The Standard - 2016 June 02 - Thursday

VOL. XXX NO. 110 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 THURSDAY : JUNE 2, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Gatchalian faces graft charges at Sandigan

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DAR CHIEF VOWS LUISITA REVIEW

Mariano: Cojuangcos busy ‘securing landholdings’

By Christine F. Herrera

THE 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita, owned by the family of outgoing President Benigno Aquino III, would be among the first to be subjected to a “no holds barred” review, incoming secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform, Rafael Mariano, vowed Wednesday.

“We will immediately review the sham land reform implemented by the DAR in Hacienda Luisita,” Mariano said.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, the leftist farmers group Mariano headed, said the Cojuangco family “immediately maneuvered to secure their landholdings” after Mariano was

mentioned as a possible DAR secretary.

The KMP cited reports by the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura on the most recent incident of violence against farmers of Hacienda Luisita that occurred on Monday, May 30, when agents of the Cojuangco-Aquino family attempted to demolish a farmer’s

house in Barangay Mapalacsiao, inside Hacienda Luisita.

“We will conduct a no holds barred review and reversal of the DAR’s anti-farmer decisions, [declare] a moratorium on land-use conversion, and a stop to the cancellation of farmers’ land ownership certificates,” Mariano said.

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Cabinet selfie. President-elect Rodrigo Duterte joins a selfie with the newly appointed members of his Cabinet after a press conference in Davao on Tuesday night. AFP

Miriam taken to Makati Med ICU

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Media groups hit Digong’s stand on slays

By John Paolo Bencito DAVAO CITY—Media groups on Wednesday denounced President-elect Rodrigo Duterte for saying it was all right to kill journalists if they were corrupt.

“Mr. Duterte’s crass pronouncement not only sullies the names and memories of all 176 of our colleagues who have been murdered since 1986, he has

also, in effect, declared open season [on] the media, [to silence] both individual journalists and the institution, on the mere perception of corruption,” the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said in a statement.

NUJP chairman Ryan Rosauro acknowledged that corruption was a pressing problem in the media, many have been killed because they were ex-

posing corruption or wrongdoing in the government.

“It is one thing to recognize a possible reason for murder; it is a totally different thing to present this as a justification for taking life,” Rosauro said.

The National Press Club said Duterte’s remarks seemed aimed at justifying the summary execution of Next page journalists.

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Miriam taken to Makati Med ICU

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Miriam Defensor Santiago, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, was transfered Tuesday night to the Intensive Care Unit at the Makati Medical Center.

A statement released by her office said the senator was rushed by ambulance on Monday due to complications from her lung cancer.

Narciso Santiago said his wife “is bearing well with her trademark sense of humor.”

“Miriam said that she thanks all her family, friends, supporters, fans, and others who helped pray for her recovery and sent their well-wishes on Facebook,” the senator’s husband said.

He noted that visitors are not allowed and that gifts such as flowers will not be accepted.

The senator earlier wrote a let-

DAR...

ter to Senate President Franklin Drilon and asked for an extension of her medical leave.” The senator said she is “physically and mentally weak” due to a side effect of her cancer medication.

Santiago, who ran for president in May 9 elections under her own People’s Reform Party, said one of her medications has produced a side effect of anorexia or the inability to eat and that has rendered her physically and mentally weak.

During the presidential debate last March, Santiago, who earlier said she has licked her cancerous cells, failed to attend the event,

Media...

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“This review will also include the pending petition by farmers for the revocation of the land-use conversion issued by the DAR in favor of the Cojuangcos of Hacienda Luisita,” Mariano said.

Farmer tenants have complained that the Cojuangco-Aquino family has defied a Supreme Court ruling that the President’s family must distribute the lands to the farmers, and that the DAR was conniving with them.

The Court had also ordered the family to return P1.33 billion to the farmers, since this amount came from the proceeds of the sale of some 500 hectares.

The KMP said the Cojuangco-Aquinos were now securing control over the hacienda in Tarlac.

“While we welcome President-elect Duterte’s appointment of KMP chairperson Rafael Mariano as secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Filipino peasantry must not put their guard down,” KMP secretary general Antonio Flores said.

“The Filipino peasantry should continue and heighten their collective assertion of their rights to the land. Big landlords led by the CojuangcoAquinos are fortifying their stranglehold over vast landholdings like Hacienda Luisita,” Flores said.

With Sandy Araneta

“While we acknowledge that there are also rotten members of the press similar to other professions like in the PNP and most especially among politicians, to simplify media killings as due to corruption in the press is to gloss over the fact that media killings happen due to the still prevalent culture of impunity,” said Paul Gutierrez, NPC president said.

“This branding of the media would only justify more attacks against them,” he added.

Gutierrez said Duterte’s remarks were “too sweeping, generalized and therefore unfair to the victims such as Gerry Ortega, the Ampatuan victims and to the entire profession in general.”

Gutierrez was referring to environmentalist and radio broadcaster Ortega, who was killed in January 2011. Then Palawan governor Joel Reyes and his brother then Coron Mayor Mario Reyes have been arrested in connection with the murder.

Both media groups also pointed to the most egregious of these killings— the Maguindanao or Ampatuan massacre.

“We wonder if the president-elect is willing to face the orphans and widows of the victims of these killings and tell them they were killed because they were corrupt,” Rosauro said.

“No slain members of the press were given justice particularly in the last six years. That’s why there are still many who perpetrate crimes against the media,” Gutierrez said.

The Asian Center for Journalism said Duterte’s stance could set a bad precedent for more media killings.

“There have been honest... media members, such as Marlyn Esperat, who was killed inside her house,” said Luz Rimban, ACFJ executive director.

Reporters Without Borders also expressed outraged over Duterte’s statement and urged the media to boycott his press conferences until he issues a public apology.

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines express grave misgivings about Duterte’s characterization of murdered journalists as “corrupt and biased.”

The group, the oldest alliance of campus publications in Asia, said Duterte’s statement would have a

saying she was accepted as fit to undergo a clinical trial for a new, unnamed anti-cancer pill.

Santiago also said she joined the international clinical trial to gain free access to the medication, which would otherwise be too expensive.

She said the trial requires her to report for outpatient radiation treatment at the hospital daily for a short period.

In July 2014, Santiago surprised the public after announcing she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer although she already had difficulty breathing.

Santiago divulged she has been under treatment by her correspondent doctor, Dr. Mark Kris, an oncologist who serves as chief of the Thoracic Oncology Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Due to her precarious health, Santiago also stepped down as an

chilling effect on journalists who expose anomalies.

“The pronouncement made by President-elect Duterte is a faulty generalization in which he failed to understand how the intensifying culture of impunity perpetuates the killing of journalists and media workers in their line of duty,” the group said.

On Friday, Manila-based crime journalist Alex Balcoba was shot dead outside a watch repair shop owned by his family.

Duterte sent his transition team spokesman Peter Laviña to condole with Balcoba’s family during his wake.

Laviña said that the president-elect intends to create a task force to investigate media killings and would appoint a special prosecutor to focus on such cases.

But Duterte took a different tack Tuesday night at his press conference, when he talked about the 2003 killing of radio broadcaster Juan Pala, whom he described as “a rotten son of a bitch.”

“Just because you are a journalist, you are not exempted from assassination if you are a son of a bitch,” Duterte said. “The Constitution can no longer help you when you humiliate a person.

“There are journalists who overdo their attacks. Do not expect all journalists are clean. Many of them are paid hacks,” he said.

Media groups vowed that journalists would not be cowed from doing their duty. “[L]eadership, or even its mere semblance, carries weight and what leaders say, right or wrong, seriously or in jest, will resound with their followers. Thus, even if this be jest, and we see no reason to believe this was the case, your words may well be interpreted as marching orders by those with an axe to grind against a critical press,” Rosauro said.

“Murder is no joke. Neither is press freedom,” the NUJP added.

The family of slain broadcaster Gerry Ortega issued a statement.

“Last night’s statements also came as a shock to us, below is our reaction: “Our family is incensed by the hasty and crass generalizations made about murdered journalists in the country. Doc Gerry Ortega was killed for his courage and integrity. He was murdered precisely because he was honorable. He fought for social justice. He stood up against mining in Palawan. He exposed corruption in the provincial government, which in-

elected judge of the International Criminal Court last June. She was supposed to be the first Filipino and first Asian from a developing country to sit in a tribunal that tries cases of genocides, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

She also went on a medical leave from the Senate as she underwent treatment, which included the use of a “miracle drug.”

But she assured the public on various occasions she might consider running for president if she would be able to lick her cancer.

When she filed her Certificate of Candidacy for president in October last year, the senator said she had gone over the hump of the disease although admitting she still has the lingering “cancer symptoms” like her crackling and soft voice.

Despite being afflicted with cancer, the senator has delivered speeches in several universities around the country, banking on

cluded the misuse of billions of pesos from the Malampaya funds.

“This kind of speech is alarming because without due process, it casts absolute judgment on all murdered journalists including those who were killed for telling the truth.”

Duterte’s Press secretary, Salvador Panelo, said Duterte’s statements were taken out of context because the discussion at the press conference was becoming heated.

Panelo, who was a lawyer for members of the Ampatuan clan that is standing trial for killing 58 people, including more than 30 journalists, was unapologetic.

The president-elect, he said, was “his own man” and doesn’t need to tone down his statements.

In a press briefing on Tuesday night, Duterte used Pala as an example of a corrupt journalist.

“If you will be killed, you will be killed. There is no way to know the next victim will be a journalist,” Duterte said.

“Most of the time, you did something wrong,” Duterte said in Filipino. “You received money but you continued to criticize, that’s why you were kiled.

There is corruption in the media.”

Panelo denied suggestions that Duterte had any inside knowledge about Pala’s death.

Laviña, on the other hand, said Duterte’s statements were meant as “a reminder to corrupt members of the media” who were spreading black propaganda against him.

“When Duterte said last night that members of the media become vulnerable to killings, it was because they were no longer seen as fair and neutral members of the media but because they have become partisan propagandists, deliberately using their media outlets in attacking or defending one party or another and collecting payoffs on both,” Laviña said.

“His example of most slain journalists as being corrupt or involved in shady deals was based on his own assessment of those killed in Davao City and not on the national scale,” he added.

Laviña, a former journalist, also criticized the media for focusing on his statements about journalists, instead of the new Cabinet appointments or “the declaration of war against red tape.”

“National and international media lapped up the issue of media killings.

Again and as usual, Rody Duterte

her popularity among the youth to buoy her presidential bid.

In all her campus speeches, Santiago urged millennial voters to vote for candidates with academic, professional, and moral excellence. She also asked the youth to campaign for her, recalling the massive impact of youth volunteers in her 1992 run.

The cancer-stricken Santiago occasionally participates in Senate work, but mostly remains in her La Vista home, where she has produced two best-selling joke books and the latest 2015 editions of over two dozen law books.

Santiago is set to end her Senate stint on June 30 as the consistent top-performer during her three terms.

She was senator from 1995 to 2001 and from 2004 to 2010. She was reelected in 2010 and was prevented by law from running for another term in 2016. was taken out of context, misinterpreted and misunderstood,” he said.

Panelo said despite the flak over his latest remarks, Duterte was “very protective of journalists.”

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, president of Duterte’s PDP-Laban party, also urged the public not to misinterpret Duterte’s remarks.

During the campaign, Pimentel also defended Duterte’s remarks about how he should have been first to have sex with an Australian missionary who was raped and killed by inmates in a 1989 jail riot in Davao.

The Palace, which has refrained from criticizing Duterte, said it deplored his remarks about media.

“We recognize the vital role played by journalists as purveyors of information in a democratic society,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. “As citizens, they have a fundamental right to due process and equal protection of the laws of the land,” said Coloma.

“Hence, we deplore the proposition that some journalists may have been assaulted or killed in view of their alleged involvement in media corruption,” said Coloma.

Coloma also said the government has the duty to arrest and bring to justice all those involved in media killings.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, a Liberal Party lawmaker, said he was alarmed over the suggestion that killing journalists was justified if they were corrupt or biased.

“The freedom of the press is one of the foundations of Philippine democracy. President-elect Duterte’s statement creates a chilling effect among journalists and threatens them to toe the line, or else. This is anathema to a democracy as it is this attitude precisely that has led to many journalists being killed,” Baguilat said.

Baguilat, a former journalist, said freedom of the press has to be respected and nurtured. Curtailing it would definitely lead to the suppression of basic freedoms.

“The fact that media killings continued during the Aquino administration makes that one of the black spots on its record,” he said.

Using Duterte’s own words, he added: “Being a son-of-a-bitch journalist is not an offense punishable by death.” With Macon Ramos-Araneta, Rio N. Araja, Rey E. Requejo, Sandy Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

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Gatchalian facing graft charges SENATOR-ELECT Sherwin Gatchalian is facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan over the transfer of close to P780 million in Local Water Utilities Administration funds to Express Savings Bank Inc., which was owned by the Gatchalian family, in 2009.

Navy Day. President Benigno Aquino III inspects the honor guard standing in formation beside the newly commissioned BRP Tarlac (LD-601), an amphibious landing dock vessel, during the Philippine Navy’s 118th anniversary celebrations at Pier 13 in the South Harbor in Manila on June 1, 2016. The 118th anniversary of the Philippine Navy was celebrated with the simultaneous commissioning of the BRP Tarlac, the newest ship in the navy’s inventory. AFP

Duterte supportive of K-to-12 program DAVAO CITY—The Duterte administration will remain supportive of the K-to-12 education reform program, former National Treasurer and Incoming Education Secretary Leonor Briones said Wednesday as she appealed for understanding over the “birth pains” of the new education system.

The K-to-12 program and its senior high school component would continue despite the appeals to the incoming

administration to dump it.

“By the time classes open [on June 13], the administration of Brother [Armin] Luistro would have implemented the program,” Briones told reporters.

“By the time the presidentelect has assumed office, the program [would have started].”

Duterte assured Education officials of his support to the K-to-12 program after he was briefed on it.

In a press conference on Saturday, Duterte confirmed that

Briones would take over the Education portfolio because she was “familiar with the problem we are facing with the implementation of K-12.”

The K-to-12 program adds two years to the basic education curriculum and will be implemented starting school year 2016-2017.

Those who graduated from high school this year will move to Grade 11, the first year of Senior High School, instead of proceeding to College.

Police blamed for violent dispersal in Kidapawan BOTH the protesters and government officials are liable for the violent dispersal of protesting farmers in Kidapawan City in North Cotabato that took the lives of two farmers, the Commission on Human Rights said Wednesday.

Two policemen were seriously hurt and scores of farmers and policemen were injured during the dispersal of about 6,000 farmers.

The farmers had blocked the national highway to demand rice from the government following a drought that hit their farms.

In a 46-page report, the commission said the farmers’ protest action took place when the government ignored the farmers’ demand, which was aggravated by the failure of North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Talino-Mendoza to provide them with food relief.

“Access to rice by the

farmers-protesters was not timely addressed.

Neither was a gradual nor prompt, much less sustainable, response from the government felt by the farmers-protesters,” the report says.

“The State, as dutybearer, failed to address the hunger problem of the farmers-protesters and their families.”

The Commission also noted the “deceit by the organizers and ‘unknown persons’ who went to various areas to persuade people to join the protest,” and that the “instrumentalization” of the poor must stop.

“People cannot be viewed as mere tools for the promotion of an agenda, propaganda or for a campaign. Their free consent, based upon full information of all the purposes as well as manner of the proposed action, must at all times be obtained,” the report says.

Despite the lack of

a rally permit, the Kidapawan farmers were merely “acting to avoid an evil or injury to themselves” as they were suffering from hunger.

“Though it can be argued that the farmersprotesters’ assembly blocked the highway and, in effect, curtailed the use of the same by the public, the protesting farmers were hungry—their families were in danger of suffering illnesses and even death from starvation.”

On April 1, the farmers blocked the national highway to demand government assistance.

But instead of helping the 6,000 farmers, the police stormed their barricade and opened fire, killing two farmers and wounding others.

A fatality, Rotello Daelto of Arakan town, raised his hands but an unidentified policeman fired at him, hitting him in the neck. Rio N. Araja

Classes in public schools nationwide will open on June 13. Duterte will take his oath as president on June 30.

Briones said the implementation of the program would be without any hurdles.

“The burden is on the parents, but the education itself is free and is guaranteed under the Constitution. One problem is not all schools are qualified to teach senior high school,” she said. John Paolo Bencito

Express Savings Bank Inc. is now under receivership.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales upheld the indictment of former officials of LWUA, corporate executives of Wellex Group Inc., Forum Pacific Inc. and ESBI in connection with the anomalous bank acquisition.

Indicted were exLWUA officials Prospero Pichay Jr., Eduardo Bangayan, Aurelio Puentevella, Enrique Senen Montilla III, Wilfredo Feleo, Daniel Landingin and Arnaldo Espinas; WGI executives Sherwin Gatchalian, Dee Hua Gatchalian, William Gatchalian, Elvira Ting, Kenneth Gatchalian and Yolanda de la Cruz; FPI executives Peter Salud, Geronimo Velasco Jr., Weslie Gatchalian, Rogelio Garcia, Lamberto Mercado Jr., Evelyn de la Rosa, Arthur Ponsaran and Joaquin Obieta, and ESBI executives George Chua, Gregorio Ipong, Generoso Tulagan, Wilfred Billena and Edita Bueno.

Gatchalian on Wednesday deplored the Ombudsman’s decision to include him and his family among those to be charged for the sale of Express Savings Bank Inc. to

LWUA seven years ago.

At the same time, the outgoing Valenzuela City congressman said he remained confident the graft charges against him would be dismissed because the truth was on his side.

The criminal cases resulted from the acquisition by LWUA of ESBI, a local thrift bank based in Laguna that was owned by the Gatchalians, FPI and WGI. On March 24, 2009, the LWUA board composed of Pichay, Bangayan, Montilla, Puentevella and Landingin approved Resolution 56 of 2009 authorizing the acquisition of ESBI without the requisite regulatory approvals from the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral, Department of Finance and Office of the President.

“The acquisition was also made in contravention of the legal opinion rendered by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel that opined it is subject to review by the DoF and approval by the OP, including compliance with applicable banking laws, rules and regulations,” the Ombudsman said. Rio N. Araja, with PNA

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT of AGRARIAN REFORM ELLIPTICAL ROAD, DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY • TELS. 928-7031 TO 39

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER No. 02 Series of 2016 SUBJECT:

AMENDING SECTION 104 OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 7, SERIES OF 2011

Section 1. Section 104 of Administrative Order No. 7, Series of 2011 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 104. Public Works for the Use of the Community. – Existing improvements that are not property of public dominion which may be used by the community and the public, such as, but not limited to, roads, firebreaks, bridges, and irrigation canals, and those that are not yet existing but included in the subdivision plan, such as road and canal lots, shall remain titled under the name of the Republic of the Philippines. As such, and considering that ownership thereof will not be transferred to them, the ARBs need not pay the State for such portions and shall be excluded from the amortization payments.

Section 2. A new Section is hereby added after Section 104 of Administrative Order No. 7, Series of 2011 to read as follows: Section 104-A. Common Service Facilities. – Fixed private common agricultural service facilities, such as, but not limited to, warehouses and dryers, which are for common use and benefit as may be defined by DAR, shall be transferred to all of the ARBs in the landholding through a Farmers’ Association or Cooperative, or in the absence thereof, through co-ownership, and equally shared payments covered under either individual or collective land amortizations, as the case may be.

Section 3. A.O. No. 7, Series of 2011, and all other orders, circulars, rules and regulations, and issuances or portions thereof that are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Section 4. Any judicial pronouncement declaring as unconstitutional any provision of these Rules shall have no effect on the validity of the other provisions not affected thereby.

Section 5. These Rules shall take effect ten (10) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Diliman, Quezon City, 26 May 2016.

VIRGILIO R. DE LOS REYES Secretary

Standard – June 2, 2016

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Focused foreign policy eyed

By John Paolo Bencito and Vito Barcelo DAVAO CITY—While he earlier said the Philippines would remain an ally of the West, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday his administration will pursue a foreign policy that is less dependent on the United States and more focused on Filipino interests.

Sprucing up Rizal. Personnel of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines conduct maintenance work on the monument

of national hero Jose Rizal at Luneta Park in Manila on Wednesday, ahead of the 118th Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12. DANNY PATA

Duterte eyes truce with Reds soon

By John Paolo Bencito DAVAO CITY—President-elect Rodrigo Duterte hopes to enter into a ceasefire agreement with the communist New People’s Army after the rebel force agreed to release a captured Davao police chief to him next month.

“We hope to arrive at a sort of truce in the coming days. There’s still a war going on and we cannot expect prim and proper behavior on either side. I cannot tell the [Philippine] Army to stop because I’m not yet in Malacañang,” Duterte told reporters in an interview Tuesday.

Duterte made the remark as incoming Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello confirmed that he and incoming peace process ad-

viser Jesus Dureza will be flying to Oslo on June 13 to start preliminary talks with communist rebels aimed at ending a nearly five-decade-long insurgency.

Bello said that aside from attending conferences while in Oslo, he and Dureza will be talking at the same time with Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison and National Democratic Front chief negotiator Luis Jalandoni, who are on self-exile in The Netherlands.

Bello didn’t gave any assurance whether the communist leader will be returning to the country with them in July.

Duterte’s remarks came after NPA rebels attacked the police station of Governor Generoso town in Davao Oriental on Sunday and abducted three people, in-

cluding the town’s police chief.

The abducted police officer was later identified to be Chief Inspector Arnold Ongachen. The other victims were a policewoman and a female civilian whose identities remain unavailable.

Duterte has expressed openness in dealing with the Reds with “no preconditions,” which includes the release of many political prisoners and the issuance of safety conduct passes to Sison and other peace negotiators.

The president-elect confirmed that he has already spoken with the commander of the NPA, the armed wing of the CPP in the area.

He added that he is set to rescue the individuals who were abducted, adding that the Presidential Security Group ought to join him.

“We have this pact with the West, but I want everybody to know that we will be charting a course of our own. It will not be dependent on America. It will be a line that is not intended to please anybody but the Filipino interest,” Duterte told reporters here.

Aside from the US, Manila has been expanding its strategic partnerships and forged formal agreements with Australia and Japan. The Philippines is also eyeing a strategic partnership with Vietnam.

Like the Philippines, both Japan and Vietnam also have seething maritime disputes with China, which is claiming 80 percent of the South China and has occupied reefs within a contested “nine-dash line” border.

Manila has also improved relations with India which has expressed support for the Philippines’ move to bring its maritime dispute with Beijing to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, The Netherlands.

New Delhi noted that they also brought their Bay of Bengal dispute with Bangladesh to PCA and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ruled in 2014 delimited the maritime boundary between India and Bangladesh and settled a long-running dispute.

On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs expressed satisfaction at the deepening defense cooperation with India after welcoming a delegation from India fs National Defense College, headed by Major General Sunil Srivastava SDS. Duterte had earlier told US President Barack Obama in their first telephone conversation last May 17 that Manila will continue to pursue its mutual interests with the United States and that the country will remain an “ally of the west” in its stance against Chinese occupation in the South China Sea. But the president-elect also told Chinese President Xi Jinping that he was “honored” to receive a congratulatory message from a great leader, like Xi.

‘Last polls fastest ever’ THE latest presidential elections saw the fastest proclamation for president and vice president in the history of Philippine elections, according to election technology supplier Smartmatic.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte was proclaimed president-elect and Camarines Sur Congresswoman Leni Robredo was proclaimed vice president-elect just 21 days after the May 9 elections and within three days of canvassing, the company said in a statement.

For the 2010 presidential elections, it took 30 days to proclaim President Benigno Aquino III. Proclamation of senators was likewise done at record speed, with all 12 senators proclaimed just 10 days after the May 9 elections or on May 19.

Senate President Franklin Drilon praised Comelec and Smartmatic, the electronic machines provider, for the speedy electronic count and canvassing, calling it “a job well done.” For his part,

Senator Koko Pimentel commended the two for the “record-breaking” speed of the transmission and canvassing of votes.

With 84 percent of all results already transmitted a few hours after the polls closed, winners at the local level were declared on election night or the following day. The public already knew who the winning candidates were for the national posts within 24 hours after the polls had closed.

“The success of the May 9 elections doesn’t stop at the speedy electronic count and the high voter turnout, among other positive outcomes. We also saw the fastest canvassing of votes for national positions, which were performed and finished within days, according to Smartmatic Philippines general manager Elie Moreno.

The May 9 elections saw the largest turnout since 1986 with 81 percent of the registered voters or over 44 million Filipinos casting their votes.

Last farewell. The eldest son of murdered crime reporter Alex Balcoba weeps as the

casket carrying his father is taken out of the Santo Espiritu Church in Tayuman, Manila for burial at the La Loma Cemetery. DANNY PATA

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For posterity. Members

of the Commission on Appointments (seated from left) composed of Senators Gregorio Honasan, Nancy Binay, Juan Edgardo Angara, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Aquilino Pimentel III, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Ilocos Norte’s Rep. Rodolfo Farinas pose for a souvenir photo after the ad interim appointment of 28 officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday (June 1, 2016) at the Senate building in Pasay City. PNA

Rody’s lawyer joins anti-fraud bid

By Rey E. Requejo

Another petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking to compel the Commission on elections to implement additional measures in the automated election system (AeS) to prevent fraudulent acts. this came after Al Argosino, election lawyer of President-elect rodrigo duterte in his disqualification case prior to the May 9 polls, has joined a previous bid in the high tribunal calling for more measures to prevent electronic cheating in the country’s automated polls.

