The Standard - 2016 June 13 - Monday

VOL. XXX NO. 121 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 MONDAY : JUNE 13, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Senators criticize ‘desperate’ Cayetano

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MARCOS: I WILL TAKE VEEP POST

Bongbong ‘happy to serve’ Digong in the meantime

By Christine F. Herrera

SENATOR Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed confidence Sunday that he will take his vice presidential seat soon after accusing the Liberal Party of massive cheating to hand victory to his rival, Vice President-elect Leni Robredo.

Giant flag. A huge flag is raised at Manila’s Rizal Park during the celebration of the 118th anniversary of Philippine Independence on Sunday. DANNY PATA

Aquino calls on Filipinos to defend democracy PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III called on Filipinos Sunday to fight attempts to take away their freedoms as he prepared to hand over power to president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, who has vowed to kill tens of thousands of criminals.

Duterte won last month’s elections in a landslide largely on a pledge to suppress what he said was rampant crime, and has since

vowed to award large bounties to police as well as civilians who kill drug dealers.

Speaking on the 118th anniversary of the country’s declaration of independence from Spanish colonial rule, Aquino said Filipinos must prevent a repeat of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ 20year rule.

“Let us remember that just a

generation ago, the Philippine government itself was the one suppressing the freedom of our fellow Filipinos,” Aquino told foreign diplomats at a formal reception.

“A fellow Filipino deprived us of our freedoms. It means that if we are not vigilant, this can happen again,” Aquino added.

Aquino had warned last month during the election campaign that

Duterte, the then frontrunner in the race to replace him as leader, carried similar dangers to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Duterte has promised to end crime within six months of his presidency by ordering security forces to kill tens of thousands of suspected criminals, then pardon himself if he is found guilty of Next page mass murder.

“I will eventually take my seat that is being kept warm for me,” Marcos declared in a press conference over the weekend.

Marcos vowed to show “the true results” of the elections and said he would be honored to serve the incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, should he be given the opportunity.

“I am at heart a public servant and if I am called to duty in any way whatsoever it is an honor for me to serve, in any capacity wherein this coming government, the incoming President will feel that I can contribute, I will be happy to do that,” Marcos said.

Marcos also said he assured Duterte that the electoral protest he will file on June 28 would not affect the results of the presidential race in any way.

While Duterte did not say he believed Marcos was cheated, he did say that he knew there was cheating during the last elections, the senator said.

Marcos maintained that the cheating carried out in the May 9 elections was massive and unprecedented because it had become institutionalized.

In a press conference at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City, his first after the May 9 elections, Marcos said that while he expected there would be irregularities in the polls, he did not expect it to be as flagrant as it was.

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Pro-life lawmaker supports Duterte

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A2 Aquino...

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Duterte, who takes office on June 30, has been accused of running vigilante squads that have killed more than 1,000 suspected criminals in Davao City, where he has been the long-time mayor.

At times he has boasted about his involvement— but on other occasions denied any links to the vigilantes.

Duterte has also warned that as president he will shut down Congress and establish a revolutionary government if lawmakers do not endorse his policies.

During the election Marcos’ son and namesake narrowly lost the separate vice presidential contest.

“Now that we’re entering a new chapter in our history, let us not forget that freedom must be guarded and nurtured. We must strive to achieve and fight for all things that matter,” Aquino said Sunday.

“All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing,” he said, using a quote usually attributed to British statesman Edmund Burke.

At the celebration in Rizal Park, where Aquino led the flag raising and wreath laying rites, the President was welcomed by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Gloriosio Miranda at 8 a.m.

New military aircraft flew in formation over the park.

Vice President Jejomar Binay and outgoing Cabinet officials were among those who were present at the ceremony.

Aquino also attended the launching of the coffee table book, “A Sense of Nation: The Birthright of Rizal, Bonifacio and Mabini,” by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Simultaneous flag-raising rites were also held in key cities nationwide, including Kawit in Cavite, Malolos City in Bulacan, Angeles City in Pampanga, Davao City, Cebu City and several parts of Metro Manila.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales led the flag-raising ceremony at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite.

Independence was declared at the house of the first president of the republic, Emilio Aguinaldo, in 1898.

Aquino’s speech before foreign dignitaries included a video presentation of his experience as a 13-year-old during the Martial Law years, which included a reenactment of his father’s detention in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. AFP, Sandy Araneta

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Pro-life lawmaker supports Rody, but not death penalty

By Rio N. Araja, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Sandy Araneta

A PRO-LIFE lawmaker said Sunday he supports President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s tough anti-crime stance, but warned Congress against a “mad rush” to revive the death penalty.

Buhay Rep. Joselito Atienza said to reinstate the death penalty will not deter rampant crime.

“We want our new President to succeed in the war on crime. He deserves everybody’s help in rooting out corruption in law enforcement, the prosecution service, the judiciary and corrections,” he said.

“That killing convicts will somehow reduce crime is a false premise.

On the contrary, executions will only engender a culture of violence that will in turn breed even more brutal crimes,” he said.

Duterte urged the House of Representatives to pass a law restoring the death penalty for drug offenses and other heinous crimes before the year ends.

“We maintain that the certainty of the swift capture and punishment of felons is our best deterrence to crime,” said Atienza, a former Manila mayor.

Much of the civilized world has recognized that the maximum sentence of life imprisonment can serve the ends of justice and keep the modern society safe from hardened convicts, Atienza said.

“In the years ahead, we envision a highly progressive and humane republic firmly grounded on a cul-

ture of life—on respect for the sanctity of human life.

We are not dreaming of a backward and callous nation anchored on a medieval culture of death,” he said.

Atienza said at least 102 countries have already done away with executions in the last 10 years “even if the extreme punishment is still in their statutes.”

“Our peace and order campaign has long been beset by corruption, if not by ineptitude. We have to address this problem to restore public confidence in our criminal justice system. Reviving the death penalty is not the solution,” Atienza said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile, said he objected to Duterte’s plan to execute criminals by hanging and said he favored lethal injections.

“Death, especially the agony of knowing exactly when it will happen is the ultimate punishment,” Lacson said.

Incoming Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III agreed with Lacson.

In an interview over radio dwIZ on Saturday, Pimentel acknowledged Lacson’s concerns that the Senate would be unable to pass on third reading a law reinstating the death pen-

Marcos:...

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Marcos said he owes it to the more than 14 million people who voted for him as well as to those whose votes were not counted because what is at stake is the integrity of the elections.

He said about 3 million votes have not been counted.

He directly accused President Benigno Aquino III’s administration and the Liberal Party through the Commission on Elections and service provider Smartmatic of perpetuating the massive fraud.

“Well, we see that the problems were with Comelec and the problems were with Smartmatic. Now who was behind all of that? I think we will slowly be able to show that, because the only people who can institutionalize this kind of cheating is the administration,” he said.

“It is very clear to the people that there was a widespread and

alty within the three- to four-month timeline that he said.

“I was so optimistic about the time. Let’s make it three to five months.

We have to be optimistic so that everybody will be working because there’s a deadline to meet. Five months can be the maximum as planned since a lot of things might happen along the way,” Pimentel said.

He said restoring capital punishment would be a priority bill since it is on top of Duterte’s reform agenda and is in line with his war on the drug trade.

Earlier, Lacson said Pimentel’s timeline was difficult because debates on the floor would take a long time.

Pimentel said he had no head count as yet as to how many senators support restoring the death penalty, but said they would vote by October, “win or lose.”

Senator Ralph Recto said he is opposed to the death penalty but said if it will be restored, he would push for a “sunset provision” that would allow it to last only for the duration of Duterte’s six-year term.

Senator-elect Joel Villanueva, the son of Jesus is Lord founder Eddie Villanueva, said he supports death for heinous crimes.

Seventh placer and world boxing champion, outgoing Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao said he believed the death penalty is “not wrong in the eyes of God.” “In the eyes of God, it is not wrong. Actually the death penalty is biblical. I

shameful disregard of their voice, so we will continue this fight,” he said in Filipino.

Asked for details of his more than three-hour meeting with Duterte in Davao City early Friday, Marcos said his role in the incoming administration was only discussed “in a general way” because it was not the reason for the meeting.

He also denied there were talks on a Cabinet position for him, saying they discussed Duterte’s plans to solve the drug problem.

He said he decided to meet the incoming President to personally thank him for his support to his family, especially his decision to allow the burial of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

He also said he believed that burying his father at the Libingan ng Bayani will bring closure to partisan politics rather than cause further divisions.

“I think it will bring closure not only to my family but to the rest

can explain that properly in our laws and in God’s law why there should be a death penalty,” he said.

The Palace, however, warned Sunday that the country has commitments with the United Nations against the reimposition of the death penalty, and urged lawmakers to study these thoroughly.

“The Secretary of Justice is affirming that the country has existing commitments to the United Nations and that reinstituting the death penalty is a vital policy change that needs to be thoroughly studied by the incoming administration and the 17th Congress,” said Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a statement.

“The people’s voice needs to be heard, too, to ascertain whether indeed the majority would like to see this come to pass,” said Coloma.

The UN may sanction the Philippines if it reimposes the death penalty, Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas said.

The incumbent Justice secretary issued the warning in the wake of incoming Duterte’s pronouncements that he will push for the revival of the death penalty as part of his campaign promise to end illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption within six months.

Caparas advised Duterte to conduct a thorough study of the matter.

“We do have international obligations, we do have commitments. And these obligations and commitments have to be re-

of the country. This is something that has somehow been in the consciousness of the Filipino people, a continuing partisan exchange that has been going on for over 30 years, which can finally be put to rest. And I think that that is the significance of the statement of incoming President Duterte,” Marcos said.

The senator said his legal team is confident that they have enough evidence to establish massive fraud in the elections.

He said so many people were coming forward to attest to the cheating that they had to pick which ones to include in their protest.

Marcos said the cheating was so widespread that it covered all aspects of the elections.

“Certainly, we didn’t expect cheating on this scale, where it was institutionalized at many, may levels, in many, many ways,” Marcos said.

The senator said the cheating was not only limited to vote buying

viewed as well because that will have an impact on us,” he said.

Human rights lawyer and Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chairman Jose Manuel Diokno reminded the incoming administration that the Philippines is bound by the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was signed by the government on Sept. 20, 2006 and ratified on Nov. 20, 2007.

Caparas warned that if the country fails to uphold its end in the agreement, sanctions from the international community could include cuts in aid and international cooperation.

Duterte wants 50 convicts executed every month by hanging once Congress reimposes the death penalty, representative-elect Danilo Suarez of Quezon said Sunday.

“He feels that if at least 50 drug lords and other convicts are hanged every month, their execution will deter crime,” he told the Usaping Balita forum at the Serye Café in Quezon City.

He said Duterte revealed his plans during a meeting with 19 members of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. on Tuesday.

He said the nation’s next leader told them that he would like Congress to restore the death penalty within six months or before the end of the year.

He said Duterte intends to certify a capital punishment reimposition bill as urgent.

but also covered wholesale ballot shading and tampering with the transmission system, all of which they could prove.

The Palace described as “totally false and baseless” Marcos’ allegations.

“Instead of innuendoes, let the accuser present concrete proof in the proper forum,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a text message.

“What the President said during the campaign period [especially during the Edsa commemoration] was that the people need to close ranks to prevent the return of dictatorship in our land,” Coloma said.

Earlier, Marcos recalled that President Benigno Aquino III vowed to do everything he could to stamp out the political comeback of the Marcos family.

During the campaign period, Aquino would often direct his speeches against Marcos. With Sandy Araneta

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A taste of life under Duterte ARMED police are detaining crying children, bewildered drunks and shirtless men throughout the Philippine capital in a nighttime blitz that is offering an authoritarian taste of life under incoming President Rodrigo Duterte.

Condemnation. Left-leaning students commemorate the 118th Independence Day by picketing at the main gate of the United States Embassy in Manila to condemn the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between Washington and Manila. EY ACASIO

Cayetano slammed over Senate ambition TWO senators on Sunday assailed defeated vice presidential candidate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano for his alleged desperate attempt to grab the Senate presidency from incoming Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III. Senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III, however, stressed that Pimentel would be the Senate president of the 17th Congress.

“No amount of intrigues and self-serving statements coming from him or anybody can alter what the majority of the 17th Congress consider as sealed and delivered Senate presidency to Pimentel,” Lacson said.

Lacson was among those who joined the so-called Supermajority in the coming 17th Congress and rallied behind Pimentel’s leadership of the Senate.

Sotto has said Pimentel will be the Senate president and he will be the majority leader replacing Cayetano in the next Congress.

Pimentel is the president of PDP-Laban, which is led by Duterte. The outgoing Davao City mayor was adopted by PDP-Laban when he ran for president in the May 9 elections.

Cayetano, who has been pushing himself to replace incumbent Senate President Franklin Drilon, belongs to the Nacionalista Party.

Cayetano has rebuked his colleagues in the Senate for opting for the status quo instead of change when they declared Pimentel as the next Senate president.

In an earlier interview in Davao City, Cayetano said his offer to run for Senate president was conditioned

on the fact that “we will have a majority that will be supportive of the mandate of the president.”

Lacson strongly reacted to the pronouncements of Cayetano, saying he was not at all against Duterte.

“I’m not at all against President-elect Duterte as averred by Senator Cayetano,” Lacson said.

“In fact, I continue to believe that the [outgoing] mayor can really make a difference in reducing crime and corruption in our country.

I merely commented on his statement undermining the integrity and independence of the Senate because I felt it was my obligation to do so.”

“If i say it will pass, it will pass,” said Sotto who insisted the Supermajority would be supportive of Duterte’s agenda while maintaining

its independence.

Drilon, the first to break the news that the majority of the senators had opted to support Pimentel, said the coming Senate would not be a “rubber stamp” of the Duterte administration. He said it would be cooperative but not subservient.

Sotto had earlier said some of their colleagues had scored Cayetano over his plan to make the Senate presidency a “parking slot,” where he would spend his time while waiting for the lapse of the one-year ban on losing candidates to occupy a government post.

Cayetano, a lawyer, has been offered by Duterte to choose between sitting as secretary of the Department of Justice or the Department of Foreign Affairs. Macon RamosAraneta

The incendiary lawyer won last month’s elections in a landslide largely on a pledge to end or suppress what he said was rampant crime, warning the Philippines was in danger of becoming a narco-state and that tens of thousands of criminals would be killed in his crackdown.

Across the nation police have already reported killing more than 20 alleged drug suspects over the past fortnight, egged on by Duterte who has urged them to begin his war on crime even before he takes office at the end of this month.

The efforts by police in Manila, a chaotic mega-city of more than 12 million people, to clean up the streets ahead of Duterte being sworn in casts a light on the other controversial aspects of his lawand-order campaign.

Since winning, Duterte has said he will impose late-night bans on children walking the streets, alcohol sales and the national passion of karaoke singing—insisting that his crackdown must start with the fundamentals of discipline in society.

Police in Manila, eager to burnish their tough-guy credentials for their new boss, have in recent weeks begun their own versions of such night-time curfews that have seen hundreds of people detained.

In some districts police have even named the crackdowns “Oplan RODY”—an acronym for Rid the Streets of Drinkers and Youths that is also Duterte’s nickname.

“We all know drinking in the streets and youth roaming the streets at night are a formula for crime,” Senior Supt. Jemar Modequillo told AFP as he led Oplan RODY’s sweep through a large southern Manila slum called CAA.

When AFP accompanied Modequillo’s forces through CAA, children aged under 10 were taken away in police vehicles.

Two girls were in tears as they were led away by armed officers even though they were out with adult relatives.

Under Modequillo’s operation, the children were taken back to the police station for lectures and to be picked-up later by parents.

But in another part of the Manila, parents of children found on the streets at night alone were jailed.

Duterte has said he intends to similarly jail parents for “abandonment”, while the children will be sent to be cared for by the already overwhelmed social welfare department.

Under Modequillo’s Oplan RODY, more than 100 adults deemed to be drunk or disorderly were detained and given the option of doing 40 push ups at the police station or a fine and a short prison stint.

All chose the former.

Some said they had been unfairly detained.

Sitting on the police station’s floor, Rafael Ganton insisted he was sober but that his apparent crime was being outside on a sweltering night without a shirt on.

“I was just going to lock the doors of our billiards shop,” Ganton said.

Jose Diokno, chairman of the Free Legal Assistance Group, which lawyers for victims of human rights abuses, said the operations were concerning on many levels, including that armed police were traumatizing children.

Diokno also voiced concern that Duterte’s war on crime, like with Oplan RODY now, would target the poor.

AFP

UNA criticizes Roxas, LP over unfiled statements THE United Nationalist Alliance said Sunday it expected the Commission on Elections not to accede to the Liberal Party’s demand for a two-week extension to file Statements of Contributions and Expenses by the candidates in this year’s elections.

UNA spokesman Mon Ilagan said the public expected the Comelec to stand firm in its position not to extend the June 8 deadline, and not to treat the Liberal Party and Manuel Roxas II with kid gloves.

“The people now want to see a Comelec that truly enforces the rule of law. Turning soft on Mar Roxas and the Liberal Party, and treating them with kid gloves will only highlight suspicions that the Comelec is part of some conspiracy during the

May 9 elections,” Ilagan said in a statement.

He said Roxas’ and the LP’s failure to submit their SOCE on June 8 was a shameful display of arrogance and disrespect for the law.

“We find LP’s request for a 14-day extension to complete their SOCEs a shameful, disgraceful and extreme display of arrogance and total lack of respect for the law,” Ilagan said.

“Their disregard for the non-extendable period given by the Comelec only shows the over-bearing big-headedness and sense of entitlement of Mar Roxas. His arrogance continues to pervade as if he was still in power.”

Ilagan said UNA expected the Comelec to deny the LP’s plea for an additional two weeks to complete the filing of its SOCEs.

Exhibit. Photographers and photojournalists led by Edwin Tuyay, Mel Cortez and Luis Liwanag hold a walking

photo exhibit entitled “Duterte: The Making of a President,” during the 118th Independence Day celebrations at the Rizal Park on Sunday. DANNY PATA

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A4 Tribunal imposes policy of silence

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court will implement a self-imposed policy of “judicial silence” on statements made by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

But Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno urged the citizenry not to misconstrue the silence of the judiciary on issues raised by the incoming administration.

“Silence is not cowardice. There is appropriate time to examine things,” Sereno said during the 118th Philippine Independence Day celebration at Quezon City Hall.

The chief magistrate said the public should be patient and wait for the judiciary to join the national discourse on pressing issues, including the plan of Duterte to restore the death penalty by hanging.

“We appeal for understanding on silence of judges, especially of the chief justice. Judgment will come even before these issues reach the Court,” she said.

Last Friday, during the 115th anniversary of the Supreme Court, the chief justice said legal issues surrounding the reimposition of the death penalty are not yet ripe for resolution of the high tribunal.

But she assured the public that the judiciary keeps a watchful eye on developments in the political arena.

“Until that is a law, it does not yet become a justiciable matter. Until then, we will really need to keep our peace and observe,” Sereno stressed.

On the criticism of Duterte about corrupt judges “selling” temporary restraining orders, Sereno said that the Supreme Court has been relentless in cleansing the ranks of the judiciary.

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Italian priest’s abductor collared in Zamboanga AUTHORITIES have arrested a man accused of kidnapping an Italian businessman who was held hostage for six months by the Abu Sayyaf Group, the military said Sunday.

Retired Catholic priest Rolando del Torchio was abducted last October and released unharmed on the Abu Sayyaf stronghold of Sulu island in April.

The arrested suspect, Sehar Muloc, also known as Commander Red Eye, helped the kidnappers select and stalk their Italian target, regional military spokesman Maj. Filemon Tan told AFP. Tan said Muloc was arrested at a safe house in Barangay Kaliantana, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay by

operatives of Task Force Zampelan by virtue of a warrant of arrest for kidnapping Del Torchio issued on Oct. 7, 2015.

Del Torchio was abducted by armed men led by Muloc inside the retired priest’s pizza restaurant in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. Muloc then turned over Del Torchio to Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Idang Susukan.

Del Torchio was released on April 9 reportedly after the payment of a P30 million ransom.

“[Muloc] is linked with the Abu Sayyaf. We have no information on whether he is also a member,” Tan said, referring to the kidnap group.

Del Torchio, then 56, had worked as a missionary for the international organization PIME from 1998 before retiring in 2000 to set up his restaurant, colleagues told AFP shortly after he was abducted.

The Abu Sayyaf murdered a Canadian hostage in April but subsequently released 18 Indonesian and four Malaysian captives.

The group still holds another Canadian man, a Dutchman and a Norwegian, along with five Filipinos, the military said.

The kidnappers have threatened to kill either the Canadian or the Norwegian if a P300-million ransom is not paid by today, Monday.

The military is bracing for the possible beheading of either Canadian Robert Hall or Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad today, the deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf for their relatives to deliver the P300million ransom for each of them.

Hall and his Filipino girlfriend Marites Flor, Sekkingstad and the slain John Ridsdel, also a Canadian, were abducted by armed men believed to be led by a rogue commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last August 2015 at a resort in Samal Island. AFP, Florante Solmerin

Job-seekers. Job applicants flock to Manila’s Rizal Park for a one-day job fair held on Independence Day on Sunday, June 12. DANNY PATA

25 million students back to classrooms Arrested kidnapper.

This undated handout photo released on Sunday by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command shows Sehar Muloc, also known as Commander Red Eye, the man accused of kidnapping an Italian ex-priest in the southern city of Dipolog on Mindanao last year. AFP

By John Paolo Bencito MORE than 25 million elementary and high school students will return to their classrooms today, June 13, as the country welcomes the first batch of Grade 11 pupils under the Senior High School program which adds two more years to the Philippines’ basic education system.

The program, a product of Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act which adds mandatory kindergarten for all children of school age and two more years in high school, removed the country from the list of three nations (the others being Angola and Djibouti in Africa) implementing a 10-year pre-university education scheme.

“We celebrate this historic moment in Philippine education and enjoin every citizen to work to ensure the success of these new programs,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro told The Standard in a text interview.

“New programs will necessarily have their birth pains. I am as excited as our more than a million new learners in Grade 11 are,” he added.

An estimated 1.5 million students are set to choose more than 28,844 SHS programs spread over 5,990 public schools and 5,028 private high schools, which the DepEd expects to better prepare students “whichever exit point they plan on pursuing after high school.”

High school education is currently a “one-size-fits-all” pro-

gram that assumes all graduates are meant for college, the department says. High school graduates who cannot afford college cannot land good jobs.

The four tracks in the SHS program are Academic, TechnicalVocational-Livelihood, Sports, and Arts and Design.

Program offerings available for SHS students to choose from include four strands under the academic track: Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM), Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and General Academic; the Sports track; the Arts and Design track; and various specializations under the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track.

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Guingona, Cayetano had most number of absences—Senate

By Macon Araneta SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano, who has been eyeing the Senate presidency in the next Congress, had the most number of absences second only to “graduating” Senator Teofisto Guingona III who failed in his reelection bid in the May 9 elections.

Cayetano was present in 137 out of the 204 sessions at the Senate while Guingona attended only 100 session days.

Due to Cayetano’s frequent absences, Senators Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino and Vicente “Tito” Sotto III took turns at Cayetano’s role as majority leader during the start of sessions, according to Senate records.

With 78 travels for Guingona and 67 for Cayetano, both topped the most travelled senators on official mission, either local or abroad.

Even before the campaign period, Cayetano had frequented Davao City and other places in the country, wooing voters to support his vice presidential campaign. He landed No. 3 in the final count of the elections results with administration standard bearer Leni Robredo winning the race.

But Marcos who came in next to Robredo vowed to file an election protest before the end of this month to contest Robredo’s “questionable votes.”

In stark contrast, Senator Gringo Honasan, who also ran for vice president in tandem with UNA presidential bet Jejomar Binay, had only one absence. He was present 213 times in the sessions, and was never late, the records showed.

Another vice presidential bet, Senator Francis Escudero also failed to attend sessions for 13 days.

In their elements. Miss Earth Philippines 2016 pageant winners (from left) Melanie Mader of Vienna Austria (Ecotourism); Loren Mar Artajos of Laoag City (Water); Miss Earth Philippines 2016 Imelda Bautista Schweighart of Puerto Princesa City; Kiara Giel Gregorio of London (Air); and Shannon Rebecca Bridgman of Rosales, Pangasinan (Fire). The coronation night was held at University of the PhilippinesDiliman Theater. DANNY PATA

Cha-Cha bid gets new boost

By Christine F. Herrera

Judicial silence. Stating that ‘silence is not cowardice,’ Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno has adopted a policy of ‘judicial silence’ on statements made by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. Sereno is guest during the 118th Independence Day celebration at Quezon City Hall. JAY B. REMPILLO (Story on A4)

Pinoy, 3 other people hurt in Shanghai blast SHANGHAI, China—A blast caused by “homemade” explosives injured four people and sparked a major security alert at the main international airport in China’s commercial hub of Shanghai on Sunday, according to the operator and state media.

The blast at Pudong Airport occurred near the check-in counter of Terminal Two in mid-afternoon, according to a statement on the official microblog of the Shanghai Airport Authority.

The official Xinhua news agency, citing authorities, said a “home-made explosive” blew up and hurt four people including one who suffered from self-inflicted injuries—suggesting he set off the device.

The other injured included a man from the Philippines, as well as a 67-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman—both described as Chinese, Xinhua reported.

The agency earlier reported that the blast was caused by fireworks.

The Xinmin Evening News said there were two explosions within five seconds. They originated from two pieces of luggage placed about 15 metres (49 feet) apart, the local newspaper said.

Online video clips showed dense grey smoke rising to the ceiling of the cavernous terminal, and paramilitary security forces rushing into the building immediately after the incident. AFP

A BICOL congressman on Sunday welcomed reports that even members of the Liberal Party in the Senate, led by Senate President Franklin Drilon, were now open to support Charter Change that would pave the way for the long-overdue shift from the unitary (presidential) to the federal system of government under the Duterte administration.

Congressman-elect LRay Villafuerte of Camarines Sur was referring to the statement made by Drilon that more senators favor constitutional reform.

“With the similar backing by presumptive House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte for both Cha-Cha and federalism, Congress seems likely to give “the big push” at the onset of the Duterte presidency for the overhaul of the national government structure that is crucial to the president-elect’s agenda for inclusive growth via job- and investor-friendly countryside development under his watch,” Villafuerte said.

“The apparent emerging consensus in both houses of Congress for constitutional reform opens wide the door to the long-overdue shift from our unitary system to the federal form of government under the Duterte presidency,” said Villafuerte, a long-time advocate of federalism and full autonomy of local government units [LGUs] to spur genuine countryside development.

Duterte is an advocate of federalism and also favors Cha-Cha to amend constitutional provisions that he said restricted the inflow of foreign investments.

Given this scenario, Villafuerte

said “there is more reason for the formation of a grand coalition of parties from across the political divide in the House of Representatives and now also the Senate to finally push the switch to federalism by way of ChaCha in the next government.”

Villafuerte said “only the genuine devolution of powers from so-called ‘Imperial Manila’ to the provinces and cities would allow the country’s nascent economic overdrive to truly trickle down to the masses and enable incoming President Duterte to make good on his plan to create special economic zones to generate enough jobs in the countryside.”

