The Standard - 2016 May 02 - Monday

VOL. XXX NO. 79 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 MONDAY : MAY 2, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Digong to open all of his accounts

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REJECT DUTERTE, CBCP TELLS FLOCK El Shaddai goes for Bongbong, Binay on May 9

By Christine F. Herrera

CATHOLIC bishops issued a pastoral letter Sunday that, without mentioning the candidate’s name, exhorted the faithful not to vote for presidential frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“The desire for change is understandable. Our people have suffered from incompetence and indifference,” said the letter signed by Archbishop Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. “But this cannot take the form of supporting a candidate whose speech and actions, whose plans and projects show scant regard for the rights of all, [and] who has openly declared indifference if not dislike and disregard for the Church, especially her moral teachings.”

The letter, read in the homily of all Sunday masses in all churches nationwide, was the strongest condemnation yet of Duterte, who has been linked to the extrajudicial killings of criminal suspects.

The pastoral letter came after the charismatic movement within the Catholic Church, the El Shaddai, began distributing sample ballots to its members at a prayer rally Saturday night that carried the name of Vice President Jejomar Binay for president, Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for vice president, and Buhay for the party-list.

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Leni is biggest spender with P406-m in ads

By Christine F. Herrera

El Shaddai’s candidate. Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a vice presidential candidate in the May 9 elections, speaks during the proCatholic religious group El Shaddai’s prayer vigil overnight celebration in Parañaque City on May 1, 2016. More than 17,000 positions ranging from president to town councilors will be contested when the Philippines holds national elections on May 9, 2016. About 80 percent of the Philippines’ 100-million people are Catholic. AFP

THE Liberal Party’s Leni Robredo was the biggest spender on political ads among vice presidential contenders, buying P406.82 million worth of airtime from Feb. 9 to April 27, even surpassing her running mate Manuel Roxas II and two other presidential candidates, Nielsen Media reported Sunday.

The LP tandem of Roxas and Robredo were also the biggest spenders for TV ads, spending P83.87 million during the period. LP senatorial candidates also spent the most, buying TV ads worth a total of P1.73 billion, the Nielsen Media report showed.

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) tandem of Vice President Jejomar Binay and his running mate Senator Gregorio Honasan was the second biggest spender with P74.14 million, while the team of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and his running mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano of the PDP-Laban came in third, with TV ads worth Next page P60.80 million.

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The tandems of Senators Grace Poe and Francis Escudero of the Partido Galing at Puso and Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago-Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not have TV ads together.

Separately, Poe placed TV ads worth P429.74 million while Escudero spent P269.05 million.

Minus the Poe-Escudero and Santiago-Marcos camps, the three tandems shelled out a total of P218.82 million.

Among vice presidential candidates, Escudero was the second largest spender, followed by Cayetano, who spent P185.39 million. They were followed by Senators Marcos (P45.64 million), Antonio Trillanes IV (P40.13 million) and Honasan (P21.83 million).

All told, the vice presidential candidates bought a total of P1.006 billion worth of airtime.

Of the 22 senatorial candidates that placed ads on major TV networks, nine were LP bets with a combined placement of P857.14 million, seven were from Poe’s slate at P465.17 million, two were from Binay’s UNA at P36.24 million and four independent senatorial candidates at P442.63.

The senatorial candidates bought total airtime of 855.8 minutes worth P1.73 billion.

From Feb. 9 to April 27, all five camps that spent for TV ads bought a combined P4.56 billion worth of airtime, with the Roxas camp spending the biggest chunk at P1.7 billion, followed by Poe’s camp at P1.16 billion, Duterte camp at P654.86 million, Binay camp at P507.97 million and Santiago’s camp at P86.66 million.

Among the senatorial candidates, independent Francis Tolentino was the top spender at P197.42 million for a total of 77.5 minutes with 11 percent in share of investment.

Tolentino was followed by LP’s Joel Villanueva at P150.81 million, Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian of the Poe camp came in third at P141.99 million, followed by independent Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez at P133.99 million.

LP’s reelectionist Senator Franklin Drilon was the fifth biggest spender at P133.42 million, followed by another LP candidate reelectionist Senator Ralph Recto at P188.8 million and Poe’s guest candidate independent Richard Gordon at P107.56 million and LP’s Francis Pangilinan ranked eighth at P105.32 million.

Those who spent less than P100 million were independent reelectionist Senator Sergio Osmeña III at P99.57 million, LP’s Risa Hontiveros and Jericho Petilla at P97.18 million and P85.21 million, respectively.

Former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri of the Poe camp shelled out P81.08 million followed by LP’s re-electionist Senator Teofisto Guingona III. The rest of the LP candidates who bought ads placements were former Justice secretary Leila de Lima at P42.79 million and Mark Lapid at P5.40 million.

Those who belong to the Poe camp that also placed ads less than P50 million were Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares at P48 million, former Manila City Vice Mayor Isko Moreno at P40.08 million, re-electionist Senator Vicente Sotto III at P24.38 million and Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo at P21.98 million.

The two senatorial candidates from UNA who bought airtime were world boxing champion Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao at P35.97 million and radio broadcaster Rey Langit at P270,000 for three minutes.

Independent former senator Panfilo Lacson Jr. placed ads amounting to P11.65 million.

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10 Indonesian sailors freed by Abu Sayyaf TEN Indonesian sailors abducted by Abu Sayyaf bandits were freed Sunday after five weeks in captivity, police said Sunday.

Unknown men dropped off the 10 tugboat crewmen at the home of Sulu Gov.

Abdusakur Tan II on the remote island of Jolo during a heavy midday downpour, Jolo police chief Junpikar Sitin said.

“The report [of their release] is confirmed. They were there. I saw them,” Sitin added.

The condition of the former captives was not immediately known, though Sitin said the group ate lunch at the governor’s home.

They were abducted on March 26 by gunmen described as members of the Abu Sayyaf, a gang of bandits based in Jolo and nearby Basilan island that has been involved in kidnappings and deadly bombings.

The bandits are reported to have sought a ransom, but Sitin said he was unaware that any had been paid. Abu Sayyaf does not normally free hostages unless a ransom is paid.

The Indonesians were freed six days af-

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The CBCP pastoral letter read Sunday was directed mostly at voters.

“The nationally telecast debates as well as the publicized utterances and actuations of our candidates, particularly those who vie for the high office of President of the Republic, have given us all a glimpse of who they are, what they represent and the causes they champion—or reject.

“There is a fundamental difference between right and wrong, and not everything is fair game in politics. A choice for a candidate who takes positions that are not only politically precarious but worse, morally reprehensible, cannot and should not be made by the Catholic faithful...

“One cannot proclaim Christ as King and at the same time accept the governance of one whose thoughts, speech and demeanor are diametrically opposed to the demands of submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ,” the pastoral letter read.

The bishops said the Catholic Church has never asked any political candidate to seek its endorsement, but the Catholic Church has always demanded of Catholic voters that they cast their votes as an “act not only of citizenship but also as a public declaration of faith.”

“We ask this most earnestly of all of you, Catholic brothers and sisters, in the forthcoming election,” they said.

Addressing the presidential candidates, the bishops said in less than two weeks, the sovereign people would choose who should govern them.

“It is this that makes us a free people.

We, your bishops of this country, therefore ask of you to allow each Filipino the free and untrammeled right to an informed choice. This means, among other things, that you cannot deceive or mis-

ter Abu Sayyaf members beheaded a Canadian hostage, John Ridsdel.

President Benigno Aquino III vowed Wednesday to neutralize the bandits after Ridsdel’s decapitated head was left outside a government building in Jolo.

The authorities said the group is still holding 11 other foreign hostages—four Indonesians, four Malaysians, another Canadian, a Norwegian, and a Dutchman.

Military officials said they had no information about the release of the Indonesians.

“It’s better if you talk to the local police,” said Armed Forces spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

“That was a local government effort. We don’t have any information,” said public affairs officer Col. Noel Detoyato.

On the ground, Western Mindanao Command spokesman Maj. Felimon Tan Jr. said he had no details either. “Our attention has been focused on ongoing military operations,” he said.

Abu Sayyaf is a radical offshoot of a Muslim separatist insurgency.

It is believed to have just a few hundred militants but has withstood repeated USbacked military offensives against it, surviving by using the mountainous, jungle terrain of Jolo and nearby islands to its

advantage.

Abu Sayyaf gangs have earned many millions of dollars from kidnapping foreigners and locals since the early 1990s.

Although Abu Sayyaf ’s leaders have pledged allegiance to Islamic State, analysts say they are more focused on lucrative kidnappings-for-ransom than setting up an Islamic caliphate.

Police on Thursday raided a hideout of the Ansar Khilafa Philippines group in the coastal town of Maasim, killing two fighters, a police report said Saturday.

The commandos recovered a cache of weapons including a sniper rifle, two carbines, rocket-propelled grenades, materials for making improvised bombs and a black flag of the IS group.

However, the target of the raid, the group’s leader, Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, escaped, the report added.

The AKP is one of several militant Muslim groups in Mindanao that have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

Authorities have said these groups have no direct link to IS and are merely using its name to gain prestige locally and in the hope of gaining the international jihadi group’s support and funding. Florante S. Solmerin, AFP

lead the people by proffering them falsehoods, much less defraud the nation,” the bishops said.

The bishops also lamented the rancor that has marked the campaign period.

“Many wounds have been inflicted. This is true not only of candidates but also of their supporters. Even close friends have parted ways because of differences in political persuasion and in the choice of candidates to support,” they said, urging voters and candidates to pray.

They also said whoever wins honestly, takes his or her oath of office seriously, strives to heal the wounds of divisive politics and respects the rights of all would have the support of the CBCP. At Saturday night’s El Shaddai prayer rally, the movement’s leader Mike Valarde did not endorse Binay or Marcos, but sample ballots distributed at the event showed the group’s preference.

It was an awkward moment for another presidential candidate, Senator Grace Poe, who was on stage with Binay, as the sample ballots with her rival’s name were being distributed.

Also on stage with the two presidential candidates were Marcos, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian and Buhay first nominee Joselito Atienza.

Before the distribution of the sample ballots, survey forms were distributed to the members asking them how they would vote for president and vice president.

But the survey form did not leave blank the space for party-list as Buhay party-list, the El Shaddai’s endorsed group, was already listed.

Velarde said other candidates were also invited to address the El Shaddai members during the “overnight prayer vigil and celebration” in Parañaque.

“We did not forget them. We invited them here. But it seems they forgot us. So

if they forgot us, we can also forget them.

How many are we? Three million, including those in their houses who are watching right now because we are being covered live by television,” Velarde said.

Only Binay and Poe were the candidates for president who showed up while Marcos was the only vice presidential candidate who delivered a speech.

Poe’s running mate, Senator Francis Escudero came but left right before the program started.

Binay was introduced by Velarde as the highest official in the presidential race, who was “one step away from the presidency.”

Thousands of the El Shaddai members gave Marcos a rousing welcome.

Aside from those in the Amvel compound, Velarde said about a million more witnessed the event as it was shown live on the government Channel 13, dwXI 1314 radio station and live internet streaming.

Marcos, in his address before the crowd, reiterated his advocacy for national unity as the single most important factor to move the country forward for future generations.

Poe agreed with Marcos and in her speech said the only way for the country to rise above poverty was to be united.

Marcos was met with a thundering applause following his speech and was mobbed by members when he left the compound at around 2 a.m.

Benita Carillo, 64, a native of Tarlac who has been a member of El Shaddai for many years, said she was supporting Marcos because of his own achievements as governor of Ilocos Norte and as a senator.

“He showed his independence, particularly during the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona and when they were discussing the bullet-planting scandal in the Senate,” she said in Filipino.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Duterte to open all his accounts PRESIDENTIAL candidate Rodrigo Duterte said Sunday he was willing to open his bank account records as far back as 20 years to prove he was not hiding anything.

Resumption. Presidential candidate Grace Poe joins factory workers over a simple breakfast during Sunday’s resumption of the campaign caravan of team Gobyernong may Puso in Jesus dela Peña village in Marikina City. EY ACASIO

LP denies Yasay’s claims against Roxas THE Liberal Party on Sunday denied the allegations of former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Perfecto Yasay who accused LP standard bearer Manuel Roxas II of “killing” the P27billion pre-need industry.

Yasay had blamed Roxas for the failure of some 500,000 pre-need plan policy holders from collecting from their maturing contracts.

“Mar worked to increase the credibility of the pre-need industry,” LP spokesman Barry Gutierrez said.

“Mar put a stop to the practice of some big companies of offering unrealistic returns to encourage more people to invest. That was a pyramiding scam that Mar fought. Had he not done that, the number of victims would have been more than 500,000.

“And you can see the credibility of Mr. Yasay from the

misinformation he spread. As SEC chair, he resigned in the face of accusations of usurpation and misrepresentation of authority.”

Gutierrez said that in 1998, Roxas could not have been an official of AIG as he was already in Department of Trade and Industry and was in Congress before that. “ In both positions, he [was] not allowed to receive a salary from private concerns, and we can prove through the waiver we signed that there was no conflict of interest for Mar,” Gutierrez said.

“We protest this shoddy attempt at rewriting history solely to throw dirt at Mar.” At the Kapihan sa Annabel forum, Yasay said Roxas was behind the collapse of the pre-need industry because he lobbied strongly for the revival of the American-owned AIG or American Interna-

tional Group Inc., a life insurance company.

“The P27-billion pre-need industry was the direct competitor of the lackadaisical P5-billion life insurance industry,” Yasay said.

“Mar Roxas, who was then an official of AIG, wanted life insurance to be resuscitated and the only way to do that was to kill the pre-need industry.”

Yasay said Roxas succeeded because he was then secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, which had no jurisdiction over the SEC but he managed to do it when he was under suspension as SEC chairman.

Yasay said he was compelled to come out in the open to prevent the “hypocrite” Roxas from ascending to the presidency by claiming he was fighting for the poor.

He said Roxas “lied” when he projected during the presi-

dential debate that he was able to fight for pre-need policy holders when he was senator.

“That’s a lie. He was responsible for the killing of the pre-need industry and the impact of his abuse and misuse of powers when he was DTI secretary years ago is now felt by some 500,000 policy holders, who could no longer collect the money they had invested that was meant to send their children to college,” Yasay said.

In 1998, Yasay said, Roxas, along with then US Ambassador Jose Cuisia, lobbied for the AIG’s entry to the Philippines.

“I was the stumbling block to Roxas’ vested interest at the time, so he had me suspended so that he could push for the entry of the AIG but at the expense of the pre-need industry,” Yasay said. Sandy Araneta

“Make it 20 years,” he said.

The Davao City mayor’s spokesman said Duterte was getting more and more support from different places despite the allegations against him.

Paola Alvarez, spokeswoman of the Partido Demokratikong PilipinoLakas ng Bayan, said many political leaders in Bicol were switching to Duterte.

Those who had defected to Duterte were Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, ex-Masbate governor Antonio Kho of the Nationalista Party, Mark Chris Dioneda of Sorsogon’s PDP-Laban, Jesus Typoco of Camarines Norte’s Nationalista Party, Vladimir Frivaldo of Sorsogon, an original Liberal Party member, and Ako Bicol Rep. Christopher Co. She made her statement even as Malacañang on Sunday described as absurd Duterte’s statement that President Benigno Aquino III and the Palace were behind the demolition job against him.

“The allegation is absurd and unfounded. This is pure speculation,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told dzRB radio.

Duterte said he believed Malacañang was behind the alleged exposé against him

by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. He said despite Trillanes allegations that he had an

undeclared P211-million deposit at the BPI branch on Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig City, Duterte said his BPI account contained P17,000 and not P211 million.

While he was open to showing “all” of his bank transactions, all other candidates must be compelled to open up all their accounts, too.

“Why just me? What am I, their errand boy? We’re all running for president, why should it be just me?” Duterte said.

He urged the voters not to believe Trillanes.

“I took him for a ride because I wanted him to execute an affidavit,” Duterte said.

“If he signs an affidavit stating that this is my account and the amount deposited, I will file a case.”

Duterte said his BPI account containing P17,000 had ballooned to about P25,000 since Roxas and some other people had deposited various amounts to it in an attempt to verify its existence.

The P17,000 balance in his bank deposit would be donated to Caritas Philippines, a charity under the Catholic Bishops Association of the Philippines, Duterte said.

Earlier, he said he had tasked his lawyer Salvador Panelo to meet with Trillanes at the BPI’s Julia Vargas branch and open his bank account on May 2. Rio N Araja and Sandy Araneta

Poe will replicate Singapore’s housing program if elected SENATOR Grace Poe has promised to replicate the housing program in Singapore if she is elected president in order to provide shelter to the millions of homeless Filipinos.

She slammed the Aquino administration for failing to provide the Filipinos’ basic needs including food, shelter and protection in a rally at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City Saturday night.

“If I become president I will do what they did in Singapore, where the houses are built by the government and the people can borrow money to buy them,” Poe said.

“And if their earnings grew bigger, they can sell the house and move to a much better one. That’s my dream for everyone of you: to have your own home and to move to a better one once you are

making more money.”

Poe said the people also needed food and protection, but those things were not being provided by the government.

“I was informed by Congressman Albee Benitez that here in Metro Manila, we have l3,500 hectares owned by the government,” Poe said.

“If we are to have in-city housing, we will need only 750 hectares and there will be no more squatters.”

Poe criticized the government’s policy of relocating squatters to far areas where they would be spending much money to commute to their jobs in the city.

“They would bring you to far places where there are no hospitals, no church and your home would not even be fit for living,” Poe said.

Under her administra-

tion, Poe said, squatters would be given houses through the establishment of medium-rise buildings right there where they lived and worked.

Multi-awarded singer and composer Ogie Alcasid was the latest to support Poe’s candidacy.

Alcasid, president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit or OPM, serenaded the crowd of around 25,000 during the 5th National Fireworks Festival at the Marikina Riverbanks Center Ampitheater with his original composition Gobyerno na may Puso, a song dedicated to Poe. It was the first time that Alcasid joined Poe’s campaign sortie. Two weeks ago, he resigned as a member of the government’s Edsa People Power Commission.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Prayer vigil. Presidential candidate Jejomar Binay speaks during the religious group El

Shaddai’s prayer vigil overnight celebration in Manila on May 1. More than 17,000 positions ranging from president to town councilors will be contested when the Philippines holds national elections on May 9, 2016. About 80 percent of the Philippines’ 100-million people are Catholic, a legacy of Spanish colonial rule that ended in the late 1800s. AFP

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Binay: I’ll find jobs for 12m in 6 years

By Macon Araneta UNITED Nationalist Alliance standard-bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday vowed to create two million new jobs each year or a total of 12-million jobs by the time he steps down in 2022, if he is elected president.

This can be done by setting aside seven percent of the country’s gross domestic product per annum for infrastructure development, opening the country to more investors and ending government underspending, Binay said.

“We will spend at least P950 billion to P1 trillion every year for infrastructure projects. Government spending will not only spur economic activity, it will also create jobs. Government will be one of the biggest employers in the country,” Binay said.

Binay said he will bank on his experience as mayor of Makati, the country’s financial capital, in implementing job-generating measures.

“We did it in Makati. It will be done nationwide,” he said.

He recalled that during his stint as Makati mayor, he took steps to make the city more competitive to attract more investments.

“We created tens of thousands of jobs, provided free education and health care. We were able to do so because we collected taxes, used it for the welfare of the people, and moved Makati forward,” Binay said.

Meanwhile, Binay vowed that his administration would be committed to uplifting the lives of every Filipino and respecting the value of life.

Antilabor. Workers’ groups burn an effigy of President Benigno Aquino III during a Labor Day protest at the Mendiola Bridge outside Malacañang Palace on Sunday. The protesters demanded an end to contractualization of labor and a P750 national daily minimum wage. DANNY PATA

Groups march on Palace to end labor contracting

By Sandy Araneta

WORKERS’ organizations and cause-oriented groups marched to Malacañang Palace on Sunday, Labor Day, to call for an end to labor-only contracting.

Members of party-list groups Ating Guro and Sanlakas and militant organizations Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino and Partido Lakas ng Masa converged in front of Manila City Hall for a short program before marching to Mendiola Bridge near the presidential palace to demand the hiring of workers for fixed periods of time.

“The mere mention of the problem

of contractual labor by all candidates at the recent presidential debate does not appease the millions of workers and the trade union movement. The presidential candidates do not deserve praise for bringing this anti-worker scheme to the electoral arena. It was the years of campaigning by the labor movement that brought it to the fore.

They should rather be reprimanded by their collective silence on legal

loopholes that allow contractualization,” said Leody de Guzman, BMP president and Sanlakas nominee.

De Guzman stressed the need to amend Articles 106 to 109 of the Labor Code, which gave the labor secretary the power to regulate, restrict or prohibit contractual employment.

Joining the militant groups in their traditional Labor Day march were public school teachers from Ating Guro and the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition, who came dressed in pink.

“Most people, even some of our coteachers, do not regard themselves as part of the working class. But the factory worker and the lowly civil servant have a lot in common, despite the dif-

ference between private and public sectors or manual and mental labor. We do not own factories, machines and equipment. We work in exchange for our pay. We belong to the same class,” said Benjo Basas, Ating Guro nominee and a teacher from Caloocan.

But President Benigno Aquino III cited improvements made in the labor sector during his term on Labor Day. “We salute the Filipino workers who work for their families and dreams.

We observe Labor Day to thank them for offering their skills, honor and strength,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., during an interview over state-run radio station dzRB.

INC backs 10 Senate candidates

By Rio N. Araja

Jobseekers. New college graduates flock to SM Baliuag in Bulacan to find work during a job fair sponsored by the mall and the Department of Labor and Employment.

DANNY PATA

THE bloc-voting Iglesia ni Cristo religious group has chosen 10 candidates for the Senate that it will support in the May 9 elections.

According to well-placed sources in the church, the 10 are Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, ex-Technical Education Skills Development Authority secretary-general Joel Villanueva, former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, Senate President Franklin Drilon, reelectionist Senators Ralph Recto and Vicente Sotto III, and ex-sena-

tors Panfilo Lacson, Fancisco Pangilinan and Juan Miguel Zubiri.

“The support of INC is extended to them. However, we still have to wait for the official announcement,” a church source said.

But another source claimed the INC leadership could consider Senators Teofisto Guingona III and Serge Osmeña III, both seeking reelection; and Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian and Manila City Vice Mayor Isko Moreno for the remaining two slots.

As far as the presidential race is concerned, the source said the INC has not yet decided between presidential

aspirants Senator Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Also, the source said the INC prefers vice presidential bet Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. over the other candidates.

INC members are known to practice bloc voting and candidates in all posts routinely seek the INC leadership’s endorsement.

Romualdez welcomed the INC’s endorsement. “This is very good news. I will validate the information. My commitment is, I will not disappoint them and do everything to be worthy of the trust and confidence,” Romualdez said.

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24/7 govt call center sought

By Macon Araneta

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Romualdez wins over vote-rich Cavite clans

SENATOR President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on

By Rio N. Araja Sunday called on the mum of P46,200 and a minimum of a bigger share of the national budget govenment to create a uniP24,200 financial support annually as an act of malasakit for them to do POLITICAL clans of vote-rich Cavite are one in supfied 24-hour call center to each qualified household-benefi- more for their constituents. that will reply to queries on porting the senatorial bid of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand ciary.

“We must empower our LGUs oft-transacted documents “His malasakit to the poorest of the and their sanggunians. Every reMartin Romualdez for his genuine malasakit (comor most sought-after serpoor is very commendable. His proven gion, province, city or municipalpassion) to the plight of the poor, good governance and vices in government. and impressive track record need conti- ity has the potential for progress The administration that empowerment of local government units. nuity to the Senate,” he said. and development with the right will assume office on June Remulla is the elder brother of support from the national governCavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., influential One Cebu party whose 30 should consider “poolCavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla. ment and an equitable share in the ing the resources of the top vice president of the National Unity leaders vowed to deliver two million Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla, budget,” he said.

10 government agencies in Party, pledged to deliver substantial votes for him.

Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla and BaJoining Crispin Remulla in enHe reaped praise as author in the terms of clientele base” in votes for Romualdez whom he decoor City Mayor Strike Revilla have dorsing Romualdez were Mayors building “a common hot- scribed as “compassionate” leader House of the Persons With Disabilities also reaffirmed their commitment Renato Abutan of Rosario, Melwho can represent people’s interests measure exempting PWDs from the line service,” he said. payment of 12-percent value added tax to make Romualdez, whose key plat- andres De Sagun of Trece Mar“There should be a go- in the Senate. forms are focus at improving jobs, tires City, Jun Dualan of Naic, “His track record will show that he on certain goods and services. to number, a one-stop Cavite’s Jesus Crispin Remulla, health, education, agriculture and Totie Paredes of Cavite City, Ennational helpline,” said is more qualified than other candidisaster preparedness, a big winner rico Alvarez of Noveleta, Virgilio Recto, adding that the dates running for the Senate. He has who is running as governor unop- in Cavite.

Vargas of Alfonso, Rey Rillo of country maybe called the compassion for the common people posed, called on the public to vote for “The united stand of influential Maragondon, Omil Poblete of Siworld’s superpower in and we need a public servant like him Romualdez whose proven competence politicians in Cavite for Congress- lang, Eric Vida of Mendez, Edwin would help the country achieve incluthe business process out- in the Senate,” he said.

