The Standard - 2016 June 17 - Friday

VOL. XXX NO. 125 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 FRIDAY : JUNE 17, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Purisima, Napeñas indicted for graft

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PNOY VETOES PAY HIKE FOR NURSES Palace cites past increases in base pay for rejection

By Sandy Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III on Thursday vetoed a bill seeking to raise the minimum monthly salary of nurses to almost P25,000.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., said the President has informed Congress that he has vetoed the bill that seeks the enact-

ment of a comprehensive nursing law, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said in a statement.

“In his message, President Aquino noted that the minimum base pay for entry-level nurses has already been increased through Executive Order No. 201, series of 2016, which raised their total guaranteed annual compensation from P228,924.00 to P344,074.00, apart from other benefits and allowances they receive, such as under the Magna Carta of Public Health,” Coloma said.

Aquino said that the bill, which proposes to further increase the entry level salary for nurses by four grades, will undermine the existing government salary structure and cause wage distortion not only among medical and health care practitioners but also other professionals in the government service.

Aquino said granting the increase will place the salaries of nurses over and above their other

similarly situated counterparts, such as optometrists and dentists.

Furthermore, Aquino said the proposed increase “seemingly disregards the financial capacity of most local government hospitals” and also affects the financial viability of private hospitals and non-government health institutions, and may possibly lead to downsizing of hospital personnel and consequent increase in Next page health care costs.

Sulu sortie. President Benigno Aquino lll answers questions from the media after receiving a briefing from the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Teodulfo S. Bautista in Bus-Bus, Jolo, Sulu on Wednesday. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

Panelo replaced

by Davao evangelist

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Incoming AFP chief also wants martial law July 1, the same day Chief Supt. Ronald dela Rosa become chief of the PhilipINCOMING Armed Forces chief Lt. pine National Police.

Gen. Ricardo Visaya said he might recVisaya, currently chief of the Southern ommend to President-elect Rodrigo Luzon Command, said he will sit down Duterte that he declare martial law in with the service commanders immediBasilan and Sulu and other parts of ately after he takes office to assess the situMindanao where terrorist groups thrive. ation in Sulu and Basilan as well as ZamVisaya will assume leadership of the boanga Sibugay where the Abu Sayyaf Armed Forces of the Philippines on Group and the other Maute group—com-

By Florante S. Solmerin

posed of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front guerrillas and foreign fighters led by Abdullah Maute—operate.

On two or three occasions, Duterte has said he will “invade Sulu” if the Abu Sayyaf do not surrender.

“The declaration of martial law is an option… Having said that we’ve to make an assessment first and see if Next page

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there are enough bases to implement martial law in Sulu and Basilan, including some parts in Zamboanga Sibugay,” he said.

Recently, the Army launched a major offensive against the Maute group in Butig town after the self-declared sympathizer of the Islamic State tried to recover some of their bases that had been taken by the military earlier this year.

Visaya said the Abu Sayyaf problem in Sulu and Basilan was complicated by the “failure of governance” by local government units that are supposed to be partners of the national government, the military and the police in curbing terrorism.

Martial law, he said, could reestablish order in Sulu and Basilan and prevent the Abu Sayyaf from continuing its kidnappings.

At present, Visaya said, there are already 11 battalions or roughly 5,500 soldiers deployed in Sulu alone against about 200 ASG fighters.

“We have already 11 battalions there as of now in Sulu. We already have enough troops but the problem is our soldiers have no mastery of the terrain. It’s difficult because the Abu Sayyaf have built tunnels. If martial law is declared, we can control their movements,” Visaya said in Filipino.

Earlier, Maj. Filemon Tan, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command, cited the same obstacles to eliminating the Abu Sayyaf.

Some senior officers have urged Duterte to order the 1st Marine Brigade back to Sulu because they have been there for decades and have mastery of the terrain.

The brigade was pulled out in 2014 and deployed to Sultan Kudarat and replaced by the Army’s 501st Infantry Brigade, a unit of the 5th Infantry Division based in Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela.

One senior officer said that from 2001 to 2013, more than a dozen ASG bases were cut down to only two—until the 1st Marine Brigade was pulled out.

“Now, the ASG influence has spread like wildfire in the last two years and they are rebuilding their bases. You can’t just bomb these bases. There must be an operation on the ground,” the officer said.

Reelected Senator Panfilo Lacson said there is not better time to address the ASG problem than under a Duterte administration, which should engage the bandits in a “tit-for-tat” battle.