Argosino backed the petition filed by former Metro rail transit general manager Al Vitangcol iii who was seeking to

compel the Comelec to adopt additional measures in the automated election system.

Argosino’s petition, which cited the same material allegations and arguments in Vitangcol’s documents, was consolidated by the sC with the previous petition. during its en banc session tuesday, the sC ordered the Comelec to file its comment on Argosino’s petition within 10

days from notice. the petitions specifically asked the sC to order the Comelec to conduct an inventory of identification numbers of vote counting machines and also make a list of all the internet protocol (iP) and Media Access Control addresses that it will use in its Virtual Private network, together with their geographical locations used in the polls.

An iP address is the numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network while a MAC address is a globally unique identifier assigned to network devices often referred to as hardware or physical address of the device.

Both are considered fingerprints of individuals in cyberspace.

Petitioners argued that these measures are necessary for the poll body to be able

to trace electronic cheating in the Aes. they cited reports in the 2010 polls about “rogue” machines that were allegedly used to manipulate the results of the elections, referring to the 60 units of Precinct Count Optical scan recovered in the house of a smartmatic-tiM technician in Antipolo City.

Petitioners said that there is a risk that a sniffer could capture the data transmission in next week’s polls when the VCMs transmit the election returns to the Comelec’s central server, the transparency server and another server at the joint congressional canvassing. the petitions were following the leak of data of over 50 million voters from the Comelec database before the May 9 polls, which prompted fears from several sectors of possible cheating in the polls.

PNoy: Cheating raps an insult to Liberals you lost, it’s something like that. the whistleblowers, who hid so why must we even spend time behind scarves and sunglasses, President Benigno Aquino iii on this?” said Aquino during a were accompanied to meet with has described as an “insult” to the one-on-one interview with GMA several senators on Monday

by Council of Philippine AfLiberal Party allegations of elec- news.

Aquino said he does not want to fairs secretary-general Pastor tion fraud being linked to them, considering their standard bearer waste his time paying attention to Boy saycon.

“You know, if Boy saycon Manuel roxas ii lost in the May the accusations of three witnesses who exposed a supposed poll- talks, it’s as if i do not want to 9 elections.

“Mar roxas lost. it’s like say- rigging operation in the vote-rich make a comment. do you have ing that we were responsible. i do province of Quezon to favor roxas proof? it is the obligation of the not understand if this is an insult, and his running mate Vice Presi- one accusing to prove it. Prove it by showing proof of your acyou were accused of cheating, then dent-elect Leni robredo.

By Sandy Araneta

cusation,” Aquino said.

“And we have the corresponding branches of government that would tackle if there is evidence and if there are complaints filed,” Aquino also said. the witnesses surfaced on the same day that Congress, convened as the national Board of Canvassers, proclaimed President-elect rodrigo duterte and robredo.

One of them claimed that the operation was done in a building in

Quezon where computers and vote counting machines were used. He said smartmatic personnel were onsite to help in the operations. the witness, identified as Bert, said that the “dagdag-lipat” operation caused 400,000 votes to be added to roxas’ tally and 300,000 to robredo’s total.

His claim, however, does not add up as roxas only received 205,791 votes in Quezon while robredo got 385,164.

Senate oldies make way for new faces

By Macon Araneta WitH the “changing of the guard” in the 17th Congress, four returning senators and four new face will be joining the 24man senate. it also means saying goodbye to six “graduating” senators and two others who failed in their reelection bid. the graduating senators whose term ends on June 30, 2016 are senate acting Minority Leader Juan Ponce enrile, Miriam defensor santiago, Pia Cayetano, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Jose “Jinggoy” estrada and ramon “Bong” revilla. those who failed in their reelection bids are senators serge Osmeña and teofisto Guingona. the new faces in the 17th Congress are senators-elect Joel Villanueva, rissa Hontiveros, Manny Pacquiao and Leila de Lima. the returning senators are Panfilo Lacson, richard Gordon, Francis Pangilinan and Jose Miguel Zubiri. except for Cayetano who will sit as repre-

sentative of the lone district of taguig City, the other senators, who are about to leave will lead a private life.

Cayetano will succeed her younger brother Lino in Congress after defeating by more than 50,000 votes her lone opponent, City Councilor Michelle Anne Gonzales.

Lapid tried his luck in his home province in Pampanga, but failed to defeat reelectionist edgardo Pamintuan in the mayoralty race in Angeles City. the former actor lost to Pamintuan by more than 30,000 votes. Lapid only got 33.8 percent of the votes, compared to Pamintuan’s 56.6 percent. the 92-year-old enrile, who spent more than four decades in public service, will just rest in his home at the dasmariñas Village when his term ends on June 30.

While he’s having problems walking because of a bad balance, enrile said he might go fishing in his hometown in Cagayan. He also uses hearing aids.

Voluntary clearing. Policemen and members of a demolition team stand on guard

as informal settlers demolish their own houses following the Quezon City government order to vacate the area and clear the MWSS waterways to ensure uninterrupted supply of drinking water along the C5- extension in Tandang Sora Brgy. Old Balara, Quezon City.

MANNy PAlMERo

T HURS DAY : J UN E 2 , 2 0 1 6

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Makati poll rivalry worsens

By Joel E. Zurbano

MAKATI City Mayor-elect Abigail Binay has asked the Commission on Elections to dismiss the election protest of losing candidate and incumbent Mayor Romulo Peña Jr. In her counter-protest she filed on May 30, the mayor-elect noted that Peña gave two different versions of his complaint, violating a Comelec Resolution which requires that two copies of the same version of the protest should be filed with Comelec and given to the protestee.

“The copy of the petition given to Binay is different from the petition submitted to the Comelec.

This is a clear attempt to confuse the camp of the mayor-elect so that she could not answer the allegations,” said her legal counsel

Claro Certeza.

Binay also asked the Comelec to dismiss Peña’s protest, saying it failed to provide detailed information on the alleged electoral fraud in the protested precincts.

“A cursory examination of the protest will reveal that its allegations are nothing but sweeping generalizations, legal conclusions, speculation, and conjecture,” Binay said.

Binay said that Peña “miserably failed” to disprove the legal presumption of regularity in the conduct of the elections. She added the election in Makati “was

conducted in accordance with law and under the careful and vigilant scrutiny of the general public.”

She also alleged that Peña just wanted to “contravene the choice of the electorate, sow disunity among the constituents of the rightfully elected mayor-elect, and taint the legitimacy and regularity of the election process.”

Binay’s camp said it was actually Peña who cheated in the elections.

She questioned Peña’s belated protest, noting that his election watchers and lawyers stationed at every clustered precinct and canvassing center could have raised an alarm about any anomalies.

Peña lost to Binay by 17,805 votes and filed an election protest on May 20, claiming that her camp committed fraud and engaged in vote buying.

“The ten-(10) day period for the filing of an election protest lapsed on 20 May 2016 without protestant successfully lodging an election protest before the Honorable Commission. He is therefore forever barred from questioning the proclamation of Protestee and assailing the validity of her mandate to serve as Mayor of Makati City,” Binay said.

Binay called Peña’s protest a “desperate bid to usurp the Office of the Mayor of Makati City from the rightful choice of the Makati City electorate.”

A Comelec random manual audit of four clustered precincts in Makati Clusters 62 (Brgy. Valenzuela), 272 (Brgy. Bel Air), 443 (Brgy. Pitogo) and 553 (Brgy.

Rizal), earlier confirmed there were no discrepancies in the results of election, Binay said.

Drug suspects. Five persons suspected of manufacturing and selling illegal drugs cover their faces when presented to the media by arresting agents of the National Bureau of Investigation in Parañaque City. DANNY PATA REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS PASAY CITY

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID th

The Commission on Appointments (CA.), with offices located at the 6 Floor, PNB Financial Center, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City invites all Government Electronic Procurement System (G-EPS) registered bidders to apply for eligibility and to bid for the health care benefits of its employees for the year 2016 -2017.

Bidding requirements/bid forms may be obtained, beginning June 6, 2016 from CA. General Service upon payment of a non-refundable fee of P5,000.00. Interested parties may get in touch with Ms. Weng Mirhan, BAC Secretariat at telephone no. 834-2708.

All rules relative to the eligibility, bid evaluation, and award of contract shall be governed by the provisions of RA. 9184, otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act. A pre-bidding conference will be held on June 09, 2016, Thursday, 10:00 AM at the CA th Conference Room, 6 floor, PNB Financial Center, Pres. Diosdado Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City. Only those who have purchased the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to participate in the pre-bid conference and raise or submit written queries or clarifications.

Public bidding will be held on June 23, 2016, Thursday, 10:00 AM at the CA Conference th Room, 6 floor, PNB Financial Center. Bid proposals will be opened in the presence of the participating bidders.

The approved agency budget for this contract is P 7,500,000.00.

The Commission on Appointments reserves the right to review all eligibility requirements, reject any or all bids, waive any defects contained therein and accept the offer most advantageous to the government, and the right to confiscate the bid bond and/ or pursue appropriate legal action should the winning bidder refuse to accept the award.

Further, the Commission on Appointments assumes no obligation whatsoever to compensate or indemnify the bidder for any expense or loss that they may incur in participating in this undertaking nor does it guarantee that an award will be made.

JOEY C. FLAMIANO Deputy Secret for Administration Chairman, Bid and Awards Committee (TS-JUNE 2, 2016)

Five drug suspects nabbed in Parañaque GOVERNMENT agents arrested five people suspected of engaging in manufacturing illegal drugs, some of which found their way in a Pasay City concert event, and seized a “kitchen-type laboratory” equipment during a raid in a condominium in Parañaque City Tuesday.

The arrest came a few days after the apprehension of suspected drug peddler Joshua Habalo during a buy-bust operation inside a hotel in Pasay City, according to Joel Tovera, head of the National Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Division.

“I still have to find the word to describe what kind of syndicate the five individuals we have arrested.

But before their arrest, there was a successful buy-bust operation of one of their members,” said Tovera in a press conference at the NBI headquarters on Taft Avenue, Manila.

Habalo, however, denied any involvement in the Pasay City concert event.

The five suspects, according to the NBI, might also be responsible for the death of five concert goers, including an American national, who attended the CloseUp Forever event in an open parking area at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City last month. Joel E. Zurbano

Navy struggling to boost fleet

By Florante S. Solmerin THE Philippine Navy acknowledged on Wednesday the continuing efforts of the government to modernize its equipment and war machines with great stride even though majority of its acquisitions were “ hand-me-downs” from foreign allies.

“The Navy saw an unprecedented momentum in the upgrade of our capability since the modernization program started,” Vice Admiral Caesar Taccad, Navy chief, said in his speech during the 118th anniversary.

“Year after year, we saw the outpouring of support as our government acquired more and more assets, platforms and hardwares to boost our Navy’s capability. We have built better facilities and naval bases that boosted our naval defense posture within only six years.”

The occasion was highlighted by the acquisition of the BRP Tarlac, one of the two strategic sealift vessels from Indonesia’s PT PAL (Persero) in a deal valued at P3,863,999,529. It’s the Navy’s first ever command and control vessel.

The Navy has also in its arsenal brand new assets such as five Augusta Westland AW109 helicopters and three multi-purpose attack craft (MPACs) which have been retooled to be equipped with missiles.

T H U R S D AY : J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Tesda director guilty of 13 counts of graft

By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday announced the conviction of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Cavite provincial director Felicidad Zurbano of 13 counts of graft.

Zurbano was sentenced to a jail term of six to 12 years for each count.

She was also meted the accessory penalty of disqualification from holding any public office.

The Ombudsman’s prosecutors were able to show that in 13 separate instances in 2003, Zurbano intervened in her official capacity in the award of supply of materials to CDZ Enterprises, a business owned by her sister.

She rigged the procurement process by making sure that CDZ would be able to submit the lowest price quotations by keeping a blank canvass form and waiting for the two other supposed bidders to submit their quotations first so that the favored supplier could come up with the lowest price quotations.

In a 46-page decision of Justice Teresita Diaz-Baldos, the Sandiganbayan said that “the bidding process was but a sham since the other participating suppliers had no chance of securing the lowest bid. While it may be argued that the government may have saved a huge amount of money with the grant of the contract to CDZ Enterprises, it did not in any way cure the ills sought to be prevented

by R.A. No. 3019, particularly Section 3(h) thereof.”

Assistants. A man and a woman assist their 74-year-old grandmother to claim her senior citizen pension at the Cotabato City Hall. OMAR MANGORSI

Govt drafts program to deal with La Niña

By Sandy Araneta and Lance Baconguis

THE provinces of Isabela, Quezon, Bicol Region, Samar, Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental are especially vulnerable to the effects of La Niña even as the Palace has prepared what it deems a comprehensive program to mitigate its effects.

La Niña is a weather phenomenon characterized by unusually cool ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific.

The program is part of the government’s overall strategy on climate change resiliency, said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. “This covers agriculture, flood control and disaster risk reduction

measures at the grassroots level,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has tasked all local government units to carry out their disaster preparedness measures as the rainy season begins.

Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, in a directive, urged all provincial governors, city and municipal

mayors, and DILG regional directors to take precautionary measures in their respective areas of responsibility.

Sarmiento also reminded LGUs to implement the early preparedness actions listed in the Operation Listo Manuals for hydro-meteorological hazards. These are contained in the checklist of critical preparations for mayors, checklist of early preparations for mayors, and checklist for municipal local government operations officers, chiefs of police, and fire marshalls.

These manuals lay down disaster preparedness minimum standards before, during, and after a disaster.

State weather bureau Pagasa released a statement saying that it has activated its La Niña Watch.

If the climate condition does not change, the impact of La Niña will

be felt in the last quarter of 2016, according to Anthony Lucero, officerin-charge of Pagasa’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section.

He added, however, that La Niña isn’t all bad news, especially for drought-hit areas.

“On the other side of the coin, La Niña also has benefits... It is possible to grow crops in sloping areas and mountainous areas, and we could raise crops in areas that cannot be reached by irrigation. So there are also benefits if we are to prepare as early as now, even if there is no La Niña yet,” Lucero said.

“We have to take precautionary measures. We should plan ahead so that we can mitigate the adverse impacts of La Niña. If our area is flood-prone, then we should think of how we are to avoid hazards that may happen,” Lucero said.

Students sue school officials who partnered with unlicensed recruiter

Last days. Children from Sabangan, Mt. Province savor the last days of their summer vacation. DAVID CHAN

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY —Six students from the Philippine School of Science and Technology have re-filed illegal recruitment and large-scale estafa against school officials who they claim assisted an illegal recruiter in running away with P2.2 million from 217 students.

Jessie Cunahap, head of Jespher Travel tour and Visa Consultancy, was accused of illegal recruitment aided by PSST officials Amy Bendisula, Pamela Verda, Rubelyn Llovia, Rodrigo Bendisula, Noel

Bendisula, Krista Anna Bendisula, Louie Bendisula and Agnes Bendisula.

The students alleged that the school officials made them believed that there is an assured overseas placement for them after graduation.

PSST is a technical school offering short-term courses.

An earlier case was filed by the students before the city prosecutor’s office last year but the case was dismissed in March for lack of probable cause.

The students then brought their case to the

Office of the Regional State Prosecutor.

The Standard also learned that this is not the first case filed against the school officials. A similar case was filed by a different group of students promised job placements in South Korea.

But PSST lawyer Jerome Jarales on Tuesday said that the school is innocent in the case filed against them as they did not engage in illegal recruitment. It has a memorandum of agreement with other employment agencies.

Lance Baconguis

T H U R S D AY : J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

FEDERALISM, PEACE, CRIME AND TRAFFIC

[ EDI TORI A L ]

ROTTEN THINKING AT TUESDAY’S press conference where he introduced the next set of Cabinet officials, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte was asked what he intended to do about the media killings that have made the country one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.

We can’t say we were surprised by Mr. Duterte’s response. He has always styled himself as the tough guy. We were appalled, nonetheless, and we add our voice to the chorus of anger and indignation that his words elicited.

Our next president believes that journalists who died were killed because they were corrupt. They were carrying out their work in a less-than-honorable way, offending or spreading lies about others for financial consideration. Hence, they deserved what befell them.

He went as far as digging up the name of a man who he says was killed because of how he conducted his profession. “He is a rotten son of a bitch,” Mr. Duterte said.

“Freedom of expression cannot save you,” he said. “Even the Constitution cannot help you [if you besmirch a person’s name].”

The lawyer-president sends a chilling message. He is telling us that it is all right to kill journalists if they, in their capacities as media workers, attack another person.

Sure, there is corruption in media, just as there is corruption in any other industry. There are plenty of hypocrites here, preaching righteousness and good governance even as they, in their professional lives, reject the very things they advocate. Sometimes it is a matter of economics. Sometimes, ego. At all times, it’s an act of free will.

This is not true for all journalists. Among those killed were legitimate, hardworking, honest people who took risks in the name of a higher good: to expose wrongdoing and to call for action.

In the process, they may have offended, even disrespected, government officials, big business or private individuals. But such is the nature—the essence—of the profession: to ruffle feathers.

What is true for all is that nobody deserves to die. Mr. Duterte himself insults the memories of those who died and himself besmirches the names of those who cannot anymore defend themselves.

Just two weeks ago, he picked lawyer Salvador Panelo to become press secretary and spokesman. Panelo was the lawyer of one of the suspects in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre where 58 individuals, 32 of them media workers, were murdered. These 32 may or may not have been corrupt, but they were at that time just doing their jobs—covering the filing of a Certificate of Candidacy of the challenger to the ruling family.

This abominable message clouds, even negates, the other encouraging messages made that evening. For instance, Mr. Duterte said that because he trusted his choices, he would give his Cabinet officials a free hand in running their respective departments. Because it came early on during the conference, we took it as an indication that Duterte was making an effort to break out of his local-lord mentality, and to think like a rational, national leader that he is about to be.

But not just yet.

During the press conference, Duterte feigned irritation at a persistent reporter and asked somebody to shoot her with an armalite. Such words betray how lightly he takes the impunity with which the media killings are committed. This only brings foreboding, as we wonder what the rest of the next six years would be like.

WHEN NO MEANS NO LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES IT WAS one of my journalistic idols, Will Rogers, who memorably said that the man with the best job in the world is the vice president. “All he has to do is to get up every morning and ask, ‘How is the president?’”

Rogers said.

An interesting question was posed by a friend recently: If Mar Roxas and Bongbong Marcos had won in the May 9 elections, would people demand

that Roxas appoint Marcos to a Cabinet position?

I know, I know. That would be unthinkable—for the same people now pushing for a Cabinet posting for Vice President-elect Leni Robredo, anyway.

And yet, these same people, mostly remnants of the Yellow horde who still can’t move on from the defeat they snatched from what they thought was certain victory, will not accept that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has the prerogative not to give any position to their “last woman standing.” So Duterte himself had to set them

straight.

The plain-speaking new president said, and rightly so, that Robredo is from “the opposite side.” And that opposite side of the Yellows, the Robredo fans must certainly recall, did everything they could to derail Duterte’s candidacy.

Unlike Robredo herself, who suddenly found an outfit that wasn’t yellow for her proclamation in Congress after coming to work every day during the campaign in that execrable color, Duterte revels in sticking to his principles and ideas—no matter how bizarre they may sound. And that is why,

Leni should be content with being Duterte’s spare tire, checking the health of Digong every day.

A9

according to him, the thought of giving a job to someone who was the understudy of Daang Matuwid (and who even shared that name on the ballot with her principal) never crossed his mind.

For me, Duterte cannot imagine giving a post to Robredo for the same reason that he finds it unnecessary to be proclaimed by the leaders of both Houses of Congress who also worked on the opposite side. Duterte is obviously someone who will not stand on tradition as long as he is breaking no law—and someone who has no patience for the “kaplastikan” that informs Philippine politics.

Previously, Duterte had

already declared that there is no law that compels him to give a Cabinet position to Robredo. This despite the practice of all presidents since Cory Aquino to give their “spare tires” something to do for six years while they prepare to take over in case something happens to the main guy.

As for Robredo herself, right up to the end of the campaign, she played the willing foil for Roxas, declaring that working with Duterte, in case both of them won, would be “difficult.”

“The VP should be the support of the

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

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

president,” she told the news website Rappler last May 1, when asked if she could work with the Davao City mayor.

“If your beliefs on important issues are different, it will be very difficult.”

Difficult, yes, but obviously not impossible. Like all good politicians, Robredo left that small window open for a compromise with Duterte— which Digong proceeded to slam shut. *** But I’m heartened by the fact that Robredo has never denied that she was seeking a Cabinet post in the incoming

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administration, something that was first reported in this space. I was hoping that she would issue a denial, because then I would be able to declare that she is not only an opportunistic turncoat but also a liar.

It was, after all, a close associate of Duterte’s who told me that Robredo was seeking the post of secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development from the new president.

The offer was supposed to be made during a visit that Robredo would make Continued on A11

MST Management, Inc. Philip G. Romualdez Arnold C. Liong Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Ron Ryan S. Buguis

Chairman President & Chief Executive Officer Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Finance Officer

Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager Maan Ilustre Advertising and Marketing Head Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager

JUDGING from the way the incoming Duterte administration is shaping its priorities, four issues appear to be at the forefront: Federalism, peace accord with National Democratic Front, crime and traffic.

Federalism will take a longer time to accomplish because this will require a constitutional change.

The peace agreement with the NDF can be done sooner because both sides seems to be in a hurry to sign a peace deal. If everything works out, Jose Ma. Sison can claim some success in his lifetime struggle to change Philippine society. The government can also claim victory for getting the NDF to the peace table.

The two other priority issues, crime and traffic, are two existential problems that affect the daily lives of all Filipinos.

The nation by now is all too familiar with Mayor Duterte’s approach to crime fighting. It is to eliminate all suspected criminals. Already, about eight suspected drug dealers have been killed in separate incidents throughout the country in what the Police described as incidents following normal police procedures. The Dirty-Harry approach to crime fighting has always been controversial and if these eight incidents are indeed a sign of things to come, then the country will have to face the consequences of such a policy. Whether this practice which has been widely reported to have worked in Davao City will work also nationally is something that the nation will have to wait and see.

This approach is not new. This policy was also implemented in Thailand years ago under then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was a police lieutenant colonel before becoming prime minister.

In his anti-drug campaign, many suspects were simply killed. Critics were one in saying that the killings constituted extrajudicial executions and the humans right reputation of Thailand suffered greatly.

There is a good argument by some police and crime experts that killing suspected criminals is a move backward instead of forward. But this debate has been going on for years without any resolution. The temptation is great to take shortcuts in the legal process especially if the problem is severe. But the best way to combat syndicated crimes whether white collar or street crimes is still good police investigation.

I am afraid, however, that this position is being drowned by the severity of the country’s drug problem and the public clamor that something must be done about this problem as soon as possible.

We, too, have to be careful in what we Continued on A11 Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

T H U R S D AY : J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

FEDERALISM, PEACE, CRIME AND TRAFFIC

[ EDI TORI A L ]

ROTTEN THINKING AT TUESDAY’S press conference where he introduced the next set of Cabinet officials, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte was asked what he intended to do about the media killings that have made the country one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.

We can’t say we were surprised by Mr. Duterte’s response. He has always styled himself as the tough guy. We were appalled, nonetheless, and we add our voice to the chorus of anger and indignation that his words elicited.

Our next president believes that journalists who died were killed because they were corrupt. They were carrying out their work in a less-than-honorable way, offending or spreading lies about others for financial consideration. Hence, they deserved what befell them.

He went as far as digging up the name of a man who he says was killed because of how he conducted his profession. “He is a rotten son of a bitch,” Mr. Duterte said.

“Freedom of expression cannot save you,” he said. “Even the Constitution cannot help you [if you besmirch a person’s name].”

The lawyer-president sends a chilling message. He is telling us that it is all right to kill journalists if they, in their capacities as media workers, attack another person.

Sure, there is corruption in media, just as there is corruption in any other industry. There are plenty of hypocrites here, preaching righteousness and good governance even as they, in their professional lives, reject the very things they advocate. Sometimes it is a matter of economics. Sometimes, ego. At all times, it’s an act of free will.

This is not true for all journalists. Among those killed were legitimate, hardworking, honest people who took risks in the name of a higher good: to expose wrongdoing and to call for action.

In the process, they may have offended, even disrespected, government officials, big business or private individuals. But such is the nature—the essence—of the profession: to ruffle feathers.

What is true for all is that nobody deserves to die. Mr. Duterte himself insults the memories of those who died and himself besmirches the names of those who cannot anymore defend themselves.

Just two weeks ago, he picked lawyer Salvador Panelo to become press secretary and spokesman. Panelo was the lawyer of one of the suspects in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre where 58 individuals, 32 of them media workers, were murdered. These 32 may or may not have been corrupt, but they were at that time just doing their jobs—covering the filing of a Certificate of Candidacy of the challenger to the ruling family.