Barzaga is the husband of Mayor sive growth to the benefit of poorest of man Romualdez is not surprising Sisante of Magallanes, Herminio sourcing trade. anymore because he has a compas- Uno of Ternate, Benjo Villanueva “If a refrigerator maker Jenny Barzaga of Dasmariñas City, the poor.

He cited the latest proposal of sionate heart for the poor,” the fe- of Amadeo, Homer Saquilayan of has a 24-hour helpline, why which has 326,000 registered voters.

Imus, Gilbert Gandia of Kawit, Cavite has 1.84-million registered Romualdez, head of the House in- male lawmaker. can’t a government agency Romualdez, a lawyer and president Benny Dimero of Indang and Danwhich earns more money voters, next to Cebu in terms of the dependent bloc, to institutionalize, of the Philippine Constitution As- ny Bencito of General Aguinaldo as expand and reform the conditional from more clients not most number of voters by province.

Romualdez was also endorsed by cash transfer by extending a maxi- sociation, said LGUs should be given well as Cavite political leaders. maintain one?” Recto said.

Such a hotline or government call center will benefit users of public documents. ‘“If you’re an overseas contract worker, you need to have one number you can call, which will then route your calls to the responsible agency, instead of spending hours in traffic going to the offices of POEA, Owwa, Marina, NBI, Tesda, SSS and many more,” he said.

Recto said if a single hotline number is not feasible at the moment, then one of the first executive orders the next president must issue is the mandatory putting up of a round-the-clock hotline by agencies serving a large clientele base.

“One good candidate,” Recto said, is the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth). “If HMOs [Health Maintenance Organizations] can afford to maintain 24-hour call numbers, then PhilHealth certainly could,” he said.

The reelectionist senator said profitable pension agenEndorsed. Senatorial candidate and Leyte Rep. Martin ‘Mr. Malasakit’ Romualdez is flanked by TUCP Party-List Rep. Raymond Mendoza (right) and cies or government-run muTUCP secretary-general Arnel Tolendo during the Labor Day celebration of Trade Union Congress of the Philippines and Allied Labor Unions at Rajah tual funds, with their good Sulaiman Plaza in Malate, Manila. Romualdez, who is endorsed by the TUCP, vows to create more jobs and to stop contractualizations if elected to the bottomlines, should be able to Senate. VER NOVENO expand their hotline services.

To their credit, GSIS, PagIBIG and SSS have their own 24-hour hotlines, but the challenge, according to Recto, “is The Comelec chairman also assured have been filled in.

By Rey E. Requejo to designate more customer that the poll body is well-prepared for the May 9 He said the VCMs will be sealed and kept un care representatives and expolls, but could not certainly say that the election der guard until election day, should the machines THE Commission on Elections will conduct this pand capacity, because as process will go smoothly. week a final testing to ensure that the 92,509 vote work properly. they become more popular, “I can say that we are better prepared this time, In case any machine encounters problem, there counting machines are working before sealing more satisfied customers but we can’t say with certainty that everything are 5,000 VCMs on standby for replacement, Bauthe VCMs for use in the May 9 elections. will be using them.” tista said, adding that the spare VCMs have been will go smoothly. At ang pinakamalaking hamon Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said the Recto said agencies that final testing and sealing will be held from May 2 deployed in strategic places in Luzon, Visayas and na ating hinaharap ay yung pag-imprenta ng mga earn billions yearly from to 7. The machines have already been deployed to Mindanao, so that they can easily be transported resibo,” he said, in a radio interview. the documents they issue to precincts needing a machine replacement.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Comelec the assigned precincts, he added. should use part of their inBautista said a total of 92, 509 VCMs have been should activate the voter verified paper audit trail The Comelec chief explained that the process come in establishing 24/7 will involve testing the machines’ accuracy to leased for use on election day, apart from the or vote receipt printing feature of the VCMs in the helplines.

May 9 polls. count votes by having them read 10 ballots which 5,000 VCMs for replacement.

92,500 poll machines up for final test—Comelec

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

M O N D AY : M AY 2 , 2 0 1 6

A6

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Iglesia sets 4 Guinness records at aid event tHe iglesia ni Cristo entered the Guinness Book rosters again when it set four new world records during its historic “Aid to Humanity” under the theme “Fight Poverty” outreach and charity event in tondo on April 29, 2016. inC’s aid event, also known as Lingap sa Mamamayan, was able to give away 200,000 goodie bags, 17,526 pairs of shoes and 241,200 clean pieces of used clothing, all for free. the activity likewise successfully conducted the most number of medical risk assessments conducted during eight hours, setting a new mark of 4,784. the church’s new record for most ultrasound examinations for the same number of hours is 7,000. the Guinness representatives present during the event noted that it was the first time an organization was able to set that number of records in a single day. inC general auditor Glicerio B. santos Jr. expressed gratitude for the success of the activity, noting that “We’re of course very proud of the new world records, but more than those achievements, what’s truly important is the opportunity to serve our brethren in tondo, iglesia member or not.” santos vowed that the inC under the leadership of executive Minister eduardo V. Manalo would be conducting more outreach and evangelical activities year-round under the auspices of the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation. “it was actually also in tondo where the inC first broke three Guinness world records in a similar “Aid for Humanity” or “Lingap sa Mamamayan” event on July 7, 2012. inC was able to set new records for largest dental health check, the biggest number of blood pressure readings taken in eight hours and for the most numerous blood glucose level [BGL] tests, also conducted in eight hours,” santos noted.

With the four new records, the iglesia now has a total of 18 such feats listed in the Guinness tallies.

Jobseekers. New graduates flock to a shopping mall in Baliwag, Bulacan to look for jobs on Labor Day. DANNY PATA

Urban poor groups find Grace amazing Around 9,000 representatives of urban poor organizations from all over Metro Manila on Saturday gathered at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City where they expressed their strong support for the presidential bid of Senator Grace Poe. the Broad Urban Poor Coalition (BUPC) and senator Grace Poe signed a “Unity statement,” which outlined the policy proposals that basically upholds the right of the people to live in the city, adoption of the in-city housing policy and other proposals that will ensure delivery of a doable and decent shelter to the urban poor.

Blanda Martinez, chairperson of the BUPC, said “Sa lahat ng kumakandidato sa pagkapresidente, si Grace Poe lang ang nakinig sa hinaing namin at isinama niya ang mga panukala namin sa kanyang agenda [among the candidates for president, Grace Poe was the only one who listened to our proposal and she included our proposal in her agenda.]”

Poe happily welcomed the support of the 9,000 representatives of 109 urban poor organizations, where she vehemently stressed that the agen-

da of the coalition is definitely very much aligned to her platform when it comes to housing.

“Our tagline is Walang Maiiwan sa Gobyernong May Puso [no one is left behind in a government with heart]. the in-city housing policy is a clear manifestation of how we give importance to the right of the people to have an affordable and decent homes inside the city, where they are closer to their jobs and basic services of the government,” Poe told the urban poor representatives. “it is not fair that home ownership is only available to those in the higher income-levels. We should give adequate access for the people to achieve their dreams of having their own homes,” Poe added.

Martinez told the media: “We initiated this event because all of the rallies are mostly political. We wanted to have a rally and a platform where we can have a presidential candidate sit with us and gave here commitment on a legitimate and urgent issues such as the provision of decent shelter to the poor.” those who attended the event are members of the BUPC, which is composed of around 109 urban poor organizations of informal settlers from different parts of Metro Manila. the said coalition is advocating for the adoption of the in-city housing policy and institutionalization of the people’s plan—a process that includes the beneficiaries themselves in planning for housing programs.

Palace okays bonuses, pay hikes for CAAP workers

By Eric B. Apolonio President Benigno s. Aquino iii has heeded the May day call of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines by approving the bonuses and salary increases granted to the CAAP employees which had been disallowed by the Commission on Audit.

Apart from averting a brain drain at the agency, Aquino’s action also spared CAAP employees from having to return between P800,000 and P1 million in performance incentives and salary increases each of them received since October 2012.

CAAP director-general William K. Hotchkiss iii announced this development to the entire agency and was relayed by the 12 area managers during the flag raising ceremony.

Hotchkiss told the CAAP employees that he received a call from the President at 10:45 a.m. last

Friday. Hotchkiss quoted Aquino as telling him: ‘‘General, as the President of the Philippines, i don’t usually make ex-post facto [with retroactive effect] decisions.

However, i am making an exception in the case of CAAP. Please tell your men.” executive secretary Paquito n. Ochoa Jr. on Friday issued a memorandum to department of transportation and Communications secretary Joseph emilio A. Abaya and Cesar L. Villanueva, chairman of the Governance Commission on Governmentowned and controlled corporations approving the benefits granted to CAAP personnel.

Ochoa’s memorandum indicated the approval of the year-end financial assistance pay granted in 2010; performance enhancement allowance in 2012; recognition award in 2013; achievement bonus in 2014;

and new salary structure for technical positions, Oct. 1, 2012.”

On April 15, employees of the CAAP held a nationwide protest to dramatize their plight by unfurling black banners inscribed with the words—“Mayday! Mayday!”—a distress call for the President to step in and stop the impending brain drain at the agency. the CAAP has around 3,500 regular workers, most of whom are technical personnel involved in air traffic management, who were instrumental in resolving the triple whammy of civil aviation: the country’s inclusion in the international Civil Aviation Organization’s list of countries with significant safety concerns; the european Union’s ban on Philippine carriers; and Philippine civil aviation’s downgrade by the Federal Aviation Administration to a category 2 rating.

Ouch!

Eighty-nine grade school students at the Lingunan Elementary School get inoculated with Dengvaxia, the first vaccine in the world that can prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever, in Barangay Lingunan, Valenzuela City.

ANDREW RABULAN

M O N D AY : M AY 2 , 2 0 1 6

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

A7

School blasts prompt troop deployment SULTAN MASTURA, Maguindanao— Police and military personnel have been deployed in this town eight days before the national and local elections following a series of bomb attacks on seven public elementary schools to be used on election day.

Colonel Earl Badiao, commander of the Army’s 603rd Infantry Brigade, said a company size soldiers from the 37th Infantry Battalion backed by Provincial Public Safety Battalion have been deployed in Sultan Mastura’s 13 villages to ensure next Monday’s election would be peaceful and orderly.

Unidentified men fired rifle grenades, lobbed hand grenades and strafed school buildings in seven barangays of Sultan Mastura, a town not included in the Commission on Elections as hot spot areas.

“We are securing the villages. Our mandate is to ensure the areas are safe for voters to exercise their rights of suffrage,” Badiao told reporters.

At dawn on Wednesday, unidentified armed men fired rifle grenades toward six elementary schools in Sultan Mastura that the poll body will use as voting centers in next month’s national and local elections.

The seventh school subjected to grenade attack at about 10 p.m. was Tambo Elementary School in Barangay Tambo. The ceiling and concrete walls were destroyed.

Nobody was hurt in the attack, according to Senior Inspector Wendylyn Banico, chief of the Sultan Mastura municipal police.

Badiao said he has ordered the deployment of more troops as peacekeepers to ensure the election will push through.

Kurais Dali, Sultan Mastura election officer, said no declaration yet as to whether or not the town will be placed under Comelec control.

“Not all school buildings were bombed, there are still other schools that can be used on election day,” she said.

“We are calling for peace covenant signing,” she added. PNA

Group condemns dispersal, arrest of Isabela farmers

By Sandy Araneta KIlUSANg Magbubukid ng Pilipinas peasant human rights desk Tanggol Magsasaka on Sunday strongly condemned the violent dispersal and illegal arrest and detention of farmers in the village of Mambabanga, luna, Isabela.

The barricade of a hundred farmers asserting their right to land was dispersed on April 26 at past 5 in the afternoon.

More than 10 were injured and four were illegally arrested, according to reports from KMP local chapter Danggayan Cagayan valley.

Danggayan Dagiti Mannalon ti Isabela (DAgAMI-KMP) members Marlon Matusalem, Renato gameng, Rogelio gameng, and Dennis gameng were charged with malicious mischief and trespassing but were eventually released from detention.

The identified perpetrators are the private army of luna Mayor Manuel Tio and more than 20 police personnel led by luna police chief Sr. Insp. Mario Fajardo.

According to sworn statements of the farmer victims, not only were they attacked. Their money and personal effects were stolen by the goons and the police.

“We were manhandled, handcuffed and shoved to the ground as cops stomp at us,” Matusalem said.

“The outright fascism against farmers and the criminalization of our assertion to our right to land have been the systematic response of Aquino’s regime in his six-year reign,” said KMP secretarygeneral Antonio Flores.

The disputed land measures 10.7 hectares and is located in Barangay Mambabanga.

Clean, green, organized and ecofriendly.

Palarong Pambansa 2016 delegates use old rubber tires and empty plastic bottles as containers for plants.

M O N D AY : M AY 2 , 2 0 1 6

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDiTor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

a counTry aT The crossroaDs

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BacK channel aleJanDro Del rosario

Delusions of granDeur

BY the end of June, President Benigno Aquino III will become irrelevant. What he says afterward will matter very little, and people will no longer feel obliged to listen to him once he leaves office. The fawning that he may have grown accustomed to in the last six years will be directed instead at his successor. Whoever that turns out to be could also determine whether Mr. Aquino will be finally held accountable for his considerable sins while he was in office, as he loses his presidential immunity from suit. Life after retirement may not be as simple as Mr. Aquino hopes.

Given these rather unpleasant prospects, Mr. Aquino must have felt compelled to indulge himself in one more round of fulsome self congratulation.

Mr. Aquino, however, may have overstated matters when he described himself as the best president in Philippine history last week.

At a campaign stop in Cebu, the President said none of his predecessors—or even all the presidential candidates except for his chosen successor—could beat his administration in terms of solid achievements. he said the country’s 6.2-percent annual average economic growth under his watch was last seen during the 1970s—then quickly cast doubt on those figures, presumably because they were achieved under martial law.

But statistics can be tricky. Under the last six years of Mr. Aquino’s predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Philippines managed to post an average annual growth of 5.3 percent, despite a global recession that the International Monetary Fund described as the worst general economic decline suffered by world markets since World War II. Mr. Aquino faced no similar challenge during his term. In fact, it is perfectly reasonable to assume that growth should have been even sharper had Mr. Aquino not held back billions of pesos in infrastructure spending because he was worried the money would be stolen.

Six years later, this paranoid approach to governance has taken its toll on an economy that is unable even to keep city trains running safely and on time. Small wonder that not one of Mr. Aquino’s flagship infrastructure projects has been completed in the last six years.

None of this, however, even touches on the damage that Mr. Aquino has done to the country’s democratic institutions.

The death of former chief justice of the Supreme Court Renato Corona last week was a tragic reminder of Mr. Aquino’s corruption of state institutions, including Congress and the justice system.

It was Mr. Aquino, after all, who used billions of pesos in public funds to “convince” lawmakers to impeach, then convict Corona, whose true crime was to oppose Mr. Aquino’s wishes.

When it was convenient to do so, Mr. Aquino and his attack dogs have been all too willing to break the law to go after his political enemies.

The recent leaks of financial data of Mr. Aquino’s critics are just the latest example of state institutions— in this case, the Anti-Money Laundering Council—being used as a tool of political assassination, in violation of their own mandates. We have seen this pattern, too, at the Justice department, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and even the Office of the Ombudsman, which is supposed to be an independent constitutional agency.

Was Mr. Aquino really the best president the country ever had? Certainly—but only in his own mind.

A revolutionAry government—seriously?

Pensées fr. ranhilio callangan aquino Can a candidate for the office of president legally vow a revolutionary government? I want to be clear that the framework within which I argue is the Constitution. It is a different matter, of course, if we think

that things are so broken down that we can allow for a presidential candidate who promises a complete overhaul that includes shoving the Constitution aside. That all sounds very well, very radical, and for those just sick in the stomach with endemic corruption that the system itself spawns, and the ineptitude that makes bureaucracy a bad word, that comes across

as very promising—and exciting—indeed. But no sooner does one pick up the radical antiphon than one remembers that the Constitution includes article III—and all the rights that almost each day we invoke to our favor!

There is a legitimate way of championing a revolutionary government: One can pledge one’s besteffort at mustering sufficient

A9

Democracy in the Philippines has not really failed. it has not yet been tried.

legislative support to cause an amendment to the Constitution so that all governmental authority is reposed in a philosopherking, or a clown, or a bully, whatever our fancy might be! aside from the obvious implausibility of being able to win to many

congressmen and senators to a form of government that would make the legislature superf luous, no matter that we may insist on calling ourselves a “people’s democracy”—as many of the most repressive regimes in the world call themselves —we shall have

abandoned the ways of democracy and republicanism. Popularly accepted, perhaps, but definitely not a democracy, unless we are willing to qualify our terms to such an extent that they no longer mean anything!

Otherwise, it is my thesis that a presidential candidate cannot lawfully promise a revolutionary government. The Constitution requires the winning candidate,

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-

upon entry into the discharge of his office, to take an oath, the foremost clause of which is “to uphold and to defend the Constitution.” How can one vow to install a revolutionary government in power—in defiance of the Constitution—nd at the same time aspire for an office that requires that one promise to defend the Constitution?

It is more than just a matter of being stubborn about a document! It

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

is under the aegis of the Constitution that one seeks office; it is likewise by authority of the Constitution that the office after which one aspires exists. It is in accordance with the Constitution that one qualifies for, is elected to and assumes the presidency. One cannot, either as a matter of law or of decency, stand on a platform that promises the undoing of the very structure by which one gains election.

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

ExaCTly a week from now, 54 million registered Filipino voters will troop to the polls to decide who they want to lead the country in the next six years. This is a crucial time in this country of 100 million. This is a country at the crossroads. Voters on May 9 can either take the high road to improve the lives of the rest of the populace or continue on to the straight path to the abyss where President Benigno aquino III has taken them to the edge of the cliff in the last six years.

This is the baggage of aquino’s anointed presidential candidate Mar Roxas. Mar wants to continue taking this country on the road to ruin. The former senator, Trade secretary, and Interior and local Government secretary is actually the most qualified of the pack seeking the presidency. But he is carrying the baggage of being identified with noynoy aquino and that is quite a burden given the President’s dismal six-year track record.

With no clear winner yet despite what the conscripted poll surveys claim, this year’s elections can really be called a cliffhanger. a lot can happen in one week. Poll survey leader, the ebullient Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, can make political history by being the first local official to be elected president.

Or he can self-destruct with more of his own outrageous and outlandish comments.

San Juan City Mayor Joseph Estrada did not go direct to the presidency.

He established his credentials by being elected senator and then vice president before winning the presidency by a landslide in 1998.

His term was short-lived though as he was toppled by a people’s uprising in 2001 on allegations of plunder.

Senator Grace Poe, an outsider who came into the picture after renouncing her american citizenship, could still pull an upset to become the country’s third woman president after Cory aquino and Gloria Macapagal arroyo. Poe and liberal Party vice presidential hopeful leni 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

M O N D AY : M AY 2 , 2 0 1 6

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDiTor

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

a counTry aT The crossroaDs

[ EDI TORI A L ]

BacK channel aleJanDro Del rosario

Delusions of granDeur

BY the end of June, President Benigno Aquino III will become irrelevant. What he says afterward will matter very little, and people will no longer feel obliged to listen to him once he leaves office. The fawning that he may have grown accustomed to in the last six years will be directed instead at his successor. Whoever that turns out to be could also determine whether Mr. Aquino will be finally held accountable for his considerable sins while he was in office, as he loses his presidential immunity from suit. Life after retirement may not be as simple as Mr. Aquino hopes.

Given these rather unpleasant prospects, Mr. Aquino must have felt compelled to indulge himself in one more round of fulsome self congratulation.

Mr. Aquino, however, may have overstated matters when he described himself as the best president in Philippine history last week.

At a campaign stop in Cebu, the President said none of his predecessors—or even all the presidential candidates except for his chosen successor—could beat his administration in terms of solid achievements. he said the country’s 6.2-percent annual average economic growth under his watch was last seen during the 1970s—then quickly cast doubt on those figures, presumably because they were achieved under martial law.

But statistics can be tricky. Under the last six years of Mr. Aquino’s predecessor, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Philippines managed to post an average annual growth of 5.3 percent, despite a global recession that the International Monetary Fund described as the worst general economic decline suffered by world markets since World War II. Mr. Aquino faced no similar challenge during his term. In fact, it is perfectly reasonable to assume that growth should have been even sharper had Mr. Aquino not held back billions of pesos in infrastructure spending because he was worried the money would be stolen.

Six years later, this paranoid approach to governance has taken its toll on an economy that is unable even to keep city trains running safely and on time. Small wonder that not one of Mr. Aquino’s flagship infrastructure projects has been completed in the last six years.

None of this, however, even touches on the damage that Mr. Aquino has done to the country’s democratic institutions.

The death of former chief justice of the Supreme Court Renato Corona last week was a tragic reminder of Mr. Aquino’s corruption of state institutions, including Congress and the justice system.

It was Mr. Aquino, after all, who used billions of pesos in public funds to “convince” lawmakers to impeach, then convict Corona, whose true crime was to oppose Mr. Aquino’s wishes.

When it was convenient to do so, Mr. Aquino and his attack dogs have been all too willing to break the law to go after his political enemies.

The recent leaks of financial data of Mr. Aquino’s critics are just the latest example of state institutions— in this case, the Anti-Money Laundering Council—being used as a tool of political assassination, in violation of their own mandates. We have seen this pattern, too, at the Justice department, the Bureau of Internal Revenue and even the Office of the Ombudsman, which is supposed to be an independent constitutional agency.

Was Mr. Aquino really the best president the country ever had? Certainly—but only in his own mind.

A revolutionAry government—seriously?

Pensées fr. ranhilio callangan aquino Can a candidate for the office of president legally vow a revolutionary government? I want to be clear that the framework within which I argue is the Constitution. It is a different matter, of course, if we think

that things are so broken down that we can allow for a presidential candidate who promises a complete overhaul that includes shoving the Constitution aside. That all sounds very well, very radical, and for those just sick in the stomach with endemic corruption that the system itself spawns, and the ineptitude that makes bureaucracy a bad word, that comes across

as very promising—and exciting—indeed. But no sooner does one pick up the radical antiphon than one remembers that the Constitution includes article III—and all the rights that almost each day we invoke to our favor!

There is a legitimate way of championing a revolutionary government: One can pledge one’s besteffort at mustering sufficient

A9

Democracy in the Philippines has not really failed. it has not yet been tried.

legislative support to cause an amendment to the Constitution so that all governmental authority is reposed in a philosopherking, or a clown, or a bully, whatever our fancy might be! aside from the obvious implausibility of being able to win to many

congressmen and senators to a form of government that would make the legislature superf luous, no matter that we may insist on calling ourselves a “people’s democracy”—as many of the most repressive regimes in the world call themselves —we shall have

abandoned the ways of democracy and republicanism. Popularly accepted, perhaps, but definitely not a democracy, unless we are willing to qualify our terms to such an extent that they no longer mean anything!

Otherwise, it is my thesis that a presidential candidate cannot lawfully promise a revolutionary government. The Constitution requires the winning candidate,

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-

upon entry into the discharge of his office, to take an oath, the foremost clause of which is “to uphold and to defend the Constitution.” How can one vow to install a revolutionary government in power—in defiance of the Constitution—nd at the same time aspire for an office that requires that one promise to defend the Constitution?

It is more than just a matter of being stubborn about a document! It

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

is under the aegis of the Constitution that one seeks office; it is likewise by authority of the Constitution that the office after which one aspires exists. It is in accordance with the Constitution that one qualifies for, is elected to and assumes the presidency. One cannot, either as a matter of law or of decency, stand on a platform that promises the undoing of the very structure by which one gains election.

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

ExaCTly a week from now, 54 million registered Filipino voters will troop to the polls to decide who they want to lead the country in the next six years. This is a crucial time in this country of 100 million. This is a country at the crossroads. Voters on May 9 can either take the high road to improve the lives of the rest of the populace or continue on to the straight path to the abyss where President Benigno aquino III has taken them to the edge of the cliff in the last six years.

This is the baggage of aquino’s anointed presidential candidate Mar Roxas. Mar wants to continue taking this country on the road to ruin. The former senator, Trade secretary, and Interior and local Government secretary is actually the most qualified of the pack seeking the presidency. But he is carrying the baggage of being identified with noynoy aquino and that is quite a burden given the President’s dismal six-year track record.

With no clear winner yet despite what the conscripted poll surveys claim, this year’s elections can really be called a cliffhanger. a lot can happen in one week. Poll survey leader, the ebullient Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, can make political history by being the first local official to be elected president.

Or he can self-destruct with more of his own outrageous and outlandish comments.

San Juan City Mayor Joseph Estrada did not go direct to the presidency.

He established his credentials by being elected senator and then vice president before winning the presidency by a landslide in 1998.

His term was short-lived though as he was toppled by a people’s uprising in 2001 on allegations of plunder.

Senator Grace Poe, an outsider who came into the picture after renouncing her american citizenship, could still pull an upset to become the country’s third woman president after Cory aquino and Gloria Macapagal arroyo. Poe and liberal Party vice presidential hopeful leni 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 A higher good In seven days plumbline the waiting will be over for tens pastor of thousands of apollo applicants jostling quiboloy for about 18, 000 casual jobs in government.

But none will be heaving a huge sigh of relief more than el niño victims, who hope that the embargo on aid will be lifted once the voting is over.