Earlier, Villafuerte said, “A grand coalition of pro-administration and opposition political parties to spearhead the federal shift has assumed greater urgency, given Mr. Duterte’s publicly declared support for federalism and would-be Speaker Alvarez’s full backing for Cha-Cha purportedly to switch to a federal government and lift economic provisions that restrict to lure foreign investments.”

Under the Constitution, amendments to the 1987 Charter could be introduced either under these three modes: through a duly-elected Constitutional Convention (ConCon), Congress convening itself into a Constituent Assembly (ConAss) or a People’s Initiative (PI).

Villafuerte, who was chairman of the League of Provinces of the Philippines when he was Camarines Sur governor, is a stalwart of the Nacionalista Party that forged a coalition agreement after the May 9 polls with the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan that had carried Duterte to electoral victory.

M O N D AY : J U N E 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

A6

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

QC solon vows to refile bill on preggy services

By Rio N. Araja REELECTED Rep. Alfred Vargas of Quezon City on Sunday expressed concern over the increasing maternal mortality ratio and vowed to refile a bill on that matter in the 17th Congress next month.

“It is disturbing to note that maternal health, as part of the country’s Millennium Development Goals [MDGs], is not so encouraging,” he said.

Vargas promised not to give up on House Bill 6476 filed in the 16th Congress seeking to establish an office of pregnancy support services under the Department of Health.

Citing the Fifth Philippine Progress Report on the MDGs, he said it can be inferred that the country “may have not met its MDG target on maternal health as the maternal mortality ratio increased from 209 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 221 in 2011, failing to meet the 2015 target of 52.”

The proposed OPSS shall be tasked to encourage and assist pregnant women to carry their children to live birth by providing services during and after pregnancy, he noted.

“Our initiative seeks to alleviate pregnant women and their families from the difficulties that may otherwise lead to abortion or death of a child during childbirth,” he said.

Under the measure, pregnancy support services during and after pregnancy include material assistance, such as maternity and baby clothing, diapers, baby food and milk, and pro-bono obstetric and prenatal care services for women intending to carry their children to live birth.

Reunited. Vice President Jejomar Binay confers with Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada during the 118th Independence Day celebration at Rizal Park on Sunday, June 12.

Estrada did not support Binay in the May 9 elections. DANNY PATA

Shippers blast port tariff hike

By Christine F. Herrera WHILE Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina was rushing the passage of the implementing rules and regulations of the new Customs law to allow the Manila North Harbour Port Inc. to engage in international trade, the shipping industry has rejected the MNHPI’s petition to increase its rates by 37 percent in its domestic trade.

In separate position papers submitted to the Philippine Ports Authority and published in the industry paper PortCalls Asia, the Philippine Liner Shipping Association and Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines described NMHPI’s petition as “unwarranted” and “unjustified.”

“The industry is protesting Customs chief Lina’s illegal memos and moves to allow NMHPI to engage in international trade when it is obvious it could not even run its domestic operations efficiently as it is already seeking an excessive increase in its rates to sustain its domestic operations,” said the industry source, who did not want to be named.

“Lina did not lay down the basis for allowing MNHPI to operate in-

ternationally when it cannot even afford to make its domestic trade to be run efficiently. It would be unfair to pass on the MNHPI’s operating costs to the stakeholders,” the source pointed out.

MNHPI petitioned the PPA to impose a more than 37-percent increase in cargo-handling tariff at North Port, which the stakeholders found “excessive and had no basis.”

The PLSA and SCMAP asked the PPA “to compel MNHPI to be efficient, cost-effective and conscious of the need to ensure maximum utilization of its resources.”

For PLSA alone, the liner group said the increase being sought by the MNHPI would translate to an additional annual stevedoring cost of P118.782 million among PLSA members.

118th. Caloocan City Mayor

Oscar Malapitan leads the commemoration of the 118th Independence Day at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City on Sunday. ANDREW RABULAN

The liner group also asked the PPA to put a “reasonable cap” on fuel and power consumption, as well as on repairs and maintenance.

“This will be added to other cargo-handling rates, which may eventually be passed on to the shippers, including wharfage, cranage, storage, stuffing, and shifting charges,” the association said.

For its part, the SCMAP said it found the NMHPI’s proposed upward tariff adjustment to be unjustified.

“We believe that any upward tariff adjustment predicated on the need for additional investment on equipment and infrastructure would put into question the original basis for the awarding of a franchise to operate a port to a contractor,” SCMAP said.

MNHPI in August 2015 filed for a 37.45-percent increase in cargohandling tariff, saying it needs to compensate for the “upward trend in cost drivers” and the increased cost of operating Manila North Harbor.

Without seriously considering the MNHPI’s efficiency and capacity to operate its domestic trade, Lina issued a memorandum circular granting NMHPI a Certificate of Authority to Operate as an Authorized Customs Facility

(ACF) in December 2015, or a few months after Ang’s firm sought a 37-percent increase in its rates.

On June 2, 2016, Lina issued another Customs Memorandum Order 12-2016 assigning BoC to assume jurisdiction over MNHPI to operate as an ACF permitting the MNHPI to engage in international trade when it has an existing exclusive contract with PPA allowing it only to engage in domestic trade, the source said.

Lina invoked Republic Act 10668, allowing foreign vessels to transport and co-load foreign cargoes for domestic transshipment and RA 10863 or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), whose implementing rules and regulations or IRR has yet to be subjected to thorough public hearings involving other stakeholders.

“This is not only a midnight deal, it is a sweetheart deal. Lina invoked RA 10863 in an internal memo issued on June 2 to allow MNHPI to engage in international trade. The public hearing on RA 10863’s IRR was set on June 10 but Lina was already invoking the law in granting concessions to MNHPI,” the Customs official, who requested anonymity, told The Standard.

Caloocan’s ‘drug queen’, partner nabbed, face raps THE Caloocan police filed charges of direct bribery, corruption of public officers and illegal possession of shabu against suspected drug queen and an accomplice before the Caloocan prosecutors office.

City police commander Senior Supt. Bartolome Bustamante said those charged were Edna Morales, 66, and Vanessa Marcos, 52.

Both were now detained at the Caloocan police detention cell.

Mayor Oscar Malapitan lauded the filing of charges against Morales whom police tagged as “queen of drug pushers.”

The mayor directed Bustamante to focus on the case of the suspect,

who police said figured in the illegal drug trade.

Bustamante echoed the mayor’s pronouncement that by July 1, the anti-drug campaign including crimes will be strictly carried out in the city of Caloocan.

Bustamante said that Morales was arrested when she tried to bribe a policeman at PCP1 as she was trying to facilitate the release of Marcos at PCP1 last Friday around 11 a.m.

Marcos was detained for alleged possession of illegal drugs (shabu).

Morales allegedly handed a P15,000 cash to SP01 Samuel dela Cruz who arrested her instead.

Jun David

M O N D AY : j u N e 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

A7

NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Ex-councilor, suspected drug dealer shot dead in Zamboanga

By A. Perez rimando ZAMBoANGA CItY, Zamboanga Sibugay—A former barangay councilor who was reportedly one of the top dealers of illegal drugs in the area, was shot dead Friday morning by two armed men aboard a motorcycle at Barangay Buenavista here, police said.

A report received by city police director Sr. Supt.

Luisito Magnaye from Curuan Police Station commander Chief Inspector ramon Bautista said former Muti barangay official Yusop h. Ujujan, 44, was driving his honda XrM motorcycle with his wife and teenage son bound for nearby barangay Curuan when the assailants chased him.

After catching up with Ujujan, the other vehicle’s back rider fired at him. the victim and his family then fell on the concrete road. the gunman approached the wounded Ujujan and shot him several more times on the head and chest, killing him instantly. the suspects fled towards an unknown direction. responding cops recovered six spent shells of .45 caliber at the crime scene.

Chief Inspector Bautista claimed that Ujajun was allegedly the fourth most wanted drug dealer in this highly urbanized city.

Aquino now unsure about P50-b Nueva Ecija prison

By Ferdie G. Domingo GEN. TINIO, Nueva Ecija—President Benigno Aquino III is now reportedly unsure about transferring the New Bilibid Prison to new P50.2-billion facility that would be constructed in Nueva Ecija over fears he might be accused of entering into a midnight deal during the remaining days of his term.

President Aquino, who was in the province recently to inaugurate a solar farm, said if he had his way, he would have a correctional facility built before the end of his term even as he is now reluctant to approve the publicprivate partnership project. the facility is planned to be built inside the Fort Magsaysay Military

reservation. It is here where the President’s father, former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., was placed under solitary confinement during Martial Law. President Aquino said he discovered that documentation for the big-ticket project would be finalized on June 29, a day before he steps down from office.

he said executive Secretary Paquito ochoa had reminded him that the project would be awarded June 29 to complete the process.

“I will step down from office at noon of June 30. of course, there will be some questions that the project might be a midnight deal,” he said.

But he said Novo ecijanos had already anticipated the project which is expected to generate at least 53,800 jobs. the two-story facility is planned to be constructed under the build-transfer-maintain structure at a 500-hectare area in Barangay Nazareth inside the fort as a joint undertaking of the Department of Justice and the

Bureau of Corrections. teodora Diaz, BuCor assistant director, said the facility would have a maximum capacity of 26,000 inmates. twenty-thousand inmates from NBP and 2,000 from the Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City will be transferred to the Nueva ecija facility.

Bidding for the project was set in February 2015, seven months after it was presented to local officials. the contract was supposed to be signed in April 2015 and actual construction, estimated to take three years, should have started in october 2015. the following schedules, however, were all delayed.

Hello, turtle. A Southeast Asian box turtle, Cuora amboinensis, is one of the reptiles on exhibit at the Taalaman: Taal Lake’s first biomuseum, showcased at the University of Santo Tomas. DANNY PATA

Nolcom watches Chinese activity in Panatag Shoal

By Florante S. Solmerin

Highland veggies. Prices of highland vegetables like these ones in Atok, Benguet normally increase at the onset of the rainy season. DAve LeProzo

NortherN Luzon Command chief General romeo tanalgo on Friday said naval and air assets placed under the disposition of his command are conducting regular sovereignty patrols in the northern part of the West Philippine Sea amid reports by the United States about China’s plan for reclamation activities in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, a maritime domain well within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

Panatag was seized by the Chinese Coast Guard and Navy after the April 2012 standoff with the Philippine Navy, when the latter apprehended and boarded Chinese vessels poaching in the area.

Beijing reportedly wants to convert Panatag into an artificial island just

like what it did to some submersible island features within the Kalayaan Island Group in Palawan. “our naval and air assets have regular patrols from Benham rise in the east and Panatag Shoal in the west.

What assets I have right now, we use them for monitoring, search-andrescue and interdiction operations,” tanalgo said. he declined to disclose details of the platform the command was utilizing but hinted that the Armed Forces of the Philippines had recently acquired assets to boost naval and air capability. these will then be used to patrol the country’s territorial waters and airspace.

“Nolcom provides the necessary search-and-rescue and patrol assets for efficient and effective enforcement of maritime law,” tanalgo said.

M O N D AY : j u N E 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDitOr

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

cHina’s caulDrOn runnetH Over

[ EDI TORI A L ]

On being circumspect

bacK cHannel aleJanDrO Del rOsariO

category of the imperative, not really because of any conflation of ethics and law (which is not necessarily wrong, because positivists are not necessarily right!) but because the human face, as levinas so well put it, is the epiphany of the imperative.

Huwag magpatakbo ng matulin.

Kawawa yung masagasaan. Then, the reference is no longer to a faceless precept, nor is it merely the threat

FeelIng the heat from the boiling cauldron China itself had placed on the fire, Beijing wants Manila to withdraw the case it had filed before the united nations Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Beijing is now urging Manila to return to the negotiating table for bilateral talks.

What? Abandon its challenge to Beijing’s claim to nearly 90 percent of the resource-rich south China sea? This, even as The Hague court is about to hand down a ruling in weeks. Many expect the PCA to uphold the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone and adverse to China’s sweeping claim.

China must really be feeling the heat. The 10-member Association of southeast Asian nations is preparing a joint statement on the Hague decision. Asean, according to Indonesian officials, would be in a strange situation if it did not have any stand on this landmark ruling that affects not only the Philippines but also the overlapping claims of Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

Indonesia is not a claimant. It might, however, be difficult for Asean to come up with a consensus statement considering three other members— Cambodia, laos and Myanmar— have close trade and security links to Beijing.

As a signatory to the united nation Convention on the law of the sea, China faces the ignominy of being a rogue state if ignores the ruling of the PCA, a un body which has jurisdiction over land and maritime border disputes.

Hillary looks like it Hillary Clinton, the woman with the most recognizable face on the planet, has already made political history even before being elected the first woman president in the us elections in november. As the presumptive presidential nominee of the Democratic Party, her chances of beating Republican rival Donald Trump are quite good. The former

Continued on A11

Continued on A11

THERE has been a surfeit of outrageous statements since President-elect Rodrigo Duterte burst onto the scene of national politics some months ago, so it was deliciously ironic to listen to his designated Foreign Affairs secretary last week lecture United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon to be “more circumspect” in his statements.

Incoming Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay was referring to Ban’s statement against Duterte’s suggestion that corrupt journalists who destroy reputations and get killed had it coming.

In his statement before the UN Correspondents Association, Ban said he was “extremely disturbed” by Duterte’s remarks.

“I unequivocally condemn his apparent endorsement of extra-judicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms. Such comments are of particular concern in light of ongoing impunity for serious cases of violence against journalists in the Philippines,” Ban said.

Yasay based his objections on three points.

First, he said the remarks were taken out of context, and that Duterte had been misquoted.

Second, he said remarks made by the president-elect do not reflect official policy because Duterte has not yet been sworn in as president. Until such time, he added, Duterte was still the mayor of Davao City and a private citizen with no official voice on national issues.

Third, he said Ban should not have gone public and should have coursed his objections instead through official government channels.

The suggestion that Duterte was somehow misquoted or taken out of context is easy enough to check, since his videos of his press conferences are readily available online. While it is true that the president-elect never explicitly endorsed killing corrupt journalists, it is also true that statements to the effect that they got what they deserved might be misinterpreted by some that it is all right to use bullets instead of lawsuits to silence their critics.

Yasay’s second and third points are just simply silly, and even contradictory.

To say that Duterte’s statements as a president-elect should draw no reaction because they are not official policy is to also suggest that everything he said during the campaign should not have been taken seriously, simply because he had not yet won the presidency. This is ludicrous and to suggest this insults our intelligence—and makes Yasay look foolish.

Finally, in taking the UN secretary-general to task for not going through official government channels, Yasay contradicts himself because, as he points out, Duterte is not yet president; he’s just the mayor of Davao City. Was he suggesting that the UN chief channel his objections through the public information office of Davao City?

In this era of blunt and often profane talk that Duterte has ushered in, perhaps it is the president-elect’s minions who need a lesson on being circumspect. Speaking what is on your mind is fine, unless the ideas there are devoid of logic and common sense.

Governance: rules and fear pensées fr. ranHiliO callangan aquinO Rules and resources are what make up social structures.

And rules are of two kinds, between which there is a paradoxical relation. The rules about deference to one’s elders, attending to the needs of one’s kin, fidelity to the members of one’s clan—none of these rules

are really formally elaborated, none expressly promulgated.

But they are intensive rules because they have to do most closely with the way we live our daily lives. It is because of such rules that we are never really completely at a loss, that, no matter a different setting, there will always be an element of the familiar, a memory-trace by which one’s conduct is never completely outlandish.

Disrespect of

elders, disregard for one’s kin in time of need, arrogance in the community —all are sanctioned, in one way or the other, but one never mentions fines, or imprisonment, much less the capital punishment in regard to these intensive rules. The law for its part is a specialized kind of a rule—formal, discursively articulated, expressly promulgated but really, shallow—and because its roots

A9

Harshness has never made people more law-abiding.

do not run deep, motorists beat the red light when they see no cop on the prowl! The sanctions may be harsh, but that will not make these rules any more intense.

There is folly in the belief that multiplying the laws will make the citizens of the Republic more compliant with

them. If anything at all, adding to our already ponderous collection of precepts will only add to the commands ignored. And seeking harsher penalties for transgressions of the law exhibits a puerile understanding of social structures and of the nature of rules in relation to human life.

One progresses through three levels of maturation in respect to the law. The first level is that of the law with an “anonymous face”—better yet, the faceless law. It is captured very well by the expression basta ganoon ang ginagawa. When a person is a new to a place and is told to do what he considers peculiar if not distasteful, and he demands to know the reason for the command, he is merely told to comply. Basta

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-

dapat ganun. Fearing sanction is the second level. Huwag lalabas ng bahay. Papaluin ka ni nanay. It is fear of the pain of punishment that guarantees compliance, but that it is not a very good guarantee at all is obvious from the fact that when the child is sure that his mother will not see and will never know, he will most certainly slip out of the house. It is when the law has a human face that compliance with the law attains the

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

M O N D AY : j u N E 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

A8

opinion

ADELLE chuA eDitOr

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

opinion

cHina’s caulDrOn runnetH Over

[ EDI TORI A L ]

On being circumspect

bacK cHannel aleJanDrO Del rOsariO

category of the imperative, not really because of any conflation of ethics and law (which is not necessarily wrong, because positivists are not necessarily right!) but because the human face, as levinas so well put it, is the epiphany of the imperative.

Huwag magpatakbo ng matulin.

Kawawa yung masagasaan. Then, the reference is no longer to a faceless precept, nor is it merely the threat

FeelIng the heat from the boiling cauldron China itself had placed on the fire, Beijing wants Manila to withdraw the case it had filed before the united nations Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Beijing is now urging Manila to return to the negotiating table for bilateral talks.

What? Abandon its challenge to Beijing’s claim to nearly 90 percent of the resource-rich south China sea? This, even as The Hague court is about to hand down a ruling in weeks. Many expect the PCA to uphold the Philippines’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone and adverse to China’s sweeping claim.

China must really be feeling the heat. The 10-member Association of southeast Asian nations is preparing a joint statement on the Hague decision. Asean, according to Indonesian officials, would be in a strange situation if it did not have any stand on this landmark ruling that affects not only the Philippines but also the overlapping claims of Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

Indonesia is not a claimant. It might, however, be difficult for Asean to come up with a consensus statement considering three other members— Cambodia, laos and Myanmar— have close trade and security links to Beijing.

As a signatory to the united nation Convention on the law of the sea, China faces the ignominy of being a rogue state if ignores the ruling of the PCA, a un body which has jurisdiction over land and maritime border disputes.

Hillary looks like it Hillary Clinton, the woman with the most recognizable face on the planet, has already made political history even before being elected the first woman president in the us elections in november. As the presumptive presidential nominee of the Democratic Party, her chances of beating Republican rival Donald Trump are quite good. The former

Continued on A11

Continued on A11

THERE has been a surfeit of outrageous statements since President-elect Rodrigo Duterte burst onto the scene of national politics some months ago, so it was deliciously ironic to listen to his designated Foreign Affairs secretary last week lecture United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon to be “more circumspect” in his statements.

Incoming Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay was referring to Ban’s statement against Duterte’s suggestion that corrupt journalists who destroy reputations and get killed had it coming.

In his statement before the UN Correspondents Association, Ban said he was “extremely disturbed” by Duterte’s remarks.

“I unequivocally condemn his apparent endorsement of extra-judicial killing, which is illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms. Such comments are of particular concern in light of ongoing impunity for serious cases of violence against journalists in the Philippines,” Ban said.

Yasay based his objections on three points.

First, he said the remarks were taken out of context, and that Duterte had been misquoted.

Second, he said remarks made by the president-elect do not reflect official policy because Duterte has not yet been sworn in as president. Until such time, he added, Duterte was still the mayor of Davao City and a private citizen with no official voice on national issues.

Third, he said Ban should not have gone public and should have coursed his objections instead through official government channels.

The suggestion that Duterte was somehow misquoted or taken out of context is easy enough to check, since his videos of his press conferences are readily available online. While it is true that the president-elect never explicitly endorsed killing corrupt journalists, it is also true that statements to the effect that they got what they deserved might be misinterpreted by some that it is all right to use bullets instead of lawsuits to silence their critics.

Yasay’s second and third points are just simply silly, and even contradictory.

To say that Duterte’s statements as a president-elect should draw no reaction because they are not official policy is to also suggest that everything he said during the campaign should not have been taken seriously, simply because he had not yet won the presidency. This is ludicrous and to suggest this insults our intelligence—and makes Yasay look foolish.

Finally, in taking the UN secretary-general to task for not going through official government channels, Yasay contradicts himself because, as he points out, Duterte is not yet president; he’s just the mayor of Davao City. Was he suggesting that the UN chief channel his objections through the public information office of Davao City?

In this era of blunt and often profane talk that Duterte has ushered in, perhaps it is the president-elect’s minions who need a lesson on being circumspect. Speaking what is on your mind is fine, unless the ideas there are devoid of logic and common sense.

Governance: rules and fear pensées fr. ranHiliO callangan aquinO Rules and resources are what make up social structures.

And rules are of two kinds, between which there is a paradoxical relation. The rules about deference to one’s elders, attending to the needs of one’s kin, fidelity to the members of one’s clan—none of these rules

are really formally elaborated, none expressly promulgated.

But they are intensive rules because they have to do most closely with the way we live our daily lives. It is because of such rules that we are never really completely at a loss, that, no matter a different setting, there will always be an element of the familiar, a memory-trace by which one’s conduct is never completely outlandish.

Disrespect of

elders, disregard for one’s kin in time of need, arrogance in the community —all are sanctioned, in one way or the other, but one never mentions fines, or imprisonment, much less the capital punishment in regard to these intensive rules. The law for its part is a specialized kind of a rule—formal, discursively articulated, expressly promulgated but really, shallow—and because its roots

A9

Harshness has never made people more law-abiding.

do not run deep, motorists beat the red light when they see no cop on the prowl! The sanctions may be harsh, but that will not make these rules any more intense.

There is folly in the belief that multiplying the laws will make the citizens of the Republic more compliant with

them. If anything at all, adding to our already ponderous collection of precepts will only add to the commands ignored. And seeking harsher penalties for transgressions of the law exhibits a puerile understanding of social structures and of the nature of rules in relation to human life.

One progresses through three levels of maturation in respect to the law. The first level is that of the law with an “anonymous face”—better yet, the faceless law. It is captured very well by the expression basta ganoon ang ginagawa. When a person is a new to a place and is told to do what he considers peculiar if not distasteful, and he demands to know the reason for the command, he is merely told to comply. Basta

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-

dapat ganun. Fearing sanction is the second level. Huwag lalabas ng bahay. Papaluin ka ni nanay. It is fear of the pain of punishment that guarantees compliance, but that it is not a very good guarantee at all is obvious from the fact that when the child is sure that his mother will not see and will never know, he will most certainly slip out of the house. It is when the law has a human face that compliance with the law attains the

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

MST ONLINE

can be accessed at: www.manilastandardtoday.com

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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

Rolando G. Estabillo Jojo A. Robles Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Francis Lagniton Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

A10 ThreaTs of mining resurfacing Despite presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte’s warning rita linda to mining firms v. jimeno to shape up, the religious, led by Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and the citizens of Lobo, Batangas who have been fighting against mining by a foreign firm in their municipality, are again, jittery.

This quiet but nature-blessed mountainous mu n icipa l it y that lies along the Verde island passage Marine right after the Corridor— elections, half of declared as the center of the the members of the center of the council suddenly world’s marine made known their biodiversit y— was jolted into intention to kill the w a k e f u l n e s s proposed ordinance. early last year when its residents got wind of their sangguniang Bayan’s endorsement to egerton Gold philippines inc. and MRL Gold inc. to carry out an open pit gold mining project in Lobo covering 262 hectares.

Open-pit type mining (surface contouring) is known as dirty mining. studies have shown that modern industrial gold mining destroys landscapes and creates huge amounts of toxic waste. it generates about 20 tons of toxic waste for every 0.333 ounce gold ring. too, mining has been shown to impoverish communities, destroy rivers and seas and displace people while enriching only the mining companies, mostly foreign-owned.

The people of Lobo then held numerous rallies and dialogues with the town’s sanggunian and mayor. The media pitched in by exposing the significance of Lobo for its vast watersheds and the threat of mining to the Verde island passage. After months of relentless protests by the people against mining, the sangguniang Bayan—realizing that the acceptability of mining to Lobo’s inhabitants was absent—unanimously revoked and cancelled the endorsement it previously gave to the mining companies, in July 2015. Undeterred, the mining companies filed a motion for reconsideration which, in January 2016 was denied by the sangguniang Bayan. to further boost the people’s confidence that mining will never again be a threat to the people, the Verde island passage, and this beautiful town, the sangguniang Bayan passed a Comprehensive Land Use Ordinance—ratified by the sangguniang panlalawigan in september 2015 which excluded mining from the allowed land uses in the municipality. This was followed still by an Ordinance authored by the Chair of the Committee on environment, Councilor Rey Amparo, banning mining in Lobo. The proposed Ordinance was unanimously approved on second reading by the sangguniang Bayan sometime in March of this year.

The third reading was deferred as the councilors had to start their respective campaign for the 2016 elections.

out of the box

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OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

commiTTee pROViNCiAL folks recognize wife or brother, in much the same So the “committee” as the Comite way that because of term limits, de Festejos, which the parish elective positions are passed on i See church workers organize as a matter of “herencia.” lito to oversee the activities of Recall how in the previous banayo the annual fiesta. As fiesta Congresses before the incoming, celebrations became grander, the public Works Committee was the “comite” was then subdivided into several held for the longest time by senator Ramon components, or sub-committees, such as Revilla, and then passed on to his heredero, finance or ways and means, sports (for the senator Bong. Recall, too, how senator Lito youth), for the beauty contest (which has Lapid always got the Games and Amusements become a “must” these days), for an amateur Committee of the senate. same thing happens singing or “talent” contest, for the fireworks, in the House, but because there are so many the tarpaulins and banderitas, for practically congressmen, their hereditary titles are not as every logistic, leaving the matter of the pronounced in the public eye. procession of the patron saint and the mass there are more committees than there to the parish priest and his faithful CWL and are senators in the senate. And when Knights of Columbus adherents. “major” legislation is passed, the senators the joint session of the two houses of and congressmen create special “oversight” Congress, incidentally, creates a “welcome committees to “ensure” that implementation committee,” some kind of a special escort team by the executive agencies of their magnum of privileged members assigned to meet the opus of legislation, for example, the epira that president of the Republic when he goes to the governs our energy industry, is properly done.

Batasan, and escorts him to the cavernous hall there is oversight on tax reform, oversight on where await the nation’s officialdom to listen so many “major” legislative measures. A simple to his state of the Nation Address every fourth word, to describe the oversight committees is Monday of July. “comite de pakialam.” pardon the irreverence.