This abominable message clouds, even negates, the other encouraging messages made that evening. For instance, Mr. Duterte said that because he trusted his choices, he would give his Cabinet officials a free hand in running their respective departments. Because it came early on during the conference, we took it as an indication that Duterte was making an effort to break out of his local-lord mentality, and to think like a rational, national leader that he is about to be.

But not just yet.

During the press conference, Duterte feigned irritation at a persistent reporter and asked somebody to shoot her with an armalite. Such words betray how lightly he takes the impunity with which the media killings are committed. This only brings foreboding, as we wonder what the rest of the next six years would be like.

WHEN NO MEANS NO LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES IT WAS one of my journalistic idols, Will Rogers, who memorably said that the man with the best job in the world is the vice president. “All he has to do is to get up every morning and ask, ‘How is the president?’”

Rogers said.

An interesting question was posed by a friend recently: If Mar Roxas and Bongbong Marcos had won in the May 9 elections, would people demand

that Roxas appoint Marcos to a Cabinet position?

I know, I know. That would be unthinkable—for the same people now pushing for a Cabinet posting for Vice President-elect Leni Robredo, anyway.

And yet, these same people, mostly remnants of the Yellow horde who still can’t move on from the defeat they snatched from what they thought was certain victory, will not accept that President-elect Rodrigo Duterte has the prerogative not to give any position to their “last woman standing.” So Duterte himself had to set them

straight.

The plain-speaking new president said, and rightly so, that Robredo is from “the opposite side.” And that opposite side of the Yellows, the Robredo fans must certainly recall, did everything they could to derail Duterte’s candidacy.

Unlike Robredo herself, who suddenly found an outfit that wasn’t yellow for her proclamation in Congress after coming to work every day during the campaign in that execrable color, Duterte revels in sticking to his principles and ideas—no matter how bizarre they may sound. And that is why,

Leni should be content with being Duterte’s spare tire, checking the health of Digong every day.

A9

according to him, the thought of giving a job to someone who was the understudy of Daang Matuwid (and who even shared that name on the ballot with her principal) never crossed his mind.

For me, Duterte cannot imagine giving a post to Robredo for the same reason that he finds it unnecessary to be proclaimed by the leaders of both Houses of Congress who also worked on the opposite side. Duterte is obviously someone who will not stand on tradition as long as he is breaking no law—and someone who has no patience for the “kaplastikan” that informs Philippine politics.

Previously, Duterte had

already declared that there is no law that compels him to give a Cabinet position to Robredo. This despite the practice of all presidents since Cory Aquino to give their “spare tires” something to do for six years while they prepare to take over in case something happens to the main guy.

As for Robredo herself, right up to the end of the campaign, she played the willing foil for Roxas, declaring that working with Duterte, in case both of them won, would be “difficult.”

“The VP should be the support of the

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president,” she told the news website Rappler last May 1, when asked if she could work with the Davao City mayor.

“If your beliefs on important issues are different, it will be very difficult.”

Difficult, yes, but obviously not impossible. Like all good politicians, Robredo left that small window open for a compromise with Duterte— which Digong proceeded to slam shut. *** But I’m heartened by the fact that Robredo has never denied that she was seeking a Cabinet post in the incoming

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administration, something that was first reported in this space. I was hoping that she would issue a denial, because then I would be able to declare that she is not only an opportunistic turncoat but also a liar.

It was, after all, a close associate of Duterte’s who told me that Robredo was seeking the post of secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development from the new president.

The offer was supposed to be made during a visit that Robredo would make Continued on A11

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JUDGING from the way the incoming Duterte administration is shaping its priorities, four issues appear to be at the forefront: Federalism, peace accord with National Democratic Front, crime and traffic.

Federalism will take a longer time to accomplish because this will require a constitutional change.

The peace agreement with the NDF can be done sooner because both sides seems to be in a hurry to sign a peace deal. If everything works out, Jose Ma. Sison can claim some success in his lifetime struggle to change Philippine society. The government can also claim victory for getting the NDF to the peace table.

The two other priority issues, crime and traffic, are two existential problems that affect the daily lives of all Filipinos.

The nation by now is all too familiar with Mayor Duterte’s approach to crime fighting. It is to eliminate all suspected criminals. Already, about eight suspected drug dealers have been killed in separate incidents throughout the country in what the Police described as incidents following normal police procedures. The Dirty-Harry approach to crime fighting has always been controversial and if these eight incidents are indeed a sign of things to come, then the country will have to face the consequences of such a policy. Whether this practice which has been widely reported to have worked in Davao City will work also nationally is something that the nation will have to wait and see.

This approach is not new. This policy was also implemented in Thailand years ago under then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was a police lieutenant colonel before becoming prime minister.

In his anti-drug campaign, many suspects were simply killed. Critics were one in saying that the killings constituted extrajudicial executions and the humans right reputation of Thailand suffered greatly.

There is a good argument by some police and crime experts that killing suspected criminals is a move backward instead of forward. But this debate has been going on for years without any resolution. The temptation is great to take shortcuts in the legal process especially if the problem is severe. But the best way to combat syndicated crimes whether white collar or street crimes is still good police investigation.

I am afraid, however, that this position is being drowned by the severity of the country’s drug problem and the public clamor that something must be done about this problem as soon as possible.

We, too, have to be careful in what we 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

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

I’M BEGINNING ELECTION REFORM AS AGENDA TO LIKE DU30 FOR THE 17TH CONGRESS TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

PEOPLE may be wondering where President-elect Rodrigo Roa Duterte got the funds to conduct a viable campaign nationwide. Insiders say that the Federation of Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry contributed a lot.

The group supposedly relied on the poll surveys of its local affiliates.

Note that one of the earliest visitors of Du30 in Davao City was the Chinese ambassador and taipan Lucio Tan, who has full control of the FCCCI. Nobody becomes president or an officer of the federation without his approval. Kapitan himself has direct links to the Beijing government.

It was not coincidental that both Lucio Tan and the Chinese ambassador came, albeit in separate flights, to pay homage to the President-elect.

Another source of funding for Du30 reportedly came from the Sultan of Brunei, who is said to have a working business alliance with Filipino and Chinese businessman in Southern Mindanao.

The sultan is said to be interested in planting palm oil and rubber trees in Davao and South Cotabato. *** I wrote yesterday that I would miss BS Aquino when he steps down at the end of this month. Because of his mistakes, shortcomings and vengeful ways in dealing with his political enemies, and because of the hypocritical “Daang Matuwid,” I didn’t run out of things to write about.

In the case of incoming President Du30, I am beginning to also like him. He talks in a peculiar way never before heard and seen in his predecessors. He also continues to make

promises that I do not believe he can keep.

Santa Banana, the nation already has very high expectations of a Duterte presidency!

Du30 vows to kill all the criminals and drug lords, and to end corruption with three to six months.

He also wants to restore the death penalty and public hanging.

These are things that an ordinary president, without resorting to Martial Law or a revolutionary government, cannot do. Thus, the big question persists: Will he?

Du30, a self-confessed leftist and socialist (there’s a thin dividing line between a socialist and a communist) is now waltzing with Joma Sison and Luis Jalandoni of the National Democratic Front and the Communist Party of the Philippines. In fact, as

I will have enough material to write about in the next six years.

some kind of confidence building, Du30 has offered sensitive Cabinet positions to nominees of the communists.

The incoming President has in fact directed Jesus Dureza and Silvestre Bello to go to Norway to talk peace with Sison and Jalandoni. Santa Banana, shouldn’t Du30 wait for the two to come home first to show their sincerity to negotiate peace? Why negotiate in a foreign country with the hosts as referee? The insurgency problem is a local one! *** I heard Du30 say that

THE last official task of the 16th Congress is convening the National Board of Canvassers. It has just participated in one of the fastest and most efficient canvassing sessions in Philippine election history, which led to the proclamation of our new president and vice president.

While we applaud all those concerned with the speedy conduct of counting the votes, rumors of election fraud still persist both in the political and media circles, as well as in social media. And these rumors are not without basis: At the start of the campaign season, we received information that a massive financial campaign war chest was prepared by a particular camp.

We will have to find out whether the money from that massive war chest went into vote buying, whether it was meant to pay off election officials or voters themselves. Not only are these activities patently illegal, but we fear that such financial backing won’t be reflected in the audit of election spending of particular candidates, exposing fundamental weaknesses in the implementation of our elecfederalism will solve the Muslim separatist problem in Mindanao. That would need an amendment of the 1987 Constitution by either a constitutional convention of elected delegates or a constituent assembly of both chambers of Congress voting separately.

Finally, a plebiscite will be called for that purpose.

There’s also a problem of what kind of federalism to adopt. Some regions are not as rich as the others.

But, now, Santa Banana, Du30 seems to be changing his mind as he has done several times to push for the approval of the constitutionally flawed Bangsamoro Basic Law. Now, which is which?

The President-elect is talking too much.

Worse, he is contradicting himself.

The proposed bilateral talks with China seems to be a good move. China has always wanted to resolve the dispute over the West Philippine Sea. I believe there’s no substitute

MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ tion laws.

We will have to find out whether that war chest was sourced from public coffers, considering the pre-election buzz of the mad scramble for government agencies to generate revenue allegedly to fill up this war chest. It is one thing that the money would be used for electoral fraud and corruption. It is another, more perverted, matter if the money came from the taxpayers.

We will have to find out who the people behind it are and how they ran this system of illicit financial generation and distribution to subvert the electoral system. An operation this big and ambitious has to have a system. Worse, this system was set up to either run through legal loopholes or completely run over the laws of the land.

While we accept the results of the national canvassing, we will have to disabuse ourselves of any doubts with regard to

to dialogue when two countries have differences and disputes.

Du30 must now realize that winning the presidency was much easier than actually being president. With so many problems and challenges, he has to hit the ground running.

I think I will have enough material to write about for the next six years—if I live that long, with God’s blessing. This is why I am beginning to like Du30. *** More friends and provincemates of the President-elect are getting named to sensitive Cabinet positions. I will first keep quiet. I’m just relying on Duterte’s word that they are men of honesty and integrity.

I truly hope so.

The problem of the incoming president is that he has never been social person. He admits it. And he has never held a national position. That’s why he has a narrow bench of people to choose from.

What I am concerned about is the prolifera-

the past three automated elections where allegations such as this kept surfacing. Though experience and common sense dictate that only one camp has the capability to raise such funds, it is the mandate of the 17th Congress to ensure that the election laws and anti-corruption laws are being implemented in full force. The 17th Congress should also be agile enough to cope with how corrupt elements continuously innovate election year after election year. If we want to be one step ahead of the bad guys, we have to have an idea which direction they could go.

I therefore propose that electoral reform should be one of the most important and pressing concern for the 17th Congress, especially if we want to hone it and improve it pending the change in our present form of government into Presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte’s vision of a Federal Philippines. I will file a resolution immediately at the start of the 17th Congress so that this issue will be taken up at the plenary and in public hearings to expose election offenses and seek out its culprits.

tion of so many retired military generals and ex-police chiefs appointed to sensitive positions. Yes, the Du30 government may have to adopt some draconian policies and measures to introduce real change. I now have an uneasy feeling about this.

Nevertheless, I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I truly hope they can give us change. *** Given allegations of manipulation of votes nationwide to favor administration candidates Mar Roxas, who landed no. 2, and Leni Robredo, who has been proclaimed vice president, here comes Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista claiming that the May 9 elections were clean, honest and orderly.

Bautista says the three witnesses who came forward about the supposed fraud emerged too late.

But it is never too late.

Those who committed the fraud frustrated the

will of the people.

Again, I ask the Comelec chairman and other commissioners why they deferred the plea of Senator Bongbong Marcos to have a system audit. Marcos claims he was cheated and that votes for him were given to Robredo.

All these seem to point a conspiracy between BS Aquino, the Liberal Party, the Comelec and Smartmatic.

The right thing to do for Comelec is to investigate the allegations. As for Leni, I wonder if she can sleep well at night. *** I attended the cocktail party given by Alphaland Chairman and CEO Bobby Ongpin for Mario “Babes” Oreta, who retired as president and COO of Alphaland after many years of association with RVO. It was also an occasion for the assumption of RVO’s daughter Ana Bettina Ongpin as president. Ana is qualified to take over the high-end property developer.

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

TWO WAYS TO ENCOURAGE JAPANESE TO HAVE KIDS

By Noah Smith JAPAN would like to stabilize its rapidly aging population, and there are really only two ways to do that. It can let in tons of immigrants, or it can find some way to raise fertility. Otherwise, it had better resign itself to decades of sluggish economic growth, as hard-working young people are required to carry a larger and larger pyramid of retired old people on their backs. Its social security system will go bankrupt, the health care system will struggle, and interest rates might stay at zero permanently.

So, if Japan wants to avoid that, does it go with immigration or does it promote higher birth rates? The US, Canada, Australia and most of the other large countries of the Anglosphere have gone with the former, as have a few city-states like Singapore. But given the backlash against mass immigration in Europe, and the general turn against globalization in the developed world, a giant wave of imported population seems an unlikely solution for Japan.

That leaves fertility as the main option.

The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe knows this, of course. And it’s making fertility a big priority:

Federalism... From A9 wish for. Policies like parading suspects in the streets with placards on their chests and backs and offering monetary rewards for the killing or wounding of suspects will always have negative repercussions that might affect our standing as a civilized country in the international community. *** Traffic is another issue that the incoming Duterte administration would also like to solve as soon as possible.

Traffic gridlock is not only Metro Manila’s problem. It’s also an issue in fast-urbanizing cities like Baguio, Cebu, Davao and others. This is one of the problems that I am less optimistic that the Duterte administration can solve anytime soon.

In the National Capital Region, traffic will unfortunately get worse; I do not see it getting any better in the near or medium term. The Duterte administration cannot simply bark an order and expect everyone to follow that order. We have seen many so-called traffic and transportation experts discuss how the traffic problems

The government plans to make addressing the declining birthrate… an especially urgent, top priority issue… As a measure to support child-rearing, the plan sets forth a goal of eliminating the need for waiting lists for admission to daycare centers by fiscal 2017 and for admission to after-school day-care centers by the end of fiscal 2019. The government will make efforts to improve the working conditions of day-care staff and secure manpower.

“The plan also includes the improvement of working conditions for non-regular employees, such as the realization of equal pay for equal work, the concept that workers should not be given differing remuneration based on employment status, and redressing of prolonged work hours.”

These are both good steps.

Cost is almost certainly a major consideration in people’s decision to have children—the more it costs to raise each child, the fewer of them people tend to have, and the longer they wait to start having them. Make raising children cheaper, and people will probably have more kids.

Day care is especially important because the financial burden of child-rearing is measured in both time and money.

If day care isn’t available, parin the NCR developed to its current situation. We have heard them give solutions to these problems.

Yet, in all these recommended solutions, I have not seen anyone suggest that in order to ease the traffic problems, we should go back to the basics of traffic.

What are these? One is our driving culture. There is something terribly wrong with a society that considers it normal to have to put hundreds of traffic enforcers in one stretch of road like Edsa in order to enforce traffic discipline. We cannot put a traffic enforcer on every intersection or have a traffic enforcer for every bus or jeepney driver. Licensed drivers, whether professional or not, are supposed to know traffic rules and regulations. But as we all know, this is sadly not the case. The quality of our licensed drivers is poor.

Also, there are certain traffic realities that the public must accept as basic. First is that the roads are for vehicles. The road is a not place to put a vulcanizing shop, sell wares, use for private parking, bus or jeepney stations or a place to put up a house.

When no... From A9 to Davao City, which the Camarines congresswoman wanted the Duterte associate to arrange.

But the Duterte ally found it strange that Robredo made the offer through intermediaries and asked him to call her. “I didn’t want to call because it could be made to appear that I was reaching out to her, instead of her initiating the meeting with a call to me,” my source said.

“I wanted it clear that I was doing no such thing because I was not authorized to talk to Leni

by Digong,” the source explained. “So I sent her a congratulatory text instead.”

According to this Duterte associate, he also checked with his fellow members in the highest level of the incoming president’s camp and was told, in no

ents—which in Japan, usually means women—have to take time off work, which results in huge amounts of forgone lifetime earnings. But private markets struggle to provide child care because of a basic information asymmetry problem —parents are understandably worried about putting their kids in someone else’s hands. That’s why Japanese parents rely on the government for day care, and that’s why Abe’s efforts to increase day care availability are so important.

The government’s emphasis on female labor force participation is also welcome. Since the 1980s, the correlation between working women and fertility rates has become strongly positive in countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

This may be because increasing child-care costs means that only two-income families can comfortably afford kids, or it might be that forcing women to choose between career and family reduces fertility. Abe’s government, influenced by proponents of “womenomics” such asKathy Matsui of Goldman Sachs, is attempting to leverage this correlation through workplace gender equality initiatives —a very welcome policy move.

However, despite these good Second is that the sidewalk is for pedestrian use and not also a place for business or residence.

If everybody can accept this, the road and sidewalk can be used more efficiently and improve traffic flow significantly. Bus, jeepney and tricycle operation must also be reviewed thoroughly because of the need to revise the way these vehicles are operated. Bus operation in this country is basically like jeepney operation. The only difference is the size of the bus but both stop anywhere and load anywhere.

Our country is one of the few countries remaining in the world that franchises urban transport to private individuals.

That is why along Edsa, we have more than 500 different bus operators competing with the MRT, jeepneys and tricycles. Correcting these problems do not constitute long-term solutions and huge investments in government funds.

This may not solve all the problems but if implemented, it will go a long way in improving traffic conditions so that commuting in the NCR and other cities will at least be more bearable.

uncertain terms, that Digong was not interested in giving Robredo a job. “I also learned that Leni could go to Davao anytime she wanted, but there were no guarantees that she would be offered a job, or even be able to meet Digong,” he said.

Now, according to my source, Robredo is still angling for some job in the Duterte Cabinet, even if the DSWD post has already been given to Judy Taguiwalo, the activist professor from UP. “Maybe something like head of the Presidential Anti-Poverty Commission,” he said, a post which Leni could still use to jump-start her bid for the presidency in 2022.

If I were Leni, I’d give it a rest. And I’d be content with being Duterte’s spare tire, checking the health of Digong every day and hoping that he is somehow unable to finish his term.

steps, there’s a lot more that Japan could be doing on the baby-promoting front. Policies to encourage higher birth rates have such a dismal record that a country in Japan’s situation needs to be trying many approaches at once.

One idea is to make housing cheaper, by allowing a bit more suburban sprawl. High rents are negatively correlated with fertility, probably because space is a key cost of child-rearing.

Japanese rents per square foot are low compared with US cities, but still high overall due to Japan’s dense urbanization. So a little more suburbanization could help.

But an even more important policy would be to promote more flexible working hours. The Abe administration is already trying to get Japanese people to work less, but these efforts are going to be met with a great deal of resistance—Japan’s culture values long hours, and companies’ inefficient management practices mean that many companies need long hours to stay competitive.

A better move is to push companies toward letting more workers take their work home with them. Parents who work from home can multitask, keeping an eye on the kids while getting the job done. It also allows

families to enjoy each other’s company more. Because of Japan’s interminable office hours, many families don’t eat dinner together. Working from home would allow people to do that and finish office tasks after the kids go to sleep. And it also allows both parents to be home at the same time in the evening, which may lead to more babies in the natural way.

Unfortunately, remote work is a rarity in Japan. Corporate managers and executives I’ve spoken with cite information security concerns, and managers’ desire to look over employees’ shoulders. But if the government encourages more companies to let their employees take some of their work home, this controlling business culture will change.

Promoting remote work might even help enhance both productivity and life satisfaction —something else Japan desperately needs to do. Research by Stanford University’s Nicholas Bloom and James Liang suggests that remote work boosts efficiency, happiness and health.

So Japan Inc. needs to let its people work from home. The Abe administration and the various bureaucracies should use their numerous levers of influence to push companies toward this practice. Bloomberg

DENR AND DUTERTE IN HIS latest press conference, incoming President Rodrigo Duterte clarified that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is a concession to the Left despite previously stating that he wanted the military to be deployed against those that destroyed the environment.

Duterte said that the two foremost criteria for the Cabinet are integrity and competence.

In the current bench of the Left with national prominence, integrity and competence on environment policy, there are two that come to mind.

First is Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello. He had clear positions on the need to address destructive mining and other activities hazardous to the environment.

During his senatorial campaign, Bello campaigned for a moratorium on mining in the country.

He is also a known expert on climate change advocacy.

He has sponsored in Congress the Alternative Mining Bill, which seeks to replace the Mining Act of 1995.

He is also an expert on international political economy, which is very relevant in the issue on who benefits the most in our mining activities.

Rep. Bello also lectures in different conferences around the world as part of the Focus on the Global South, an international policy group for the developing world.

Second is Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon. As member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, he initiated congressional inquiries on destructive mining activities in different parts of the country.

He was also prominent in the fight against legalizing incinerators for solid waste management.

As an environmental lawyer from UP Law, he lawyered in the Supreme Court for the threeyear suspension of construction of a 600-MW coal-fired power plant in Subic.

He also represented environmental groups in defending the critically endangered Philippine Cockatoo from coal-fired power plants in Palawan.

Ridon also defended fishermen against the still suspended reclamation of Manila Bay. He had also served as panelist on environmental law before different judges and justices from Asian countries through the Asian Judges Network on the Environment.

Bello or Ridon will surely be assets of the Duterte administration in the defense of the environment.

Both are known for their expertise and integrity in environment protection. Bello has in his favor the wisdom brought by years of advocacy and activism, while Ridon has with him the fire of youth with the burden of inter-generational responsibility.

We wish them well.

KABATAAN PARTY LIST

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

AIBA to decide on pros to Rio LAUSANNE, Switzerland—Boxing’s governing body will decide on Wednesday whether to let professional fighters into the Olympic ring from the Rio de Janeiro Games in August.

But the International Boxing Association (AIBA) will also have to answer questions about its dope testing policies when it gathers before an International Olympic Committee executive meeting in Lausanne that will be dominated by doping scandals.

AIBA members are to hold a special congress to decide whether to let professionals into the Olympics.

While the boxing revolution is unlikely to see the likes of former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko or top American fighters compete for gold in Rio it would boost the card for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

For most professionals, it is already too late to take part in a qualifying contest for the Rio Games. The last tournament is in Venezuela in July.

Letting in professionals is “part of the evolution of boxing”, said a senior AIBA official ahead of Wednesday’s vote which is expected to easily pass.

Ukraine’s Klitschko won a gold medal at Atlanta in 1996 and had indicated he would like a new try in Rio. But he has made his July 9 rematch with Britain’s Tyson Fury for the world heavyweight title his priority.

Boxing has undergone major changes in recent years. Women were allowed into Olympic competition in 2012 and head guards will no longer be compulsory from Rio. Philippine legend Manny Pacquiao, who won world titles at eight different categories, also hinted he was interested but said this week he would concentrate on his burgeoning political career.

But not all boxers back the new proposal.

Former Olympic and world heavyweight title holder Lennox Lewis said it would be “preposterous” to let professionals into the same ring as amateurs.

AIBA president Wu Ching-Kuo will have to face questions at the IOC executive about boxing’s doping practices, as the Olympic movement confronts mounting accusations over banned substances.

A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report found that the AIBA has not carried out any out-of-competition tests in the year ahead of Rio and hardly any in the past three years, the British magazine Private Eye reported.

The report was quoted as saying that the AIBA’s actions fell “considerably short” of WADA’s requirements.

WADA spokesman Ben Nichols would not comment directly on the substance of the Private Eye report but confirmed that the agency’s inspection team had given AIBA recommendations aimed at “improving and enhancing” its anti-doping program. AFP

Big splash. Jett Bandy (47) tosses sports drink on C.J. Cron (24) of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after Cron hit a two-run walk off home run during the ninth inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 31, in Anaheim, California. AFP

Messi wants to end drought LOS ANGELES—Lionel Messi and Argentina will be targeting the country’s 23-year title drought when the Copa America Centenario kicks off on Friday after a troubled build-up marred by corruption allegations which threatened to derail the event.

One hundred years after Uruguay clinched the inaugural four-team South American championship in Argentina, 16 teams from across the Americas are gathered in the United States for a special one-off edition of the tournament.

The three-week festival of football gets under way at the Levi’s Sta-

dium in California on Friday, when the United States face Colombia at the home of the San Francisco 49ers American football team.

The tournament will conclude with a final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on June 26, drawing a line under what is arguably the biggest tournament held in the United States since the 1994 World Cup. Billed as a celebration of football across the Americas, 10 South American teams and six teams from the CONCACAF (North America, Central America and the Caribbean) region make up the field. AFP

Jones dissects Aussie squad BRISBANE, Australia— England coach Eddie Jones says having a beer with friend and former teammate Michael Cheika can wait as he turned up the heat Wednesday by talking about weaknesses in the Australian team.

Jones and his squad arrive in Brisbane on Thursday for a three-Test series against the Wallabies, which has been given added spice because of the two opposing coaches.