This climatic anomaly was worsened by an aber rat ion of the political k i n d . it is like asking charity You see, to go on forced leave among the proh ibited because the brass a c t s bands of candidates is during the marching in. campaign period is the giving of aid to calamity victims.

It boggles the mind on why providing succor to the down and out must be booked as an election offense.

It is tantamount to penalizing acts of compassion for the flimsy reason that it could sway voters’ choices at a time when candidates are hustling for votes. Applied to el niño, it is akin to stopping the flow of water but allowing only hot air to blow out from those who step on rally stages.

It is like asking charity to go on forced leave because the brass bands of candidates is marching in.

Traditionally, campaign rules generally frown upon retail spending by any government agency for fear that even charitable acts can be leveraged into votes by those who perform them.

While it is true that many clever politicians in the past have invoked minor calamities in dipping into the public till, and later masqueraded votebuying as altruism, the obvious ravages of el niño argue that the prohibition must be sidelined.

Our election officials should have acted quickly on requests by local officials that they be permitted to use funds for el niño relief. Better yet, issue a national directive lifting the embargo but providing guidance so as to prevent public funds from being used for electioneering.

If government must err, then it rather be on the side of compassion.

Let elections be the collateral damage of a relaxed rule than victims be punished by a stringent regulation which make them victims twice over—first by a natural calamity, and then by a man-made rule.

The case of rules paralyzing aid was evident in the case of Cebu where the provincial government was ready to roll our assistance to farmers but was stopped by the existing election ban on such kind of activity.

Following established rules, the provincial government first placed the province under a state of calamity due to el niño, a declaration which in ordinary times would have been enough to trigger the release of aid.

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

here’s your degree. Now go defeAt demAgogues.

By michael r. Bloomberg The following is an adaptation of an address to the University of Michigan’s class of 2016.

The most useful knowledge that you leave here with today has nothing to do with your major. It’s about how to study, cooperate, listen carefully, think critically and resolve conflicts through reason. Those are the most important skills in the working world, and it’s why colleges have always exposed students to challenging and uncomfortable ideas.

The fact that some university boards and administrations now bow to pressure and shield students from these ideas through “safe spaces,” “code words” and “trigger warnings” is, in my view, a terrible mistake.

The whole purpose of college is to learn how to deal with difficult situations—not run away from them. A microaggression is exactly that: micro. And one of the most dangerous places on a college campus is a safe space, because it creates the false impression that we can insulate ourselves from those who hold different views.

We can’t do this, and we shouldn’t try—not in politics or in the workplace. In the global economy, and in a democratic society, an open mind is the most valuable asset you can possess.

Think about the global economy. For the first time in human history, the majority of people in the developed world are being asked to make a living with their minds, rather than their muscles. For 3,000 years, humankind had an economy based on farming: Till the soil, plant the seed, harvest the crop. It was hard to do, but fairly easy to learn. Then, for 300 years, we had an economy based on industry: Mold the parts, turn the crank, assemble the product. This was hard to do, but also fairly easy to learn. now, we have an economy based on information: Acquire the knowledge, apply the analytics and use your creativity. This is hard to do and hard to learn, and even once you’ve But without the explicit approval of the Commission on elections, any form of assistance is a no-go.

The green light must come from Manila, and ignoring it constitutes an election offense, punishable with one to six years imprisonment and a lifetime ban from holding public office, among others.

The Comelec has already prescribed an alternative—that aid be routed through the Red Cross and the DsWD. But the problem is DsWD’s organization stops at the regional level, from thereon all social welfare offices are local government instrumentalities.

The idea of tapping the Red Cross is also good but it would be the first to lecture anyone who cares to listen that it needs all hands on board in making sure aid reaches victims fast.

If this happened in Cebu, I wonder if the same restrictions were confronted by other LGUs as well, or for that matter by national agencies whose work, not only in the field of disaster relief, but in construction, to cite one example, was hindered by the temporary freeze on these activities.

mastered it, you have to start learning all over again, pretty much every day.

Keeping an open mind to new ideas is essential to your professional success—just as it’s crucial to our collective future as a democratic society.

We are witnessing a disturbing change in the nature of American politics: a rise in extreme partisanship and intolerance for other views.

I’m a political independent, but over the course of my life, for nonideological reasons, I’ve been a Republican and a Democrat. so I can tell you: neither party has a monopoly on good ideas, and each demonizes the other unfairly and dishonestly.

This is not a new phenomenon, but it has reached a dangerous new level. George Washington warned against the dangers of parties, but we have survived more than 200 years of political parties largely because the Founding Fathers created checks and balances to temper the fires of partisanship. Of course, they also excluded most Americans from their vision of democracy because they feared what democracy might produce. But over the past two centuries, through the sacrifices of so many civil rights leaders and soldiers, the promise of equal rights has spread across income, religion, race, gender and sexual orientation.

We still have a long way to go, and it would be a mistake to think that our progress is irreversible. Democracy and citizenship will always require constant vigilance against those who fan the flames of partisanship in ways that consume us and lead to, in Washington’s words, “the ruins of public liberty.”

We have certainly seen such figures before, in both parties. In the 1930s, there was the despotic huey Long in Louisiana and Father Coughlin in Michigan, who blamed “Jewish conspirators” for America’s troubles. Then came Charles Lindbergh in the ’40s, Joe McCarthy in the ’50s, George Wallace in the ’60s and Pat Buchanan in the ’90s. every generation has had to confront its own demagogues. And every generation has stood up and kept them away from the White Continued on A11 house. At least so far.

I think, after the dust of the current elections has settled, we should revisit our election rules and examine how they affect government activities during the election season.

From where I stand, I see no compelling reason as to why bulldozers in road construction projects should retreat when candidates’ motorcades begin crisscrossing the country.

When the infrastructure schedule is prohibited from overlapping with the election calendar, then that is progress interrupted.

When aid is blocked for fear that it could seduce voters, then humanitarian considerations should trump misplaced fears that no-strings-attached aid could corrupt voters.

There is a clear disjoint in policy when candidates are allowed to blare almost P1million per 30-second ads on Tv non-stop while government agencies are not allowed to give five kilos of rice to drought victims.

When we modernize elections, it is not just installing voting machines. We also have to rid the rulebook of outdated regulations.

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

hERE’s YOUR dEgREE... From A10 In this year’s presidential election, we’ve seen more demagoguery from both parties than I can remember in my lifetime. Our country is facing serious and difficult challenges. But rather than offering realistic solutions, candidates in both parties are blaming our problems on easy targets who breed resentment. For Republicans, it’s Mexicans here illegally and Muslims. And for Democrats, it’s the wealthy and Wall Street. The truth is: We cannot solve the problems we face by blaming anyone.

So why has it become so hard to find leaders who will lead from the front, rather than following from behind?

Here’s one reason, based on my experience: Today, elected officials who decide to support a controversial policy don’t just get angry letters, phone calls and faxes. They also get millions of angry tweets and Facebook posts denouncing them in the harshest possible terms. This is democracy in action. But this kind of instant condemnation also makes elected officials afraid to do things that, in their heart of hearts, they know are right.

Democracy in action can actually produce a lot of inaction, which we see every day in Washington and other levels of government, too.

When governments fail to address the needs of

the people, voters in both parties get angry and some politicians exploit that anger by offering scapegoats instead of solutions.

If we want to stop demagogues, we have to start governing again, and that requires us to be more civil, to support politicians who have the courage to take risks, and to reward those who reach across the aisle in search of compromise.

Doing this won’t be easy, and that’s partly because it’s not just social media that has changed the civic dialogue. The constant bombardment of news that we see on our phones, computers and TVs gives us the impression we are acquiring knowledge.

Yet many of the sources, facts and interpretations are either dubious or colored by partisanship, or outright lies.

I say that as the owner of a media company who has seen how the marketplace has shifted. Today, people choose cable TV channels and websites that affirm their own political beliefs rather than ones that inform and challenge their beliefs. As a result, we have grown more politically cloistered and more intolerant of those who hold different opinions.

Think about this: In 1960, only 4 to 5 percent of Democrats and Republicans said they would be upset if a member of their family married someone from the opposing party. In 2010, one in three Democrats and one in two Republicans

A REVOLUTIONARY... From A9

A COUNTRY... From A9

But it is not too difficult to understand why Filipinos are drawn to one who makes such radical—perhaps more accurately, reckless —promises. In their estimation of things, democracy has failed them—the Philippines’ own shattered version of democracy perhaps, but what goes by the title of “democracy” nonetheless. Then, probably, G,K. Chesterton’s retort to those who complain about the failure of Christianity may be aptly appropriated: Democracy in the Philippines has not really failed. It has not yet been tried.

As for Joma Sison promising to return, whoever gave him the notion that there is a national clamor for that? Just one more delusional character in a national scene already sufficiently populated by loonies and cuckoos!

Robredo could set a precedent if they both win. They will be the world’s first woman president and vice president. Robredo, Camarines Sur representative, is fast gaining on VP leader Senator Bongbong Marcos and Senator Francis Escudero.

There is another interesting angle if Bongbong Marcos wins as vice president and Grace Poe makes it as president. If the rumors are true that they are half-siblings, Poe and Marcos would be the first such brothersister act to occupy a country’s No.1 and 2 positions.

Simmering South China Sea Beijing, in a pointed remark at Washington, said the United States had no right to comment and get involved in the South

rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

#failocracy

said they would disapprove of such a marriage.

In 1960, most people would never have believed that interparty marriage would attract such resistance, while interracial and same-sex marriage would gain such acceptance.

For all the progress we have made on cultural tolerance, when it comes to political tolerance, we are moving in the wrong direction—at campaign rallies that turn violent, on social media threads that turn vitriolic, and on college campuses, where students and faculty have attempted to censor political opponents.

As durable as the American system of government has been, democracy is fragile—and demagogues are always lurking. Stopping them starts with placing a premium on open minds, voting, and demanding that politicians offer practical solutions, not scapegoats or pie-in-thesky promises.

In 1928, Republicans promised a “chicken in every pot and a car in every backyard.” They won control of Congress and the White House, and a year later, instead of a chicken and a car, we got the Great Depression.

Today, when a populist candidate promises free college, free health care and a pony, or another candidate promises to make other countries pay for our needs, remember: Those who promise you a free lunch will invariably eat you for breakfast.

Bloomberg

China Sea territorial dispute because the US had not signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. China’s statement was supported by its historical ally Russia.

A US State Department statement, on the other hand, found Beijing’s comment strange since China is a signatory to UNCLOS but is violating its provisions on the 200-mile maritime exclusive economic zone that UNCLOS mandated for countries with coastal lines.

The US also criticized China for refusing to accept the authority of the international arbitration court in The Hague, where the Philippines filed a case contesting China’s sweeping claim to nearly the entire South China Sea. Against this backdrop of

word war between Beijing and Washington, the US raised the bar in its challenge to China with surveillance flights near Scarborough Shoal (Panatag Shoal) occupied by the Chinese since 2012. The US said its planes were on a mission to protect freedom of navigation and overflights in international air space. The American aircraft were used during the recent “Balikatan” war exercises between US and Philippine troops.

OUT Of ThE bOx RITA LINdA V. jImENO Atty. Jimeno’s column will resume soon.

chong ardivilla

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Mayweather hints at chance of ring return WASHINGTON—Floyd Mayweather teasingly hinted Saturday that he might be tempted to return to the ring, but said only a “nine-figure” payday could lure him out of retirement.

The 39 year-old Mayweather, who walked away from boxing eight months ago with a perfect 49-0 record, was on hand as a promoter of Badou Jack’s majority draw with Lucian Bute in a super middleweight world title fight at the DC Armory in Washington.

He told Showtime television interviewer Jim Gray that he’d had talks with CBS and Showtime, and while he said he’s happy in retirement he also didn’t entirely close the door on a return to the ring.

Would that be for the money or a chance to take his record to a round 50-0, Gray asked.

“Both,” Mayweather said.

“Yes, I’m happy to be where I’m at,” Mayweather said. “Everyone is asking, asking me, ‘Is Floyd Mayweather coming back?’ Right now, I’m happy on this side, but I’ve been talking with CBS and Showtime and you just never know. But for now, I’m happy on this side.

“If I came back, of course, it would have to be a nine-figure payday and probably a championship fight and a nine-figure payday,” he said.

Gray didn’t ask about a possible rematch with Manny Pacquiao, whom Mayweather beat last year in the most lucrative bout in boxing history.

He walked away after out-pointing Andre Berto in September, and until Saturday had given no indication that he might change his mind.

Pacquiao won the fight billed as his farewell, beating Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas earlier this month before turning his attention to his race to gain a seat in the Philippines Senate.

“I’m now a full-time politician,” Pacquiao said this week. AFP

Spurs overwhelm Thunder in opener

Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of Western Conference Semifinals of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. AFP

Pirates crush Tyrants in flag football finals TEAM Pirates made mincemeat out of the De La Salle University Tyrants in the finals, 36-6, to crown themselves champions of Philippine Flag Football League’s Flag Day Five A side tournament recently at the Claret School Football Field.

Bannered by four members of the national flag football team, the Pirates immediately pounced on their foes when Cole Piscano reached the end zone where Justin

Gunnacao converted a two-point After Try (PAT) and established an 8-0 start.

The lead ballooned to 16-0 when Mon Borromeo and Anton Quintos both scored from 10 yards of this event supported by the Busan Universal Rail Inc. For a while, the Tyrants showed signs of life when they trimmed the lead to 18-6 through the efforts of Stephen Kyle Cinco, only

to drop behind further when the Pirates unleashed a 22-0 run.

“We never expected the wide margin, but we are thankful for the opportunity to play in pocket tournaments like these. These events give us the chance to play which we don’t usually get,” said Gunnacao.

For his part Philippine Flag Football League president Paul Le is hopeful that their consistent staging of the tournament will

lead to the momentous growth of the sport.

“This is not height specific, physique and even a gender-centered sport. Bagay sa atin kasi mabibilis, maliliksi at madiskarte ang mga Pinoy,” said Le. Eight collegiate teams and two commercial squads joined the tournament that aims to eventually make the sport a fixture in the UAAP and the NCAA.

Stuard leads rain-ravaged Zurich Classic with a 68 LOS ANGELES—Brian Stuard and the other leaders never hit a third-round shot on Saturday as Zurich Classic of New Orleans was halted by thunderstorms, raising the chance of a Monday finish for the event.

Stuard, seeking his first professional victory, finished off a four-under-par 68 in round two on Saturday morning, making four birdies while closing on the front nine to take a onestroke lead over Jamie Lovemark and Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas.

Lovemark carded a 66 and Vegas a 69 -- both wrapping up their second rounds on Friday, when there was no weather delay but darkness stopped play in a tournament still trying to catch up from a delay on Thursday.

Stuard, who had a 36-hole total of 12-under par 132, said it was too soon to start thinking about a victory.

“We have a long way to go. I’m just kind of focusing on the next shot, and we’ll see what happens,” added the American, who is playing in his 101st PGA Tour tournament with his best results second-place finishes in the 2010 and 2014 OHL Classic at Mayakoba. AFP

Brian Stuard walks off the 9th green after finishing the continuation of the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, Louisiana. AFP

LOS ANGELES—LaMarcus Aldridge scored a seasonhigh 38 points in just three quarters on Saturday as the San Antonio Spurs stormed to a 124-92 victory over Oklahoma City in game one of their NBA playoffs second-round series.

The Spurs built a 23-point lead in the first quarter -when they connected on 81.8 percent of their shots -- and the rout was on in game one of the Western Conference semi-finals in San Antonio.

Kawhi Leonard added 25 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Spurs, who never trailed and led by as many as 43.

With the luxury of resting their starters in the fourth quarter, San Antonio will try to build on their hot start when they host game two of the best of seven series on Monday.

Aldridge connected on 18 of 23 shots from the field and Leonard hit 10 of his 13 as the Spurs put on a shooting clinic.

Danny Green added 18 points for San Antonio and point guard Tony Parker handed out 12 assists -eight of them in the first half.

All 13 San Antonio players who took the floor scored.

“It was one of those where we had a great night and (Oklahoma City) had one of their bad nights,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

“The ball went in the basket a lot -- not trying to be flip, but that’s what happened.”

Serge Ibaka led the Thunder with 19 points. Kevin Durant scored 16 and Russell Westbrook added 14 points and nine assists for Oklahoma City.

But Ibaka, Durant and Westbrook were a combined 19 of 49 from the floor, the three combining to make one more shot Aldridge made by himself.

“Shots were falling for me and my teammates were looking for me,” Aldridge said. “I just tried to stay confident the whole game.

I ended up making some plays that I probably won’t make the next game, but it was enough for me tonight.

We try to start with defense and rebounding and go from there.”

With the dominant win the Spurs picked up where they left off after sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in four games in the first round.

They led 73-40 at halftime -- their highest scoring first half of the season. AFP

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

BEST Center gives back to community THE Basketball Efficiency & Scientific Training Center, the Philippines’ premier basketball clinic, gave underprivileged kids the chance to enhance their basketball skills during a free two-day workshop held at Barangay Milagrosa, Project 4, Quezon City. The event was held as part of BEST Center’s community development program through sports.

Participants were taught the basics of playing basketball in a scientific way, such as handling, dribbling, shooting, and passing. After the workshop, they were encouraged to continually practice these techniques to improve their game.

“BEST Center has always been an advocate of sports development especially in the grassroots level. It is our hope that by reaching out to the Filipino children through our clinics, we can inspire more kids to get into sports and lead an active healthy lifestyle,” said BEST Center founder Coach Nic Jorge.

The BEST Center clinics teaches kids the fundamentals of basketball and helps them develop good character and values such as discipline, sportsmanship and camaraderie through their interaction with coaches, instructors, classmates, and peers. Founded in 1978, BEST Center is an award-winning basketball clinic inducted in the Philippine Sportswriter Association Hall of Fame in 2007 for pioneering scientific approach of basketball training in the country.

Since its establishment, BEST Center has produced a string of top national cagers, including Chris Tiu and Keifer Ravena.

The clinic has also expanded to offer volleyball training for girls. For more information on BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, visit its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BEST-CenterSports-Inc-66172039922 or call telephone nos. 411-6260 and 372-3066 or telefax 372-3065. You may also inquire via email at bestcenter@gmail.com.

Participants of the BEST Center are taught the basics of playing basketball in a scientific way, such as handling, dribbling, shooting, and passing.

ICTSI golf lures elite cast ANGELO Que and Miguel Tabuena take a break from their hectic foreign stints to banner another strong international cast – and at the same renew their rivalry in the P3.5 million ICTSI Manila Masters unfolding Wednesday at the Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal.

Que banked on a solid third round charge to seize control then hit a clutch birdie in the final round to edge Tabuena and Ferdie Aunzo by two here last year, claiming not only the first of his two titles but also avenging his earlier setback to Tabuena at Splendido.

But they will only be two of the huge 103-player field, in-

cluding Koreans, Americans, Japanese, Australians and a Dutch, vying in the 72-hole championship, all primed up for the top P650,000 purse in the fifth leg of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Tabuena actually opened the season with a victory at

Anvaya last February, dethroning Que while former threetime PGT Order of Merit winner Tony Lascuna ruled the second leg at Luisita with Que finishing joint 10th and third in the first two legs of this year’s circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. But with a strong finish at The Crowns in the Japan PGA Tour yesterday, Que is expected to come into this week’s event brimming with confidence not to mention enjoying the momentum needed in this highly competitive event.

Six other players in the current OOM ranking are also in the fold, including No. 3 Clyde Mondilla, Luisita leg runner-up and No. 4

Park Jun Hyeok of Korea, Guido Van der Valk of the Netherlands, Jay Bayron, rookie pro Justin Quiban and Charles Hong.

Jobim Carlos, the other rookie pro, is also expected to figure in the title hunt after the former national team standout shot a 64 in the final round of the Asian Development Tour ICTSI Sherwood Hills Classic last month.

Meanwhile, the leading pros test the mountain-top course in tomorrow’s traditional pro-am where they will be paired with the guests and officials of the event’s chief backers, including Custom Clubmakers, adidas, KZG, Summit Mineral Water, Srixon, Pacsports, TaylorMade, Sharp and Champion.

Abarquez, Pague rule Cebuana tennis in Bais City ELIZABETH Abarquez from Carcar City, Cebu and Jose Maria Pague, a native of Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay, dominated their respective age groups at the recent Bais City leg of the nation-wide Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Championship Series, now on its 10th year as a developer of grassroots tennis in the country.

Abarquez came up with similar come-from-behind three-set victories in the finals of the girls’ 16-under and 18-under.

She beat veteran Mary Aubrey Calma of CDO, 4-6 , 6-4, 10-8, for the 16-under crown and followed it up with a 5-7, 7-5, 11-9 win over local bet Angela Cabaral in the 18-under finale of the tournament

supported by DunlopSports as official ball.

A regular campaigner and winner in the series, Pague had an easy triumph over another perennial winner Marc Nicole Suson from Cebu City as the latter retired in the second set.

Pague took the first set, 6-2, while the second set was tied at 4-4

when Suson retired, giving him the 16-under title on a silver platter.

Another Cebu bet, Francisco Hidalgo also fell to Pague in the 18-under finals as Pague posted a 6-1, 3-6, 10-7 win.

“There is no question that a major factor in the development of young tennis players is constant exposure in organized competitions

played at a competitive level. This is the way they develop the necessary skills and attitude to become winners. Cebuana Lhuillier will continue providing these young athletes this opportunity, “ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier and current Philippine Tennis Association Chairman, who initiated the program 10 years ago.

National University tops Toby’s junior volleyball

Mythical team members of the 17-under Girls’ Division of the 10th Toby’s Junior’s Volleyball League are shown with Toby’s President Toby Claudio (left) and Wilson Philippines President Rod Claudio (right). With them are NU’s Jimi Jean Jamili, Roma Mae Doromal, Camille Lamina, Kamille Cal and Thea Gagate, Akeyla Delos Reyes of FEU and Alyanna Ong of Chiang Kai Shek.

NATIONAL University displayed its fiery form in the boys’ and girls’ 17-under divisions to take home the two titles in the Toby’s Sports Junior’s Volleyball League Season 10 recently at the Toby’s Sports Arena in Pasig City.

The NU boys’ 17-under team rallied past Far Eastern University-Diliman, 15-25, 25-22, 25-23, in the championship round to bag the title, while its girls’ 17-and-under team blasted FEU-Diliman, 25-16, 2522, for the girls’ crown.

Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite settled for the boys’ 17-under sec-

ond runner-up trophy, while Chiang Kai Shek College settle for third place in the girls’ 17-under.

Meanwhile, Collegio San Agustin-Binan City won the girls’ 13-under title by crushing Assumption Antipolo B, 25-23, 25-14.

De La Salle Integrated School copped the second runner-up honor of the category.

Mac Arvin Bandola of NU was named the boys’ 17-and-under Most Valuable Player.

Other awardees were Eryn De Lima of Lyceum (Best Libero), Sean Padon of FEU (Best Setter), Madz Abdul-

muin of NU (Best opposite attacker), Angel Bert Navas of FEU (1st Best Outside Attacker), June Cayamso of NU (2nd Best Outside Attacker), Mac Bandola of NU (1st Best Middle Blocker) and Valeriano Sosis of Lyceum (2nd Best Middle Blocker).

The awardees in the girls’ 17-under category were Jimi Jean Jamili of NU (MVP); Roma Mae Doromal of NU (Best Libero); Camille Lamina of NU (Best Setter), Kamille Cal of NU (Best Opposite Attacker), Jimi Jean Jamili of NU (1st Best Outside Attacker); Akeyla Delos Reyes

of FEU (2nd Best Outside Attacker); Thea Gagate of NU (1st Best Middle Blocker); and Alyanna Ong of Chiang Kai Shek (2nd Best Middle Blocker).

The awardees in the girls’ 13-and-under were Rachelle Tan of CSA (MVP); Margaret Lucas of La Salle (Best Libero); Joana Luna of CSA (Best Setter); Sophia Buena of Assumption Antipolo B (Best Opposite Attacker); Rachelle Tan of CSA (1st Best Outside Attacker); Helaena Miraflor of La Salle (2nd Best Outside Attacker); Mikayla Tucay of Assumption (1st Best Middle Blocker); and

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Young aces keep La Salle formidable

By Peter Atencio

A NEW generation of spikers is expected to carry the fight for the La Salle Lady Spikers following their title conquest of the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the 78th University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s volleyball tournament.

Three of them, Kim Kianna Dy, Mary Joy Baron and Dawn Nicole Macandili looked promising after helping the Lady Spikers assert themselves in Game 3 of the finals with a 19-25,25-21, 25-16, 25-16 victory over the Lady Eagles at the Araneta Coliseum last Saturday.

Dy was adjudged the Finals MVP, while Baron and Macandili took honors as best blocker and best digger, respectively, next to teammate Kim Fjardo, who was the best setter.

In the game, the Lady Eagles made an effort to tire out La Salle’s more ex-

perienced open spikers, Ara Galang and Cyd Demecillo during their 102-minute encounter.

Ateneo succeeded in keeping Galang and Demecillo at bay in the first set. But things changed when Dy and Baron helped out Galang and Demecillo at the frontline, along with Macandili.

“Their (Lady Eagles’) plan was to tire out our two open spikers. We managed to fix this problem. I told them after Game 2, it’s not finished yet. We lost Game 2, but there’s still Game 3. That was the good news,”

said La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus.

