being prowomen are Senators Bongbong Marcos and Alan Peter Cayetano. Yes, the late dictator’s son who is within a striking distance primarily because of the Ilocano vote and the fact that the younger voters have no memory of how it was during the Marcos dictatorship. The young Marcos and Cayetano clearly sided with the women and other advocates during the RH struggle. The other candidates, Honasan and Trillanes, have zero credibility on women’s issues.

The possibility of having women occupying the two top government positions is there.

If this happens, the Philippines is going to make history in women’s political participation.

However, there are major obstacles for this to happen.

For now, the need is for the electorate, especially the women voters and progressive groups, to demand from candidates their platform on gender issues, especially the controversial ones like RH, divorce, and LGBT rights. Candidates

should be asked how they will uphold human rights, particularly women’s rights.

Besides having women candidates, we need pro-women candidates with a clear platform and plan on actualizing rights, whether these are males or females running for positions.

Women’s rights need to be at the core of the 2016 electoral campaign.

By Leonid Bershidsky SENATOR Bernie Sanders’ longago “honeymoon” in the Soviet Union is held up by his opponents as evidence of dubious judgment, and even Communist sympathies or anti-American tendencies. The self-described socialist was questioned about the visit during a debate of Democratic presidential candidates in October as a way to raise doubts about his electability.

Those descriptions and concerns are based on distortions and exaggerations: The trip, which began the day after his wedding with his second wife, Jane, in May 1988, was undertaken as part of Sanders’ official duties as mayor of Burlington, Vermont. And in any case, most of his critics seem to have forgotten that the Soviet Union at the time was hardly the place for an admirer of communism to find comfort.

Under Sanders, Burlington developed sister-city programs with places that reflected his sympathies, notably Puerta Cabezas, Nicaragua. That pairing was in keeping with Sanders’ opposition to President Ronald Reagan’s attempts to undermine the leftist Sandinista government. Sanders and the Burlington Board of Aldermen even wrote angry letters demanding that the president “stop killing the innocent people of Nicaragua.”

Burlington also had a link-up with the city of Yaroslavl, in Russia. But as Sanders wrote in his 1998 political memoir, “Outsider in the White House,” the motivations were quite different: Like the Puerto Cabezas project, the sister-city program with Yaroslavl has been very successful.

Each has different constituencies of support. Puerto Cabezas mostly

Arbitrariness... From A9

Women... From A9 As far as the vice presidency is concerned, the best bet as far as being progressive and prowomen is Leni Robredo. Years before she became a public official, she has been defending women and the poor as a lawyer. Her pro-poor, pro-women bias is the reason why groups of development workers and women’s organizations support her. Robredo’s winning the elections, I have no doubt, will be good for the country. How-

bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Thunder down Pelicans as both teams play with heavy hearts THE Oklahoma City Thunder rolled into the NBA’s All-Star break with a 121-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, aided by 23 points apiece from Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

On what was an emotional night, Westbrook was one rebound shy of his ninth triple double of the season as he collected 10 assists and nine rebounds.

Durant connected on 10 of 17 from the field and also handed out six assists as Oklahoma City improved to 40-14.

The Thunder are one of three Western Conference teams heading into the All-Star break with at least 40 wins, behind the Golden State Warriors (48-4) and San Antonio Spurs (45-8).

According to Elias Sports, the statistics expert, that’s a first for any conference in NBA history.

“I think we are great, man,” Westbrook said of the Thunder’s position. “Forty wins, I like where we are. Looking to come back in the second half of the season and turn it up a notch.”

Center Anthony Davis scored 23 points to lead the Pelicans, but was limited to three rebounds and no blocked shots.

Guard Jrue Holiday came off the bench to score 23 points and six assists as the Pelicans, ravaged by injury this season, fell to 20-33.

The contest had a somber note, despite the approach of the weekend of festivities built around Sunday’s All-Star game in Toronto.

Enes Kanter (no.11) of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 11, 2016 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. AFP

Ingrid Williams, wife of Oklahoma City assistant coach and former New Orleans head coach Monty Williams, died in a road accident on Tuesday and the news hit both teams hard.

“I thought about what I was going to say, but I just love coach Monty so much,” Durant said. “I feel for him. And it’s somebody we all love, I just don’t understand.”

Davis was one of the Pelicans players who remembered Ingrid Williams as being like a second mother when her husband coached them.

“It was tough, but you have to still go out there and compete,”

Davis said. “That’s what we tried to do tonight.”

In Milwaukee, Khris Middleton scored 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter as the Bucks defeated the Washington Wizards 99-92.

Forwards Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 17 points each for the Bucks, and center Greg Monroe chipped in 12 points and nine rebounds.

Five Washington players scored in double figures, led by the 19 points of guard Bradley Beal.

John Wall added 15 for Washington while Otto Porter, Marcin Gortat and Nene scored 14 points apiece.

Denver Nuggets guard Emma-

nuel Mudiay and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker were named as substitutes for two of the AllStar Game warm-up events.

Mudiay will replace injured defending champion Patrick Beverley in the Skills Challenge that tests dribbling, passing, shooting and agility on an obstacle course.

Beverley will miss the Saturday competition with an ankle injury.

Booker replaces injured Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers in Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge, which features first- and second-year players from the United States against overseas players in their rookie and sophomore seasons. AFP

Nadal back with a win in Buenos Aires RAFAEL Nadal returned to action for the first time since his shock first-round exit from the Australian Open with a straightsets win over Juan Monaco in the ATP Argentina Open.

Defending Buenos Aires champion Nadal wasn’t his sharpest self in the rematch of last year’s final.

He dropped his serve three times but broke Monaco in the final game of each set to emerge with a 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour and 38 minutes.

He set up a quarter-final clash with Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi, a 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 winner over Diego Schwartzman.

Monaco hadn’t played a tournament since having right wrist surgery last August.

But Nadal wasn’t able to build much momentum against him.

Monaco earned the first break of the second set en route to a 3-1 lead, and after breaking back for 3-3, Nadal was in trouble again with two double faults to trail 1530 in the ninth game.

He held on, sealing the game with a trademark forehand winner down the line to force Monaco to serve to extend the match.

The Buenos Aires clay has proved fertile ground for Nadal in the past, and the 29-year-old world number five, owner of 14 Grand Slam titles, admitted when he sought a wild card for the tournament that he hoped he’d be able to get his 2016 campaign on track here.

The year started for Nadal with a 6-1, 6-2 thrashing by Novak Djokovic in the final at Doha, which was followed by his 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 loss to fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in his first round in Melbourne—just the second first-round exit from a Grand Slam in his career. AFP

FIFA presidential battle lands in Miami THE battle for the top job in world football arrived in the United States on Thursday with FIFA presidential contenders hoping to secure crucial votes from the scandal-tainted governing body for soccer in the region.

UEFA official Gianni Infantino and Asian chief Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa were both expected to be among the FIFA Presidential contenders giving presentations to members from CONCACAF, which governs football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Infantino, a key ally of banned former presidential hopeful

Michel Platini, and Sheikh Salman, the influential head of the Asian Football Confederation are battling for the right to replace ousted former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter at elections later this month.

Also in the running are Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al Hussein, South Africa’s Tokyo Sexwale and outsider Jerome Champagne.

All five candidates were expected to make presentations to CONCACAF officials at a hotel in Miami from Thursday to Friday.† It is not known whether the leadership of CONCACAF -holding a potentially pivotal 35

votes in the FIFA ballot -- will call on its membership to endorse its preferred candidate.

An umbrella group of Central American CONCACAF members, UNCAF, last month endorsed Infantino’s bid to succeed Blatter.

CONCACAF has been at the heart of the global corruption scandal, with former president Jeffrey Webb and his successor Alfredo Hawit both arrested last year in separate raids in Switzerland.

Infantino joined the race to replace Blatter in a February 26 vote following the ban handed down to UEFA supremo Michel Platini.

AFP

Chinese shuttlers get retroactive doping ban CHINESE women’s badminton player Yu Xiaohan was hit with a retroactive seven-month ban after she was found last year to have ingested a prohibited substance, the Badminton World Federation said Friday.

The sport’s governing body said the ban is now considered to have been served and her eligibility re-

stored with immediate effect.

A testing sample given by Yu at the Summer Universiade competition in Gwangju, South Korea last July showed the presence of sibutramine, a drug used to treat obesity.

Yu, a doubles player, says she took the substance inadvertently via a supplement, a claim the BWF

has accepted.

“In the athleteís favour, it is the (BWF doping panelís) opinion that Ms. Yu did not take the pill to cheat or to gain a performance-enhancing advantage,” the Kuala Lumpurbased federation said in a statement.

Yu had received a provisional suspension in September pending a review by the doping panel. AFP

A technician assists Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen during the fourth stage of the 15th Tour of Qatar on February 11, 2016, in Madinat Al-Shamal in Qatar. AFP

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Magat’s triple lifts Griffins in Game 1

Carlos, Superal share W Express honors. Princess

Superal (left) and Jobim Carlos hold their trophies as they pose with the huge perpetual W Express RVF Cup Amateur Golf Championship Cup after ruling their respective divisions at Cangolf’s North course Friday.

Carlos held off a late charging Justin Quiban to annex the men’s title with a closing 71, while Superal ran away with the women’s crown with a bogey-free fourunder 68.

MANU Magat hit a game-winning triple in the last 5.3 seconds, sending the Colegio de San Lorenzo Griffins to a 5653 win over the PATTS College of Aeronautics Sea Horses in Game 1 of the 8th Universities and Colleges of Luzon Athletic Association men’s basketball championship.

This put the Griffins a win closer to the crown when their best-of-three finals encounter ended Tuesday at the Marikina Sports Complex.

Magat wasn’t supposed to shoot the final basket. But he found an opening on the left corner after receiving a pass from Jun Gabriel.

His trey kept the Griffins unbeaten after nine games.

“He was on the right spot on

that situation. He wasn’t supposed to shoot it. But he got an opportunity to win it for the team and he took it,” said Griffins coach Bonnie Garcia.

They will have a chance to claim the crown from the Sea Horses if they win again in Game 2.

Meanwhile, the men’s and volleyball matches got under way Friday at the Technological Institute of the Philippines gymnasium in Quiapo, Manila.

Gabriel led the Griffins with 11 points, while James Alvarado and Rustom Borja fired nine points apiece.

John Paul Manansala showed the way with 15 points for the Sea Horses, while Mark Velasco made 8.

Philracom honors 2015 achievers IN order to give recognition to the sport’s top achievers of 2015, the Philippine Racing Commission will be holding a recognition ceremony on Sunday at San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

The event will coincide with the staging at SLLP of the Philracomsponsored 1,400-meter 1st leg Import/Local Challenge.

In a resolution passed on Feb. 3, the Commission “deemed it proper and necessary” to recognize the

efforts of last year’s “key players” who have “made the most contribution to the industry in terms of revenue and prestige.”

The honorees for Philracom’s first awards ceremony are: Horseowner of the Year, lawyer Nar-

ciso O. Morales; Horse of the Year, Low Profile; Trainer of the Year, Ruben S. Tupas; Jockey of the Year, Jonathan B. Hernandez; Breeder of the Year, SC Stockfarm, Inc.; and Most Successful Racing Day, the 7th Mayor Ramon Bagatsing Sr. Memorial Racing Festival.

According to Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, the selection criteria are “the statistics and empirical data of earnings

and numbers of wins.”

Morales’s stable of around 160 horses earned P22.6 million from 137 wins, 139 second places, 138 thirds, and 169 fourths. This figure is P9.4 million greater than the P13.24 million earned by the second-placer horseowner, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur C. Abalos.

Among Morales’s wellknown horses are Messi and Spectrum, respectively the

10th and 12th highest-ranking horses of 2015.

Low Profile, owned by Ruben Dimacuha, was 2015’s top money earner, having earned P5.45 million from 12 wins, four second places, and one third place.

Tupas, who also trains for Abalos, notched an impressive 238 wins, 176 seconds, 184 thirds, and 162 fourths to earn P4.3 million, nearly double the earnings of the second-place trainer.

Drag racing moves to Batangas circuit Non seeking ICTSI kiteboarding repeat JULIUS Non sets out for another big weekend against a crack international field out to foil his back-to-back title bid as action in the third leg of the ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour Season 3 got under way Friday in Anguib, Sta. Ana, Cagayan Valley.

Non, from Soloviento, Caliraya, marked his return to the kiteboarding scene in emphatic fashion in Boracy last month, flaunting a near-flawless riding skills to beat Bong Fernando, Ronnel Mateo and former winners Doque delos Santos and Christian Tio for the men’s Twin Tip crown.

But his rivals are all geared up to foil his repeat bid, ensuring a thrilling battle for top honors in the three-day event sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by the Philippine Kiteboarding Association.

The Red Bull-backed Tio, however, won’t be around due to a death in the family.

But the title chase is expected to be as fierce as ever along with those in the categories with a number of top European riders joining the event backed by Cabo Engano, NCGAC, Ceza, NPR, CGAL, Ro-

pali, Construcao, Saharra, Delimondo, SIA, First Cagayan, SunCity, Ikimoto, XTD, LGU Sta. Ana, Yashiromaru and Meridien Vista.

Lisa Nikitina of Russia also seeks to defend not just one crown but two, including the Twin Tip and Freestyle but the Russian rider braces for a tough outing this time, against the likes of Germans Kathrin Bogwardt and Franziska Limmer, Viola Kaukonen of Finland, Julia Castro from Denmark, and local bets Mary Jane Gajisan and Liezl Tio. Aside from Twin Tip and freestyle play for both men and women, the event, the penultimate leg of a fourstage circuit, will also showcase adrenaline-filed competition in the race category for men, women and Masters (40-above) and novice.

The tour winds up at Cuyo Island, Palawan on March 11-13.

The event, according to PKA president Jay Ortiz, is expected to benefit not only the Filipino riders who get to raise their level competing against world-class foreign bets but also Philippine tourism as a whole.

THE postponed kickoff of the 2016 National Drag Racing Championship Southern Series will be staged this Satuday at the highly technical Batangas Racing Circuit Drag Strip in Rosario, Batangas.

Drag Racing Director Fil Gulfin and the organizers were forced to declare the postponement of the Feb. 6 kickoff round as continuous rain rendered the track unsafe for the race.

But Gulfin sees the postponement favorable as he expects the original field of 120 competitors that registered last week to bloat.

This also gives the drivers who got stuck in the heavy SLEX traffic

last Saturday the chance to catch up with the rest and provide other interested drivers more time to set up a very competitive car for the event sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and sponsored by M&H Tires, Sparco, Aguila Auto Glass and GT Radials.

Drag-racing enthusiasts from Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and the Bicol region hope to dominate the Southern Series up against competitors from the North as they dispute the titles in the Quick 8, M&H Pro, Expert, Sportsman, and Hotstreet classes.

As the pride of Batangas and 2015 National Champion Martin

Manalo of RSL Motorsports begged off this season to prepare for his wedding, drivers from BRC pioneer teams Autokeeps, Just Racing, Sherwin Esguerra’s SE Racing, Jywell Comet, Team Batangas, Lowtoys, Ger&Friends and Montavita, among, others will try to step up and defend their turf.

The biggest threats to the Southerners’ turf are multi-titled champion Jonathan Tiu of JCTBlanche Racing and Tarlac native Arvin Jay Millet, who took a step ahead in their quests for the National titles following their wins in the Northern Series kickoff last month,

Holcim golf. Julius

Magallanes (center), of Ulticon Builders, Inc. recently won the 6th Invitational Holcim Golf Classic held at the Clark Sun Valley Golf and Country Club. Edwin Villas, National Sales Head of Holcim Philippines’ Institutional Accounts (left) and William Sumalinog, Sales Head of Holcim Philippines presented the championship trophy and the Mizuno golf set to Magallanes who also won the First Division championship title.

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP, OWN, OPERATE, AND MAINTAIN DEDICATED POINT-TOPOINT LIMITED FACILITIES TO CONNECT TO THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM OF NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

11.

12.

ERC CASE NO. 2015-100 MC ASIAN GREENENERGY CORP, Applicant. x-------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

AGEC and NGCP have agreed on the general terms and conditions and are now finalizing the Connection Agreement, Transmission Service Agreement, and Metering Service Agreement; 11

14.

Section 9(f) of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPlRA) provides: “Xxx A generation company may develop and own or operate dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities that are consistent with the TDP: Provided, that such facilities are required only for the purpose of connecting to the transmission system, and are used solely by the generating facility, subject to prior authorization by the ERC. Xxx”

Notice is hereby given that on 2 December 2015, the Asian Greenenergy Corp. (AGEC) filed with the Commission an application for authority to develop, own and operate and maintain dedicated point-topoint limited facilities to connect to the transmission system of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), with prayer for provisional authority.

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

2.

3.

4.

AGEC is a power generation company duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at 10F VGP Center, 6772 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, and business office address at Floor 3B 111 Paseo de Roxas Bldg., Paseo de Roxas cor.