Jones and Cheika are both Australian and have known each other for years, having played together at leading Sydney club Randwick. Both are also right at the top of their game.

England have yet to lose under Jones—their first overseas coach—after he guided them to a first Grand Slam in 13 years earlier this season, while Cheika is the World Rugby coach of the year after leading the Wallabies to last year’s World Cup final.

But the pleasantries can wait, Jones said.

“I’m sure at some stage we might (go out for a beer) but it’s not on the agenda at the moment,” he told The Australian newspaper.

“At the moment, Cheik’s got smoke and mirrors everywhere. I wouldn’t pay any credence to what he’s saying at the moment. The new, mellow Cheik has a lot of deception about him, so let’s just wait and see.” AFP

LeBron brings healthy cast to Finals OA K L A N D — L e B r o n James, in his sixth consecutive NBA Finals, leads the Cleveland Cavaliers in a rematch with defending champion Golden State starting Thursday, but this time the superstar has a healthy supporting cast.

Two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry sparks the Warriors’ quest for a title repeat against four-time MVP “King” James, who is trying to bring Cleveland a major sports crown for the first time since the 1964 NFL Browns.

“Our city deserves it. Our fans deserve it,” James said.

“But that gives us no sense of entitlement. We’ve still got to go out and do it, be as great as we can every night. We look forward to the challenge.”

Last year, Cavaliers for-

LeBron James (right) and Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers speak at a post game press conference after a victory in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2016 NBA Playoffs last May 27, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. AFP

ward Kevin Love missed nearly all of the playoffs and injury-nagged guard Kyrie Irving broke a kneecap in the championship

series opener.

A superman effort by James – the first man to lead the Finals in all three major statistics with averages of

35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists – couldn’t keep the Warriors from taking the best-of-seven series in six games. AFP

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Wrestlers grapple for recognition

Eyes on the ball. Dutch hockey player Xan de Waard (left) looks intently at the ball as she dribbles past British hockey player Nicola White during the field hockey practice game between The Netherlands and Great Britain in Amsterdam on May 31. AFP

McIlroy, Spieth challenge Day LOS ANGELES—Recent wins for Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth have only energized world number one Jason Day, who said Tuesday he’s looking forward to teeing it up against his rivals in the Memorial on Thursday.

Australia’s Day will be competing for the first time since his wire-to-wire victory in the US PGA Tour’s Players Championship.

During his well-deserved break, McIlroy ended a six-month victory drought with a scintillating victory in the Irish Open, while Spieth shook off a Masters meltdown to win at Colonial Country Club on Sunday and edge closer to Day atop the world rankings.

For Day, the successes of his rivals are fuel for his own competitive fire.

“I heard a couple of weeks ago that it bothered Jordan that I was winning tournaments and have the number one spot in the world,” Day said as he prepared for the Jack Nicklaus-hosted tourna-

ment at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio.

“And it should. It should bother guys who are competitive and want to stay on top as well.

I know I’m pushed that way as well when I see Rory or Jordan on top of the world. I want to do that as well. So it’s great to see how they’ve responded so quickly.”

Day, Spieth and third-ranked McIlroy are among 30 of the top 50 in the world in the field for the $8.5 million tournament, which also features number four Bubba Watson, fifth-ranked Rickie Fowler and number eight Dustin Johnson.

Muirfield Village hasn’t been especially hospitable to Day, who called his record on a course where he has never finished in the top 10 “horrific”.

It’s especially disheartening since his wife, Ellie, is from Ohio and Day is a member at Muirfield—a fact the Aussie said has actually hurt him in the tournament.

“I typically play this course when I’m playing in a social round,” he said. “I play it very aggressive. I’m hitting drivers off most tees or taking lines that you wouldn’t take. For some reason, I’ve kind of turned that into the actual tournament, I’m taking similar lines, and you just can’t do that.” AFP

Durant not thinking about free agency LOS ANGELES—Kevin Durant was still digesting Oklahoma City’s Western Conference finals defeat when the simmering subject of his free agent future reached full boiling point.

“I’m just embracing my teammates and just reflecting on the season,” Durant said Monday night after the Golden State Warriors rallied to eliminate the Thunder—who had led the best-of-seven series three games to one.

“I’ll think about that stuff, I don’t know when. But we just lost an hour ago, 30 minutes ago, so I don’t know.”

Durant, the 27-year-old former NBA Most Valuable

Player, will be the most coveted prize of the free agency period that starts on July 1.

Western Conference rivals Golden State and San Antonio —who fell to the Thunder in the second round of the playoffs—are potential suitors.

They can offer a maximum contract worth $25.9 million or a maximum deal worth $111 million over four years.

The Thunder can offer $149 million over five years to keep their star, or he could opt to return to Oklahoma City for one more year, before re-entering the free agency pool in 2017 – when the salary cap will increase again and thus further

raise his salary expectations.

Durant’s impending free agency was a hot topic even before the season began, with Washington Wizards fans hoping his Washington-area roots could prompt him to move East.

Durant, who has spent his entire NBA career with the same club, didn’t sound like a player looking for a way out after Oklahoma City’s 55-win season.

He has a superstar teammate in Russell Westbrook, and together they led the Thunder past the 67-win Spurs and within a hair’s breadth of beating the 73-win Warriors. AFP

BAMAKO, Mali—A group of young men with muscles to rival Popeye are hoping to make explosive arm wrestling bouts a national pastime in Mali after showcasing their skills in the first international tournament the country has hosted.

Sibiri “Superman” Traore and Mamadou “the German” Sylla fought it out with arms seemingly cut from rock at last week’s championship.

A hip-high table painted in the colors of the Malian flag stood between them, with a referee on either side, one of whom shouted “Go” to set them off.

As they grappled, crowds in the stadium shouted encouragement

and filmed the action on their smartphones.

The game was a matter of seconds, biceps straining and trembling until —slam!—Traore released his grip from Sylla’s planted hand before basking in the crowd’s adulation.

It was only one of Traore’s victories that day. He was later crowned “champion of champions,” punching the air with delight, his waistband poking out above his jeans.

The Malian Arm Wrestling Federation (FMBS) organised a competition boasting two weight categories and overseen by Willy Deneumostier, secretary general of the sport’s global body, formed in 1977. AFP

Kenyan steeple chasers may overshadow Gatlin ROME—American sprint star Justin Gatlin might be used to hogging the limelight, but there’s a strong chance he’ll be overshadowed at Thursday’s Diamond League meet in Rome by one of the strongest ever Kenyan steeplechase line-ups.

With no less than 50 Olympic, world or European medallists or Diamond League winners at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea, the fifth leg of the 2016 IAAF Diamond League at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico will be another stage for fine-tuning ahead of the Rio Olympics in August.

Gatlin has form in the Italian capital, last year tying Maurice Greene’s record of four wins at the Golden Gala and breaking Usain Bolt’s meeting record with 9.75sec.

Gatlin, the 2004 Olympic champion who was banned for

Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder stands on the court in Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals against the Golden State Warriors during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 30, in Oakland, California.

AFP

doping between 2006 and 2010, clocked a wind-assisted 9.88 seconds at Eugene last week.

The world number one took the tape ahead of Jamaican Asafa Powell and American Tyson Gay and will doubtless seek to extend that form heading into the Rio Games.

The 100m line-up also features Asian record holder Femi Ogunode, European record holder Jimmy Vicaut and South African record holder Akani Simbine.

But the blue ribbon event could well be eclipsed by the men’s 3000m steeplechase, which promises to be an electric race.

All three podium finishers from the 2015 Beijing world championships will be in Rome: four-time world champion and reigning Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi, Brimin Kipruto and Conseslus Kipruto. AFP

Republic of the Philippine

CITY OF NAGA BIDS & AWARDS COMMITTEE Invitation to Bid for the Construction of a Wastewater Treatment Facility (Sequencing Batch Reactor) at the Naga City Abattoir, Bgy. Del Rosario, Naga City

TH U RSDAY : JU NE 2 , 2 0 1 6

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Republic of the Philippines Office of the President

National Irrigation Administration

The Naga City Government, through the Naga River Rehabilitation and Development Fund, intends to apply the sum of SIX MILLION TWO HUNDRED TWENTY THOUSAND (P 6,220,000.00) PESOS, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the Construction of the Wastewater Treatment Facility (Sequencing Batch Reactor) at the Naga City Abattoir, Bgy. Del Rosario, Naga City, with Contract Reference Number: 004947-2016-01.

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Naga City Government now invites bids for the Construction of the Wastewater Treatment Facility (Sequencing Batch Reactor) at the Naga City Abattoir, Bgy. Del Rosario, Naga City, with Contract Reference Number: 004947-2016-01. Completion of the Works is required within 120 calendar days. Bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II, Instructions to Bidders.

(PAMBANSANG PANGASIWAAN NG PATUBIG) Region 3 Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office Office Address: Telephone Nos.: Email Address:

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-3888 / 766-4142 / 766-0157 / 766-3524 niabaneimo_es@yahoo.com/niabaneimo_om@yahoo.com niabaneimoafs@yahoo.com

Telefax No. (044) 766-3888 TIN No. 000-578-009-000

INVITATION TO BID

May 30, 2016

Of the similar projects completed within the past 10 years, at least three are sequencing batch reactors of abattoir or similar meat processing facilities and still in actual operation with a processing capacity of at least 80 cubic meters per day and granted discharge permits by the DENR or the Laguna Lake Development Authority for the current and the past two years.

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Bulacan-Aurora-Nueva Ecija Irrigation Management Office (BANE IMO) Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, through its Bids and Award Committee (BAC), invites Contractors to bid for:

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

ITB No. R3-BANE-SIP-2016-BU-67 BULACAN SIP (Balagtas), Balagtas, Bulacan. The Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P9,454,036.36 with contract duration of 120 calendar days.

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.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Naga City Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at the Office of the BAC Secretariat at the City Planning & Development Office, City Hall Compound, Naga City from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM starting on Thursday, June 2 to July 4, 2016.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders starting at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 2, 2016, from the Office of the BAC Secretariat at the City Planning & Development Office upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of TEN THOUSAND (P 10,000.00) PESOS, and an Annual Registration Fee of Three Thousand (P 3,000.00) Pesos if not yet registered with the Naga City BAC, and upon presentation of a Document Request List (DRL) from PhilGEPS showing your company name.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Naga City Government (www.naga.gov.ph), provided that bidders shall pay the fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

The Naga City Bids and Awards Committee will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 3:00PM at the City Procurement Office, Ground Floor, City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, Naga City, which shall be open only to those who purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered to the City Procurement Office, Ground Floor, City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, Naga City on or before 3:00 PM on Monday, July 4, 2016. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security as provided for in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A. 9184.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the City Procurement Office, Ground Floor, City Hall Building, City Hall Compound, Naga City at 3:00 PM on Monday, July 4, 2016. Late bids shall not be accepted.

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

For further information, please refer to: MR. FLORENCIO T. MONGOSO, JR. Acting City Administrator, City Hall Compound, J. Miranda Avenue, Naga City Telephone Number: 054-4732240, 054-4723235 Email address: bac@naga.gov.ph, Website: www.naga.gov.ph (SGD) FLORENCIO T. MONGOSO, JR. BAC Chairperson

( T S - J U N E 2 , 2 016)

ITB No. R3-BANE-SIP-2016-BU-68 BULACAN SIP (Balagtas), Balagtas, Bulacan. The Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) is P14,232,713.08 with contract duration of 120 calendar days. Bid Documents cost P9,000.00.

Only those, Letter of Intent together with the company profile, submitted by the owner or its authorized liaison officer will be accepted.

Interested bidders must have experience in undertaking similar project within the last three (3) years with an amount of at least 50% of the proposed project for bidding.

Any bid above the ABC as stated above each ITB shall be rejected outright.

Issuance of Bid Documents; (upon payment of non-refundable amount as stated above each ITB) Schedule of Activities; NIA-BANE IMO

June 1, 2016 @ 10:00 AM NIA BANE, Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Pre-Bidding

ITB No. R3-BANE-SIP-2016-BU-67, ITB No. R3-BANE-SIP-2016-BU-68,

June 8, 2016

Submission/ Opening of Bids June 20, 2016

10:00 AM 11:00 AM

1:00 PM 2:00 PM

The NIA-BANE assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of bids. Also, NIA reserves the right to reject any or all bids at any time prior to award, waive any defects therein and to declare the bidding a failure for whatever reasons it may deem appropriate.

SGD. ROBERTO J. DELA CRUZ Chairman – BAC (TS-JUNE 2 , 2016)

Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Roxas Boulevard Corner Pablo Ocampo, Sr. Street Manila 1004

Request for Expression of Interest for CONSULTING SERVICES OF A CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION WRITER FOR THE PHILIPPINE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE (PH-EITI) 2016 COUNTRY REPORT 1.

2.

3.

The Department of Finance (DOF), through the General Appropriations Act for CY 2016, intends to apply the sum of One Million Pesos (PhP1,000,000.00), being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), to payments under the contract for Consulting Services of a Contextual Information Writer for the Philippine Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (PH-EITI) 2016 Country Report. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposals.

The DOF now calls for the submission of eligibility documents for the procurement of consulting services of a consulting firm/company affiliated with an internationally recognized audit firm with extensive experience in large scale auditing and accounting projects in extractive and financial sectors. Interested consultants must submit their eligibility documents on or before June 9, 2016, 09:45 a.m. at the SBAC Secretariat, c/o General Services Division, 7th Floor EDPC Building, Roxas Blvd., Malate, Manila. Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion.

The BAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted eligibility documents and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9184 (RA No. 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The short list shall consist of at least one (1) prospective bidder who will be entitled to submit bids. The criteria and rating system for short listing are: I. II. III.

Applicable Experience Quality of Personnel to be Assigned Capacity to Execute the Project Total The passing score is at least seventy percent (70%).

4.

5.

6.

- 20% - 40% - 40% 100%

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of RA No. 9184.

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.

The Procuring Entity shall evaluate bids using the Quality Cost Based Evaluation (QCBE) procedure. The Procuring Entity shall indicate the weights to be allocated for the Technical and Financial Proposals. The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of bids shall be provided in the Instructions to Bidders.

The contract shall be completed within a period of four (5) months from issuance of Notice to Proceed.

7.

The DOF reserves the right to reject any and all bids, annul the bidding process, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

8.

For further information, please refer to: Ms. Mary Ann Rodolfo PH-EITI Tel. No. 400-6882

(TS-JUNE 2, 2016)

(SGD) GIL S. BELTRAN Undersecretary and SBAC Chairman

A Sure Bet for Progress in Gaming, Entertainment and Nation Building

Invitation to Bid for the Supply and Delivery of 350mL Purified Bottled Water for the Satellite Operations Groups (SOGs) under ITB No. PB16054COR-05 (REBIDDING)

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming rebidding for the Supply and Delivery of 350mL Purified Bottled Water for Satellite Operations Groups (SOGs) under ITB No. PB16-054COR-05.

Brief Description

Quantity: A. B.

Citystate Satellite: 4,265 boxes • 24 bottles/box Networld Satellite: 3,600 boxes • 48 bottles/box

Delivery Schedule

The complete schedule of deliveries is provided in Section VI (Schedule of Requirements) of the Bidding Documents

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

Three Million Five Hundred Nineteen Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-Five Pesos (Php3,519,755.00), VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction

Source of Funds

Internally Funded

Bidder should have completed, within the last three (3) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidder. 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

Schedule

1. Issuance of the Bidding Documents

June 2, 2016 (Thursday) to June 22, 2016 (Wednesday)

2. Pre-Bid Conference

June 10, 2016 (Friday) at 10:00 a.m.

3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids

June 22, 2016 (Wednesday) at 10:00 a.m.

4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids

June 22, 2016 (Wednesday) at 10:00 a.m. onwards

Complete details of the project are indicated in the bidding documents which will be available to prospective bidders at the Procurement Department (PD), upon payment of the non-refundable fee for sale of bidding documents in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (PhP5,000.00).

Pr os pec ti v e bi dder m ay al s o dow nl oad the Bi d d i n g D o c u me n t s f re e o f c h a rg e f ro m t h e fol l ow i ng w ebs i tes : w w w .pagc or .ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidder shall pay the non-refundable cost for sale of bidding documents not later than the date of the submission of bids. The Pre-bid Conference is open to all prospective bidder. Prospective bidder 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 Fee Slip for the sale of bidding documents which may be secured from PD 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 bidder for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - Tie-Breaking Method, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 1 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 bidder have been postqualified 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. In alphabetical order, the bidder shall pick one rolled paper.

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

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 bidder.

Please address all communications to the Bids and Awards Committee thru PD, Room 203, Second (2nd) Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Tel No.: 524-3911, 521-1542 local 223 or 671.

(SGD) RODERICK R. CONSOLACION Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 1

(TS-JUNE 2, 2016)

UST grabs Shakey’s GVL NCR crown UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas took the best dished out by last year’s best National U and proved this time it’s better, carving out a 28-26, 25-22, 25-19 victory to capture the National Capital Region leg crown in the 14th Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League at the St. Marie Eugenie Sports Complex in Antipolo last weekend.

The UST girls, with Ejiya Laure and Imee Hernandez on the firing and blocking end, pulled through in a thrilling opening set duel then fended off every Lady Bulldog fightback in the next two frames to complete the straight-set win in the NCR stop of the annual tournament sponsored by Shakey’s and organized by Metro Sports headed by Freddie Infante.

UST, which topped Pool B in the elims and dominated Pool C topnotcher King’s Montessori School in the semis, 25-21, 25-18, thus joined Southern Luzon leg winner De La Salle-Lipa in the national finals of the event sponsored by Shakey’s, Mikasa and Asics.

Pros, elites prepare for fierce 5150 duel PROFESSIONALS, elite and age-group triathletes brace for another thrilling weekend in the triathlon capital of Northern Luzon – Subic Bay – as they clash for top honors and seek personal glory in the second edition of Regent 5150 Triathlon on Sunday.

The participants will test themselves in a challenging 1.5k swim, 40K bike,10K run course around Subic, seeking to level up, warm up for bigger races, or get the hang of the tri-sport – all depending on their skill set.

Produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. in partnership with Regent Foods, the country’s leading snack manufacturing company, Regent 5150 is regarded as the answer to triathletes who love to do short-distance but challenging races in a world-class production setup.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Sumcad grabs lead at ICTSI Eagle Ridge GEN. TRIAS, Cavite—Orlan Sumcad found the tough condition to his liking and turned in one of his best rounds in years – a bogey-free sixunder 66 that shoved him past fancied Tony Lascuña and Zanieboy Gialon halfway through the ICTSI Eagle Ridge Invitational at the Aoki layout here yesterday.

The long-hitting Sumcad strung up a pair of back-toback birdie feats at the back of the rain-softened par-72 layout where he teed off then came out of the hour-long delay due to threat of lightning with two birdies in the last five holes for an impressive 34-32 card he spiked with two scrambling pars.

“The key to this kind of condition is to keep the ball in play on the fairway. That gave me some advantage,” said Sumcad, who overhauled a three-stroke deficit to wrest a one-stroke lead and move 36 holes away from finally nailing the elusive crown on the ICTSI

Philippine Golf Tour with a nineunder 135 total.

But it will take a lot of effort for Sumcad, 42, to realize a dream title run as Lascuña and Gialon stood just a stroke behind with a pair of 70s for 136s and hot Clyde Mondilla stayed on course for a third straight leg victory at 138, also after a 70.

Although Jhonnel Ababa, Japanese Ryoma Miki and Marvin Dumandan lay four strokes behind at 139 after a 68, 69 and 72, respectively, and Elmer Salvador (68), Mars Pucay (70), Justin Quiban (70) and Joenard Rates (71) were six shots behind at 141, they all

remained in the hunt for the top P360,000 purse with two rounds left in the P2 million championship sponsored by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Forty players made the 36hole cut at 148 with former leg winners Rufino Bayron (73) and Arnold Villacencio (74), Korean Park Min Ung (79), and Pedo Repato (74) and Rolando Marabe Jr. (79) barely advancing and Korean Park Jun Song (75), Japanese Yuta Sudo (77), James Ryan Lam (76), Ferdie Aunzo (72), Art Arbole (76), Reymon Jaraula (77) and John Rey Pactolerin (71) falling short by one.

Ole! Spanish matador Enrique Ponce performs a pass on a bull during the Corpus bullfighting festival at a Granada bullring on May 27. AFP

Orlan Sumcad flashes his superb tough around the green to save par on No. 15 and preserve a bogey-free card.

Vanguardia takes over as new Phoenix coach

By Jeric Lopez THE overhaul of Phoenix Petroleum in the Philippine Basketball Association continues.

After being involved in multiple trade transactions the past month, the Fuel Masters made another tweak by naming Ariel Vanguardia as their new head coach.

Following a disappointing campaign in its initial conference in the league last Commissioner’s Cup, the management of Phoenix decided to let go of then coach Koy Banal and get the services of Vanguardia, who steered the Westports Malaysia Dragons to their first championship in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) last February.

Phoenix bared in a statement the reason why it decided to hire Vanguardia. Management thinks that he is the right fit to head the Davaobased rookie team.

“Phoenix Fuel has appointed Ariel Vanguardia as its new head coach.

His (Vanguardia) appointment is in consonance with the long term plan of building an exciting team which is likely in line with the marketing programs of the company,” Phoenix said in a statement.

Vanguardia, who already served as a coach in the league before with Talk ‘N Text and also as an assistant both at the now-defunct Barako Bull and Blackwater aside from being once a coach for Jose Rizal University years ago, immediately took over the team yesterday. He conducted his first practice and will call the shots in the season-ending Governors’ Cup next month.

Phoenix also indicated its support of Vanguardia as it acquired the services of its new coach’s old top gun at JRU, John Wilson.

Wilson was received by the Fuel Masters from NLEX in exchange for seldom-used guard James Forrester.

In its first campaign as a franchise, Phoenix finished at 11th place with only a 3-8 record to show.

As for Banal, he is expected to be rehired by the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) to serve as a top assistant in either one of its top three teams, Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer and Star, where he spent a lengthy time assisting.

“We are grateful for the efforts and professionalism of Coach Banal and the entire staff. We wish them well in their future endeavors.”

Tabal continues training for Rio under coach Duenas LOTTO RESULTS

By Peter Atencio MARATHONER Mary Joy Tabal will continue her training and preparation for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Tabal’s coach, John Philip Duenas said the Cebuana athlete still needs to improve her time even after his ward fi nished an impressive eighth overall in the women’s division of the 2016 Scotia Bank Marathon in Ottawa last Sunday to

became the second Filipino runner to hit the Olympic qualifying standard.

“Basta tuloy yung training ni Joy for Rio,” said Duenas.

Tabal’s clocking of two hours, 43 minutes and 31 seconds, surpassed the national record which Jhoann Banayag set in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games of 2:44.2, as well as the Olympic standard of 2:45.

And because the 26-year-old Tabal was

training on her own after she resigned from the national team last December, the result surprised the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.

Duenas, however, said Tabal needs to be reinstated with the national team to be able to make it to the Olympiad.

Tabal is still in Canada, waiting for her certification from the organizers of the Ottawa Marathon, a document which she can present to the Patafa.

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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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T hurs day : j un e 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

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Spain’s Roberto Bautista-Agut during their men’s fourth round match at the Roland Garros 2016 French Tennis Open in Paris on May 31. AFP

Players up in arms in Paris PARIS—Agnieszka Radwanska and Simona Halep blasted French Open organizers Tuesday for forcing them to compete in pouring rain as Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams were left facing a four-day playing stretch.

Radwanska, the second seed, and sixth seed Halep both lost their last-16 clashes after opening healthy leads on Sunday night.

But after Monday was washed out, they were forced back out at a damp, chilly Roland Garros on Tuesday despite the rain never really relenting in the two hours of stop-start action available.

“I’m just so surprised and angry that we have to play in the rain. I

mean, it’s not a $10,000 tournament. It’s a Grand Slam,” raged Polish star Radwanska after her 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 defeat to Bulgaria’s world number 102 Tsvetana Pironkova.

Radwanska had been 6-2, 3-0 up on Sunday night but lost 10 games in succession on Tuesday.

“How can you allow players to play in the rain?,” said the former Wimbledon runner-up after her loss on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

lebron brIngS heAlthy cASt to FInAlS turn to A12

“I don’t think they really care what we think. I think they care about other things.”

Halep, beaten in the 2014 final

by Maria Sharapova, suffered a 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 defeat to former US Open champion Samantha Stosur of Australia.

The Romanian had been 5-3 up when their contest was suspended on Sunday.

“I have no words. To play tennis matches during the rain I think it’s a bit too much,” said the Romanian after her loss on Court One. “The court was not good. The balls were completely wet. I didn’t feel safe. No-one cares about the players.”

They were the only two matches

completed on Tuesday after the tournament had suffered its first complete washout in 16 years on Monday.

Top seed and world number one Djokovic was 3-6, 6-4, 4-1 ahead of Spain’s 14th seed Roberto Bautista Agut on Court Philippe Chatrier in his last-16 clash.

Their match had been played in two spells between the rain with the first halted after 37 minutes with the top seed having dropped the opening set.