“Kidnap them back or kill them,” he said— quickly adding that the intelligence work must be accurate to pinpoint the correct targets.

“There should be an end to ASG sowing terrorism. Based on experience and the pronouncements of Mayor Duterte, I can see all the elements required to decimate the Abu Sayyaf are present during his administration,” Lacson said.

President Benigno Aquino III, meanwhile, is assessing ongoing operations against the Abu Sayyaf, days after the bandits beheaded their Canadian hostage, Robert Hall.

Aquino went to Camp Teodulfo Bautista in Jolo, Sulu on Wednesday and was briefed by Western Mindanao Command officials on the military campaign against the Abu Sayyaf.

“I wanted to meet with the ground commanders in order to get a more comprehensive picture of all the incidents here. And this was what we had discussed on how to refine the operations in order to make this more successfully and rescue the remaining hostages,” Aquino said.

Military officials said a total of seven hostages are still being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf— five locals and two foreigners.

The military on Monday confirmed that the Abu Sayyaf had beheaded Hall after ransom demands were not met.

In late April, John Ridsdel, another Canadian, was killed by the Abu Sayyaf. His severed head was found in Sulu province.

The two Canadians, Hall’s Filipina girlfriend Marites Flor, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf on Sept. 21 last year from a resort on Samal Island. With Sandy Araneta and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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Panelo replaced as press secretary by evangelist

By John Paolo Bencito

DAVAO CITY—The previously designated press secretary for the incoming Duterte administration, Salvador Panelo, has been named chief presidential legal adviser instead, while the evangelist Ernesto Abella will take the post as the new presidential spokesman.

The new appointments came as Duterte directed Panelo to ensure that the coconut levy funds are released to the country’s farmers, incoming Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Thursday.

In an interview with reporters at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila, Abella announced that Duterte has appointed Panelo as chief presidential legal counsel.

“Mr. Panelo will be his chief legal counsel. As of this evening I am [the presidential spokesperson],” Abella said, without offering any reason for the change.

Earlier, press groups objected to the appointment of Panelo, who once served as lawyer for members of the Ampatuan clan accused of slaughtering 58 people, including 32 journalists, in the Maguindanao massacre.

Duterte, who named Panelo as his spokesman in May, later said the appointment was temporary.

But incoming Communications secretary Martin Andanar said the plan “since day one” was to make Panelo the chief

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“In view of this, the President was constrained to veto the said bill,” Coloma said.

Aquino’s veto message has been transmitted to both House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Senate President Franklin Drilon.

The Aquino administration ends its sixyear term on June 30, paving the way for the Presidewnt-elect, Rodrigo Duterte.

In February, Aquino signed the executive order that raises the salary of government employees.

The signing of Executive Order no. 201 came weeks after Congress adjourned without passing the proposed wage standardization law, which would have implemented a four-year salary increase program for government workers.

The Salary Standardization Law (SSL4) increases the salary of about 1.6 million government workers by an average of 27 percent.

Coloma said that the executive order provides for the first of four parts in the proposed SSL4 that failed to pass Congress.

Lawmakers failed to reach an agreement over a proposal by the Senate to index the pension of retired military and uniformed personnel to the salary increases of their active duty counterparts.

The Budget Department previously said there are no funds in this year’s budget for the indexation, which is expected to bloat the government’s pension requirements.

The House of Representatives’ version of the measure, meanwhile, did not hike the retired uniformed personnel’s pension.

House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II earlier said that the SSL4 sets a four-year government-wide salary increase program, which will cost taxpayers an esti-

presidential legal counsel.

Abella had earlier said that he hopes to have a warm relationship with the media.

Andanar will gain sole control over the Palace communications group after he changes the Aquino administration’s three-headed approach.

Speaking to reporters in Manila Wednesday night, Andanar said that he will reform the current set-up, which “has sparked confusion” so that it can better aid in the delivery of the President-elect’s message through the mass media.

The Presidential Communications Operations Office, which he will head, will be tranformed into the Presidential Communications Office, akin to the old Office of the Press Secretary.

Andanar said there will be no Press secretary, and that Abella will be presidential spokesman, a Cabinet-level position.

Duterte, who met with the secretariesdesignate Wednesday evening, ordered Panelo to act after Piñol requested the president-elect make a policy statement on the coconut levy funds.

“This is an emotional issue for the coconut farmers, including my late mother. The coconut levy funds should be given to the farmers,” Duterte told the members of his incoming Cabinet.