Legaspi Streets, Legaspi Village, Makati City. It may be served orders and other legal process through its counsel;

To help address the need for additional capacity in the Visayas Grid, AGEC will design, engineer, procure, construct, supply, start-up, test, commission, own, operate, and maintain a Solar Plant with a capacity of approximately 10.5 MWp or 8.16 MWac (the Power Plant), to be located in Kibawe, Bukidnon, and which project is intended to be completed and energized by January 2016. Power generated from the solar plant shall be delivered both to FIBECO and to the grid;

5.

On 19 June 2015, AGEC was issued a Confirmation of Commerciality No. SCC-2015-06-0193 (COC) by the DOE, confirming the commercial viability of the Power Plant, in accordance with relevant regulations;

6.

To test, commission and dispatch its generating facility, soon after completion, AGEC proposes to connect the Power Plant to the transmission system of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) through a dedicated point-to-point limited interconnection facility (the Transmission Line) which shall be tapped through the existing 69 kV Kibawe-Palma line owned by Bukidnon Sub -Transmission Corporation (BSTC);4

7.

Resolution No. 42 dated 17 March 2014 of the Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Kibawe (expressing) Support and Cooperation for the 12 MW Solar Energy Plan of Asian Green Energy Corporation (Annex “D-l”);

7.3

Resolution No. 158 dated 7 September 2015 of the Sangguniang Bayan, Municipality of Kibawe, Interposing No Objection to the Construction/Installation, Operation, and Maintenance of the Asian Green Energy Corporation (AGEC) 10-49 MW Solar Power Plant Over the Finalized Project Site of 18 Hectares, including its Associated Transmission Lines in Barangay Labuagon, Kibawe, Bukidnon (Annex “D-2”);

7.5

10.

Resolution No. 2014-1241 (12th SP) Series of 2014 dated 8 September 2014 of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Bukidnon Favorably Endorsing the Request of Asian Green Energy Corporation for their 12 MW Solar Power Project at Barangay Labuagon, Municipality of Kibawe , Province of Bukidnon (Annex “D”);

7.2

7.4

9.

In accordance with the requirement of Section 9(f) of the EPIRA, AGEC hereby seeks the Commission’s authorization to develop, own, and operate the Transmission Line, a dedicated point-topoint limited interconnection facility, to connect the Power Plant to the NGCP Kibawe Substation;

16.

The proposed Transmission Line meets the requirements provided in Section 9 of the EPlRA and the relevant regulations issued by this Commission as follows: 16.1

Letter dated 15 July 2015 of Department of Public Works and Highways Bukidnon 2nd Engineering District Office of the District Engineer granting permission for the installation of the transmission line (Annex “D-3”); and Environmental Compliance Certificate No. ECCR10 -1404-0083 dated 3 April 2014 issued by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (“EMB-DENR”) for the 12 MW Solar Power Plant (Annex “D-4”);

AGEC intends to connect the Transmission Line to NGCP through a “tapped” connection along the existing 69 kV KibawePalma Line owned by BSTC. The 69 kV Transmission Line will span only 200 meters in length, and shall utilize a single circuit, 336.4 MCM ACSR “Linnet” conductor with optical fiber ground wire (OPGW) aluminum clad steel wire as overhead ground wire; As a related and necessary facility, AGEC shall construct a take-off substation, containing relay and protective equipment.

AGEC shall, also install upgrades/additional equipment to serve as communication facilities at the NGCP Kibawe substation;

25.

Since the development and construction of the Transmission Line will be solely funded by AGEC through its various sources, and the Transmission Line will be exclusively used by AGEC for the operations of the Power Plant and will not serve any end-user, the Transmission Line will not have an impact on the transmission rates currently being charged by the NGCP;

26.

Once completed, AGEC will undertake the operations and will subsequently fund the operations of the Transmission Line from its generation sales;21

27.

AGEC also undertakes to file a Statement of Compliance/ Compliance Plan of its Transmission Line system with the standards of the Philippine Grid Code, and an application for a Certificate of Compliance with the Commission;

28.

The foregoing clearly shows that the proposed Transmission Line complies with Section 9 of the EPlRA and the relevant regulations of. this Commission;

Motion for Provisional Authority and Allegations in Support of Prayer for Provisional Authority 29.

Rule 14 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure authorizes the issuance of a provisional authority or an interim relief prior to a final decision, provided that the facts and circumstances warrant the issuance of the same;

30.

AGEC prays that the Commission provisionally authorize the development, ownership, and operation of the Transmission Line considering that the facts, circumstances and the magnitude of the opportunity costs entailed by any further delay in the interconnection of the Project warrants the issuance of a Provisional Authority.

30.1

The Transmission Line is a dedicated point-to-point limited interconnection facility whose sole purpose is to connect the Power Plant to the Grid through the NGCP Kibawe Substation and is considered a “Connection Asset” under ERC Resolution No. 16, Series of 2011 (ERC Resolution);

30.3 The construction of the Transmission Line is a prerequisite for the testing and commissioning of the Power Plant, and ultimately, the commercial operations of AGEC. The Power Plant is projected to be completed and energized on January 2016. Consistent with this timeline, AGEC intends to complete the development and construction of the Transmission Line by December 2015;

16.3 The Transmission Line will be exclusively used by AGEC for the operations of the Power Plant and will not serve any end-user; 16.4 The Transmission Line is technically feasible; and 16.5 AGEC has the technical and financial ability to develop, construct, operate, and maintain the Transmission Line;

30.4 Further, given the immediate need for additional capacity by 2015, the completion of the Power Plant and the Timeline within the timeframe is critical to ensure that additional capacity will be available to the Mindanao Grid in a timely manner; and

The Transmission Line is a dedicated point-to -point transmission facility and will be used exclusively by AGEC 17.

18.

The Transmission Line is classified as a “Dedicated Point- toPoint Transmission Facility” under the ERC Resolution since it is primarily designed to connect the Power Plant to the Grid and will be used for the conveyance of electricity from the Power Plant to the Grid.12 If the Transmission Line is taken out of the transmission system of NGCP, such disconnection will only affect AGEC and will have no effect on the Grid, or other connected customers;

The Transmission Line Power Plant is included in the DOE List of Private Sector-Initiated Power Projects for Mindanao 19.

The Power Plant is included as one of the indicative projects in the DOE List of Private Sector-Initiated Power Projects for Mindanao as of October 2015;13

20.

NGCP is currently finalizing its review of the SIS Review Report submitted by AGEC, and has certified that preliminary results indicated that the Mindanao Grid will be able to accommodate the capacity of the said solar power project;14

The Transmission Line is technically feasible 21.

22.

30.5 The issuance of a provisional authority is also critical in light of the DOE’s first-come, first-served policy on the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) allocation. It is thus necessary for AGEC to secure a provisional authority to immediately commence with the construction of the Transmission Line in order to avail of the initial FIT, which is essential to the economic viability of AGEC;

The Transmission Line is designed for the sole purpose of connecting the Power Plant to the Grid through the NGCP Kibawe Substation, as illustrated in the single-line diagram below, showing that the Transmission Line shall be exclusively used by AGEC and is not designed and configured to serve end-users

Figure 2, Single Line Diagram of the Interconnection

The SIS review conducted by Power System Research and Consultancy Group shows that the connection of the Power Plant through the Transmission Line is technically feasible. The connection poses no significant system impact to the stability, reliability, and operating characteristics of the Mindanao Grid.

Further, the SIS review concluded that the proposed project could be safely and reliably integrated thereto;15 AGEC designed the Transmission Line connection route and mode to the NGCP Substation thru the tapped connection to the existing. BSTC line because of its proximity and technical feasibility. The connection of the Power Plant through the Transmission Line to the Kibawe Substation using the proposed mode/route is the most viable option among the other interconnection schemes considered, recommended, and evaluated by AGEC that will enable AGEC to dispatch the Power Plant’s capacity when the need arises;16

23.

AGEC has likewise ensured that the design and technical specifications for the Transmission Line are consistent with the standards of the Philippine Grid Code;17

AGEC has the technical and financial capability to develop, construct, operate, and maintain the transmission line 24.

AGEC has the technical and financial capability to develop the Transmission Line.

24.1

AGEC, through the contractor it engaged, Juwi Philippines Inc., will develop the Transmission Line. Juwi Philippines Inc., is part of the Juwi Group, which specializes in engineering construction, maintenance, and monitoring operations, in solar and wind power projects;18

It is in such context that AGEC prays that provisional authority be immediately issued for the development and construction of the proposed Transmission Line; and

32.

AGEC prays that the Commission: a.

ISSUE an order provisionally authorizing AGEC to undertake the development, ownership, operation and maintenance of the Transmission Line; and

b.

GRANT the application for authority to develop, own, operate and maintain the Transmission Line.

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

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

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman, JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 25th day of January, 2016 at Pasig City.

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO 1

3 4

5

6

7

8 9

10

11

12 13 14 15 16

24.2 AGEC likewise has the financial capability to undertake the development and construction of the Transmission Line, as shown by its latest Audited Financial Statements.19 The development and construction of the Power Plant and the Transmission Line will be funded by AGEC through equity

31.

The Commission has set the application for initial hearing, expository presentation, pre-trial conference and evidentiary hearing on 24 February 2016 (Wednesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

2

An over-all view of the proposed connection for the Power Plant/the Transmission Line route is shown below:6

AGEC hopes to be able to complete development and construction of the facilities at the soonest possible time in order to be able to dispatch electric power supply to the transmission system of NGCP;

30.2 The Power Plant is one of the energy projects under Republic Act No. 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, which aims to accelerate the development and utilization of the country’s renewable energy sources. Thus, it is in the interest of the government to help RE developers such as AGEC to achieve commerciality and commence operations at the soonest practicable time;

16.2 The facilities are included in the list of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) approved private-sector initiated projects and is currently being reviewed by the NGCP;

AGEC has secured the relevant permits for the Power Plant and/or the Transmission Line,5 as follows: 7.1

8.

15.

AGEC’s primary purpose is to engage in all aspects of exploration, assessment, development and utilization of renewable energy resources, including the procurement, acquisition, importation, construction, installation, erection, ownership, lease, operation, and maintenance of edifices, structures, facilities, materials, machinery and equipment, for or related to the generation and sale of power; to acquire, purchase,· own, lease, sub-lease, and obtain rights and access to real and personal property; to form, organize, or otherwise acquire ownership interest in any general of limited partnership, corporation, association, or other entity, and to be a general or limited partner, shareholder, member, associate or manager of such entity; to obtain, enter, and perform any and all contracts, agreements, and instruments, and engage in any and all transactions as may be necessary or incidental to the conduct of the foregoing purposes;1 In its 2013 Supply-Demand Outlook, 2 the Department of Energy (“DOE”) recognized the growing demand for power in the Philippines. For the Mindanao Grid, the DOE recognizes that it has been experiencing under generation since 2010. A total of 1,600 MW additional energy capacities are needed to meet the electricity demand in the region, which has a 4.57% average annual growth rate;

A System Impact Study Review Report (SIS Review Report) on the proposed project has been conducted and based on the results thereof, the 10 MW solar power plant has no significant impact on the reliability, stability, and operating characteristics of the Mindanao power transmission system, and could be safely and reliability integrated to the grid;10

13.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

from shareholders and/or debt financing. As an added funding source, AGEC has been issued a Confirmation of Financial Support by Bukidnon Holdings Inc., who has committed to provide support to the solar project by financing its construction and completion;20

The construction of the Transmission Line will take approximately two (2) months from initial pre-construction works. Consistent with the projected date of energization of the Power Plant, the Transmission Line is targeted to be completed and commissioned

by January 2016.7 The estimated cost of the 69kV transmission line is PhP2,794,105.00,8 while the estimated cost of the take-off substation is Php38,463,500.00.9 The total estimated cost of the Transmission Line is Php41,257,605.00;

17 18 19 20

21

C o p i e s o f A G E C ’s C e r t i f i c a t e o f I n c o r p o r a t i o n , A r t i c l e s o f I n c o r p o r a t i o n a n d B y - L a w s a r e a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x e s “A”, “A - 1” a n d “A - 2 ” a n d m a d e i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f.

A c o p y o f t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f E n e r g y ’s ( “ D O E ” ) 2 013 S u p p l y - D e m a n d O u t l o o k ( p l e a s e s e e F i g u r e: M i n d a n a o G r i d S u p p l y - D e m a n d O u t l o o k , 2 012 - 2 0 3 0 , p . 4) i s a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x “ B ” a n d m a d e a n integral par t hereof A c o p y o f t h e C O C a n d i t s a c c o m p a n y i n g l e t t e r- a p p r o v a l d a t e d 19 J u n e 2 015 a r e a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x “ C ”, a n d “ C - 1”, r e s p e c t i v e l y, a n d m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f.

B u k i d n o n S u b -Tr a n s m i s s i o n C o r p o r a t i o n i s t h e c o n s o r t i u m b e t w e e n F I B E C O a n d B U S E C O. T h e Fa c i l i t i e s S t u d y R e p o r t a n d S y s t e m I m p a c t S t u d y R e v i e w R e p o r t , h o w e v e r, i n d i c a t e F I B E C O a s t h e owner of the existing 6 9 kV line.

C o p i e s o f t h e R e s o l u t i o n s a n d P e r m i t s a r e a t t a c h e d h e r e w i t h a s A n n e x e s “ D ”, “ D -1”, “ D - 2 ”, “ D - 3 ”, a n d “ D - 4 ”, i n t h e o r d e r a s e n u m e r a t e d h e r e i n , a n d m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f.

A m o r e d e t a i l e d g r a p h i c i s p r o v i d e d i n t h e Fa c i l i t i e s S t u d y R e p o r t , a t t a c h e d h e r e i n a s A n n e x “ E ”, a n d i s m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f.

A c opy of the Project Schedule Gant t char t is at tached as A nnex “ F” and made an integral par t h e r e o f.

A c o p y o f t h e 6 9 k V Tr a n s m i s s i o n L i n e B i l l o f M a t e r i a l s i s a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x “ E - 1”, a n d i s m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f.

A c o p y o f t h e B i l l o f M a t e r i a l s f o r t h e A G E C Ta ke - o f f S u b - s t a t i o n a n d P r o t e c t i o n a n d C o m m u n i c a t i o n s S y s t e m s L a b e l e d a s A n n e x “ E - 2 ” a n d “ E - 3 ”, r e s p e c t i v e l y, a n d f o r m i n g p a r t o f t h e Fa c i l i t i e s S t u d y R e p o r t . T h e a m o u n t r e f l e c t e d i s a n a m o u n t c o n v e r t e d t o P h i l i p p i n e P e s o s ( P h p) r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e c o m b i n e d s u m o f t h e e s t i m a t e d c o s t o f t h e s u p p l y o f m a t e r i a l s f o r t h e A G E C Ta ke - o f f S u b - s t a t i o n a n d P r o t e c t i o n a n d C o m m u n i c a t i o n s S y s t e m s ( i n U S D o l l a r s ; U S D) . T h e r a t e u s e d f o r c o n v e r s i o n i s P h p 4 3 . 0 0 = U S D1. 0 0 .

A c opy of the System Impact Study Review Repor t is at tached as Annex “G” and made an integral p a r t h e r e o f.

A c o p y o f t h e C e r t i f i c a t i o n d a t e d 3 A u g u s t 2 015 i s s u e d b y t h e N G C P i n t h i s r e g a r d i s a t t a c h e d a s Annex “H” and made an integral par t hereof Resolution Adopting the Amended Rules on the Definition and Boundaries of Connection Assets for C u s t o m e r s o f Tr a n s m i s s i o n P r o v i d e s , E R C R e s o l u t i o n N o . 16 , S e r i e s o f 2 011.

A c o p y o f t h e D O E L i s t o f P r i v a t e S e c t o r- I n i t i a t e d P o w e r P r o j e c t s ( M i n d a n a o) , a s o f O c t o b e r 2 015 i s a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x “ I ” a n d m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f.

A c o p y o f N G C P ’s L e t t e r- C e r t i f i c a t i o n o n p r e l i m i n a r y r e s u l t s o f t h e S I S r e v i e w d a t e d 13 N o v e m b e r 2 015 i s a t t a c h e d h e r e i n a s A n n e x u J ” a n d m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f.

Conclusion of the SIS Review Repor t.

Supra, Note 6.

Id. A c opy of the prof ile of Juwi Philippines, Inc. and the Juwi Group is at tached herein as Annex “K” a n d m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f.

A c o p y o f A G E C ’s 2 014 A u d i t e d F i n a n c i a l S t a t e m e n t s a r e a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x “ L” a n d m a d e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t h e r e o f. A c o p y o f A G E C ’s 5 -Ye a r F i n a n c i a l P r o j e c t i o n i s a t t a c h e d a s A n n e x “ L - 1”.