Djokovic, seeking a first Roland Garros title to complete the career Grand Slam, faces the prospect of playing on four consecutive days to complete the fourth round, quarter-final and semi-final. AFP

SumcAd grAbS leAd At IctSI tourney turn to A15

PSL hosts volleyball training program A TOP Korean coach is set to arrive to run a five-day volleyball training program that aims to improve the performance of Filipino setters competing in major volleyball tournaments.

Former South Korean men’s national team head coach Kim Keung Un will serve as the drillmaster when the Philippine Superliga (PSL) organizes the 1st PSL Setting Seminar from starting tomorrow at the Arellano University-LVPI Volleyball Center in Pasay City.

PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the training will not only improve the passing accuracy, form and skills of Filipino setters, but also their ability to read the defense and decision-making under tight situations.

Suzara added that setters from the PSL like Kim Fajardo of F2 Logistics, Acy Masangkay of Petron, Rhea Dimaculangan of Foton, April Ross Hingpit of Cignal and those from the UAAP, NCAA and other collegiate leagues are invited to attend.

B1

THURSDAY: JUNE 2, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Mitsubishi’s 600,000th unit. Mitsubishi

Motors Philippines Corp. marks a milestone, as the 600,000th unit—an Adventure—rolls out of its plant in Sta Rosa, Laguna.

Mitsubishi has been producing vehicles in the Philippines, first in Cainta, Rizal, and later in Sta Rosa, since 1964. Shown are (from left) MMPC executive advisory council member Deogracias Vistan, Board of Investments governor Henry Co, Sta. Rosa Mayor Arlene Arcillas, MMPC executive advisory council member Edgar Chua, MMPC president and chief executive Yoshiaki Kato, executive vice president Yasuhiro Maruyama and chief finance officer and treasurer Hirofumi Shibata.

BSP revokes Philrem’s permit

By Julito G. Rada

THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, said Wednesday it cancelled the certificate of registration of remittance company Philrem Service Corp. and two other remittance agents for violating rules governing non-bank financial institutions.

Philrem is the remittance company linked in the $81-million money laundering scam involving money allegedly stolen from the Bangladesh Bank.

The funds were believed stolen by cyber thieves from the account of Bangladesh Bank in the Federal Reserve in New York. It entered the Philippine financial system through fictitious accounts at the Jupiter branch in Makati City of

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

Philrem was pinpointed as the one that converted into pesos part of the $81 million stolen funds and delivered the funds to casinos.

Bangko Sentral said it also cancelled the registration of Werquick Inc. and Peso Remittance Express Inc., both engaged in foreign exchange dealing, money changing and remittance businesses.

“The Monetary Board can-

celled the certificate of registration of Philrem [as a remittance agent], Werquick [as a foreign exchange dealer/money changer/ remittance agent], and Peso Remittance [as a foreign exchange dealer/money changer/remittance agent], due to significant violations of Section 4511N of the Manual of Regulations for NonBank Financial Institutions and Circular No. 706 dated 5 January 2011,” Bangko Sentral said.

Bangko Sentral said it would work closely with other government agencies such as the AntiMoney Laundering Council and the Justice Department in their investigation of possible criminal and administrative violations under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and its implementing rules and regulations.

Aside from banks, Bangko Sen-

tral is also the governing body that supervises remittance firms, money changers, pawnshops and other financial institutions.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue filed a P35.6-million tax evasion case against Philrem in April after investigation allegedly found that the remittance company did not paying taxes for a couple of years.

“In its registration with the BIR, Philrem’s line of business is ‘other land transport operation not elsewhere classified.’ Philrem thereafter amended its primary purpose with the Securities and Exchange Commission which is to engage in the business of remittance of money/currency from abroad to be delivered to the different parts of the Philippines. Despite the change in its primary purpose, it did not update its registration with the BIR,” BIR said earlier.

PSe comPoSite index Closing June 1, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,500.79 99.19

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing June 1, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P46.640

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P46.640 LOW P46.770 AVERAGE P46.688 VOLUME 631.300M

P427.00-P620.00 LPG/11-kg tank

PLDT, Globe given one year to speed up Internet

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE National Telecommunications Commission on Wednesday warned it will terminate the joint use by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Globe Telecom Inc. of the frequency owned

by San Miguel Corp. if broadband access and Internet speed fail to improve in a year.

The regulator said it approved the co-use by Globe and Smart Communications of frequencies assigned to Bell Telecommunications Philippines Inc. on conditions the broadband and Internet access speed would improve in a year, with the companies required to submit a progress report on a quarterly basis.

Globe was allowed to use the 703-720.5/758-775.5 megahertz;

880-885/925-930 Mhz; 17101717.5/1805-1812.5MHz; 23802395 MHz and 2555-2595MHz. Smart was assigned to use the 720.5-738/775.5-793 MHz; 885-890/930-935 MHz; 1717.51725/1812.5-1820 Mhz; 23652380 MHz and 2629-2669 Mhz. These frequencies were previously assigned to BellTel. The 700-MHz band, located above the TV broadcast channels, penetrates buildings and walls and covers larger areas. Mobile wireless service providers in other countries have been using the spectrum to offer mobile broadband services.

The NTC also ordered PLDT and Globe to submit within 60 days a rollout plan to cover at least 90 percent of the cities and munici-

palities in three years to address the growing demand for broadband infrastructure and Internet access.

The regulator asked the two incumbent telco players to pay spectrum user’s fee and other required fees and charges; secure separate permits and licenses for radio stations and allow the NTC access to the base stations or cell sits for monitoring purposes.

“The commission reserves the power to terminate the joint use in case of violation of any of the above conditions or when it deems necessary to serve public interest,” NTC said.

PLDT and Globe jointly acquired 100-percent equity interest in San Miguel’s Vega Telecom Inc. for P52.08 billion and the assumption of P17.02 billion of liabilities.

Vega owns an 87-percent stake in Liberty Telecom Holdings Inc., the unit formed by San Miguel.

Debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service said PLDT’s acquisition of San Miguel’s telecommunication business was “credit negative.” PLDT’s current credit rating is Baa2.

“These transactions provide PLDT with new spectrum frequencies — notably in the 700 MHz, 900MHz and 1800Mhz bands, which will help improve its network quality and rollout in regional and rural areas; however, the company’s financial metrics will likely deteriorate, as part of the purchase price and additional capex will be debt financed,” Annalisa Di Chiara, a Moody’s vice president and senior credit officer said.

P36.35-P43.45 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P24.75-P29.60 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, June 1, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.7240

Japan

Yen

0.009035

0.4222

UK

Pound

1.447900

67.6517

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128687

6.0128

Switzerland

Franc

1.006644

47.0344

Canada

Dollar

0.763825

35.6890

Singapore

Dollar

0.726111

33.9268

Australia

Dollar

0.722900

33.7768

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655055

124.0548

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266681

12.4604

Brunei

Dollar

0.723484

33.8041

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000073

0.0034

Thailand

Baht

0.028019

1.3092

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.7223

Euro

Euro

1.113500

52.0272

Korea

Won

0.000841

0.0393

China

Yuan

0.152015

7.1027

India

Rupee

0.014881

0.6953

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242542

11.3325

New Zealand

Dollar

0.675700

31.5714

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030690

1.4340 Source: PDS Bridge

THURSDAY: JUNE 2, 2016

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Wednesday, June 1, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 4.2 4 17 30.45 2.6 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 75 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.68 8.7 12.02 19.6 1.02 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 58 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 59 2.65

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148 20.6 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 3.95 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 26 2.17

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 32 15.32 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 2.3 1.63 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.87 8.45 3 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 10.02 1.2

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 3.68 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 5.29 6.66 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 9.66 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 1.15 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3 3.52 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 3 0.030 1.23 0.550 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.84 3.67 45.75 45 104.20 101.80 94.50 93.00 38.1 37 1.35 1.35 10.16 10.16 14.2 14 17.22 17.04 1.9 1.85 0.550 0.540 87.2 86.05 0.96 0.94 15.08 15.00 24.20 24.20 49.30 46.45 101.6 98.05 262.4 260 31.55 30.25 202.8 198.5 65.00 64.15 1.53 1.53 INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp.

46 47 45.7 Agrinurture Inc. 3.43 3.68 3.4 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.89 0.88 0.86 Alsons Cons.

2 1.98 1.95 Asiabest Group 11.5 12.1 11.06 C. Azuc De Tarlac 170.00 190.00 190.00 Century Food 22.1 22.2 21.2 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 197 204 197.1 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 16.12 18 16 Concepcion 46.5 46.5 46 Crown Asia 2.09 2.13 2.09 Da Vinci Capital 5.32 5.85 5.14 Del Monte 11.2 11.08 11 DNL Industries Inc. 9.740 9.750 9.700 Emperador 7.11 7.52 7.40 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.65 5.64 5.60 EEI 7.29 7.51 7.29 Euro-Med Lab 1.7 1.71 1.71 First Gen Corp.

22.3 23.05 22.5 First Holdings ‘A’ 65.3 67.9 67.45 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 13.00 12.24 12.24 Holcim Philippines Inc. 15.10 15.24 15.10 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.75 5.75 5.7 Ionics Inc 2.220 2.270 2.200 Jollibee Foods Corp.

235.40 236.00 234.40 LMG Chemicals 1.85 1.9 1.9 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.18 3.2 3.2 Manila Water Co. Inc. 26.7 27.25 26.8 Maxs Group 27.55 27.8 26.7 Megawide 6.6 6.6 6.53 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 303.40 316.00 303.80 MG Holdings 0.270 0.270 0.265 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.48 3.6 3.52 Petron Corporation 11.70 11.92 11.50 Phil H2O 3.07 3.06 3.06 Phinma Corporation 11.52 11.54 11.54 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 5.00 5.17 5.00 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.62 1.65 1.61 Pryce Corp. `A’ 2.68 2.77 2.7 RFM Corporation 4.24 4.25 4.21 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 214 217 213.6 Splash Corporation 2.58 2.58 2.53 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.151 0.151 0.151 TKC Steel Corp.

1.71 1.85 1.68 Trans-Asia Oil 2.50 2.50 2.47 Universal Robina 195 201.4 195 Victorias Milling 4.83 4.8 4.8 Vitarich Corp.

0.89 0.9 0.88 Vivant Corp.

31.50 31.50 31.50 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.26 1.26 1.25 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.400 0.410 0.390 Aboitiz Equity 79.00 78.70 75.00 Alliance Global Inc. 15.22 15.54 15.22 Anglo Holdings A 1.17 1.17 1.17 Anscor `A’ 5.97 6.10 5.97 ATN Holdings A 0.380 0.390 0.370 ATN Holdings B 0.380 0.380 0.380 Ayala Corp `A’ 846.5 857 842 Cosco Capital 7.67 7.8 7.76 DMCI Holdings 12.70 12.82 12.64 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.1 5.1 5.1 F&J Prince ‘B’ 5.01 5 5 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

6.20 6.39 6.20 Forum Pacific 0.240 0.240 0.220 GT Capital 1395 1437 1400 House of Inv. 6.20 6.45 6.20 JG Summit Holdings 82.60 83.25 82.15 Keppel Holdings `A’ 5.99 5.59 5.59 Keppel Holdings `B’ 5.6 5.8 5.79 Lopez Holdings Corp.

7.5 7.7 7.43 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.7 0.71 0.69 LT Group 14.36 14.54 14.36 Mabuhay Holdings `A’ 0.490 0.490 0.490 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 6.03 6.14 6.05 MJCI Investments Inc. 2.95 3.6 3.4 Pacifica `A’ 0.0320 0.0330 0.0320 Prime Media Hldg 1.270 1.410 1.310 Prime Orion 1.810 1.830 1.800 San Miguel Corp `A’ 82.00 81.50 79.55 Seafront `A’ 2.24 2.22 2.22 SM Investments Inc. 940.00 975.00 940.00 Solid Group Inc. 1.19 1.19 1.19 South China Res. Inc. 0.81 0.81 0.81 Top Frontier 181.000 181.000 173.000 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3100 0.3150 0.3050 Wellex Industries 0.2110 0.2110 0.2000 Zeus Holdings 0.320 0.340 0.300 PROPERTY 8990 HLDG 7.950 7.940 7.800 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 7.00 7.00 7.00 A. Brown Co., Inc. 1.17 1.19 1.16 Araneta Prop `A’ 2.500 2.560 2.410 Arthaland Corp.

0.255 0.270 0.255 Ayala Land `B’ 35.700 37.500 36.100 Belle Corp. `A’ 3.02 3.14 3.02 Cebu Holdings 5.11 5.14 5.13 Century Property 0.510 0.52 0.500 AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank I-Remit Inc. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

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

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

Close

SHARES 12,083,200 57,508,770 112,896,468 162,577,320 344,221,083 1,313,584,294 2,004,898,852

3.73 45 101.00 92.25 38 1.33 10.16 14.26 17.12 1.77 0.550 87.1 0.94 15.00 24.00 46.45 102.2 261.8 30.1 203 64.30 1.54

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.73 45 103.90 93.50 38 1.35 10.16 14.1 17.08 1.87 0.540 87 0.94 15.08 24.20 49.00 101.6 262.4 31.15 200.2 64.40 1.53

0.00 0.00 2.87 1.36 0.00 1.50 0.00 -1.12 -0.23 5.65 -1.82 -0.11 0.00 0.53 0.83 5.49 -0.59 0.23 3.49 -1.38 0.16 -0.65

80,000 34,400 1,392,350 912,020 116,600 2,000 500 143,200 131,800 42,000 1,090,000 2,237,680 7,000 31,300 5,000 1,090,700 1,510 1,980 64,400 2,806,630 60,690 12,000

46.1 3.59 0.86 1.95 11.96 190.00 21.35 197.2 18 46.5 2.1 5.45 11.06 9.750 7.40 5.60 7.50 1.71 23 67.9 12.24 15.14 5.72 2.240 235.00 1.9 3.2 27.1 27 6.53 315.00 0.270 3.6 11.88 3.06 11.54 5.17 1.63 2.74 4.24 217 2.53 0.151 1.77 2.49 198.8 4.8 0.89 31.50 1.25

0.22 4.66 -3.37 -2.50 4.00 11.76 -3.39 0.10 11.66 0.00 0.48 2.44 -1.25 0.10 4.08 -0.88 2.88 0.59 3.14 3.98 -5.85 0.26 -0.52 0.90 -0.17 2.70 0.63 1.50 -2.00 -1.06 3.82 0.00 3.45 1.54 -0.33 0.17 3.40 0.62 2.24 0.00 1.40 -1.94 0.00 3.51 -0.40 1.95 -0.62 0.00 0.00 -0.79

2,570,900 1,106,000 239,000 1,321,000 3,400 10 961,600 1,450 1,142,100 600 923,000 3,361,400 10,300 1,568,800 757,600 9,981,100 250,600 7,000 1,836,700 75,240 1,100 8,900 17,188,100 613,000 514,430 5,000 3,000 714,300 846,100 207,900 353,730 180,000 126,000 3,949,700 10,000 7,300 374,400 137,000 111,000 257,000 910 23,000 310,000 1,833,000 100,000 1,396,580 1,000 1,786,000 400 177,000

0.400 77.85 15.40 1.17 6.01 0.385 0.380 845 7.78 12.74 5.1 5 6.21 0.240 1415 6.20 83.10 5.59 5.8 7.7 0.69 14.54 0.490 6.07 3.4 0.0330 1.410 1.830 79.75 2.22 975.00 1.19 0.81 180.000 0.3050 0.2000 0.335

0.00 -1.46 1.18 0.00 0.67 1.32 0.00 -0.18 1.43 0.31 0.00 -0.20 0.16 0.00 1.43 0.00 0.61 -6.68 3.57 2.67 -1.43 1.25 0.00 0.66 15.25 3.13 11.02 1.10 -2.74 -0.89 3.72 0.00 0.00 -0.55 -1.61 -5.21 4.69

740,000 1,490,660 6,650,800 10,000 88,500 3,110,000 7,410,000 277,560 552,500 982,100 100 300 94,400 260,000 121,345 2,400 5,170,020 2,300 11,500 1,206,700 154,000 2,300,800 20,000 42,346,600 3,000 1,700,000 30,000 551,000 407,990 1,000 196,590 1,000 10,000 20,590 2,830,000 5,350,000 7,620,000

7.840 7.00 1.18 2.520 0.255 36.700 3.11 5.13 0.510

-1.38 0.00 0.85 0.80 0.00 2.80 2.98 0.39 0.00

206,700 1,000 238,000 1,525,000 1,440,000 8,604,100 3,137,000 3,200 4,466,000

1,188,780.00 50,451,771 -11,793,777.00 3,800,000.00

-681,572.00 -17,400.00 22,458,882.50 -24,000.00 16,003,955.00 -314,880.00 829,990 165,472,721.00 6,420.00 -18,201,170.00 67,950.00 9,793,335.00

-8,480.00 -11,873.00 10,649,257.00 260,787.00 -16,037,061.00 1,139,278.00 540,220.00 2,796,472.00 -15,240.00 -1,825,825.00 -11,250.00 21,220,376.00 -6,322,575.00 3,345,735.00 -209,695.00 54,211,656.00 54,211,656.00 86,110.00 -2,220,954.00 128,265.00 182,250.00 -47,080.00 53,030.00 125,970.00 16,742,297.00 -111,200.00

-20,337,867.00 -66,251,600.00 -24,000.00 36,712,160.00 2,083,277.00 3,551,930.00 176,901.00 -45,728,460.00 -20,890,304.00 -1,418,217.00 9,550,742.00 51,843,412.00

6,184,495.00 60,025,180.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

-619,370.00

High

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

Cityland Dev. `A’ 1.000 Crown Equities Inc. 0.132 Cyber Bay Corp.

0.540 Double Dragon 53.9 Empire East Land 0.790 Global-Estate 0.97 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.95 Keppel Properties 4.60 Megaworld 4.5 MRC Allied Ind. 0.092 Phil. Estates Corp.

0.2500 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.465 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 44.50 Primex Corp.

8.6 Robinson’s Land `B’ 29.00 Rockwell 1.6 Shang Properties Inc. 3.14 SM Prime Holdings 24.00 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.92 Starmalls 6.37 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 1.010 Vista Land & Lifescapes 5.010

0.00 -0.76 -3.70 2.97 -1.27 0.00 5.13 -8.04 -2.22 -2.17 10.00 -3.23 0.00 -1.16 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.25 -1.09 0.47 0.00 1.80

1,000 2,880,000 2,833,000 1,763,960 322,000 1,768,000 51,195,000 1,000 25,387,000 2,820,000 200,000 470,000 21,900 5,000 2,121,100 274,000 8,000 40,209,800 122,000 4,500 833,000 7,631,300

10.5 66 1.09 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 12.5 0.017

1.97 35.2 0.63 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 3.01 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 95.5 1 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 3.1 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

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

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

Discovery World DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

Phil. Seven Corp.

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

0.55 -0.20 -3.33 0.00 -2.86 0.00 -1.32 -1.15 4.03 1.06 -0.86 1.66 -0.31 -0.88 3.36 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.10 -2.99 0.00 -5.31 -0.99 2.67 7.33 -2.60 1.79 1.51 4.50 0.51 -0.36 2.63 -0.08 0.00 2.37 17.50 0.00 -0.24 0.50 0.49 3.77 3.45 0.90 -5.56 2.92

34,400 -77,180.00 280,940 1,390,000 87,500.00 900 -22,720.00 9,001,000 -23,245,710.00 210,800,000 -853,600.00 3,188,000 -500.00 141,280 3,389,369.00 2,200 222,000 363,600 2,040,000.00 116,975 32,447,430.00 112,400 215,000 3,325,590 -94,294,576.00 16,300 14,000 700,000 711,000 4,804,978.00 12,210,000 16,250.00 1,179,000 6,280.00 20,000 19,700 5,100 16,021.00 11,441,000 -1,554,490.00 4,800 143,000 51,000 -101,000.00 4,690,000 2,421,460.00 960,000 358,340.00 12,418,000 1,211,150.00 44,700 30 88,700 -11,790.00 340,480 233,357,730.00 49,690,000 -254,700.00 7,629,000 259,710.00 4,644,800 -25,380,015.00 1,152,920 38,466,667.50 129,700 3,728,000 -4,007,860.00 1,401,000 983,000 2,288,440.00 220,000 64,600.00 92,300

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 0.236 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

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

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

-4.44 3.26 -1.83 0.00 -1.27 -1.29 0.00 -1.04 -5.44 0.00 -1.67 -0.81 -5.36 0.00 7.14 2.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.69 10.00 0.00 -3.50 1.00 4.66 0.00 -0.78 -2.24 0.00

1,038,000,000 34,000 8,000 100,000 4,200 10,200 -76,517.00 65,000 1,990,000 5,700 25,500.00 7,506,000 -47,170.00 130,000 29,690,000 500,000 8,000,000 50,000,000 108,000 5,024,000 -9,175,800.00 36,000 340,000 9,000 38,100,000 700,000 12,000 388,600 754,680.00 5,665,000 -2,069,180.00 116,300,000 268,560 9,797,434.00 869,000 9,600,000

70 553 118 120 515

33 490 101 101.5 480

78.95 84.8

74.5 75

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ First Gen F First Gen G GLOBE PREF P PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

-0.89 0.00 0.00 1.70 0.19 0.47 0.00 0.13 0.49 0.93 0.00 0.00 0.65

138,320 5,540 160 17,700 100 1,000 3,000 12,770 9,980 85,700 24,690 35,200 436,320

0.00

26,000

-1.96 0.00 6.97 -2.01

977,000 7,000 53,000 980,300

-3,974,970.00

0.82

6,110

2,460.00

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

15

3.5

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,693.73 (UP) 15.90 INDUSTRIAL 11,731.07 (UP) 153.33 HOLDING FIRMS 7,497.47 (UP) 75.98 PROPERTY 3,189.64 (UP) 53.15 SERVICES 1,551.46 (UP) 23.48 MINING & OIL 10,994.40 (DOWN) 55.16 PSEI 7,500.79 (UP) 99.19 All Shares Index 4,479.17 (UP) 46.35 Gainers: 104; Losers: 73; Unchanged: 56; Total: 233

Close

0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 1.15 1.42 3.1 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

1.000 1.000 1.000 0.132 0.130 0.131 0.540 0.520 0.520 56.7 54 55.5 0.790 0.780 0.780 0.98 0.96 0.97 2.05 1.94 2.05 4.23 4.23 4.23 4.43 4.31 4.4 0.093 0.090 0.090 0.2800 0.2700 0.2750 0.470 0.450 0.450 47.00 41.20 44.50 8.5 8.5 8.5 29.95 28.90 29.00 1.6 1.59 1.6 3.14 3.09 3.14 24.40 24.00 24.30 0.92 0.89 0.91 6.4 6.4 6.4 1.020 1.000 1.010 5.170 5.020 5.100 SERVICES 7.31 7.46 7.32 7.35 50.8 50.85 50.5 50.7 0.600 0.610 0.570 0.580 28.4 28.4 28.4 28.4 4.20 4.19 4.01 4.08 0.0580 0.0620 0.0580 0.0580 3.03 3.01 2.9 2.99 96 95.55 93.3 94.9 9.18 9.55 9.55 9.55 1.88 2 1.9 1.9 6.99 6.95 6.80 6.93 2410 2496 2380 2450 6.50 6.50 6.48 6.48 1.14 1.18 1.13 1.13 56.55 58.75 57.15 58.45 14.50 15.30 14.50 14.50 11.56 11.58 11.56 11.56 0.0100 0.0099 0.0100 0.0100 9.62 9.62 9.55 9.61 0.335 0.335 0.325 0.325 1.5400 1.5900 1.5300 1.5400 2.45 2.44 2.32 2.32 12.1 12.1 11.52 11.98 7.50 7.74 7.51 7.70 3.00 3.62 3.01 3.22 20.00 19.48 19.00 19.48 0.560 0.590 0.550 0.570 1.99 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.22 2.35 2.25 2.32 3.96 4.03 3.94 3.98 2.800 2.900 2.620 2.790 17.5 18 17.5 17.96 124.50 124.40 124.40 124.40 23.90 23.90 23.40 23.90 1900.00 1962.00 1920.00 1945.00 0.400 0.510 0.405 0.470 0.920 0.920 0.900 0.920 42.00 42.10 41.50 41.90 80.50 81.30 80.80 80.90 6.18 6.22 6.18 6.21 2.65 2.79 2.69 2.75 0.580 0.600 0.590 0.600 3.33 3.38 3.34 3.36 0.360 0.365 0.340 0.340 6.500 6.690 6.300 6.690 MINING & OIL 0.0045 0.0046 0.0043 0.0043 2.15 2.22 2.15 2.22 4.38 4.41 4.30 4.30 0.240 0.240 0.232 0.240 7.9000 7.9 7.8 7.8000 7.7500 7.7500 7.6500 7.6500 0.66 0.67 0.66 0.66 0.480 0.480 0.460 0.475 9.00 9.10 8.33 8.51 0.890 0.890 0.870 0.890 0.300 0.295 0.290 0.295 0.248 0.255 0.245 0.246 0.280 0.265 0.265 0.265 0.0140 0.0140 0.0130 0.0140 0.0140 0.0150 0.0150 0.0150 1.9 1.95 1.88 1.94 4.22 4.33 4.22 4.22 2.59 2.59 2.54 2.59 0.6000 0.6000 0.6000 0.6000 1.2800 1.3400 1.2700 1.3400 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 3.86 4.00 3.86 3.86 7.01 7.08 7.02 7.08 3.86 4.08 3.81 4.04 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 129.00 129.50 127.90 128.00 4.02 4 3.93 3.93 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 PREFERRED 50.5 50.5 50 50.05 525 539 525 525 115 115 115 115 117.5 119.5 119.5 119.5 520 522 521 521 106.5 107 107 107 113 113 113 113 78.9 79 79 79 81 81.4 81 81.4 75.6 76.3 76.3 76.3 78 78 78 78 76.9 77 76.5 76.9 76.5 77 76.8 77 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.900 2.950 2.850 2.900 SME 4.08 4.1 3.9 4 3.55 3.55 3.55 3.55 2.87 3.1 2.95 3.07 17.9 17.98 17.52 17.54 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 122 123 122 123

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,426,374,417.297 1,064,411,738.09 1,846,039,930.31 1,786,311,267.68 1,916,897,401.8975 108,026,907.538 8,170,226,809.1445

Low

1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 2.22 2.1 8.4 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

42,800.00 -334,736.00 -7,000.00 17,580.00 -879,770.00 -70,200.00 65,010,250.00 -1,980,310.00

Close

1,000.00 0.00 757,209.50 -151,860.00 192,000.00 1,205,720.00 -32,070,410.00 -45,000.00

12,908,895.00 390,400.00 -49,932,105.00 100,000.00 -9,466,704.00

-6,136,555.00 -129,360.00

-520,200.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

PremiereHorizon

0.470

17.50

Keppel Properties

4.23

-8.04

MJCI Investments Inc.