Of late, and until the start of the sessions the House has virtually proclaimed a of Congress, the jockeying for committee new speaker in the person of Davao del and sub-committee chairs will be the most Norte’s pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez. even the grueling work of our legislators and those who outgoing speaker who has held on to the post would lead the two houses. this is where the throughout the last six years has travelled to best horse-trading skills are demonstrated by Davao to proclaim his successor. Now comes the leadership. the job of distributing the chairs. But speaker You would think from the outside that the Bebot is doing it superbly, with little “noise,” task of distributing chairmanships of the and everybody is happy—well, almost. “comites” is easier in the House than in the it is to his leadership credit that the humongous senate, as there are almost 300 members in Liberal party has sundered (surrendered is too Quezon City as against a mere 24 in pasay. harsh a term) and most of what was left of it Wrong. after switching to the new party in town (pDpin the first place, what is this fascination for Laban) has quietly coalesced. And it has been committees all about? left to UNA’s toby tiangco or Danny suarez to Well, simple. Chairmanship of a committee decide by themselves who wants the distinction is power. Chairmanship is platform for one’s of becoming the Minority Floorleader, although advocacy, one’s special interests. Legislation the fiery Bicolano veteran, Lp’s edcel Lagman, is done through committee work, as bills is supposedly interested as well. are referred for digestion by the appropriate But then again, the speakership’s “control” committee before it is sent to the floor for every of the House is stronger than the senate member of the House to ingest. president’s “hold” on his 24 independent Committee chairs are so prized that a father republics. the congressman’s normal be-all Continued on A11 legislator even “bequeaths” the same to a son or Lobo and the Verde island passage seemed out of danger. But lo, after the election, when the proposed anti-mining Ordinance was set for third reading, which is normally devoted to refine the form and language of the ordinance, half of the members of the council suddenly made known their intention to kill the proposed ordinance.

The people, once again troubled, discovered that the sangguniang Bayan received and, mysteriously, gave way to a petition to suspend the third reading of the ordinance filed by egerton Gold inc. What baffles the Lobo residents is that egerton Gold does not have any legal personality to interfere in, or question, any of the legislative acts of the sanggunian Bayan.

Yet, the sanggunian has delayed the third reading even if it had revoked its endorsement for egerton Gold to conduct mining in Lobo. And, even if it was merely acting consistent with an earlier Ordinance it passed—the Comprehensive Land Use plan— which excluded mining among the allowed land uses

in Lobo. in fact, by passing an ordinance banning mining in Lobo, the sangguniang Bayan would merely be supporting the Constitution as well as laws and executive orders declaring the Verde island passage Marine Corridor as a protected site and Lobo as an ecotourism area as identified in the National tourism Development plan of the government. This makes Lobo off-limits to mining. so, what could have emboldened the mining company to, once again, assert its presence in Lobo?

And what might have moved the Lobo councilors who previously voted to cancel their endorsement in favor of a mining project, and who voted on first and second readings to pass an ordinance banning mining, to suddenly turn around, after the 2016 election? The citizens of Lobo wish they are only imagining ghosts.

Email: ritalindaj@gmail.com Visit: www.jimenolaw.com.ph

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

committee... From A10 and end-all is making his constituents happy.

It’s all about his district, it’s share of projects, it’s partaking of the public gravy train, and of course, who gets to be the district engineer.

The Senate is otra cosa. Elected at large by the entire nation, each of the 24 independent republics boasts of a national vote, sometimes exceeding that of the president-elect himself. Por eso, con muchos votos, grandes cabezas.

There are the coveted chairs: Finance, Public Order, Justice, Blue Ribbon, Public Works, Ways and Means, Public Services. There are the special interest committees that cater to instincts “protective” of important industries that are objects of government regulatory powers. There are special advocacies, such as those in Health, Education, Agriculture, Labor, and the like.

Neophyte senators are wont to settle for the “lesser” committees, for a period of learning the ropes, but returning senators (those who hibernated for a few years after serving their twoterm limit) are to be treated as seniors as well.

Navigating through these committee chair demands could be a mine pit. If you favor one, you could disfavor another, and thus lose that precious

Governance... From A9 of reprisal that compels obedience to the law, but regard, respect, consideration for the other.

Harshness has never made people more lawabiding. And that should be fair warning too to any government that thinks of governance as keeping a terrified people in line. You do not govern by emasculating the system of checks and balances —certainly not, when nothing less is aimed at than a subversion of the constitutional order. A supermajority that assures the President that his agenda will be the Legislature’s is already an atrocity, insofar as our present constitutional theory goes. But far more atrocious is warning Congress not to use its power of oversight and its duty to inquire in aid of legislation. For sure, Congress wore our patience thin in the departing administration by making use of investigations to persecute enemies no end and to destroy the careers of those wearing other stripes.

Harshness only sends the signal that the only way to undo the perpetuation of a harsh regime is by mustering even harsher strength and measures. And in any language, this is a terrible prospect.

You will never secure compliance with the law by promising to execute fifty condemned persons per month. Such an orgy of state-sponsored murder will

#failocracy

one vote in 24. Very, very tricky.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III was announced as the presumptive leader of the Senate by no less than the incumbent, Senator Franklin Drilon of the Liberal Party. And likewise by Senator Vicente Sotto III of the NPC. The Liberals supported Mar Roxas; the NPC, Grace Poe. Even as the signals from Davao favored the incoming president’s defeated running mate Senator Alan Cayetano who has three more years left of his mandated term limits, Senator Koko sealed a pact, complete with chairmanships, with the leaders of groups and parties who did not support the president-elect. It’s all about the numbers, after all.

How shall this cozy arrangement sit with the incoming president? How shall the new president see the assumption to committee heads of senators who are likely to block his pet legislative proposals, especially the controversial ones? Or those who would initiate investigations “in aid of legislation” on practically anything they desire? And put his Cabinet members in the Senate’s hot seats?

How will the new president deal with 24 independent republics?

Ah, democracy.

only desensitize the nation to the horror of taking another person’s life—until executions become routine, and there will be nothing more horrendous about snuffing out the life of another human being.

Rather you coax society into that maturity by which its members are capable of recognizing the human face—that summons me to responsibility—in the commands and injunctions of the law.

Really then, cruelty and harshness get us nowhere.

It was one harsh regime after the other, towards the end of the Roman Empire, and the zeal of executioners won no reprieve for a doomed empire.

It is national maturity after which we must aim— and that starts with a government that leads in the ways of thoughtfulness, circumspection, respect and reflection. It has to do, MacIntyre ponders, with asking questions about the nature of things, troubling ourselves with ends, and cultivating virtue after we have reoriented ourselves to the demands of reason. For indeed, there is nothing more threatening than a nation that has given up on reason and that pins its hopes for its salvation in savagery! rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

china’s... From A9 Secretary of State, New York senator and First Lady who stayed loyal to an unfaithful husband is riding on the women’s votes and on Trump’s self-destructing public pronouncements in the campaign.

Among Trump’s outrageous statements were to build a wall along the US-Mexican border “to keep out those drug dealers and rapists out of America.”

He lost a lot of the Latino votes which could spell the difference in the US presidential election. He also rebuked and ridiculed a US judge of Hispanic descent who was deciding a case where he was involved.

There is also a “dump Trump” undercurrent within the Republican Party come convention time because the Grand Old Party (GOP) finds the billionaire businessman’s public statements too radical for its conservative party platform.

A Washington wag joked that this is actually Hillary’s second term since she was really the power behind former President Bill Clinton during his time at the White House.

The signs are good for Hillary. The US voted its first Catholic president in John F. Kennedy, its first African-American president in Barack Obama.

America’s evolving and changing voting preference augurs well for its first female president. Germany has had its Angela Merkel as Chancellor, Britain its Margaret Thatcher and India its Indira Gandhi.

Latin America and Asia are well ahead of America on this one.

Why not a Hillary Clinton? It’s an idea whose time has come.

Cynthia Villar opposes Manila Bay Airport Senator Cynthia Aguilar Villar is opposing the construction of a P13-billion airport project on land to be reclaimed on Manila Bay. The Las Piñas senator and the wife of real estate magnate Manny Villar says her reason for resisting the project proposed by San Miguel Corp.’s Ramon Ang is that it would be inimical to the environment and clean air of Metro Manilans. This includes, of course, her bailiwick of Las Piñas.

So, where does she want to locate the new airport? In Las Piñas, or other future land development areas of Vistaland, the real estate empire of the Villars. The airport’s construction would drive up land values. Maybe she should ask son Mark Villar, the newly appointed secretary of Public Works and Highways. Their family has no compunction about accepting the position even if there is a blatant conflict of interest.

What about the welfare of Rep. Mark Villar’s constituents in Las Piñas who voted for him? No problem. I guess, Mommy and Daddy will take care of them since they and the Aguilars own Las Piñas anyway.

chong ardivilla

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A12

sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Murray eyes record 5th Queen’s title LONDON—Andy Murray has set his sights on the perfect warm-up for Wimbledon as the world number two eyes a record fifth title at Queen’s Club.

Hanawa whips PH foe, captures WBC atom belt

By Ronnie Nathanielsz JAPAN’S unbeaten Erica Hanawa won the World Boxing Council Asia Continental female atomweight title with a unanimous six-round decision over rugged Filipina Kristine Latube.

The Filipina boxer’s swarming tactics had Hanawa bewildered at times, before the Japanese girl used her handspeed and nimble footwork to stay out of trouble and pile up the points.

All three judges scored the fight for Hanawa, with British judge Robert Bridges turning in a 59-55 scorecard, which was duplicated by Jerrold Tomeldan. The third judge, Gil Co had the Japanese girl winning by a 58-56 margin.

The 1 win, 9 loss, 2 draws record of Latube was thrown out of the window as she charged forward aggressively to stun the unbeaten Hanawa, who had 4 wins including a knockout, before the Japanese girl settled down to catch the tiring Latube with quick combinations in the six-round bout.

While Latube won the approval of the fans at the Mandaluyong Elementary School in Barangay Poblacion with her sometimes wild punches in a desperate effort to score a knockdown, Hanawa used her all-round boxing skills to maintain her unbeaten streak in a tough battle she apparently didn’t bargain for considering the record of Latube.

Hanawa was coming off a secondround TKO of Thailand’s Shisa Mnopgym at the Korakuen Hall last March 1, while Latube lost by a seventh-round TKO in a battle for the vacant Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation female flyweight title to Yunoka Furukawa last Feb. 21 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Britain’s Andy Murray wipes sweat off his face during the men’s final match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic at the Roland Garros 2016 French Tennis Open in Paris. AFP

Capadocia leads winners of HEAD Jr. tennis 18th leg JADE Charito Capadocia captured the girls’ 18-under singles’ title, while top seed Miles Vitaliano bagged two titles in the last leg of 18th HEAD Graphene XT Junior Tennis Satellite Circuit recently at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.

Capadocia, one of the country’s rising young tennis players, rallied past No. 1 Melanie Faye Dizon, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, in the girls’ 18-and-under finals to take home the crown of the final leg of the grassroots competition organized by Dynamic Sports.

The top seed Vitaliano, on the other hand, defeated No. 2 seed Macie Carlos, 6-1, 6-2, to clinch the girls’ 14-and-under singles’ crown and then forced Melanie Faye Dizon into submission, 1-0 (retire), in the championship round of girls’ 16-and-under for her second trophy.

Second seed Adeline Abadia outlasted Khryshana Brazal, 6-4, 6-3, to win the girls’ 12-and-under crown.

The tournament, participated in by more than 500 players around Metro Manila, was supported by HEAD, Chris Sports,

Toalson, 92.5 FM Aksyon Sports, Reach Magazine, Philippine Tennis Association, Pilipino Mirror, ANC, Impact Magazine and Podcast.ph.

“We are very thankful and proud of the players who competed in the 18th HEAD junior tennis satellite circuit competition,” said HEAD Philippines Managing Director Liza Tang-Yuquico.

“We are very happy to become part of tennis development in the country for 18 years.”

In the boys’ side, Eduardo Bagaforo blasted top seed Jeremiah Macias, 6-4, 1-6, 6-2, to pocket the boys’ 18-and-under singles title, while top seed Jed Justin Labasano outplayed Al Francis Andrade, 6-4, 6-0, to get the boys’ 16-and-under diadem.

Third seed Jan Harold Trillanes whipped Matthew Garcia, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, to grab the boys’ 14-and-under crown, while Jude Miguel Hidalgo derailed Juan Rafael Mendoza, 6-2, 7-5, to claim the boys’ 12-and-under crown.

Sherwin Rey Nuguit won over Mica Ella Emana, 4-1, 4-1, to gain the 10-and-under unisex trophy.

Participants and champions of the 18th HEAD Jr. tennis Manila leg are shown after the tournament.

Murray won his fourth Queen’s crown last year to equal the record set by John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, Boris Becker and Roy Emerson.

After losing in his first French Open final appearance against Novak Djokovic earlier this month, Murray is back on the practice courts in west London ahead of Monday’s start at Queen’s and will face French world number 49 Nicolas Mahut in the first round.

Murray’s grass court pedigree is among the best in the world after he memorably ended Britain’s 77year wait for a male singles champion at Wimbledon in 2013.

The 29-year-old Scot had lifted the Queen’s trophy just a few weeks prior to that epic success and hopes a similar feat is on the cards this year as he looks to add to his two Grand Slam titles.

“If I could win it for a fifth time it would be amazing,” said Murray, who made his Queen’s debut as a scruffy teenager back in 2005.

“The names that have won four times, they are all great tennis players.”

In the quarter-finals, Murray is scheduled to face French eighth seed Gilles Simon, while France’s Richard Gasquet is seeded to meet him in the last four.

Second seed Stan Wawrinka could be lying in wait if Murray reaches his fifth Queen’s final.

Wawrinka this week added 1996 Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek to his coaching team in a bid to improve his relatively underwhelming results on grass.

The Swiss world number five has never been beyond the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 11 attempts despite winning the Australian Open and French Open and he told coach Magnus Norman he was keen to bring a grass-court specialist like Krajicek on board for a few weeks.

“When I was younger it was very difficult for me on grass. In the last few years I started to play better, but for sure there is a lot of space for improvement,” said Wawrinka, whose reign as French Open champion was ended

by Murray in the semi-finals.

“We wanted to add someone because I’m always looking to improve and try new things. AFP

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sports sports@thestandard.com.ph

Valdez suits up as BaliPure eyes no. 3 win Games today 4 p.m. – Iriga vs NU 6:30 p.m. – UP vs BaliPure

ALYSSA Valdez finally gets to strut her wares before adoring fans and against a University of the Philippines side out to fuel its own semifinal drive as action in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference heats up Monday at The Arena in San Juan.

The Water Defenders have racked up two victories against a loss with Valdez trying to whip herself into competitive form following a European jaunt but with the league’s former MVP back in harness, the team is upbeat of its chances to pick up another win and join Air Force at second at 3-1.

Pocari Sweat, a new team backstopped by a slew of talented veteran campaigners and rising stars, booked the first semis berth with a straight-set romp over Team Baguio last Saturday for a 4-0 card.

Air Force failed to match that mark when it fell to a resurgent Team Laoag side, also in three, giving BaliPure a crack at second halfway through the single round elims of the season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s and backed

by Mikasa and Accel.

With Valdez, also a former two-time UAAP MVP, back and Gretchel Soltones in superb form, the Water Defenders could well be on their way to a cruise against the Lady Maroons, who snapped a two-game skid with a four-set victory over Baguio last week.

Gametime is at 6:30 p.m. after the 4 p.m. clash between Iriga and NU. Both games will be aired live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

The Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, hope to check their skid and resume their hunt for a spot in the next round but coach Roger Gorayeb needs to draw solid games from Jaja Santiago, Jorelle Singh, Risa Sato, Joy Doromal and Jasmin Nabor to stop Iriga.

Like NU, Iriga totes a 1-2 card in a tie with UP but the Lady Oragons, led by Grazielle Bombita and Shola Alvarez, are raring to rebound from their four-set setback to the Water Defenders last week.

NU’s Jaja Santiago and Jorelle Singh actually pace the scoring roster with 64 and 53 hits, respectively, but the Lady Bulldogs have struggled since beating Laoag in four last May 28, bowing to Pocari and BaliPure and dropping to joint fifth.

Only Baguio is out of the semis race with four defeats.

Ceremonial move. Shell Social Performance and Social Investment Manager Melanie Bularan (left) and Grandmaster Ronald Dableo make the ceremonial move opening the 24th Shell Youth Active Chess Championship at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong. on Saturday. LINO SANTOS

Bolt bucks horrible start to win Racers Grand Prix

KINGSTON—Jamaica’s Usain Bolt shook off a “horrible start” to win the 100m at the Racers Grand Prix athletics meeting in 9.88sec, the second-fastest time in the world this year.

“It wasn’t a perfect race, but the good thing was that I won and I came out injury free,” said Bolt, who got away slowly but powered home, catching the field at about 50 meters and celebrating as he got to the line first to the delight of a big crowd at the national stadium in Kingston.

The sprint superstar led three compatriots under 10 seconds in a race run in a wind of one meter per second.

Nickel Ashmeade and Yohan Blake were both timed in 9.94sec, with Asafa Powell finishing in 9.98.

The race was only the fourth time that Bolt, former world record holder Powell and 2011 world champion

Yohan Blake have clashed in Kingston and more than 30,000 fans turned out for the warm up for Jamaica’s Olympic trials later this month.

Powell had hoped for better, running fourth despite what he described as a calf cramp.

Running before his home crowd for the first time in about two years, Bolt said: “It’s good to be back, it has been a while since I ran here.”

While Bolt said execution was key in the 100m, he was pleased to overcome his technical flaws on the night.

“Even when you don’t get it right you have to stay strong, composed and run through,” he said.

“I was not completely happy

with execution as the start was horrible and did not set up the race, but I won and that is good.”

Bolt improved on the 9.98sec he posted in Ostrava on May 20.

With the August 5-21 Rio Games less than two months away, Bolt moved ahead of US rival Justin Gatlin on the 2016 world list, the American owning a time of 9.93 that puts him fourthfastest in the world this year.

France’s Jimmy Vicaut owns the fastest time in the world in 2016, 9.86sec at a meeting in Montreuil on June 7.

- Win for Fraser-Pryce World and Olympic champion Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce won the women’s 100m in a subdued 11.09sec, coming back from a toe injury that has hampered her training.

American Barbara Pierre was second in 11.11 and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kelly-Ann Baptiste took third in 11.15 seconds.

In other events, Shauna Miller of the Bahamas ran a personal best 22.05sec to win the wom-

en’s 200m.

The lanky runner came off the curve in second place but chased and caught American Jenna Prandin and eased away to win her second half-lap race in Kingston this year.

Prandin clocked 22.39 seconds while Jamaican Audra Segree was third in 22.89 seconds Miguel Francis of Antigua ran a personal best 19.88sec to win a strong men’s 200m.

Jamaica’s Julian Forte was second in 20.18 ahead of compatriot Warren Weir, who settled for third in 20.32.

American Johnny Dutch won the 400m hurdles in a world leading 48.10sec, surpassing his own 48.6 set on April 16th in the Bahamas.

Jamaican Roxroy Cato was second in 48.98 seconds and Annsert Whyte of Jamaica third in 49.25.

South Africa’s 400m world champion Wayde Van Niekerk, won the rarely contested 300m in a blistering 31.03sec. AFP

Vitaliano posts twin-kill in netfest

Miles Vitaliano (left) holds her trophy and prizes as she poses with fellow winner Marcus del Rosario (center) and PPS-PEPP associate Chito Castro during awards rites of the PPS-PEPP NCR leg at Olivarez Sports Center.

MILES Vitaliano mastered young Macie Carlos twice to capture the girls’ 14- and 16-and-under crowns while Marcus del Rosario snared the boys’ 16-U plum in the Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala regional agegroup tennis Manila leg at the Olivarez Sports Center indoor courts in Sucat, Paranaque Sunday.

Vitaliano fought off Carlos’ early challenge then asserted her might midway through the duel of the top two seeded bets to prevail, 6-2, 6-3, in the 14-U finals then the talented QC bet repeated in

the 16-U championship, 6-0, 6-4, to emerge the lone double winner in the Group 2 tournament which drew a record more than 300 entries, including full-packed 64-player rosters in seven categories.

No. 5 Chloe Mae Saraza, another ace from QC, bested Bea De Ocampo, 6-0, 6-4, to cop the girls’ 18-U title while No. 6 Joel Atienza, also from QC, held off Jed Labasano, 6-4, 6-2, to clinch the premier crown in the boys’ side of the seven-day tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president and CEO Bob-

by Castro and presented

by Slazenger.

“We were overwhelmed by the huge turnout and the enthusiasm of our young players in pursuit of glory and ranking points. This only inspires us to continue supporting the sport and help in discovering fresh talents, not only in Manila but throughout the country,” said Castro.

Matthew Garcia, son of former tennis star and TV anchor Dyan Castillejo, took the 14-U diadem with a 1-0 (ret.) win over Joseph Geluz while La Union’s Andrei Jarata and Cainta’s Kryshanna Brazal shared the 12-U

honors in the event tournament backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusive distributor of Slazenger, and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association headed by president and Paranaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez.

The top-seeded Jarata subdued Shant Nuguit, 6-1, 6-4, while Brazal downed Glydel Guevarra, 6-1, 6-4.

Unseeded local bet Sherwin Nuguit also grabbed the spotlight as he snared the hotlydisputed 10-unisex plum with a 5-4(2), 4-5(4), 4-1 decision over No. 6 Darwin Cosca.

Meanwhile, action shifts

A14

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

M O N DAY : JUN E 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

4 Filipino archers eye Rio berths

By Peter Atencio FOUR Filipino archers will be in the World Cup this week in Antalya, Turkey, seeking Olympic qualifying berths to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

The four hopefuls include London Olympic veteran Rachelle dela Cruz, Youth Olympic Games mixed doubles’ gold medal winner Gabriel Moreno, 2015 World Cup ninth placer Kareel Hongitan and veteran Florante Matan.

Over 400 archers from all over the world are seeking to avail of the over 24 berths at stake in Turkey.

This includes six individual categories, three in the men’s division and another three in the women’s side.

Organizers are also offering six more tripartite or universality slots to complete the total number of 128 archers who can see action in Rio. A total of 98 Olympic berths have been distributed in last year’s World Championships in Denmark and in different Continental Qualifiers.

Quota places have already been given to archers in the United States, Italy, China, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Netherlands and Spain.

In the women’s side, India already has qualifiers, along with South Korea, Russia, Colombia, Georgia and China.

Hartmann to play in Singapore GEYLAND International FC has signed up Fil-British football player Mark Hartmann.

The Singaporean club team acquired the services of Hartmann after he agreed to move over from Global FC. Hartmann will become the first Filipino to play in the S-League, donning jersey No. 16 for Geylang.

Meanwhile, Adrian Gallardo knocked in a season-high eight goals as Ceres-La Salle beat Pasargad, 16-0, giving retiring skipper Juani Guirado a fitting send-off Sunday in the United Football League at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Spanish striker struck twice in the first half, before finding the back of the net six more times in the second half.

Peter Atencio

13.5.

14. Options Considered. The specifications of the Transmission Project reflect the scheme with the least cost, and which can be delivered and constructed on time. Also, the plans and designs of the Transmission Project are based on plans and designs used by NGCP for its transmission lines.

A discussion of the options considered in determining the most practical and least costly manner of connecting the Power Project to the Luzon Grid was attached to the Application as Annex “D.”

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP, OWN, AND OPERATE DEDICATED POINTTO-POINT LIMITED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES TO CONNECT THE 100 MWP POWER PROJECT OF JOBIN-SQM, INC. TO THE LUZON GRID, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,

15. Moreover, the connection to the NGCP Subic Substation is the most cost effective because it is the nearest switching station to the Power Project, at a distance of only approximately seven kilometers.

ERC CASE NO. 2016-005 MC

16. Technical Studies. Consistent with the 2006 Open Access Transmission Service Rules, Applicant JSI engaged the services of a third-party consultant to undertake the preparation of the necessary studies for the Transmission Project.

16.1.

JOBIN-SQM, INC. (JSI), Applicant. x-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING On 2 February 2016, Jobin-SQM, Inc. (JSI) filed an application for authority to develop, own, and operate dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities to connect the 100 MWp Power Project of JSl to the Luzon Grid, with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

16.2.

In support of said application, JSI alleged. among others, the following: That Applicant JSI is a generation company duly authorized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal address at Grande Island, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales.

Copies of JSI’s Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation with the attached Amended Articles of Incorporation, its By-Laws and its latest General Information Sheet are attached to the Application as Annexes “A” and series.

2.

Pursuant to Section 9 of Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, and Section 5, Rule 5 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the Application was submitted to secure authority from the Commission for JSI to develop, own, and operate its dedicated pointto-point limited transmission facilities, composed of a 230kV, 795 MCM conductor, single circuit interconnection that extends from its 100 MWp solar power generation project (the “Power Project”) to the 230kV Substation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (“NGCP”) located in Subic, Zambales (the “NGCP Subic Substation”).

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS

4.

Increasing Demand for Power Supply in the Luzon Grid. The demand in the Luzon Grid is continuously increasing, and there is a need to ensure that power supply in the Grid will be sufficient to meet this steadily increasing demand. Otherwise, Luzon may suffer from outages, adversely affecting, not only the region’s business growth and overall economic development, but also the quality of people’s lives.

5.

Utilization of Renewable Energy Sources. Renewable energy (“RE”) sources such as solar can greatly help address the increasing power requirements of the Grid in an environmentfriendly manner.

6.

Unlike other fossil fuel-based energy sources, renewable energy sources produce clean, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly energy. They will displace coal and fossil fuel energy generation and, in this way, help mitigate climate change. They also help reduce the country’s dependence on imported coal and petroleum products, which puts the country at risk not only to foreign exchange fluctuations and changes in global markets, but also to political and economic events in the fuel supplying regions.

7.

Thus, the government’s thrust is to promote renewable energy in order to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. In line with this, legal reforms have been instituted towards increasing the country’s RE capacities through increased investments in the sector, as well as through priority connections to the grid.

7.1

In particular, Section 11 of the Renewable Energy Law of 20081 aims to ensure that the proposed RE resources are integrated in the respective development plans of NGCP and distribution utilities. Thus, the law states:

16.3.

A Facilities Study (“FS”) was also conducted for the Power Project. Likewise, Applicant JSI requested NGCP to review the FS. In relation to its review of the FS, NGCP issued a certification that the FS for the power plant is being reviewed by NGCP. The said certificate also states that JSI is in the process of securing with NGCP a Connection Agreement (“CA”). Moreover, the certification states that the parties have agreed, in principle, to the general terms and conditions of the CA were attached and the same is being finalized.

Copies of the FS, JSI’s request for NGCP’s review of the FS and NGCP’s certification were attached to the Application as Annexes “G,” “G-1” and “G-2,” respectively.

17. Estimated Project Cost. The total project cost of the Transmission Project is estimated at PhP1,034,469,188.78.

A copy of the breakdown of the said project cost was attached to the Application as Annex “H.” 18. Environmental Compliance Certificate. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued the necessary Environmental Compliance Certificate (“ECC”) covering the Power Project and the Transmission Project.

A copy of the ECC was attached to the Application as Annex “I “ .

Technical and Financial Capability of JSI 19. JSI is fully equipped with the necessary technical and financial capacity to develop, own, operate, and maintain the Transmission Project.

20. Technical Capability. JSI has a team of qualified, experienced and competent engineers to operate and maintain the Transmission Project.