A c opy of the Conf irmation of Financial Suppor t is at tached as Annex “M” and made an integral par t hereof P l e a s e r e f e r t o A n n e x “ L - 1”. ( T S - F E B . 13 , 2 016)

S AT U R DAY : F E B R U A R Y 1 3 , 2 0 16

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

‘Targeting Pacman’s shoulder a big mistake’

By Ronnie Nathanielsz MULTI-AWARDED Australian promoter Peter Maniatis said that Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley’s plan to attack eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s right shoulder, which underwent surgery to repair a tear in his rotator cuff five days after the loss to the now retired Floyd Mayweather Jr., thinks “it’s a big mistake for Bradley and his team.”

Maniatis recalled his own experience when he underwent surgery similar to Pacquiao 12 years ago and in conversations with his own surgeon that Pacquiao’s right shoulder will now be stronger than ever, just like his own shoulder.

“My shoulder is better than ever,” said Maniatis, who expects “a strong comeback performance from Manny and a late KO over Bradley.”

Meantime, Maniatis, who co-manages WBA light flyweight Interim champion Randy Petalcorin, the talented southpaw from General Santos City with JC Manangquil, said: “Randy is honored to be given an award from the Elorde family at the Annual ‘Flash’ Elorde Awards night on March 29.”

He will receive the award after a devastating KO win over SECA boxer Ma Yi Ming last April in Beijing, winning in the 1st round when he dropped the Chinese challenger three times to successfully defend his WBA interim title.

“I am hoping Randy can defend his interim WBA World title on the April 23 card featuring WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito ‘The Filipino Flash’ Donaire against Hungary’s former Olympian Zsolt Bedak,” said Maniatis. “Petalcorin is training hard and ready to fight.”

Lascuna storms ahead in ICTSI golf tilt, as Tabuena crumbles MORONG, Bataan—Just when the rest had virtually conceded the ICTSI Anvaya Cove Invitational crown to Miguel Tabuena, veteran Tony Lascuña knocked in one solid, fiery round in the wind that reminded everyone that all is not lost.

In fact, he put himself in a position to win.

Lascuna recalled his fierce fighting form and shot a bogeyfree seven-under 65 then watched Tabuena crumble at the finish for a 77, turning an eight-shot deficit into a four-stroke lead in the most stunning one-day reversal involving marquee players in the seven-year history of the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

“My driving and irons clicked even at the tougher backside,” said Lascuna, who spiked his stirring round with an eagle on the par-5 10th, his 33-32 card giving him a 54-hole aggregate of 11-under 205.

Lascuña’s 65 fell short of Tabuena’s record setting 62 Wednesday but it proved enough to lift him from eight back to four up heading to the final 18 holes of

RONNIE NATHANIELSZ

IT’S always nice to welcome a new face with a refreshing manner and outlook into the Philippine Basketball Association, which is coming off a hugely successful Philippine Cup under the stewardship of Commissioner Chito Narvasa.

The innovative stickler for the rules that govern the competition and the conduct of players and officials alike, Chito was clearly blessed by a record break-

“I couldn’t do right out there.

I missed too many short games and I hit only 12 greens. I was terribly disappointed because it happened in the most crucial part of the tournament,” rued Tabuena.

He signed for a 77 for a 209 although he still has 18 holes to recover and save the tournament that once appeared his for the taking.

“Golf is unpredictable. It always happens, sometimes you play good, sometimes bad,” added Tabuena.

Lascuna hopes to break that line with another solid finish in the event backed by Adidas, TaylorMade, Pacsports Phils., Custom Clubmakers, KZG, Sharp and Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club.

Cray ranks 5th place in World Athletics RIO-BOUND Eric Cray clocked 6.6 seconds to end up fifth place in the men’s 60-meter run of the 2016 World Indoor Athletics Tour in Karlsruhe, Germany last week.

It was better than the season’s best of 6.66 seconds, which he submitted in New Mexico a few weeks back.

His time is close to the Southeast Asian and national mark of 6.57 seconds.

Cray, who is preparing for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, is behind winner Michael Rodgers, who came in at 6.52 seconds.

Kim Collins came in second (6.54), while Trell Kimmons and Joseph Morris share third and fourth (6.58).

Last August, Cray was sixth in his heat in the men’s 400-meter hurdles of the ongoing 2015 International Amateur Athletic Federation World Championships in Beijing, China.

Cray, the only Philippine representative to the Olympiad at the moment, clocked 50.04 seconds.

It was below his target time, which was lower than 49 seconds.

Yasmani Copello clocked 48.89 seconds, a new record, and qualified to the semifinals with Rasmus Magi of Estonia, Thomas Barr of Ireland and Wen Chen of China.

Cray is making an effort to break the 49-second barrier and come within range of 48.5 seconds.

Tony Lascuna checks the line of his putt on No. 8

Passion and performance INSIDE SPORTS

the P3.5 million championship sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. Tabuena, who led Jay Bayron by six in the first two days and Lascuna by eight halfway through, actually bounced back from an awful 40 start with backto-back birdies from No. 10 to negate Lascuna’s eagle and keep a one-stroke edge. But Lascuna birdied Nos. 13 and 16 to move ahead then went four-up after Tabuena dropped three shots on the par-4 17th on an errant drive in an unlikely foldup for a young player who dominated the elite field with his brilliant shotmaking, iron play and putting in the first two days.

ing performance by San Miguel Beer, which came back from a 0-3 deficit to win four straight games in a row and record a spectacular championship victory in an epic battle that will be enshrined in the history books of Asia’s premier professional basketball league.

PBA newcomer Phoenix Petroleum had waited for a few years to see what CEO Dennis Uy said was the fulfillment of a dream for the company and for him personally “as a basketball enthusiast to be a part of this prestigious league.”

The very pleasant and

youthful CEO correctly pointed out that “Filipinos live and breathe basketball and it is with much excitement and aspirations that we enter the PBA.” Dennis Uy’s message at a well-attended press conference at the Novotel Hotel inside the Araneta Coliseum complex was simple and sincere.

He noted that just like they built the Phoenix organization from a small enterprise into the No.1 independent oil company today, “we will also build the Phoenix Fuel Masters into a competitive and winning team.”

He, however, conceded that this will take time as “building any championship team does. But we are ready and committed to do our best for the team, our supporters and the PBA fans.”

Phoenix Petroleum has always been an active supporter of sports and the company’s entry into the PBA is regarded as “a milestone in the company.”

Uy made it clear that they believe in the success of the PBA and he considers it and an honor and a privilege to be a part of the sports culture in our country.

The key words were “passion and performance,” and if the Phoenix Fuel Masters can perform as well as their gasoline products, then the

team should do very well.

PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa in welcoming the entry of Phoenix Fuel Masters said he was “very happy and very proud to welcome the newest member of the PBA family,” commending them for being very patient in pursuing their dream of being accepted as a PBA member after they acquired the Barako Bull franchise.

Having seen the way Barako Bull played in the last conference, Commissioner Narvasa enjoined the team “have fun and show us what you’ve got,” which is something we, as PBA fans, will look forward to especially since they have in their ranks three exciting players from Ginebra San Miguel, who

have been playing better than ever since they were traded —the super athletic JC Intal, the tough and level-headed Willie Wilson and shooting star Josh Urbiztondo.

With the addition of 6’9” Nigerian import Kenny Asdelke, who had short stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma Thunder and is determined to prove his worth by “playing hard and getting things done” and is a boxing fan who considers eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao “one of the best boxers in the world,” they may get something going.

Welcome to the PBA and the best of luck to CEO Dennis Uy and his Phoenix Fuel Masters.

A16

S AT U R DAY : F E B R U A R Y 1 3 , 2 0 16 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

Mahindra surprises GlobalPort

By Jeric Lopez

THE trade rumors only fueled Nino Canaleta.

Despite talks of him being on the trading block once again, Canaleta showed his offensive prowess early as he scored all of his team-high 20 points in the first half to power Mahindra to a 111-98 upset victory over GlobalPort in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mahindra’s Nino Canaleta tries to maneuver his way against the defense of GlobalPort’s Keith Jensen in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game won by the Enforcers, 111-98.

The veteran journeyman showed his 10-point lead, 31-21, in the latter part squad, and the opposition, of his reper- of the first quarter after a 17-8 blitz to toire as he produced all of his points in gain control right away. the first half to set the tone The second period was Games Today for the Enforcers. no different as the Enforc(Philsports Arena, Pasig City) Canaleta fired all his ers, despite some resist3 p.m. - Meralco vs.

Talk ‘N Text four triples in the first 24 5:15 p.m. ance by the Batang Pier, - Rain or Shine minutes, before the rest of tightened their grip on the vs. Star his teammates picked up game and re-established the cudgels from where he left off. their double-digit lead after it almost Overall, Canaleta shot 72 percent (8-of- vanished, opening up a bigger 50-36 11) from the field in the first 24 minutes advantage after a Nard Pinto triple at as he provided the spark that Mahindra the 3:41 mark to cap off a 15-3 run. needed against the favored GlobalPort.

Mahindra’s lead even grew to 15 The Enforcers notched the win points twice in the closing seconds of despite the explosion of GlobalPort the first half before it held a comfortsuperstar Terrence Romeo, who un- able 60-47 spread at the turn. loaded a game-high 41 points on an Not the one to just lay down, efficient 51 percent shooting.

GlobalPort fought back in as the secCanaleta got plenty of help as guys ond half, starting the third with a like Mike DiGrigorio, LA Revilla, Brad blistering 14-2 blast courtesy of RoGuinto and Karl Dehesa picked up the meo’s hot hands as Mahindra’s lead scoring cudgels in the second half. Re- was down to a single point, 62-61, at villa scored 17, DiGrigorio contributed the 8:23 mark of the quarter.

14, Dehesa had 12 and Guinto hit 10.

But the Enforcers showed good re“It’s a total team effort for us,’’ said solve as they did not relinquish their Mahindra deputy coach Chito Vic- lead entirely and regained a safer tolero. “Ang maganda sa amin ngayon edge, 82-76, entering the final period. is everybody is stepping up and everyThey then restored complete order body wants to prove something.’’ in the fourth as they once again esMahindra, spearheaded by Cana- tablished a twin-digit lead, 90-78, just leta’s scoring exploits, built an early two minutes into the quarter.

PSA honors 2015’s top sports achievers THE heroes and stars of Philippine sports in the year that has just passed get their well-deserved due on Saturday when the Philippine Sportswriters Association holds its traditional Annual Awards Night, presented by MILO and San Miguel Corp.

Two world boxing champions and a rising golf star, who scored his breakthrough win in the rich Asian Tour circuit, lead the long list of awardees to be feted on this night of reminiscence and celebration at the One Esplanade in Pasay City.

World Boxing Organization super-bantamweight title holder Nonito Donaire Jr., long-time WBO lightflyweight champ Donnie Nietes, and Asian Tour winner Miguel Tabuena star in the two-hour program on

the eve of Valentine’s Day as the three have been named co-winners of the prestigious Athlete of the Year award by the country’s oldest media organization under president Riera Mallari, sports editor of The Standard.

For the 33-year-old Donaire, it will be the fourth time he’ll be recognized with the same honor, having won it in 2007, 2011, and 2012, while Nietes, 33, and Tabuena, 21, are both first-time winners of the award solely handed out by the sportswriting fraternity to deserving Filipino athletes.

Fellow athletes, executives, and officials are expected to lead the local sporting community in exalting all of the awardees, numbering 111 in all.

Quinito Henson and Patricia Bermudez-Hi-

zon are hosting the program that starts at 7:30 p.m. and which has the Philippine Sports Commission as major sponsor and supported by longtime friends of sports such as Smart, MVP Foundation, Maynilad, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office/Philracom, Accel, Sen. Chiz Escudero, SM Prime Holdings, Rain or Shine, Globalport, National University, and One Esplanade.

Also a big chunk of the spotlight is expected to fall on Gilas Pilipinas national cage team, which will be the recipient of the President’s Award, and Alaska chief executive officer and president Wilfred Uytengsu Jr., who is the top choice as Executive of the Year.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK SATURDAY: FEBRUARY 13, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

B1

LRT operator gets P24-b loan

By Darwin G. Amojelar

LIGHT Rail Manila Consortium of Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. secured a P24-billion loan to rehabilitate the existing line of the oldest metro rail system in Southeast Asia and construct an extension up to Cavite.

The rehabilitation and extension of Light Rail Transit Line 1 is expected to start in the second half of 2016, after LRMC signed a contract worth 450 million euros with French companies Alstom and Bouygues Travaux Publics.

The contract with Alstom alone is worth around 160 million euros.

LRMC, which won the bidding for the LRT Line 1 extension project in September 2014, said it signed a 15-year omnibus loan and security agreement with Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company, Security Bank Corp. and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. to finance the project.

Under the concession agreement signed by LRMC with Light Rail Transit Authority, the consortium is allowed to finance 70 percent of the project cost through borrowings and loans and the 30 percent through equity infusion by the members of the consortium.

The railway operator said of the total P24-billion loan, P15.3 billion would be allocated for the Cavite extension and P8.7 billion for the rehabilitation of the existing LRT 1 system.

The consortium would be spending over P40 billion to rehabilitate and expand LRT Line 1.

“These milestone agreements give us significant headway towards the construction and com-

missioning of the much-awaited Cavite Extension which will benefit an additional 300,000 passengers from four big cities in southern Manila,” LRMC president and chief executive Jesus Francisco said.

Alstom will provide an integrated metro solution which includes signaling and communication system, traction power supply and track work on the 12km extended line including one new depot and the extension of the existing depot.

Alstom will also equip Atlas 100 on-board signaling solution for 60 trains and revamp signaling system for the existing 20-km line.

“We are pleased to sign this

contract today which aims to offer Manila’s inhabitants a safe, fast and reliable transportation system which takes part in the economic development of the Philippines.

Alstom is looking forward to providing customers and partners its expertise in integrated transport solutions,” Dominique Pouliquen, senior vice president Asia Pacific at Alstom said.

Francisco said LRMC expected to start the construction of LRT Line 1 Cavite extension project in the second half of 2016.

He said the government had delivered over 90 percent of the right of way for the project, but the challenge was the relocation of the informal settlers in the area.

PSe comPoSite index Closing February 12, 2016

8000 8340 7880 7420 6960 6500

6,654.45 8.98

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing February 12, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P47.510

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P47.490 LOW P47.615 AVERAGE P47.567 VOLUME 560.100M

P417.00-P627.00 LPG/11-kg tank P33.30-P40.75 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P20.40-P23.80 Diesel

New Zama plant. Trade Secretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. (third from left) leads the inauguration of the new $50-million production facility of Zama Precision Industry Manufacturing Philippines Inc. at the First Philippine Industry Park II, Special Economic zone in Santo Tomas, Batangas.

Cristobal said Zama’s investment is proof that consistent government policies have greatly improved business confidence, resulting to more companies setting up shop in the Philippines. Zama is a manufacturer of carburetors for small off-road engines.

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, February 12, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.4310

Japan

Yen

0.008898

0.4220

UK

Pound

1.447400

68.6516

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128353

6.0879

Switzerland

Franc

1.028912

48.8023

Canada

Dollar

0.718236

34.0667

Singapore

Dollar

0.719580

34.1304

Australia

Dollar

0.708316

33.5961

Bahrain

Dinar

2.656748

126.0122

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266702

12.6499

Brunei

Dollar

0.717000

34.0080

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000074

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.028374

1.3458

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.9148

Euro

Euro

1.132100

53.6966

Korea

Won

0.000834

0.0396

China

Yuan

0.152332

7.2253

India

Rupee

0.014623

0.6936

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.241838

11.4706

New Zealand

Dollar

0.667690

31.6692

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030349

1.4395 Source: PDS Bridge

FEU buying majority of Roosevelt College for P1.25b

By Jenniffer B. Austria FAR EASTERN University Inc. of the Montinola family is acquiring a majority stake in Roosevelt College Inc., a private non-sectarian college system that operates five campuses, for P1.25 billion.

FEU said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board of trustees authorized the company to acquire up to 99.42 percent but not less than 73.99 percent of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Roosevelt College.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Roosevelt College started operating in 1945 as a secondary school in Rizal province. The school was named after former US president Franklin Roosevelt.

The school operates five campuses in Cainta, Rodriquez, San Mateo, Marikina and Cubao. It offers elementary, secondary, science high school, tertiary and post graduate education.

Roosevelt College has a student population of approximately 5,000.

The FEU board directed the

company to negotiate and come to an agreement on the final price and other terms and conditions of the transaction.

The company is hiring legal and financial advisers to conduct a due diligence review of the corporate and financial books and records of Roosevelt College, including land titles and shares of stock, in to determine potential exposures and liabilities.

FEU booked a consolidated net profit of P768.13 million in the nine-month period ending December 31, 2015, almost the same

as last year’s P772.20 million.

The net profit is backed by an increase in operating revenues despite certain increases in operating expenses.

FEU schools registered an enrollment increase of six percent for school year 2015– 2016.

Total enrollment stood at 33,969 and 31,311 in the first and second semesters, respectively.