3.4

15.25

Keppel Holdings `A'

5.59

-6.68

C. Azuc De Tarlac

190.00

11.76

Ginebra San Miguel Inc.

12.24

-5.85

Cirtek Holdings (Chips)

18

11.66

Waterfront Phils.

0.340

-5.56

Prime Media Hldg

1.410

11.02

Dizon

8.51

-5.44

Phil. Estates Corp.

0.2750

10.00

Lepanto `B'

0.265

-5.36

Oriental Pet. `A'

0.0110

10.00

Jackstones

2.32

-5.31

Liberty Telecom

3.22

7.33

Wellex Industries

0.2000

-5.21

Manila Mining `B'

0.0150

7.14

Abra Mining

0.0043

-4.44

Italpinas

3.07

6.97

Cyber Bay Corp.

0.520

-3.70

THURSDAY: JUNE 2, 2016

B3

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

Del Monte selling $360-m shares

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission approved the shelf registration of up to $360 million worth of dollar-denominated preferred shares by fruit grower and canner Del Monte Pacific Ltd. Del Monte did not provide the timetable of the offering, pending the finalization of rules on the issuance of dollar-denominated securities by Philippine Stock Exchange.

Del Monte will also need the approval of the Bankgo Sentral ng Pilipinas before it could proceed with the offering.

Documents filed with the SEC showed that Del Monte planned to issue 36 million perpetual, cumulative, non-voting, non-participating, non-convertible series A preferred shares.

The company plans to initially offer 15 million preferred shares at a price of $10 apiece, which will raise $150 million in proceeds.

Another 10 million preferred shares have been set aside for oversubscription, which could potentially generate another $100 million in fresh capital if exercised.

Del Monte will place the remaining 11 million preferred shares under shelf registration, which the company plans to issue within a period of three years from the effective date of the registration statement.

Del Monte’s preferred shares will be listed under the main board of the PSE. The company plans to use proceeds of the fund raising activity to refinance a $350-million bridge loan with BDO Unibank Inc.

BDO Capital and Investments Corp. is the issue manager and lead underwriter of the offering.

Other participating underwriters are BPI Capital Corp., China Bank, PNB Capital and RCBC Capital Corp. he fruit grower earlier reported that nine-month net income ended January 2016 hit $41.9 million, a turnaround from a net loss of $23.9 million in the same period last year.

Nine-month revenues rose six percent to $1.7 billion on higher sales from the US, Philippines and S&W Asia.

Del Monte said US unit Del Monte Foods, which accounted for 80 percent of group sales,

generated revenues of $1.4 billion, up eight percent from a year ago.

The Philippine market also delivered a good results with sales increasing seven percent, driven by the expanded penetration and increased consumption of juices, tomato-based sauces and packaged pineapple products.

Sales of the S&W branded business in Asia and the Middle East grew 16 percent on higher revenues from both the fresh and packaged segments.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, Del Monte said it would report a profit for the full year, a significant turnaround from a loss last year.

Market advances; Meralco, PLDT up THE stock market rose Wednesday on select buying on blue chips, ignoring the losses in Wall Street and Europe overnight.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 99.19 points, or 1.3 percent, to 7,500.79 on a value turnover of P8.2 billion. Gainers beat losers, 104 to 73, with 56 issues unchanged.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., the biggest telecommunications company, increased 2.4 percent to P1,945, while Ayala Land Inc. gained 2.8 percent to P36.70.

Manila Electric Co., the largest retailer of electricity, advanced 3.8 percent to P315, while International Container Terminal Services Inc. climbed 3.4 percent to P58.45.

The rest of Asian stocks moved cautiously Wednesday following losses in Wall Street and in Europe, while Tokyo dropped sharply as the yen strengthened on news of a delayed tax rise.

Traders were generally wary even though official data showed activity in Chinese factories expanded in May for the third straight month.

Global equity markets pulled back overnight as investors awaited a May US jobs report and the outcome of a European Central Bank meeting.

Tokyo stocks dropped 1.6 percent, snapping a five-day winning streak, as the yen surged on news that Japan’s prime minister would delay a sales tax rise that threatened the nation’s fragile economy.

Shanghai closed down 0.1 percent after surging on Tuesday while Hong Kong had lost 0.4 percent in the afternoon.

Investors also weighed a batch of mostly encouraging US data for further hints of when to expect an interest rate rise, after Fed Chair Janet Yellen said last week an increase could be justified “in the coming months.” With AFP

New Cebu warehouse. The Metro Retail Stores Group inaugurates a new 6,500-square meter leased warehouse in Tingub, Cebu, which has a fully-racked storage and security features designed to ensure efficient movement of goods. The addition of the warehouse is in line with the company’s strategic program to modernize its logistics and supply chain processes. It is equipped with nine docks and sufficient parking space for simultaneous truck deliveries. It also features amenities, such as dock levelers at receiving bays, a roll-up door, and CCTVs to accommodate the constant flow of goods and ensure security and ease of operations.

PhilWeb raising P6b from sale of treasury stocks

By Jenniffer B. Austria PHILWEB Corp., an online gaming company controlled by former trade minister Roberto Ongpin, plans to raise at least P6 billion from the sale of treasury shares in a private placement.

PhilWeb said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its shareholders unanimously approved the management’s proposal to make a private placement of up to 300 million shares at a discount to the market price but not lower than P20 per share.

“The private placement will result in PhilWeb receiving cash

and receivables of at least P6 billion. With this war chest, the company will have the ability to go on an aggressive expansion program,” PhilWeb said.

The 300 million shares are equivalent to near 20 percent stake in the company.

The actual price and payment terms, however, will be subject to the approval by the PhilWeb Board or its executive committee.

The shares to be sold in the private placement are part of the 354.6 million shares currently in treasury, which PhilWeb bought from Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. in 2013 at an av-

erage price of P11.90 or a total value of P4.2 billion.

The current market price of PhilWeb shares as of Wednesday’s close is P23.90 per share.

“Thus the total value of these treasury shares is more than P8.4 billion or double the acquisition cost of PhilWeb from PLDT,” PhilWeb said.

PhilWeb operates e-Games stations, which are internet cafes exclusively dedicated to casino games.

Meanwhile, Alphaland, the property unit also owned by Ongin group, said the company has been approached by three

foreign investors, who expressed interest in investing in Alphaland and in listing the company in a foreign stock exchange.

“Discussions with the three foreign investors are ongoing,” Alphaland said.

Alphaland said it was its real estate projects with the recent development of the Baguio Mountain Lodges and the Balesin Gateway projects.

The Balesin project, which comprises 1,000 hectares will include an international airport and a hotel complex in Patnanungan Island, 22 nautical miles from Balesin Island.

B4 Balintawak mixed-use enclave.

Property developer Ayala Land Inc. opens the sales pavilion of Avida Towers Cloverleaf, which is envisioned to be a modern, masterplanned and mixed-use enclave along A. Bonifacio Ave. in Quezon City. Shown cutting the ribbon are (from left) Avida Land sales and marketing head Bing Gumboc, Ayala Land president and chief executive Bobby Dy, Avida Land president Christopher Maglanoc, Ayala Land group head for strategic land bank management Meann Dy and Ayala Land Cloverleaf Balintawak project development manager Jay Teodoro.

Remittances to keep growing

By Julito G. Rada

MONEY sent home by Filipinos working overseas is expected to grow by at least 3 percent annually over the next four years, providing a strong foundation for a sustained economic growth, an economist from the local unit of ING Bank of the Netherlands said.

ING Bank senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said in a report remittances would likely grow “by at least 3 percent this year and average 3 to 4 percent in the next four years.”

“OFW remittances and outsourcing revenues would almost equal each other this year and together would amount to more than $51 billion this year,”

Cuyegkeng said.

He said outsourcing revenues were expected to rise 15 percent to 16 percent this year. It said for the next four years, growth in outsourcing revenues was expected to average 15 percent.

Remittances fuel economic growth and account for almost 10 percent of gross domestic product in the country. The

Philippines belongs to the top three countries with strong inflows of remittances, behind India and China.

Data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that in the first quarter of 2016, cash remittances grew 4.4 percent to $6.55 billion from $6.28 billion a year ago, on sustained demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad.

Remittances rose 1.5 percent in March to $2.42 billion from $2.39 billion a year earlier, the slowest monthly growth since the 1.3-percent expansion in September 2015.

Cash remittances from both land-based and sea-based workers grew 5.3 percent and 1.5 percent year-on-year, respectively. More than three-fourths

Govt okays P2.68b for Neda building

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE National Economic and Development Authority will soon start the construction of a new central office building in Ortigas district, after the Budget Department approved the release of a P2.68-billion budget for the project.

The Budget Department said it issued the multi-year obligational authority for the construction of the proposed Neda central office building from 2017 to 2020.

It said the MYOA covered an amount of P2.68 billion for the four-year project.

The general provisions of the annual General Appropriations Act state that government agencies must secure a MYOA from

the Budget Department for the implementation of multi-year projects.

A MYOA ensures that the succeeding funding requirements of a multi-year project shall be included in the budget program per year of implementation. It is the basis for the approved budget contract as provided in the Government Procurement Reform Act. The proposed project involves the construction of a modern 15-story office building that will house some 999 employees of the Neda central office and attached agencies, including Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines, Tariff Commission and the Philippine National

Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.

The project is also included in the three-year rolling infrastructure program (2017-2019), the immediate priority infrastructure programs to be undertaken in three-year periods to promote the optimal use of public resources for infrastructure development.

Under the MYOA, the yearly budgetary requirement for the Neda building project will be P573.9 million for 2017, P592.9 million for 2018, P747.7 million for 2019 and P769.4 for 2020.

This year’s budget includes P20 million to cover the architectural and engineering design of the proposed building.

of cash remittances came the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Japan, Qatar and Kuwait.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, also grew by 4.3 percent in the first quarter to $7.2 billion from $6.9 billion. In March alone, personal remittances grew 1.4 percent to $2.67 billion from $2.64 billion last year.

Preliminary report from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed that total processed contracts reached 2.3 million in 2015, of which 1.2 million were deployed in the same year.

Cash remittances grew 4.6 percent to a record $25.767 billion

in 2015 from $24.628 billion in 2014, surpassing the 4-percent growth projection of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It also accounted for around 10 percent of gross domestic product in 2015.

Bangko Sentral retained the 4-percent growth target for remittances in 2016.

Cuyegkeng aid the country’s growth prospects remained favorable, especially after the Budget Department announced that the first-quarter infrastructure spending increased by 52.8 percent yearon-year.

First-quarter GDP grew by 6.9 percent, faster than 5 percent a year ago and the revised 6.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, on robust domestic demand and election-related spending.

New budget chief seeks widest deficit since 2010 INCOMING Budget Secretary Ben Diokno will seek to widen the fiscal deficit to the most since 2010 to allow for higher infrastructure spending to boost the economy.

A “comfortable deficit target” is 3 percent of gross domestic product, Diokno, said in an interview in Manila Wednesday, without specifying a time frame. Full-year 2016 GDP growth could be about 6.2 percent as expansion may slow in the second half as electionrelated spending tapers off, he said.

The potential for a wider deficit is a departure from the

fiscal discipline adopted by the outgoing administration of Benigno Aquino, which helped the Philippines win its first investment-grade ratings. Investors may agree to the wider deficit target as the government plans to use the additional spending for public infrastructure, Diokno said.

Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte, who will take office on June 30, will ensure spending targets will be met to pump prime the economy, he said. The budget deficit was 0.9 percent of GDP in 2015. Aquino had pledged to limit the shortfall to 2 percent of GDP. Bloomberg

T H U R S D AY : J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

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

Metro Pacific adds financial muscle METRO Pacific Investments Corp. of Indonesian tycon Anthoni Salim may be preparing itself for a bigger alliance in the Philippines. After swapping shares with GT Capital Holdings Inc. of Filipino tycoon George Ty, Metro Pacific has given itself an opportunity to pry into the bigger assets of Ty’s holding company, including Metropolitan Bank &Trust Co., the nation’s second biggest lender.

It may be too early to talk about a larger Metro Pacific-GT Capital partnership or merger, but last week’s swap of shares between the two conglomerates opened the possbility of a similar transaction in the local parent level.

The two honchos of Metro Pacific and GT Capital were both pleased with the transaction. Metro Pacific chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, or MVP, said the deal strengthened his conglomerate and spoke of working together “to accelerate our investment in, and development of, the infrastructure of our country.”

GT Capital vice chairman Alfred Ty said the company would become a strategic investor of Metro Pacific, which is into power, water, toll roads, railways and healthcare.

“This is a significant milestone for GT Capital since it expands and strengthens our core sector coverage with an infrastructure platform ensuring sustainable growth,” Ty said.

The share swap essentially expanded Metro Pacific’s footprint in the power sector through majority control of GT Capital’s generation unit, Global Business Power Corp. The same transaction allowed GT Capital to buy into Metro Pacific and expanded the former’s business portfolio that now includes toll roads, water distribution, hospitals and infrastructure.

The deal, meanwhile, provided the springboard for the generation unit of Manila Electric Co., Meralco PowerGen Corp., to expand to Mindanao and Visayas. Taking a majority stake in Global Business Power, according to MVP, would ensure the long-term growth of the power generation business. “[Long-term vision] is to focus on Visayas and hopefully make our entry into Mindanao in the power sector because the incoming president is from that particular area,” Pangilinan said, referring to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

“We hope we could expand our presence in the Visayas and Mindanao as well,” Pangilinan said.

Metro Pacific unit Beacon Electric Asset Holdings Inc., through wholly-owned subsidiary Beacon PowerGen Holdings Inc., last week purchased 56 percent of Global Business Power from GT Capital for P22.6 billion. GT Capital shares in Global Business would be reduced to 22 percent and while those of Meralco would be trimmed to 22 percent.

GT Capital, in turn, would hold 11.4 percent of the enlarged common share capital base of Metro Pacific. In addition, GT Capital will acquire 1.3 billion shares from Metro Pacific’s majority shareholder, Metro Pacific Holdings Inc., bringing its stake in MPIC’s common share capital to 15.6 percent.

Tempting assets Metro Pacific and its mother company, First Pacific Co. Ltd. of Hong Kong, could be tempted to look at a bigger picture after the share swap, if Ty becomes a willing partner.

Ty’s GT Capital owns a 25.4-percent interest in Metrobank, the second largest lender in the Philippines. Metrobank along with its subsidiaries and associates, collectively the Metrobank Group, as of March 31, 2016 had total assets of P1.7 trillion and total deposits of P1.2 trillion. It is also the largest Philippine bank by book capitalization and controls 11.4 percent of the Philippine banking system’s total asset base as of December 2014.

The group partially owns Toyota Motor Philippines Corp., the biggest automotive manufacturing company in the Philippines. It is a joint venture between GT Capital and Japan’s Toyota Motor Corp. and Mitsui & Company Ltd. GT Capital is also into the real estate development business through its 100-percent interest in Federal Land Inc. which develops residential and commercial projects. Fed Land registered reservation sales of P13.4 billion in 2014.

Ty’s holding company owns 25.3 percent of Philippine AXA Life Insurance Corp., which offers personal and group insurance products in the Philippines, including life insurance and investmentlinked insurance products.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@thestandard.com.ph or extrastory2000@gmail.com

B5

Meralco to build 20-MW solar sites

By Alena Mae S. Flores

POWER distributor Manila Electric Co. said Wednesday unit MSpectrum will pursue renewable energy projects with an initial 20 megawatts of solar capacity by early next year.

Meralco senior vice president and head of customer retail services and corporate communications Al Panlilio said MSpectrum was looking at solar rooftop and utility solar installations.

“We do have a pipeline of accounts that we are looking at. We are looking at for the first year of operations, maybe this year up to next year of about 20 MW as a target,” Panlilio said.

He said MSpectrum was looking at tapping commercial and industrial accounts while “residential would be more of opportunistic in terms of engagements.”

“We are serious in getting into renewable and we know that this is something that will be a different business model for Meralco,” he said Meralco president and chief executive Oscar Reyes said the company was ready to serve the needs of customers.

“So if the consumer would like to be dealt with serving them the needs for renewable sources of energy…I think that is the future

and it’s also a matter of consumer affordability.

In the end, consumers will also have to decide how much they are prepared to pay for their energy,” he said.

Reyes said Meralco was looking for renewable energy technologies with costs at the same level as others in the grid, “so that there’s no sort of burden or subsidy that consumers will have to pay.”

Reyes said aside from solar, Meralco through Meralco PowerGen was also looking at opportunities in power generation for wind, biomass and hydro.

“So we are actually going into that direction now because we have sort of laid out all our baseload requirements well into the next few years,” he said.

Meralco’s power generation arm Meralco PowerGen is building thousands of megawatts of coal-fired power plants.

“So what we are looking now is how do we serve our mid merit and peaking requirements and I think that solar being intermittent will really play a role together with battery storage,” Reyes said.

Reyes said the company was also on the lookout for partnership for most renewable energy projects.

“Our approach will continue to be partnerships because we would like to do these ventures together with established and credible partners.

MSpectrum is more for solar, the other renewables will be in MGen [especially] large scale renewables,” he said.

THURSDAY: JUNE 2, 2016

B6

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

Solar panel factory to rise in Batangas

By Alena Mae S. Flores

SOLAR Philippines said it will build one of the world’s largest solar panel factories in Batangas with a capacity of 2,000 megawatts at a cost of more than $1 billion.

Solar Philippines said in a statement the facility would be located in Tanauan, Batangas, with the first section operational by the end of the year.

“The total 2 GW [2,000 MW] will cost over $1 billion, but the first phase for this year will be just a fraction of that amount,” Solar Philippines president Leandro Leviste said.

“Increasingly, solar manufacturing is moving from China to Southeast Asia, and we believe that the Philippines can lead that trend. Filipinos are among

the best workers in the world, and the large local solar market can add to the demand for otherwise export-only factories,” Leviste said.

The company said while it had received offers from the world’s largest solar manufacturers to become partners in the venture, it had already begun the procurement process for manufacturing equipment and would start setting up the facility in the third quarter.

The planned facility will utilize state-of-the-art German

technology to produce high-efficiency solar panels at the lowest possible cost, it said.

Solar Philippines said given the skills and productivity of Filipino workers, the country could become a solar powerhouse that is competitive on quality and cost.

The facility will eventually create over 6,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs, it said.

Leviste said the facility was being constructed with the aim of lowering panel costs, taking control of the supply chain and supporting the new administration’s agenda to bring manufacturing to the Philippines.

“This is the key step towards lowering solar costs, enabling us to produce electricity cheaper than coal. Instead of importing expensive fuel from other countries, we will manufacture

PNB sees bigger ’16 net profit

By Julito G. Rada

here in the Philippines. Soon enough, our country can become the Saudi Arabia of solar, a leading energy exporter, and Made in the Philippines panels will be used around the world,” Leviste said.

The panels will initially be used for Solar Philippines’ own projects, and later export to the US and Europe. The company forecasts a minimum demand of 500 MW by mid-2017.

Solar Philippines is the first and only company to combine project development, financing and construction in-house in the Philippines.

The company completed the Calatagan solar farm and projects with SM and Robinsons Malls. It aims to make the Philippines the first 100-percent solar economy and a global leader in solar.

A visualization of the pioneering solar factory that Solar Philippines plans to build in Tanauan, Batangas to make solar cheaper than coal in the Philippines. It also aims to make the Philippines the world’s largest solar production hub outside China.

PHILIPPINE National Bank, the country’s fifth-largest lender controlled by tobacco and airline magnate Lucio Tan, is aiming for a double-digit growth in net income this year anchored on the strength of its core businesses.

“We see net income growing by mid-teens this year,” PNB executive vice president Horacio Cebrero III said in a briefing at the Century Park Hotel in Manila on Tuesday.

Cebrero declined to disclose profit guidance this year.

He said the first-quarter net income was more than twice the level posted in the same period a year ago. The robust first-quarter performance was driven by substantial improvements in both core and non-recurring revenues.

To sustain growth in the coming years, PNB will invest around P1.8 billion on financial technology to capture potential clients that include the millennials or those that belong to the new generation.

Senior vice president Norman Martin Reyes said the bank in July would launch a new mobile banking product catering to millennials.

“We will partner with retailers, aside from telcos, to widen our footprint and reach more people,” Reyes said.

Cebrero also said PNB would continue tapping the small and medium enterprises in the next three to five years and team up with anchor customers, such as suppliers and distributors of large conglomerates.

Cebrero said the bank planned to put up additional branches this year, 10 for the parent bank and 10 for the PNB Savings Bank.

PNB has 630 branches while its savings bank has 40.

Federalism and dynasties go together THE concept of federalis—vesting the regions comprising this country with an almost complete set of self-governing powers—has been a part of the national political dialogue for most of the postwar era, rising or ebbing with the prevailing tenor of national politics. It has never gone away. Having been declared as a key element of the incoming Duterte administration’s political agenda, federalism is back again in the forefront of public discussion.

Mention of the word federalism immediately brings the Constitution to mind. Can the adoption of a federal form of government be affected by an action of the legislature, which Rodrigo Duterte now controls? The answer is No. A Constitutional amendment will be needed.

Whether attempted through a Constitutional convention or through the Congress constituted as a constituent assembly, bringing federalism into this country’s political structure will be a very difficult proposition.

Without a doubt, federalism is a highly attractive idea. What could be better than citizens’ having their affairs administered by people familiar to and easily accessed by them rather than by bureaucrats sitting in offices in far-off Manila. Indeed, if there were a coin with the marking “Federalism” on one

side, “Imperial Manila” would be the marking on the reverse side.

In support of their proposal, the incoming President and his fellow-federalists point to the countries that have federal-type governments.

They point to, among others, Germany, Canada, Australia and Brazil. Of course, they also point to the most prominent federalist country of them all: the US. They highlight the fact that, except in the fields of foreign affairs, national defense and justice, the citizens of Nebraska, Bavaria, Quebec, Sao Paulo and Queensland are able to manage their affairs without dictation from Washington D.C. or Canberra or Berlin. In these countries the federalist experience has clearly been good.

It should be noted that all but one of the countries cited above are First World countries.

In other countries the experience with federalism has, for one reason or another, not been conducive to a belief in the superiority of the federal type of government. Almost all these other countries are in the Third World.

One only has to mention the phrase ‘drug lords’ to show that the components of the Estado Federal de Mexico have been operating like mini-estates and have often thumbed their noses at the Federales in Mexico City. On the other hand, the continued existence of Malaysia as a federation has largely been made possible by the fact that the component states are kingdoms

in their own right and the fact that Malaysian politics is virtually controlled by a single party (United Malay National Organization).

This raises three questions. Can federaltype government and political immaturity go together? Can a Third World government operate effectively in a situation where the country’s parts—especially the distant regions— are not subject to central-government decisionmaking? And is there a halfway house between federalism and the centralized-administration type of government?

My answer to the first question is No. it is my belief that federal-type government and political immaturity cannot, and do not, go together. It takes an educated, economically empowered and assertive citizenry to make decentralized government work.

To the second question, which is closely related to the first, my answer is, likewise, No. In this country there are examples of farflung provinces being governed well, but the preponderance of experience in this regard has been unsatisfactory. This is particularly true of provinces that are controlled by political dynasties. The provinces where political dynasties rule were clearly indicated by the results of the recent election.

If the political dynasties can thrive and flex their muscles under the present structure of

government, how much more powerful and controlling will they be if they are allowed to manage their affairs without dictation from Manila? Indeed, the political dynasties must at this time be licking their lips at the very thought of a shift to a federal form of government.