“I am directing Attorney Panelo to look into this matter and make sure that the coconut levy funds are released to the farmers,” he said.

In his campaign speeches, Duterte vowed to order the distribution of the levy within a month of his taking office.

Duterte said political will was needed to enforce the Supreme Court decision to return the money to farmers after it ruled

that the levy was a public fund meant to develop the country’s coconut industry.

Last year, President Aquino issued Executive Order No. 179, which governs the disposition and privatization of the coco levy assets, and EO No. 180, which provides the guidelines for the use of the P74.3 billion recovered from San Miguel Corp.

Its enforcement was stopped after coconut farmers obtained a restraining order from the Supreme Court.

Piñol said the release of coco levy funds can help grow the coconut industry.

“With the expected release of the coconut levy funds to the real owners and the start of the massive national coconut planting program, the coconut industry is expected to regain its reputation as one of the country’s biggest foreign exchange earners for the country,” he said.

Piñol also reported to the president-elect of the plan for a six-year coconut planting program to cover 600,000 hectares.

The program, called Copra or Coconut Productivity and Rehabilitation Agenda, aims at the massive replanting of coconut in the country to regain the country’s status as the No. 1 coconut producer in the world.

“I was assured by PCA officials that the agency and its stakeholders are capable of producing planting materials to cover the 600,000-hectares of new coconut areas in the country,” Piñol said.

The Presidential Commission on Good Government earlier estimated the levy, including assets bought using it, to be worth P83 billion—P73 billion in cash (liquidated shares from SMC) and P10 billion in shares of stock in the United Coconut Planters Bank and oil mills operated by the Coconut Industry Investment Fund.

mated P850 billion.

In the EO, Aquino said the salary adjustment would ensure that the compensation structure of government personnel is comparable with the prevailing rates in the private sector.

The new scheme will raise the minimum salary for Salary Grade 1 from P9,000 to P11,068. Aquino said the adjustment would also maximize the net take-home pay of government through the inclusion of additional benefits.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the EO would implement compensation adjustment for this year as an interim measure to implement the first tranche of the proposed SSL. He said the full year requirement for the salary standardization has already been provided for in the national budget.

The modified salary schedule for civilian personnel will be implemented in four tranches.

The first tranche will be applied retroactively effective Jan.1, 2016. The succeeding tranches will be implemented every year until 2019.

The EO also grants civilian government personnel a mid-year bonus equivalent to one month’s basic salary, and the productivity enhancement incentive worth P5,000.

The salary adjustment, however, will not cover workers of government-owned andcontrolled corporations that are governed by their respective charters.

Coloma said salary adjustments for employees of state-run firms are provided for in the GOCC Governance Act of 2011.

Ang Nars party-list Rep. Leah Pacquiz, one of the authors of the House version of the bill, lamented the President’s veto.

Pacquiz said the measure was supposed to provide relief to Filipino nurses by providing a P24,887 entry-level monthly sal-

ary for nurses in both public and private hospitals, with yearly salary increases. The bill also prohibits contractual, job order, on-job-training, and volunteer nurses.

Outgoing House Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares hit Aquino for vetoing the bill.

“It is a trademark move of President Aquino to veto laws that would be of great benefit to our countrymen like the [Social Security System] pension hike bill; and now the salary increase for nurses. But he throws all his support for the bonuses of the SSS board or d salary hikes of high government officials,” Colmenares said.

He saidAquino leaves a legacy of being insensitive to the plight of his avowed bosses, adding that the President was “anti-people” and “anti-poor.”

On Thursday, the President also vetoed a bill seeking to remove conditions for the condonation of all unpaid income taxes of local water districts.

In his message, Aquino said the bill will remove the laudable intent of Republic Act 10026 which is to grant tax reprieve only to local water districts that are financially incapable and committed to instituting fiscal reforms.

Moreover, the President said the bill “sends a message to errant taxpayers that delinquency is acceptable since amnesty or condonation may be given anyway, even without benefit of proper documentation.”

A bill that seeks to extend the period in which graft and corruption charges can be filed from 15 years to 20 years is still pending in Congress.

House Deputy Speaker and Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao, one of the principal authors of the measure, expressed hope it would be ratified by the Senate and the House before its sine die adjournment last June 6 will be signed into law before the new administration takes office.