The 20-year-old Dy, who plays as an opposite spiker, distinguished herself during the game with 17 points, after making 16 in Game 2.

Baron, a 5’11” middle blocker on her third year, chipped in 11 points for Lady Spikers, while Reyes, Galang and Demecillo added nine apiece.

Macandili, a five-foot libero, made her presence felt with her excellent ball distribution.

In the second set, Dy scored twice off blocks on Amy Ahomiro, while Kim Fajardo added an ace to give La Salle a 16-10 spread.

Blocks by Demecillo and Dy in the third saw La Salle move away, 14-9.

“Ipinakita namin that we really wanted to win. We started the season with a loss. So, coming from a loss in Game 2, ipinakita namin na kaya namin manalo ng championship this year,” said Dy. De Jesus said the players learned

from their Game 2 mistakes.

“Sabi ko sa kanila, matuto tayo dito. Hayun, sumunod sila sa game plan,” said De Jesus.

The Lady Spikers have five graduating teammates led by Reyes, Mika Esperanza, Carol Ann Cerveza, Galang and Demecillo.

But the efforts of the younger generation of Lady Spikers were in the minds of the seniors.

“I’m super happy with the championship. I promised the younger members of the team that we will win the championship this year,” said the 5’11” Reyes. “And we couldn’t have done it without their help.”

It was Dy who hit the championship point, ending two seasons of frustration for the Taft-based squad.

De Jesus is upbeat that with Dy playing a lead role, the Lady Spikers will remain a formidable squad.

Junior NBA camp. Former two-time WNBA titlist Taj McWilliams-Franklin and two-time NBA champion Norris Cole of the New Orleans Pelicans min-

gle with participants during a break in the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Philippines 2016 presented by Alaska National Training Camp at Don Bosco, Makati recently.

Ten boys and five girls from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were chosen as the Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA All Stars for a unique overseas NBA experience.

Adamson, UP boost Grand Slam softball bids ADAMSON University and University of the Philippines dished out top form and defeated their respective rivals to bolster the title drive in the women’s Open division of the 10th Summer Grand Slam softball tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier at the Batangas Sports Complex yesterday.

The defending champion Lady Falcons overpowered the University of the East Lady Warriors, 8-3, while the Lady Maroons pulled off a 1-0 win over the National University Lady Bulldogs in the premier side of women’s play in the annual event sanctioned by the Amateur Softball Asso-

ciation of the Philippines.

The chase for finals berths in the women’s Club section also heated up with AdamsonB edging San Mateo-Rizal to complete a double win in the day for the San Marcelino-based squad.

But Tanauan-A stunned defending champion UP, 6-3, heading to the final day of the weeklong tournament which featured the country’s top teams in the men’s and women’s Open and the men’s and women’s Club.

“We’re one day away from determining the champions of this year’s Summer Grand Slam tournament and we’ve been witness-

ing nothing but a great display of softball skills and exciting competition every single day,” said Asaphil president Jean Henri Lhuillier. I” am very glad that aside from helping these athletes improve their sport and showcase their skills, we’re also providing them a platform to develop the essential values to be successful in life.’

Close to 50 squads are seeing action in the tournament, including softball teams from Indonesia and Malaysia while Philippine Air Force is the defending men’s Open, and the San Antonio Bobcats are the team to beat in the men’s Club. Division.

Hamilton: I will never give up my title defense SOCHI (AFP)--A crestfallen Lewis Hamilton vowed Saturday to “never give up” in his world title defence after another engine failure wrecked his hopes in qualifying for Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix.

The defending threetime world champion was unable to take part in the Q3 top-ten shootout as his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg cruised to a 24th career pole position by seven-tenths of a second.

He also suffered an engine failure at the Chinese Grand Prix where he started from the back of the grid and has been involved in opening lap accidents in all three races this year.

In Shanghai, he recovered from last to finish seventh. This time, he said, he only wanted “just to recover from wherever I start tomorrow. There’s nothing I can do.

“But, you know, I never give up.”

Hamilton’s mood darkened later Saturday when he was given a reprimand for cutting a corner during qualifying.

He had failed to drive round a bollard at Turn Two and was reported to the stewards.

Hours after the qualifying session had ended, he was given a reprimand, taking his total this season to two -- one short of an automatic 10-place grid penalty.

Rosberg, seeking his first world title, has taken full advantage of his teammate’s problems, winning all three races this season to open up a 36-point lead ahead of Hamilton in the championship.

On Saturday, Hamilton suffered his power unit failure on his outlap for a second run during Q2, after topping the times in Q1.

As a result, he qualified 10th, but may face a further setback if he is given a grid penalty for a change of engine ahead of Sunday’s race.

Hamilton said the power unit problem was similar to that which he suffered in China.

“This was the second engine (of the season), from the last race. And the same failure I had in the last race as well. I went back out in Q2 at the end to get a feel of it and I lost the same power as I lost in China.” AFP

M O N DAY : M AY 2 , 2 0 1 6

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Casimero wants revenge vs Thai

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

FORMER International Boxing Federation light flyweight champion John Riel Casimero is out for revenge in his rematch with champion Amnat Ruenroeng to whom he lost a hugely controversial decision in a foul-invested title fight, where referee Larry Doggett warned the Thai five times for holding and wrestling the Filipino to the canvas, but failed to penalize the champion.

Casimero arrived in Manila on Sunday and will begin training at the newly refurbished gym of Dr. Rajan Yraola, along Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City under veteran trainer Jhun Agrabio on Monday.

The rematch will take place in Beijing, China on May 25.

Promoter Sammy Gello-ani told The Standard that Casimero underwent his physical conditioning program in Baliangao, Misamis Occidental and sparred with WBO Oriental Jr. Flyweight Champion Jesse Espinas and Philippine Boxing Federation Featherweight Champion

Jessie Cris Rosales.

“After spending several weeks in the refreshing atmosphere of the Baliangao training camp free from distractions, Casimero is now ready for serious and rigorous training in Manila,” said Gello-ani.

Casimero lost in his first fight with Ruenroeng in Thailand. And after the dirty, foul-filled fight, the promoters of Casimero, Sampson Boxing and Gello-ani, brought the case to the IBF and asked the governing body to have the Filipino retain his no. 1 position and keep him as the mandatory challenger to Ruenroeng.

Bad Girl retires from boxing LOCKER ROOM RANDY CALUAG

FILIPINA fighter Jujeath “Bad Girl” Nagaowa was all prepped up for her ring showdown with Korean champion Su-Yun Hong on Friday night, with the World Women’s International Boxing Association lightflyweight title on the line.

But as she was having her hands taped by trainer Joven Jorda minutes before the fight, an elderly Korean, who was obviously not part of the official organizers of the event but seemed familiar with Nagaowa, started harassing her.

He was talking loud in Korean and hounding Nagaowa, who became teary eyed and concerned. The organizers, led by Korean Boxing Federation chairman Lee In-Kyung, prevented the man from approaching Nagaowa and disrupting the proceedings of the main event of the day.

Things led to another and Lee figured in a physical altercation with the man, who as it turned out, was Nagaowa’s Korean business manager.

Nagaowa said their contract was rescinded by the Philip-

pines’ Games and Amusement Board three years ago and that it also caused her suspension from boxing.

“Maybe she wants to get back at me,” she said. “But I can’t do anything about it. I was just a boxer and we were under rules and regulation,” added Nagaowa, who didn’t elaborate.

Police at the fight venue, held at the Park Place of Yongbung-gil Memorial Park in Yesan town, prevented the man from coming near Nagaowa, who, however, managed to smile when she was introduced in the ring as the challenger. But her eyes couldn’t hide the distress. *** To cut the story short, Nagaowa lost in her title bid, bowing to the taller, more composed Korean champion via unanimous decision.

The plan was laid out well.

Jorda told Nagoawa to close the gap by going for the body.

But Nagaowa was obviously not in her best. She unleashed haymakers from afar and Hong, using her longer reach to the hilt, connected with effective counters. There were a few times though that Nagaowa got back to her senses, and hurt Hong with body punches. She could not main-

tain her momentum, though.

Curiously enough, the man who harassed her was nowhere to be seen after the fight.

After the setback, Nagaowa said it’s time to quit boxing.

“Sinabi ko naman sa sarili ko na ‘pag natalo ako du’n, stop boxing na talaga ako,” she said.

Nagaowa said her 10 years of boxing has made her life fulfilling.

“I never imagined that I will travel the world because of boxing. I’ve earned just enough to give me a good life.

No regret, boxing has given me good life and good memories, too.”

But no mistake about it, Nagaowa is not retiring from fighting for good. She said the door is now open for her in pursuing her second love-Mixed Martial Arts, where she already has two-win record without a loss.

And those victories were not just eked out in low-level tournaments. She won them under the One Championship, arguably Asia’s biggest MMA promotion.

She said another worldclass MMA promotion is wooing her to fight in the main event in July. For this lady warrior from Mountain Province up north, it’s goodbye boxing and hello MMA.

Golf champ. Noel Langamin (second from left) holds his trophies and prize as he poses with (from left) National Golf Association of the Philippines secretary general Pepot Iñigo, Orchard Golf and Country Club general manager Rene Garrovillo and NGAP president Caloy Coscolluela after beating Rupert Zaragosa to crown himself the new Philippine Amateur Match Play men’s champion last Friday.

Air Force bets Manzano, Caballero make semis PHILIPPINE Air Force bets Jennifer Manzano and Judy Caballejo posted three straight wins to reach the semifinal round of the 2016 Pistay Dayat beach volleyball competition at the Provincial Capitol beachfront in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

They reached semifinals with defending champion Jessa Aranda and Jonafer San Pedro on Day 2 of the competitions, which serve as the main event of the festival, being held as a thanksgiving to the rich bounty of the waters off Lingayen Gulf.

Manzano and Caballejo used their vast experience of playing in several commercial volleyball leagues in getting past their rivals.

They first won over RTU’s Aranda and San Pedro, 21-18; before they defeated the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Javen Sabas at Rhea Fermilan, 21-14.

Rain or Shine in solo lead; Star in overtime debut win Games Monday (Phil. Science High gym) 8 a.m. – Star vs NLEX 9:30 a.m. – Rain or Shine vs Blackwater 11 a.m. – Globalport vs San Miguel 12:30 p.m. – Brgy. Ginebra vs Phoenix

SOLO leader Rain or Shine stormed to its third straight win even as similarly unbeaten GlobalPort kept pace with second-running Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the 2016 Under Armour-Batang PBA 12-Under tournament at the Philippine Science High School gym in Quezon City.

The Batang RoS Elasto Painters, behind the 12 points of Cristian Allen Vergara and the 10 of John Durante, demolished San Miguel Beer, 57-36,

Philracom increases prizes for all maiden races THE Philippine Racing Commission recently passed a resolution mandating that an additional prize of P10,000 be given to the winners of all maiden races.

Previously, the practice was to award the additional prize money only to the winners of 2YO or 3YO maiden races. Resolution No. 32-16 of April 20 extends the bonus to the winners of all maiden races, effec-

tive immediately.

“In the interest of fairness and equality,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez, “the Commission deemed it proper to give the bonus to all winners of maiden races regardless of age. We trust that this incentive will serve as an encouragement to race participants and boost the sustainability of the sport.”

The two then turned back Mandaluyong’s Jonella Mae Oribello and Jannelle Marie Labasan, 21-7, in the Manila against Pangasinan tournament.

Aranda and San Pedro later turned to their championship experience and held back Mandaluyong, 21-7, and PUP, 21-14 The LGU Lingayen Team of Joan Marie Fernandes and Hanna Relox were also unbeaten after three games.

They reached the semis with Pangasinan State University, which won over the players from Dagupan in Lourdes dela Cruz and Ma. Lyn Mahilum, 21-18, for a 2-1 winloss slate.

The semis and finals will be played today in the sixth staging of the tournament organized by Cong. Leopoldo N. Bataoil.

Sanchez also announced that Philracom is conducting the third session of a blood drive on May 29 at San Lazaro Leisure Park in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross.

The event is among Philracom’s social responsibility programs.

All members of the racing and breeding industry and their families are requested to support the endeavor.

opening a 48-19 spread late in the third quarter and never letting up.

Globalport, on the other hand, blew past Meralco, 70-53, to tie Barangay Ginebra with 2-0 slates.

Kieffer Louie Alas led the Batang Pier with 12 points and Arturo Fernando Tupaz added 11.

In other games, Star debuted with a hard-earned 52-43 overtime win over Alaska, with Jhazel Aerol Paguiligan firing 14 points for the Batang Hotshots.

Regulation ended with the scored tied, 33-all.

Tropang TNT, meantime, rallied from a slim third-quarter deficit to edge Blackwater, 59-56, as Ariel Leandro Diloy tallied 16 points and Timothy Rich Cruz 13.

LOTTO RESULTS

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P16M

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

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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m o n day : m ay 2 , 2 0 1 6 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

Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee uses the screen provided by import Pierre Henderson-Niles to escape from his defender SMB’s Alex Cabagnot in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game won by the Painters, 124-99.

Painters barge into finals

by Jeric lopez

NOT even the return of Arizona Reid could stop Rain or Shine from making its way to the finals.

Game today (Semis, Game 4 Smart Araneta Coliseum): 7 p.m. - Alaska vs. Meralco

Rain or Shine emphatically showed how badly it wanted to return to the big stage as it manhandled helpless San Miguel Beer, 124-99, from start to finish, closing out their bestof-five semifinal series, 3-1, in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s

Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night.

The Elasto Painters’ urge to earn the first ticket to the finals was very evident as they dominated from start to finish.

Paul Lee’s deadly form is slowly coming back for Rain or Shine as he scored 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting and dished out five assists to lead his squad to victory.

“I’m really proud of the resiliency of the team,” said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao, who is

now in his 15th finals’ appearance as a coach. “I have to give credit to the coaching staff and the players. They were motivated to make it back to the finals.”

Rain or Shine now awaits who it will face between Alaska and Meralco in the best-of-seven finale. Alaska, ahead 2-1 in its own semis series with Meralco, will try to end its own semifinal series today when it goes for the kill against the Bolts at 7 p.m. in Game 4 of their best-of-five affair, also at the Big Dome.

Through Lee’s 12 quick points in the first half, Rain or Shine grabbed a commanding double-digit lead, 48-33, at the 4:27 mark of the second, after a

critical 19-7 blast in the middle of the quarter.

There was no looking back from there for the Elasto Painters as they comfortably cruised the rest of the way and took care of their double-digit lead.

In the second half, Rain or Shine built its largest lead of 26 several times.

After playing without an import in an excellent Game 3 effort, San Miguel brought in Reid in Game 4, but his presence and his team’s effort weren’t enough to prevent the Painters from completing their revenge on the Beermen, who won their last two semis clash.

SpurS drAw 1St blood

GivinG bAck to the community

turn to A12

turn to A13

Obiena rips 2 pole vault marks by peter Atencio ERNEST John Obiena cleared 5.55 meters in men’s pole vault and broke two records on Day 2 of the 78th Singapore Open Athletics’ meet at the Singapore National Stadium.

Obiena first set a new Southeast Asian record when he went past the 5.40-meter mark of Toshiyuki Hashioka set in 1992, according to the official results released by organizers on their website.

His feat was also better than the 5.5 meters, which he did during the recent National Open in Pasig, This moved him closer to the 5.7-meter qualifying standard of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

He will make an attempt to make it to Rio once again when he joins the Taipei Open from May 22 to 26.

Chia Hsieh of Taipei took the silver in 5.1 meters, while SEA Games bronze medallist Iskandar Alwi had 5.0 meters for the bronze.

B1

MONDAY: MAY 2, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

PSe comPoSite index Closing April 29, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,159.29 3.27

PeSo-dollar rate

Hedcor feat.

Closing April 29, 2016

Employees work on the site of Hedcor’s Manolo Fortich Hydro 2 Project. Hedcor Bukidnon, a unit of Aboitiz Power Corp., and contractor Sta. Clara International Construction achieve one millionth safe man-hours with no lost time accident in building the project in the province of Bukidnon. One million man-hours is the equivalent of 672 individuals working safely for 400 days.

48.00 46.00 45.00

HIGH P46.780 LOW P46.970 AVERAGE P46.887 VOLUME 672.300M

P400.00-P620.00 LPG/11-kg tank P30.00-P39.32 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P19.25-P22.75 Diesel

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PHILIPPINE Airlines said it finalized a purchase agreement with Airbus covering the firm order for six A350-900s, plus six options for a total of $3.66 billion.

“We are pleased to finalize this important order and are now defining the final layout for the aircraft,” PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said.

“With the A350 we will introduce a whole new level of comfort for long-haul flights, with more personal space in all classes, a quieter cabin and the very latest on-board amenities. At the same time we will benefit from

the A350’s enhanced efficiency and ability to fly non-stop on even our longest sector from New York to Manila, all year round,” he said.

PAL signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus in February for the order of six A350-900s for $1.83 billion, with six purchase options, worth another $1.83 billion, or for a total of $3.66 billion at the sidelines of Singapore Airshow.

The list price for each A350-900 aircraft was $304.8 million.

Airbus chief operating officer John Leahy said the order from PAL underscored A350 XWB’s position as the aircraft of choice in the larger twin aisle category.

“The A350 XWB has set new standards, combining extra-long range capability with the lowest operating costs of any aircraft in its class. It will be the perfect aircraft for Philippine Airlines to reinforce its position as one of Asia’s leading premium carriers, especially on

its longest intercontinental routes,” Leahy said.

A350-900, which will have a three-class configuration (business class, premium economy and regular economy) is capable of flying non-stop from Manila to New York on a full load.

PAL plans to deploy the A350 XWB (extra wide body), which seats more than 300, on new routes to North America and Europe. The first A350 is scheduled to be delivered in 2018.

PAL also signed a $600-million order with Rolls-Royce for Trent XWB engines to power the six A350.

Trent XWB is the world’s most efficient engine flying today and the fastest-selling wide-body engine with more than 1,500 engines sold to 41 customers. PAL currently uses Trent 700 engines for its fleet of 15 A330 aircraft.

Meralco now distributing solar power MANILA Electric Co., the biggest reteiler of electricity, has linked up with 30.46 megawatts of solar capacity in its franchise area in the first quarter of the year, allowing it to help manage peak demand.

The solar power plants include the 15-MW station in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, 3 MW in Valenzuela City, 0.96 MW from SOLNRG Inc., 1.676 MW from CW Marketing and Development Corp. and 1.676 MW from Solar Powered Agri-Rural Communities Corp.

Meralco senior vice president and head of customer retail services and corporate communications Al Panlilio noted a strong interest in solar projects around the country.

Panlilio said during an analysts’ conference call solar power plants would help Meralco manage demand during

CLOSE

43.00

PAL seals $3.7-b deal to buy 12 Airbus jets

By Alena Mae S. Flores

P46.890

44.00

peak daytime.

Solar power companies have been on the race to avail of the feed-in tariff of P8.69 per kilowatt-hour prior to the March 15 deadline under the second wave of installation target.

Solar projects are easy and faster to install while the cost of solar panels have gone significantly in recent years.

Meralco also plans to put up its own solar rooftop projects with a target combined capacity of 100 MW. “Given the global developments on RE and especially solar, Meralco is itself interested in exploring partnerships with local and global players. We think that the RE space will grow, and we want to be part of that growth,” Panlilio said.

He said Meralco wanted to go into solar but stressed the company was focused on ensuring safe and reliable operation of the distribution grid.

“We need to understand that the so-

lar installation in a house or business can affect the stability and safety of the distribution grid and may place other nearby customers at risk. We also recognize that solar photovoltaic installations that are synchronized with the grid are dependent upon the quality of power delivered by the distribution utility,” he said.

Panlilio said the company’s efforts to support solar energy was driven by Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan’s vision to embrace change and innovation.

“He believes that Meralco should stay ahead of the curve on solar and renewable energy and on point with customers abreast with technology,” he said.

Pangilinan earlier announced the company’s plans to venture into renewable energy, noting that “the infrastructure cost of renewables, particularly solar and wind, have been decreasing.”

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, April 29, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.7730

Japan

Yen

0.009252

0.4327

UK

Pound

1.461200

68.3447

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128909

6.0295

Switzerland

Franc

1.034875

48.4042

Canada

Dollar

0.796813

37.2693

Singapore

Dollar

0.743494

34.7754

Australia

Dollar

0.762500

35.6644

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654210

124.1454

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266745

12.4765

Brunei

Dollar

0.740741

34.6467

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028580

1.3368

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.7357

Euro

Euro

1.135500

53.1107

Korea

Won

0.000880

0.0412

China

Yuan

0.154371

7.2204

India

Rupee

0.015062

0.7045

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.257069

12.0239

New Zealand

Dollar

0.695600

32.5353

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031050

1.4523 Source: PDS Bridge

MONDAY: MAY 2, 2016

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS Weekly STockS revieW STOCKS

APRIL 25-29, 2016 Close Volume

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl Reinsurance Corp.

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

2.95 45.6 100.00 90.50 38.5 2.98 1.59 14 15.32 7.60 0.7 1.69 601.00 0.600 81.25 0.99 14.52 25.00 51.20 102.9 310 266.2 31 170 1380.00 57.70 1.5

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Bogo Medellin C. Azuc De Tarlac Century Food Chemphil Conc. Aggr. `A’ Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab. First Gen Corp.

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

LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Corp.

Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ MG Holdings Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ San Miguel’Pure Foods `B’ SPC Power Corp.

Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

44.9 4.48 0.8 1.41 14.18 53.15 238.60 18.9 135 191 17.84 48 2.29 5.14 10.94 9.000 7.94 5.89 7.25 1.67 20.25 66.6 15.00 14.04 5.7 2.310 229.60 2.07 3.99 38.00 27.75 21.1 6.3 343.00 0.285 4.25 3.71 10.66 3.16 11.60 4.73 1.55 2.71 4.18 2.3 4.8 205 201.2 4 2.6 0.153 1.20 2.55 208.4 4.89 0.88 35.90 1.31

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

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

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

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

0.340 66.40 14.50 1.13 6.04 0.380 0.375 771 7.94 12.48 5.15 4.82 5.45 0.222 1367 6.32 81.50 4.9 5.3 6.29 7.31 0.69 15.4 0.470 5.8 3.32 0.0330 1.620 1.870 67.00 2.14 944.00 1.15 0.79 190.00 140.000 0.3200 0.1920 0.280

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

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’ Centennial City City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Keppel Properties Megaworld Prop.

MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

7.990 7.54 1.15 2.280 0.260 34.650 3.04 5.1 6 0.550 0.96 1.000 0.135 0.460 39 0.850 0.150 1.01 1.83 1.33 4.50 3.77 0.083 0.2550

Value

FINANCIAL 2,992,410.00 4,636,295.00 1,748,351,964 476,986,742.00 32,887,120.00 271,030.00 20,405,100.00 758,740.00 93,073,990.00 68,072 3,500 995,850.00 569,180.00 6,348,010.00 624,951,264.00 188,800.00 8,582,698.00 522,050.00 14,362,057.00 815,487.00 315,430.00 691,407,774.00 28,971,815 788,350,761.00 1,712,055.00 17,164,859.50 2,265,920.00 INDUSTRIAL 10,700,700 476,961,150.00 4,355,000 19,125,710.00 599,000 480,650.00 13,415,000 18,603,830.00 500,300 7,903,570.00 1,060 57,168.50 820 166,830.00 2,779,400 52,494,042 80 10,811.00 14,630 3,083,452.00 794,400 14,336,986.00 13,500 637,095 3,631,000 8,286,790.00 5,172,900 27,242,273.00 205,000 2,256,092.00 23,958,400 216,703,026.00 12,673,100 100,989,151.00 40,298,000 196,409,150.00 1,820,400 13,389,702.00 40,000 66,960.00 10,922,900 225,703,690.00 606,770 41,684,266.50 33,300 476,182.00 580,400 8,125,088.00 806,300 4,565,259.00 23,164,000 54,917,840.00 6,771,340 1,527,934,632.00 14,000 28,920.00 210,000 751,630.00 95,800 3,918,720.00 7,114,100 197,201,915.00 2,658,000 54,983,217.00 489,500 3,189,871.00 1,611,660 557,862,188.00 1,670,000 477,950.00 12,000 51,390.00 6,064,000 22,905,930.00 16,779,400 179,062,664.00 8,000 26,000.00 81,200 941,336.00 3,138,000 14,817,210.00 2,545,000 4,093,380.00 24,331,000 65,626,950.00 8,068,000 34,656,160.00 7,000 16,100.00 14,000 65,520.00 99,500 20,550,342.00 1,800 371,666.00 52,000 210,210.00 3,297,000 8,818,600 26,260,000 4,081,280.00 418,000 505,520.00 20,406,000 52,564,020.00 15,054,790 3,126,558,450.00 343,000 1,647,210.00 161,688,000 154,789,080.00 14,100 466,180.00 20,918,000 28,920,280.00 HOLDING FIRMS 43,460,000 15,358,800.00 5,512,290 365,504,222.00 35,374,200 533,602,948.00 428,000 488,900.00 313,700 1,899,051.00 168,220,000 65,786,700.00 41,410,000 16,073,600.00 1,396,530 1,082,636,710.00 7,444,100 60,853,234.00 26,649,000 329,189,408.00 97,600 500,375.00 2,500 12,485.00 2,511,900 14,020,922.00 4,580,000 1,067,910.00 404,850 554,532,920.00 91,100 581,001.00 7,475,340 617,082,277.00 8,000 39,200.00 16,100 89,070.00 900 5,649.00 11,649,500 75,565,945.00 8,009,000 5,820,470.00 11,015,300 169,030,362.00 620,000 295,950.00 154,894,300 900,466,449.00 33,000 110,150.00 64,800,000 2,140,200.00 3,448,000 5,642,780.00 3,276,000 6,122,630.00 1,051,520 71,558,294.00 100,000 215,780.00 1,011,260 961,912,510.00 2,224,000 2,600,020.00 2,032,000 1,804,340.00 650 124,270.00 37,840 5,484,929.00 204,740,000 74,276,250.00 4,140,000 808,260.00 2,230,000 619,200.00 PROPERTY 752,500 5,758,576.00 14,800 105,862.00 48,237,000 55,480,050.00 99,633,000 279,574,800.00 15,590,000 4,153,050.00 43,507,000 1,493,182,575.00 7,971,000 23,828,810.00 104,800 535,396.00 20,300 111,100.00 11,045,000 6,091,600.00 234,000 228,390.00 260,000 257,000.00 275,930,000 38,565,510.00 23,270,000 10,825,400.00 6,214,900 238,816,910.00 5,284,000 4,452,650.00 1,000,000 150,290.00 40,897,000 41,501,160.00 67,586,000 125,981,930.00 927,000 1,205,180.00 53,800 246,376.00 178,399,000 685,794,390.00 7,000,000 583,030.00 1,180,000 291,030.00

1,010,000 101,300 17,528,350 5,280,510 852,100 92,000 11,382,000 54,200 5,761,100 9,500 5,000 585,000 780 10,315,000 7,577,800 196,000 589,100 20,900 273,790 7,970 660 2,644,190 914,300 4,667,030 1,215 297,950 1,481,000

Close

APRIL 18-22, 2016 Volume Value

3.14 46.3 103.70 90.00 38.5 3.00 1.53 14.2 16.16 7.60

2,337,000 57,500 6,451,630 7,264,820 839,000 125,000 2,766,000 28,700 8,569,000 9,800

7,024,520.00 2,646,275.00 665,733,473 650,615,052.00 32,596,275.00 370,320.00 4,304,060.00 407,762.00 136,945,890.00 72,484

1.78 600.50 0.620 84.45 0.96 14.58 25.20 53.50 102.9 395 270 31.9 169 1427.00 57.50 1.57

36,000 2,670 12,665,000 10,046,680 613,000 1,186,000 200 466,580 2,440 500 39,550 1,570,100 8,298,780 600 126,900 1,843,000

62,700.00 1,597,760.00 8,045,660.00 833,797,522.50 611,710.00 17,399,900.00 5,040.00 24,985,767.50 239,897.50 172,940.00 10,712,712.00 50,203,490 1,440,179,440.00 831,185.00 7,290,725.00 2,910,270.00

44.75 4.41 0.82 1.42 13.62 61 220.00 19 136.1 202 18.22 48.5 2.32 5.6 11.16 9.250 8.08 5.88 7.50 1.67 20.9 69.8 14.04 14.00 5.8 2.540 223.40 2.09 3.5

10,338,800 4,466,600 1,315,000 18,088,000 297,800 2,030 80 3,135,300 180 24,040 854,900 462,200 3,546,000 7,509,000 317,900 11,819,800 9,007,300 38,654,300 3,074,000 6,000 11,923,700 714,740 102,500 945,600 2,461,500 18,418,000 2,847,660 224,000 300,000

456,476,280.00 20,713,358.00 1,066,910.00 26,055,670.00 3,787,980.00 121,592.00 17,600.00 60,727,194 28,639.00 5,563,824.00 15,971,102.00 22,337,140 8,282,500.00 42,830,889.00 3,523,124.00 108,856,473.00 72,718,160.00 226,013,804.00 22,560,098.00 9,980.00 254,405,190.00 49,993,039.50 1,513,014.00 12,913,582.00 14,256,130.00 47,435,750.00 638,947,944.00 455,810.00 1,088,460.00

27.45 21.9 6.68 337.00 0.300 4.49 3.78 10.80 3.18 11.64 4.61 1.58 2.8 4.33 2.4 4.7 212.6

6,654,700 1,371,200 1,463,100 1,026,810 530,000 3,000 4,332,000 59,938,200 149,003 152,800 1,891,000 1,750,000 12,740,000 3,825,000 10,000 9,000 192,740

181,895,900.00 30,153,635.00 9,789,227.00 345,630,334.00 151,750.00 13,460.00 16,410,130.00 645,401,194.00 493,640.00 1,771,200.00 8,480,590.00 2,787,680.00 35,020,920.00 16,514,710.00 24,400.00 42,270.00 42,394,556.00

4.1 2.77 0.160 1.23 2.62 202.4 4.9 1.09 34.00 1.28

128,000 4,478,000 28,090,000 602,000 37,788,000 9,316,340 340,000 226,137,000 3,800 1,721,000

514,170.00 12,285,630 4,504,350.00 724,380.00 100,971,790.00 1,898,778,850.00 1,645,430.00 262,654,410.00 118,470.00 2,242,450.00

0.365 65.00 16.46 1.11 6.06 0.315 0.325 787 8.63 12.36 5.35 5.11 5.61 0.212 1381 6.49 83.40 4.9 5.51 5.08 7.65 0.7 15.68 0.485 5.79 3.38 0.0330 1.360 1.890 74.05

580,000 6,612,230 24,378,300 162,000 19,000 35,470,000 5,020,000 1,440,590 14,708,900 34,518,300 169,400 1,300 4,149,800 760,000 442,060 79,400 8,117,910 2,000 18,300 100 14,262,100 229,000 10,751,800 480,000 154,819,300 28,000 169,900,000 80,000 5,374,000 311,570

209,600.00 423,609,944.00 400,045,520.00 180,420.00 115,734.00 11,045,000.00 1,539,500.00 1,123,365,880.00 125,595,289.00 428,182,850.00 884,268.00 6,643.00 23,587,504.00 163,080.00 608,361,615.00 515,306.00 666,446,627.50 9,800.00 100,180.00 508.00 105,580,595.00 156,120.00 169,238,086.00 231,200.00 900,287,671.00 94,940.00 5,628,900.00 105,060.00 10,256,300.00 23,240,064.00

955.50 1.17 0.80 195.00 161.000 0.3200 0.2030 0.285

286,002,230 5,670,000 294,000 160 44,370 13,760,000 5,210,000 2,560,000

841,045,930.00 7,086,690.00 233,840.00 31,180.00 7,265,419.00 4,348,800.00 1,023,370.00 734,600.00

7.850 7.22 1.28 2.320 0.280 34.700 3.03 5.15 6 0.550 0.97 1.060 0.130 0.485 36.4 0.830 0.150 1.06 1.88 1.28 5.00 4.1 0.085 0.2550

1,871,600 4,400 77,080,000 20,306,000 20,990,000 50,772,400 34,359,000 436,800 4,100 18,985,000 18,000 406,000 20,720,000 44,944,000 4,892,100 2,550,000 410,000 53,965,000 83,139,000 534,000 109,000 111,703,000 15,200,000 190,000

15,070,312.00 31,596.00 104,253,170.00 43,726,650.00 5,987,600.00 1,752,229,710.00 105,203,490.00 2,257,244.00 24,522.00 10,598,510.00 17,460.00 409,270.00 2,636,220.00 22,518,870.00 178,509,985.00 2,144,950.00 63,060.00 59,516,210.00 154,820,700.00 689,980.00 489,930.00 452,011,460.00 1,317,000.00 47,790.00

STOCKS

APRIL 25-29, 2016 Close Volume

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

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

0.560 28.00 8.53 27.10 1.56 3.06 22.65 0.9 6.59 1.050 4.800

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

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

Discovery World DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ Imperial Res. `B’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

7.4 56.6 1.22 0.570 11.58 28.5 4.26 0.0580 3.03 89 9.43 1.76 7.18 2.91 960 2194 6.70 24.05 1.15 65 20.00 225 12 0.0100 9.60 0.370 2.2000 2.18 10.62 7.70 3.84 1.10 2.80 23.50 0.580 2 2.3 3.89 3.190 17.6 4.90 2.75 8.66 115.00 23.50 1717.00 0.425 0.870 40.20 77.00 6.21 3.29 0.610 1.92 3.38 0.345 5.410

7 Seas Oil Explo.

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

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

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

TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.0041 0.0041 2.05 4.18 0.250 8.3100 8.2500 0.69 0.530 8.28 0.930 0.295 0.250 0.260 0.0120 0.0130 2.01 5.32 2.57 0.5700 1.2900 0.0097 0.0094 3.90 5.91 2.30 0.0120 127.00 3.6 0.0083

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ BC Pref. A First Gen F First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure & Resort Pref.

MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

58 518 530 22.3 109.1 116 525 6.8 1.08 108.1 1026 1020 103.5 108 77.5 81.9 76 77 78 77 75.5 75

Leisure & Resort Warr.

3.240

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

4.12 4.23 3 16.5

First Metro ETF

117.6

Value

Close

27,002,000 16,081,710.00 21,900 703,420.00 218,900 1,865,510.00 10,689,300 296,402,445.00 544,000 865,160.00 61,000 186,900.00 57,290,600 1,295,649,355.00 156,468,000 149,396,370.00 42,700 274,320.00 16,050,000 17,806,430.00 30,561,000 145,893,690.00 SERVICES 965,200 7,547,129.00 112,030 6,348,283.50 320,000 411,560.00 5,593,000 3,217,300.00 27,500 309,116.00 200 5,700 8,014,000 34,498,360.00 181,570,000 10,272,200.00 7,326,000 22,403,850.00 1,792,220 179,202,880.50 7,700 72,798.00 106,000 185,700 1,385,000 9,875,028.00 20,000 58,800.00 28,000 26,880,000.00 427,290 938,855,670 634,500 4,312,070.00 142,800 3,434,340 7,248,000 8,411,890.00 2,595,610 169,398,960.00 3,317,900 72,805,042 13,260 2,958,806 17,400 201,786.00 3,200,000 32,380.00 5,434,100 48,012,722.00 1,357,982,000 743,100,300.00 130,383,000 291,094,860.00 251,000 558,560.00 36,500 397,092.00 162,000 1,250,764.00 1,411,000 5,411,020.00 10,000 11,120.00 29,000 81,170.00 100 2,350 757,000 454,530.00 438,000 867,690.00 81,386,000 179,391,770.00 10,391,000 39,953,320.00 103,300,000 345,743,730.00 3,741,100 65,463,628.00 23,000 112,630 22,000 60,500.00 2,400 20,784.00 26,310 2,900,756.00 882,200 20,539,125.00 1,017,510 1,765,459,145.00 6,810,000 2,932,600.00 54,366,000 46,296,710.00 18,289,900 740,897,325.00 8,614,670 667,170,231.50 6,786,100 44,238,455.00 19,654,000 66,010,960.00 20,685,000 12,757,600.00 1,221,000 2,466,260.00 4,100,000 14,232,390.00 690,000 230,700.00 1,412,400 7,929,166.00 MINING & OIL 107,000,000 438,600.00 618,000,000 2,532,700.00 767,000 1,544,990.00 710,000 2,944,130.00 2,240,000 554,430.00 629,100 5,778,401.00 265,900 2,417,845.00 8,407,000 6,040,420.00 5,826,000 3,048,140.00 996,300 8,972,286.00 226,108,000 211,556,790.00 9,290,000 2,844,750.00 249,890,000 60,792,440.00 25,440,000 6,498,340.00 203,900,000 2,482,400.00 33,400,000 436,900.00 4,060,000 8,453,650.00 14,360,600 76,409,072.00 2,607,000 7,178,680.00 5,155,000 3,436,820.00 885,000 1,139,510.00 86,000,000 814,600.00 16,000,000 150,900.00 84,000 323,970.00 6,972,600 40,545,551.00 10,694,000 24,476,230.00 202,900,000 2,421,800.00 3,396,650 430,644,804.00 14,932,000 52,018,800.00 15,000,000 129,500.00 PREFERRED 1,959,050 111,707,297.00 6,900 3,574,200.00 17,110 9,026,770 300 6,690.00 30 3,273.00 51,100 5,946,508.00 15,670 8,133,250.00 52,100 338,418.00 4,418,000 4,727,880 9,280 1,033,262.00 60 61,560.00 32,920 33,523,290.00 500 51,900.00 2,590 279,900.00 264,250 20,477,215.50 259,240 20,909,660.00 2,660 202,160.00 99,630 7,627,730.00 101,990 7,893,479.00 373,240 28,309,851.50 794,580 59,793,837.50 330,420 24,827,901.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 2,927,000 9,347,550.00 SME 263,000 1,094,790.00 302,000 1,280,430.00 1,146,000 3,493,790.00 28,890,700 488,627,168.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 18,470 2,144,419.00

APRIL 18-22, 2016 Volume Value

0.540 28.00 8.53 28.90 1.6 3.15 22.80 0.87 6.52 1.150 4.830

22,230,000 4,700 319,100 11,502,700 1,730,000 156,000 61,161,900 9,522,000 18,300 12,431,000 21,178,000

13,114,210.00 126,795.00 2,727,628.00 333,082,285.00 2,737,820.00 493,540.00 1,353,754,535.00 8,158,010.00 116,721.00 14,227,120.00 101,907,100.00

8.2 57.2 1.28 0.570 11.16

2,007,600 190,640 240,000 6,450,000 2,000

15,797,871.00 11,122,222.00 309,860.00 3,817,650.00 22,320.00

4.49 0.0580 3.1 90.15 9.68 1.75 7.09 2.93 960 12178 6.93 24.05 1.18 66.6 15.26 156 11.66 0.0100 9.73 0.320 1.8900 2.2 11.1 7.99 3.77 1.17 2.80 23.90 0.590 2 2.15 4.00 3.400 17.5 4.83 2.74

17,806,500 266,780,000 3,398,000 1,964,090 67,600 98,000 305,100 6,000 2,280 297,875 1,916,200 5,200 491,000 1,640,630 212,900 660 35,200 12,000,000 7,390,500 444,690,000 53,658,000 42,000 79,700 432,600 685,000 201,000 174,000 9,500 373,000 86,000 88,073,000 12,129,000 385,305,000 9,832,500 22,100 33,000

86,907,950.00 15,945,700.00 10,860,020.00 176,775,346.00 643,736.00 170,290 2,118,608.00 17,550.00 2,188,600.00 641,412,090 13,636,972.00 125,420 581,910.00 109,139,839.50 3,289,854 114,760 434,772.00 121,900.00 71,975,255.00 140,178,150.00 94,630,850.00 92,960.00 904,680.00 3,365,239.00 2,603,450.00 235,170.00 464,180.00 205,305 216,920.00 171,180.00 203,173,540.00 48,872,330.00 1,151,066,130.00 172,068,750.00 109,595 90,380.00

110.00 22.30 1810.00 0.450 0.860 41.30 79.90 6.41 3.55 0.630 1.9 3.6 0.340 5.300

34,400 639,500 627,395 12,540,000 92,562,000 21,271,100 6,883,260 8,091,800 21,710,000 13,238,000 57,000 3,251,000 640,000 2,162,600

3,817,780.00 14,119,535.00 1,156,998,945.00 5,530,200.00 79,447,040.00 870,039,510.00 546,185,534.00 53,778,820.00 77,269,870.00 8,412,120.00 103,440.00 11,744,530.00 211,200.00 11,683,133.00

0.0042 2.15 4.23 0.255 8.2700 7.9500 0.75 0.560 8.79 0.960 0.290 0.233 0.246 0.0120 0.0130 2.2 5.53 2.66 0.6700 1.3800 0.0096 0.0094 3.68 5.85 2.35 0.0120 126.00 3.21 0.0085

5,137,000,000 6,125,000 1,203,000 2,440,000 124,400 149,800 15,474,000 15,041,000 185,700 743,338,000 2,310,000 239,340,000 43,630,000 760,300,000 166,000,000 6,985,000 48,113,100 2,753,000 4,908,000 2,328,000 47,000,000 8,000,000 291,000 6,870,700 13,696,000 283,900,000 2,453,130 11,245,000 725,000,000

20,968,100.00 12,539,880.00 5,066,200.00 610,870.00 1,023,235.00 1,276,460.00 11,902,430.00 8,146,620.00 1,567,588.00 764,796,520.00 688,500.00 57,775,240.00 10,924,970.00 9,338,200.00 2,131,800.00 15,722,350.00 267,824,402.00 7,478,690.00 3,129,530.00 3,193,140.00 456,400.00 74,800.00 1,093,540.00 39,101,661.00 31,370,580.00 3,406,800.00 310,639,183.00 37,097,880.00 6,102,400.00

56.95 518 525

1,845,500 1,800 13,330

105,460,403.50 932,400.00 7,007,750

116.9 116.7 520 6.8 1.07 111 1026 1015 103.8 107.2 77 80.1 76 75.6 77 76.95 75.1 75.1

70 3,000 1,760 752,800 41,000 11,780 1,000 11,505 11,790 1,150 83,320 147,950 77,440 27,960 69,340 67,850 824,410 287,400

8,191.00 350,100.00 915,200.00 5,295,780.00 43,970 1,296,510.00 1,026,000.00 11,683,710.00 1,223,009.00 123,080.00 6,407,550.00 11,856,953.00 5,846,890.00 2,122,084.00 5,337,785.00 5,209,452.50 61,858,499.00 21,570,044.50

3.500

5,887,000

21,594,330.00

4 4.69 3.16 18.36

388,000 468,000 1,676,000 18,347,200

1,574,370.00 1,967,300.00 5,374,460.00 347,883,362.00

118.7

20,460

2,425,334.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Island Info Abra Mining Crown Equities Inc. Lepanto `A’ Ferronickel Unioil Res. & Hldgs Manila Mining `A’ Philodrill Corp. `A’ Boulevard Holdings Megaworld Prop.

VOLUME 1,357,982,000 618,000,000 275,930,000 249,890,000 226,108,000 204,740,000 203,900,000 202,900,000 181,570,000 178,399,000

STOCKS Universal Robina PLDT Common Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Jollibee Foods Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings Ayala Corp `A’ SM Investments Inc. Globe Telecom Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

VALUE 3,126,558,450.00 1,765,459,145.00 1,748,351,964 1,527,934,632.00 1,493,182,575.00 1,295,649,355.00 1,082,636,710.00 961,912,510.00 938,855,670 900,466,449.00

MONDAY: MAY 2, 2016

B3

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

Robinsons Retail spending P5b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ROBINSONS Retail Holdings Inc., the retail unit of the Gokongwei family, is spending P5 billion to roll out more stores in 2016.

The company’s planned capital expenditures in 2016 represent a substantial increase from P3.14 billion it spent in 2015.

Robinsons Retail said in a presentation it expected organic expansion to reach more than 200 stores in 2016 and would continue to explore mergers and acquisition.

The bulk of the new stores will be convenience stores and supermarkets, it said.

The retail firm said same-storesales growth was projected at 2 percent to 3 percent while gross profit margin was seen to increase by 10 to 20 basis points.

Robinsons Retail is one of the leading multi-format retail groups in the Philippine and enjoys market leading positions across all business segments.

It currently operates 10 retail formats under six business segments, including department stores, supermarkets, home improvement stores, convenience stores, drug stores and specialty stores.

Robinsons Retail was operating 1,506 stores with total gross floor area of 974,000 square meters as of end-2015.

The company entered the coffee shop business with the opening of Costa Coffee shops in several locations in Metro Manila last year.

It also ventured into smallerformat stores like Robinsons Easymart for supermarket and Robinsons Townville for community mall ito reach a wider market.

The company had 10 community malls as of end-March.

The retail firm earlier said it would explore expansion into other retail segments such as home furniture, sporting goods, school and office supplies, which would complement the company’s existing portfolio.

The company booked a net income of P4.34 billion in 2015, up 21.9 percent from P3.56 billion in 2014 on positive same-store sales growth and contribution from newly opened stores.

Consolidated net sales hit P90.88 billion in 2015, up 13 percent from P80.40 billion in 2014.

“We have also gotten into a good start this 2016 with solid same-store sales growth for the first two months of the year as we benefited from increased consumer spending from a still robust domestic economy. We will continue with out footprint expansion, with focus on areas outside Metro Manila Looking for potential mergers and acquisition continues to be part of our strategy in growing the business,” Robinsons Retail president and chief operating officer Robina Gokongwei-Pe said.

Top employer. ARC Refreshments Corp., the licensed bottler of RC Cola International in the Philippines, is recognized as one of the top job providers in Valenzuela City during the city’s 18th charter day anniversary celebration. Shown is ARC Kaybiga plant human resources supervisor Mary Joy Biag (left) receiving a trophy for the award from Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian. The trophy, also called the “Sandigan” symbolizes how the city government of Valenzuela and its partner job providers work hand-in-hand in building a better future for all Valenzuelanos.

Election jitters seen to affect stock market STOCKS are expected to move sideways this week, as investors may continue to stay on the sidelines ahead of the May 9 national elections.

F. Yap Securities investment analyst Jason Escartin said investors would closely watch whether the voting process would be held peacefully, given its direct impact on political risk premium weighting.

“Expect volatile trades to prevail, with foreign funds likely to remain at bay,” Escartin said.

Analysts said investor sentiments would also be influenced by the release of first-quarter

earnings report of listed companies and the April inflation rate.

“A number of blue-chip names are set to release their 1Q earnings results. Their announcements could steer the market’s direction... or it may not. After all, next week is the final week before the presidential elections on May 9 and skittish investors could prefer to take some money off the table,” RCBC Securities analyst Ralph Christian Bodollo said.

BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said if the market broke below the 7,150-point level, the

next support level would be between 6,900 and 7,000 levels.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index lost 1.2 percent over last week’s five-day market trading to close at 7,159.29 Friday, on election-related jitters, while the broader all-share index dropped 1.9 percent to 4,245.89.

Among the sub-indices, industrial and mining and oil gained 0.7 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively while services and financials lost 3 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively.

Foreign investors were net buyers last week by P2.2 billion, as total foreign buying reached

P21.7 billion while overseas selling amounted to P2.1 billion.

The PSEi was still up 3 percent since the start of the year, despite last week’s decline.

Top gainers last week were consumer-related stocks including Universal Robina, which jumped 3 percent to P20.840 and Jollibee Foods Corp., which climbed 2.8 percent to P229.60.

Heavy losers included Alliance Global Group Inc., which dropped 11.9 percent to P14.50, San Miguel Corp. which fell 9.5 percent to P67 and Megaworld Corp., which dipped 8.1 percent to P3.77. Jenniffer B. Austria

Pryce Gases building a larger LPG storage tank in Leyte

By Alena Mae S. Flores PRYCE Gases Inc., a unit of Pryce Corp., said it is constructing a new liquefied petroleum gas storage tank with a capacity of 2,000 metric tons in its import-marine terminal in Albuera, Leyte to serve the rising demand in Visayas.

Pryce Corp. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the additional 2,000 MT storage tank would increase the terminal’s total storage capacity to 3,000 MT. “This will make discharging of the imported LPG more efficient since it will now be able to dully accommodate the usual 2,000 MT LPG carriers, as opposed to

sharing a shipload with yet another terminal of the company,” Pryce said.

The move is in response to the increasing demand of LPG in Eastern Visayas and will mean generating greater revenues in the said region.

The company also owns a 2,590MT storage import terminal in Sogod, Cebu to serve the growing markets of Cebu and Bohol.

Two 900 MT storage terminals were also constructed in Negros Oriental and Iloilo to cover Central and Western Visayas.

Pryce also constructed several refilling plants in Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Cebu and Leyte to support its LPG network in the

Visayas.

The company also owns sea-fed terminals in Misamis Oriental and Astorga, Davao del Sur with capacity of 1,200 MT and 2,200 MT, respectively. It also owns a 1,010 MT storage terminal in Zamboanga City.

Pryce’s fourth LPG storage tank (2,000 MT) at its import-marine terminal in San Fabian, Pangasinan was completed in early February, increasing its capacity to 8,400 MT, the biggest in Northern Luzon and the second largest in the country.

The company plans to aggressively distribute Pryce Gasbranded cylinders as part of its strategy to enlarge its footprint in

the Luzon LPG market.

“These actions signify PGI’s strong and serious intent to become a meaningful player in the Luzon and NCR markets,” it said.

Pryce sources its LPG from Asian suppliers that ship the LPG to is terminal using marine carriers with capacities of 2,000 to 2,500 MT of LPG. The company has a market share of 24.24 percent in Mindanao, 20.74 percent in the Visayas and 9.43 percent in Luzon in 2015, according to Energy Department data.

The company has 12.1-percent market share, or equivalent to 1,319 MT in the industrial gas market.

B4

May Day rally.

South Korean unionized workers stage a May Day rally in front of City Hall in Seoul on May 1, 2016. Tens of thousands of South Koreans took part in May Day protests to criticise labour reforms pushed by the government and to call for a higher minimum wage. AFP

Shipment of steel in Zambales opposed THE local steel industry over the weekend sought the assistance of the Trade Department in invalidating the import commodity clearance certificate of a deformed reinforcing steel shipment that arrived in late April.

The Philippine Iron and Steel Institute in a letter asked Trade Secretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. to revoke the ICC and suspend any activities of the Trade Department regional office in Zambales as well as the Bureau of Product Safety in the area in relation to the shipment.