FEU has four campuses in Manila, Diliman, Cavite and Makati FEU also recently held a formal ground-breaking for the future FEU-Alabang campus.

SATURDAY: FEBRUARY 13, 2016

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Friday, February 12, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 2.6 890 1.01 100 30.5 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 1.02 625 0.225 78 17.8 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

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

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

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 32 15.32 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173

3.95 33.9 90 13.26 293 5.25 12.98 6.75 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.34 238 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

2.3 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 3.87 8.45 3 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 5.9 161 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group C. Azuc De Tarlac Century Food Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI First Gen Corp.

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

LBC Express LMG Chemicals 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 Holdings San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 1455

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 837

76 5.29 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 1.61 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

49.55 3 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 0.030 0.550 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

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

GT Capital IPM Holdings JG Summit Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. 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

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 1.44

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 0.79

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

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Century Property

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

SHARES 8,566,067 102,616,489 335,298,138 107,307,191 243,810,043 4,323,077,671 5,121,131,369

Close

High

Low

FINANCIAL 2.8 2.55 44.75 44.2 100.20 98.30 89.90 88.40 35.3 35.2 2.54 2.50 1.38 1.37 14.4 14 16.6 16.42 1.66 1.66 585.00 575.00 0.435 0.435 74.5 72.45 15.50 15.00 50.90 50.50 98.85 68.85 270 265 33.5 33.3 145 142.7 1295.00 1295.00 56.50 55.10 1.46 1.45 INDUSTRIAL 42 42.05 41.6 4.57 4.56 4.43 0.65 0.65 0.61 1.32 1.37 1.37 10.88 10.86 10.08 175.00 200.00 189.00 16.8 17 16.5 19.4 19.38 19 38 37.2 37.1 2.09 2.1 2.05 2.2 2.25 2.18 11.52 11.68 11.42 8.350 8.340 8.100 7.30 7.30 7.25 5.21 5.21 5.16 5.77 5.75 5.65 18.04 18.08 17.66 56.1 56.9 56.1 11.00 11.00 11.00 14.02 14.10 13.90 5.36 5.4 5.31 2.330 2.250 2.340 213.00 211.00 208.60 8.9 9 8.9 1.85 1.85 1.81 26 26.15 25.9 14.92 15 14.7 5.68 5.9 5.62 317.20 320.00 313.80 3.03 3.1 2.99 7.11 7.92 6.89 2.44 2.51 2.5 3.59 3.56 3.50 1.59 1.62 1.50 2.31 2.45 2.3 3.83 3.80 3.80 4.75 5.19 4.75 140 144 140 2.45 2.43 2.38 0.154 0.153 0.147 1.00 1.06 1.00 2.06 2.09 2.06 193.7 193 190.5 4.57 4.55 4.55 0.59 0.6 0.58 1.05 1.05 1.00 HOLDING FIRMS 0.330 0.335 0.320 57.9000 57.9500 57.6000 14.24 14.28 14.20 1.00 0.97 0.96 6.00 6.00 6.00 691 691 680 7.39 7.38 7.3 11.90 11.88 11.60 5 5 5 4.65 4.65 4.60 1234 1250 1234 9.78 9.80 9.38 65.50 66.90 65.20 5 5.48 4.66 5.15 5.25 5.08 0.62 0.63 0.59 16.6 16.6 16.18 5.7 5.7 5.56 0.0310 0.0350 0.0300 2.010 2.030 1.970 74.00 74.50 72.90 2.4 2.39 2.07 805.00 825.50 801.50 1.06 1.03 1.03 0.74 0.80 0.76 130.600 135.000 127.200 0.2850 0.2850 0.2750 0.2010 0.2000 0.1920 0.315 0.320 0.300 PROPERTY 6.930 6.910 6.750 0.76 0.76 0.73 1.200 1.200 1.190 0.215 0.215 0.212 31.000 31.450 30.800 2.5 2.56 2.45 0.500 0.51 0.495 2.64 44.75 99.50 90.00 35.25 2.51 1.40 14.3 16.56 1.78 585.00 0.460 73.65 15.18 50.90 101.4 265 33.5 145.3 1300.00 55.10 1.46

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

2.79 44.75 99.50 89.90 35.2 2.50 1.38 14.3 16.6 1.66 575.00 0.435 73.9 15.00 50.85 98.85 267 33.4 143.8 1295.00 56.30 1.45

5.68 0.00 0.00 -0.11 -0.14 -0.40 -1.43 0.00 0.24 -6.74 -1.71 -5.43 0.34 -1.19 -0.10 -2.51 0.75 -0.30 -1.03 -0.38 2.18 -0.68

273,000 24,800 3,475,400 494,570 26,900 36,000 28,000 4,800 36,300 6,000 50 10,000 1,095,890 898,500 3,980 1,000 1,500 50,200 544,240 45 8,920 244,000

42 4.54 0.63 1.37 10.86 190.00 16.98 19.36 37.1 2.1 2.19 11.5 8.160 7.29 5.19 5.68 17.68 56.5 11.00 13.90 5.4 2.250 210.40 9 1.85 26 14.9 5.83 317.20 2.99 7.64 2.5 3.55 1.61 2.4 3.80 5.19 144 2.38 0.147 1.06 2.07 192 4.55 0.6 1.05

0.00 -0.66 -3.08 3.79 -0.18 8.57 1.07 -0.21 -2.37 0.48 -0.45 -0.17 -2.28 -0.14 -0.38 -1.56 -2.00 0.71 0.00 -0.86 0.75 -3.85 -1.22 1.12 0.00 0.00 -0.13 2.64 0.00 -1.32 7.45 2.46 -1.11 1.26 3.90 -0.78 9.26 2.86 -2.86 -4.55 6.00 0.49 -0.88 -0.44 1.69 0.00

2,500,900 38,000 291,000 3,253,000 1,400 310 271,600 53,000 38,300 334,000 2,651,000 15,200 3,588,500 1,757,600 8,715,800 219,500 4,355,700 126,070 200 85,100 147,900 2,946,000 2,048,130 16,900 20,000 1,300,800 619,600 33,800 210,200 2,772,000 49,389,000 6,000 59,000 619,000 650,000 17,000 4,000 6,880 90,000 3,840,000 40,000 1,688,000 7,138,830 230,000 184,000 237,000

0.320 57.9000 14.24 0.96 6.00 689.5 7.36 11.80 5 4.60 1240 9.77 66.90 4.66 5.25 0.61 16.4 5.62 0.0320 2.030 73.00 2.39 813.50 1.03 0.77 135.000 0.2850 0.1920 0.310

-3.03 0.00 0.00 -4.00 0.00 -0.22 -0.41 -0.84 0.00 -1.08 0.49 -0.10 2.14 -6.80 1.94 -1.61 -1.20 -1.40 3.23 1.00 -1.35 -0.42 1.06 -2.83 4.05 3.37 0.00 -4.48 -1.59

670,000 866,780 43,152,352.00 2,065,600 -5,119,056.00 273,000 100,300 90,560 23,926,885.00 190,900 772,934.00 2,377,000 4,687,186.00 100 36,000 214,295 5,871,230.00 1,582,100 1,690,410 4,235,729.50 400 2,364,300 -3,022,939.00 34,000 1,687,300 -22,533,572.00 24,005,300 -21,476,722.00 286,700,000 3,134,000 -1,000.00 2,775,680 36,249,854.00 3,000 190,360 71,774,535.00 134,000 59,000 197,800 -127,185.00 1,880,000 80,000 1,630,000 6,400.00

6.900 0.74 1.190 0.215 31.000 2.5 0.500

-0.43 -2.63 -0.83 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

60,300 532,000 16,000 110,000 5,536,900 1,720,000 1,821,000

980,440.00 -130,149,672 2,853,862.50

374,640.00

48,609,258.50 39,634.50 -267,000.00 696,480 -23,873,649.00 -24,760.00 -4,380.00 20,557,040.00

-33,880.00 -11,135 8,390.00 1,859,820.00 -94,458.00 7,029,749.00 -2,429,130.00 -15,846,192.00 53,320.00 -20,593,520.00 -477,499.50 -1,410.00 27,160.00 27,518,792.00 9,483,715.00 3,510,856.00 99,273.00 16,186,310.00 -449,400.00 63,761,656.00 -63,590.00 -308,680.00 28,780.00

-590,989,340.00 136,500.00 11,600.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 2.69 22.15 1.6 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

10.5 66 1.09 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 2.6 7.67 1700 2720 8.41 119.5 12.5 0.017 0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 3.2 1 15.2

1.97 35.2 0.63 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 1.6 4.8 830 1600 5.95 102.6 8.72 0.011 0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 1.95 0.650 6

STOCKS

Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

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

11.6 0.85 10 1.9

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

Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Discovery World DFNN Inc. FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. I.C.T.S.I. IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Macroasia Corp.

Manila Bulletin Melco Crown Metro Retail 0.335 MG Holdings 0.37 NOW Corp.

8.8 Phil. Racing Club 4.39 Philweb.Com Inc. 2748 PLDT Common 1.2 Premium Leisure 31.45 Puregold 60.55 Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

7.59 SSI Group 0.63 STI Holdings 5 Travellers 1.14 Yehey

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 0.330 12.7 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9

0.0043 1.72 6.47 9.43 0.236 6.5 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Basic Energy Corp.

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

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

TA Petroleum

70 553 525 118 8.21 12.28 111 1060

33 490 500 101 5.88 6.5 101 997

84.8

75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

0.62 1.040 18 22.9 3486 2.28 46.05 90.1

198,210.00

3,027,575.00 -263,710.00 382,500.00

Close

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

High

VALUE 684,146,216.667 2,604,582,732.01 1,223,295,692.359 753,210,953.37 550,421,598.24 463,378,058.1801 6,282,934,732.826

FINANCIAL 1,523.42 (DOWN) 0.76 INDUSTRIAL 10,630.77 (DOWN) 41.66 HOLDING FIRMS 6,296.78 (UP) 25.74 PROPERTY 2,649.84 (DOWN) 28.54 SERVICES 1,500.16 (DOWN) 3.98 MINING & OIL 10,677.44 (UP) 136.35 PSEI 6,654.45 (DOWN) 8.98 All Shares Index 3,839.97 (DOWN) 6.75 Gainers: 62; Losers: 109; Unchanged: 34; Total: 205

Close

0.119 0.400 22.8 0.890 0.91 1.51 1.25 3.4 0.085 0.2600 0.320 8.39 25.25 1.46 21.55 0.76 6.19 1.040 4.270

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.117 0.117 0.117 0.395 0.395 0.395 23.5 21.8 23.35 0.870 0.860 0.860 0.92 0.89 0.90 1.51 1.48 1.48 1.25 1.23 1.24 3.36 3.27 3.32 0.083 0.080 0.083 0.2500 0.2240 0.2500 0.320 0.320 0.320 8.48 8.48 8.48 25.55 25.10 25.50 1.48 1.43 1.48 22.00 20.90 21.00 0.77 0.74 0.75 6.15 5.24 5.9 1.130 0.950 0.960 4.240 4.110 4.220 SERVICES 6.38 6.38 6.21 6.33 54.8 55.5 54.5 55.15 0.440 0.440 0.440 0.440 4.19 4.20 4.07 4.11 0.0460 0.0460 0.0450 0.0450 3.07 3.1 3.02 3.06 79.5 80.5 78.6 80.5 1.54 1.53 1.47 1.47 5.80 5.90 5.80 5.90 990 990 956 990 1855 1855 1825 1850 6.52 6.72 6.53 6.72 57.9 56.9 56.2 56.5 11.96 11.96 11 11.96 0.0086 0.0100 0.0087 0.0092 0.160 0.165 0.157 0.157 1.1500 1.1300 1.1200 1.1200 2.12 2.18 2.15 2.18 7.29 7.35 7.07 7.28 3.96 4.10 3.95 4.09 2.40 2.29 2.03 2.25 0.550 0.510 0.510 0.510 2.16 2.22 2.05 2.1 3.38 3.38 3.19 3.30 0.255 0.260 0.250 0.260 0.720 0.720 0.700 0.700 9 9 9 9 26.00 26.00 25.00 25.80 2158.00 2180.00 2136.00 2168.00 0.840 0.870 0.810 0.810 33.30 33.40 33.15 33.15 60.90 60.80 60.00 60.00 5.27 5.24 4.82 5.10 3.33 3.41 3.20 3.28 0.405 0.415 0.405 0.405 3.71 3.78 3.7 3.73 4.100 4.280 4.050 4.150 MINING & OIL 0.0042 0.0046 0.0044 0.0044 2.12 2.35 2.21 2.27 4.51 4.64 4.45 4.45 11.50 12.00 10.06 12.00 0.210 0.255 0.210 0.220 5.4800 5.4 5.4 5.4000 0.59 0.6 0.58 0.59 0.425 0.440 0.425 0.435 8.06 8.71 7.96 8.10 0.650 0.640 0.620 0.630 0.280 0.285 0.280 0.280 0.290 0.340 0.290 0.330 0.295 0.375 0.290 0.350 0.0130 0.0140 0.0120 0.0130 0.014 0.014 0.013 0.014 1.75 1.75 1.69 1.74 4.79 4.68 4.23 4.3 2.45 2.45 2.29 2.4 0.5800 0.5800 0.5500 0.5700 1.1900 1.2000 1.1500 1.1500 0.0094 0.0093 0.0091 0.0092 0.0094 0.0094 0.0094 0.0094 3.48 3.47 3.23 3.47 5.93 6.34 5.94 6.11 1.51 1.70 1.50 1.64 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 123.10 123.50 120.20 122.10 1.88 1.86 1.82 1.84 PREFERRED 52.5 52 50.2 50.8 528 530 530 530 540 532 531 531 118 112.9 112.9 112.9 6.39 6.52 6.49 6.52 1.1 1.1 1.09 1.09 112 112 112 112 1023 1035 1035 1035 1056 1088 1088 1088 82.5 83 82.5 82.5 79.6 79.6 79.5 79.6 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.500 2.570 2.410 2.430 SME 3.3 3.58 3.3 3.57 2.63 2.9 2.8 2.8 2.4 2.48 2.39 2.39 12.5 12.68 12.2 12.58 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 109.3 109.2 107.6 108.6

T op g ainerS STOCKS

Low

-1.68 -1.25 2.41 -3.37 -1.10 -1.99 -0.80 -2.35 -2.35 -3.85 0.00 1.07 0.99 1.37 -2.55 -1.32 -4.68 -7.69 -1.17

20,000 260,000 2,114,700 59,000 2,361,000 8,275,000 197,000 31,518,000 810,000 400,000 20,000 8,800 412,600 54,000 13,074,400 563,000 1,447,900 28,311,000 5,343,000

-0.78 0.64 0.00 -1.91 -2.17 -0.33 1.26 -4.55 1.72 0.00 -0.27 3.07 -2.42 0.00 6.98 -1.88 -2.61 2.83 -0.14 3.28 -6.25 -7.27 -2.78 -2.37 1.96 -2.78 0.00 -0.77 0.46 -3.57 -0.45 -1.48 -3.23 -1.50 0.00 0.54 1.22

81,600 136,310 10,000,000 3,897,000 56,400,000 329,000 541,390 62,000 13,300 300 18,500 275,700 866,510 2,100 87,000,000 7,330,000 1,319,000 7,000 192,800 371,000 115,000 2,000 17,139,000 2,827,000 60,000 4,687,000 15,700 11,000 95,335 36,095,000 572,500 326,080 2,891,800 6,689,000 760,000 600,000 40,000

4.76 7.08 -1.33 4.35 4.76 -1.46 0.00 2.35 0.50 -3.08 0.00 13.79 18.64 0.00 0.00 -0.57 -10.23 -2.04 -1.72 -3.36 -2.13 0.00 -0.29 3.04 8.61 0.00 -0.81 -2.13

2,978,000,000359,400.00 1,140,000 161,000.00 854,000 -609,220.00 2,300 10,240,000 800 229,000 4,700,000 12,900.00 139,600 -43,460.00 9,519,000 460,290.00 210,000 563,250,000 102,830,000 16,104,950.00 411,000,000 72,800,000 349,000 84,500.00 21,056,000 -53,678,040.00 743,000 251,000 132,000 26,000,000 1,000,000 8,000 9,671,200 -11,132,274.00 5,199,000 -210,790.00 101,800,000 -71,500.00 418,650 -511,734.00 56,000 -38,700.00

-3.24 0.38 -1.67 -4.32 2.03 -0.91 0.00 1.17 3.03 0.00 0.00

320,870 180 14,090 10 178,000 413,000 2,640 270 600 74,610 45,350

-2.80

611,000

8.18 6.46 -0.42 0.64

61,000 8,000 131,000 253,200

-0.64

1,770

1,248,670.00 -4,243,720.00 -63,322,430.00

2,183,460.00 -10,320.00 10,958,525.00 24,900.00 -10,955,610.00

-4,400,000.00 1,694,960.00 -5,831,528.00

-5,332,090.00 -31,446,358.50 1,196.00

24,040.00 -8,180.00 -980,040.00 1,880,730.00 105,000.00 -141,300.00 -383,410.00 -165,800.00 5,994,915.00 5,480,145.50 -2,372,620.00 -1,102,610.00

-11,628,288.50 -5,843,000

127,050.00

12,000.00 1,642,088.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Lepanto `B'

0.350

18.64

Nickelasia

4.3

-10.23

Lepanto `A'

0.330

13.79

Suntrust Home Dev. Inc.