A copy of the summary of the curriculum vitae of the said engineers was attached to the Application as Annex “J.” 21. Financial Capability. JSI is capable of financing the cost of the Transmission Project, as indicated by the financial capability of its principal stockholder, Emerging Power Inc. (“EPI”), which owns 99.99% of JSI. A copy of EPI’s latest Audited Financial Statements was attached to the Application as Annex “K.”

Section 11. Transmission and Distribution System Development.

TRANSCO or its successors-in-interest or its buyer/concessionaire and all DUs, shall include the required connection facilities for RE-based power facilities in the Transmission and Distribution Development Plans: Provided, That such facilities are approved by the DOE. The connection facilities of RE power plants, including the extension of transmission and distribution lines, shall be subject only to ancillary services covering such connections. (Emphasis supplied.)

7.2

Notably, NGCP’s report on its review of the First SIS states that it is technically feasible to connect the initial 20 MWp of solar power capacity and some wind power capacity to the Luzon Grid. In addition, the Second SIS states that the grid connection of the additional 80 MW is technically feasible. Further, it states that the full additional 80 MW capacity can be accommodated by the Luzon Grid without any required reinforcement. Furthermore, NGCP issued a certification that the SIS for the 80 MWp solar power plant is being reviewed by NGCP. The said certificate also states that JSI is in the process of securing with NGCP a Connection Agreement (“CA”). Moreover, the certification states that the parties have agreed, in principle, to the general terms and conditions of the CA and the same is being finalized.

A copy of the said NGCP certification was attached to the Application as Annex “F-2.”

JSI may be served orders and other processes through the undersigned counsel.

NATURE OF THE APPLICATION

3.

Two System Impact Studies (“SIS”) were conducted for the Power Project to determine the impact of the Power Project on the Luzon Grid. The first is for the initial 20 MWp of solar power capacity and some wind power capacity which JSI may put up later on (the “First SIS”), and the second is for an additional 80 MWp of solar power capacity (the “Second SIS”), which completes the entire intended capacity of the Power Project.

Copies of the First SIS and NGCP’s report of its review of the First SIS were attached to the Application as Annexes “E” and “E-1,” respectively. Copies of the Second SIS and Applicant JSI’s request for NGCP’s review were attached as Annexes “F” and “F-1,” respectively.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

1.

Gantt Chart Schedule. The timeline for the implementation of the Transmission Project was attached to the Application as Annex “C.”

Also, Section 7 of the Renewable Energy Law mandates the formulation of a feed-in-tariff (“FIT”) that will include priority connections for RE sources such as solar. Thus, the law states: Section 7. Feed-In Tariff System.

21.1.

EPI is a generation company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal address at Suite 1603 B, 16th Floor, West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Centre, Exchange Road, Ortigas Business Center, Pasig City.

21.2.

EPI is currently developing a 44 MW geothermal power station in Barangays Montelago, Montemayor and Melgar-B in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, as well as a 20 MW bunker C-fired diesel power station in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

21.3.

EPI has also recently signed power supply agreements with a distribution utility in an off-grid area for bunkerfired and solar power generating facilities. It also signed a sub-transmission service agreement with the said utility for the development of transmission lines.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

To accelerate the development of emerging renewable energy resources, a feed-in tariff system for electricity produced from wind, solar, ocean, run-ofriver hydropower and biomass is hereby mandated. Towards this end, the ERC in consultation with the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) created under Section 27 of this Act shall formulate and promulgate feed-in tariff system rules within one (1) year upon the effectivity of this Act which shall include, but not limited to the following:

22. As stated above, the Transmission Project is necessary in order to deliver the power generated by the Power Project to the Luzon Grid.

(a) Priority connections to the grid for electricity generated from emerging renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, ocean, run-of-river hydropower’ and biomass power plants within the territory of the Philippines; x x x (Emphasis supplied.)

25. At present, the FIT rate for solar power is PhP8.69/kWh, which is effective until 15 March 2016.

7.3. In fulfillment of the said mandate, the Commission issued Resolution No. 16, Series of 2010, establishing the FIT system. Verily, the said Resolution allows eligible RE plants to enjoy priority connection to the transmission system, subject to compliance with the pertinent standards and rules of the Honorable Commission.

8.

Private Sector Initiated Power Projects. To address the increasing need for power supply, the government has encouraged and mandated private sector investment in the electric power industry, particularly in power generation, to ensure additional capacity in Luzon and the entire country for the coming years.

9.

Additional Supply from JSI. Applicant JSI has undertaken to develop, construct, own, operate, and maintain the Power Project. The said Project will not only help address the need for additional supply in the Luzon Grid, but is also consistent with the government’s efforts to increase the country’s RE capacities.

10. As discussed hereunder, in order to deliver the supply to be generated by the Power Project, it is necessary, feasible and cost -effective to connect the said Project to the Luzon Grid through the, proposed dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities.

23. The Commission’s provisional approval of the Application will greatly facilitate supply of additional power to the Luzon Grid .

24. Moreover, a provisional approval is also necessary in order to facilitate the application of JSI for the accreditation of the Power Project under the FIT system.

26. JSI seeks to avail the PhP8.69/kWh tariff. The FIT rate subsequent to 15 March 2016 is expected to be lower. Thus, being unable to avail of the prevailing FIT will result in significant financial disadvantage to JSI. 27. Considering that JSI must obtain the accreditation of the Power Project for FIT availment before 16 March 2016, a provisional approval of the Application is necessary.

28. Hence, Applicant JSl respectfully moved for the provisional approval of the instant Application pursuant to Rule 14 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.

A copy of a sworn statement supporting the said motion was attached to the Application as Annex “L.” PRAYER 29. JSI prays that prior to and/or pending hearing on the merits, a PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY be issued to immediately allow the development and ownership or operation of the proposed dedicated point-to-point limited facilities to connect the 100 MWp Power Project of Jobin -SQM, Inc., to the Luzon Grid; and that after due notice and hearing, a FINAL AUTHORITY be issued to permanently authorize the same. Other reliefs as may be just and equitable under the premises are, likewise, most respectfully prayed for.

11. Under Republic Act No. 9136, authorization from the Commission is required for a generation company to develop, own, and operate point-to-point limited transmission facilities. Hence, the Application.

The Commission has set the application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 29 June 2016 (Wednesday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.) at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

ABSTRACT OF THE POWER PROJECT, THE DEDICATED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES AND RELATED INFORMATION

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

12. The Power Project. The Power Project is a solar power generating facility located in Mount Sta. Rita, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, with a generating capacity of 100 MWp. It shall supply power to the Luzon Grid under the FIT system.

13. The Proposed Connection. The power generated by the Power Project will be delivered to the Luzon Grid through dedicated limited point-to-point transmission facilities, to be developed, owned, and operated by Applicant JSI (the “Transmission Project”).

13.1.

The Transmission Project consists of a 230kV, 795 MCM conductor, single circuit interconnection, extending from the Power Project to the existing 230kV NGCP Subic Substation, approximately seven kilometers in distance.

13.2.

The Transmission Project will use a combination of steel towers and poles. Steel poles will be used from the NGCP Subic Substation to the entry of Pamulaklakin Trail in Binictican, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Bataan. From the Pamulaklakin Trail until Pastolan Village, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales (“Pastolan”), special towers with special foundations will be used, with heights from seventy (70) meters up to ninety (90) meters. From Pastolan to the Power Project, standard lattice type towers will be used.

The proposed connection is illustrated in a single line diagram attached to the Application as Annex”B.”

13.3.

Applicant JSI shall own, construct, and install the said facilities in accordance with Philippine Grid Code and other applicable laws or regulations. JSI shall also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the said facilities through a team of qualified, skilled and competent engineers.

13.4.

Dedicated Transmission Facilities. The Transmission Project involves dedicated Pointto-point limited transmission facilities in the purview of Republic Act No. 9136. The said facilities are required only for the purpose of connecting the Power Project to the Luzon grid, and will be used solely by the Power Project. The said facilities are not intended to serve end-users or suppliers directly.

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

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 23rd day of May 2016 at Pasig City.

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

1

Republic Act No. 9513, entitled “An Act Promoting the Development, Utilization and, CommerciaHzation of Renewable Energy Resources and for Other Purposes”

(TS-JUNE 13, 2016)

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

the initial 20 MWp of solar power capacity and some wind power capacity to the Luzon Grid. In addition, the Second SIS states that the grid connection of the additional 80 MW is technically feasible. Further, it states that the full additional 80 MW capacity can be accommodated by the Luzon Grid without any required reinforcement. Furthermore, NGCP issued a certification that the SIS for the 80 MWp solar power plant is being reviewed by NGCP. The said certificate also states that JSI is in the process of securing with NGCP a Connection Agreement (“CA”).

Moreover, the certification states that the parties have agreed, in principle, to the general terms . and conditions of the CA and the same is being finalized.

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP, OWN, AND OPERATE DEDICATED POINT-TO-POINT LIMITED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES TO CONNECT THE 100 MWP POWER PROJECT OF JOBIM-SQM, INC. TO THE LUZON GRID, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

A copy of the said NGCP certification was attached to the Application as Annex “F-2.”

16.3. A Facilities Study (“FS”) was also conducted for the Power Project. Likewise, Applicant JSI requested NGCP to review the FS. In relation to its review of the FS, NGCP issued a certification that the FS for the power plant is being reviewed by NGCP. The said certificate also states that JSI is in’ the process’ of securing with NGCP a Connection Agreement (“CA”). Moreover, the certification states that the parties have agreed, in principle, to the• general terms and conditions of the CA were attached and the same is being finalized.

ERC CASE NO. 2016-005 MC JOBIN-SQM, INC. (JSI),

Copies of the FS, JSI’s request for NGCP’s review of the FS and NGCP’s certification were attached to the Application as Annexes “G,” “G-l” and “G-2,” respectively.

Applicant. x-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -x

ORDER On 2 February 2016, Jobin-SQM, Inc. (JSI) filed an application for authority to develop, own, and operate dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities to connect the 100 MWP Power Project of JSI to the Luzon Grid, with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

In support of the said application, JSI alleged, among others, the following: 1.

2.

A copy of the breakdown of the said project cost was attached to the Application as Annex “H.” 18. Environmental Compliance Certificate. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued the necessary Environmental Compliance Certificate (“ECC”) covering the Power Project and the Transmission Project.

A copy of the ECC was attached to the Application as Annex “I “ .

That applicant JSI is a generation company duly authorized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal address at Grande Island, Subic bay Freeport Zone, Zambales.

Technical and Financial Capability ofJSI

Copies of JSI`s Certificate of Incorporation, Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation with the attached Amended Articles of Incorporation, its By-laws and its latest General Information Sheet are attached to the Application as Annexes “A” and series.

19. JSi is fully equipped with the necessary technical and financial capacity to develop, own, operate, and maintain. the Transmission Project

JSI may be served orders and other processes through the undersigned counsel.

20 . Technical Capability. JSI has a team of qualified, experienced and competent engineers to operate and maintain the Transmission Project.

NATURE OF THE APPLICATION 3.

17. Estimated Project Cost. The total project cost of the Transmission Project is estimated at PhP1,034,469,188.78.

Pursuant to Section 9 of Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, and Section 5, Rule 5 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the Application was submitted to secure authority from the Commission for JSI to develop, own, and operate its dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities, composed of a 230 kV, 795 MCM conductor, single circuit interconnection that extends from its 100 MWp solar power generation project (the “Power Project”) to the 230 kV Substation of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (“NGCP”) located in Subic, Zambales (the “NGCP Subic Substation”).

A copy of the summary of the curriculum vitae of the said engineers was attached to the Application as Annex “J”.

21. Financial Capability. JSI is capable of financing the cost of the Transmission Project,. as indicated by the financial capability of its principal stockholder, Emerging Power Inc. (“EPI”), which owns 99.99% of JSI. A copy of EPI’s latest Audited Financial Statements was . attached to the Application as Annex “K.” 21.1. EPI is a generation company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal address at Suite 1603 B, 16th Floor, West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Centre, Exchange Road, Ortigas Business Center, Pasig City.

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS 4.

Increasing Demand for Power Supply in the Luzon Grid. The demand in the Luzon Grid is continuously increasing, and there is a need to ensure that power supply in the Grid will be sufficient to meet this steadily increasing demand. Otherwise, Luzon may suffer from outages, adversely affecting, not only the region`s business growth and overall economic development, but also the quality of people`s lives.

5.

Utilization of Renewable Energy Sources. Renewable energy (“RE”) sources such as solar can greatly help address the increasing power requirements of the Grid in an environment-friendly manner.

6.

Unlike other fossil fuel-based energy sources, renewable energy sources produce clean, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly energy. They will displace coal and fossil fuel energy generation and, in this way, help mitigate climate change. They also help reduce the country`s dependence on imported coal and petroleum products, which puts the country at risk not only to foreign exchange fluctuations and changes in global markets, but also to political and economic events in the fuel supplying regions.

7.

Thus, the government`s thrust is to promote renewable energy in order to reduce the country`s dependence on fossil fuels. In line with this, legal reforms have been instituted towards increasing the country`s RE capacities through increased investments in the sector, as well as through priority connections to the grid.

7.1

In particular, Section 11 of the Renewable Energy Law of 20081 aims to ensure that the proposed RE resources are integrated in the respective development plans of NGCP and distribution utilities. Thus, the law states: Section 11. Transmission and Distribution System Development.

TRANSCO or its successors-in-interest or its buyer/concessionaire and all DUs, shall include the required connection facilities for RE-based power facilities in the Transmission and Distribution Development Plans: Provided, That such facilities are approved by the DOE. The connection facilities of RE power plants, including the extension of transmission and distribution lines, shall be subject only to ancillary services covering such connections. (Emphasis supplied.)

7.2

21.3. EPI has also recently signed power supply agreements with a distribution utility in an off-grid area for bunker-fired and solar power generating facilities. It also signed a sub-transmission service agreement with the said utility for the development of transmission lines.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 22. As stated above, the Transmission Project is necessary in order to deliver the power generated by the Power Project to the Luzon Grid .

23. The Commission’s provisional approval of the Application will greatly facilitate supply of additional power to the Luzon Grid.

24. Moreover, a provisional approval is also necessary in order to facilitate the application of JSI for the accreditation of the Power Project under the FIT system.

25. At present, the FIT rate for solar power is PhP8.69/kWh, which is effective until 15 March 2016.

26. JSI seeks to avail the PhPS.69/kWh tariff. The FIT . rate subsequent to 15 March 2016 is expected to be lower. Thus, being unable to avail of the prevailing FIT will result in significant financial disadvantage to JSI. 27. Considering that JSI must obtain the accreditation of the Power Project for FIT availment before 16 March 2016, a provisional approval of the Application is necessary.

28. Hence, Applicant JSI respectfully moved for the provisional approval of the instant .Application pursuant to Rule 14 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.

A copy of a sworn statement supporting the said motion was attached to the Application as Annex “1.”

Also, Section 7 of the Renewable Energy Law mandates the formulation of a feed-in tariff (“FIT”) that will include priority connections for RE sources such as solar. Thus the law states: Section 7. Feed-In Tariff System.

To accelerate the development of emerging renewable energy resources, a feed-in tariff system for electricity produced from wind, solar,ocean, run-of-river hydropower and biom~ss is hereby mandated. Towards this end, the ERC, in consultation with the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) created under Section 27 of this Act shall formulate and promulgate feed-in tariff system rules within one (1) year upon the effectivity of this Act which shall include, but not limited to the following: (a) Priority connections to the grid for electricity generated from emerging renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, ocean, run-of-river hydropower and biomass power plants within the territory of the Philippines; xxx (Emphasis supplied.)

7.3

21.2. EPI is currently developing a 44 MW geothermal power station in Barangays Montelago, Montemayor and Melgar-B in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, as well as a 20 MW bunker C-fired diesel power station in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

In fulfillment of the said mandate, the Commission issued Resolutions No. 16, Series of 2010, establishing the FIT system. Verily, the said Resolution allows eligible RE plants to enjoy priority connection to the transmission system, subject to compliance with the pertinent standards and rules of the Honorable Commission.

8.

Private sector Initiated Power Projects. To address the increasing need for power supply, the government has encouraged and mandated private sector investment in the electric power industry, particularly in power generation, to ensure additional capacity in Luzon and the entire country for the coming years.

9.

Additional Supply from JSI. Applicant JSI has undertaken to develop, construct, own, operate, and maintain the Power Project. The said Project will only help address the need for additional supply in the Luzon Grid, but is also consistent with the government’s effort to increase the country’s RE capacities.

10. As discussed hereunder, in order to deliver the supply to be generated by the Power Project, it is necessary, feasible and cost-effective to connect the said Project to the Luzon Grid through the proposed dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities.

11. Under Republic Act No. 9136, authorization from the Commission is required for a generation company to develop, own, and operate point-to-point limited transmission facilities. Hence, the Application.

ABSTRACT OF THE POWER PROJECT, THE DEDICATED TRANSMISSION FACILITIES AND RELATED INFORMATION 12. The Power Project. The Power Project is a solar power generating facility located in Mount Sta. Rita, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales, with a generating capacity of 100 MWp. It shall supply power to the Luzon Grid under the FIT system.

PRAYER 29. JSI prays that prior to and/or pending hearing on the merits, a PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY be issued to immediately allow the development and ownership or operation of the proposed dedicated point-to-point limited facilities to connect the 100 MWp Power Project of Jobin -SQM, Inc., to the Luzon Grid; and that after due notice and hearing, a FINAL AUTHORITY be issued to permanently authorize the same. Other reliefs as may be just and equitable under the premises are, likewise, most respectfully prayed for.

Finding the said application to be sufficient in form and in substance with the required fees having been paid, the same is hereby set for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository’ presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 29 June 2016 (Wednesday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.) at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center. Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

JSI is hereby directed to cause the publication of the attached Notice of Public Hearing, at its own expense, once (IX) in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, at least ten (10) days before the date of the scheduled initial hearing. It is also directed to inform the consumers, by any other means available and appropriate, of the filing of the instant application, its reasons therefor, and of the scheduled hearing thereon.

Let copies of the Application, this Order, and the attached Notice of Public Hearing be furnished the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the Commission on Audit (COA), and the Committees on Energy of both Houses of Congress. They are hereby requested, if they so desire, to send their duly authorized representatives at the scheduled hearing.

Likewise, let copies of this Order and the attached Notice of Public Hearing be furnished the Offices of the Governor of the , Province of Zambales, as well as the Mayor of Subic, Zambales and the Chairman and Administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for the appropriate posting thereof on their respective bulletin Boards.

JSI is hereby directed to furnish all those making requests therefor with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs.

On the date of the initial hearing and pre-trial conference, JSI must submit to the Commission their written Compliance with the jurisdictional requirements attaching therewith, methodically arranged and duly marked the evidence of the actual posting and publication of the Notice of Public Hearing consisting of certifications issued to that effect, signed by the aforementioned Governor and Mayor or their duly authorized representatives, bearing the seals of their offices, and the affidavits of the Editors or Business Managers of the newspapers where said Notice of Public Hearing were published together with the complete issues of the said newspapers, and such other proofs of compliance with the requirements of the Commission.

JSI, and all interested parties are directed to submit, at least five (5) days before the date of initial hearing and pre-trial conference, their respective Pre-Trial Briefs containing, among others:

13. The Proposed Connection. The power generated by the Power Project will be delivered to the Luzon Grid through dedicated limited point-to-point transmission facilities, to be developed, owned, and operated by Applicant JSI (the “Transmission Project”).

13.1 The Transmission Project consists of a 230KV, 795 MCM conductor, single circuit interconnection, extending from the Power Project to the existing 230 KV NGCP Subic Substation, approximately seven kilometers in distance.

13.2 The Transmission Project will use a combination of steel towers and poles. Steel poles will be used from the NGCP Subic Substation to the entry of Pamulaklakin Trail in Binictican, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Bataan. From the Pamulaklakin Trail until Pastolan Village, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales (“Pastolan”), special towers with special foundations will be used, with heights from seventy (70) meters up to ninety (90) meters. From Pastolan to the Power Project, standard lattice type towers will be used.

The proposed connection is illustrated in a single line diagram attached to the Application as Annex “B”.

(a)

A summary of admitted facts and proposed stipulation of facts;

(b)

The issues to be tried or resolved;

(c)

The documents or exhibits to be presented, stating the purposes thereof and purposed markings therefore; and

(d)

The number and names of the witnesses, with their written testimonies in an individual affidavit form, to be attached to the Pre-Trial Brief.

Failure of JSI to submit the required Pre-Trial Brief and Judicial Affidavits of their witnesses within the prescribed period shall be a ground for cancellation of the scheduled hearing, and the resetting of which shall be six (6) months from said date of cancellation.

As part of the pre-trial conference, JSI must also be prepared to make an expository presentation of their application, aided by whatever communication medium that they may deem appropriate for the purpose, in order to put in plain words and explain, for the benefit of the consumers and other concerned parties, what the application is all about and the reasons and justifications being cited in support thereof.

13.3 Applicant JSI shall own, construct, and install the said facilities in accordance with Philippine Grid Code and other applicable laws or regulations.JSI shall also be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the said facilities through a team of qualified, skilled and competent engineers.

SO ORDERED. Pasig City, 23 May 2016:

13.4 Dedicated Transmission Facilities. The Transmission Project involves dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities in the purview of Republic Act No. 9136. The said facilities are required only for the purpose of connecting the Power Project to the Luzon grid, and will be used solely by the Power Project. The said facilities are not intended to serve end-users or suppliers directly.

FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION:

13.5 Gantt Chart Schedule. The timeline for the implementation of the Transmission Project was attached to the Application as Annex “C”.

14. Options Considered. The specifications of the Transmission Project reflect the scheme with the least cost, and which can be delivered and constructed on time. Also, the plans and designs of the Transmission Project are based on plans and designs used by NGCP for its transmission lines.

A discussion of the options considered in determining the most practical and least costly manner of connecting the Power Project to the Luzon Grid was attached to the Application as Annex “D”.

15. Moreover, the connection to the NGCP Subic Substation is the most cost effective because it is the nearest switching station to the Power Project, at a distance of only approximately seven kilometers.

16. Technical Studies. Consistent with the 2006 Open Access Transmission Service Rules, Applicant JSI engaged the services of a third-party consultant to undertake the preparation of the necessary studies for the Transmission Project.

16.1 Two System Impact Studies (“SIS”) were conducted for the Power Project to determine the impact of the Power Project on the Luzon Grid. The first is for the initial 20 MWp of solar power capacity and some wind power capacity which JSI may put up later on (the “First ISIS”), and the second is for an additional 80 MWp of solar power capacity (the “Second SIS”), which completes the entire intended capacity of the Power Project.

Copies of the First SIS and NGCP’s report of its review of the First SIS were attached to the Application as Annexes “E” and “E-1,” respectively. Copies of the Second SIS and Applicant JSI’s request for NGCP’s review were attached as Annexes “F” and “F-1”, respectively.

16.2 Notably, NGCP’s report on its review of the First SIS states that it is technically feasible to connect

JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR Chairman and CEO Copy furnished: 1.

Atty. Sundy Lorence C. Lachica and Atty. Abigail T. Madanlo Counsels for Applicant JSI Lachica & Associates Suite 2304-B, West Tower Philippine Stock Exchange Centre Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City 2.

Jobin-SQM, Inc. (JSI) Grande Island, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Zambales

3.

Office ofthe Solicitor General 134 Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village Makati City, Metro Manila

4.

Commission on Audit Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Metro Manila

5.

Senate Committee on Energy GSIS Building, Roxas Boulevard Pasay City, Metro Manila

6.

House Committee on Energy Batasan Hills Quezon City, Metro Manila

7.

Office ofthe Municipal Mayor Subic, Zambales

8.

Office ofthe Provincial Governor Province ofZambales

9.

Office of the LGU Legislative Body Province of Zambales

10.

Office ofthe Chairman and Administrator Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Rm. 206 Administration Bldg., 229 Waterfront Road, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo

11.

National Grid Power Corporation of the Philippines Quezon Avenue cor. BIR Road Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

(TS-JUNE 13, 2016)

A15

M O N DAY : J U N E 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Mahindra taps Georgia Tech alum as import

By Jeric Lopez THE Mahindra Enforcers are hoping that new blood of reinforcement can finally elevate the team to new heights.

Still without an appearance in the playoffs following their first five conferences in the Philippine Basketball Association, the Enforcers will now bank on Georgia Tech standout James White to provide some much-needed lift in their next campaign in the upcoming Governors’ Cup. In the four instances thus far in its young PBA stint as a franchise, Mahindra had tapped solid imports and it is hoping that White can be the same, or even better.

In import-laden conferences these past two seasons, Mahindra surprised a lot and actually competed for a spot in the post-season, only to come up short on all occasions, leaving it as the only team in the league without a playoffs’ appearance.

The 6’8” White averaged 9.6 points and five rebounds in his stint with Georgia Tech.

Lomachenko grabs 2nd world crown WORLD Boxing Organization featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko, a protégé of Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, won his second world title by capturing the WBO junior lightweight crown with a smashing fifth-round knockout of defending champion Rocky Martinez, which painfully came for the Puerto Rican champion the night before the colorful Puerto Rican Day parade in New York.

Boxing Scene reported that Lomachenko made Madison Square Garden’s Theater a mini-Ukraine, thrilling a crowd of 4,545 with a master showing against Martinez before scoring a chilling knockout in the fifth round that earned him the WBO junior lightweight title.

With the win, Lomachenko improved his record to 6-1, with 4 KOs. Ronnie Nathanielsz

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

A16

M O N DAY : J UN E 1 3 , 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

Dubs on cusp of NBA history Stephen Curry and Andre Iguodala of the Golden State Warriors walk off the court during a time out against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in Game 4 of the 2016 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. AFP

OAKLAND—One victory shy of defending their NBA title, the Golden State Warriors might just be on the verge of completing the greatest season in the league’s 70-year history.

A triumph over Cleveland in Monday’s fifth game of the bestof-seven NBA Finals would give Golden State a repeat crown to cap a campaign that had the best start in league history, 24-0, and saw the Warriors win a record 73 regularseason games, one more than the old mark of the Michael Jordan-led 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.

“I never in a million years would have guessed that record would be broken,” said Steve Kerr, the Golden State coach who won his first NBA title as a guard on that Bulls squad.

“I’ll say the same thing I said 20

years ago. I don’t think this one will ever be broken.”

A 108-97 victory Friday in Cleveland gave the Warriors a 3-1 lead in the finals and their 88th combined season and playoff win, one more than the Bulls’ old record total from two decades ago.

But Chicago was 15-3 in the playoffs to stand 87-13 overall while Golden State is 15-6 in the playoffs and only 88-15. And the Bulls had to win only three games in round one, not four as Golden State did this year.

The Warriors’ 28 regular-sea-

son win streak in a row dating to the end of the prior season became the second-longest in NBA history.

They won 54 home games in a row over two seasons, 10 more than the old mark of the ‘95-96 Bulls, and Golden State’s record 34 road wins were one more than those Bulls managed.

Jordan congratulated the Warriors in April on an “amazing season” but added, “I look forward to seeing what they do in the playoffs.”