“We asked the Trade Department to refrain from conducting any action that will have an impact to our request pending the results of the hearing with the Customs Bureau. It is our hope that a prompt resolution to this request is best for all concerned parties,” said Pisi president Roberto Cola.

The industry questioned the validity of the ICC issued to Mannage Resources Trading Corp. to bring in approximately 5,000 metric tons of 12mm imported deformed reinforcing steel bars.

Pisi said the Trade Zambales provincial director Leonila Baluyot had no authority to issue the ICC since only the BPS had the power to grant the permits.

The group cited that the ICC granted to Mannage Resources had no control number and other traceability features.

It added Mannage Resources had no previous track record of importing steel reinforcing bar or other products requiring mandatory product certification Earlier, Pisi requested a warrant of seizure and detention of the shipment from the Bureau of Customs at the Port of Zambales.

“We have been granted hearing by the BoC to address the safety concerns we have raised regarding this shipment,” Cola said.

Mitsubishi worried over policy changes

By Othel V. Campos

MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. expressed concerns about possible drastic changes in the local car manufacturing program with the election of a new president next month.

“If there is a new administration, we expect the industry to adjust and slow down, partly because of the changes that may happen. We do not know the impact of these changes,” Misubishi president for marketing Froilan Dytianquin said at the sidelines of the launch of the new Mirage at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City over the weekend.

“Still were hoping that the new administration will continue the momentum [of the automotive industry],” he said.

Dytianquin said should there be major changes especially in the implementation of the ongoing Comprehensive Automotive

Resurgence Strategy program, car companies and the entire industry would be affected, including dealers, suppliers and employees, as well.

“This is something worth reviewing if there is going to be a discontinuation or change in policies. Since the CARS is an EO [executive order], we hope the new administration wil continue the program,” he added.

Mitsubishi expects to double the number of employees during the duration of the CARS program.

It recently announced a company strategy to join the CARS program with initial investments

reaching P4.3 billion.

The company plans to bring in more Japanese suppliers to invest in the Philippines with at least seven more firms coming over with local partners.

Once production starts in January 2017, Mitsubishi Philippines will stop importing Mirage units from Thailand.

The company plans to produce both the sedan and hatchback variants of Mirage, while increasing the local content to 70 percent in the final stretch of the six-year CARS program.

Dytianquin said the company would consider exporting locallymanufactured vehicles midway through the program.

Mitsubishi’s sales grew faster than the entire Philippine automotive industry after selling 14,688 units, up 23.8 percent from 11,849 units year-on-year.

The car company noted that industry sales rose 21.6 percent in the first quarter, enabling Mitsubishi to keep its status as the

second best-selling brand in the Philippines with a 19.2-percent market share.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association said in an earlier report members sold 76,479 units in the January-March period, up by 22 percent from 62,882 units delivered a year earlier.

The Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors, meanwhile said members sold 21,160 units in the January-March period, up 151 percent from 8,434 units sold a year ago.

This means total sales of the automotive players, consisting of Campi, TMA and Avid members, reached 97,639 units in the first quarter, up 36.9 percent from 71,316 vehicles sold a year earlier.

Campi said the growth momentum was expected to be sustained in the rest of 2016, as the country’s economic fundamentals remained strong.

Awarding of new oil, gas contracts may be delayed

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE government may not be able to award new deals under the latest auction of oil and gas exploration contracts within the term of President Benigno Aquino III. Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada said the department was still waiting guidance from the Finance Department, adding the 5th Philippine Energy Contracting Round was covered by the election ban.

“We have forwarded it to Finance,” Monsada said.

The PECR aims to secure the country’s energy requirements through oil and gas exploration.

“We’re not sure if he [Aqui-

no] will be able to sign it [prior to stepping down from office],” Monsada said.

She earlier said the awarding of service contracts under PECR 5 had been delayed because the agency “has been encountering problems.”

“What we did, we passed it on to DoF so they can review all the conditions because there were earlier guidelines wherein there is Finance approval of the contracts.

They have to endorse the contracts,” Monsada said.

She said after the Finance Department endorsed the contracts, they would be submitted to Malacañang for final approval.

“We will still follow up because we forwarded it to them last year,” Monsada said, referring to the awarding of four service contracts.

Monsada wanted to award the service contracts under PECR 5 in December.

The bid applications were evaluated based on their work program (40 percent), financial qualification (40 percent) and technical qualification (20 percent).

The department blamed the decline in world oil prices to the low turnout for PECR 5, where only 11 oil and gas areas were offered to the private sector for development.

The areas included Area 7

(Recto Bank block) covering 468,000 hectares which received an offer from Colossal Petroleum Corp., an affiliate of listed Coal Asia Holdings Inc. led by businessman Dexter Tiu. Colossal also submitted a qualifying bid for Area 5 (Northeast Palawan block) covering 576,000 hectares.

Ratio Oil Exploration Ltd., an Israeli company, meanwhile, applied for a service contract in Area 4 (Northeast Palawan Block) covering 416,000 hectares.

The department accepted the offer of Ratio Oil after it submitted complete documentary requirements.

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

Banks’ deposits, assets expanding

By Julito G. Rada

THE Philippine banking system remains strong, with balance sheets marked by a sustained growth in assets and deposits, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said in a report over the weekend.

Banks’ total deposits as of end-January 2016 stood at P7.3 trillion, 11.3 percent or P0.7 trillion higher than in the same period a year ago. The growth in deposits outpaced the 8.9-percent expansion posted in the previous quarter.

“Demand, savings, and time deposits expanded by 17.4 percent, 13.7 percent, and 1.5 percent, respectively,” the Bangko Sentral said.

Foreign currency deposits owned by residents rose 12.5 percent to P1.5 trillion year-on-year.

Meanwhile, banks’ initiatives to improve their asset quality along with prudent lending regulations helped maintain the gross non-performing loan ratio below the preAsian crisis level of 3.5 percent.

The improvement reflected the combined effect of GNPL decrease of P2.8 billion, from P139.7 billion in the third quarter of 2015 to P136.9 billion in the fourth quarter.

Total resources of the banking system grew 7.6 percent to P12.4 trillion as of end-December 2015 from the P11.5 trillion a year ago. Total resources as a percent of gross domestic product stood at 93.4 percent.

Banks also remained well capitalized amid tighter capital requirements. The industry’s capitalization was predominantly composed of common equity Tier 1, the highest quality among instruments eligible as bank capital.

The CET 1 of universal and commercial banks increased quarter-on-quarter to 12.99 percent and 13.92 percent of risk weighted assets from 12.87 percent and 13.89 percent in the last quarter on both solo and consolidated bases, respectively.

The capital adequacy ratio—a measurement of financial strength—of universal and commercial banks on a consolidated basis at 16.4 percent was higher than those of Malaysia (16.1 percent) and South Korea (13.9 percent), but lower compared with those of Indonesia (20.6 percent) and Thailand (17.4 percent).

Food expo.

The Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization is staging the 13th Philippine Food Expo on May 6 to 8 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. The expo will highlight the changes in the food industry and allow companies to adapt to market demands and acquire practices and technologies.

Over 300 companies composed will take part in the biennial event.

New Albay airport to lift tourism DARAGA, Albay—Governor Joey Salceda expressed confidence Albay will reach its prime goal of five million tourists in 2025, $1-billion investments and 235,000 jobs in 10 years, when the construction of the Bicol International Airport meets its new deadline of August 2018.

The government is set to inaugurate by the end of April the-newly completed runway and break ground for the airport terminal at Barangay Alobo in this town, following a series of hitches.

Salceda has “relentlessly” worked for completion of the BIA, his brainchild, as chairman of the Bicol Regional Development Council for nine years.

The airport is envisioned to open the

floodgates for international tourism in Southern Luzon and contribute significantly to the country’s economic development.

“The completion of the international airport, the only international gateway south of Manila in Luzon augurs well for the tourism prospects of Albay, the Almasor [Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon Tourism Alliance] and Bicolandia”’ said Salceda.

Albay has been declared by the Department of Tourism as a “tourism powerhouse,” and the hottest and fastest growing destination in the country. It recently won the Pacific Asia Travel Association CEO Challenge as a new global frontiers destination, and earned the branding assistance of Trip Advisor, a globally known travel marketing group.

Senator Grace Poe

Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas

PDP-Laban candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte

Vice President Jejomar Binay

The Bloomberg Post-Presidential Debates Analysis I HAD the privilege of being invited as guest analyst, together with former NEDA Head Dr. Dante Canlas, to PiliPinas Debates 2016: The Bloomberg TV Philippines Analysis, ably hosted by news anchors Quintin Pastrana and Regina Lay. The show came immediately after the last of the COMELEC-sponsored debates series, this time held at the PHINMA University of Pangasinan in Dagupan City. Previous legs of the debates were held at Cagayan de Oro and Cebu City.

As part of my analysis, I remarked that not one of the presidential candidates at the debates – and they were complete this time – stood out in the sense that they had something new or explosive to say or reveal, that they practically said the same things as they did in the previous debates and in the prior GO NEGOSYO Meet the Presidentiables Series which I also served as panelist. This can be taken as positive as they were able to crystallize more what they had to say, focus more on the essentials, with no room for flipflopping, a sign that they had been honed to the rostrum through the course of these debates.

Four main issues were tackled in our post-debate analysis: China and the West Philippine Sea; Solving Traffic; Securing Jobs and the Plight of OFWS; and the Mining Question.

This was the first time that foreign policy (tackling China) was in the middle of the debate, probably because there was no need to discuss this before. There was a need to focus on foreign policy, though, in light of agreements such as the TransPacific Partnership or TPP (which was not brought up) and the ASEAN Integration.

China remains a “hot button issue” which needs both a legal and diplomatic approach.

On solving the Metro Manila traffic situation, no one talked about reigning in vehicle sales, but everybody had

The columnist

something to say about infrastructure.

All agreed that there was a dearth in infrastructure development, but aside from putting up infrastructure, what each candidate failed to mention was how they can put into place a system that would discourage people from bringing their cars (i.e. mass transport system).

Perhaps now is also the time to rethink having a Metro Manila governor again as there has to be a single point of responsibility to deal with air pollution, traffic and the solid waste problem.

Traffic, I have always said, was a form of thievery as it steals precious time and money from Filipinos and their families.

There was also a need to study existing laws on contractualization. This practice is undoubtedly not good, but in studying the law, there was also a need to listen to the employers. It is also important to come up with job-matching and education-matching.

On the question of mining, most of the candidates had nothing categorical to say about it. Our own discussion immediately jumped to energy, and we all agreed that the next president should come out with her or his own pronouncements about a new energy mix.

All in all, the presidential debates, and the other forums that preceded it, afford registered voters the opportunity to make learned choices, again not just based on the personal popularity of the respective candidates, but on their respective platforms of government. Let us continue to discuss, analyze, and eventually come up with our own learned choice come May 9.

Bloomberg TV Philippines anchor Quintin Pastrana (photo courtesy of Bloomberg TV Phils)

Bloomberg TV Philippines anchor Regina Lay

(photo courtesy of Bloomberg TV Phils)

MONDAY: MAY 2, 2016

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BUSINESS business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

Insurer names new top officials

DoF sees inflation increasing to 1.3%

THE board of directors of car insurer Standard Insurance Co. Inc. elected Patricia Chilip as chairperson and her brother John Eschauz as president and chief executive.

Sportsman Ernesto Echauz remains the group chairman and advisor of the company. His directorship in the board is replaced

by Ma. Christina Galang, now the first vice president and head of human resources department.

John Eschauz joined Standard Insurance in 2009 and was previously the executive vice president, head of the claims and technical division.

Focusing on innovations, he also spearheaded the group’s business process outsourcing operations catering to the international insurance companies. Aside from insurance, he specializes in investment and corporate analysis for investment banking and strategic advisory engagements of a wide range of industries and companies.

He was one of 200 Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum (Geneva) in 2013.

The younger Echauz obtained his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, minor in Chemical Engineering, and completed his Master of Science in Information Technology from De La Salle University. He graduated with honors from Columbia Business School in New York with a Master’s in Business Administration degree.

Standard Insurance has consistently been the leader in motorcar insurance and is strong in property insurance, having the highest reinsurance capacity for single and catastrophic risks placed with highly rated international reinsurers. This is led by Munich Re, rated AA- (double AA minus).

By Gabrielle Binaday

THE Finance Department said over the weekend inflation likely inched up to 1.3 percent in April this year, bolstered by higher food prices.

Finance Undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran said inflation likely increased from 1.1 percent in March.

“The low price change is traced, among others, to comparatively lower electricity and fuel prices and moderate food price increase,” Beltran said in an internal economic bulletin.

Beltran said electricity rate in the franchise area of Manila Electric Co. in March was about 17 percent lower than the P11.04-perkilowatt-hour average for a 300-kw monthly

I CAN still recall the conversation that occurred 13 years ago between Ms. Nilda Cuasay, our class adviser and me during our graduation practice. I read that my mother’s friend was the guest speaker. I asked my teacher why there is a need for a ‘guest speaker’. The graduation is for the graduates and their parents.

Why are there so many people giving speeches during the ceremony?

She responded in her most polite way (she is a known terror teacher) that the guest speaker is the person nominated by the Parents Teachers Community Association to give speech for the graduates. One of the qualifications is he/she must be successful in his chosen profession or has a big contribution in his/her field of expertise, or has a heroic act that made the name of the school known as his training ground. According to her, the speaker’s task is to inspire the graduates to soar to greater heights.

From her explanation, I concluded that the guest speaker is successful in his career, already a boss, has his/her own house and car, and working in a well-known company.

That moment, I promised to myself that I’d be a guest speaker some-

despite the developments here and abroad.

“The Fed action of keeping rates on hold was broadly in line with expectations,” Tetangco said.

“For our local markets, we await the conduct of our national elections, although we don’t foresee significant changes in economic policy thrusts. At the moment, we really don’t expect any major developments cropping up that would necessitate a shift in our stance of policy,” Tetangco said.

The US Fed maintained interest rates between 0.25 percent and 0.5 percent, the rates it held since December 2015. The Fed said it would “carefully monitor actual and expected progress toward its inflation goal” as it evaluates when next to increase interest rates.

The Fed’s Open Market Committee, in a statement accompanying the decision, cited the strengthening in the labor market and improved household spending as positive signs.

Pump irrigation.

The National Irrigation Administration inaugurates a new small irrigation project in Baco and San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro.

Water Tacligan Small Irrigation Project is a pump communal irrigation project which will serve at least 83 farmers within the service area. Shown cutting the ribbon are (from fourth left) NIA administrator Florencio Padernal, Region IV-B acting regional manager Ramon Bugacia and Baco mayor Reynaldo Marco.

The guest speaker

ABEL REYES

GREEN LIGHT

consumption in the same month in 2015.

Beltran said diesel prices went down by 36 percent to an average of P22.73 per liter in the first three weeks of April.

He said price stability was caused by lower electricity and fuel prices, which would continue to give policy makers room for maneuver in addressing macroeconomic volatilities.

The Finance Department’s forecast was well within the Central Bank’s inflation forecast of 0.7 percent to 1.5 percent for April 2016.

“The BSP forecast suggests that April inflation could settle within the 0.7 percent to 1.5 percent range,” Central Bank Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said earlier.

Inflation picked up to 1.1 percent in March from 0.9 percent in February. Data for April is scheduled to be released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on May 5.

Tetangco said he remained confident of the appropriateness of the current policy settings

day. I will inspire the graduates and tell them my story how I became successful.

Thirteen years later, I might not be that successful, but the PTCA of my beloved alma matter invited me to be the guest speaker for this year’s graduation. I was hesitant to accept it because I felt like I am not yet worthy, but it was my teachers who asked, so I said yes.

The speech March 31, Thursday, was the most awaited day of the graduating students and their parents of Marcos Catibog Memorial Elementary School of Mahabang Dahilig, Lemery, Batangas and also the day I was tasked to deliver my speech.

This year’s theme was “Kabataang mula sa K to 12 tagapagdala ng kaunlaran sa bansang Pilipinas.” I had no idea about K to 12. The only thing I know is I am thankful that it was not implemented during my elementary and secondary days. If I made my speech aligned with the theme, my dream of inspiring the graduates will not be successful. What I did is tell them a story.

The three trees I heard the story in one of my trainings for Eagle Scout.. Since then, it has motivated me. The

story is about the three trees with their own different big dreams. The dream of the first tree is to be the most elegant bed ever made for the most powerful person in their nation. The second tree wants to be the biggest and extravagant ship of the king when taking the cruise for his trips to other countries. The third tree wants to be the tallest house ever built for the king. He wants people who are passing by their area to look up to him.

But one day, a group of illegal loggers came and cut all the trees in the part of the mountain where the three trees were planted. They became very disappointed because their dreams will now never be a reality.

The first tree became ‘labangan’ or wood cabin of animal food. The second three became a small fishing boat and the third three became a log in the middle of the plaza where the criminals are tied and beaten until they die.

Every single day, the three trees cried and asked God what had happened to their dreams. They questioned God’s plan for them until they started to hate life and lose hope.

Then one day, the Son of God was born in the manger. The baby Jesus slept in the body of the first tree.

When Jesus started travelling to places to spread God’s message, he used the small fishing boat made of the body of the second tree. And the last tree was part of the cross where He was crucified and died.

The moral lesson of the story is very clear. All dreams will come true, maybe not exactly the way we want, but the way God wants to be in his own perfect time. There are many times we are questioning his plan when we didn’t get what we want, when we didn’t fulfill our dreams.

But God’s promise is a promise. He will bring us to the promised land.

I dreamt of becoming a CPA-Lawyer but I failed the qualifying exam for Accountancy and never had the chance to be a CPA nor a lawyer. But I am happy to where I am now. I am practicing my profession as Financial Analyst and Loan Officer of a quasibank. I received numerous awards, which I know I would never have if I had pursued Accountancy.

After my story telling, I reminded the parents of the importance of education. Education is the key to uplift our lives. There is no other greater formula for success other than education. I thanked my teachers in my elementary years – Rowena de Roxas, Arlyn Malabanan, Olimpia Or-

lina, Rufino Macatangay, Diomedes Carurucan, Marivic Macatangay, Nilda Cuasay and Adelia Razon. That is how special they are to me. I still know their middle initials. Everything that I know today is because of the basic education imparted to me by my teachers.

Better than what we can imagine Dreams come in different sizes, shapes, color and taste but one thing is for sure. It will happen. It might not be the perfect picture we want but definitely better than we can imagine.

I am praying and hoping that our government will have enough resources and good leaders to provide quality education. May this K to 12 be successful in its objectives!

The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business. This essay is part of a journal he keeps in fulfillment of the requirements of the course, Lasallian Business Leadership with Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics. Visit his blog at https://abelreyes.wordpress.com/.

The views expressed here are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty and its administrators.

M O N D AY : M AY 2 , 2 0 1 6

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

Al-Qaeda down but far from out DUBAI—Five years after the killing of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, the network he founded is far from dead even if it has suffered a series of setbacks.

Replaced as the preeminent global jihadist power by the Islamic State group, Al-Qaeda nonetheless remains a potent force and a dangerous threat, experts say With last year’s Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris and a wave of shootings in West Africa, Al-Qaeda has shown it can still carry out its trademark spectacular attacks.

And in Syria and Yemen its militants have seized on chaos to take control of significant territory, even presenting themselves as an alternative to the brutality of IS rule.

By the time US special forces killed bin Laden in Pakistan on May 2, 2011, the group he founded in the late 1980s had been badly damaged, with many of its militants and leaders killed or captured

in the US “War on Terror”.

Dissention grew in the jihadist ranks as new Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri struggled in bin Laden’s place, until one of its branches, originally Al-Qaeda in Iraq, broke away to form the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

After seizing large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014, the group declared an Islamic “caliphate” in areas under its control, calling itself simply the Islamic State.

IS has since eclipsed its former partner, drawing thousands of jihadists to its cause and claiming responsibility for attacks that have left hundreds dead in Brussels, Paris, Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and on a

Russian airliner over Egypt.

Its self-declared “emir” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has won pledges of allegiance from extremist groups across the Middle East and beyond, with especially powerful IS affiliates operating in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and in Libya.

Jean-Pierre Filiu, a Paris-based expert on Islam and jihadist groups, said IS has been especially effective at using new technology to surpass its less tech-savvy rival.

“Al-Qaeda propaganda has become invisible on social networks thanks to the media war machine that Daesh has managed to successfully create,” Filiu said, using an Arabic acronym for IS. “Al-Qaeda has lost everywhere to Daesh, except in the Sahel” desert region of northern Africa, he said.

William McCants, of the Brookings Institution in Washington, agreed that Al-Qaeda

had lost some ground to IS, but said the organisation has recovered.

“Al-Qaeda has a strong showing in Syria and in Yemen,” he said.

In Syria the group’s local affiliate, Al-Nusra Front, is one of the strongest forces fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, holding large parts of the northern province of Idlib.

The local branch in Yemen, AlQaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), has meanwhile seized significant territory in the south and southeast as the government struggles against Iran-backed Shiite insurgents who have taken the capital Sanaa and other areas.

AQAP suffered a setback last week when Yemeni troops recaptured the key port city of Mukalla it occupied for more than a year.

But AQAP remains the key jihadist force in Yemen with thousands of members compared with only several hundred affiliated with

IS, McCants said.

AQAP, considered by Washington to be Al-Qaeda’s most well-established and dangerous branch, has also claimed responsibility for one of the group’s most important attacks abroad in recent years.

In January 2015 gunmen stormed the Paris offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo with assault rifles and other weapons, killing 12 people in an attack claimed

by AQAP. Another branch, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has carried out assaults on hotels and restaurants in Mali, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast since November that have left dozens dead, including many foreigners.

The attacks in west Africa “have reasserted the regional presence of AQIM and shown its expanding reach,” New York-based intelligence consultancy The Soufan Group said in March. AFP

A Sure Bet for Progress in Gaming, Entertainment and Nation Building

Invitation to Bid for the Procurement of One (1) Lot Three (3) Years Janitorial Services for Manila Grand Opera of Satellite Operations Group (SOG) 1 under ITB No. PB16-031 The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming public bidding for the Procurement of One (1) Lot Three (3) Years Janitorial Services for Manila Grand Opera of Satellite Operations Group (SOG) 1 under ITB No.PB16-031.

Approved Budget for the The annual ABC: Contract (ABC): One Million Five Hundred Sixty Thousand Pesos VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated (PhP1,560,000.00) VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction.

Transaction Total ABC for three (3) years: Four Million Six Hundred Eighty Thousand Pesos (PhP 4,680,000.00), VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction.

Location:

Manila Grand Opera Hotel 925 Rizal Avenue corner Doroteo Jose Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila

Approximate Floor Area:

One Thousand One Hundred (1,100) Square Meters

Required Personnel:

Six (6) regular, trained and healthy legal aged janitors composed of three (3) female and three (3) male.

Janitorial Shift Rotation:

First (1st) Shift : 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Second (2nd) Shift : 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

[Inclusive of one (1) hour break]

Visit. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls (2nd-R) visits the Easo touristic area on the island of Lifou in New Caledonia on May 1, 2016. AFP

Influx of refugees spurs German justice to tackle Syria war crimes BERLIN—Germany will Tuesday start its first war crimes trial over atrocities in Syria, as a mass refugee influx brings not only witnesses and victims but also suspects into the country.

Aria L., a 21-year-old German national and suspected jihadist, posted on Facebook photos of himself posing next to two decapitated heads in Syria—and his case is not the only one from the war-torn country to occupy German justice.

“Ten investigations linked to Syria or Iraq are currently being examined by the federal prosecutor, on top of more than 30 cases against former jihadists over their membership in a terrorist group,” said a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office.

Among other key war crimes suspects are Ibrahim Al F., a 41-year-old Syrian and the alleged leader of an Islamist rebel group known for kidnapping and torturing civilians in Aleppo.

Another suspect is Suliman

A.S., a 24-year-old Syrian suspected of having kidnapped a UN soldier in 2013.

Such investigations have gained momentum particularly as 1.1 million asylum seekers arrived in Germany last year, about 40 percent of whom fled the wars in Syria and Iraq.

Authorities dealing with their asylum requests have picked up and sent 25 to 30 tips every day to prosecutors, as Germany since 2013 requires applicants to complete a form asking if they have witnessed war crimes or could name perpetrators of violations.

“The refugee influx has provided new opportunities for prosecutors to collect specific information,” said Geraldine Mattioli, expert on international justice at Human Rights Watch.

Germany is no stranger to trying war crimes committed abroad, although past attempts have been met with mixed success.

In 1993, pushed by an inflow of refugees fleeing the war in

Yugoslavia, Germany formed a special police unit dedicated to investigating war crimes committed in the Balkans.

Other European countries took similar action, with one of the most active investigations carried out by Dutch police.

German prosecutors eventually examined 127 cases and heard 4,500 witnesses. But the Herculean effort led to only four trials, including a genocide conviction.

Undeterred, the prosecution service sought ways to refine their procedure, becoming more sophisticated in tackling cases involving massacres in Africa’s Great Lakes region.

There, the judiciary dispatched its investigators to collect evidence on the ground and sought to offer better protection for witnesses.