0.960

-7.69

Roxas Holdings

5.19

9.26

Manila Bulletin

0.510

-7.27

PhilexPetroleum

1.64

8.61

Keppel Holdings `A'

4.66

-6.80

C. Azuc De Tarlac

190.00

8.57

I-Remit Inc.

1.66

-6.74

Alterra Capital

3.57

8.18

Macroasia Corp.

2.25

-6.25

Petron Corporation

7.64

7.45

MEDCO Holdings

0.435

-5.43

Apex `A'

2.27

7.08

Starmalls

5.9

-4.68

IP E-Game Ventures Inc.

0.0092

6.98

Swift Foods, Inc.

0.147

-4.55

Makati Fin. Corp.

2.8

6.46

Discovery World

1.47

-4.55

SATURDAY: FEBRUARY 13, 2016

B3

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

Market retreats; Lepanto, Petron up STOCKS fell Friday, amid another Asian rout, bringing to an end one of the most painful weeks for global investors as fears about the world economy and possible recession stalked trading floors.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 8 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 6,654.45.

The gauge was also down 4.3 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also lost 6 points, or 0.2 percent, to settle at 3,839.97, on a value turnover of P6.3 billion.

Mining and oil companies defied the slump. Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. “A” shares jumped 13.8 percent to P0.33, while Petron Corp. advanced 7.5 percent to P7.64. Nickel Asia Corp., however, tumbled 10.2 percent to P4.30.

Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. rose 2.1 percent to P66.90. SM Investments Corp. gained 1.1 percent to P813.50.

Meanwhile, the losses in Japan came as the yen pushed to more than 16-month highs against the dollar. The rise led the government to say it would take “appropriate measures”, fuelling speculation officials were considering a currency market intervention.

However, oil soared more than four percent following a report that producers’ group OPEC could be willing to cooperate on output cuts to stem a crash in prices that has roiled world markets.

Analysts say there is growing concern central banks are running out of ideas to provide support, with Sweden’s saying it would push its interest rate further into negative territory, weeks after Japan adopted the policy for the first time.

The measure—effectively charging lenders to park cash with it—follows similar moves by the European Central Bank and Switzerland.

With AFP, Bloomberg

EastWest gets permit to cross-sell insurance

By Julito G. Rada

THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, allowed East West Banking Corp. to cross-sell insurance products.

“This is to inform the exchange that the Monetary Board approved the request of East West Banking Corp. to cross-sell certain individual and group insurance products of East West Ageas Life Insurance Corp. subject to regulatory conditions,” EastWest said in disclosure to the stock exchange Friday.

EastWest signed a joint-ven-

ture agreement with Ageas Insurance International N.V. of the Netherlands in May 2015 to create a life insurance company called East West Ageas Life Insurance Corp.

Ageas Insurance International is a global insurance company that offers life, non-life, healthcare and disability insurance products and mortgage and savings products.

The company, formerly known as Fortis Insurance International N.V., is based in Utrecht, The Netherlands, with operations in Luxembourg, France and the United Kingdom.

EastWest will sell life insurance products through its various sales channels via an arms’ length 20-year distribution agreement with the new jointventure company.

EastWest said that through the joint venture, it aimed to complete its line of product offerings to customers and take advantage of the developing life insurance market in the Philippines.

The initial paid-in capital of East West Ageas Life is P2 bil-

lion. The bank holds 50 percent minus one share while Ageas has 50 percent plus one share of the firm.

EastWest posted a 21-percent decline in net income to P1.3 billion in the first nine months of 2015 from P1.64 billion a year ago due to lower trading gains and higher provisions.

Gross revenues grew 8.8 percent to P11.91 billion from P10.94 billion in the same period last year, while expenses jumped 16 percent to P10.25 billion from P8.84 billion.

Total assets surged 28 percent to P213.5 billion as of end-September 2015, while total capital grew 46 percent to P30.6 billion.

Leadership experts. Visionary thought leaders and motivators from some of the most admired organizations around the world come together at Discovery Primea in Makati City for the Global Leadership Boot Camp, a one-day workshop organized by ITD World Manila, in partnership with Together We Can Change the World Foundation. Shown are leadership experts (from left) Avi Liran, Matthias Gelber, Debra Fine, Rebecca Morgan, Titus Yong, Wendy Hanson, Paul Larsen, Jana Stanfield, Susan Friedman and Scott Friedman who shared their knowledge with the participants from the country’s leading corporate organizations.

Roxas Holdings incurs P125-m net loss after closure of 2 plants

By Jenniffer B. Austria ROXAS Holdings Inc., a sugar company now controlled by First Pacific Company Ltd., said it incurred a net loss of P125 million in October to December, representing the first quarter of its fiscal year.

The sugar company said the net loss was a turnaround from the P9-million net income it booked in the same period in 2014, amid operational challenges affecting two manufacturing plants.

Roxas Holdings chairman

Pedro Roxas said the company reeled from the combined impact of insufficient cane supply, late startup of its Batangas plant and temporary shutdown of a newly acquired plant.

First-quarter operating revenues surged 130 percent to P2.7 billion from P1.17 billion recorded in the same period.

However, operating expenses also accelerated 160 percent P2.59 billion from only P998 million booked in the same period a year ago.

Roxas Holdings president and chief executive Hubert Tubio

said the combined gross profit of Central Azucarera de la Carlota Inc. and Roxol Bioenergy Corp.both in La Carlota City in Negros Oriental was not sufficient to carry the group’s total expenses for the period.

San Carlos Bioenergy Corp., an ethanol firm which the group acquired in May last year, had to temporarily cease operations to give way for enhancement initiatives to improve plant efficiencies.

Tubio said the first-quarter’s net loss was only a temporary setback and the company was

expected to improve its performance by yearend.

“We hope to see an improvement in our full-year core net income,” Tubio said.

Roxas Holdings also earmarked P1.4 billion in capital expenditures this year primarily to address operational challenges.

Roxas Holdings’ board of directors, in a recent meeting, approved a rights offering of common shares to be offered to the common shareholders of the company.

The final terms and condi-

tions of the stock rights offering will be announced, once these are finalized.

First Pacific, through subsidiary First Agri Holdings Corp., acquired 241,780 million treasury shares of Roxas Holdings in February 2015 for P1.7 billion, resulting in an increase in effective interest to 51 percent from 34 percent.

As a result, First Pacific became the majority shareholder of Roxas Holdings.

Roxas group retained a 31-percent interest in the company.

SATURDAY: FEBRUARY 13, 2016

B4

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

IN BRIEF EU exports up 27%

EXPORTS to the European Union under the Generalized System of Preferences Plus (EU-GSP+) increased 27 percent in 2015, the Trade Department said Friday.

“The country’s beneficiary status under the EU-GSP+ is a result of what was a fruitful collaboration among government, the private and labor sectors and industries. We urge local businesses to continue expanding their market presence and establish a stronger foothold in the EU market,” said Trade Scretary Adrian Cristobal.

Under the EU-GSP+, the Philippines can export 6,274 eligible products duty-free access to the EU market after receiving a beneficiary country status in December 2014.

The Philippines was earlier covered by the regular EU-GSP, which provided zero duty to only 2,442 products and reduced tariffs on 3,767 products.

Total exports to EU under the GSP+ amounted to ₠743 million in the first six months of 2015, compared with shipments of ₠584 million in the previous year under the previous GSP arrangement. Othel V. Campos

NGCP complains

NATIONAL Grid Corporation of the Philippines sought a temporary restraining order against the Sambitory family in order to complete damaged transmission lines located in its property.

The Sambitory family has consistently refused National Grid, operator of the country’s transmission facility, entry to the property in Mindanao to repair Tower #25 of Agus 2-Kibawe 138kV line.

Tower #25 was bombed on December 24, 2015, rendering the Agus 2-Kibawe 138kV line non-operational.

National Grid said two hydro power plants—Agus 1 and Agus 2—both connected to the grid through the said transmission line have been isolated, further straining the power supply situation in Mindanao.

National Grid, in a complaint filed with the Regional Trial Court Branch in Marawi City sought the injunction to compel the defendants [Sambitory family] to stop committing acts that prevent the transmission line operator from entering the property.

The grid operator said it could not perform its mandate to repair the damaged transmission facilities if the family continued to deny it access to the property. Alena Mae S. Flores

San Miguel, MPIC eye Dasmariñas rail

By Darwin G. Amojelar

TWO conglomerates have expressed interest to join the auction for the P65.09-billion contract to operate and build the LRT Line 1 extension to Dasmariñas from Bacoor, Cavite.

The Public-Private Partnership Center said Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp. and San Miguel Holdings Corp. purchased prequalification documents of the LRT Line 6 PPP project.

Metro Pacific, through the Light Rail Manila Consortium with Ayala Corp. earlier expressed interest in the contract.

“For the convenience of the Cavite commuters, I think that line is very welcome to them and of course we will be interested because it will enhance the eco-

nomics of our line... if that line will be built,” LRMC president and chief executive Jesus Francisco said.

The Transport Department started inviting companies to pre-qualify and bid for the project on December 21, 2015.

The tentative deadline for interested parties on the submission of pre-qualification documents to the implementing agency’s Bids and Awards Committee is set on March 04, 2016.

The agency said the bid sub-

mission for the project is scheduled by September and expected to be awarded between October and December of 2016.

The project is a 19-kilometer railway from Niyog, Bacoor, which is the terminus of the P64.9-billion LRT 1 Cavite Extension to Dasmariñas City.

The proposed LRT Line 6 will have seven stations, namely Niyog, Tirona, Imus, Daang Hari, Salitran, Congressional Avenue and Governor’s Drive.

The joint venture of Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.—LRMC--earlier won the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project.

Under the concession, LRMC will assume the operations and maintenance of the existing 20-kilometer LRT1, and construct the 11.7-kilometer extension of the rail line southward

from the Baclaran station all the way to Bacoor, Cavite.

The consortium will build eight new stations after Baclaran.

These include Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr. Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote and Niyog.

The project will increase the span of LRT 1 from 20.7 kilometers to 32.4 kms, and provide commuters from Cavite and other parts of Parañaque and Las Piñas access to central Manila.

The project is expected to start by October 15 and should be operational within 54 months, or by May 2019.

Metro Pacific, through Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., owns 55 percent of LRMC, while AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. of Ayala Corp. holds a 35-percent stake. Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Inc. owns remaining 10 percent.

Tax policies slammed

LOCAL businessmen and the employers’ group called on the government to correct policies that negatively impact on the daily operations of domestic businesses.

A joint position paper of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Inc., Philippine Exporters Federation and the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines cited their concerns to the Trade Department and the National Competitiveness Program.

The groups proposed the suspension of Memorandum Circular 10-2014 of the Bureau of Internal Revenue that required the disclosure specific income and taxes.

They said the policy posed a grave threat in the government’s effort to attract local and foreign investments.

“This is another grave abuse of discretion in issuing regulations without regard to the right to privacy. This disclosure may compromise the safety of people and companies if they are identified by unauthorized third parties.

Further, the integrity of a particular market of the taxpayer could be affected by the release of such information,” the paper read. Othel V. Campos

ABS-CBN promotion

ABS-CBN Corp. appointed Malou Santos as the chief operating officer of Star Creatives effective February 15.

As COO, Santos will continue to provide leadership, management and vision to ensure that Star Creatives continues to dominate the entertainment industry through its production of high-caliber films, primetime drama, and multi-platform Filipino music.

She will also continue to strengthen Star Music, the music arm of ABS-CBN, through live events production, radio programming, and artist development and management.

Under Santos’ leadership, Star Cinema cemented its reputation as the leading film studio in the country that has produced quality films catered to Filipino preferences. Its market leadership has been proven through its dominance of the local box office.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Grand Stevie Award. PJ Lhuillier Inc., the country’s leading micro-finance institution offering pawning, remittance, micro-insurance, loans and bills payment through core brand Cebuana Lhuillier, becomes the first and only Filipino company to be bestowed the prestigious Grand Stevie Award at the reputable International Business Awards, also known as ‘The Stevies.’ Company president and chief executive Jean Henri Lhuillier also garnered five gold, five silver, and two bronze awards. The Grand Stevie Award is one of the highest honors in The international business awards.

360 MW of solar capacity vie for feed-in tariff rate

By Alena Mae S. Flores AROUND 360 megawatts of solar capacity comprising 13 projects are in the race for availing the feed-in tariff rate, according to an Energy Regulatory Commission report.

Latest ERC data showed the solar firms had set schedules with the agency for site inspection to comply with the mid-March deadline to avail of the second wave of solar installation targets.

The companies are RASLAG Phase 2 (13.14 MW), Helios Solar Energy Corp. (132.49 MW), San Carlos Sun Power Inc. (58.98

MW), Asian Greenergy Corp.

(10.5 MW), EDC Burgos Solar Project Phase 2 (2.66 MW), Mirae Asia Energy Corp. (16.32 MW), PetroSolar Corp. (50 MW), ATN Philippines Solar Energy Group Inc. (30 MW), YH Green Energy (14.5 MW), Solar Powered AgriRural Communities Corp. (3.82 MW) and Negros Island Solar Power, Inc. (18 MW).

Three of the projects are located in Negros Occidental, namely Helious, Sacasun and islaSol. RASLAG’s power plant is located in Pampanga, while Asian Greenergy’s facility is in Bukidnon. PetroSolar’s project is in Ak-

lan while ATN’s plant is in Rizal.

YH Greenoffered put up its project in Bataan while SPARC is looking at Bulacan province.

The companies plan to avail of the P8.69 per kilowatt-hour feed in tariff rate under the second wave of approved installation targets equivalent to 450 MW of solar capacity.

The entry of 500 MW of solar power projects by March is an offshoot of the passage of the Renewable Energy Law of 2008, which put the Philippines in the world renewable energy map.

YH Green, which is developing its solar plant at the Leisure

Estate, Hermosa Ecozone Industrial Park at Hermosa, Bataan, meanwhile, announced the completion of its project.

The 14.5-MW solar facility started delivering power to the Luzon grid at 9:55 a.m. on February 9.

Among the projects up for verification from the ERC, Helios Solar’s 132.5-MW solar power plant in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental is the biggest.

The first wave of approved solar installation targets covering 50 MW were able to avail of the P9.68 per kWh feed-in tariff rate for 20 years.

S AT U R D AY : F E B R U A R Y 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

B5

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD Hostilities to cease in Syria MUNICH—World powers on Friday agreed an ambitious plan to cease hostilities in war-racked Syria within a week and dramatically ramp up humanitarian access at talks in Munich aimed at reviving the struggling peace process.

Britain: Bookseller removed by force HONG KONG—Britain said Friday a Hong Kong bookseller believed detained by China was “involuntarily removed to the mainland”, in its strongest comments yet on a case that has rocked the city amid fears its promised freedoms are being eroded.

The disappearance of Lee Bo, who holds a British passport and published books critical of Chinese politics, was a “serious breach” of an agreement signed with Beijing before the city was handed back to China in 1997, said foreign secretary Philip Hammond in a new report.

Four other booksellers from the Mighty Current publishing house also disappeared in October and the Chinese authorities have confirmed they are now under criminal investigation.

There are still question marks over what has happened to Lee, 65, the only publisher to have disappeared from Hong Kong.

Letters purportedly written

by Lee and sent to his wife confirmed he was now on the mainland and said he had gone to China of his own volition to help with unspecified investigations.

Lawmakers and activists have accused Chinese authorities of snatching Lee from Hong Kong, contravening the semi-autonomous city’s laws that do not allow Chinese police to operate within the territory.

“The full facts of the case remain unclear, but our current information indicates that Mr Lee was involuntarily removed to the mainland without any due process under Hong Kong SAR law,” said Hammond in a regular six-month report on Hong Kong to the UK parliament. AFP

Fashion week. A model poses at the Adeam presentation during the Fall 2016 New York Fashion Week on February 11, 2016, in New York City. AFP

The 17 countries agreed “to implement a nationwide cessation of hostilities to begin in a target of one week’s time,” said US Secretary of State John Kerry after extended talks co-hosted by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The International Syria Support Group also agreed “to accelerate and expand the delivery of humanitarian aid beginning immediately”.

“Sustained delivery will begin this week, first to the areas where it is most urgently needed... and then to all the people in need throughout the country, particularly in the besieged and hard to reach areas,” said Kerry.

The peace talks collapsed earlier this month after the troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, backed by Russian bombers and Iranian fighters, pressed an offensive on the key rebel stronghold of Aleppo.