Golden State’s Draymond Green takes the best-ever debate in stride, saying “they are going to talk and we really don’t care.”

“We’ve got (to win the title) before you can even consider saying that,” Green said. “It’s all subjective.

To say we’re better than the ‘Showtime’ Lakers, how can you say that?

We never played them.”

That’s when teammate Klay Thompson interjected: “We are better than the ‘Showtime’ Lakers.” But that could have been a nod to his father Mychal, who won two titles with that Lakers lineup.

“Like saying we’re better than the Bulls -- we’ll never play them. Two completely different eras,” Green added. “So I don’t really get off on the ‘best team of all times.’ I’m trying to win rings. That’s my only goal.”

Lakers Hall of Fame guard Magic Johnson defended his “Showtime” squad, saying the unit with NBA all-time scoring leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy could beat this year’s Warriors.

“We’ve never seen two guys who can shoot like Steph and Klay (Thompson), but they never ran up

against somebody like us,” Johnson told ESPN. The 1995-96 Jordan, in his first full season after an ill-fated try at baseball, led the NBA with 30.4 points a game and added 6.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists, then raised his average to 30.7 points in the playoff run and captured NBA Finals and season Most Valuable Player awards.

But Curry led the NBA this year with 30.1 points a game, also averaged 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists, led the NBA in steals with 169, free throw accuracy at 90.8 percent, hit a one-season NBA record 402 3-pointers and won season MVP honors for the second year in a row.

After a 38-point effort in game four, the finals MVP could come his way as well. AFP

Family Run lures 12,000 participants

A mother and her kids take part in the Alaska Milk Day Family Run.

ALASKA Milk Day continues to grow with more than 12,000 joining its annual Family Run this year held simultaneously in four cities – Taguig, Naga, Davao and Cebu – last Saturday.

Alaska celebrated the importance of proper nutrition and exercise with activities at McKinley West, Taguig; SM City Naga; SM City Davao; and SM Seaside Cebu.

After the 5 a.m. run, a milk toast was held at 6 a.m. followed by a Zumba session which started at 6:30 a.m. Free breakfast was served to all participants.

Alaska Milk Marketing Direc-

tor Blen Fernando said the objective for staging the event is to encourage everyone to engage in healthy pursuits and to always have good nutrition.

“It is best for everyone to engage in sports whether it’s basketball, football or just running and walking. It is important to stay active and to always drink your milk for proper nutrition,” said Fernando.

Everyone from all walks of life – from teens and tweens, who came with their friends, to parents who came with their children, and even grandmothers who came with their Zumba group mates – joined

the fun-filled activity.

Lucia Bona, 74, from Tatalon, Quezon City was among the eldest participants. She came with 30-member Barangay Tatalon Zumba and Wellness group. They were led by Amy Santos, 68, who organized the group 10 years ago as a way of keeping fit at any age.

Other than hosting the event, for every participant who joined Alaska donated a can of milk to the beneficiary institution of partner Children’s Hour.

Alaska Milk Day reinforces the importance of drinking milk and keeping a healthy lifestyle.

MONDAY: JUNE 13, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS New govt to pursue Laguna dike project

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE administration of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte will pursue the auction of Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike project, despite the failure of the outgoing government to attract bidders for the project.

Mark Villar, the incoming secretary of the Public Works Department, said Laguna Lakeshore was among the infrastructure projects under the public-private partnership scheme the Duterte administration would undertake.

“I think they were not able to finish it [bidding of Laguna Lakeshore]. There are some minor issues [but] I think it’s doable,”

Villar said.

The Public Works Department earlier said it was reviewing the assumptions and the project’s risk profile, as well as the possibility of fully or partially undertaking the flood control component.

The Public Works Department declared the bidding process on March 28 as a failure, after qualified bidders did not submit any offer, citing the project’s risk profile and complexity, especially the flood control component and its connectivity to C5.

The three pre-qualified bidders—San Miguel Holdings Corp., Alloy Pavi Harshen LLEDP Consortium and Team Trident— did not submit any bid for the P122.8-billion LLED project.

Team Trident is composed of Trident Infrastructure and Development Corp., Ayala Land Inc., Megaworld Corp., Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and SM Prime Holdings Inc. The Alloy-Pavi Hanshin LLEDP Consortium consists of Malaysia’s Alloy MTD Capital Berhad, Prime Asset Ventures Inc. and Han-

shin Engineering Construction.

The three prospective bidders said the failed bidding was due to the lack of commercial viability of the project, which involves the construction of a flood control dike, a 47-kilometer, six-lane expressway on top of it and the reclamation of over 700 hectares of land for commercial development.

LLED project is supposed to be the largest public-private partnership venture under the Aquino administration.

The LLED concession will last 37 years, including seven years for design and construction and 30 years for operation and maintenance.

It will be financed mainly by private capital with no government subsidy, except for rightof-way costs.

The Duterte administration said it would increase infrastructure spending to resolve the traffic congestion in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. It plans to hike the budget deficit ceiling to 3 percent of the gross domestic product from 0.9 percent in 2015.

B1

5 non-life insurers eye merger

By Gabrielle Binaday

FIVE non-life insurance companies plan a big merger before the end of 2016 to meet the minimum capital stock of P550 million, an industry source said over the weekend.

The source identified two of the companies with merger plans as Stronghold Insurance Company and Milestone Guaranty and Insurance. “[Stronghold] is looking for troubled companies and they offer to buy,” the source said.

“Stronghold initiated the merger with Milestone, and then negotiated with BF Gen [BF General Insurance Company Inc.], and already submitted documents to the IC [Insurance Commission,” the source said.

“Now they are in talks with Premier [Premier Insurance and Surety Corp.] and Country Bankers [Country Bankers Insurance Corp.] which also wanted to sell their whole life and non-life business. They are already talking,” the source said.

The Insurance Commission recently announced possible mergers of several firms as their requirement for a minimum paidup capital would be increased to P550 million by end of 2016.

MONDAY: JUNE 13, 2016

B2

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

THE STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

JUNE 6-10, 2016 Close Volume

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

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl Reinsurance Corp.

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

4.06 45.7 103.50 95.00 37.55 3.18 1.40 14.1 17.72 7.30 0.73 1.78 620.00 0.550 85.5 0.95 14.94 24.00 52.30 98.1 262 31.75 198.5 1380.00 65.20 1.59

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

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

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

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Corp.

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

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

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

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vivant Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

46.5 4.01 0.85 2 13 59.9 170.20 21.5 165 193 17.3 47.75 2.09 5.45 11.64 9.800 7.34 5.50 7.43 1.79 22.55 66.3 12.20 14.64 5.75 2.350 230.00 34.00 1.92 3.3 38.85 27.95 28.2 6.52 309.80 0.270 4.50 3.5 11.60 3.02 11.54 5.80 1.72 2.72 4.25 2.31 4.17 215 2.5 0.150 1.73 2.60 193.1 4.7 0.9 30.50 1.25

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

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

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

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

0.385 74.85 15.98 1.16 6.00 0.370 0.365 830 7.83 12.88 5 6.49 0.235 1420 6.47 83.50 5.04 5.9 7.73 0.69 15.56 0.490 6.3 3.58 0.0320 1.280 1.840 2.68 79.00 2.13 965.50 1.15 0.80 185.00 184.000 0.3050 0.2050 0.325

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

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

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

MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

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

7.800 7.55 1.25 2.300 0.270 37.100 3.29 5.19 5.98 0.510 1.00 1.100 0.131 0.540 67.75 0.790 0.155 0.97 1.99 1.28 4.4 0.090 0.2850 0.460 41.90

Value

FINANCIAL 5,008,190.00 7,399,045.00 1,629,534,814 671,691,855.00 11,564,890.00 506,980.00 1,546,110.00 1,520,970.00 77,684,412.00 22,619 7,300 215,380.00 1,256,100.00 855,550.00 1,310,637,096.00 108,520.00 5,889,790.00 51,650.00 95,565,740.00 869,499.50 3,202,904.00 52,712,420 717,740,892.00 517,555.00 691,423,057.50 311,820.00 INDUSTRIAL 15,283,100 720,237,155.00 5,225,000 19,615,240.00 497,000 426,230.00 24,963,000 49,122,990.00 89,400 1,063,566.00 610 33,889.00 800 136,165.00 2,018,600 44,125,260 4,210 775,540.00 8,620 1,667,289.00 2,180,900 38,923,628.00 473,700 22,511,635 8,694,000 18,274,900.00 2,057,605 11,677,118.00 261,100 3,005,612.00 39,557,700 399,752,154.00 5,847,600 42,934,935.00 88,041,800 498,487,133.00 2,978,500 22,205,221.00 57,000 97,030.00 17,422,600 399,052,320.00 1,201,700 62,129,141.00 77,700 950,062.00 721,500 10,991,952.00 2,365,900 13,540,770.00 10,202,000 23,662,130.00 2,831,500 667,875,074.00 24,300 853,955.00 61,000 126,230.00 98,000 318,340.00 3,100 120,365.00 10,641,100 296,519,975.00 7,148,100 209,198,105.00 1,809,700 11,913,776.00 1,044,500 327,583,642.00 4,430,000 1,183,450.00 51,000 220,800.00 1,280,000 4,599,290.00 38,124,300 450,692,266.00 105,000 325,000.00 24,700 285,408.00 6,377,800 34,179,175.00 4,997,000 8,861,110.00 728,000 2,043,380.00 9,057,000 38,406,700.00 36,000 83,160.00 88,900 438,120.00 7,860 1,701,970.00 558,000 1,397,420 16,940,000 2,547,310.00 4,566,000 7,826,190.00 52,746,000 134,106,920.00 6,698,450 1,340,205,709.00 108,000 500,990.00 21,721,000 19,919,230.00 1,100 33,570.00 1,954,000 2,478,220.00 HOLDING FIRMS 17,840,000 6,866,000.00 11,028,750 848,201,329.00 24,930,800 393,774,186.00 443,000 500,680.00 87,100 520,920.00 22,820,000 8,471,750.00 5,550,000 2,073,100.00 1,864,460 1,585,482,710.00 15,736,200 125,175,988.00 25,588,900 334,400,852.00 17,200 87,300.00 4,825,200 31,029,354.00 970,000 217,140.00 621,620 895,247,525.00 156,000 998,102.00 29,279,230 2,478,117,717.50 1,200 6,159.00 100 590.00 9,881,100 77,281,583.00 1,209,000 836,310.00 22,086,700 350,336,678.00 1,033,000 496,370.00 230,543,800 1,474,948,173.00 3,000 11,140.00 152,400,000 4,879,100.00 128,000 165,160.00 6,316,000 11,515,640.00 3,000 8,040.00 1,769,900 140,552,195.50 69,000 148,930.00 1,283,340 1,256,021,670.00 463,000 537,450.00 261,000 210,720.00 220 40,700.00 148,950 27,164,114.00 14,130,000 4,334,800.00 2,630,000 527,150.00 25,150,000 8,446,550.00 PROPERTY 740,400 5,832,404.00 12,600 87,925.00 44,439,000 52,726,480.00 4,832,000 11,539,470.00 7,120,000 1,961,500.00 61,325,600 2,336,275,550.00 13,864,000 46,087,820.00 167,900 866,196.00 200 1,171.00 34,001,000 17,153,020.00 144,000 144,860.00 2,825,000 3,184,190.00 27,270,000 3,642,330.00 59,887,000 33,368,980.00 30,501,950 2,039,829,893.00 2,727,000 2,160,510.00 20,000 3,100.00 17,953,000 17,760,510.00 129,723,000 259,234,300.00 706,000 903,430.00 242,163,000 1,093,172,460.00 13,880,000 1,260,710.00 2,360,000 595,360.00 1,850,000 886,500.00 54,600 2,339,435.00 1,258,000 162,400 15,190,650 6,999,040 308,700 164,000 1,110,000 108,000 4,395,300 3,100 10,000 119,000 2,060 1,549,000 15,066,010 115,000 393,100 2,200 1,804,450 8,570 12,270 1,668,200 3,592,690 375 10,735,670 202,000

MAY 30-JUNE 3, 2016 Close Volume Value 3.78 45.7 104.00 94.00 37.9 3.00 1.43 14.1 16.78 7.18 0.73 1.94 610.00 0.540 86 0.94 15.00 24.20 51.00 101.9 262 31.45 202.6 1358.00 64.50 1.58

662,000 251,300 15,367,000 16,994,570 351,900 35,000 2,767,000 454,800 910,000 13,200 1,000 172,000 340 3,307,000 32,790,530 259,000 188,400 5,000 4,639,910 6,870 9,400 7,755,700 45,651,970 905 315,250 178,000

2,464,380.00 11,345,410.00 1,574,615,332 1,578,468,726.00 13,385,210.00 103,800.00 3,709,960.00 6,474,606.00 15,423,128.00 94,776 730 307,570.00 206,680.00 1,812,510.00 2,846,645,900.50 243,510.00 2,819,916.00 121,000.00 221,897,997.50 681,899.00 2,452,844.00 235,960,835 9,206,093,139.00 1,253,625.00 18,709,209.50 273,100.00

45.6 3.74 0.88 1.93 11.9 55.6 189.00 21.4 115 197 17.78 46.8 2.09 5.4 11.48 9.650 7.15 5.58 7.44 1.8 22.7 67 12.22 15.22 5.75 2.240 230.00 40.00 1.9 3.38 39.80 27.75 28.2 6.55 316.00 0.265 4.12 3.5 11.80 3.06 11.64 5.27 1.80 2.83 4.25 2.31 4.29 219 2.5 0.152 1.77 2.57 199.9 4.8 0.88 31.50 1.26

16,234,700 7,817,000 510,000 102,515,000 116,900 250 310 7,055,200 60 3,710 2,950,300 287,700 4,732,000 6,647,900 252,900 11,619,400 3,878,300 92,186,700 656,500 48,000 17,934,100 923,170 41,200 273,300 19,048,300 8,300,000 5,258,580 500 25,000 61,000 3,000 3,976,800 6,658,100 1,288,800 1,961,940 3,570,000 22,000 4,113,000 33,922,200 43,000 493,200 2,945,000 3,981,000 905,000 4,661,000 170,000 66,000 6,500 454,000 3,950,000 12,045,000 5,732,000 12,671,160 5,000 7,401,000 9,700 1,228,000

747,998,910.00 28,534,250.00 446,160.00 199,559,270.00 1,415,020.00 13,900.00 57,690.00 154,116,535 6,900.00 738,534.00 51,010,526.00 13,415,105 10,028,210.00 35,723,285.00 2,833,578.00 112,680,277.00 28,483,881.00 518,546,081.00 4,852,877.00 85,800.00 410,169,795.00 61,441,227.50 507,802.00 4,108,690.00 109,475,619.00 18,270,380.00 1,231,877,568.00 20,990.00 46,500.00 197,650.00 116,570.00 107,726,845.00 181,250,875.00 7,254,868.00 601,440,674.00 948,550.00 90,510.00 14,029,950.00 396,111,742.00 131,610.00 5,692,076.00 15,109,347.00 6,929,160.00 2,496,740.00 19,824,920.00 392,700.00 286,330.00 1,408,772.00 1,146,220 598,860.00 21,908,820.00 14,372,620.00 2,498,309,490.00 23,450.00 6,566,020.00 305,550.00 1,539,160.00

0.390 77.90 15.68 1.15 6.00 0.385 0.385 845 7.89 12.76 5.1 6.20 0.246 1411 6.32 83.50 5.4 5.85 7.85 0.69 15.5 0.490 6.08 3.4 0.0320 1.410 1.810 2.65 77.95 2.22 973.50 1.19 0.81

5,760,000 31,722,520 37,679,000 372,000 304,600 33,510,000 21,020,000 3,435,380 6,480,700 21,061,400 300 434,800 600,000 709,360 61,800 52,412,050 20,200 25,200 8,042,500 762,000 27,690,400 40,000 250,779,900 8,000 46,000,000 110,000 4,103,000 20,000 5,924,510 13,000 1,479,110 638,000 55,000

2,307,100.00 2,487,953,333.50 582,493,604.00 427,170.00 1,820,511.00 12,872,400.00 8,004,000.00 2,899,939,480.00 50,419,519.00 267,274,938.00 1,530.00 2,719,761.00 137,550.00 1,000,101,510.00 389,617.00 4,348,727,752.00 109,417.00 146,231.00 61,456,072.00 527,380.00 420,748,216.00 19,600.00 1,521,430,815.00 25,070.00 1,473,200.00 144,660.00 7,428,690.00 53,060.00 471,034,865.00 28,680.00 1,410,839,405.00 748,410.00 44,590.00

181.000 0.3100 0.2000 0.340

129,670 13,350,000 9,940,000 48,260,000

23,158,536.00 4,141,250.00 1,996,600.00 16,283,450.00

7.900 7.00 1.40 2.490 0.285 36.500 3.19 5.15 5.73 0.510 0.98 1.000 0.132 0.530 55.9 0.790 0.155 0.96 2.02 1.28 4.41 0.090 0.3000 0.495 44.80

1,127,900 5,000 33,210,000 23,374,000 5,050,000 61,130,500 11,340,000 17,200 57,000 16,176,000 35,000 48,000 16,920,000 14,895,000 6,780,340 1,085,000 6,960,000 10,103,000 119,743,000 424,000 212,717,000 16,580,000 1,640,000 3,320,000 101,000

8,914,895.00 34,100.00 43,731,830.00 59,938,030.00 1,344,550.00 2,224,930,765.00 35,398,760.00 88,458.00 326,610.00 8,203,930.00 34,300.00 47,860.00 2,228,480.00 7,926,510.00 369,212,443.00 860,060.00 992,610.00 9,776,120.00 240,296,090.00 541,730.00 943,949,600.00 1,490,530.00 452,300.00 1,596,700.00 4,565,900.00

STOCKS

JUNE 6-10, 2016 Close Volume

Primex Corp.

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

9.19 29.00 1.63 3.08 24.25 0.9 6.39 1.010 5.320

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

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

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

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey MINING & OIL Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `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

7.23 50.2 1.26 0.590 11.3 28.5 5.26 0.0580 2.86 100 9.89 2.05 6.76 3.50 960 2370 6.38 21.55 1.15 61.5 13.20 164 11.5 0.0100 9.60 0.340 1.6500 2.48 11.8 7.80 3.51 1.01 2.62 20.00 0.580 2 2.48 4.00 2.810 12.5 4.98 8.65 119.00 24.80 2054.00 0.435 1.010 42.30 81.15 6.26 2.74 0.580 1.99 3.4 0.355 6.550 0.0047 2.31 4.52 12.46 0.235 7.8000 7.3500 0.63 0.475 8.46 0.930 0.310 0.265 0.285 0.0150 0.0150 1.86 4.87 2.67 0.6000 1.2800 0.0110 0.0110 4.08 8.40 4.60 0.0130 129.30 4.03 0.0120

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

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

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

50 539.5 536 124 535 6.5 1.09 110.5 1028 1086 1037 106 113.3 79.85 80.5 76.5 78.5 78.6 76.55 77 76.8 2.5

Leisure & Resort Warr.

3.030

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

4.07 3.3 3.03 16.64

First Metro ETF

123.1

MAY 30-JUNE 3, 2016 Close Volume Value

Value

1,535,200 8,879,800 1,152,000 192,000 85,350,400 12,194,000 19,100 2,508,000 61,848,300

13,675,427.00 263,158,225.00 1,882,820.00 589,780.00 2,166,426,950.00 11,060,520.00 117,510.00 2,568,920.00 330,034,077.00 SERVICES 574,700 4,161,013.00 1,138,950 57,398,325.50 82,000 109,970.00 3,876,000 2,269,800.00 10,100 109,092.00 20,300 575,820 102,651,600 513,886,550.00 189,040,000 11,223,410.00 12,155,000 35,433,410.00 6,963,430 691,745,088.00 100 989.00 791,000 1,573,270 794,400 5,310,219.00 38,000 143,990.00 1,750 1,680,000.00 277,990 666,298,590 2,433,800 15,467,606.00 67,200 1,451,335 819,000 946,000.00 6,686,220 415,563,870.00 399,500 5,385,260 1,680 261,429 51,800 598,592.00 17,700,000 176,610.00 5,052,900 48,558,598.00 127,580,000 42,354,350.00 39,841,000 16,142,150.00 95,000 227,700.00 66,800 784,770.00 2,013,000 15,555,731.00 19,448,000 66,981,210.00 41,000 44,640.00 56,000 147,120.00 8,200 159,296 65,000 37,360.00 380,000 758,060.00 79,667,000 198,680,710.00 24,038,000 96,718,600.00 35,346,000 99,041,000.00 2,729,900 46,934,844.00 80,100 395,168 10,500 90,835.00 19,420 2,328,914.00 614,900 13,137,310.00 1,540,240 3,189,457,350.00 69,550,000 30,750,350.00 239,626,000 251,024,640.00 30,326,200 1,289,375,020.00 7,182,370 586,322,238.00 1,489,200 9,370,728.00 33,132,000 90,417,780.00 5,717,000 3,416,360.00 43,000 84,170.00 3,938,000 13,331,760.00 4,900,000 1,312,150.00 1,118,852 1,427,895.00 5,437,000,000 24,743,700.00 4,903,000 11,367,790.00 814,000 3,587,140.00 12,800 154,630.00 9,770,000 2,253,390.00 31,200 239,410.00 69,300 514,392.00 1,825,000 1,164,830.00 2,030,000 965,950.00 596,800 5,194,318.00 272,522,000 241,391,170.00 10,000,000 2,950,800.00 165,600,000 42,919,000.00 13,990,000 3,863,400.00 1,049,000,000 14,041,900.00 292,300,000 4,238,100.00 3,370,000 6,143,760.00 39,903,000 184,322,210.00 1,132,000 2,953,480.00 413,000 243,200.00 1,146,000 1,443,690.00 121,900,000 1,285,880.00 35,300,000 383,200.00 95,000 386,060.00 27,824,800 218,787,633.00 34,286,000 150,671,700.00 369,300,000 4,921,400.00 3,691,200 480,563,362.00 4,109,000 16,703,450.00 285,800,000 3,221,600.00 PREFERRED 1,871,060 93,905,152.00 114,750 61,079,275.00 66,570 35,427,630 195,800 23,897,600.00 18,530 9,866,150.00 69,000 442,350.00 3,097,000 3,413,380 220,000 23,774,510.00 33,640 34,929,630.00 210 228,830.00 20,690 21,270,020.00 1,690 179,210.00 4,533 501,186.00 19,180 1,515,373.00 89,870 7,305,646.00 4,700 358,700.00 26,550 2,052,525.00 105,400 8,236,072.00 56,840 4,384,515.00 259,380 19,975,785.00 227,570 17,502,168.00 78,000 189,370.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 2,691,000 8,367,150.00 SME 10,963,000 45,323,150.00 25,000 84,300.00 849,000 2,624,290.00 17,174,200 287,490,652.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 163,190 20,403,247.00

8.5 29.00 1.62 3.12 24.95 0.92 6.4 1.020 5.200

291,100 13,416,600 572,000 131,000 103,671,800 5,127,000 23,400 2,687,000 44,171,100

2,491,487.00 389,904,730.00 912,280.00 405,660.00 2,534,899,075.00 4,641,540.00 145,741.00 2,700,990.00 227,065,361.00

7.3 49.9 1.28 0.590 11 28.4 4.37 0.0580 2.99 96.55 9.55 1.97 6.93 3.40 960 2350 6.49 24.00 1.18 58 14.30 194.8 11.56 0.0100 9.61 0.325 1.6600 2.24 11.9 7.50 3.18 1.13 2.68 19.48 0.570 2.03 2.35 4.00 2.900 18 5.04

196,100 1,193,280 183,000 6,931,000 636,700 3,900 89,832,000 384,200,000 4,610,000 3,231,460 11,100 491,000 1,367,300 144,000 1,880 661,305 473,100 168,300 787,000 18,372,080 196,400 540 24,100 10,700,000 3,833,200 133,820,000 20,469,000 121,000 250,100 231,000 55,987,000 37,000 766,000 5,400 221,000 237,000 29,896,000 3,906,000 123,854,000 273,600 67,800

1,440,732.00 60,330,125.00 237,420.00 4,231,210.00 7,004,440.00 110,760 377,889,050.00 22,477,520.00 13,732,870.00 309,311,191.50 104,377.00 935,070 9,371,892.00 574,110.00 1,801,100.00 1,587,076,990 3,078,368.00 3,570,160 895,460.00 1,056,304,918.50 2,910,052 100,864 278,596.00 106,660.00 36,345,650.00 44,689,400.00 33,081,700.00 286,500.00 3,044,934.00 1,744,401.00 209,801,890.00 42,050.00 1,917,020.00 104,400 124,160.00 474,960.00 69,342,850.00 15,510,100.00 362,401,200.00 4,857,368.00 329,927

123.00 24.35 1980.00 0.450 0.970 42.05 80.50 6.22 2.68 0.600

20,500 750,000 3,334,130 227,300,000 78,187,000 8,561,100 2,751,810 877,800 31,623,000 4,090,000

2,548,651.00 18,016,800.00 6,496,222,315.00 112,315,000.00 73,437,570.00 359,257,590.00 220,696,308.50 5,455,069.00 85,875,120.00 2,403,660.00

3.34 0.345 6.850

2,149,000 2,730,000 226,800

7,208,520.00 949,950.00 1,485,493.00

0.0043 2.22 4.30 12.80 0.230 7.7800 7.4900 0.65 0.465 8.56 0.900 0.300 0.247 0.265 0.0140 0.0150 1.88 4.2 2.61 0.6000 1.3000 0.0100 0.0100 4.00 7.35 4.05 0.0130 128.50 3.86 0.0120

4,413,000,000 821,000 418,000 3,500 1,650,000 23,500 37,800 2,375,000 5,643,000 782,600 102,885,100 510,000 143,600,000 7,600,000 212,700,000 169,800,000 1,486,000 31,494,000 3,844,000 609,000 202,000 195,000,000 77,900,000 52,000 4,300,700 21,885,000 267,300,000 3,498,840 2,866,000 108,100,000

19,129,900.00 1,802,650.00 1,826,270.00 43,542.00 422,720.00 181,731.00 285,945.00 1,564,310.00 2,720,160.00 7,121,125.00 102,251,720.00 150,350.00 35,622,780.00 2,026,300.00 2,859,200.00 2,445,800.00 2,803,720.00 134,666,800.00 10,010,640.00 361,150.00 258,100.00 1,975,580.00 789,980.00 206,640.00 30,642,413.00 87,342,110.00 3,485,200.00 451,808,020.00 11,337,880.00 1,205,700.00

49.1 539.5 535 120 534.5 6.48 1.11 108.2 1032 1090 1028 107.4 113 78.9 81 76 76.5 78 76.5 76.9 77 2.6

1,653,210 28,560 3,250 154,100 5,940 113,200 2,277,000 1,000 200 100 2,050 8,020 35,500 38,690 76,490 71,900 107,830 85,860 150,990 350,270 840,230 26,000

82,690,656.00 15,163,910.00 1,738,750 18,441,590.00 3,166,795.00 731,206.00 2,527,550 108,200.00 206,400.00 107,740.00 2,107,200.00 856,720.00 4,006,130.00 3,046,794.00 6,200,895.00 5,486,370.00 8,251,555.00 6,592,445.00 11,673,650.00 26,902,885.00 64,673,594.50 61,440.00

2.920

410,000

1,174,040.00

4.02 3.4 3.06 16.4

7,852,000 44,000 574,000 21,831,800

32,137,840.00 153,980.00 1,684,740.00 379,063,588.00

123

227,270

27,884,359.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining Manila Mining `A’ Philodrill Corp. `A’ Manila Mining `B’ United Paragon Ferronickel Megaworld Prop.