Under present political circumstances in this country, federalism and political dynasties go together. The time will come when a shift to federalism will be appropriate. That time, in my view, is not yet here.

As for Question No. 3, a shift to federalism is not the only way to vest the regions and provinces with greater control over their affairs and to correspondingly weaken the central government’s hold over them. Another way— one which will not require a Constitutional amendment—is to amend the Local Government Code of 1991 so as to increase and speed the access of the LGUs (local government units) to taxes collected within their borders. The Constitution mandates the immediate release to the LGUs of their shares of tax collections. The Department of Budget and Management has been violating this Constitutional mandate. Let the Duterte administration work for the speedy resolution by the Supreme Court of the longpending case on this issue.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

T H U R S D AY : J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

B7

Chaos as strike hits France again PARIS—Transport chaos hit France again on Wednesday, just nine days ahead of Euro 2016, as railway workers went on strike in the latest salvo of a months-long battle between the government and unions.

Between a third and half of France’s trains were expected to grind to a halt, as workers from railway operator SNCF launched their eighth strike in three months, this time saying it will continue until the demands for better pay and conditions are met The action has piled further pressure on the already deeply unpopular Socialist government, which has been besieged by months of protests and work stoppages over a controversial labor reform bill.

Metro workers in the capital were planning to walk off the job from Thursday, and Air France pilots have threatened a lengthy strike in the coming weeks when the Euro 2016 football tournament is in full swing.

“This week will see the strongest mobilization in three months” of strikes, the head of the powerful CGT union Philippe Martinez said on Tuesday evening.

Since March, hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in demonstrations that have frequently turned violent, while petrol pumps ran dry last week due to blockades of refineries and depots by CGT union activists.

Workers at an oil terminal in the northern port of Le Havre— which supplies kerosene to Paris’s two main airports—voted to extend their blockade into Wednesday.

Despite the disruption caused to their daily lives, 46 percent of French people still support the unions’ calls, a poll in the Journal du Dimanche showed Sunday.

Jean, a pensioner from the southern city of Marseille, said he “wholeheartedly supported” the strikes despite delays to his train journey.

But the protests have cast a shadow over the European football championships, which begin on June 10 and are expected to attract millions of foreign visitors during a month of matches.

Wednesday’s strikes were expected to see

some 60 percent of France’s high-speed TGV services cut, along with 30-40 percent of regional trains, SNCF said.

International services to Britain and Germany were not due to be affected, but the majority of trains to Spain and Italy were likely to be canceled.

France is not alone, with neighboring Belgium also facing anti-austerity protests that left train services badly hit and uncollected rubbish piling up in Brussels.

The French government says its new labor

law, named after Labor Minister Myriam El Khomri, is aimed at reducing stubbornly high unemployment and making the struggling economy more business friendly.

The legislation would let companies set their own working conditions for new employees, rather than being bound to industry-wide agreements. Managers would be allowed to cut jobs during hard times and go beyond the 35hour work week introduced in 2000.

Unions are also furious that the government rammed the reforms through the lower house of parliament without a vote, and have called for another national day of strikes in two weeks when the law goes before the Senate.

AFP

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Please be advised that at separate meetings held on 7 April 2016, the Stockholders and Board of Directors of SUMMIT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (the “Corporation”) with office address at Business Solutions Center, Meralco Compound, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, approved to dissolve the Corporation through the shortening of its corporate life to 30 June 2017.

(SGD.) ARSENIO C. CABRERA, JR. Corporate Secretary (TS-MAY 26,JUNE 2/9, 2016)

MARANAW LUZON SHIPPING CO., INC. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE DIONNIE JESUS P. GUERRERO Resigned as President & Director - 05/30/16 ROBERTO R. CASTAÑEDA Elected as Chairman & President - 05/30/16 ( T S - J U N E 2 , 2 016)

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC This is to inform the public that Jenny C. Delgado is no longer connected with Cirrus Global, Inc. effective May 31, 2016.

All transactions entered into by abovementioned person for and on behalf of the Company after the said date shall no longer be honored by the Company. ( T S - J U N E 2 , 2 016)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that ROBINSONS LAND CORPORATION with office address at 40th Floor Robinsons-Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue corner Poveda Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an expanding developer of economic and low-cost housing project (The Pearl Place-Tower B) with a capacity of 446 economic and low-cost housing units on a non-pioneer status with project site located at Gold Loop corner Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Service Industries Service (TS-JUNE 2, 2016)

am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease.

The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

SCN FORM NO. 1 001353

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF AMRIT PAL SINGH to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139. x-------------------------- x

SCN CASE NO. 000618

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is AMRIT PAL SINGH, but I have also been known since childhood as AMRIT or I have been judicially authorized to use the alias name(s) .

2. My present place of residence is 9-R APO STREET BRGY. STA. TERESITA City/Municipality of QUEZON CITY, Province of METRO MANILA and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) 1915 C-LUZON AVE., SAMPALOC MANILA 1734 G. TUAZON ST., SAMPALOC 3. I was born on JULY 4, 1983, in QUEZON CITY Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of INDIA. 4. My father's name is BALJIT SINGH and he was born on JUNE 5, 1962 , in INDIA. He is a citizen or subject of INDIA. My mother's name is KAUR SHINDER PAL and she was born on AUGUST 20, 1962, in INDIA. She is a citizen or subject of INDIA. 5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is BUSINESSMAN. and from which I derive an average annual income of P 14.270.00, inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is __________ and from which she derives an average annual income of P____________.

(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained: _____, (2) name of school: _____ and (3) years graduated: _____] who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

6. My civil status is MARRIED , I was married on DECEMBER 30, 2005 in INDIA. My wife's/husband's name is SUKHPREET KAUR BRAR and she/he was born on SEPT 9, 1987 in DODA, INDIA. She/he is a citizen or subject of INDIA and presently resides 9-R APO STREET BRGY. STA TERESITA. 7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated ____ granted by ____ (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on ____ in ____ 8. I have TWO (2) child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows: Name Date of Birth Place of Birth Residence JASLYN KAUR BRAR AUG. 3, 2007 Q U E Z O N 9 - R A P O CITY, M.M. STREET BRGY. STA TERESITA QUEZON CITY A P O AVNEET KAUR BRAR OCT. 1, 2012 Q U E Z O N 9 - R CITY, M.M STREET BRGY. STA TERESITA QUEZON CITY

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: Name of School

Place of Dates of School Study NAZARETH SCHOOL SAMPALOC, 1996 MANILA NAZARETH SCHOOL SAMPALOC, 2000 MANILA UNIVERSITY OF THE MANILA 2004 EAST

Highest Grade Completed 1 TO 6 YEARS (PRIMARY) 1 TO 4 YEARS (SECONDARY) 1 TO 4 YEARS (TERTIARY)

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: ENGLISH (READ & WRITE) TAGALOG (READ & WRITE) 11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality: Name of Child JASLYN KAUR BRAR AVNEET KAUR BRAR

Name and Place of School

Date of Enrollment

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to INDIA of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

14. My character witnesses are ERWIN CHITO L. OLIVA and KRISTIANNE C. LLORIN both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at 725 OLD TORRES, 4TH ST. TONDO, MANILA and 181 MARZAN ST., SAMPALOC, MANILA respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: AMRIT PAL SINGH-PASSPORT #H8571986 SUKHPREET BRAR KAUR-PASSPORT #L1509952 JASLYN BRAR KAUR-PASSPORT #L1507217 AVNEET KAUR BRAR-PASSPORT #L1509795 CLASS PICTURE OFAMRIT PAL SINGH, KRISTIANNE LLORIN,AND ERWIN OLIVANAZARETHA.Y. 1996 CLASS PICTURE OF AMRIT PAL SINGH, KRISTIANNE LLORIN, AND ERWIN OLIVA -NAZARETH A.Y. 2000 CERTIFICATE ST. THERESAS COLLEGE PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 20 .

day of

AMRIT PAL SINGH Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: 9-R APO STREET BRGY. STA TERESITA QUEZON CITY Telephone Number:

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF CITY OF MAKATI) S.S. I, AMRIT PAL SINGH, of legal age and a resident of 9-R APO STREET BRGY. STA TERESITA QUEZON CITY, after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

ST. THERESA’S COLLEGE JUNE 2015 D. TUAZON QUEZON CITY

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living.

I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

AMRIT PAL SINGH Name and Signature of Petitioner SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at CITY OF MAKATI this 7th day of APRIL, 2016.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I (TS-MAY 19/26, JUNE 2, 2016)

T H U R S D AY : J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

B8 Trump catches attention of N. Korea SEOUL—Donald Trump’s push for the White House has caught the approving eye of North Korea, which appears to be relishing the potential strategic benefits of a Trump presidency.

An editorial Wednesday in the ruling party’s official newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, gleefully pointed to rival South Korea’s “anxiety” at the prospect of the former TV reality star winning November’s US election.

And the day before, a state-run propaganda website ran an article that praised Trump as a “wise” politician who would make a better president than “thick-headed” Hillary Clinton.

Both pieces referenced Trump’s repeated threat to withdraw US troops from South Korea unless Seoul forks out more cash to cover the cost of their presence.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee has also said he would be willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. “The South Korean government has been unable to hide its anxiety as it watches closely US presidential candidate Donald Trump’s stance on Korea policy,” the Rodong editorial said.

“That’s because whenever Trump talks about foreign policy, he brings up the issue of US troops in South Korea and its ‘free ride on defense’,” it said.

There are close to 30,000 US troops permanently stationed in South Korea—a presence the North condemns as provocative and a measure of South Korea’s “puppet-like” alliance with the United States.

Trump’s troop withdrawal threat had “surprised the servants that look up to the US as their master,” the newspaper said.

While clearly reveling in the South’s perceived discomfort, the editorial stopped far short of endorsing Trump’s candidacy and offered no opinion on him as a politician.

Tuesday’s article published by the propaganda website DPRK Today, on the other hand, was brimming over with opinion.

DPRK is the official acronym of North Korea. The website is largely aimed at an outside audience and is not seen as a state mouthpiece like Rodong Sinmun. AFP

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD Maduro criticizes OAS, tells group to ‘shove it’ CARACAS—President Nicolas Maduro has called for a demonstration Wednesday against the Organization of American States over what he labels its meddling in Venezuela’s political crisis.

Fashion show. Models present creations on a catwalk during the spring/summer 2017

Christian Dior Cruise fashion show at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, near Oxford, central England, on May 31, 2016. AFP

As part of an escalating war of words, Maduro Tuesday told the head of the Washington-based organization to “shove it.”

The verbal barrage came after OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro called for an urgent meeting on the Venezuelan crisis, warning democracy was at risk in the country.

Oil-rich Venezuela’s economy is in very dire straits and the opposition wants to remove the president through a referendum. There are increasing signs of social unrest, such as looting, with the shortages of most basic consumer goods such as soap and toilet paper.

In a 132-page letter to the president of the OAS Permanent Council, Almagro requested a meeting of the organization’s 34 member states from June 10 to 20.

“The institutional crisis in Venezuela demands immediate changes in the actions of the executive branch,” Almagro wrote, adding that the socialist nation was “at risk of falling immediately into a situation of illegitimacy.”

Venezuela’s opposition-controlled legislature had requested that Almagro invoke the Inter-American Democratic Charter—which regulates government behavior in members states—to assess whether the Maduro government violated standards.

“Mr Almagro, you can take your Democratic Charter... put it in a skinny little tube and shove it wherever it fits,” Maduro fired back at a rally of thousands of his supporters in Caracas.

“Venezuela must be respected. No one is going to apply any charter to Venezuela. I call for a national rebellion in the face of these international threats.”

Maduro also vowed to sue the congressional leadership for “treason” and “usurping” executive duties.

Later Tuesday, appearing on TV, Maduro said: “Seeking to intervene in Venezuela is a crime. I call for mobilization against interventionism.”

He said he wanted “a big anti-imperialist and anti-Almagro march” by young Venezuelans who follow Maduro’s socialist agenda.

The leftist leader accuses the United States and the OAS of conspiring against his government at the behest of the “fascist Venezuelan right,” which he blames for the severe shortages of food and medicine gripping the recession-racked country. AFP

Taiwan drops despised ‘China-centric’ curriculum TAIPEI—Taiwan’s new government has repealed the controversial changes to the high school curriculum that led to widespread protests last year over what critics said was “China-centric” education.

The order to overturn the changes comes less than two weeks since the China-skeptic Democratic Progressive Party was sworn in, replacing the Beijing-friendly Kuomintang government.

Outgoing president Ma Yingjeou oversaw an unprecedented rapprochement with Beijing— while new president Tsai Ing-wen has said she will maintain the “status quo” with China.

Ties have rapidly cooled since she won the presidency in January and vowed to restore Taiwanese pride.

Education ministry officials said the decision on the curriculum,

made late Tuesday, had been taken in response to public sentiment.

Dozens of angry students broke into the education ministry in central Taipei last July over the amendments to the curriculum brought in by the KMT, which they said favored China’s view of the island’s history.

Taiwan split from China in 1949 after a civil war and is self-ruling, but Beijing still sees the island as part of its territory awaiting reuni-

fication—by force if necessary.

The arrests of the protesting students sparked demonstrations across the island, stoked by the suicide of one young activist.

At least 100 protesters were camped out at the ministry for six days.

Deputy education minister Lin Teng-chiao told AFP Wednesday the panel that had made the original changes was “not representa-

tive” of the island and the procedure was “not proper”.

The protests over the curriculum came as concerns grew, especially among the young, over increasing Chinese influence.

The curriculum changes disputed by protesters included a reference to Taiwan being “recovered by China” instead of “given to China” after the end of Japanese occupation in 1945. AFP

T H U R S D AY : J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

w EL L BEING

LIFE

ADIDAS EnCOuRAgES WOmEn TO ‘CREATE’

w

hen adidas launched its all new Pure Boost X running sneaker made just for women, we all got excited. Finally, adidas is focusing on women and their specific needs for their exercise.

Following the success of last year’s “Create Your Own” campaign, the brand is now introducing another campaign about “creating” which also focuses on female athletes. As part of the brand’s global Sport16 initiative, the I’m Here to Create film series builds on adidas’ momentum across sports and style. The first chapters of the series started airing last February featuring supermodel/ entrepreneur Karlie Kloss, global tennis icon Caroline Wozniacki, WNBA AllStar Candace Parker, tennis star Ana Ivanović, soccer prodigy Morgan Brian, DJ Hannah Bronfman, street athlete Robin Arzon and fitness artist Nicole Winhoffer, among other influential women in fitness and sports.

The film series is told through the women’s own lenses with 15- and 30-second spots for each personality. “Hi everyone, I’m Karlie Kloss and I’m more than meets the eye,” says the supermodel who showcased clips from her fitspiration and the many other activities she does aside from modeling – like baking cookies, working on coding and fixing a flying drone.

Wozniacki’s film highlights her training as well as motherhood, while Bronfman showcases her endless pursuit for reinvention. Arzon, on the other hand, tells about her neardeath experience and how she coped through sports. Winhoffer for her part showed how she reshapes traditional fitness routines using expressive dance techniques. All of the featured ambassadors demonstrate how they brought forward their creativity in their line of work, highlighting their personal successess that can inspire generations of women across the globe.

According to adidas’ head for Women’s Nicole Vollebregt, this year they will be rolling out women-focused activations, partnerships, products and events globally that will allow the brand to further connect with the market. In the Philippines, adidas held its Women FitSquad workout headed by raw food chef and surfer chick Mona Lisa Neuboeck

Fitness activities are more fun when executed with a buddy

adidas held its Women FitSquad workout headed by raw food chef and surfer chick Mona Lisa Neuboeck last May 27

Women FitSquad showed workout routines

last May 27 where people learned some yoga surfer moves, proving to everyone that they are #NotMadeForNormal.

“We remain relentless and loud in our pursuit of being the world’s best sports

brand,” says Lia Vakoutis, adidas’ senior director of Global Communications.

While campaigns in 2015 focused on challenging athletes to create their own game, 2016 aims to own “creativity” in

sports. “We will continue to celebrate athletes and influencers who reshape traditional views on sports through creativity this year,” she adds.

PhOTOS by AC bRIzuElA

adidas is set to roll out activities, partnerships and products focusing on women

Athletes can join the “I’m Here to Create” conversation via #heretocreate on @adidas Twitter, Instagram and Facebook channels and view all films in the series via www.youtube.com/adidas, www.adidas.com/heretocreate.

T H U R S D AY : J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

HEALTH BULLETIN

Cohen Meals on Wheels’ Beef Stroganoff

Pajeon

Food provision is key to effective weight loss A goal with a plan is said to have a higher success rate – and this holds true to many things including weight loss. In fact, several studies revealed that people who follow structured meal plans designed to help them shed extra pounds actually lost more weight than those who did not plan their meals ahead.

However, the actual planning and preparation is a challenge for individuals who are busy or unskilled in the kitchen. This is where food provision comes in handy.

In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine’s website, the participants who were provided meals in a specific time frame lost more weight than those who did not receive food provision.

Fortunately for clients following the Cohen Lifestyle Program in the Philippines, they have Cohen Meals on Wheels providing customized nutritious food that aid in rapid weight loss.

“We aim to provide a solution to clients who find it a challenge to prepare their own meals daily,” says chef Pixie Sevilla, a former Cohen follower who now leads a

team of chefs preparing the weekly menu of Cohen Meals on Wheels.

“The temptation of clients to cheat mostly comes from the lack of time to prepare their meals. Or if they do have time, they tend to prepare the same meals over and over again. We make sure that we prepare their meals accurately and we plan the menu in such a way that they will look forward to it every day and will enjoy eating them as well,” elaborates Chef Pixie.

One of the growing number of clients benefitting from the convenience the food delivery service provides is

obstetrician-gynecologist and assistant professor Dr. Ryan Capitulo.

“I don’t know how to cook and I don’t have the time to prepare my own meals.

Cohen Meals on Wheels has definitely helped me follow my meal plans and lose weight,” shares Dr. Capitulo.

In four and a half months of following his personalized Cohen meal plan, Dr. Capitulo, who previously weighed more than 300 pounds has lost 88 pounds.

Visit www.CohenLifestyle.com.ph to know more about Cohen Meals on Wheels.

Pharmaceutical company fights against pediculosis Head lice infestation (pediculosis) continues to plague young Filipinos, so much so that it is now considered the second most common health problem of children 12 years old and below.

Lice are tiny, bloodsucking wingless parasites that inhabit the human hair and feed on the tiny amounts of blood in the scalp. Incessant head scratching may lead to scalp infection.

To aid mothers who opened up to their local health providers about their children suffering from head itchiness, South African-based pharmaceutical company Aspen, through its Philippine arm, launched “Alis Kuto Program” in 2014.

During the “Alis Kuto” day in June last year, 150 children from Barangay Barangka in Mandaluyong City, together with their parents, learned about head hygiene and

participated in games and other interactive activities. The highlight of the program was the delousing of children using Aspen’s Permethrin (Kwell) shampoo.

The said program earned Aspen Philippines the 2015 Aspen Asia Community Involvement Award. It also serves as the company’s way of commemorating Mandela Day – a celebration that calls on everyone to “Take action and inspire change.”

“This might be one of the most commonplace projects, but as long as we are able to touch lives and improve its quality, we take pride in doing it,” enthuses Aspen consumer healthcare product manager Earl Jayona.

For more information on Aspen Philippines, visit www.aspen.ph.

Delousing of the public school children in Barangay Barangka, Mandaluyong City using Permethrin (Kwell)

Doctor in your pocket

My Pocket Doctor allows individuals to get medical consultations anytime, anywhere

Health maintenance provider Medicard makes its easier for patients to consult with their physicians whenever and wherever with My Pocket Doctor.

My Pocket Doctor allows individuals to get medical consultations via the My Pocket Doctor website or app. It features highly competent, well-trained and unbiased medical doctors from Europe and the Philippines who can cover up to 70 percent of all health issues and are available 24/7.

To use the program, one needs to register on www.pocketdoctor.com or via the app available on App Store and Google Play Store. Users can also register via text by sending their email address and mobile number to 29290-DOCTOR

(29290-362867) and wait for a call from a nurse to complete their registration.

After registration, a nurse will call the member for assessment to schedule the consultation with one of their doctors.

A medical doctor will call the patient for a check-up and give prescriptions or instructions. Video call via webcam can also be done during medical consultation for cases that need visual assessment.

To access the medical consultation program, users need to purchase the MediCard MyPocket Doctor Card for P450. The card is now available at select MediCard free-standing clinics.

Visit www.medicardphils.com to know more about My Pocket Doctor.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

How To mANAgE coLD AND FLU INFEcTIoNS

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ainy days are here again, and if you’ve been sneezing or sniffling lately, better make sure you take the necessary precautions to prevent colds and flu from cramping your style or ruining your day. Aside from the discomfort of repeated sneezing – not to mention the embarrassment – those with colds or flu experience watery eyes, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, and tiredness – things that keep you from doing work. While this condition may be self-limiting and usually lasts for a week or two, ordinary colds are not something to sniff at.

“A cold is typically mild while flu may result in serious health problems, like pneumonia. Although these viral infections are highly contagious, there are ways to keep from getting infected and to recover quickly,” says Dr. Nicky Montoya, president of MediCard Philippines.

Here are ways to prevent cold and flu infections, and if you already have them, some tips to recover easily.

Wash frequently with soap and water. It may sound like a cliché, but hand washing has been scientifically proven to prevent viral infections. Your hands touch so many germ-infected objects every day, but you can kill these pesky germs by washing your hands with soap and water. In case water and soap are not available, use alcohol or alcohol-based hand sanitizers as alternative.

Always practice good hygiene. Nothing beats being clean, so make sure your surroundings are clean all the time. Don’t touch your mouth and nose without washing your hands thoroughly first. Keep a hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes

handy, so that when you’re out, you can clean surfaces of things that are touched by many people. And remember, don’t share your eating utensils and drinking cups with other people.

Follow a healthy lifestyle. To build a strong immune system, healthy living is important. Eat a well-balanced diet, get enough rest and exercise, and abstain from alcohol, tobacco and do not engage in substance abuse. Vitamin supplements can also provide the nutrients you may be lacking. Taking vitamin C before the onset of a cold is said to shorten the duration of cold symptoms.

Get vaccinated. One of the safest ways to prevent flu infections is through vaccination. Getting flu shots once a year, especially before the start of the flu season, is best. Since your immunity decreases over time and flu viruses are constantly changing, health practitioners recommend getting vaccinated on a regular basis to protect yourself from new strains.

Get regular medical checkups. Overthe-counter antiviral medicines can relieve symptoms, but it is still best to get medical advice rather than self-medicating.

Doctors know what treatment is needed for a particular condition, taking into consideration your lifestyle, medical history and physical needs. They can also give you precious advice on preventing sickness and staying healthy all year long.

“No one is invincible from cold and flu infections. But by practicing good hygiene and healthy habits, you can survive the cold and flu season unscathed,” says Dr. Montoya.

Practice good hygiene and maintain a healthy lifestyle to help prevent the onset of colds and flu

MediCard has satellite and free-standing clinics located in major cities nationwide that offer quality consultations and other medical services.

For more information, visit www.medicardphils.com and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/medicard.philippines.

Be HPV-free through vaccination Dr. Cecilia Llave, former president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of the Philippines (SGOP), program director of the Cancer Institute Foundation and the chair of Cervical Cancer Prevention Network, shared an informative talk during the Sa Aking Paglaki... Walang HPV press conference about the importance of HPV vaccination in avoiding diseases like cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death among Filipino women next only to breast cancer with an estimated 12 women dying from the disease every day, although most people with HPV do not develop any symptoms of the disease.

While most cases of HPV infections are cleared up over time, there is a risk of HPV infection becoming chronic and precancerous, which can further develop to cervical cancer.

According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer can be prevented, and diagnosing it early on to provide treatment is critical.

Llave explained that 99.7 percent of the time, cervical cancer is due to the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) a virus that is considered to be one of the most common sexually transmitted viral infections. However, it will take 10 to 30 years before it develops into cervical cancer. She further explained that cervical cancer is a disease that can be prevented and treated when diagnosed early.

How it can be prevented

Cervical cancer can be prevented and treated if diagnosed early

Vaccination is a modern healthcare solution that brings benefits, so we should take advantage of it as much as possible, Department of

Health Secretary Dr. Janette LoretoGarin said, adding that there is nothing more tragic than suffering from a disease that could have been prevented through vaccination.

This is why the DOH is encouraging parents to bring their nine to 10-yearold girls to health clinics to get vaccinated for free this summer.

Similarly, DOH is making the HPV vaccine readily available to more Filipino women.

We do know now that we have a vaccine which is able to give you that protection from HPV 16 and 18, Llave said, explaining that HPV 16 and 18 can cause cancer while 6 and 11 can cause ordinary warts that are not cancerous.

May is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and this year, the campaign took on greater heights in trying to reach more people through the national immunization program (NIP).

How is it transmitted?

HPV infection can be passed on through genital contact usually during sexual intercourse and can also be obtained through oral sex.