The bombardments have forced 50,000 people to flee, left the opposition virtually encircled and killed an estimated 500 people since they began on February 1—the latest hellish twist in a war that has claimed more than 260,000 lives.

Kerry said talks between rebels and the regime would resume as soon as possible, but warned that “what we have here are words on paper—what we need to see in the next few days are actions on the ground.”

Host German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier agreed, adding that “whether this really is a breakthrough we will see in the next few days”.

“When the whole world sees whether today’s agreements are kept and implemented—by the Assad regime and the Syrian opposition, by Hezbollah and opposition militias, and also by Russia,” he said.

The atmosphere going into the talks had been gloomy, with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev even warning of a “new world war” if the Gulf nations sent in troops to support the rebel opposition.

But the working group emerged with a document that showed a surprising level of cooperation between the key players, despite rising tensions over Moscow’s bombing campaign. AFP

Man found 30 years after going missing OTTAWA—A Canadian man who disappeared 30 years ago is set for an emotional reunion with his family after he suddenly remembered his name, media said.

Edgar Latulip, whose mental age was that of a child, was 21 when he walked out of a special home in Kitchener, Ontario, in 1986, CBC News and other Canadian media reported on Wednesday.

Latulip, who had previously attempted suicide and was on medication, was never heard from again and his mother feared he might have been murdered.

That was until a man with a dif-

ferent identity living 120 kilometers away told his social worker last month that he thought his real name could be Edgar Latulip, after he had flashbacks.

A DNA test confirmed that the man was indeed Latulip.

His mother Silvia Wilson, who later moved to Ottawa, described her surprise when she received the news by telephone last week from a police detective.

“I don’t know what to think. I was just kind of blown away,” Wilson, 76, told The Record, describing her son as a troubled boy.

“I want to talk to him and help him out any way I can. I just want

to see him.”

The North American Missing Persons Network described Latulip as having the mental capacity of a 12-year-old.

Niagara Regional Police Constable Philip Gavin told the Toronto Star and CBC that Latulip suffered a head injury after a fall around the time he went missing, impairing his memory so badly that he could not remember who he was, so he created a new identity.

“I’ve been a police officer for 18 years and this is something I’ve seen on TV but never been a part of,” Gavin told the Star. AFP

Re-enactment. Actors dressed as imperial guards take part in a sacrificial re-enactment at the Altar of the Earth in Ditan park in Beijing on February 12, 2016. The ceremony is a re-enactment of sacrifices once made by China’s emperors to the God of the Earth to guarantee good harvests in the new year. AFP

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WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Korean peninsula looks more divided than ever SEOUL—North and South Korea’s perennially volatile relations seem headed for a new and potentially dangerous low, with all official lines of communication cut off and a host of tensionraising issues on the near horizon.

The two rivals, who have remained technically at war over the past six decades, have faced and weathered numerous crises in the past, but the current situation feels particularly grim in the wake of the North’s recent nuclear

test and long-range rocket launch.

Any hope of compromise or dialogue seems to have been indefinitely shelved, with a leader in Pyongyang confirming an unwavering commitment to nuclear weapons development,

and a counterpart in Seoul determined to react firmly—and proactively—to any North Korean provocation.

And the standoff is taking on wider Cold War-like dimensions, with the divisions between the main parties to the North Korean nuclear issue—China and Russia on one side, the US, South Korea and Japan on the other—increasingly stark and antagonistic.

The new mood on the divided peninsula played out this week in

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water supplies.

“I don’t see any way back for Kaesong now,” Petrov said. “It’s gone too far and there’s no real will in the North or South to work it out.”

Kaesong was born out of the “sunshine” reconciliation policy of the late 1990s.

One of the roles initially envisaged by Seoul was of Kaesong as a beachhead for market reforms in North Korea that would spread from the complex and expose tens of thousands to the outside world’s way of doing business.

Although that vision never materialized, some analysts still mourned its demise for closing a small but crucial open door on the world’s most heavilymilitarized border.

“With no Kaesong, South and North Koreans will no longer be in contact anywhere on a regular basis. That is a great leap backwards,” Aidan Foster-Carter, a Korea expert based in

Britain, wrote for the NK News website.

Chang Yong-Seok, a senior researcher at the Institute for Peace and Unification Studies at Seoul National University, said one of Kaesong’s most important contributions had been to help keep inter-Korean rivalries in check.

“The Koreas both had a stake in Kaesong so they were able to restrain each other in some ways, but now that has all gone out the window,” Chang said.

The space for communication between Seoul and Pyongyang shrank further on Thursday, when the North announced it was cutting the last two remaining communication hot lines with the South.

The hot lines themselves have never been used for conversational diplomacy, but they were key to setting up meetings where such discussions could take place. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION (PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT OFFICE

NOTICE OF HEARING

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the effective termination of the sole remaining North-South cooperation project—the Kaesong joint industrial zone lying 10 kilometers over the border in North Korea.

Despite its obvious vulnerabilities, Kaesong had taken on a talismanic image by riding out pretty much every interKorean crisis thrown up since it opened for business in 2004.

“In a way, it’s a miracle it lasted that long,” said Leonid Petrov, an expert on North Korea at the Australian National University.

But on Wednesday, Seoul announced it was suspending all operations of the 124 South Korean companies in Kaesong, and yesterday Pyongyang responded by expelling all the firms’ managers and freezing their factories’ assets.

The North placed the complex under military control, while the South cut off all power and

North warned on asset freezing

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Interested bidders may submit a Letter of Intent together with the Class “A” documents addressed to the Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee, NIA, Biliran-Leyte del Norte-Leyte del Sur Irrigation Management Office, Marasbaras, Tacloban City.

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(TS-FEB. 13, 2016)

SEOUL—South Korea warned North Korea on Friday that it had acted “illegally” in freezing the assets of the South Korean companies and staff expelled from the jointly run Kaesong industrial zone.

Seoul’s Unification Minister Hong YongPyo said Pyongyang’s decision to kick out the South Korean firms was “very regrettable” and added the North would have to take full responsibility for any consequences.

North Korea on Thursday said it was closing Kaesong completely and placing it under military control.

All South Koreans working in the zone, which lies 10 kilometers inside North Korea, were expelled and told they could only take their personal belongings.

It also ordered a “complete freeze” of all assets left behind, including raw materials, products and equipment.

Pyongyang said the move was a response to Seoul’s decision the day before to shut down the operations of the 124 South Korean companies in Kaesong—a protest at the North’s recent nuclear test and long-range rocket test.

“North Korea expelled our people with very short notice, banned them from taking out finished products and illegally froze valuable assets,” Hong said.

He also condemned the “unjustified and extreme measure” taken

by Pyongyang of cutting off the only two remaining communication hot lines with the South.

“North Korea will have to take responsibility for anything that happens now,” he added, without elaborating.

Born out of the “sunshine” reconciliation policy of the late 1990s, Kaesong opened in 2004 and, until now, had proved remarkably resilient, riding out repeated crises that ended every other facet of inter-Korean cooperation.

But the latest crisis seems to have finally snuffed out what, for years, had been the last glimmer of working North-South cooperation. AFP

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PROPERTY

JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR

jdlacsamana@gmail.com

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STATELAND NIGHT. Stateland’s business partners’ assembly was held recently with over 500 real estate agents and brokers showing up at the Golden Bay Fresh Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City. Raffle prizes such as smartphones, TV sets, and various home appliances were given away to show the company’s gratitude to its partners for hitting a myriad of corporate targets. Cash incentives, including trips to various Asian destinations, and the top prize: a trip to Italy, served as the climax of the night. With four decades of expertise in the housing sector, Stateland is known for its projects in the southern parts of Metro Manila, specifically in the provinces of Laguna, Cavite and Batangas. Shown in photo are President Reynaldo T. Cometa (second from right); Senior vice president for marketing and planning Delie U. Chua (second from left); and senior assistant vice president for sales and marketing Regan C. Uy (far left).

BACOLOD ON THE RISE

GRAD SCHOOL, SPORTS COMPLEX AT NEW CONDO HUB

Megaworld recently announced that it is building an upscale residential village, Forbes Hill, in Northill Gateway, Bacolod City. The community will have 197 lots ranging from 449 sq. meters to 916 sq. meters, or approximately 13 lots per hectare. Future lot owners will have a free hand to design their own homes, which overlook the Negros mountain ranges, and surrounding sugarcane plantation vistas. Forbes Hill is nestled within the 53-hectare Northill Gateway, a joint development of Megaworld and Suntrust Properties, Inc. The development will house residential villages, mixed-use office and retail developments, leisure and recreational amenities as well as institutional facilities.

THE four-tower Victoria Sports Tower Station II along EDSA, near GMA 7-Kamuning MRT station, will be a hub for activities such as sports, dining, meetings, and even graduate studies. New San Jose Builder’s (NSJB) latest project will have 4,000 residential units, and will be 45-storeys high. It will host the Manuel L. Quezon University School for Professional Advancement and Continuing Education (MLQU

SPACE), which opened last October, 2015.

The school offers graduate studies in education, business administration, arts, and also the School of Law. NSJB is likewise developing Victoria de Morato, and will soon finish Victoria Tower D, along Mother Ignacia Avenue. NSJB built the world’s largest indoor arena, The Philippine Arena, and the country’s first heritage resort-by-the-sea, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

URBAN DECA HOMES IN TONDO. 8990 Holdings, Inc. and Megawide Construction Corporation recently broke ground to start construction on Urban Deca Homes in Vitas, Tondo. Both companies kicked off their partnership for mass housing condominium projects as early as 2014. The Tondo project is their third collaboration, a pioneering mixed-use endeavour in the heart of Manila. Built for working-class families, call center agents, and small-and-medium sized business entrepreneurs looking to live within Manila, it stands on an 8.4 hectare property, featuring 13 mid-rise condominium buildings, and a mall. Other projects of Megawide and 8990 Holdings are the 42-storey Urban Deca Tower EDSA and Urban Deca Homes Ortigas. (From left to right) : Megawide CEO Michael Cosiquien; 8990 Holdings president JJ Atencio; Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada; 8990 Holdings chairman Mariano Martinez; Fr. Carlo Bittarte; and chairman Nestor Meneses.

SM ICITY 3 NOW A SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE. The SM Central Business Park 1-A at the Mall

of Asia complex in Pasay City was recently declared a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). The area includes e-commerce buildings Three and Four E-Com, which house information technology and Business Process Outsourcing companies.The facilities inside the 50,077 square meter lot now enjoy privileges like special tax incentives and holidays to investors and business owners operating inside the zone. The Information Technology Park has been dubbed the SM iCity 3. It is owned by SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property arm of the SM Group of Companies. Shown in photo are: (Center) SM Prime’s commercial properties group (CPG) senior vice President David Rafael and PEZA director general Lilia B. De Lima. With them are (left) ) SM Prime’s CPG senior ssst. vice president, external relations, Noel S. Sanchez and (right) SM Prime’s CPG) senior manager for marketing, Allan Quiocho.

SECURING THE GATEKEEPERS. Pag-IBIG Fund

and the Philippine Association of Detective and Protective Agency Operators, Inc. (PADPAO) recently launched a housing project for security guards in Sitio Ilam, Mulig Toril, Davao City.

The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Pag-IBIG president & CEO Atty. Darlene Marie B. Berberabe and PADPAO national president Ramon D. Bergado. Beneficiaries of the project include PADPAO security guard members and operators. Berberabe said the project is expected to generate 748 socialized housing units.

The project will be developed by PrimeWorld Construction and Development Corporation (PWCDC). At the groundbreaking were Berberabe (third from right) and Bergado (second from right). With them were (from left): PADPAO president for Region 12 and National Housing coordinator Elpidio Tan; Pag-IBIG Fund’s senior vice president Engr. Juanito V. Eje; Deputy CEO Acmad Rizaldy P. Moti; PrimeWorld Construction and Development Corporation vice president Engr. Nick Suva; and Pag-IBIG Fund vice president Fermin A. Sta. Teresa, Jr.

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JOEL D. L ACSAMANA EDITOR jdlacsamana@gmail.com

PROPERTY

Looking south. Cebu was the second most online-scoured area for properties to buy, or rent(6.97%). Ayala Land Premier ’s team is more than willing to oblige with The Alcoves.

From left: Sales head Mike Jugo; marketing head Eunice Acejo; ALP head Jose Juan Z. Jugo; project development group head Leya Moya; and studio head Manny Illana.

MM STILL KING OF THE HILL FOR HOMEBUYERS

BY JOEL D. LACSAMANA

THERE’S no beating Metro Manila when it comes to a heads-or-tails choice for homebuyers. Global property website Lamudi Philippines culled data from its Q2 2014 to Q1 2015 onsite search, and found that more than half (55.05%) of respondents picked Metro Manila for their property purchase, with Quezon City being the most preferred city (19.47%), followed by Makati (8.65%), and Manila (8.41%).

Cebu Province was the second most cited area by those trolling for property (6.97%), followed by the Province of Cavite (6.73%). These provinces are home to highly populated, fast-growth cities, including Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue (Cebu Province) and Bacoor, Imus, and Dasmariñas (Cavite).

MOST SEARCHED CITIES The most searched cities on the Lamudi Philippine platform included Quezon City, which generated 244,456 searches for Q1 2015, of which 37.3% were searches for for-sale properties and 15.6 percent were searches

for rental properties.

Makati was the Philippines’ second most searched city. Of the total 116,451 searches conducted in the same period, 51 percent were for properties—specifically condos—for rent, while 33.9 percent were for for-sale properties.

Paranaque, Pasay and Mandaluyong were the third, fourth and fifth most searched cities in the Philippines. On average, search traffic increased 75%, 71%, and 74%, respectively, every quarter from Q2 2014 to Q1 2015.

MOST SEARCHED PROPERTY TYPES

What were people looking for?

Condos were the most searched among website users looking for rental properties, while houses were preferred by those looking for property for sale.

Quezon City was the most searched city for houses for sale: 54.8% of those looking at the city are searching for houses for sale, while 8.7% are searching for house for rent.

Makati generated the greatest volume of searches for condos, of which 61.1% were for rentals (while 33.6% percent were looking for for-sale condos).

RECIO PUTS STAMP ON STRATFORD RESIDENCES PICAR Development is currently touting the 74-hectares Stratford Residences along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City as the tallest residential tower in the Philippines. Known for groundbreaking projects in prime locations, Picar is building up the 1.3-hectare development as a benchmark for new trends in lifestyle, culinary innovations, and global hospitality.

Renowned architect Jose Pedro Recio, the man behind Rchitects Inc., was tapped by Picar to beef up the edifice’s structural engineering, while interior designers Ivy and Cynthia Almario of Atelier Almario worked their magic to provide functional luxury to the project.

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

P OP CU LT U RE

LIFE

Roxan Elmo

aspires for work-life balance, believing that being happy makes her more efficient at work

AN ERA OF CHANGE:

EMPOWERING

MINDANAO’S MILLENNIALS

T

he Philippines has been blessed with a lot of natural resources, but many agree that our country’s biggest asset is the people – in particular, the young and talented workforce that belongs to the millennial generation.

According to estimates, about one third of the country’s population is made up of millennials, those born after 1980 and reached young adulthood by 2000.

In the next decade or so, it is projected that millennials will compose more than 50 percent of the global workforce.

Millennials are continuous learners, collaborators, achievement-oriented, socially conscious and highly educated, says business.com, a Californiabased digital media company.

One characteristic of millennials is that they seek more than just a paycheck, with more than two thirds asserting that they want to contribute in making the world a better place. A survey released by the USbased HR Policy Foundation disclosed that “more than twothirds of employers report their Millennial workforce is above average or exceptional.”

Consequently, more and more companies are beginning to employ millennials, and 85 percent of those surveyed admit that their policies are being tweaked to attract the young workforce.

One of the companies that had recognized early on the potential of millennials and had incorporated them in the workforce is Alsons Power Group, whose Mindanao-based subsidiaries such as the Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) has become an employer of choice among young Mindanaoans.

At $570 million, the SEC’s 210-megawatt power plant is the single largest investment

in Sarangani province and the region. The first 105-MW unit of SEC’s coal-fired plant is expected to operate this year, with the full 210-MW capacity to be fully operational by 2018.

Interestingly, more women are being employed in an industry that is normally dominated by males.

“I wanted to work in SEC because the company can give me a better future for my career and personal growth,” says Geraldine Usman, who works as a control operator. Working in an industry dominated by males is “not really an issue for me. Being female is not a hindrance in performing my responsibilities. I have been fortunate not to experience any discrimination as a result of being a female engineer,” she adds.

The same sentiment is echoed by 27-year-old Rochie Hollero, a mechanical engineering graduate, who works as data analyst. She is optimistic that her employment with SEC provides many opportunities for growth particularly since she gets to learn

Mindanao is chaotic and engaged in conflict.

“People here in Mindanao are not violent but peace loving,” states Dandy Mala-ay, a 25-year-old mechanical engineering graduate who works as plant operator.