Premium Leisure Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Boulevard Holdings

VOLUME 5,437,000,000 1,049,000,000 369,300,000 292,300,000 285,800,000 272,522,000 242,163,000 239,626,000 230,543,800 189,040,000

STOCKS PLDT Common JG Summit Holdings Ayala Land `B’ SM Prime Holdings Double Dragon Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Universal Robina Metrobank

VALUE 3,189,457,350.00 2,478,117,717.50 2,336,275,550.00 2,166,426,950.00 2,039,829,893.00 1,629,534,814.00 1,585,482,710.00 1,474,948,173.00 1,340,205,709.00 1,310,637,096.00

MONDAY: JUNE 13, 2016

B3

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

San Miguel investing in ARMM

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. said it is investing in energy projects, ports and bulk water facilities to support the economic growth in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

San Miguel signed a memorandum of understanding with ARMM to build a power plant that would provide long-term solution to Mindanao’s power crisis. ARMM is composed of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi provinces.

San Miguel committed to build the power plant that would serve the entire ARMM region, with estimated 573,446

households, over the next two years.

Only 30 percent of households in ARMM had electricity. Blackouts, particularly during the summer months, were prevalent.

San Miguel president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said in a statement instability, lack of infrastructure and lack of a stable power supply made investors wary in ARMM.

Ang said San Miguel’s vote of confidence in the war-torn region was expected to create much-needed jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, provide a major economic boost to ARMM and ease worries over perceived investment risks.

Ang, who signed the MOU together with ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman, said the region represented one of the most under-penetrated markets in the Philippines, “but is a region ripe for investment offering huge potential growth.”

San Miguel said the investment in ARMM was in line with its strategy to locate facilities and production centers outside urban centers, creating strong “second-tier cities,” generating jobs and rebalancing the national economy by income and

growth dispersal.

“San Miguel has shown great vision by choosing to invest in ARMM. Over the next few years, we’re going to see what can be achieved when the private and the public sector work together with the best interests of the local communities at heart,” Hataman said.

San Miguel is an active participant in the economic development of Mindanao. Ang earlier said San Miguel was looking at putting up three power plants with a capacity of 300 megawatts in the company’s planned industrial estate projects in Mindanao.

Each industrial estate development would cover about 2,000 hectares. The company also disclosed plans for an industrial estate in Davao del Sur

province.

“We’re doing those projects in Davao. We want to help address power shortage in Mindanao.

We’re putting up industrial estates. We want to create lots of job opportunities for the people of Mindanao,” Ang said.

“We have so many projects in Mindanao. We’re putting up a food complex in Phividec. We will also put up power plants in the industrial estates. We want to put up at leas t three industrial estates in Mindanao where businesses can locate,” he said .

He said San Miguel planned to put up an initial 300-megawatt power plant in each industrial estate in Mindanao. Each power plant would cost $2 million per MW, or for a total investment of $1.8 billion.

Market expected to move sideways

By Jenniffer B. Austria STOCKS are expected to move sideways this week, as investors would likely continue to solidify their gains from the market’s recent rally while waiting for new developments.

“Given the recent ascent of equity markets both here and in the US, investors will likely try to find similar stories to justify the lofty valuations until second-quarter results come out towards the end of July,” RCBC Securities analyst Anton Alfonso said.

BDO Unibank Inc. chief investment strategist Jonathan Ravelas said overstretched market valuations that pushed up the Philippine Stock Exchange index to a new high for the year at 7,792.34 would cause investors to solidify gains from the recent rally.

“Chartwise, the week’s close at 7,509.94 continues to suggest the market to range between the 7,350 to 7,600 levels in the week ahead. A break below the 7,350 level could call for further weakness towards the 7,000 level,” Ravelas said.

The PSEi, the 30-company benchmark, closed 0.1 percent lower last week to 7,509.94 on July 10, after the market’s steep decline during the latter part of the trading week erased most of the early gains. The broader all-share index, however, gained 0.3 percent to 4,504.25.

The major indices closed mixed, with financial, industrial and holding firms posting weekon-week declines and property, services and mining and oil registering weekly gains.

Foreign investors were net buyers last week of P4.62 billion, as total foreign buying hit P20.5 billion while foreign selling amounted to P15.88 billion.

San Miguel Corp. and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao agreed to jointly develop infrastructure projects in the region through investments in power plants, ports, industrial estates and bulk water facilities. Initially, SMC will build a power plant that will serve the entire ARMM region and help provide long-term solution to Mindanao’s power crisis. Shown during the signing of the memorandum of understanding are SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang (left) and ARMM governor Mujiv Hataman.

PLDT sees higher sales of digital entertainment

By Darwin G. Amojelar PHILIPPINE Long Distance Telephone Co. said it expects sales of digital home devices to reach more than P2 billion this year.

“PLDT Home had a good head start, having been growing in revenues for five consecutive years now with its unmatched digital services and compelling content,” PLDT executive vice president and consumer business head Ariel Fermin said.

“We provide customers with the most number of home entertainment services running on broadband led by PLDT Home DSL and PLDT Home Fibr that serve as the foundation for value-added services such as linear IPTV with Cignal TV, catch up TV with Fox,

and video on demand as offered by iFlix. These services are available at home and on mobile devices,” he said.

Among the growing array of web-connected devices offered

by PLDT Home to customers are Telpad, FamCam and the TVolution Stick.

“In the first quarter of 2016 alone, revenues derived from the sale of these devices have reached over P700 million and are likely to exceed P2 billion for 2016,” Fermin said.

PLDT established partnerships last year with international content providers such as iFlix, Fox International Channel and Disney Kids Channel to provide customers with a unified experience that brings together both content

and connectivity.

Other integrated content and services offered by PLDT are Cignal on Telpad which allows PLDT Home Telpad subscribers to access kid-friendly Cignal programs on Telpad and Cignal on Broadband (Cignal over Fibr, and Cignal over DSL), the only IPTV service in the country.

PLDT Home commands a market share of around 70 percent in the first quarter as it continues to offer unparalleled digital services to nearly 1.3 million wired broadband customers.

Broadband and data revenues now account for 53 percent of total PLDT Home revenues at P4.23 billion as of end-March.

PLDT, partly owned by Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd. and

Japan’s NTT group, earlier reported a net income of P6.22 billion in the January-to-March period, down by 34 percent from P9.48 billion a year ago.

The company linked the decline in net income during the period to higher product subsidies and financing costs and increased impairment charges related to the investment in Rocket Internet.

Core profit, which excludes foreign exchange gains or losses and other non-recurring income, dropped 22 percent to P7.21 billion in the first quarter from P9.28 billion a year earlier.

Consolidated revenues amounted to P42.78 billion in the January-to-March period, up from P42.55 billion in the same period last year.

B4 Regional financial leaders. The

Bank for International Settlements and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas jointly hosted the Research Conference on Financial Inclusion and Central Banks in Mactan, Cebu. The high-level conference brought together senior central bankers, leading academics and other experts to discuss key policy issues on financial inclusion.

Shown are (from left) Bank of Thailand Governor Veerathai Santiprabho, Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr., BIS chief representative of Office for Asia and the Pacific Eli Remolona and former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Yaga Venugopal Reddy.

Kepco world’s top power producer

By Alena Mae S. Flores FORBES magazine named Korea Electric Power Corp. as the best energy company in the world this year.

Kepco bagged the number one spot in Forbes’ worldwide list of top electric utilities in 2016.

Kepco said in a statement this marked the first time an Asian energy company topped Forbes Global 2000 list.

Kepco landed in the 97th spot in Forbes’ overall ranking of world’s largest companies in 2016, up from its 171st place in 2015.

Forbes Global 2000 is Forbes magazine’s annual ranking of the top 2,000 public companies in the world, based on sales, profits, assets and market value.

Kepco increased its sales to $52.1 billion, its profits to $11.7 billion, its assets to $149.5 billion and its market value to $33.1 billion, according to Forbes.

Kepco’s net profit reached $8.63 billion in 2015 and in 2012 its price per share increased to P2,382 from P794.

Further, Kepco’s debt ratio was reduced to 99.9 percent in 2015 from 135.8 percent in 2013.

Kepco manager Joo Yoonjung said Forbes gave high regard to the company’s different power projects in 21 countries, including those operating in Japan and United Arab Emirates.

Kepco has been present in the Philippine power sector for the past 20 years.

Cemex asked to give more details on IPO

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission asked for more “material information” from cement manufacturer Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. on its planned P40-billion initial public offering.

SEC spokesperson Armando Pan Jr. confirmed that while the SEC en banc approved Cemex Holdings’ IPO last week, the corporate regulator had yet to issue a preeffective letter to the local unit of the Mexican cement company.

Cemex Holdings needs a pre-effective letter to conduct investor roadshow to drive interest in the maiden share sale.

SEC sources said the corporate regulator had raised two main points of concern which were considered material information on the planned public offering.

Sources said the material information could result in amendment to Cemex Holdings’ registration statement filed with the SEC. Cemex Holdings will be given 10 days to make the clarifications.

After getting SEC approval, the cement firm needs to also secure an approval from the Philippine Stock Exchange, which would enable it to set the final timetable for the offering.

Documents filed with the SEC showed that Cemex Holdings would sell 2.032 billion common shares at an offer price of up to P17 apiece to raise as much as P34.56 billion in proceeds.

Some 304.94 million shares were set aside for over allotment in case of oversubscription, which could increase total proceeds to P39.74 billion, making it among the largest IPOs in the country. Data showed Cemex Holdings aimed to use the proceeds for the repayment of up to $504 million of short-term loan from related third party New Sunward Holdings B.V. which was used to acquire operating subsidiaries Apo Cement Corp. and Solid Cement Corp.

Documents showed of the 2.337 billion

shares, up to 1.423 billion shares worth P24.2 billion would be sold to overseas investors while the remaining 609.89 million shares worth P10.36 billion would be set aside to domestic investors.

Citigroup Global Markets Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Singapore Branch and J.P. Morgan Securities PLC are the joint global coordinators and book runners while BDO Capital & Investment Corp. is the domestic lead underwriter.

Cemex Holdings said it planned to spend P2.4 billion for capital expenditures in 2016, including P600 million for maintenance of existing cement facilities.

Cemex Holdings is a newly formed subsidiary of Cemex Asian South East Corp., which is wholly owned by Cemex España, S.A., which in turn is indirectly owned by Cemex, one of the largest cement companies in the world based on annual installed cement production capacity.

It operates two cement plants with aggregate installed annual capacity of 5.7 million tons as of end-December 2015.

Govt agencies need to improve budget execution

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE incoming Duterte administration should improve the budget absorption of implementing agencies to reach the 3-percent budget deficit ceiling as a percentage of the economy in the near term, outgoing Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said over the weekend.

“I don’t doubt the capacity of our strong macroeconomic foundation to accommodate expansionary budget, but as I emphasize here, we should continue to make sure that our implementing agencies are able to improve on their

budget execution and absorption capacities because last year we had 0.9 percent [deficit-to-GDP ratio]. The year before that is like 0.6 percent,” Abad said.

Latest data from the Treasury showed that budget deficit had fallen below the goal of 2 percent of GDP since 2013. The gap represented 1.4 percent of GDP in 2013, a ratio that fell to 0.6 percent in 2014, before reaching 0.9 percent in 2015.

Incoming Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the next administration could raise the budget deficit ceiling to 3 percent

of GDP from 2 percent projected this year in order to increase spending on infrastructure and other services.

Abad said despite the increasing budget deficit ceiling, implementing agencies should still improve their absorption capacity.

“Even if you expand that, but your absorption is limited then you still have to deal with agencies being able to use the funds that’s available. But I think we will come to that, as the first quarter show,” Abad said.

Incoming Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez supported

Diokno’s pronouncement about the need to raise the budget deficit ceiling.

“You know Diokno said something the other day which I agree with. He says the self-imposed 2 percent of GDP limit on your deficit can be moved up to 3 percent. I agree with that,” Dominguez said.

“One of the reasons we were elected or this president [Rodrigo Duterte] was elected is because a lot of people don’t feel that they benefited from economic growth.

What does that mean? That means to say a lot of people feel neglected,” Dominguez said.

M O N D AY : J U N E 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

B5

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

SEC to review big telecom deal

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission said it is reviewing whether Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Globe Telecom should conduct a tender offer to buy minority shareholders out of Liberty Telecoms Holdings Inc. PLDT and Globe earlier acquired 50 percent each of San Miguel Corp.’s telecom business through unit Vega Telecom Inc., which owns equity stakes in various companies including Liberty Telecoms.

Liberty Telecoms is a listed company, with a public float of 12.8 percent.

SEC spokesman Armando Pan said the Market Securities and Regulation Division was now studying the deal and would likely have a recommendation to the SEC en banc within the week.

Pan said while MRSD might already have a preliminary opinion on the issue, this needed to be presented to SEC en banc for approval.

SEC said it had not received inquiries from minority shareholders of Liberty on

possible tender offer.

PLDT and Globe said they were looking at the possibility of conducing a tender offer for Liberty’s minority shareholders, following the P70-billion deal to co-purchase San Miguel’s telco business.

Liberty Telecoms said in a separate disclosure to the stock exchange it was also studying the applicability of the tender offer rule in relation to the purchase by PLDT and Globe of San Miguel’s Vega Holdings.

Under the Securities Regulation Code “any person or group of persons acting in concert that intends to acquire directly or indirectly thirty five percent [35 percent] or more of equity shares in a public company in one or more transactions within a period of 12 months shall disclose such intention and contemporaneously make a tender offer for the percentage sought to all holders of such class within the said period.”

PLDT and Globe acquired 50 percent each of San Miguel Corp.’s telecom business through Vega Telecom Inc., which owns directly and indirectly equity stakes in various companies including Bell Telecommunication Philippines Inc., Eastern Telecom Philippines Inc., Express Telecom Inc., Hi-Frequency Telecommunication Inc., Telecommunication Technologies Phils. Inc., Tori Spectrum Telecom Inc. and Liberty Telecoms.

SMDC-Federal Land venture. SM Development Corp. and Federal Land Inc. seal a partnership to develop the country’s most prestigious residential project along Ayala Avenue, Makati City. Shown during the contract signing are (from left) GT Capital Holdings Inc. vice chairman Francisco Sebastian, Federal Land chairman Alfred Ty, SMDC chairman Henry Sy and SMDC executive vice president Jose Mari Banzon.

PLDT VP and head of PLDT Smart SME Nation Mitch Locsin; the columnist who served as panel moderator; PLDT Group chairman Manuel Pangilinan; Laura Verallo de Bertotto of VMV; Bernie Liu of Golden ABC; Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corp. ; and ePLDT president and CEO Eric Alberto

Make it big BIGNESS is better, if you believe Thomas J. Leonard, founding father of professional life coaching. I take a different approach, but, more or less, share the same end-view: that bigness is not (necessarily) bad.

Bigness can bring innovation; bigness can spur growth. Bigness democratizes, bigness liberalizes.

The past two weeks has brought to fore moments of “bigness,” so to speak, especially in the realm of telecommunications. First up was the PLDT-SMART SME Nation’s “BIG Talks”—a conference that gathered entrepreneurs to encourage them to bring their businesses to the next level as part of the “Make It BIG” campaign. This campaign seeks to inspire entrepreneurs to make their businesses big, no matter what level they are in, recognizing the need to motivate small to medium-scale businesses as the backbone of the Philippine economy.

I served as moderator and host of the panel discussion on “Going Global” with guests Bernie Liu of Golden ABC (Penshoppe), the lovely Laura Verallo de Bertotto of VMV Hypoallergenics, and a fellow trustee in the NAPOLCOM Advisory Council on Transformation (NACT), Dr. Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corporation, makers of Hapee Toothpaste.

These were known as the “Top Guns” in local enterprise who have their own respective success stories, who can make many entrepreneurs learn a thing or two from the challenges they faced, and how they brought their business to a global scale. It was a very insightful and uplifting session for all.

With panel members Bernie Liu of Golden ABC, Laura Verallo de Bertotto of VMV, and Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corp. during a discussion on how they brought their business to a global platform, and how technology opens opportunities for growth

Households with savings increase

By Julito G. Rada THE number of Filipino households that saved money in the second quarter increased from the first quarter, results of a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ survey show.

The latest consumer expectations survey put the percentage of households with savings at 33.2 percent in the second quarter, up from 32.7 percent in the first quarter.

Households with savings increased among the low-income group, but decreased for both the middle- and high-income groups.

Respondents said they saved money for different reasons, such as emergencies, retirement, health and hospitalization, education and business capital and investment.

“Nearly two-thirds [65.9 percent] of household savers had bank deposit accounts while 47 percent kept their savings at home and 26.4 percent put their money

in cooperatives, paluwagan, other credit/ loan associations, SSS, and as investment,” Bangko Sentral said.

The percentage of respondents who reported they could set aside money for savings during the current quarter slightly improved to 39.3 percent from 38.9 percent in the first quarter 2016. However, the proportion of those that could set aside 10 percent or more of their monthly gross family income declined to 36.9 percent from 38.9 percent a quarter ago.

The same survey also found out that the families of overseas Filipino workers prioritized the purchase of food and other household needs.

Data showed that of the 555 households in the survey that received OFW remittances for the second quarter, 97.1 percent used the remittances that they received to buy food and other necessities.

The second BIG thing that happened, of course, was the breakthrough purchase of the telecommunications assets of San Miguel Corporation by telco giants PLDT-SMART and Globe Telecom, which included the highly-coveted 700MHz frequency. Acquiring this vital frequency lowers the cost of internet connectivity and allows more people to go online. Industry experts are one in saying that dividing up the 700MHZ frequency between the two dominant telcos is the fastest way to improve internet services and connectivity. We all know the bureaucratic and technological challenges telcos face in putting up cell sites. Moreover, the acquisition of the holding company which owns these frequencies is far better than allowing these frequencies to remain unused or dormant. The recent acquisition allows all to partake of the digital dividend.

Part of the purchase of the San Miguel assets would also be a return to government of some frequencies which would allow a third player to join the industry, thus enhancing competition. In short, this recent development will provide faster internet for all, be it in business or for the consumer which matters the most.

With PLDT VP and head of PLDT Smart SME Nation Mitch Locsin; Bernie, Alice and Edmun Liu of Golden ABC

The columnist with PLDT chair Manny Pangilinan; PLDT Group executives Eric Alberto and Mitch Locsin; PLDT Smart SME Nation’s Brand Ambassadors Bernie Liu, Kim Lato, Krie Reyes-Lopez, Rudy and Rosiell de Leon, and Joseph Calata

MONDAY: JUNE 13, 2016

B6 DENR pushes treaty vs. mercury

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales THE Environment Department said over the weekend it expects the Senate to ratify an international treaty regulating the use and trade of mercury, a highly toxic substance that poses threats to human health and the environment.

The DENR-Environmental Management Bureau and its partners from the public and private sectors earlier released a ratification dossier on the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which the Philippines adopted in October 2013.

The dossier was completed through the assistance of the United Nations Training and Research and the Swiss Confederation.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said ratifying the treaty would be an important step toward controlling mercury pollution in the country.

“The ratification will seal the country’s firm commitment to protect its people and the environment from toxic and even deadly effects of mercury,” Paje said.

The dossier will be used as reference for ratification by the Senate and for assessing the capability of the Philippines in adopting the treaty.

Paje said the 24-member Senate is the lone government body tasked to scrutinize and endorse foreign treaties.

The vote of at least 16 senators or two-thirds of the Senate membership is required before a foreign agreement is deemed ratified.

The Minamata Convention will take effect 90 days after ratification by at least 50 countries.

The treaty maps out measures to curb health and environmental damage caused by mercury, recognizing the substantial lessons of Minamata disease, sometimes referred to as ChissoMinamata disease, a neurological syndrome caused by severe mercury poisoning.

It aims to address eight major sources and uses of mercury, namely: supply sources and trade; mercury-added products; artisanal and small-scale gold mining; emissions and releases; interim storage of non-waste mercury; mercury wastes and contaminated sites; mercury cell chlor-alkali production; and mercury air transport and fate.

Currently, the use of mercury and mercury compounds in the Philippines is limited to pharmaceuticals, dental amalgam, mining, electrical apparatus design and management and paint manufacturing.

The Health Department issued an administrative order in 2008, directing a gradual phase-out of mercury in healthcare facilities and institutions.

A similar directive was issued by the Education and Energy Departments covering the education and energy sectors, respectively.

BUSINESS business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

EDC upgrading 3 geothermal plants

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ORMOC City—Energy Development Corp. said it expects to increase revenues by P600 million with the retrofitting and upgrading of three geothermal power assets that will add 50 megawatts of capacity.

EDC president Ricky Tantoco told reporters the company was presently upgrading geothermal facilities such as the Nasulo, Tongonan and Palinpinon geothermal power plants.

“All of those may [contribute] additional P600 million in revenues. We see some of those kilowatt-hours coming in by next year,” Tantoco said.

The company invested P4.3 billion for the Tongonan power plant rehabilitation

alone, which is now on its second and final phase. EDC contracted Siemens for the control systems integration and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems for turbine-generator.

EDC is set to embark on the full rehabilitation and retrofitting of the Tongonan units starting the second half of the year and expects all works to be completed by early 2017.

Tantoco said during the annual stockholder’s meeting in May EDC’s assets were at “mid-life” and required capital expenditure investments to maintain reliability levels.

“These investments are expected of prudently operated facilities. Investing in our existing operations is what we call a front domino, something that needs immediate focus and action. Unplanned outages contributed to about P1.5 billion in foregone revenues in 2015, and as we invest in our facilities, these losses should be a thing of the past,” he said.

He said strengthening EDC’s existing assets was a necessary, strategic investment especially in the wake of climate change.

“Both the impact of climate-related hazards and the geography of our project sites have made us vulnerable, particularly to typhoons. We completed several typhoonproofing projects this year, particularly the installation of new typhoon-resistant cooling towers in both BacMan and Leyte, which have been designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour,” Tantoco said.

Tantoco said EDC also put in place tower spares to restore geothermal assets in case another typhoon Yolanda struck. “We simply don’t want to take any more chances,” he said.

He said EDC employed engineering solutions such as improvements in the metallurgy of turbine rotors and blades, and using advanced stress relief methods in manufacturing to improve plant reliability and site resiliency.

EDC, an affiliate of First Gen Corp., owns 1,441 megawatts of generating capacity, comprising of 1,159 MW of geothermal, 150 MW of wind, 132 MW of hydro and 4 MW of solar energy.

Clean energy.

Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman (center), vice chair of the Climate Change Commission, participates in a panel discussion during the Asia Clean Energy Forum at the Asian Development Bank in Mandaluyong City. With him are ADB senior advisor for sustainable development and climate change department Yongping Zhai (left) and World Resources Institute executive vice president and managing director Manish Bapna.

Corporate gifts sector expected to expand 20% to P120m in 2016

By Othel V. Campos COMPANIES are expected to increase the use of corporate gifts as an advertising and marketing tool this year, according to a fair organizer.

World Expos and Concepts Inc., the country’s biggest organizer of suppliers of promotional gifts, said the sector was expected to generate P120 million in projected sales for the year.

It said this would be 20 percent higher than P100 million sales the sector earned in 2015.

“The sector’s growth seem to run parallel to the growth of the economy. Companies have increased their budget for advertising and marketing over time

which is a good outlook for the economy, as well,” said World Expos and Concepts general manager Raquel Romero.

Romero said even as the economy slowed down, gift-giving was not expected to stop.

The corporate gift sector generated an estimated P100 million in sales last year, up from P80 million in 2014.

“Companies tend to rationalize the budget but gift-giving does not end. This habit is very Filipino, very Asian,” said Romero.

She said the burst of economic growth was also rapidly allowing the emergence of new markets for products and services.

“Already, new businesses are competing head-to-head to es-

tablish the newest most recognizable brands. This has consequently spurred marketing and advertising spending, which now has an unprecedented projected growth rate of 11 percent among the fast-track Asian countries,” she said.

Advertising and marketing also engaged traditional media such as billboards, television and print ads for promotional activities.

Corporate gifts, however, have steadily increased its share in advertising and marketing over the last 29 years.

Gifts have also evolved over time from traditional umbrella, mugs, pens and notebooks to more relevant and more personal gifts, according to Romero.

World Expos and Concepts said trending in 2016 were electronic gadgets, travel accessories, gourmet food, organic items, disaster-preparedness kits, eco-friendly, gifts with stories and branded gifts for esteemed clients.

Romero said to update companies on the latest innovation in corporate gifts and tokens, World Expos and Concepts would hold Corporate Giveaways 2016 on June 21 to 23 at the SMX Convention Center Manila at the Mall of Asia Asia in Pasay City.

The event is the biggest and longest running corporate gift show in the Philippines. More than 100 companies and suppliers are expected to join the fair.

M O N D AY : J U N E 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Singer’s killer traveled to get her MIAMI—The gunman who killed singer Christina Grimmie, a former contestant on the popular TV show “The Voice,” traveled to Orlando, Florida, apparently intending to attack her, police said Saturday.

Armed with two handguns, ammunition and a hunting knife, the suspect, identified as Kevin James Loibl, shot and fatally wounded the 22-year-old at the city’s Plaza Live Theater late Friday during a meet and greet with fans.

Grimmie—who had performed with the group “Before You Exit”—was rushed to the Orlando Regional Medical Center, but died of her wounds.

“The suspect traveled to Orlando, apparently, to commit this crime, and then had plans to travel back to where he came from,” Police Chief John Mina told reporters.

But the tragedy could have been far worse had Grimmie’s brother Marcus not tackled the suspect as he began shooting. Loibl, a 27-year-old from St Petersburg, Florida, shot and killed himself after shooting Grimmie.

“Her brother Marcus is a hero and possibly saved countless other lives,” the Orlando Police Department said in a statement.

There were about 120 people in the venue at the time, it said, adding that the brother was not injured.

Detectives are scrutinizing Loibl’s cell phone and computer as they search for a motive.

Police declined to provide many details about the suspect.

Unarmed security guards at the concert conducted bag checks, police said, but failed to discover the shooter’s weapons.

“There are no metal detectors. People are not patted down. They open their bags and authorities look inside those bags for weapons,” Mina said.

Most people at the event were “young kids,” which “isn’t a crowd that you would suspect would be carrying guns,” he added.

Authorities said they were trying to determine if the shooter knew Grimmie or was a deranged fan. AFP

B7

‘Virgin Queens’ promote sexual abstinence in Togo LOME, Togo—With her tiara, silky hair and satin dress, Pascaline Boukari Kombate looks like any other beauty queen. But the blue sash she wears with pride tells a different story.