Eighty percent of our men and women can have HPV infection.

Nearly all sexually active men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their life, Llave said.

Sexual activity is inevitable and it is important to look beyond the reality of people engaging in sex and to understand that through vaccination, kids can worry less about getting HPV infection, the doctor stressed. Eunice Cabuang

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

Feel the thrill at the new bike trail at Filinvest City Alabang

@LIFEatStandard

TV personality Regine Tolentino spearheads the Zumba session at the Carless Sunday launch

Carless sundays at Filinvest City alabang

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ilipinos have been embracing lifestyle changes in pursuit of holistic wellness in their everyday lives. In southern Manila, Filinvest City noticed the increasing number of bikers and joggers who have been doing their rounds in the city.

In line with the lifestyle trend of the southerners, Filinvest City saw the opportunity to launch Carless Sundays so residents or non-residents can freely roam the streets and do their favorite outdoor activities. Major roads such as Commerce Avenue,

Zumba participants happily sweating it out

Corporate Avenue, Parkway, and Filinvest Avenue are closed from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. so people can freely walk, run, play and jog on the streets.

Filinvest City offers a laidback landscape that people can enjoy during the weekends. Its surrounding parks and walkways are an inviting avenue for families to exercise and spend interactive activities. For fun exercises, there are free Zumba sessions at 6:00 a.m. every Sunday. Bikers can enjoy the hassle-free bike trails, and if they want to try out the Bambike experience, the bikes will be available for rent on June 5 and July 3.

For a more extreme workout, people can try Flag Football as free football clinics for all ages will also be available onsite.

Residents can also watch the Flag Football PH team during their pickup games every Sunday.

Families with kids can enjoy a

Flag Football PH Blitz Babes

run on the obstacle course area, which is open daily.

According to Don Ubaldo, senior assistant vice president and project head of Filinvest City, Carless Sundays is just a start towards the long-term goal of creating an experiential and engaging city. The sprawling 244-hectare property has remained firmly committed to embracing and promoting greener lifestyles and offering wide-open spaces where anyone

can safely enjoy outdoor activities.

The property is also working on integrating a seamless path where people can enjoy moving around from one development to another – either by foot, by bike or via public transport. “Bike lanes and canopied sidewalks will be established soon,” Ubaldo discloses.

For updated events, please log on to FilinvestCityOFFICIAL on Facebook or check out www.filinvestcity.com.

US Embassy Holds Underwater Photo Competition Last year, US president Barack Obama declared June as the National Oceans Month and outlined his National Ocean Policy to inspire and encourage Americans to protect, restore and conserve oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes to ensure that the life sustaining ecosystems of these bodies of water would still be enjoyed for generations to come.

In the Philippines, the US Embassy opened celebrations for the National Oceans Month by announcing a photo contest among Filipinos to encourage

them to be stewards of the oceans and make them appreciate the beauty that the blue planet has to offer.

“SOS: Save Our Seascapes,” is an underwater photo challenge open to all Filipinos residing in the Philippines aged 18 and above. The winning photo will be used to promote National Ocean’s Month and the winner will get to receive a Ricoh Theta S 360° camera.

Participants may submit their best, original underwater photo capturing the beauty of the ocean via the Challenge Facebook event page

by the US Embassy Manila Facebook account. Submissions should have a title and caption to go with the photo.

The Embassy representatives will judge entries based on 50 percent creativity and 50 percent relevance to the challenge theme.

Deadline of entries is on June 3 at 12 noon. The winner will be announced on June 8. For the full challenge mechanics, see www.facebook.com/ events/171586376576284/ at the US Embassy's Facebook page.

Filipinos interested in joining the contest may send their original underwater photographs capturing scenic and magnificent views of life underneath the ocean

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Disney Channel App has some of the Disney Channel favorites that one can watch right on their mobile device

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Disney Junior App that lets kids watch their favorite programs such as “Princess Sofia” and “Lion Guard”

DIsnEy, GlObE TElEcOm launch DIsnEy channEls apps

isney fans in the Philippines can now watch their favorite Disney programs, whenever and wherever they want. Disney Southeast Asia together with Philippines’ no.1 mobile brand, Globe Telecom, launches a new mobile video streaming service via three new entertainment apps - Disney Channel App, Disney XD App, and Disney Junior App – on May 27.

The Disney Channels Apps are available for download from the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store, and feature both live streaming of the Disney Channels and Video-On-Demand (VOD) service offering more than 100 full episodes for eligible Globe subscribers. All Globe Prepaid and Postpaid subscribers who sign up for their Globe Interactive Account will enjoy an initial 30-day free trial. After the free trial period, users can continue to enjoy full access to premium content with Globe stand-alone offers “Disney129” or “Disney299” subscription plans, or when they sign up for or re-contract on GoSURF 999 and up subscription plans. Users without a valid Globe Interactive Account can still download the apps to access limited VOD content.

Designed specifically for kids to watch their favorite Disney entertainment anytime and anywhere, the Disney Channels Apps will provide hours of fun in a safe

and kid-friendly digital environment that will immerse viewers in Disney’s magical world of storytelling and characters. The Disney Channel App will tap into the world of kids and families through imagination, laughter and optimism via favorite Disney movies and shows such as The Descendants, Phineas and Ferb, The 7D, Gravity Falls, and Art Attack. Designed for preschoolers, the Disney Junior App will bring to life engaging storytelling, featuring characters that kids love deeply from series’ such as Sofia the First, The Lion Guard, Miles from Tomorrowland, Captain Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

Meanwhile, the Disney XD App will transport kids into worlds of hilarious, outrageous fun and inspiring adventures with series such as Marvel’s Ultimate SpiderMan vs the Sinister Six, Marvel’s Avengers Ultron Revolution, Star Wars Rebels, Pickle and Peanut, Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything, and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

“We’re excited to offer Disney fans of all ages more opportunities to watch, interact, personalize and enjoy Disney shows when and where they want it,” said Natasha Malhotra, general manager, Branded Media and Content, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia. “The Disney Channels Apps feature a fun and engaging online

Disney XD App contains some of the most action-packed series like Star Wars, Rebels and Marvel

Disney environment, designed around Disney characters and storytelling on a simple, childfriendly user interface. Parents will love the Disney Channels Apps as it provides a secure viewing environment to keep their kids engaged and entertained.”

Disney and Globe also announced that Disney Mobile smartphones are available at all Globe stores, and come with price plans that bundle six months’ access to the Disney Channels Apps.

“Collaborating with Walt Disney Southeast Asia has expanded our opportunities here at Globe to provide more quality products and content for the whole family.

Since we formalized the collaboration in 2015, we’ve been able to bring exciting movie experiences for our customers. This year, we further strengthen our association with the iconic Disney brand by not only exclusively carrying the first ever Disney Mobile smartphones but this time also giving our customers the Disney Channel Apps so that they can enjoy the best Disney programs on their mobile device,” says Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Dan Horan.

Globe Telecom is the first telco in Southeast Asia to exclusively offer Disney Mobile smartphones through its most affordable myStarter postpaid plans for as low as P750 per month. Created for the trendsetting Disney fan and themed around popular Disney franchises, these smartphones carry the signature aesthetic of the Disney brand from its lively colors to matching themed accessories. The first Disney Mobile range for the Philippines comes in three design themes – Mickey Mouse, Frozen and Disney Princess. Customers can go to any Globe store or online to get the plans.

Completing the Disney experience for Globe customers are the Disney-branded retail corners in all Globe Gen 3 stores nationwide. Disney fans can also purchase select Disney-themed mobile accessories.

The Disney Channels Apps are available on supported devices

including any iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch running on iOS 7.0 and above, and Android smartphones and tablet devices running Android 4.1 and above.

For further information on

Disney Channels Apps, please go to: sea.disney.asia/Disney-app To know more about Globe Postpaid and its Disney Mobile offers visit http://www.globe.com. ph/postpaid/disney-mobile.

Leonardo DiCaprio and a friend riding a bike in new York

DiCaprio spotted with Rihanna

One day after his night out with Rihanna at the Up&Down nightclub in New York City on Tuesday, Leonardo DiCaprio was spotted cycling around town with a couple of friends. The actor, who recently returned from the Cannes Film Festival in France, kept things casual in a baseball cap, v-neck tee,

and shorts and looked quite cheerful, flashing a handsome grin as he rode his bike. Most recently, he has been linked to several women, including Polish model Ela Kawalec and Rihanna, and while Leo has yet to address any of these rumors, his mile-wide smile says it all. – popsugar.com

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LIzA SobERAno LoVES To REcEIVE LETTERS

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brand endorser Liza Soberano stands before a themed wall at Market! Market!

n May 21, Titus Pens launched its newest brand endorser, Liza Soberano, currently one of the biggest stars of ABS-CBN currently starring in Dolce Amore.

“I am a believer of traditional letters pa rin,” says the romantic charmer. “I know uso ang texts ngayon but I love receiving letters, still.”

Liza has been fond of doodling in her younger years, and shares her excitement of becoming part of Titus Pens’ campaign. To inspire her peers to go back to writing and doodling is definitely a joy especially in this digitally crazed world.

To go back to the simple beginnings is a refreshing break from the fast-paced lives of millennials today.

Young and creative artists, the media, and Liza’s fans invaded the Market! Market! Activity Center to witness “Glam with Colors: The Liza Soberano for Titus Pens Launch Event.”

Styled as a day of Colors, Art, Music and

Beauty, the day was filled with thrilling activities such as art sessions with topics such as calligraphy, basic doodling, manga art and poetry. Huge Liza Soberano-themed live wall art exhibition from Manila’s upcoming visual artists like Lei Melendres, Andre Manguba, and Soleil Ignacio awed the audience. Now on its fourth year of discovering genuine artistry, Titus Pens iDoodle was also held simultaneously during the event.

Fans were also treated to live music performances by Sponge Cola, The Ransom Collective, and DJ Toons.

Colorful and glamorous, Liza Soberano is the perfect ambassadress for Titus Pens as both embodies the fresh, creative and stylish young Filipinos of today.

Titus Pens, a collection of fun, vibrant and colorful writing instruments, continuously delivers creative writing and art events that cater to the students and the young professional markets. #LizaLovesTitusPens #GlamWithColors

Jake cuenca cherishes first international best actor award “If I wanted to be one of the best of my generation, I have to study where (the) real standard of acting was set,” consummate actor Jake Cuenca said when he decided to study acting at the famous Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York in 2014, the only school in the world that teaches Lee Strasberg’s Method Acting, described as a form of acting where the actor mystically “becomes” the character or tries to somehow literally live the character in life, and regarded as the home of acting legends like Marlon Brando, James Dean, Al Pacino, Robert de Niro, Marlon Brando, and Dustin Hoffman.

Jake, one of the hottest Filipino actors, won his very first best actor award at the International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM) in New York in 2014 for his performance in Diane Ventura’s Mulat (Awaken), the same movie that recently won for

him his second best actor at the 2016 World Cinema Festival in Copacabana, Brazil.

“It feels good to win an international award for the second time for Mulat, an indie film, which I made a long time even before entering the Lee Strasberg acting school,” Jake said of his recent win. Jake got his first international acting nomination at the Queens World Film Festival 2014 as best actor in Joseph Israel Laban’s Nuwebe.

Jake was born in California of SpanishFilipino parents. He was discovered by Cosmo Modeling Agency at the age of nine in Manila. He said he is considering to take up further acting lessons abroad, possibly at Stella Adler’s or Ivana Chubbuck’s. The alumnus of Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute is busy shooting for the Kapamilya TV series Because You Love Me on location in Mindoro with co-stars Gerald Anderson and Yen Santos as a follow-up to the

cROsswORD puzzlE

answer PreVIOUs PUZZLe

ACROSS 1 Tornado finder 6 Faction 10 Music notation 14 Olfactory stimulus 15 Bryce Canyon locale 16 Let fly 17 Silver bar 18 Trey topper 19 Wrist-to-elbow bone

20 Steel plow inventor 21 Conspiring with (2 wds.)

23 Pale blond 25 Frat-party delivery 26 Ocean compound 29 Sign on a diner 32 Wrestling’s Hulk — 37 Bracket type 38 Ad award 39 Kind of zone

40 Tough it out (3 wds.)

43 Ladle’s go-with 44 Reunion attendee 45 Dunk 46 Flat 47 Endangered trees 48 Sure thing 49 Pony up 51 Ostrich kin 53 Like a maiden would 58 October stones 62 Were rivals 63 Bogus butter 64 Rome’s Via — 65 Cato’s year 66 Patch 67 JapaneseAmerican 68 Loch — Monster 69 Ancient colonnade 70 Asian capital DOWN 1 Plunder 2 “Rule, Britannia!” composer 3 Venetian ruler 4 Like science 5 Hourly fees 6 Whirling dervish, e.g.

7 Short jacket 8 Make watertight 9 Mid-afternoon

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

10 11 12 13 22 24 26 27 28 30 31 33 34 35 36 38 39 41 42 47 48 50 52 53 54 55 56 57 59 60 61 62

Engine sound Doozy Sea eagle Gator Bowl site Horrified Captive of Paris Mudpuppies’ kin Kayak user Nurse — Barton Freshen Kind of eclipse Again and again Crystal-filled rock Some lobbies Dryad Twitters Good judgment Util. bill Sing wordlessly Grommet Affluent type Quark habitats Ghostly noises Motion picture Chicks’ moms Fusses Former late night host The Force was with him Lhasa — “Instead of” word Iceboat feature Delivery vehicle

Jake cuenca focuses on learning an acting formula used by Hollywood acting legends

top-rating ABS-CBN soap Pasion de Amor.

With a much-awaited TV series, more commercial endorsements and future stints in film festivals abroad, Jake’s lessons in Method acting is surely starting to pay off. – Eton B. Concepcion

Two best friends and a baby

The new comedy series, Playing House, revolves around the lives of two women who try to live with one significant thing in common: a baby.

Emma Crawford and Maggie Caruso have been best friends since they were young. When Maggie finds out that her husband is cheating on her with another woman over the Internet, she looks for Emma’s emotional support. Emma leaves her budding career in China to be with her best friend. Together, they take care of Maggie’s newborn baby, Charlotte, while they deal with their own personal lives. Things get more interesting when Emma’s ex boyfriend, a cop, enters her life once more.

Real-life best friends Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham play Emma and Maggie respectively. They also serve as creator and executive producers of the series. Playing House is originally aired

by USA Network and showed its first episode in August 2014.

Playing House is joining Sony Channel’s roster of hilarious comedies, Superstore, Dr. Ken and Crowded in ROFLing Sundays, and will premiere on June 5, and Sundays thereafter at 7 p.m. on Sony Channel.

Too bad this channel is only on SD on SKYCable Channel 35, Cignal Digital TV Channel 60, Destiny Cable Channel 62, Cable Link Channel 39.

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In GMA nETwoRk’S nEw AfTERnoon SERIES¼ YASMIEn kURDI IS READY foR kATRInA HAlIlI’S HAnD

S

tarstruck alumna Yasmien Kurdi is excited these days. And, why not? She is, after all, returning to the Afternoon Prime in a new series titled Sa Piling ni Nanay. And, guess who she will be co-starring with? Starstruck batchmate Katrina Halili, that’s who.

“I am now ready for Katrina.

You know she plays the villainess in the story and we will be in scenes where she will hit me or pull my hair. I have psyched up myself,” Yasmien says.

On the other hand, Katrina says she will be back in her elements in the new afternoon soap. “You have

to remember that I started as a contra vida in a lot of soap opera before this one, so it’s just like I am going back to where I started, she avers.

“Ine-expect ko na na malakas talaga ang mga sampal at sabunot ni Katrina sa akin. Kasi si Katrina ang tipo ng artista na totoo, totoo lahat. Okay lang naman kung ‘yun ‘yung mas-feel niya na atake. Kahit bugbugin niya ako, it’s okay. Kaya ko naman po ‘yun,” Yasmien says with a smile.

“First time ko siyang gugulpihin.

Nagbabasa kasi ako ng script. Sabi ko, ‘Ano ba ‘to? Kawawa naman si Yasmien, puro sampal.’ At hindi gumaganti. Kasi andami, sobrang bigat ng story. Nung binabasa

katrina Halili (left) and Yasmien kurdi (right) reunite in the afternoon series “Sa Piling ni nanay”

ko, parang andaming delubyo na nangyari sa kanya. Tapos ako,

parang impaktita lang talaga,” Katrina says amused.

Mark Herras also stars in the series.

‘ASAP live in new York’ tickets at Ticketmaster Tickets to ASAP Live in New York – the much-awaited and biggest Filipino live show this year from ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel (TFC) – are now on sale via Ticketmaster.

The longest running, top-rated weekly Filipino musical variety show that stars the biggest and hottest Filipino live performers is coming to Barclays Center on Sept. 3 for a history-making musical extravaganza.

ASAP Live in New York is the ultimate showcase of world-class Filipino talents.

Supahdance darlings Maja Salvador and Sarah lahbati

ABS-CBN takes the production to a whole new level at Barclays Center, a landmark sports and entertainment arena that has played host to the world’s biggest acts. Surprise guests at ASAP Live in New York will add tons of excitement. Also, for the first time ever in an international ASAP show, expect to be wowed by key members of the acclaimed ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra as they make their debut performance in the U.S. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster. com or by calling 800.745.3000. Tickets are also available at the American Express Box Office at Barclays Center.

You can also visit http://www.barclayscenter.com/events/detail/tfc-present-asap-live-in-new-york to get your tickets.

ASAP hosts and performers take “ASAP live” to a whole new level

Vilma-Angel starrer ‘Everything About Her’ on Sky Pay-Per-View Star Cinema’s first film offering for the year Everything About Her with Vilma Santos, Angel Locsin, and Xian Lim will be available on cable TV in high definition this June via SKY Pay-per-View.

Everything About Her follows the story of Vivian (Vilma Santos), a career woman diagnosed with cancer who hires Jaica (Angel Locsin), a private nurse to take care of her. As Jaica becomes Vivian’s nurse, she unexpectedly takes on a much bigger role in her life – a bridge that would bring Vivian closer to her son Albert (Xian Lim).

The film captured the hearts of many filmgoers worldwide and catapulted to box office success, earning more than P200 million.

Don’t miss the critically acclaimed film Everything About Her in June available to SKYcable and Destiny Cable subscribers. To subscribe for a three-day movie access in either high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD), visit mysky.com.ph/everything or text SUB-

“Everything About Her” with Angel locsin, Vilma Santos and Xian lim

SCRIBE <space> 9-digit account number to 23662. The pay-per-view is priced at P99.

SKYbroadband subscribers who availed of the pay-per-view may also watch it on any device via SKY on Demand.

The pay-per-view is available in Metro Manila, CAMANAVA, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, San Jose del Monte Bulacan, Cebu,

Baguio, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Dumaguete, and General Santos.

SKYcable aims to strengthen family bonding moments at home by bringing to every Filipino home the latest and most sought after entertainment. SKY Cable Corporation is a unit of leading media and entertainment organization ABS-CBN Corporation.

Richard Quest filming at Terra Cotta warriors in Xi’an, China

The business of authentic travel in China “Off the beaten path” is no longer good enough. Modern-day travelers are searching for authentic experiences and connections that give them a better understanding of the world. And when it comes to the business of travel, everyone wants a part of it.

As China overtakes the U.S. as the world’s no.1 business travel market, CNN’s Richard Quest journeys to two of the country’s ancient capitals, Beijing and Xi’an, in search of the true meaning of authenticity.

This month, CNN Business Traveller explores why Hainan Airlines, China’s largest privately-owned carrier, as well as United Airlines, see a strategic advantage expanding nonstop service to destinations such as Xi’an, Chengdu, Changsha, and Hangzhou.

As millennial travelers look for a more authentic and localized experience at an affordable price, CNN also takes a look at both big hotel chains and travel companies who are building their businesses on visitor experiences and the challenges they are facing.

If there is one iconic experience in Xi’an, it’s the Terra Cotta Warriors, a collection of thousands of clay soldiers dating back some 2,000 years. Richard Quest gets an exclusive access to one of the excavation pits with an archaeologist who has been working at the site for decades.

Quest concludes his trip in China’s modernday capital city of Beijing, enjoying an authentic Chinese meal with Fuchsia Dunlop, the first foreign chef to graduate from the Sichuan Institute of Higher Cuisine. She has built her business and reputation on bridging the gap between Chinese cuisine and Western palates and preconceived notions. They bypass the Peking duck and go beyond the stereotypes in search of something more memorable.

CNN Business Traveller Airtimes airs 4:30 p.m. on June 9.

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SHOWBITZ GMA NETWORK’s ‘A1 KO sA’yO’ TONIGhT ISAH V. RED

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nown as the home of the best comedies and comedy experts, GMA Network offers a unique viewing treat with A1 Ko Sa’yo, the newest sexy comedy program that will make Thursday nights better and hotter beginning tonight.

Charmingly led by 2016 Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Jaclyn Jose as Digna Molina, A1 Ko Sa’yo emphasizes wit while showing the journey of a person who is in pursuit of excellence and at the same time treating life as a beauty pageant.

Completing the cast are sexy Kapuso actress Solenn Heussaff as Miley, Gardo Versoza as Rolly Molina, Sef Cadayona as Enzo, Benjamin Alves as Jay, Roi Vinzon as Primo, Ervic Vijandre as Eroll, Denise Barbacena as Kaycee, Gee Canlas as Tintin, and Mara Alberto as Kath.

The story revolves around Digna Molina, a tactless and frustrated beauty pageant aspirant who is in search of her perfect beauty queen as she manages A1 Talent Agency. She is married to Rolly Molina, a marriage counselor, who always fails to give her romance, which in turn makes her uptight and short-tempered when facing her talents.

Making Digna’s life more interesting are Kaycee, her sexy daughter who wants to pursue her dream of becoming a beauty

queen; Miley, the kind-hearted and almost-perfect model Digna has in her agency; Kath, A1’s model-wannabe receptionist; and Tintin, the ex-Japayuki talent.

And adding colour to the dynamics of A1 Talent Agency are the members of Super Hard Gym: Primo, the owner of the gym; Jay, the vain call center guy; Erroll, the loser hunk; and Enzo, the chickboy photographer.

Under the helm of Randy Santiago, catch the light, funny and sexy episodes of A1 Ko Sa’yo every Thursday night beginning tonight after Juan Happy Love Story on GMA Telebabad.

Catch the latest updates of A1 Ko Sa’yo from their official Facebook page www.facebook. com/7A1KoSayo, and from the official website of GMA Network www.gmanetwork.com.

#AlwaysAppdated with Kapuso mobile app The latest Kapuso updates are at your fingertips anytime, anywhere, through the official GMA Network mobile application, available for both iOS and Android devices.

The GMA Network app was developed by GMA New Media, Inc., a subsidiary of the Network and its forerunner in technology, that provides interactive solutions in television, web, marketing and online gaming.

Through the mobile app, get the first scoop on Kapuso entertainment stories, videos and photos on the go, as well as the latest headlines from GMA’s online news portal, GMA News Online.

With the user-friendly app’s filter

options, users can also search for all related content about their favorite artists and shows.

Moreover, users can earn Kapuso Points through the app’s games. Kapuso Points may also be converted into raffle entries for the Kapuso Points Panalo Sweepstakes feature, where exciting prizes are in store for several winners each week.

Among the many prizes up for grabs are cell phone load, exclusive merchandise, GMA studio tour passes, and meet and greet opportunities with their favorite Kapuso stars. More exciting prizes are in store as players may soon win gadgets and cash prizes.

For more updates on anything and everything Kapuso, stay #AlwaysAppdated by downloading the GMA Network mobile app through the App Store for iOS users, and Google Play Store for Android users.

Besides the GMA Network app, GMA also reaches out to its viewers beyond the television screen through its online portal, GMANetwork.com, and its social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

As the netizens’ go-to site for news and entertainment content, the portal was ranked as the number one website in terms of pageviews in April 2016, garnering close to 130 million views and outranking ABS-CBN’s 110 million views, based on data from Effective Measure.

Meanwhile, GMA Network’s official Facebook page remains the fastest growing community on Facebook compared to its competitors, with over 8.5 million

Cannes Film Festival Best Actress jaclyn jose headlines Kapuso’s sexy comedy “A1 Ko Sa’yo”

likes and an annual growth rate of 66.63 percent. In April alone, all posts from the GMA Facebook page reached a total of 603.2 million unique users.

Kapuso fans are also brought to the heart of GMA events with the use of the Facebook Live feature where viewers from all over the world can watch Q & A’s with Kapuso stars and real-time happenings from mall shows, concerts, and interviews.

GMA further strengthened its social media presence as its fol-

lowers grew to over 851,000 on Twitter, along with its launch on the multimedia messaging application Snapchat. GMA also boasts the biggest audience among its competitors on the photo sharing app Instagram with 568,000 followers.

Visit the portal, www.gmanetwork.com, like the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/GMANetwork and follow the Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat handle: gmanetwork, for all the latest news and entertainment stories.

Bringing sexy back. “A1 Ko Sa’yo” cast members (from left) Gardo Versoza, Solenn Heussaff, Benjamin Alves, Gee Canlas and Sef Cadayona will make Thursday nights better and hotter