“Mindanao is the second largest island of the Philippines, and the terrorism that is happening in some places should not make them generalize that the whole area is a war zone,” adds Geraldine.

It’s not uncommon for rural residents to aspire for employment in urban centers like Cebu and Metro Manila, and some even set their eyes on greener pastures abroad. But for these Mindanao youth, leaving is not a compelling force because their work with SEC has allowed them to earn without leaving their families. “When you’re happy with your work and you don’t get homesick, then you become more efficient,” shares Roxan Delmo.

“People from outside Mindanao think we don’t have opportunities to work in big companies, or that we don’t

Eiffel Tapan, an administrative assistant, is grateful for the employment opportunities provided by the Alsons Power Group in Sarangani

new aspects of the job that were not taught in school, Like many other Mindanaoans, Rochie and Geraldine want to correct misconceptions people have about the region, in particular the mistaken impression that the whole of

have the necessary skills to work outside,” remarks Eiffel Tapan, an administrative assistant. “(Since) there is opportunity for employment here in Sarangani, I don’t see the need to look for work outside,” shares Eiffel.

Rochie Hollero, a 27-year-old mechanical engineering graduate, works as an analyst at Sarangani Energy Corporation

Dandy Mala-ay, a 25-year-old mechanical engineering graduate, works as a plant operator at SEC

The fact that they are working in a power plant by a big conglomerate based in Mindanao has made them cognizant of the economic contributions that SEC and Alsons Power give to the region.

A lot of the people being hired

by SEC are from Mindanao, and when the power plant becomes fully operational, it will help not only in providing more employment to the locals but also in assuaging the power problem in the region.

“Having a big company like SEC in Sarangani will help the government earn more in terms of revenue, so the presence of the power plant is very helpful,” avers Rochie Hollero.

“The presence of SEC provides employment to the locals and

other qualified individuals in neighboring communities.

Engineers in Mindanao do not have to go to Luzon, Visayas or even abroad just to earn a living.

Furthermore, the power crisis in Mindanao will be alleviated, and government will have earnings that will fund more projects,” Geraldine observes.

For Geraldine, Rochie, Roxan, Eiffel and Dandy, the decision to stay and work in Mindanao is a choice that they have consciously made to help in the region’s economic development and empower the people in the process. Driven and passionate, these millennials believe they can make a difference, and make the world – or at least the places where they live and work – a better place.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

MARRIOTT MANILA IS ONE WITH THE LGBT COMMUNITY IN CELEBRATING ALL KINDS OF LOVE

W

hile almost everyone molded in two hearts, a celebrates the love reinvention of the classic Italian month in a sea dessert for only P450. of red, Marriott Before Lady Gaga, Madonna Manila chooses to embrace was the queen of queer, and all spectrums and support a in Greatroom, they have rainbow kind of love – the LGBT prepared funky renditions of love. So for LGBT couples, this Madonna-inspired cocktails might be a better choice than like Material Girl, Take a Bow, Vogue, and Frozen. And if you the plain old dinner dates you weren’t able to buy the super used to have. expensive Madonna tickets, Experience a colorful buffet revel with her iconic hits about feast at Marriott Café today for love equality with live band P2,250 for lunch or plan out your performances on weekends for dinner buffet and Sunday brunch Experience a colorful Valentine at Marriott Manila as the whole love month. on the 14th for only P2,650. The they celebrate the month of heart with the rainbow If you want to take home fun part about the buffet is the kind of love colorful treats to bring home to Make Room for Love station where you and your lover can be creative and express your bae, check out Marriott Café Bakery’s colorful each other’s affection with the do-it-yourself dessert collection of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, gelatos and corner. It will be so colorful that you’d think a unicorn French macarons available until February 14 only. would pop out of the rainbow connections.

Cru Steakhouse is also in on the craze. Finish For inquiries, advance orders and reservations, call (02) off your fancy steak dinner with the Strawberry 988-9999 or visit manilamarriott.com. To keep up on Semifreddo for a sweet ending that’s worthy of the latest offerings, follow @marriottmanila on Facebook and Twitter and, @manilamarirott on Instagram. sharing. This colorful treat is a combination of ice cream and frozen mousse with fresh strawberries

Be creative with your partner in Marriott Café's do-it-yourself dessert cornerMake Room For Love

Marriott Café Bakery’s colorful collection of cakes, cupcakes, cookies and French macarons is available until February 14

Cru Strawberry Semifreddo

Red Velvet McFloat

Choc Nut McDip

Strawberry Kiss Oreo Sundae

INDULGE IN MCDONALD’S LOVE DESSERTS FOR THE MONTH OF HEARTS FOR VALENTINE, McDonald’s wants to share the love with its limited-time offer love-inspired desserts. Those who have a penchant for sweets and who are in love with McDonald’s classic sundaes and floats will surely love these special treats.

Sometimes, it doesn’t take an expensive gift to share your love this V-Day. Head on to McDo today, treat your lover or friend, or hmm… if you are loveless, then you have more reason to indulge in Strawberry Kiss Oreo Sundae, Red Velvet McFloat, and Choc Nut McDip. Yes, they are as sweet as they sound, and they will surely put a smile on anyone’s face. Strawberry Kiss Oreo Sundae is a creamy vanilla soft serve embraced by luscious strawberry syrup and topped with crushed Oreos. Red Velvet McFloat is oh-so-sinful red velvet syrup in Sprite topped with a swirl of vanilla soft serve. Choc Nut McDip is vanilla soft serve dipped in Choc Nut-flavored sauce, and served on a pink wafer cone.

At McDonald’s, it pays less to be a couple because customers can get two love desserts of the same kind for a lower price. But hey, we won’t judge you if you take

two for yourself, we understand – sometimes, we need to eat our feelings away. Also available are the Fries N’ Strawberry Kiss Oreo Sundae Combo, Fries N’ Red Velvet McFloat Combo, and BFF Fries N’ Red Velvet McFloat Combo.

And since it’s almost V-Day, head to McDo today and avail of the Love Desserts Buy One Take One promo, which will continue on all succeeding Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of February. For every purchase of the Strawberry Kiss Oreo Sundae and Red Velvet McFloat, customers can get another dessert of the same kind for free.

The promo is available from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in all Dessert Centers in Metro Manila only. McDonald’s New Sweethearts are available for a limited time only at all McDonald’s stores nationwide.

Share your sweet experience on McDonald’s Facebook page at McDo.ph, or tag @ McDo_PH on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #McDoLoveDesserts.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

THESE ARE THE SOCIAL MEDIA WORDS YOU SHOULD KNOW THE GIST

BY ED BIADO rom rickrolling to seenzoning to being like Bill, the Internet has been giving us plenty of things to waste time on since we realized way back when that it could be a place for fun and foolishness. With social media being the most popular aspect of the online life in recent years, it’s just natural that its users develop their own language to make communication easier.

The simplest way to do this is of course to employ acronyms, and I’m sure we’re all no stranger to the OMGs and the LOLs that have been in popular use for over a decade. More recent developments that have become quite common include the news-outletfriendly ICYMI (in case you missed it), which is usually inserted at the beginning of tweets recapping the day’s stories, and SMH (shake my head), which is added to signify one’s disapproval or disappointment.

But because of the opposite-of-glacial pace Internet slang evolves, it’s hard to keep up if you’re just a casual social media user or if you’re over the age of 35 (you have a lot of adulting to do and have no time and energy to always be updated, so I don’t blame you). So you might think that some of the posts on your Facebook wall, Twitter feed or Instagram comments section are misspelled words, especially since today’s social media initialisms are often written in lower case, disguising their true nature.

F

Parents listen up—'Netflix and chill' has nothing to do with watching movies. It means sex!

Here are five of the most common initialisms:

Here are a few examples of transformed words:

af: “as f*ck,” used to express the intensity of what it’s ama: “ask me anything”

On fleek: “on point” or the quality of being in a state of perfection “The halftime show was on fleek” means “The halftime show was sheer perfection.”

hmu: “hit me up”

Snatched: the new “on fleek”

describing “Sleepy af ” means “I’m very sleepy.”

“hmu on fb” means “Add me on Facebook.”

otp: “one true pairing,” a romantic label used to establish the perfection of a relationship “Bey and Jay #otp” means “Beyonce and Jay Z are the perfect couple.” rn: “right now”

The Internet has been giving us plenty of things to waste time on

Beyond acronyms and initialisms, social media continuously transforms existing words to give them new meaning and creates new ones that may or may not be in the running for inclusion in future editions of the dictionary.

(The latter’s status as new English words are dependent on their longevity and usage rate, among other criteria.)

“Beyonce snatched the halftime show” means “Beyonce made the halftime show perfect” while “Girl, you’re looking snatched rn” means “Everything about you is perfect today – from your hair to your makeup to your outfit down to your shoes.”

Game: loosely defined as “skill” or “talent,” often in the context of consistency “Your Instagram game is on fleek” roughly means “Your Instagram feed is made up of really good pictures that are beautiful individually, as well as an edited album.”

“Your hair game is strong” could be interpreted as “You always have great hairstyle.”

Doe: a modification on the spelling of “though” Swole: “extremely muscular,” derived from “swollen” Highkey: “really,” “overtly”

“I wanna meet @RestingPlatypus highkey” means “I would do anything to meet Jack Falahee.”

Lowkey: “not really,” “a little bit,” “really but it’s not something I want everyone to know” “I lowkey like that bag” means “I kind of like that bag,” while “Don’t tell anyone but I lowkey listen to JB’s Purpose” means “I’m kind of ashamed to admit that I like Justin Bieber’s Purpose album.”

Same: a more character-limit-friendly way of saying “I feel/ think the same way”

Thirsty: “horny” Turnt up: “excited,” usually for a party Zero chill: “frustrated,” “impatient”

“Dave’s got zero chill today; don’t make him wait” means “Dave is in an impatient mood today that he shouldn’t be kept waiting.”

And finally, speaking of chill – parents listen up – “Netflix and chill” has nothing to do with watching movies. It means sex.

Some of the popular Internet slangs are now included in latest editions of English dictionaries

I’m at @EdBiado on Twitter and Instagram

S AT U R D AY : F E B R U A R Y 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

V I S UA L TA L K

Life Is Strange (Part 2)

ILLUSTRATIONS BY KIMBEE GALINDO

Here’s the second part of freelance art director Kimbee Galindo’s funny comic series about his personal life struggles. His comic strips contain daily funny anecdotes that most everyone can relate to. He shares his comic series on his personal Facebook page, and since we are still laughing from last week’s series, we want to share more laughs with this set.

DOG SEES GOD:

CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD CAN you imagine how real Peanuts characters are like if portrayed in modern times and in a theater setting? Bert V. Royal wrote a cleverly written exploration of modern teen angst using parody versions of the characters we used to watch on TV. In 2004, his play, Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead, became one of the breakout hits at the New York International Fringe Festival where it won numerous awards.

Audiences will get to revisit familiar characters from the Peanuts comic strip like Charlie Brown, his little sister Sally, Linus and Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Shroeder, the Little Red-Headed Girl, and Pigpen – all grown up and in high school.

The characters go by different names, though, because the play was produced as an “unauthorized parody.”

If you haven’t decided on a Valentine’s Day date yet, this might be an interesting play to watch. Although it’s not romantic, you will sure talk about the play long after you’ve finished watching it. Catch the journey of eight angsty and self-destructive teenagers whose characters drown in social issues of sexual relations and identity, bullying, teen violence, drug use, child sexual abuse, suicide, eating disorders, rebellion, and many more.

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead is produced by Twin Bill Theater and is playing until February 14 at 2:30 p.m. and on February 26 at 8:00 p.m. For tickets, call or text Kiko at 0927-4604652 or email twinbilltheater@gmail.com

SAt uRDAY : F EbRuA RY 13, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

By Jao Gavino

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MOsT ROManTIc lOcal DaTE MOvIEs

The month of love is upon us once more, and with the flowers, the love letters, and the chocolate also come the movies – new and old – telling tales of different romances: of old, tired couples rekindling the dying flames of love, to young, feisty teenagers and twentysomethings forging ahead with new and exciting relationships.

For those looking for romance closer to home, they need not look any further, as here are five (technically, six) films from the Philippines, which, for one reason or another, managed to stand out from the mass-produced rehashes, reboots, and rom-coms that plague the Filipino movie landscape.

That Thing Called Tadhana (2014) With a title like, it may seem like your generic rom-com, with a zany cast of characters and an equally zany script, but thankfully, it isn’t – it is a simple indie movie, with a simple premise – it asks, like a Whitney Houston song prominently featured in the movie, “Where do broken hearts go?”

What comes next is a simple, yet endearing movie – it doesn’t include grandiose proclamations of eternal, undying love, nor does it include a crazy-evil antagonist with an equally crazy plot – it is a humble tale of a broken-hearted young lady, Mace (Angelica Panganiban), who was left by her boyfriend of eight years, and, well, a random guy named Anthony (JM de Guzman)’s impromptu trip to Baguio and beyond.

The plot is so simple, yet it succeeds in eliciting emotions hiding deep within us. There are no exaggerated movie moments, no evil villains, only the heartache of lost love, and the wonderful, heart-racing “kilig” of a newly blooming romance.

One More Chance (2007); A Second Chance (2015) No romantic movie list from the Philippines would be complete without a movie starring John Lloyd Cruz. One More Chance can be easily considered as his magnum opus as the film is immensely successful, in addition to being critically acclaimed.

Angelica Panganiban and JM De Guzman in the surprise hit that thing Called tadhana

Troubled by a strange sense of loneliness, he attempts to start up a relationship with a young lady, Lianne (Karylle).

With his deep sadness still gnawing on him, however, he eventually finds solace in a mysterious phone in his room, which allows him to call a young woman, Divina (IzaCalzado), the daughter of a hacendero, who, bizarrely, lives in the year 1957. In spite of this strange, time-bending paradox, the two, haunted by their own troubles, develop feelings for one another, despite the impossible.

With such a unique, often unheard-of premise, this is one of those few Filipino romance movies that attempt to break free of the shackles of rehashed plotlines and recycled dialogues often plaguing most Filipino movies today.

Starting Over Again (2014) For those looking for a decent romance flick with the established formula of Filipino movies, look no further than Starting Over Again, a film with all the bells and whistles you’d come to expect from a traditional Filipino rom-com: there’s a love triangle, the premise of restoring past romances, and plenty of gags, recurring and otherwise.

It puts its own unique spin on the aforementioned formula, with the love triangle between celebrity chef, Marco Villanueva (PioloPascual), his girlfriend, Patty de Guia

(IzaCalzado), and Marco’s ex, architect Genina “Ginny” Gonzales (Toni Gonzaga) providing an interesting twist to the film: the rivalry between Patty and Ginny doesn’t exactly have a clear winner, as there is no clear-cut antagonist between the two.

Coupled with a few Piolo Pascual and toni Gonzaga more twists that I daren’t in the blockbuster romantic mention, along with a comedy Starting Over Again great script, Starting Over Again doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel – as mentioned earlier, it adds its own unique spin to it, and succeeds for the most part, delivering a wonderful movie with a tried-and-tested formula.

My Amnesia Girl (2010) A simple, feel-good romantic comedy is hard to come by in Philippine cinema – more often than not, the films’ plots end up a confusing, cliché-ridden, overwritten mess, or, sometimes, they end up forgoing the “romantic” part of rom-coms, instead focusing almost entirely on laughs, with a flimsy, paper-thin excuse for a plot.

My Amnesia Girl, despite having a title that can make you want to gouge your eyes out, is a simple, yet wonderful movie. It is well-acted, well-directed, with Cathy GarciaMolina at the helm, directing actors John Lloyd Cruz as Glen, and candidly funny, Toni Gonzaga as Irene.

It has, of course, a relatively simple plot, revolving around the aforementioned Glen and Irene’s romance – memories are erased, old romances rekindled, and funny bones are tickled, as this simple movie, powered by great acting and humor, eventually reaches its final, happy, ending.

John Lloyd Cruz and bea Alonzo as Popoy and basha in A Second Chance

And, with 2015’s A Second Chance, Engineer Rodolfo “Popoy” Gonzales (Cruz) and Architect Basha-Belinda Eugenio (Bea Alonzo)’s romance – and troubles – continues, with the movie, filled with exciting twists and turns, difficulties and drama, earning praise, in addition to becoming the second highest-grossing Filipino film of all time.

See for yourself, for the first time, the second, third, or fourth, what exactly made this pair of movies such the blockbusters that they are today.

John Lloyd Cruz and toni Gonzaga in My Amnesia Girl

Moments of Love (2006) An interesting, time-spanning tale of love, this is a romantic movie with a twist. Marco (Dingdong Dantes) is a photographer, who goes on a vacation, along with his cousin and sister, in an old, quiet town.