Party. The atmosphere at the 11th Annual Jazz Age Lawn Party sponsored

Kombate is Togo’s reigning “Virgin Queen”, whose job is to tour schools and promote sexual abstinence in a country concerned about a rise in teenage pregnancies and the spread of HIV. Virginity pledges such as the True Love Waits and Silver Ring Thing programs have become common, particularly in the United States among some Evangelical Christian groups.

But while those programs relied on the word of teenagers and young adults to remain sexually abstinent until marriage, Togo has taken the idea to another level.

Every year for the last

by St-Germain at Governors Island on June 11, 2016, in New York City. AFP

Invitation to Bid for the Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of Two (2) Lots Network Security Tools under ITB No. PB16-059COR-06 The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming public bidding for the Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of Two (2) Lots Network Security Tools under ITB No.PB16-59COR-06.

1

Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of Vulnerability Assessment System

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) (VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction) Six Million Six Hundred Sixty-Nine Thousand Two Hundred Forty-One Pesos (PhP6,669,241.00)

2

Supply, Delivery, Installation and Commissioning of Penetration Testing System

Three Million Six Hundred NinetyThousand Seven Hundred Fifty-Nine Pesos (PhP3,690,759.00)

Lot No.

Brief Description

TOTAL ABC

Ten Million Three Hundred Sixty Thousand Pesos (PhP10,360,000.00), VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction

Delivery Schedule

Within Forty-Five (45) calendar days from the effectivity date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

Source of Funds

seven years, a hundred or so young Togolese women submit themselves to a virginity test to take part in the contest organized by a youth organization, AV-Jeunes.

Kombate, a 21-yearold student in the third year of a science technology and social education degree, won the national title last year.

At a school in Togo’s capital, Lome, she gives a talk to students.

“Study comes first and sex afterwards because you can’t have your finger in more than one pie,” she said.

The head of AV-Jeunes, Rodrigue Akolly, said the competition, which is

Republic of the Philippines CAV ITE S TATE U N IV E R S ITY (C vS U ) D on S ev eri no de al as C ampus Indang, c av i te (046) 415010/415-0011 415-0012 w w w.c v s u.educ .ph INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID (INFRASTRUCTURE/CIVIL WORKS) The CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, through its Bids and Award Committee (BAC), invites all interested bidders/contractors with size range of Medium A to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project: Name of Project : CONSTRUCTION OF AQUACULTURE, BIOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CENTER (AQUABEST CENTER) PHASE I Location : NAIC CAMPUS, CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, NAIC, CAVITE Brief Description : CONSTRUCTION OF AQUACULTURE, BIOLOGY, ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CENTER (AQUABEST CENTER) PHASE I Contract Duration : 300 CALENDAR DAYS Approved Budget For the Contract : P 39,406,496.45 Prospective bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the projects. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities

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.

Schedule

1. Issuance of Bid Documents

June 9, 2016 to June 30, 2016; 8:00AM – 5:00PM

2. Pre-bid Conference

June 16, 2016; 3:30 PM; S.L. Lasap Hall, Administration Building, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite

3. Opening of Bids

June 30, 2016; 3:30 PM; S.L. Lasap Hall, Administration Building, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite

Bid Documents will be available only to prospective bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only (P 25,000.00) to the CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY Cashier.

Pre-bid conference shall be open only to all interested bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered to the Office of the BAC Chairman, Administration Bldg., CvSU, Indang, Cavite on or before the abovementioned date and time. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and amount. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ authorized representatives who choose to attend the bidding. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY (CvSU) assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation

of the bid. CvSU also reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to annul the bidding process, to reject all bids at any time prior to Contract Award without incurring any liability to the affected bidders, waive any required formality therein, and to award the Contract to the bidder whose bid proposal as evaluated is most advantageous to the University.

Approved by:

The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities

Schedule June 13, 2016 to July 5, 2016

2. Pre-Bid Conference

June 21, 2016 (Tuesday), 3:00 p.m.

3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids

July 5, 2016 (Tuesday), 2:00 p.m.

4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids

July 5, 2016 (Tuesday), 2:00 p.m. onwards

Republic of the Philippines CAV ITE S TATE U N IV E R S ITY (C vS U ) D on S ev eri no de al as C ampus Indang, c av i te (046) 415010/415-0011 415-0012 w w w.c v s u.educ .ph

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 the sale of bidding documents based on the following matrix: Approved Budget for the Contract More than 500,000.00 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million

Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Pesos) 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00

Prospective bidder may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that biddershall pay the non-refundable fee for the sale of bidding documentsnot 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 PilarStreet 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)2shall 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 post-qualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final bidder having the LCRB, based on the following procedures:

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

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

PAGCOR reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or 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) 2

(sgd) GILCHOR P. CUBILLO, PhD BAC Chairman

( T S - J U N E13 , 2 016)

1. Issuance of the Bidding Documents

(TS-JUNE 13, 2016)

open to girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24, has both social and health aims.

“We’re working in the main to reduce early pregnancy and new HIV/AIDS infections,” he said.

“Candidates contact us either by text message or Facebook. Once contact has been established, we meet their parents to explain the aim of the competition.

“Some parents are reluctant but most appreciate the process and encourage us.”

The virginity test—the key to the contest—is conducted by a team of gynecologists 48 hours before the “coronation”.

The grand final, covered by Togo’s media and followed closely in households, also sees candidates answer questions in a general cultural knowledge quiz and perform traditional dance. AFP

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID (INFRASTRUCTURE/CIVIL WORKS) The CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, through its Bids and Award Committee (BAC), invites all interested bidders/contractors with size range of Small B to apply for eligibility and to bid for the hereunder project: Name of Project : CONSTRUCTION OF FIVE STOREY BUILDING @ TRECE CAMPUS Location : TMC CAMPUS, CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, TRECE MARTIRES CITY, CAVITE Brief Description : CONSTRUCTION OF FIVE STOREY SCHOOL BUILDING (PHASE I) Contract Duration : 150 CALENDAR DAYS Approved Budget For the Contract : P 10,101,418.85 Prospective bidders should have completed, within ten (10) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the projects. The Eligibility Check/Screening as well as the Preliminary Examination of Bids shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification of the lowest calculated bid shall be conducted.

All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference(s), Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities

Schedule

1. Issuance of Bid Documents

June 9, 2016 to June 30, 2016; 8:00AM – 5:00PM

2. Pre-bid Conference

June 16, 2016; 2:30 PM; S.L. Lasap Hall, Administration Building, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite

3. Opening of Bids

June 30, 2016; 2:30 PM; S.L. Lasap Hall, Administration Building, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite

Bid Documents will be available only to prospective bidders upon payment of a non-refundable amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only (P 25,000.00) to the CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY Cashier.

Pre-bid conference shall be open only to all interested bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered to the Office of the BAC Chairman, Administration Bldg., CvSU, Indang, Cavite on or before the abovementioned date and time. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and amount. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ authorized representatives who choose to attend the bidding. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY (CvSU) assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of the bid. CvSU also reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, to annul the bidding process, to reject all bids at any time prior to Contract Award without incurring any liability to the affected bidders, waive any required formality therein, and to award the Contract to the bidder whose bid proposal as evaluated is most advantageous to the University.

( T S - J U N E 13 , 2 016)

Approved by: (sgd) GILCHOR P. CUBILLO, PhD BAC Chairman

M O N D AY : J U N E 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

B8

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Celebrating their day. Performers dance during an event celebrating International Domestic Workers’ Day in the Central district of Hong Kong on June 12, 2016. There are more than 300,000 migrant domestic workers employed in Hong Kong, the majority of them originating from Indonesia and the Philippines. AFP

UN mulls more troops in Mali Led Zeppelin on trial in LA over ‘Stairway’ LOS ANGELES—Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant will appear in court on Tuesday to defend “Stairway to Heaven,” one of the most recognizable songs in rock history, from accusations of plagiarism.

Spirit, a psychedelic band from Los Angeles that enjoyed a niche following but never the superstardom of Zeppelin, claims the iconic melancholic guitar that opens the song was lifted from its instrumental track “Taurus.”

Spirit’s guitarist Randy Wolfe—who went by the nickname Randy California—never took legal action and died in 1997, but a lawsuit was filed by his trustee Michael Skidmore.

“Well, if you listen to the two songs, you can make your own

judgment. It’s an exact... I’d say it was a rip-off,” California said in a magazine interview just before his death, quoted in the lawsuit.

“And the guys made millions of bucks on it and never said ‘Thank you,’ never said, ‘Can we pay you some money for it?’ It’s kind of a sore point with me.”

After two years of legal proceedings, a judge stopped short of agreeing that the song was copied but said there was enough of a case for a jury trial in Los Angeles.

Spirit’s representative “failed to proffer evidence of striking similarity, but he has successfully created a triable issue of fact as to access and substantial similarity,” US District Court Judge Gary Klausner said in a ruling in May. AFP

BAMAKO, Mali—As the United Nations looks to extend its most deadly active mission for peace keepers for another year, those working closely with its venture in Mali say poor local collaboration and funding gaps are costing lives.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has asked the Security Council to approve 2,500 extra troops and police for the Mali force, known by the acronym MINUSMA, and to keep the mission in place until June 2017.

Increasingly relentless jihadist attacks and growing hostility from locals have soured its presence in the country, with 68 peace keepers killed since it was established in April 2013, including 12 in the space of two weeks in May. Islamist organizations such as Ansar Dine and Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) have excelled in a combination of improvised explosive devices and ambushes in the unforgiving desert terrain of the country’s north.

Attacks on UN peace keepers “are

increasingly complex and sophisticated”, Ban wrote in a report to the council, while banditry was also threatening the livelihoods of the citizens they were sent to protect.

MINUSMA military chief of staff General Herve Gomart laid out several challenges in this respect at a press conference on Thursday in Bamako.

“To combat terrorist groups, we have to know where they are, how many of them there are, and how they work,” Gomart said.

“That requires technical capacities that we don’t have today. But what is need above all is intelligence -- human intelligence,” Gomart admitted.

The mission is supposed to oversee the implementation of a faltering peace deal signed in 2015 by

the government, loyalist militias and the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), a coalition of rebel groups.

The UN-mediated accord calls for the creation of elected regional assemblies but stops short of autonomy or federalism for northern Mali, known by locals as Azawad, and was designed to bring stability following a military coup and jihadist takeover in 2012.

Mali’s government has since been unable to maintain security with domestic forces alone.

But, according to Malian columnist and security expert Alexi Kalambry, certain armed groups unhappy with how the agreement is being rolled out are turning a blind eye on attacks on MINUSMA they could help prevent.

“Every time there is a stalemate in negotiations the number of attacks goes up. It’s linked, and MINUSMA know all about this,” Kalambry said. “They should have modified their mandate as soon as they saw they were being targeted.”

AFP

Uncovering Cambodia’s ancient cities

PHNOM PENH—Unprecedented new details of medieval cities hidden under jungle in Cambodia near Angkor Wat have been revealed using lasers, archaeologists said Sunday, shedding new light on the civiliZation behind the world’s largest religious complex.

While the research has been going on for several years, the new findings uncover the sheer scale of the Khmer Empire’s urban sprawl and temple complexes to be significantly bigger than was previously thought.

The research, drawing on airborne laser scanning technology

known as lidar, will be unveiled in full at the Royal Geographic Society in London on Monday by Australian archaeologist Damian Evans.

“We always imagined that their great cities surrounded the monuments in antiquity,” Evans told AFP. “But now we can see them with incredible precision and detail, in some places for the very first time, but in most places where we already had a vague idea that cities must be there,” he added.

Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site seen as among the

most important in southeast Asia, is considered one of the ancient wonders of the world.

It was constructed from the early to mid 1100s by King Suryavarman II at the height of the Khmer Empire’s political and military power and was among the largest pre-industrial cities in the world.

But scholars had long believed there was far more to the empire than just the Angkor complex.

The huge tranche of new data builds on scans that were made in 2012 that confirmed the existence of Mahendraparvata, an ancient temple city near Angkor Wat. AFP

Festival. The sun rises as Samaritan worshipers gather to pray on top of Mount Gerizim, near the northern West Bank city of Nablus, to celebrate the Shavuot festival on June 12, 2016. Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai seven weeks after the exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt. AFP

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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

E aT, dRInK , T R aV EL

LIFE

BECAuSE IT’S yOuR TuRn TO fOOT ThE BIll

T

Here’s a list of places wHere you can bring dad on fatHer’s day

his June, it’s time for us to celebrate fathers and all the father figures in our lives. Let’s show our appreciation for everything dad has done for us and express how much we are thankful that we have them in our lives. Whether he is your biological dad, mentor, brother, lolo, uncle, it’s time for us to foot the bill and treat him on his special day.

Take advantage of the special rates, promos and discounts all over the metro for Father’s day. Here’s a list of places where you can bring dad.

MAnIlA hOTEl PAyS TRIBuTE TO DADS Don’t just take him out for dinner; extend your gratitude to dad by giving him a luxurious Father’s Day getaway at the heart of historic Manila. For P9,000 net, book Manila Hotel’s Wonder Dad promotion and stay in a Superior Deluxe Room that comes with a complimentary breakfast buffet for two at the Café IlangIlang. And because dads also love to get some pampering, the package also includes an hour of either Shiatsu, Swedish

fAThER’S DAy AT RESORTS WORlD MAnIlA Premier entertainment and leisure destination Resorts World Manila (RWM) will host a series of activities for the entire family to enjoy in honor of the man of the house on June 19.

Let the special day start by giving thanks through a High Mass at the Newport Performing Arts Theater by 10:00 a.m. The ceremony will be concelebrated by Bishop Leopoldo S. Tumulak and Father Chito Cardoza, with guest priest Father Armand Robleza and accompanied by the music of the UP Singing Ambassadors. After the mass, head to RWM’s signature restaurants and take advantage of their Father’s Day special treats.

Enjoy a Father’s Day feast at Impressions as master chef Cyrille Soenen prepares a special brunch buffet menu for the man and his entourage from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The feast will feature a regal spread of barbeque short plate, roasted Angus rib eye, king prawns, lobster, and other delectable dishes fit for a king. The special price for the feast is P3,290 net per head and P1,920 net for kids six to 12 years old. Kids five years old and below are absolutely free as long as accompanied by a paying adult.

For the man with a hearty appetite, bring him to The Terrace for a sumptuous all-you-can-eat treat Daddy’s Specials spread. The best part of the buffet is dads get to dine for free but they have to be with two paying guests. Guests can indulge in create-your-own pizza counters, a range of pasta options, and other savory continental dishes for only P1,200 net per person.

For a minimum single receipt purchase worth P5,000 from your dining, head to the 2nd floor of the Maxims Hotel at the Passion restaurant’s foyer and your family photos can be taken for free at the photo booth set up. If your dad is a whisky lover, dine at Passion and avail of Dad’s Time Out set of dishes and get a free bottle of Andy Player Blended Whisky for P788 net per person which includes a menu of barbeque chicken salad, Mrs. Sung’s thick fish soup, wokfried lamb meat and more.

Visit www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/ Visitor Hotline at (632) 908-8833 to find out more about the latest special events, offerings and attractions at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Mall.

or the Signature Massage from The Manila Hotel Spa. The promo also includes a complimentary lunch set menu at the Cowrie Grill by The Manila Hotel located along Missouri Street at the new wing of the Greenhills Promenade Mall.

For inquiries and reservations, patrons can call 527-0011 local 1175 to 1178 or email resvn@themanilahotel.com. Booking period is until June 29.

A hERO’S WElCOME fOR DADS AT MARCO POlO MAnIlA Dads are usually our first heroes even before comics and TV saturated our minds with cape-crusading super humans. Marco Polo Manila honors fathers and gives them a grand hero’s welcome for their special day.

Celebrating families can enjoy the Father’s Day Fiesta buffet at Cucina for just P2,300 for lunch or dinner on June 19. The special man gets to dine for free if he has three paying guests with him. Dads availing of the buffet will also get a special gift from SevenFridays and Kiehl’s and a 20 percent house wine discount that can be availed of on June 18 and 19. Dads who love a cool night out can head to Vu’s Sky bar and enjoy the music of Highway 54 Band and DJ Agnes. Dads can also get a 20 percent discount on food and beverage on June 18 and 19.

If you have a deeper pocket, then let dad indulge in an overnight stay and get him gift certificates that include a breakfast buffet and complimentary 10 percent savings on restaurants and lounges.

For more information, contact (632) 720 7777 or book online via www.marcopolohotels.com or email manila@marcopolohotels.com.

Visit MarcoPoloOrtigasManila on Facebook or follow @MarcoPoloManila on Twitter or Instagram.

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m onday : J UnE 13, 2016

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Tokar Estates Wine Tasting

Grapes from Yarra Yerring Estates

dId thE Land down UndEr PUt mE UndEr? (Part thrEE)

tipple tales By icy mariÑas

H

ello, dear imbibers! After a brief hiatus, I’m back to share the third (and final) installment of my trip to Australia, rounding off the amazing drinking experiences with a visit to some wineries and a brewery in Yarra Valley.

But before that, I stopped by Queen Victoria Market. This is no ordinary farmers’ market, by any means. This is basically a freshfood shopping center and is a big tourist attraction. I made my way around and settled on having the freshest oysters (shucked right in front of us) with some finger limes – also called caviar limes (how fancy) due to the circular shape of the pulp that mimics the little jewels of the sea. I enjoyed this succulent treat with a fantastic bottle of Frankland River Riesling 2015 from Harewood Estate and delicious truffled cheddar.

It’s amazing to note that the Australian wine industry is quite young – just 200 years old – with Australia one of only a few countries that produces every major wine style. Australian wine is known for quality, innovation and depth. A bit of a history lesson here (I know you guys live for these nuggets of knowledge), Australia had no native grapes suitable for winemaking and had to import grapes from Europe.

And of course, being a colony, much of the wine produced was shipped back to the UK. Now that wine has become more popular in Australian society, it has also become part of the culture, as is evident in numerous appreciation courses, wine bars, tastings, and winemaking demonstrations and festivals.

There are over 60 wine regions in Australia, and I explored the region closest to Melbourne: Yarra

A perfect pairing bottle with freshly shucked Victoria oysters with finger limes

Valley. I decided against going on a wine tasting tour and instead checked out a few wineries on my own. Let me just tell you, driving in wine country is truly romantic.

It may seem corny or cheesy, but the picturesque countryside, with sprawling hills and countless rows of grape vines, is enough to make the most jaded heart swoon just a little bit. It could be the energy of the wine as well, it being considered the drink of romance.

As I only had a day in Yarra Valley, I tried to fit a number of estates and balance it out without being too intoxicated. Thank God, I wasn’t driving! Think scavenger hunt, I didn’t join a tour, just winged it and enjoyed every moment. The first winery I went to was Tokar Estate, a family-owned and operated estate. We were treated to a tour and wine tasting with the very passionate sommelier, who says he lives and breathes wine. It is always a pleasure to learn from someone who clearly loves what he is doing. His passion and enthusiasm is contagious!

The next estate I visited was Yarra Yering, one of the oldest vineyards in Yarra Valley. While going around the vineyards during the tour, there were signs around saying that grape picking is not allowed. Obviously this set off something in my head that made me sneak close to a vine and pluck a bunch of amazing grapes.

I literally picked the fruits of their

labor. I couldn’t help myself!

Don’t sue me, please!

I rounded off my winery excursion with Meletos, which is less of a winery and more of a restaurant.

Sampling some of their wines paired with charcuterie plus a breathtaking view of the vineyards was definitely one of the highlights of the day. It was a feast for the senses.

As I was winding down my day of wines, I made a side trip to Coldstream Brewery, which had a Tasting Paddle that I just had

Beer and cider flight at the Cold Stream Brewery

to try. The flight includes four beers and a cider. Now I think I’ve mentioned my newfound love for cider; and being so eager to sample their apple cider, I downed it before I could take a pic! Not a drop was left for the photo op.

There you have it, folks. I drank my way around parts of Australia and lived to tell the tale. I fell in love with the innovation and execution of the food and bar scene of Sydney and Melbourne. I traversed the Yarra Valley wine country and

adored the scenery and the wines.

Australians certainly know their alcohol, and their drinking culture is unique in so many ways. I hope you enjoyed reading my exploits as much as I loved experiencing them.

So, did the Land Down Under put me under? It definitely did. It put me under a spell.

Follow me on IG @sanvicentegirl and drop me a line for any questions and suggestions at dixiemarinas@gmail.com.

a box of 'thank you' for dad Even if most dads are notoriously difficult to shop for, or that they would probably tell you not to get them anything, it doesn’t mean that we can’t make them feel loved and appreciated on their special day on June 19. Besides, they are, most of the time, the ones helping and supporting us in our endeavors, and are one of the first people to call us out whenever we make a mistake.

And because there are only a few things that say “I love you and appreciate you” quite like the way chocolates do, give your dad or a dad close to your heart a box of gratitude in the form of Villa del Conte Thank You dark chocolates.

The man of the hour will truly feel special on Father’s Day as each box contains the delectable Padova, Italy’s dark chocolates made from 50 percent cacao.

Grab a box or 10 of Thank You dark chocolates at Villa del Conte stores in Greenbelt 5, Century City Mall, Shangri-La Mall, SM Megamall, Resorts World, Alabang Town Center and Robinsons Magnolia, and give this gift of gratifying indulgence to the special fathers you know.

For bulk orders, (02) 893-2575 or 621-6101.

To know more about Villa del Conte, go to www.villadelcontecioccolato.com or follow VillaDelContePh on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

m onday : J UnE 13, 2016

LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

The Kabuto headgear was worn by Japanese soldiers of old

@LIFEatStandard

C3

The colorful Hinamatsuri dolls are sold at any store

Have you Heard of Saitama?

merCury rising

By BoB zozoBrado

n

ot too many people know where this place is. Although I know now that it is a city in Japan, I, myself, haven’t heard of it until about a couple of years ago.

So what good could a city like Saitama bring to the world?

The city is actually part of the Greater Tokyo Area as it is located north of central Tokyo. In fact, a big chunk of its residents commute daily to downtown Tokyo, adding to the congestion that has made Tokyo the most populated city in the world.

Saitama is principally a business district inhabited by many manufacturing companies, but it is best known as the manufacturer of the Honda Legend. Of particular interest to tourists is the fact that the city also manufactures the colorful Hinamatsuri dolls, which are culturally significant as these dolls are representations of the Emperor, Empress, attendants and musicians in their traditional court attire, meticulously crafted to make them look like smaller versions of the real thing. The city is also known as the manufacturer of the ornate Kabuto, or samurai helmet.

But what catapulted Saitama into the consciousness of the world’s elite started many decades ago, with a seven-year old boy whose elder brother brought him to a sushi restaurant for the first time. This young boy found himself fascinated by everything

in the restaurant, and that was when he knew he was destined for a career in the kitchen.

After graduating from high school, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa found a live-in job at a sushi restaurant in Tokyo.

Many years later, when he was already 24 and, by then, a chef, Nobu accepted an offer from one of his loyal customers to open his first restaurant in Lima, Peru. This was how he began weaving Peruvian influence to his dishes, the beginnings of his signature style.

Years later, he parted with his Peruvian friend and continued with his career in Buenos Aires, Argentina, then opened another restaurant in Alaska which, unfortunately, burned down. He went to Los Angeles, took a job at a sushi bar, and eventually opened Matsuhisa, his own restaurant in Beverly Hills.

He became an instant success and was a magnet for food lovers and celebrities, one of whom was Robert de Niro. At the latter’s urging, they opened Nobu in New York, which also became a hit. Since then, Chef Nobu’s success has not stopped. He now owns 37 restaurants in 32 cities around the world. What’s more, he has expanded his enterprise to include a Nobu Hotel in Las Vegas and here in Manila.

Nobu Manila recently took Sunday brunch to another level. Served from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., its curated buffet continues to evolve with new

The Honda Legend factory in Saitama Saitama’s celebrity-son, Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, popularly known as Chef Nobu

selections of dishes served from live action stations, at a price that’s very easy on the pocket, making it the best-value Sunday meal in town. A sample of Chef Nobu’s signature dishes, which are part of the Sunday brunch, includes the White Fish Tiradito and the Wagyu Beef Taco, both highlighting the Spanish influence on his cuisine.

The recent visit of Chef Nobu to his hotel here in Manila has assured his fans and other Japanese food lovers in the metropolis that the hotel will always be at the forefront of the Japanese culinary scene.

Now, many of us may not have heard too much about Saitama but, who cares? As long as we have our hands… and our palates… on its celebrity-son’s world-famous signature dishes, Sore wa īdesu (that’s fine).

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

yoUr MoNday CHUCKLE GEorGE W. BUSH: “Some people ask the secret of our lasting marriage. We take time to go to a restaurant two times a week. a little candlelight dinner, soft music and dancing. She goes tuesdays, I go Fridays.”

The grill station at Nobu’s Sunday brunch

BEcaUSE It’S yoUr tUrn...

From C1

oNLy tHE BEst For dad at tHE BELLEvUE MaNiLa If you live in the Southern Metro, The Bellevue Manila is a perfect haven to celebrate with dad. Avail of Father’s Day Room Package Promo for all Fridays to Sundays of June and get amazing inclusions like buffet breakfast for two at Café d’Asie (you may also request if you’d rather have your breakfast served in bed like a king), a Jing

City of Dreams Manila’s PR director Mina Gervacio, Nobu head chef Michael de Jesus, VP-PR Charisse Chuidian, Nobu head sushi chef Akihisa Kawai, restaurant manager Kenny Hernandez and assistant manager for PR Francine Dayrit

Monis voucher worth P1,000 and a special gift for Dad for an overnight stay for only P5,500 net in a Main Wing Deluxe Room and P6,500 net in a Tower Wing Deluxe Room.

No extra person charge in the room for children 12 years old and below, for a maximum of two children if sharing the bed with parents/guardians. An extra

person charge of P1,300 net will apply for children 13 years old and above, inclusive of extra bed and buffet breakfast.

For inquiries, call (02) 771-8181, email tbmnl@thebellevue.com or visit the website www.thebellevue. com. For real time updates, follow The Bellevue Manila on Facebook.

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

Dine and drink with dad at New World Hotel Makati

or the fathers who work extra hard to give their family the best things in life, premier hotel New World Makati serves up choice treats that dads deserve on their special day this Sunday.

Take daddy on a gastronomic adventure in China with Jasmine restaurant’s Unlimited Yum Cha Lunch offering featuring steamed, baked and fried dim sums paired with soup, rice, choice of main course and Oriental tea, all for P1,688 per person on June 19.

But since dad would most likely prefer to feast with the whole family, Chef Wong Kam On has prepared set menu options starting at P8,880 for a group of four to six diners. The set menu features Chef Wong’s signature Pan-Fried Scallops with Shiitake Mushrooms and Black Truffle, Chinese-Style Beef Tenderloin, and DeepFried Prawns with Dried Chili, Black Beans and Garlic dishes along with other main courses and desserts, available from today until Sunday.

Father’s Day brunch couldn’t get any more delectable at Café 1228 as the P2,500 per person price affords dad and company a variety of breads and cheeses, an assortment of seafood and meats cooked at the restaurant’s live action stations, and a selection of local, Chinese, Japanese and Western fares. To cap off the celebration, there is a wide range of desserts and refreshing drinks for diners to

Superior Room

enjoy. “Brunching” dads will feel extra special as a special gift also awaits them.