The painstaking task led to the convictions of two Rwandan rebel leaders for masterminding massacres in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo from their homes in Germany. AFP

No. of Days Work

Seven (7) days a week; Three Hundred Sixty-Five (365) days a year

Contract Duration

Within a period of Three (3) Years commencing from the effectivity date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

Source of Funds:

Internally Funded

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

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

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

Schedule May 2, 2016 to May 23, 2016

2. Pre-Bid Conference

May 10, 2016 2:00 P.M.

3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids

May 23, 2016 2:00 P.M.

4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids

May 23, 2016 2:00 P.M. onwards

Complete details of the project are indicated in the bidding documents which will be available to prospective bidders at the Bids and Awards Services Department (BASD), acting as the BAC Secretariat, upon payment of the non-refundable cost for the sale of bidding documentsin the amount ofFive Thousand Pesos(PhP5,000.00).

Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable cost for the sale of bidding documentsnot later than the date of the submission of bids. The Pre-bid Conference is open to all prospective bidders.

Prospective bidders should present to PAGCOR’s Cashier located at the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, New World Manila Bay Hotel, 1588 M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila either the Bidding Fee Slip which may be secured from BASD or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

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

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

2.

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

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

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

Please address all communications to the Bids and Awards Committee thru BASD, Room 203, Second (2nd) Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Tel No.: 524-3911, 521-1542 local 223 or 671.

(SGD) ALBERTO R. VILLARAMA Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 3

( T S - M AY 2 , 2 016)

M O N D AY : M AY 2 , 2 0 1 6

B8

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Celebration. Model Gigi Hadid (C) celebrates her 21st birthday with friends in Intrigue Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas on April 30, 2016 ,in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP

Obama receives his final laughs Toxic leak suspected of killing tons of fish HANOI—Hundreds of people gathered Sunday in the Vietnamese capital to protest against a Taiwanese company suspected of involvement in a toxic leak that has hit the fishing industry along the central coast.

Tons of dead clams were found last week in Ha Tinh province where fish began washing up on beaches earlier in April, sparking a public outcry.

The area is home to a large steel mill run by a Taiwanese conglomerate, Formosa.

The demonstrators who marched around Hoan Kiem lake in central Hanoi carried banners reading “Formosa out of Vietnam”, “The sea dies, we die” and “Save our sea”.

Reports on social media said hundreds of demonstrators also

massed in Ho Chi Minh City in the south.

Although an official inquiry is continuing, state-run media has pointed the finger at a 1.5-kilometer waste water pipeline from Formosa’s multi-billion dollar steel plant to the ocean.

The company has a long history of environmental scandals spanning the globe, although the probe has yet to directly link Formosa’s operations to the fish poisoning.

Chou Chun Fan, a Formosa company official, was sacked after he said Vietnamese “need to choose whether to catch fish and shrimp or to build a state-of-theart steel mill”.

The company apologized for the comments and has launched its own inquiry. AFP

WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama cracked jokes and poked fun at rivals Saturday in his last appearance as US leader at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, ending his performance with a mic drop and the words “Obama out.”

The black-tie event—at which the president, followed by a bona fide comedian, regale journalists and their celebrity guests with jokes about government and the media—is an annual inside-thebeltway ritual.

Obama poked fun at himself, the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, and reporters. On a serious note he praised Washington Post former Tehran correspondent Jason Rezaian, who was released in January after 18 months in an Iranian prison.

“This is a big and intimidating room,” Rezaian said when he was given an award. “But it beats solitary confinement.”

Obama made fun about how he

has aged on the job and how in his final year his approval ratings have been rising.

“The last time I was this high, I was trying to decide on my major,” Obama said, a reference to smoking pot in college.

“Here we are. My eighth and final appearance at this unique event,” Obama said. “If this material works well, I’m going to use it at Goldman Sachs next year. Earn me some serious Tubmans.”

That was a jab at Hillary Clinton, criticized for not releasing the transcripts of speeches to the bank she delivered in 2013 and for which she was reportedly paid $675,000.

And 19th century abolitionist Harriet Tubman will soon appear on the $20 bill.

Democrat Bernie Sanders— who wore a suit and tie instead of a tuxedo—was the sole presidential candidate present.

“Bernie, you look like a million bucks. Or, to put it in terms you will understand, you look like 37,000 donations of $27 each,” Obama said, a reference to the flood of small contributions to Sanders’ insurgent campaign.

“I am hurt though, Bernie, that you have distanced yourself from me. That’s not something that you do to your comrade.”

Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus “is here as well,” Obama said. “Glad to see that you feel that you have earned the night off.

“Congratulations on all of your success. The Republican Party, the nomination process, it’s all going great. Keep it up.”

The Republicans are split and in disarray over what to do with Donald Trump, the 2016 Republican White House front runner. AFP

Drought leaves farmers dry in India TIKAMGARH, India—As young boys plunge into a murky dam to escape the blistering afternoon sun, guards armed with guns stand vigil at one of the few remaining water bodies in a state hit hard by India’s crippling drought.

Desperate farmers from a neighboring state regularly attempt to steal water from the Barighat dam, forcing authorities in central Madhya Pradesh to protect it with armed guards to ensure supplies.

India is officially in the grip of its worst water crisis in years, with the government saying that about

330 million people, or a quarter of the population, are suffering from drought after the last two monsoons failed.

“Water is more precious than gold in this area,” Purshotam Sirohi, who was hired by the local municipality to protect the stopdam, located in Tikamgarh district, told AFP. “We are protecting the dam round the clock.”

But the security measures cannot stop the drought from ravaging the dam in the parched Bundelkhand region, with officials saying it holds just one month of reserves.

Four reservoirs in Madhya Pradesh have already dried up, leaving more than a million people with inadequate water and forcing authorities to truck in supplies.

Almost a hundred thousand residents in Tikamgarh get piped water for just two hours every fourth day, while municipal authorities have ordered new bore wells to be dug to meet demand.

But it may not be enough, with officials saying the groundwater level has receded more than 100 feet owing to less than half the average annual rainfall in the past few years. AFP

Making a statement. This picture shows one stack of burning elephant tusks, ivory figurines and rhinoceros horns at the Nairobi National Park on April 30, 2016. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta set fire on the world’s biggest ivory bonfire after demanding a total ban on the trade in tusks and horns to end the extinction of elephants in the wild. AFP

m onday : m ay 2, 2016

TaTUm anCHETa EDITOR

BInG PaREL

A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERnadETTE LUnaS WRITER

life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

E aT, dRInK , T R aV EL

LIFE

C1

TREATS fOR MOMS On ThEIR SpECIAl DAy

I

t’s already may and as the flowers bloom to greet this season, it’s also that time of the year to celebrate the love, courage, determination, and sacrifice of that special woman that forever makes everything abloom for us – our mothers.

Say “I love you,” send her flowers, or treat her to a day’s worth of pampering to make her feel like a queen on her special day. Whether it’s for your mother, stepmother, grandmother, great-grandmother, or who ever raised you as her kid, send her your warmest thanks and celebrate mother’s day. We’ve gathered a few mother’s day specials in the metro to help you plan on how to celebrate with your mom. Though we can never really thank her enough for raising us and bringing us to this world, make mother’s day a special day to show her how much she is loved.

fEASTS fIT fOR A quEEn AT RESORTS WORlD MAnIlA

SOfITEl pAyS hOMAgE TO MOMS

Even Michelin star chefs would tell you that the best chef for them is their mother. In Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, they’re paying homage to beloved household dishes that almost always remind us of home or our childhood. On May 8, enjoy enriched selections at Spiral on Mother’s Day Weekend with unique home flavor interpretations by featured celebrity mothers Lotlot de Leon, Janice de Belen and Marjorie Barretto in collaboration with Spiral’s culinary artisans. Learn about these celebrity moms’ favorite family recipes together with favorite family dishes spanning the 21 dining ateliers of Spiral.

Dine with your loved ones while enjoying the music of a cappella group Band of Brothers. During brunch, dine with a special table centerpiece featuring a photo of your child and a flower from Botanicals.

Celebrate with your moms in the confines of Sofitel, capture a special photo op with her at the hotel’s photo booth specially built for Mother’s Day. Kids will have a great time in the interactive activity at the Chocolate Atelier as they can prepare their handmade sweet gifts for moms. Learn from artisan Pierre Marmonier as he shows how to prepare his special homemade jam with floral tea. Mothers can receive a luxurious pampering session courtesy of Nail Artisan and Le Spa and a chance to win special prizes from Sofitel partners like Coach, Lancôme and Shu Uemura.

For bookings and reservations visit www.sofitel.com

The whole month of May is as delectable as it is special as onestop leisure destination Resorts World Manila spreads feasts for moms at its signature restaurants Impressions, The Terrace, Passion, Ginzadon, and Café Maxims.

Impressions, under the skillful hands of Executive Chef Cyrille, offers a heartwarming set of French dishes at P2,500 net. The fine dining restaurant is also hosting a special Sunday Gourmet Brunch Buffet on Sunday featuring a lineup of choice meats, succulent seafood, fresh produce and delectable desserts for P3,290 net (adults) and P1,920 net (children).

Mediterranean-themed restaurant The Terrace, on the other hand, serves up its own version of an all-you-can-eat treat with its Date with Mom fare of international spread that includes create-your-own pizza counters to pork lechon carving stations for only P1,200 net per person. Moms get to dine for free with two paying guests.

Chef Antonio Ablay of contemporary Japanese and Korean outlet Ginzadon puts his skills on display by preparing a Japanese set (deep-fired tori katsu, melt-in-your-mouth yakiniku, and crisp yasai kakiage) at P750 net for two or P1,400 net for groups of four, and a Korean set (kimchi jjigae, hearty sengseon jorim using fresh red snapper, and bites of hobak jeon) at P800 net for two or P1,500 net for groups of four.

Authentic Cantonese restaurant Passion, meantime, serves a month-long lauriat-style feast at P788 net per person. Rounding up the delectable offerings, Café Maxims offers a decadent delight with pastry chef Michael Lopez’s latest creation Sweet Love priced at P1,600.

For more on Resorts World Manila’s culinary offerings this May, call (02) 908-8833 or visit www.rwmanila.com.

ChERISh MEMORIES WITh MOM AT DIAMOnD hOTEl

Don’t just give mom a break, treat her to an overnight stay or two, up to you, for only P8,500 net. Book a stay on May 6 to 8 at Diamond Hotel’s Deluxe Room that includes breakfast for two, a complimentary lunch or dinner for two to be availed on May 8, and a special gift voucher worth P500 for use at the Lobby Lounge food and beverage station. During the stay, mom can sit back and relax, enjoy online surfing with the hotel’s free unlimited Wi-Fi access in the rooms and public areas, and get her body energized in the Health Club and Spa, or beat the summer heat down at the swimming pool.

For lunch treats enjoy dining at Corniche while watching two cooking demonstrations to be conducted by the hotel’s executive chef and the executive pastry chef while a magician roams around to entertain guests. For every group of four diners, moms get a special box with different dessert selections. If mom is more into Japanese cuisine, treat her at Yurakuen Japanese restaurant and a bottle of Spanish wine is free for four diners. On May 8, mom diners will be entitled to a giveaway from Cynos and for a minimum spend of P5,000 net, she also gets a chance to win hair care gift packs from Faby Nail polishes and other partner sponsors.

For room or restaurant reservations please call (632) 528-3000.

Continued on C2

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m onday : m ay 2, 2016

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

TrEaTS For momS...

From C1

Celebrate with mom at City oF dreams manila

For dads, sons and daughters with deeper pockets, surprise mom with a luxurious hotel stay and treat her to award-winning gastronomic indulgences at City of Dreams Manila. Book mom for a special Sunday brunch buffet at Nobu Manila and enjoy 50 unique and delightful treats from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dishes at brunch with a rate of P2,800-plus per person that includes refreshments of your choice from sodas, juices to mocktails and iced tea. For moms who have a little bit of Chandon in their minds, get the package of P4,580-plus for a free flow of Moet & Chandon, a selection of champagne cocktails, Bloody Marys, mojitos, wines and beers. If the celebration calls for dinner, book an exquisite Japanese-Peruvian cuisine and celebrity-inspired gastronomy with a seven-course Omakase dinner for P3,800-plus which is available on May 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Extend the experience and indulge mom with an overnight package for two at Nobu Hotel that includes breakfast at the Nobu Manila restaurant and a one-hour massage at Nobu Spa, as well as a special flower box arrangement. For the entire duration of May, guests can choose from among any of the four room categories: Nobu Deluxe, Nobu Premier, Nobu Executive, and Nobu Suite, with the total net price package at P11,500; P12,500, P14,500; and P22,500, respectively.

At The Tasting Room, get the five-course tasting menu of European haute cuisine for P3,300-plus per person and at P4,500-plus each if paired with a selection of wines. For a taste of Southeast Asian flavors, Red Ginger prepared a wide array of Asian delights that can sure perk mom’s taste buds on her special day.

For special treats and timeless gifts, Café Society offers flowers such as potted orchids or a bouquet or basket of liliums and roses, with an option pairing of chocolate heart cake or assorted pralines and macarons in a dozen and half-dozen varieties.

For inquiries and reservations, guests can call 8008080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreams.com.ph.

Grand dame’s Grand treat For the lady oF the house

Just as how mom makes us feel loved and special everyday, she will feel the same way when you treat her to The Manila Hotel’s Mother’s Day offerings.

Spend quality time with mom by booking the Grand Dame’s Dearest Mom room package, available today until May 30. For P9,000 net per room per night, you and your mom can stay in a Superior Deluxe Room with Café IlangIlang’s buffet breakfast for two the next day. Let her enjoy an hour of Deep Cleansing or Nourishing Facial for 60 minutes at The Manila Hotel Spa. A complimentary lunch set menu at the Cowrie Grill awaits her on this special occasion.

For inquiries and reservations, patrons can call the Reservations Team at (02) 527-0011 local 1175 to 1178 or email resvn@themanilahotel.com.

makati shanGri-la hotel: a mother’s day stayCation Fit For a Queen

Because no matter what is said, moms will always be our queens. Treat her like British royalty with “The Grand Getaway: My Queen Mum” staycation package with a regular room offer that starts at P7,900-plus per night (for a minimum of two nights), inclusive of breakfast at Circles Event Café, P2,500 dining credits per stay, a special Mother’s Day amenity pouch, and a special treat of P5,000 gift certificate from luxury South Sea pearls brand Jewelmer.

For a grand treat for a queen, book Deluxe Suite accommodations that start at P14,760plus per night and inclusive of regular room offers plus Horizon Club access, a pampering one-hour Aroma Wellness massage for two per stay, and more grand surprises for mum.

Meanwhile, families can have a quiet tea time afternoon at the Lobby Lounge, while mom indulges in Mother’s Day Tea Treasures menu while being serenaded by Makati Shangri-La’s exceptional performers. And as if all the luxurious offerings aren’t enough, the in-house shops and salon are also open to giving mum the royal treatment and a majestic brand of Makati Shangri-La service for the whole month of May. Guests can also get a chance of winning two round-trip tickets to London via the country’s flagship carrier Philippine Airlines or a Jo Malone gift collection worth P30,000.

For room reservations and further information, please call (632) 813-8888 or email: reservations.SLM@shangri-la.com. Follow Makati Shangri-La on Facebook and @MakatiShangriLa on Instagram and Twitter.

@LIFEatStandard

raFFles and Fairmont makati’s way to Celebrate mothers

Show your appreciation for mommy when you take her to a short but sweet escape at Raffles and Fairmont Makati.

Experience a bespoke vacation at the elegant Raffles Makati with rates starting at P15,200 net that is packaged with a breakfast for two, classic Afternoon Tea, evening cocktails at the Writers Bar, a calming 60-minute Relaxation Body Massage for two and additional 20 percent off on food and beverages. Rates at Fairmont Makati start at P9,200 net, which comes with breakfast for two, 20 percent off on food and beverage and a 60-minute Relaxation Body Massage for two at the Willow Stream Spa. These room packages are available from May 6 to 8.

Bring the whole family to a Sunday brunch (12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.) at Spectrum where mommy and the whole gang can enjoy a hearty fare of grilled goods and a whimsical array of ranch-inspired desserts for P2,777 net per person. Those unable to take a brunch trip can indulge in the lavish dinner buffet from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the same price.

For inquiries and more information, call (02) 795-1888. For dining reservations, call (02) 795-1840 or email dining.makati@raffles.com.

Visit www.thestandard.com/lifestyle to check out more special treats for moms from Casa Roces Restaurant, Hotel Jen Manila, Lucia Ristorante, Midas Hotel and Casino, Richmonde Hotel Eastwood, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas and The Peninsula Manila.

Say thanks to mom with Villa del Conte chocolates No other woman will be as loving, as supportive and as caring as your mothers – the woman who has got your back no matter what. She brings out the best in you, helps you up when you’re down and encourages you to move forward even when you face great odds.

Tis Mother’s Day, show her love and appreciation with special Villa Del Conte Thank You Dark Chocolates – sumptuous delights from Padova, Italy that contain 50 percent cacao. Make this Mother’s Day the sweetest yet by

giving that special woman in your life these Italian artisanal chocolates.

Visit Villa del Conte stores at Greenbelt 5, Century City Mall, Shangri-la Mall, SM Megamall, Resorts World, Alabang Town Center, and Robinsons Magnolia. For bulk orders, please contact 893-2575 or 6216101. Go to www.villadelcontecioccolato. com to know more about Villa del Conte, or follow on Facebook at Villa Del Conte, on Instagram at @villadelconte or on Twitter at @VilladelConte.

m onday : m ay 2, 2016

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

our CoLorFuL FEStIvaLS merCury rising

By BoB zozoBrado

“T

ra la! It’s May! The lusty month of May! That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray.”

That’s from one of my favorite songs from Camelot. Could this be the reason why a lot of our fiestas are celebrated this month? Of course, since this is the Philippines, fiestas are a-plenty all throughout the year.

The colors and the pageantry of Philippine festivals dazzle the child in all of us who may have the opportunity to participate in them. In fact, I was a spectator in a recent event that featured the best of our festivals and I was awestruck by the kaleidoscope of rich, vivid colors that those of other countries may find difficult to match.

Upon the invitation of the Lyceum of the Philippines University’s (LPU) College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management (CITHM), through the Tourism chairperson Miriam Oreta, I recently witnessed a spectacular display of dances which are part of some of our country’s more colorful festivals, described as follows.

The coastal town of Abuyog, Leyte holds the Buyogan Festival yearly. The “buyog” (bees) is the centerpiece of this feast and is also where the town’s name was taken from. The highlight of the festival is the parade of dancers in brightly colored bee costumes, performing along a specified route through the town, with children crisscrossing the path, and buzzing around like bees. Other participants join the parade, with tribal designs in henna on their faces and bodies, depicting the ethnic history of the town. The festival coincides with the April 29 feast day of the town’s patron saint, St. Francis Xavier, but the merrymaking is done on a weekend closest to that date.

The Pista’y Dayat, also known as Sea Festival, is a thanksgiving celebration every April in Lingayen, Pangasinan, for the bountiful harvest and Neptune’s abundant gift from the sea. The event features mass offerings on the beautiful beaches of the province, highlighted by a fluvial parade.

Every third week of August, the Kadayawan Festival is celebrated in Davao City, for the bountiful harvest of fruits and orchids during the season. The festival’s name is derived from the ethnic word

The dancers of the Kadayawan Festival were the second runners-up

Tourism chairperson Miriam Oreta (fourth from left) with Tourism teachers who put this awesome event together (from left): Sally Corral, Enrico Cruzada, Matt Calamlam, Ivy Pagulayan, Ann Hernandez and Elizabeth Buot (not in photo is Elrem Peña)

“madayaw,” a warm and friendly greeting which is also used to describe something that is valuable, superior, beautiful, good or profitable. “Kadayawan,” therefore, means anything that brings fortune, a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest, or the serenity of life.

Malaybalay, Bukidnon celebrates the Kaamulan Festival, taken from the Binukid word “amul” (to gather). Simply put, the word means a gathering of tribespeople for a purpose – either a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these put together. Showcasing the unique indigenous culture of the province, the festival’s series of events is from the second half of February to March 10, as this latter date is also the founding anniversary of the province.

The Hinugyaw Festival is held in Koronadal, South Cotabato, revealing the city’s rich culture, tradition and beliefs.

This is a weeklong celebration in the first week of January, with many activities planned to make the occasion more meaningful and colorful, ending in a major event, the Hinugyaw sa Dalan. This is a street dancing competition by residents of

The first runner-up winners were these colorful dancers depicting the Pista’y Dayat

the city and those from the neighboring towns. The dances showcase the culture of the tribes around Lake Sebu, including graceful moves that depict the tribesmen’s courtship rituals.

I also saw excerpts of the Pintados Festival, a cultural-religious celebration in Tacloban, Leyte which banners the body painting traditions of the ancient tattooed “pintados” warriors. In 1985, the Pintados Foundation Inc. was formed by the residents of Tacloban to organize this festival in honor of the Infant Jesus. Many years later, it was merged with the June 29 Kasadyaan Festival also of the same city.

The Zamboanga Peninsula has the Vinta Festival which highlights the common form of sea transportation in Zamboanga City. It is a traditional boat with a sail emblazoned with assorted colors in vertical stripes representing the colorful history and culture of the Muslim

community. The festival also reflects the floral displays that are bountiful in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The Birds and Eggs Festival, also called the Ibon-Ebon, is celebrated on February 1 and 2 in Candaba, Pampanga, as thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. Its main feature is the presence of migratory birds in the town, consequently promoting it as a tourist destination because throngs of visitors come to watch the common, rare and endemic birds that chirp merrily along in front of them.

Thank you to LPU’s CITHM, and its Dean Lilibeth Aragon, for having educated me with this attractive array of celebrations that certainly make our country’s cultural horizon even more colorful and spectacular. Is it any wonder why “It’s More Fun In The Philippines”?

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

yoUr MoNday CHUCKLE: Why can’t women stand a day in the jungle? Because there are no shopping malls.

raise a toast to mothers!

Moms are just super when it comes to being selfless. Ask your mom what she wants for Mother’s Day and chances are, she would tell you she doesn’t really need anything, for such is their nature. But will you let Mother’s Day slip by this year without doing something special for the first woman in your life?

May being the month for Moms, be on the lookout for things that your mom wouldn’t likely ask for, but would still appreciate. Has she been working extra hard lately? Book a massage or a pampering pedicure. Does she enjoy great food and eating out but has been too busy cooking meals at home that she hasn’t had a chance to relax and dine out?

Find somewhere new to bring her. Does she enjoy special things like wine? Get her a good bottle of wine from one of the regions she visited.

There are so many thoughtful ways to show mom you love her this Mother’s Day. One of the best ways to find the perfect gift is to visit Planet

Grapes, where you will be able to earn handpicked gifts for your mom by dining and drinking wine at any Planet Grapes store from now until May 8.

From massages to dinners for two, the place offers a great selection of treats to show how much you love mom.

Just because she says she doesn’t need anything, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do something nice.

Pamper your mom this Mother’s Day, and do it with special treats from us! Or best of all, treat her to a great, cozy dinner at Planet Grapes, a food and wine restaurant that allows friends, families, colleagues or even individuals to enjoy street comfort food while discovering the right wine to pair with it. All done without any drama.

Planet Grapes is located at Tuscany at McKinley Hill (551-3713), the New Wing of Ayala Center Cebu (032-266-0526 or 032-262-0515), ShangriLa Mall (531-8207 or 532-2950) and River Park, Alabang (831-9438 or 831-9439).

m onday : m ay 2, 2016

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Punto de Partido– the cocktail that earned Michael Tubiera of Rambla the top spot. It is made with Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve with sherry wine, homemade tomato apple soda, and vermouth

@LIFEatStandard

A savory interlude, The Ketel and Oyster Spritz, an oysters infused cocktail, yes you got that right, oyster and alcohol in one! This drink earned James Ortiz of Raffles Long Bar the third place

Mindful drinking: The second challenge of diageo reserve World class 2016

T

hey say you can judge a bar and its bartender by the glass of OldFashioned they serve. Well, at least that always works for me. But to taste 18 different concoctions from the best bars in Manila in one sitting and to judge the best one is one great feat.

Now on its fourth year, Diageo Reserve World Class Philippines is set to join the World Class Bartender of the Year Competition for 2016. But before choosing who will represent our country, Manila’s best bartenders are set to compete with each other in a three series challenge. The contest started off with 21 bartending hopefuls. In the recently held second challenge, the bartenders were down to 18 and their scores and ranking were down to the judgment of assistant brand manager for Johnnie Walker Naissa Carmona, top food journalist Spanky Enriquez, and this author who is an avid cocktail drinker with dreams of one day becoming a bartender herself (laughs).

For me, a good cocktail is something that gives off a layered taste, from the nose to the palate, and even to the aftertaste. I also believe that a good drink can either remind you of a feeling – a summer by the beach, an afternoon by the mountains, falling in love, and even a heartbreak. While technique, skills, and flavor always play a big part, the bartender’s imagination can transcend the cocktail and the person who drinks it to

By TaTuM ancheTa phoTos By sTar saBroso

something aside from a glass whipped up by the bar.

For the second challenge, the theme was “Mindful Drinking,” and the task is for the contenders to come up with a recipe for a low ABV cocktail without really diluting the taste of the spirit used in the drink.

Low Alcohol by Volume means literally a low addition of alcohol in the drink, and that is hard for the bartenders as the task is to d still make the main spirit pop up on the cocktail.