Iza Calzado and Dingdong Dantes, stars of Moments of Love

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SAt uRDAY : F EbRuA RY 13, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

GuIDE to VAlEntInE’S DAY SHowS

REGInE VElASquEz AnD PlDt HoME DSl At‘tHE RoYAlS’ concERt

t

en days before the concert date, the Royals Concert presented

by PLDT HOME DSL trended on Twitter with #ROYALS10DaysToGo. Loyal fans, especially those of Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, began to express their excitement online about this event set to happen on Feb. 13, Sunday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Songbird, Regine Velasquez, may be holding a lot of excellent titles in the field of music, movies

and television, but if you talk to her at length, you would know in your heart that it is being Mommy to four-year-old Nate is her utmost priority.

A typical day for Regine involves bringing Nate to school, picking him up and playing with him.

“Before that was the routine, but now I’m a little bit busier. I can still bring him to school but my husband will be the one to pick him up. My tip to busy working moms like me is that when

Nate asks me to play with him, I make time for him even for just 10 minutes,” Regine shares.

Reginesays time is the most valuable thing she can give to her loved ones. As her schedule gets filled up each day with rehearsals and shows, Regine is very happy with how technology helped her strengthen her connection with her family especially with Nate. “I feel very blessed now because technology allows me to talk to Nate even when one of us is not at home through video calls. I can also see them on the FamCam real-time when I am far away,” she said.

It is essential for Regine to be connected at home and even on-the-go because Internet connection doesn’t only help her strengthen her relationship with her family but also helps her push for what she is passionate about.

“It is so easy to promote our shows now especially on social media,” confessed Regine. “I use Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to promote our upcoming shows like The Royals Concert this coming Valentine’s Day.”

Composed of a powerhouse cast featuring the Songbird herself, the Concert King Martin Nievera, the Prince of Pop Erik Santos and the Queen of Teleserye Themesongs Angeline Quinto, the Royals is truly the most awaited local act of the year.

“I like performing with other artists because I also learn from their techniques.

I’ve been working with Martin for a long time and it’s nice to work with Eric and Angeline because we get new influences also,” Regine added.

“Internet today is not just about high-speed connectivity,” PLDT VP and Marketing Director Gary Dujali said. “More importantly, it’s about sharing and nurturing the connections that matter most in this digitallydriven world. We are glad to hear that our initiatives help strengthen family bonds like Regine and Nate, even beyond the home.”

To win tickets to the upcoming Royals Concert and to know more about the newest PLDT HOME DSL Speedster Fam Plan log on to www.pldthome.com

lAnI MISAlucHA In ‘loVE cAtcHER’

FEBRUARY 13, 2016

Regine Velasquez and son nate (left photo), with Gary Dujali (right)

‘AkAPElA oPEn’ cHAMPIon In VAlEntInE SHow ACACIA Hotel Manila features on its stage one of the best contemporary a capella groups in the country, Pinopela, for a one night show 7:30 tonight at the Grand Acacia Ballroom.

Composed of eight young and talented singers all from Baguio City, the group was first recognized when it joined the Akapela Open and took the second spot and Champion in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

Akapela Open is the first competition of its kind in the country and spearheaded by The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab.

Since their consecutive victories,

Pinopela has been invited to perform around town. The fast-rising musical ensemble has their heart set on making the country proud by performing here and abroad. Just recently, they qualified for two international competitions to represent the Philippines- Vokal Total International A Cappella Competition in Graz, Austria and International Acapella Championships in Singapore.

Pino stands for Pinoy, pine (in honor of the popular trees in Baguio City) and fine (a word that best describes the superb sound quality produced by the group).

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ANSWER FOR PREVIOUS PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 Early automaker 5 Grills, maybe 9 Elizabethan collar 13 Sprout up 14 Film spectacular 15 Pull off a coup d’etat 17 Womanizer 18 Vasco da — 19 Pub brew 20 Meshes as gears 22 Compliment

24 25 26 29 31 32 33 36 37 40 41 42 43

Ore hauler Except Milk protein Gamut Get tough Suit’s third piece Truckers’ radios A Bobbsey twin Peek Not just mine Amt. Geishas’ apparel Pancho —

45 Hushed 47 Hand-dyes with wax 48 Quick trip 51 Patron saint of lost causes 52 Closest to now 54 Deep green 58 Where Valletta is 59 Nowhere near 61 Culture dish goo 62 Fitzgerald et al 63 Ms. Wertmuller 64 Cereal-eating tiger 65 Capsule, maybe 66 Room and board 67 Souffle base DOWN 1 Hideous monster 2 Hubbard of sci-fi (2 wds.)

3 QB — Flutie 4 Something to slip on 5 Cyclades locale 6 Uncontrollable jerk 7 Kipling classic 8 Beat it!

9 Court decision 10 In working order 11 Bach opus 12 Guitar ridges 16 Co. honcho

The group is all set to wow the audience at Acacia Hotel Manila as they perform in a one of a kind show that they personally planned and conceptualized.

The repertoire includes hits from different decades of both local and international artists.

Tickets are at P1,800.00 net inclusive of a six course dinner with a glass of wine. Purchase your tickets in advance at the Guest Services Desk of Acacia Hotel Manila. For more information, please visit www.acaciahotelsmanila.com, email enquiry@acaciahotelsmanila.com or call 720 2000.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2016

21 “Peer Gynt” composer 23 Undersized pups 26 Fifi’s five 27 Premed course 28 Plattsburgh sch.

29 Pay by mail 30 Sacred snakes of Eygpt 32 Intuition 33 E. — bacteria 34 Size 35 Fraus, in Sp. 38 Burglars’ “keys” 39 Skirt the issue 44 Repeat 45 Koala’s carrier 46 Funny feeling 47 Raw deal (2 wds.)

48 Salinger girl 49 Polar explorer — Amundsen 50 “Nancy” rich kid 51 Dixon of astrology 53 Compare notes 55 Thrilled 56 Ger. or Fr. 57 Teetotalers 60 Interjection of disgust

ASIA’S Nightingale Lani Misalucha is all set for her two nights concert Love Catcheron Feb. 14 and 15 at Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resort’s World Manila.

Lani will be singing classy, timeless and soothing love songs that will surely cater to all audience from young to old.

“I’m very excited with this concert because the songs that I’ll be singing are very well thought of. They will also see the versatility in me,”Lani says.

Aside fromFilipino and English classic songs, the audience will be entertained with Lani’s rendition of songs in four different languages - Italian, German, Spanish and French. “It goes to show that love through music is a universal language, ” says Lani.

A tribute to Nathalie Cole is also one of highlights of the show.

“I also have talented guests that people will appreciate the nuances of all the songs. Love will be in the air talaga during these two nights,” the Asia’s Nightingale adds.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers will one of the guests.

Other performers include songwriter and singer Edward Benosa and the proudly Cebuano Baihana Trio -- KrinaCayabyab, Mel Torre and Anna Achacoso.

For tickets and other information, call Ticketworld at 891-99-99 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

loVE SEREnADE At VuE bAR LOVE is definitely in the air as Vue Bar, the most happening entertainment spot of The Bellevue Manila, presents a special Valentine concert entitled Lovers’ Serenade on Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. featuring Gio Levy.

Celebrate the most romantic day of the year with your special someone as you indulge in a mouthwatering dinner buffet and one glass of iced tea, soda or red or white wine amidst a breathtaking 360-degree view of the Metro South for only P2,500.00 net per person. Tickets are available at The Bellevue Manila front office. Look forward to an unforgettable evening of romance and smooth acoustics this Valentine’s Day only at The Bellevue Manila, the premiere 5-star hotel in the Southern Metro.

For inquiries, call (02) 771-8181, email tbmni@thebellevue.com or visit the website www.thebellevue._com. For real time updates, like the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thebellevuemanila.

SAt uRDAY : F EbRuA RY 13, 2016

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ShOOTIng fOR JOEl ‘TESDaman’ VIllanuEVa’S DREamS

T

here were three-point shots, breakaway dunks and no-look passes to the hoop in the highly entertaining Shoot for your Dreams featuring Philippine basketball’s legends and showbiz personalities in a benefit basketball game for Joel ‘TESDAMAN’ Villanueva.

Villanueva is running for senator under the administration coalition in the May 2016 elections.

“This is our way of helping Joel Villanueva become senator, we know he will be a good one,” former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star Jerry Codinera said after the match at the Ynares sports Arena in Pasig City.

Villanueva thanked his friends for their initiative.

“There was real good camaraderie. everyone had fun. The game was fair and gave everybody his fighting chance. hopefully, we see these happening in the upcoming election,” he said.

“Like facing a tough basketball match, i prepare hard and pray harder for this election. it’s game on!” Villanueva added.

The game matched the All star Team against the Team Trabaho. Villanueva played for the Team Trabaho. The All star Team, coached by BeaujingAcot, was composed of LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, ZanjoeMarudo, Rayver Cruz, Jason Abalos, Eduardo Daquioag, Jervy Cruz, Jericho Cruz, and Antipolo City Mayor CasimiroYnares III. signing up for the Team Trabaho were Jerry Co-

dinera, Marlou Aquino, Kenneth Duremdes, Bal David, Rodney Santos, Bobby Jose, Alvin Patrimonio, Johnny Abarrientos, Noli Tocsin and Joel Villanueva. known to many, Villanueva is a basketball fan and plays the sport himself. he was a member of the Philippine National Team that competed in Taiwan and Malaysia in 1995. he also played for the UsT Tigers when it bagged the championship of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) in 1994.

When he was in TesDA, he always finds time to be in the court with the employees.

At home, he also plays the hoops with his kids, Jaden and Gwyn. Villanueva headed the Technical education and skills Development Authority (TesDA) as Director general with a Cabinet secretary rank from 2010 to 2015, bringing to new heights technical vocational education in the country, and making it the youth’s vehicle towards employment.

Prior to his post at the TesDA, he was a member of Congress for nine years as representative of the partylist Citizens Battle Against Corruption (CiBAC)

Jm and with another indie actor nico Antonio

EDITOR

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GRAcE PoE SAVoRS SuSAn RocES’ ADVIcE ThANkiNg his adoptive parents, senator Grace Poe said they raised her the way they wanted their own daughter to be. And that for her is more important even if she continues to look for her biological parents.

Poe said she doesn’t feel regretful that she is a foundling because she was raised to be a good person by Fernando Poe, Jr. and Susan Roces.

“The values i have learned from my parents make me who i am,” grace told members of the press during an interview. in her political journey, susan Roces never forgets to remind grace that the interest of the people should be first in her list of priorities.

“What my mom always says is‘you should have a purpose greater than yourself.’ My mom and also my dad applied this in their lives,” added grace. she thinks that this was their secret why they remained “king and Queen” of Philippine movies for many years.“They worked not because they wanted to be in showbiz but because they have to help the families of the people working in the business and they became successful,” grace said.

HEARt wAntS to EnRoll At tHE uP collEGE oF FInE ARtS

Jm De Guzman in a scene from the indie movie tandem

tImElY AnD RElEVAnt FIlm

ISAH V. RED

This year’s timely action-drama movie, Tandem explodes on the big screen on Feb. 17 from Tuko Film Productions and Buchi Boy Films, a brainchild of Artikulo Uno Productions, makers of the blockbuster Heneral Luna and Quantum Films, which gave us much-acclaimed movies like Kubrador, Here Comes the Bride, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival super hit English Only Please!,Walang Forever, and Buy Now Die Later in the recently-concluded 2015 MMFF. From a story by Zig Marasigan, Tandem is about brother-partners Rex (JM de Guzman) and Roman (Nico Antonio), who make a living by snatching bags and cellphones in Metro Manila.

Rex is more aggressive compared to Roman. Roman is a lot more cautious because his wife, Cha (Rochelle Pangilinan), is heavy with their child while Rex is in an on-off relationship with his girlfriend, Nadine (Elora Espano).

The brothers get ample protection from corrupt police officers Alba and Lucero, who are also runners of a bigtime syndicate.

Upon the instructions of the police officers, Rex and Roman plan to rob a construction site. With the help of an informant from the site, the brothers stand to earn a fat sum from the job. But then, things didn’t work out as they planned. Rex kills the foreman in order to save Roman. By some unexpected twist, Alba and Lucero were placed under investigation by the Philippine National Police in a bid to rid its ranks of rogue officials.

Ordered to arrest Rex and Roman, Alba and Lucero instead instructs the brothers to salvage the officers investigating them.

Rex and Roman accept the assignment but fail to accomplish the task. They then decide to escape with their loved ones. The succeeding scenes involve bloody encounters be-

DesPiTe her success as an artist given the number of exhibits she already had, Heart Evangelista wants to have a formal education in fine arts to widen her knowledge of the arts.

During a chit chat, she mentioned that she wants to enroll at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts. her yearning to acquire higher education is due to her husband’s motivation for her to learn the ropes of the field she wants to excel in “Talagang pinupukpok nya ko. Nung isang araw lang sabi nya kelan ka na pupunta sa college endeavor mo. Motivator ko yan. super smart, super galing,” heart says proudly.

But since she is busy with a lot of things these days, her return to formal education is being delayed. “i still have to plan it out. i talked to Fine Arts and they said that since i havean exhibit it will hold me from pursuing a degree or it will get so much of my time. The result would be that i could no longer hold exhibitions because i have to write essays or study,” says heart. in the meantime, Chiz is very supportive of heart’s endeavors even if he, himself, is busy with his campaign as vice-presidential aspirant to Grace Poe’s presidential bid.

“Very supportive sya sa trabaho ko, sapagpi-paint ko.

Mahilig syang bumili ng canvas tapos ipapagawa nya sakin.Bumili syang canvas na speaker na, bluetooth na sya.

Actually, sya yung mga nakakaisip ng mga ibang ideas na pwedekong gawin,” heart shares.

In tandem, Jm’s character makes a living out of snatching bags and cellphones

tween Rex and Roman and the corrupt cops.

Tandem premieredat Montreal international Film Festival followed by participation in the Vancouver international Film Festival and Cairo international Film Festival. it is scheduled to have a european premiere in the Fantasporto international Film Festival in Porto, Portugal.

The movie premiered locally at the just-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival New Wave competition. it even got an “A” grade from the Cinema evaluation Board. CeB members commended the film as a whole, from the acting department to the direction, editing, photography, production design and timely tale.

JM also received a best actor trophy for his outstanding performance in the movie.

C8

SAT URDAY : F EBRUA RY 13, 2016

ISAH V. RED EDITOR isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ John Night for Walang Tulugan

Diego receives the award for Bubble Gang

Jerald Napoles of Sunday Pinasaya Jaya

Sandra Aguinaldo

GMA WINS TOP HONORS AT 2016 PLATINUM

STALLION MEDIA AWARDS ISAH V. RED

V

arious Kapuso programs and personalities were recognized at the 2016 Platinum Stallion Media Awards held on Feb. 3 at the Trinity University of Asia (TUA) University Theater.

One of the country’s most respected broadcast journalists, Mel Tiangco, was honored as Best Female News Anchor for Television.

GMA News and Public Affair’s multi-awarded documentary program I-Witness brought home yet another addition to its long list of awards as it won Best Documentary Show.

One of its hosts, Sandra Aguinaldo, was also recognized as the Most Trusted Female Field Reporter.

Meanwhile, GMA News TV travel program Biyaheni Drew was given the Trinitian Awardee for Best TV Magazine Show.

Receiving the Platinum Stallion nod as well were

Kid wonder Ryzza Mae Dizon and Ruby Rodriguez for Eat Bulaga

various GMA Entertainment TV programs. Family sitcom PepitoManaloto with Michael V. was recognized as this year’s Best ValuesOriented Program. Longestrunning comedy program Bubble Gang won as Best

Gag Show while another GMA original program, Celebrity Bluff, was cited as the Best Game Show.

Kapuso comedy-variety noontime show, Sunday Pinasaya, was recognized as Best Enter-

tainment Program. Saturday primetime drama program, Magpakailanmanwon as this year’s Best Drama Anthology.

The Trinitian Awardee for Late Night Show went to Walang Tulugan with

the Master Showman.

Trinity Asia University also recognized Kapuso singer Jaya as the Outstanding Trinitian Media Practitioner for Music and Television.

The EB Dabarakads also

took home several awards.

Longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga added another feather on its cap as it won Best Noontime Show. Eat Bulaga’sKalye’s Angels—Wally Bayola, Jose Manalo, and Paolo Ballesteros—were also recognized as the Trinitian Awardees for Values-Oriented TV Character/s.

The Platinum Stallion also cited the contribution of the phenomenal love team AlDub to advertising as it conferred to Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards the Trinitian Awardee for Most Valuable Female and Male Advertising Endorsers, respectively.

DZBB Super Radyo was chosen as the Best AM Radio Station, while anchor Mike Enriquez was cited as Best Male AM Broadcast Journalist.

Launched last year, the Platinum Stallion Media Awards recognizes programs and personalities for their continuing efforts in educating the public through the media and the allied arts.

All winners were chosen by the entire TUA community consisting of students, alumni, faculty, staffs, and stakeholders.