For families who wish to spend quality time with dad or for those who want to give him his much deserved break, they may take advantage of New World Makati Hotel’s Father’s Day Room Package offered at P6,500 per night from June 17 to 19. Dad can put his feet up and relax in a Superior Room, toast with a complimentary signature single malt drink from Bar Rouge, partake of breakfast buffet with one companion, and enjoy the hotel’s amenities

and facilities such as Internet connection and access to the hotel’s fitness center and swimming pool.

Now that it’s his turn to be treated and pampered, make sure to give dad the best that he truly deserves on his special day.

For information and reservations, contact the hotel directly at (02) 811-6888 or visit newworldhotels.com/manila.

For the latest news, events, room and dining offerings, follow New World Makati Hotel on Facebook or @newworldmakati on Twitter and Instagram.

BEcaUSE It’S yoUr tUrn...

From C3

DaD Deserves tHe Best at DiaMoND Hotel From June 17 to 19, treat dad for a relaxing overnight stay and avail of Daddy’s Escape Room Package in a Deluxe Room at a special rate of P8,500 net. The package includes a complimentary buffet breakfast for two persons, complimentary lunch or dinner for two (per stay) to be availed during the stay, use of the Health Club and Spa and use of swimming pool.

Take advantage of Father’s Day buffet treats for only P2,800 net per person at Corniche for lunch or dinner, dads will also receive a special gift pack courtesy of the hotel. The Lobby Lounge will serve up a Father’s Day Lunch and Dinner Set Menu at P1,080 nett per person. Dads who

love Japanese cuisine can enjoy Family Set Menus good for four persons for P7,200 net at Yurakuen.

On June 19, all daddy diners will be given giveaways from Cynos Inside Haircare and a special voucher for a buy-one-take-one offer on Double Chill Beer. For a minimum spend of P5,000 net, dad gets to pick-aprize from Jack Nicklaus, Cynos, Creations Salon, American Tourister among others.

The Daddy’s Escape Room Package is applicable for local residents only and other conditions apply. For room or restaurant reservations at Diamond Hotel, please call (632) 528-3000.

let DaD Drive a MiNi at Dusit tHaNi MaNila Staycations can be a relaxing treat for dad especially if he is such a hardworking man. Catch Dusit Thani’s Father’s Day overnight promo to give dad the break he deserves. Dad’s staycation package includes complimentary buffet breakfast for two at The Pantry, a choice of either a 30-minute signature head and shoulder or foot massage from Devarana Spa, guaranteed late check-out until 2 p.m., complimentary high speed wifi, complimentary access to the outdoor pool and DFit for only P6,000.

For suite bookings, the room gets a 60-minute Asian Blend Massage from Devarana Spa plus the chance to test drive the latest Mini Coopers at the Pop’s Day with Mini At Dusit on June 19.

Families can enjoy a hearty Sunday buffet at The Pantry on Father’s Day and they also get to win exciting raffle prizes like overnight stays at Dusit Thani Manila accompanied by a Mini Cooper

during the stay, Devarana Spa Treatment certificates and DFit three-month membership and a chance to test-drive the latest Mini Coopers on that day as well as prizes from sponsors Belo Medical Group, SM Accessories, Uratex, Hombre and Napsakk.

For booking and reservations visit dusitthanimanila.dusit.com

Visit thestandard.com.ph/lifestyle to see more Father’s Day special treats and packages from New World Manila Bay, Acacia Hotel Manila, Hotel Jen, Pan Pacific Hotel, Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, and Discovery Leisure Company

m oNDAy : J uNE 13, 2016

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

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Ladies’ gentlemen: (from left) host and radio DJ Gino Quillamor, actor Victor Basa and style blogger AJ Dee

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Grooming the millennial gentlemen

few years ago, a study revealed Filipinos to be among the most vain men in Asia. While the report did create a bit of controversy, the results didn’t come as much of a surprise given that a lot of Filipino men equate looking good and feeling good with cleanliness and hygiene.

Peeking at their backpacks and you will invariably find a toiletry kit with all sorts of personal hygiene and beauty products— from the basic toothbrush and toothpaste mouthwash combo, a facial wash, body spray or cologne, comb, a pair of nail cutters, hair gel, and maybe even face powder and lip balm.

When it comes to male grooming, times have truly shifted and millennials all over the world are embracing this wonderful change. More of them are realizing the importance of being presentable and more appealing, something that women know all along to look good and feel better. A man can now spend as much time fussing about his face and prepping his appearance as much as it takes a woman to decide what to wear--without shame, without scorn and without stigma.

A millennial who isn’t afraid of being called “vain” is Radio DJ and events host Gino Quillamor.

“I don’t see anything wrong with it. In the same way that you can say women who take care of themselves, we’re all about equality nowadays, so if there are things that women should do so why can’t men do it also,” Quillamor told reporters at a recent Watsons Men event held at the Podium.

Gino, however, has his limits. “But I won’t go as far as putting makeup because it’s too tedious, but if it makes you feel better about yourself, makes you feel confident, so yeah, I’m ok with men being called vain nowadays,” he added.

He describes his morning grooming routine as “rushed.” “I wake up at around 5 a.m. and have to be at the station by 6 a.m.

Watsons Group marketing manager Karen Fabres

Event host Janeena Chan

for our show so everything is rushed. I just brush my teeth, wash my face and take a shower—the taking care of myself comes after the show, where I have a bit more time before my next commitment or gig.

Gino adds he isn’t into all that “scientific content” or “organic” labels, instead he sticks with the brands that work for him.

“Among my essentials are deodorant spray, sunblock/ sunscreen since I am out a lot especially on weekends.”

Hosted by Janeena Chan, the Watson’s Men event aimed at promoting a new section in the stores devoted entirely to a growing number of male shoppers.

Also spotted at the shopping event were actors Victor Basa, AJ Dee and celebrity style bloggers Patrick Sugui, Mikyle Quizon who were able to fill their shopping baskets quickly since all the items they need are now located in one area.

Men usually only buy grooming and hygiene items they deem necessary, includ-

ing shampoo, deodorant, shaver, shaving cream, aftershave, cologne and hairstyling products. But grooming doesn’t start and end with bathing and shaving.

Watsons understands the changing habits of male grooming too well that’s why it has created a special area in its stores dedicated to men. It encourages customers, especially the professional kind who must look his dashing best, to look for products that will step up their groomingmaintenance regimen “The male shopping behavior is such that they don’t go around the store to explore or shop. They directly go to the area where they can get what they want. They want a quick and easy shopping experience,” explained Karen Fabres, Watsons Group marketing manager.

For example, if he is using a disposable razor, then he must switch to a system razor. Or if he is using soap to wash his face, he must opt for a facial wash instead. And if he usually uses different brands for his hair

and body, he might want to try a 2-in-one product to save on cost and shelf space.

Asia’s leading health and beauty retailer also carries a wide range of items such as Ponds Men, Axe, Old Spice, Vaseline Men, Master, Adidas, Rexona, Nivea, Safeguard and Gillette. There are also available Watsons Label products stamped with the reliable Watsons name, such as twin and triple blades; extra comfort cotton disposables, five-blade razors with cartridges; men shaving gel; men shaving foam; nose pore strips; deep cleansing facial wash, oil control facial wash; and water gloss hair setting lotion.

As part of its 175th anniversary celebration, Watsons is also giving back to its loyal customers by offering discounts of up to 50 percent on the following grooming essentials: Nivea Men Whitening Acne Oil Control Facial Scrub 50G, Safeguard Men Sports Energy 2 in 1 Hair + Body Wash 400 ML and Gillette Mach 3 with Nano - Thin Blades Razor. The promo runs until June 22.

Grooming has never been more de rigeur.

After all, a well-maintained appearance goes exceeding well with any stylish outfit, be it in the boardroom, Snapchat or Instagram.

For updates on the latest men’s products and occasional promos, like Watsons Philippines’ official Facebook page at www. facebook.com/WatsonsPH. Watsons is Asia’s leading health and beauty retailer, currently operating over 4,800 stores and more than 1,400 pharmacies in 11 Asian and European markets, including China (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau), Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Turkey and Ukraine.

In 2002, A.S. Watson Group joined hands with SM Prime Holdings Inc., the Philippines’ leading shopping mall developer.

Watsons caters to a variety of lifestyles with an unrivalled diversity of products, with a mission to help people around the world to look good, feel great.

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m onDAy : J unE 13, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

mane wants a break from drama shTIcks JOsEph pETER GOnzalEs

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fter Destiny Rose, Manilyn Reynes wants to take a break from doing highly dramatic roles on screen.

“Everyone knows how heavy my scenes were when I was still doing that afternoon soap. It was physically and emotionally draining. I was always crying in most scenes. This time, I opt to do light stuff, something that would make me as well as the audience laugh,” she said.

This is the reason she accepted the offer to be part of the hit GMA prime time offering Poor Señorita with Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

“Actually, it was very timely. When the

manilyn Reynes is glad to be part of “Poor Señorita”

role of Ligaya de Beauvoir was pitched to me, I didn’t dilly-dally and said yes right away. It was the perfect vehicle that I wanted to do after Destiny Rose…something that would balance my equilibrium, so to speak.

My role here is zany and I love it!

“Although I also have another comedy

******** Screen baddie John Regala has a new for their water bonsai, we will buy it from advocacy: he is now an environmentalist. them! We will be the ones to sell and distribAt present, he is the President and CEO of ute the plants. the Project Green Evolution, Inc., which “I’m also thinking of our brothers who are produces the Water Bonsai Organic Root in jail. This can be a great way to use their time Grower, a miracle wisely and earn. As for powder for growing the elementary pupils, indoor plants.

I think it’s nice that at “With our prodan early stage, we can uct, growing bonsai teach them how to be plants in your abode nature lovers while has become far easier earning extra income. since you need not Water bonsai planting water or expose it also promotes family under the sun. When bonding, right?” John you soak it in water avers. and mix it with the On the showbiz powder, expect that side, John knows your plant will grow. that there’s a huge All you have to do is John Regala takes pride in being an environmentalist potential for his latmaintain it,” he avers. est business venture This is also one practical way to generate a in the industry. decent source of income for the public.

“Oh yes! I’m aware that there are lots of “Yes! That’s why we are pitching the stars who are plant lovers and this will approject to various Local Government Units peal to them. The Water Bonsai Organic (LGU’s). We want it to be promoted to Root Grower is just Php 200.00 per sachet schools and universities. Then, there are which is very affordable. That’s why I talked also the barangays. We are in the process of to the Actors’ Guild and Film Academy of choosing five municipalities as beneficiaries. the Philippines to help me promote this. I’m “Imagine the income it would generate optimistic that we can generate funds evenfor the people. Actually, it’s a win-win situa- tually which will be a great boost to us.” tion for those who will engage in the project Truly, John’s new title befits him: “Kontrasince if they don’t have prospective takers bida sa Pelikula, sa Kalikasan ay Bida.”

cROsswORD puzzlE 38 39 40 42 43 45 47 48 49 50

answer PreVIOUs PUZZLe

ACROSS 1 Polishes 5 Iffy attempt 9 Salty replies?

13 Retirees’ kitties 14 Mattress parts 16 Have it — 17 Coin-op business 19 Lamb’s alias 20 “Nightmare” street 21 Fleming or

Woosnam British hood Atlas contents Billy the — Squirrel’s hoard Grad student’s grant 33 Hoist 34 Foretelling 35 Crack of — 37 Annex 22 24 25 26 29

In-between Plunging neckline A Baldwin Seasonal libations Aussie minerals Ravines Jackhammers — Kippur Police squad Wasted ticket (hyph.)

53 Famous Khan 54 Dry, as champagne 57 Scream and shout 58 River rock?

61 Movie terrier 62 Is entitled to 63 Musician Brubeck 64 Liverpool poky 65 Carnivore’s delight 66 The — the limit!

DOWN 1 Annoy 2 Eurasian range 3 Tree, to Fritz 4 FICA number 5 Bits of food 6 Bugs Bunny and Popeye 7 Intend 8 Be indiscreet 9 Changed, as a law 10 New England campus

MONDAy, JUNE 13, 2016

11 12 15 18 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 36 38 41 43 44 46 47 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 59 60

Prevent errata Bounding main Plying a poker Anchor — Sawyer Tweak Fem. honorific Region — lily Tanker Hazy conditions Decades Type of blockade Live Melville opus Monster’s loch From now on Snowflake Black-and-white whales Fruit pastry Cry of wonderment Process food Merv’s hostess Apollo acronym Well-aware of Kapow!

Overcharge, slangily Greed’s cousin High notes Scott Joplin piece Vexation NFL events

series, which is Pepito Manaloto, my role in Poor Señorita gives me a different kind of high. It’s like a breath of fresh air. I enjoy it a lot because she is really a character. I can play with it. That’s why this soap is really a welcome thing for me.”

Apart from this, the diminutive actresssinger is excited to work with Regine.

“Yes! This is the first time that we are collaborating on screen for a soap opera. Before, we’ve appeared together in the Kapuso’s weekly musical variety shows namely, SOP, Party Pilipinas and Sunday All Stars, but never in a soap. It’s her husband Ogie (Alcasid) whom I have worked with many times in the past.

“This is a rare chance to do an acting project with the Asia’s Songbird so I’m grateful for this opportunity. For one, it’s a fun set. On lull breaks, Reg and I don’t run out of topics to talk about. Then, when we do scenes together, it’s a complete riot. I’m sure the viewers will notice how comfortable we are as the scenes come out so natural on screen,” ends Mane. ******** Some fans reacted when they learned that Kristine Hermosa is part of the new GMA sitcom titled Hay, Bahay headlined by Vic Sotto and Ai Ai delas Alas. They blame her husband Oyo Sotto for this development since, for the longest time, Tin was associated with rival network ABS-CBN. In his Instagram account, Oyo explained, “Even before we got married, Kristine was no longer a Star Magic contract star. Actually, she was doing soaps then but was already out of Star Magic!”

Interestingly, Kristine is seven weeks pregnant as of now.

“That’s true! That’s why viewers will be able to witness and follow her tummy as it balloons on the coming days.”

There are reports that in spite of her condition, Kristine still visits the gym and does biking.

“Yes, but her fans need not worry because the doctor assured us the baby is safe,” Oyo states.

Kristine Hermosa returns to acting via “Hay, Bahay”

‘Halfworlds’ season 2 HBO Asia announced the renewal of the network’s dark action fantasy series, Halfworlds, with principal photography for the eight-part second season taking place in Bangkok and Batam.

This marks Halfworlds as HBO Asia’s very first returnable series, with season two scheduled for premiere at the end of 2016 on HBO Asia’s on-air, online and on-demand platforms.

Created by HBO Asia and helmed

by Thai filmmaker Ekachai Uekrongtham (Beautiful Boxer, Skin Trade), season two of Halfworlds widens the universe established in the first season, shifting from the back alleys of Jakarta, to the neon streets of Bangkok, where a tenacious researcher named Juliet is trying to uncover the secret world of demons that live amongst us, while looking for an ancient artifact of great power.

Said Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia, “Halfworlds was created to transcend geographical boundaries, so HBO Asia is of course, delighted by the impact it’s made on audiences across the region and thrilled to be bringing it back. We’re looking forward to drawing more audiences into our fictional world of Halfworlds.”

Season two will feature an ensemble cast of actors from Thailand, Indonesia, The Philippines and Taiwan.

Reza Rahadian (Habibie & Ainun) and Arifin Putra (The Raid 2) reprise their roles as Tony and Barata. New cast members include Peem Jaiyen (Hormones 3), Tia Tavee (Asia’s Next Top Model 2), Emma Grant (The Idol Game), Myra Molloy (Thailand’s Got Talent), Nicole Theriault (Phobia 2), Jeeja Yanin (Chocolate), David Asavanond (The Last Executioner), Charlie Ruedpokanon (Only God Forgives), Jake Macapagal (Metro Manila), and Teresa Daley (Transformers: Age of Extinction), who also starred in HBO Asia’s Grace.

Conceptualized by HBO Asia and written by Collin Chang, season two of Halfworlds is produced by HBO Asia with Singapore-based Infinite Studios.

m onDAy : J unE 13, 2016

SHOWBITZ isahred @ gmail.com

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

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‘Dolce Amore’ spreads ‘sweet love’ across Europe

T

he Filipino Channel (TFC) continues to spread the love among Filipinos worldwide by bringing its widely followed shows to every part of the globe.

Starting off with the JaDine Love World Tour in March, TFC now seals its destiny of being the purveyor of homegrown content as it brings the thrill and excitement of Dolce Amore: Destiny Tour this month in four cities in Europe.

According to ABS-CBN Managing Director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa Kai V. Rodriguez, TFC started reaching out to the overseas Filipino audience through events that leverage on the entertainment value of worldclass programs early this year.

Rodriguez says, “TFC’s thrust is to make its core service continuously evolve with the needs and wants of our customers. One of these is their call to bring the level of entertainment that each teleserye brings to the worldwide audience, live.”

Rodriguez adds, “Equipped with

“Dolce Amore” cast (from left) matteo Guidicelli, Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil embarks on a four-city tour in Europe

ABS’CBN’s content expertise, TFC tries to replicate this through our events. Dolce Amore is one of our choices because it speaks of a story of a Filipina who loses her identity in a foreign land and how she remains passionate in finding her identity. While her story is not exactly the same as every Filipino’s, it tells of our kababayans’ determina-

tion and resilience.”

This time, TFC brings no less than this season’s top-rater Dolce Amore, the main character of which is played by Liza Soberano, and she is Filipina Serena/Monica who may have been raised by her Italian adoptive parents, but continues to search for her roots and real identity. Childhood pen pal

Jose Vicente “Tenten” Ibarra played

by Kapamilya heartthrob Enrique Gil, like Serena is missing a link from the past. Their search brings them together and apart but their love always seems to find a way to bring them together.

In the Dolce Amore concert, LizQuen will sing the songs from the teleserye where Tenten plays a

musician – “Muling Magakalayo,” “Your Love (originally sung by Alamid and interpreted by Juris).

Joining LizQuen in some of the Destiny Tour legs is Matteo Guidicelli who completes the love triangle in the soap.

Aside from the songs in Dolce Amore, the tour will also let Filipinos win an opportunity to sing with their favorite stars by submitting 1 to 2-minute video of themselves singing “Ikaw” by Yeng Constantino or “Maging Sino ka Man” by Erik Santos with or without accompaniment and uploading them on Facebook and tagging TFC Europe’s official page.

Participants must fill out the form at bit.ly/DolceAmoreOpenMic and click “submit” for their entry to qualify. The video with the most likes will win. Other prizes at stake are two free VIP tickets and two photo op badges.

Meantime, Dolce Amore merchandise items will also be available at the Destiny World Tour’s four venues.

miss new Placenta in miss Philippines Earth

mPE candidate Kiara Giel Hamlig Gregorio representing the Filipino Community of London

Miss New Placenta winner Kiara Giel Hamlig Gregorio is among this year’s Miss Philippines Earth frontrunners and early favorites. She is representing the Filipino Community of London.

Psalmstre CEO Jim Acosta said his company chose Kiara Giel to be the rightful New Placenta ambassador of this year’s MPE pageant because of her advocacy.

“Miss Filipino Community of London embodies the ideals and beliefs of Psalmstre New Placenta that give emphasis on capitalizing with one’s natural beauty.

It is beauty that is more than just skin-deep. We also commend her for her effort of promoting a culture of change, that is, changing people’s mindset, especially with regards to the most-critical issue on waste management,” said Jim. Kiara Giel, who was also a Mutya ng Pilipinas 2015 candidate and Miss World Philippines 2015 top 13 semi-finalist, also won gold in the swimsuit pre-pageant competition. Subsequently, she was also chosen Miss Best Smile by Oasis Dental Care.

According to online reviews, the Cabatuan City-born is con-

sistent with her performances, making her one of the fivestrong contenders from among the 47 earth warriors. Also considered as pageant frontrunners are Bb. Pilipinas 2013 finalist Imelda Schweighart (Puerto Princesa Ciy, Palawan), Miss Filipina Austria 2015 first runner-up Melanie Mader (Filipino Community of Austria), Miss Bikini Philippines 2015 Maria Fatima Al-sowyed (Dumaguete City), and Miss University of the Philippines 2009 Korina Christienne Reyes (San Fernando, Pampanga).

Kiara Giel said being an MPE candidate gives her the opportunity to promote her environmental advocacy in a muchlarger audience.

“I see this journey not as a destination but a mission in creating a culture of change and transformation in the lives of many. I see many faces of struggles and suffering in the natural world we live in. My role as part of MPE is to let people see with their very own eyes just how much they could do to save Mother Earth through my campaign “One With the Earth,’ enthused the University of Westminster graduate.

Powerpuff Girls-inspired fashion collections in manila In partnership with the Hong Kong Design Institute, Cartoon Network recently showcased bespoke Powerpuff Girls-inspired collection for the very first time at The Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati.

Three fashion design students specially created these collections

– the Playful Party by Lin Jianren, Urban Heroine by Wong Lai Yu, and Sports Beat by Wilson Choi.

The official international fashion line from Moschino and designer Jeremy Scott also received plenty of attention on the runway.

At the event, Cartoon Network also previewed the up-

coming launch of the Powerpuff Girls’ toy line, available in the Philippines in late 2016.

The Powerpuff Girls have had a busy year already, with a global re-imagination of the show debuting in April, and their appeal and popularity continue to inspire creativity worldwide.

Pinay beauty Vina openiano

Bistro Group server lands in 2016 Bb. Pilipinas top 15 Vina Openiano, a server at Buffalo Wild Wings Glorietta, recently made it to the Top 15 of Bb. PIlipinas 2016. The statuesque 23-year-old has been with Buffalo Wild Wings, a restaurant concept owned and managed by The Bistro Group, since the chain opened its branch at Estancia Mall in Capitol Commons.

Openiano, who also received the Best in Talent and Miss Congeniality awards, admitted that joining beauty contests was never in her bucket list. “I just played sports and wished to have my own catering service or restaurant,” she explained. It was her love for sports and the food industry that fuelled her passion and enabled her to get a job at Buffalo Wild Wings.

“I used to tag along with my mother who worked in a catering business and my father who was a life guard in a resort,” she said.

She was then exposed to events and the hospitality industry at a young age. At 20, a cousin encouraged her to join a local pageant in Laguna in 2012 and was crowned Miss Sta. Rosa. The Bb. Pilipinas crown was next in the list.

“I gained self-confidence while working at Buffalo Wild Wing.

I’ve learned how to interact with people and how to give always my best at work,” she added.

Openiano is back at Buffalo Wild Wings. Catch her—pouring your drink or serving those famous buffalo wings with grace and confidence.

m oNDAy : J uNE 13, 2016

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ COOkIng shOW DEbuTs sEasOn 2 TODay ISAH V. RED

A

nyone with an interest in food and new food experiences is a foodie.

San Miguel Pure Foods believes that aside from dining out, foodies should also come home and harness their passion for food by cooking in their own kitchen and creating their own food experience.

Home Foodie is all about inspiring home cooks to reinvent traditional favorites and recreate dishes from food discoveries using San Miguel Pure Foods products.

Home Foodie Season 2 recipes are “Kayang-kayang Sarap”, delicious and definitely doable that even kitchen newbies can do the recipes.

Joining Drew Arellano and the chefs of Home Foodie Season 2 is Drew’s wife, Iya Villania.

Drew has been the perfect host in season 1 given his wide mass appeal, non-alienating persona aside from being a true blue foodie. Drew will continue to inspire and encourage both men and women to enjoy food by spending time in their kitchens.

Iya is a most welcome addition to the Home Foodie family. She represents all wives and mothers, who are not just food lovers but are also keen on learning and discovering more for the satisfaction and welfare of their loved ones. Iya, who is equally popular and looked up to by her followers and peers, will encourage kitchen newbies to cook as she takes on the journey herself, from novice to an intermediate cook.

Watch Drew and Iya’s cooking adventure in Home Foodie as the episodes tackle domestic struggles that are commonly experienced when it comes to learning and preparing great food for our loved ones.

Home Foodie viewers are expected to learn tips and techniques in food preparation with the experts from the San Miguel

“home Foodie.” The cooking show inspires home cooks reinvent traditional dishes with host Drew Arellano (right) joined by his wife Iya Villania

Kitchen experts: (from left) Chefs RJ Garcia, Llena Tan-Arcenas and Rene Ruz

Pure Foods Culinary Center led by chefs Llena Tan-Arcenas, Rene Ruz, and RJ Garcia.

Catch San Miguel Pure Foods Home Foodie beginning today and weekdays after Unang Hirit on GMA-7.

kapuso stars round off summer with successful mall shows

Just before summer drew to a close, stars of Magkaibang Mundo and Encantadia treated their fans to two lively Kapuso Mall Shows in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

On May 21, on-screen partners Louise delos Reyes and Juancho Triviño led their Magkaibang Mundo co-stars in bringing a lovely Saturday to their supporters present at SM City Cabanat-

uan Event Center. The pair entertained their fans with separate song numbers before launching into a lovely duet that made the crowd swoon.

Joining them were Dion Ignacio, Isabelle de Leon, Liezel Lopez, and Marika Sasaki. Marika and Isabelle both showcased their singing prowess, while Liezel bonded with the crowd of more than 2,500 people by playing games with them. Dion, meanwhile, serenaded the ladies and even invited one lucky fan to join him on stage. Comedian Ate Reg added fun to the show as the event host.

The following week, no less than the cast of the much anticipated Kapuso primetime series Encantadia visited Cabanatuan City.

#groupfie. (From left) Dion Ignacio, marika Sasaki, Liezel Lopez, Isabelle de Leon, Louise delos Reyes, and Juancho Triviño

Through an audio visual presentation, Kylie Padilla, Gabbi Garcia, and Sanya Lopez were introduced on May 28 as the new set of Sang’gres in the Encantadia reboot.

The crowd of 3,500 in SM City Cabanatuan Event Center showed their support to the new cast as each of the Kapuso girls stood out in their respective song numbers.

Rocco Nacino made it a memorable night for the ladies, too, when he dedicated a song to them. The crowd was further entertained by the bubbly event host Tess Bomb.

While summer has officially ended, fans don’t have to fret as GMA Network continues to bring its shows and stars to the provinces.

“It is always our pleasure to

bring our programs and Kapuso artists closer to their fans.

We thank our avid supporters in Cabanatuan City for giving us a warm welcome during our last mall shows,” said GMA Senior Assistant Vice President and Head of Regional Business Development Division Oliver Amoroso. “And as GMA celebrates its 66th anniversary, fans can expect more mall shows and regional events from us,” he added.

To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www. facebook.com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook.com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @ GMARegionalTV.

“magkaibang mundo” cast: (from left)Juancho Trivino, Louise delos Reyes, Isabelle de Leon, Liezel Lopez, marika Sasaki and Dion Ignacio with event host Ate Reg

“Encantadia” cast members (from left) Rocco Nacino, Kylie Padilla, Gabbi Garcia, and Sanya Lopez bond with the crowd