The contenders whipped up cocktails with 12-15 percent ABV using spirits – Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve, Ketel One Vodka, Ciroc Vodka, Tanqueray No. TEN, Bulleit Bourbon, Singleton of Glen Ord and Don Julio Tequila – all ranging from the Diageo Reserve portfolio. From what I’ve tasted, using Tequila can be good for a low ABV cocktail, the flavor of tequila is strong that even small portions of it can still make the spirit stand out. But the winning concoctions dazzled us with flair and technique with the use of whisky and vodka.

The ones that stood out had very well crafted drinks; ingredients complemented each other and even surprised the judges with the infusion of savory flavors like oysters, bacon, duck lard, and even pearl powder. In the end, James Ortiz from Raffles Long Bar got the third place, tied at second place were Jess Saludo of Solaire Resort and Casino and Niño Cruz of City

From left: Nino dela Cruz, challenge judge Tatum Ancheta, James Ortiz, Michael Tubiera, Jess Saludo and challenge judge Naissa Carmona

The Goldsmith– a Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve based cocktail that used flower-infused green tea, lemon juice, and orange bitters made by second placer Jess Saludo of Solaire Resort and Casino

of Dreams, and Michael Tubiera of Rambla earned the top spot.

Ortiz’s cocktail is surprising – named Ketel and Oyster Spritz. Yes, you read that right, his winning ingredient was oyster.

One would think that it would taste slimy and fishy but amazingly, the technique he used for his homemade oyster cream tasted just like salted milk that explodes when you bite off the spring onion garnishing the drink. His drink is made up of Ketel One vodka, white wine, fresh calamansi and orange juice, kaffir lime leaves, and of course, the oyster cream.

Saludo’s The Goldsmith that tied him in the second place is something I would love to go back to and drink over and over again at his bar. I called it luxury in a glass, inspired by his family of jewelers; the cocktail is vibrant gold with pearlized colors from the pearl powder. His base is Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve with a mixture of flower-infused green tea, lemon juice, orange bitters, saffron-infused liqueur and passion fruit syrup mixed with the pearl powder and is finished with smoke sage.

Cruz’s used Don Julio Añejo with spice syrup, elderflower liqueur, grapefruit lychee juice, and tangy lime juice for his cocktail with a love story called Julio meets

Paloma. To lower the ABV, his technique was to carbonate his concoction and add a little bit of air to the drink. I’m not a fan of fizzy fruity drinks but his cocktail is something you’d drink over and over again while he entertains you behind the bar with his funny quirks and story telling.

Rambla is known for its Spanish cuisine and what better way to represent their drink than to make something that would complement their dishes? Earning the top spot for this second challenge is Tubiera with his Punto de Partido cocktail that made use of Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve with sherry wine, homemade tomato apple soda, and vermouth mixed with various ingredients such as vanilla, rhubarb, cinnamon, and caramel. His drinks were served with tapas on the side.

The 18 contenders will once again compete for the final post on the last leg on May 12 that will be held in Solaire Resort and Casino. This time, the theme is #LoveScotch, Cuisine Meats Cocktail.

The task is to create a savory cocktail using Scotch from the Diageo portfolio; it’s exciting to anticipate what the contestants will come up with next. This last leg will determine who will compete in the Global Finals in Miami, Florida for the World Class Bartender of the Year Competition.

m oNDAy : m Ay 2, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

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Herschel is kown for manufacturing finest quality backpacks, bags, travel goods and accessories

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ThE pROjECT ThaT bECamE glObal SEnSaTIOn

reating quality products that stand the test of time with a fine regard to detail, that is the vision of the popular bag and accessories label Herschel Supply.

What started as a project seven years ago by brothers Jamie and Lyndon Cormack out of their love for travel and the outdoors now became a global sensation. Herschel Supply bags are known for its charismatic laidback vintage-inspired silhouettes coupled with contemporary details, striking a perfect mix of heritage and modern sensibilities.

Herschel Supply introduced rcently its Spring/Summer 2016 (SS16) line at Makati Garden Club, drawing from the spirit of this season’s sun drenched discoveries of leisure and natural beauty. This energetic seasonal offering marries bountiful colors, prints and material stories all captured in a wide range of bag, travel, accessories and headwear silhouettes. A retreat to experience the calming ocean breeze as it skims across the waves towards a tropical paradise, that’s the inspiration behind this season’s unique offerings.

Classics Collection

Premium finishes and evocative materials like vibrant woven straw, ballistic fabric, innovative self-healing ripstop and lustrous nylon adorn the extensive SS16 Classics collection. Refreshing seasonal tones and custom prints pull inspiration from vibrant skies and palm fringed sanctuaries.

Among the selection of new backpack silhouettes, a full-sized rendition of the popular Dawson is introduced alongside the cleanly designed Iona. Herschel Supply’s highest volume tote, the Bamfield, joins the Point as welcomed additions to the SS16 line. The updated Women’s offering includes exciting new crossbody, backpack, shoulder bag and clutch silhouettes that are elegantly styled.

Studio Collection

The SS16 Studio collection manifests the brand’s utilitarian aspect which features clean

Herschel Brand Executive Klarizza Santilla with Angela Nepomuceno

lines and innovative water- resistant materials engineered to complement one’s urban exploration. Composed of polycoat fabric and industrial grade tarpaulin product segments, the progressive Studio Collection is finished with sealed zippers, premium tanned leather and screen printed accents.

The iconic Little America backpack is introduced to the protective polycoat offering, joining new Spring silhouettes such as the oversized Bamfield tote and the Studio-exclusive Ruskin backpack. Familiar staples like the Sutton Mid- Volume duffle and Chapter travel kit are also featured in Black, White, Navy and Deep Lichen Green seasonal colors. The premium tarpaulin line continues to elevate the Studio Collection with updated White, Peacoat and Quarry tones that are perfect for the Summer season. The streamlined Parker backpack is introduced to a range of familiar silhouettes, including the classic Settlement backpack, Alexander tote, Chapter travel kit and versatile Folio XL pouch.

headwear Collection

Embracing the spirit of tropical destinations, Herschel Supply also offers a broad range of headwear for its SS16 line from caps, bucket hats to knitted beanies that will surely complement one’s sun drenched get-

members of Herschel Philippines Team Iza Santillan, Trisha Go, Lyka Labadia, and Pat Asuncion

aways. Joined by the Guide Pack in the performance pieces, the cleanly designed Stride offering is presented, applying lightweight poly micro fiber and perforated panels to athletic silhouettes. The woven straw Dawn, comfortable Faded Denim and militaryinspired tonal cotton Defense Class are also among the new addition.

Featured in an array of seasonal tones and materials, new design-driven headwear silhouettes have also been added. The Whaler Mesh snapback, along with the vintage baseball inspired Harwood and six-panel Troy caps are joined by the full brim Gambier, which is rendered in soft felt. Perfect for any season, the low profile Buoy beanie is a welcomed addition to the refined offering of knitted headwear.

Exploring Kindness

The event is also a fund raising partnership between Herschel Supply and Makati Garden Club (MGC) as part of both brands’ CSR efforts. The proceeds from the event will be extended to charitable institutions that will help send less fortunate kids to school. MGC was started by a small group of plant lovers and is now the pioneer and leader in plant care and gardening in the country. It has continuously supported different fund-raising and livelihood projects to give back to the Filipino community.

Herschel Supply draws from the imagination of the explorers and dreamers, people who seek to connect to the world with the different discoveries they make along their journeys. Blending innovation and iconic aesthetics, the brand seeks to enable the wanderer in us, one bag at a time.

To know more about Herschel Supply visit www.herschelsupply.com and Herschel Supply Philippines on Facebook. Or check out the following social media handle and hashtags: @herschelsupply, #HerschelSupplySS16, #WellTravelled #WellPacked #CityLimitless Herschel Supply is available at Herschel Ayala TriNoMa , Herschel SM North EDSA Annex, Herschel UP Town Center, Herschel SM Megamall, Herschel SM Aura, Herschel Alabang Town Center, Herschel Uptown Mall, Herschel Marquee Mall, Herschel Abreeza Mall, Herschel Centrio Mall, Herschel Ayala Cebu, Herschel SM Cebu, Herschel SM Davao, Soon to open at Herschel SM Iloilo, Herschel Eastwood Mall . Herschel Supply is also available at Bratpack, The Travel Club, Grind, General, Flight001, Rustan’s Department Store and Duty Free Philippines.

The brand is exclusively distributed in the Philippines by the Primer Group of Companies – Asia’s next retail giant.

TV5, Starmobile partnership for may election coverage

TV5 news and public affairs will use Starmobile’s Digital TV-enabled (DTV) smartphones to bolster its integrated news coverage

TV5 has announced a partnership with Philippine tech leader Starmobile to deliver an extensive and in-depth coverage of the May 2016 national elections.

TV5 news and public affairs will use Starmobile’s Digital TV-enabled (DTV) smartphones Knight Vision, UP Vision, and UP Max to bolster its integrated news coverage across broadcast, digital, mobile, and social platforms.

These devices feature built-in DTV tuners with

recording capabilities that will allow TV5’s news personnel to monitor and respond to what’s happening on the ground.

“This partnership aims to leverage the power of technology to enable our journalists, in behalf of voters nationwide, to keep an eye on what is happening with our national elections,” said Head of News5 Operations DJ Sta. Ana. “It is part of our bigger goal to provide the Filipino people with

the news and information that they need to become responsible citizens.”

“Since 2011 Starmobile has enabled Filipinos to reach for their own stars,” said Starmobile Product Development Head Michael Chen. “With our support for TV5 and Bilang Pilipino, we aim to show how our innovations can be used to empower Filipinos as they participate in the next elections and build a brighter future.”

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M ONDAY : M AY 2, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

DUTERTE, POE LEAD BAKERY’S INFORMAL SURVEY

D

avao Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte and Senator Grace Poe top Kamuning Bakery Cafe’s unique “Pandesal Presidential Survey.”

The pre-war bakery started to measure the popularity of the five presidential candidates in the Philippines’ May 9 elections.

The 77-year-old, artisanal bakery cafe is also venue of the newsmakers’ non-partisan “Pandesal Forum” with media.

In this “Pandesal Survey”, customers can vote for their favorite candidate by buying the pugonbaked pandesal sandwich and drink assigned to each bet. Last chance to vote in the Pandesal Survey is before closing time of May 9.

Apart from “Pan de Poe” (corned beef pandesal with Kape Mocha) for Senator Grace Poe, “Pan de Binay” (longganisa pandesal with Brewed Coffee) for Vice-President Jejomar Binay, “Pan de Roxas” (chicken pandesal with Kape Americano) for ex-DILG Secretary Mar Roxas,

“Pan de Duterte” (spicy burger pandesal with Hot Chocolate) for Davao Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte and “Pan de Miriam” (tuna pandesal with Kape Latte) for Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago. Kamuning Bakery Cafe owner Wilson Lee Flores added a sixth choice called “Pan de Nada” (ham and egg pandesal with Brewed Coffee with Mickey Mouse as image) for those who prefer “none of the above.” According to Kamuning Bakery Cafe, vote buying (pun intended) is not only allowed but encouraged.

Kamuning Bakery was founded in 1939 as Quezon City’s first bakery upon the invitation of pre-war newspaper tycoon Don Alejandro Roces who arranged for sale of government land at 15 centavos per square meter to founders Atty.

Leticia “Letty” Bonifacio Javier and her husband Lt. Marcelo Javier (he died fighting the Japanese during World War II in the Battle of Manila). It was acquired and revived in December 2013 by

writer, history buff, foodie and realty entrepreneur Wilson Lee Flores. He restored the old cafe on March 20, 2015.

Today, it continues its artisanal and “pugon” or wood-fired brick oven baking.

Among its many colorful clients include Don Alejandro Roces, his son the newspaper publisher and activist Joaquin “Chino” Roces, press freedom stalwart U.P. Dean Armando Malay, the late President Cory C. Aquino, national artists like Nick Joaquin and Levi Celerio, showbiz celebrities, and public school student who used to walk here to buy pugon-baked breads s now the first female Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

For inquiries, Tels: 4161637, 9292216, 4126628; Office Tels: 4126685, 4112311, 4151692, 3326066... Wilson 09178481818, 09188077777, 09228321888 or willsoonflourish@gmail.com or kamuningbakerycafe@gmail.com

CNN ‘Road To ASEAN’ goes to Vietnam

CNN’s “Road to ASEAN” continues its journey to Vietnam to profile two companies that are taking advantage of the country’s growth

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 43 — —, so good!

44 Tender 45 Shirt-pocket stain 48 Lon — of Cambodia 49 Atlas page 50 Facade 52 Go fast (2 wds.)

57 Totally amazed 58 Poet’s black 60 Tryst keeper 61 More than want 62 Birdcall 63 Grenoble’s river 64 Foe opposite 65 Sock end 66 Where Priam ruled

DOWN

ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE

1 5 8 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 21

ACROSS

Like Antarctica Crow talk They fly by night Ph.D. exams Et — (and others) Vega’s constellation Out of it Impudence Europe-Asia range Suffused Not roundabout

23 Rural rtes.

24 Barley bristle 25 Moon’s place 26 Recently (2 wds.)

30 Sister’s girl 32 Monsieur’s shout 33 Having 1,001 uses 37 Scope 38 Steel-beam fastener 39 RN employers 40 Washed 42 Claws or talons

1 Sudden ouster 2 Writer Sarah — Jewett 3 Cowardly Lion portrayer 4 554, to Caesar 5 Clothed 6 Feel crummy 7 Oaters’ milieu (2 wds.)

8 Make indistinct 9 Lew of “Johnny Belinda” 10 Racecourse 11 Like pretzels 13 Athens rival

Next month, CNN’s special series Road to ASEAN’ continues its journey to Vietnam to profile two companies that are taking advantage of the country’s growth to expand throughout Asia.

Vietnam’s increasing wealth is fuelling rapid expansion in the country’s airline industry. CNN looks at how budget airline VietJet Air is helping millions of people to fly for the first time. Known for creative marketing and low fares, VietJet Air is now challenging state-run carrier Vietnam Airlines.

CNN will also take a look at the country’s thriving app scene, where developers are encouraged to look beyond Vietnam and consider all of ASEAN as their potential market.

CNN looks at two entrepreneurs

MONDAY, MAY 02, 2016

14 Sharpens, as cheddar 20 JFK’s predecessor 22 Cuzco founder 24 Hung in the sun 26 Almond-shaped 27 Knock — — loop 28 “Instead of” word 29 Bates and Arkin 30 When pigs fly 31 Actor — Hawke 33 Like the flu 34 Not orig.

35 Slouch in a chair 36 Latin I verb 38 Befriend the woods 41 Finished 42 From Kathmandu 44 Mountain pass 45 Trump’s ex 46 Stair post 47 Command to a camel 49 Porcelain vase 51 Whirlpool 52 Tow-away — 53 Took a beating 54 Completed 55 Sleuth — Wolfe 56 Dingy 59 Halloween cry

Featured on the show is an app designed to help travelers connect with local tour guides

who are using that advice to build their app: Hai Ho and Ha Lam, the founders of Triip.me, which is designed to help travelers connect with local tour guides.

CNN’s Road to ASEAN airs on May 3 and 17 within CNN Today (6 a.m.), CNNMoney view with Nina Dos Santos (6 p.m.) and News Stream (8 p.m.).

m onDAy : m Ay 2, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

K

RHIAn RAmoS REmAInS A KApuSo

apuso actress Rhian Ramos remains loyal to her mother network after signing on April 30 another three-year exclusive contract.

Present during the contract signing were Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, Consultant for Business Development Department II Marivin T. Arayata, Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, other network officers, and Rhian’s manager Ronnie Henares.

Rhian said she is very happy with her renewal of contract with GMA 7 which has been her home network for the past decade. “Dito ako sa GMA nagsimula 10 years ago. I’m happy to continue a great relationship with the company. It’s pretty much my family. Dito na ako lumaki.”

The 25-year-old Kapuso star is likewise very excited to start working on her new projects this year, “I really think that now it’s a great time for me and I’m very excited to give my best this year.

As you get older, mas nagiging mature ka and mas maraming naiintindihan. Mas marami akong mabibigay ngayon in terms of acting kumpara when I started. Mas marami na akong alam ngayon at mas effective ko nang magagawa yung mga roles ko. I am very, very excited to be working on new things this year. I just want to make sure to give the best product of my life.”

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Trading as it happens

Bloomberg TV Philippines introduces Starting Gate with entrepreneur-philanthropist Quintin Pastrana, international business journalist Regina Lay and finance analyst JP Ong. The show is aimed at enhancing the audience’s understanding of current market trends, with the incisive analysis of the top three things to look out for in the trading based on the biggest corporate and economic developments.

Taking off from interviews with analysts and newsmakers from First Up, Starting Gate pushes the story forward, zooming in on the dynamics and inner machinations of the stock, currencies and bond markets.

The show helps the audience digest late-breakers, early disclosures of the day, the pre-open bids, and the regional view live from Bloomberg HK and the trading action as it happens.

Targeted mainly at financial market players (stocks and bonds) -- traders, brokers, analysts, institutional (banks, fund managers, insurance companies) and retail investors, as well as policymakers (BSP, PSE, SEC), Starting Gate will come in handy even for those new to the stock market. Everyone and anyone can gain from the vital business and financial data that only Bloomberg and its worldwide network can impart. No other business channel provides a more vivid market outlook, or a more penetrating market insight than BloombergTVPh. Be caught up in the action of the Philippine stock market – one of the best performing in Southeast Asia, through Starting Gate weekdays 9:25 to 10 a.m. on BloombergTVPh Channels 127HD and 8SD via Cignal TV.

Loyal Kapuso. Actress Rhian Ramos renews her ties with GmA network

Atty. Gozon is pleased Rhian continues to affirm her loyalty to the Kapuso Network, “She is a

very good actress, so we are very thankful that she signed up with us again.”

Entrepreneur-philanthropist and Bloomberg TV philippines anchor Quintin pastrana

nickelodeon’s sizzling Let kids REACH for their brand new shows dreams and episodes

A Nick-tastic summer adventure awaits everyone as brand new shows and exciting new episodes hit Nickelodeon (http://www.nick-asia.com) this May. Heat up the last days of summer by finding new friends to spend weekdays with and going on more adventures with your favorite characters.

Get a taste of kick-ass action from the four fearsome Turtles of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as they travel back in time and cross worlds with the original 80’s Turtles, to beat Krang of the past and present. The original voice cast from the 80’s returns as well in this epic Trans-Dimensional Turtles, 6 p.m. Fridays.

See what comes out when the supernatural is combined with the ordinary, as 14-year-old Talia moves in with her grandmother and starts spending time in the kitchen of their heirloom restaurant.

Here, Talia discovers her true calling for cooking and her late father’s magical spices. Armed with her “salt and pepper sense” and a dash of magic, Talia serves up customers the right kind of dish that they need. Witness how Talia whips up magic in the kitchen in the brand new show Talia in the Kitchen (www.nickasia.com/talia), airing 7:30 p.m. weekdays beginning tonight.

Take a trip down Bikini Bottom to catch up with SpongeBob SquarePants and Squidward Tentacles in a two-hour marathon special of the best Squidward episodes. Find out what ensues after

Spongebob and his favorite neighbor, Squidward, accidentally flushes Mr. Krab’s safe. Do not miss this new underthe-sea adventure, 6 p.m. on May 6.

The heroic and incredibly cute and cuddly PAW Patrol is also back with new adventures. Follow Rubble as he finds a genie and is granted three wishes, while Francois walks the tightrope to wow the residents of Adventure Bay, but ends up needing help when several seagulls get in his way, in the new episodes of Paw Patrol, showing from May 9 to 13 at 9:30 a.m. Be sure to catch the special episode premiere, wherein the pups must take to the sky in their new Air Patroller when Volcano Island erupts.

Join in on the bedlam of hilarity inside the Loud house—11-year-old Lincoln Loud’s huge household. Follow how Lincoln survives the day-today chaos of being the only boy in a family with 10 sisters, who each have big personalities as well. Get an inside look on growing up in such a big family in the new animated series The Loud House, premiering May 30, weekdays at 6 p.m., with a sneak peek special on May 20 at 5:45 p.m.

There’s a lot of good television to look forward to and make the most of summer this May on Nickelodeon, where immensely fun and interesting shows are seasonless. Tune in to Nickelodeon this month, to get a good first look at all the new shows and episodes.

Most summer workshops are ongoing for many and for kids with classes that have just ended due to the recent school calendar adjustments, don’t let them feel left out.

REACH is a high-impact and creative sixday music and performance workshop for REACH coach and kids orgaTV host nized by CreTonipet ative UPstart Gaba or CUP – a powerhouse team composed of veterans in the events, entertainment and advertising industry from 1 to 5 p.m. on May 20, 23, 25, 27 and 30 with a

culminating show in the form of a mini-concert on June 3.

Participants will be divided into age groups, particularly 6-9 years old and 1014 years old.

To be held at Fully Booked BGC’s The Forum, REACH will allow participants to focus on voice, movement, performance and styling. They will also get a chance to learn from top brass speakers and experts for creative and high-impact modules of the day with fun yet insightful group activities.

Among the coaches and mentors are Sweet Plantado of the multi-awarded singing group, The CompanY; Abeng Averia of the original Hotlegs dance group; singer and actress Mariella Laurel; Warner Music’s Gio De Vera; and theater actor and multi-awarded TV host of GMA 7’s Unang Hirit and Pop Talk, Tonipet Gaba.

REACH is presented by Fully Booked, Slappy Cakes, Clickthecity.com and BGC Citizen.

To register, please email reachhigh2016@ gmail.com or call 0920 9148175.

Actress mariella Laurel (left) and The Company’s Sweet plantado

m oNDAy : m Ay 2, 2016

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ Aljur Abrenica

Janine Gutierrez

Jeric Gonzales

KapusO bOlsTERs summER pROgRammIng WITh 2 nEW shOWs ISAH V. RED

G

MA Network is bracing for stiffer competition as rival networks unfurl new shows or extend top-rating shows to tighten the grip on the summer ratings. The Kapuso network has closed the curtains on That’s My Amboy on a high note last Friday and premieres two new shows today.

First is a morning talk show featuring the network’s “primetime queen.” Called Yan Ang Morning!, it features Marian Rivera in her first-ever talk show.

Marian revealed that her latest project is the perfect venue to share her personal experiences on being a new mother and homemaker, and at the same time become an inspiration to achieve a healthy worklife balance.

“Ngayong nanay na ako, mas napatunayan ko na kaya palang matutunan ang lahat basta gusto at mahal mo ang iyong ginagawa. Na-realize ko rin na ang pagkakaron ng talk show ay magandang paraan para maibahagi ko ang pananaw ng isang baguhang ina na nagsisikap magkaron ng work-life balance sa panahong ito. Kaya naman sabay-sabay natin matutunan ang lahat ng bagay, lalo sa mga katulad kong first time maging isang ina.”

Yan Ang Morning! allows viewers as well as the studio audience to participate and be involved in everything that Marian does in the program. In the show, she will have a cooking segment dubbed as “Luto Ni ‘Yan” where she demonstrates how to create simple and affordable recipes. She will also create fun and easy do-it-yourself projects and activities and try the latest workouts and fitness trends.

Joining Marian as co-host is Boobay, one of her real life close friends.

Another show premiering today is Once Again. This will

be on primetime and replaces the popular series with Barbie Forteza, Andre Paras, and Kiko Estrada.

Once Again is a story that offers the promise of finding true love that would last forever – unconfined by time, circumstances and life itself.

It explores the limitless beauty of love being true and real through the phenomenon of reincarnation.

This romantic drama series stars Kapuso leading lady and Philippine Fashion Muse Janine Gutierrez as Reign Soriano / Des Mateo. It also marks the return of the network’s Ultimate Hunk Aljur Abrenica to the primetime block as he plays Edgar del Mundo and Aldrin Sanchez.

This is a story of two people who fall in love with each other in spite of them being in two different social classes – Reign, a rich girl and Edgar, a meek baker. With this, is the objection of Reign’s family that resulted to her being in an arranged marriage with an elite bachelor, Lukas. As Edgar and Reign fight their way through the tussle, all seem to spiral down into a horrifying end when the two lovers lose their lives— Edgar dies in a fight and

Reign, due to a tragic accident.

But when everything seemed lost, the two meet each other again after 20 years in a different time; and in a different place; and as two different people—but both still having the same strong love for each other as before.

Through the wonders of reincarnation, Reign now lives as Des and Edgar as Aldrin.

Joining the newest Kapuso love team are Jean Garcia as Madel Mateo; Sheryl Cruz as Agnes Carbonnel; Chanda Romero as Carmen Mateo; Joko Diaz as Lukas Carbonnel; Emilio Garcia as Tony Sanchez; Timmy Cruz as Nancy Sanchez; Thea Tolentino as Celeste Lacson and Jeric Gonzales as JV Sanchez.

Playing special roles are: Christopher de Leon as Ricardo Soriano; Bembol Roco as Romulo del Mundo; Irma Adlawan as Cecilia del Mundo; Sharmaine Arnaiz as Violeta Soriano and Phytos Ramirez as the young Lukas Carbonnel.

Once Again airs beginning tonight after Poor Señorita on

GMA Telebabad.

(ToP) Janine Gutierrez and Aljur Abrenica reunite in “once Again,” while Kapiso primetime queen marian Rivera (left) tries hosting a talk show for the first time via “yan Ang morning!”