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Late filing of SOCEs approved THE Commission on Elections on Thursday granted the request of the Liberal Party and its losing presidential candidate Manuel Roxas II to extend the filing of statement of campaign expenditures until June 30.

New lawyers. Bar examination topnotcher Rachel Angeli Miranda (leftmost) of the University of the Philippines leads the oathtaking of 1,731 new lawyers during the Supreme Court special session at the PICC in Pasay City on Thursday. DANNY PATA

Purisima, Napeñas indicted for graft THE Office of the Ombudsman has indicted ex-Philippine National Police Chief Alan Purisima and exSpecial Action Force director Getulio Napeñas for their involvement in the botched Mamasapano operation in 2015.

At least 44 members of the PNP’s Special Action Force were killed in an encounter with Muslim fighters after they tried to serve arrest warrants on two international terrorists on Jan. 25, 2015.

The encounter followed an operation called Oplan Exodus that Aquino had approved and was implemented by Purisima and Napeñas, who were both suspended at the time.

Ombudsman Morales ordered the filing of graft and usurpationof-authority charges against the two before the Sandiganbayan.

Morales also found Purisima and Napeñas liable for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Purisima was dismissed in June 2015 and Napeñas in July 2015. They were fined the equivalent of one year’s salary, perpetually banned from government service and had their retirement benefits canceled.

“Purisima’s active participation and supervision of Oplan Exodus despite the 10 December 2014 preventive suspension order of the Ombudsman and the 16 December 2014 cease-and-desist order of OIC-PNP Chief Espina, both issued against him, violated the PNP chain of command and amounted to usurpation of official function,” the Ombudsman’s resolution read.

Rio N. Araja

Trial ordered for Romero, 2 others THE Justice Department has ordered the indictment of billionaire and newly elected 1-Pacman Rep. Michael Romero and two other people for allegedly stealing P17.9 million from the waterfront firm Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc. Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas said they had found probable cause to hold the three for trial for the offense over which bail is not allowed.

In a resolution dated June 13, 2016, Caparas said Harbour Centre president Romero, chief operating officer for administration Edwin Jeremillo, and chief finance officer Edwin Joseph Galvez conspired to take funds totaling P17.9 million belonging to the company and placed the amount in their personal bank accounts.

“We find that there is enough evidence to show that, more likely than

not, the crime of qualified theft has been committed, the respondents committed the crime charged, and they should be held for trial.”

Caparas also ordered the Quezon City Prosecutor to file information for eight counts of qualified theft against the Romero group.

Romero’s group immediately described the ruling as a “midnight resolution.”

“In the administration of justice, there is no such thing as a midnight resolution. That is the reason why we have inquest cases and criminal cases that have to be resolved. Justice delayed is justice denied and even the Constitution guarantees speedy disposition of cases,” Harbour Centre counsel Marlon Cruz said.

Lawyer Jerome Canlas, who acted as the complainant in the case in behalf of Harbour Centre, said the complaint filed against Romero had

been ongoing for more than two years and that it was unfair to call it a midnight resolution.

“The resolution of a criminal case cannot wait for the next administration or the next Justice secretary,” Canlas said.

“There are aggrieved parties in a criminal case and that is why you have inquest cases, which should be resolved immediately. In our case, this has been dragging for more than two years and it is only now that it has been properly resolved.”

Romero’s group is accused of issuing and cashing eight company checks on separate occasions between February 2007 and December 2008.

Court records show that Romero issued and cashed three of the checks, claiming it those were payment for some advances he made to the company. Christine F. Herrera

Protest. Members of the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals protest in front of an Hermes store at the Greenbelt mall, claiming Hermes keeps young ostriches in dirty feedlots until they are trucked to slaughterhouses, where the year-old birds are then turned upside down in a stunner, their throats slit and their feathers plucked out, creating the bumpy textured skin used for Hermès’ handbags. EY ACASIO

Meeting as a group and voting 4-3, the commission decided to allow three political parties, one presidential candidate; 15 senatorial bets, 115 congressional bets, and 40 candidates for governor another 14 days to file their Statement of Campaign and Expenditures or SOCE. “Four [of our commissioners voted] extending up to June 40 in view of the need to avoid the fallout of a different outcome, and three voted not to extend it,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez told the reporters.

He made his statement even as outgoing Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. expressed hope that the Comelec would be able to come up with a favorable ruling on the campaign expenditure report of the LP that was submitted past deadline.

He said it was “unfortunate” that the LP failed to comply with the prescribed date of filing.

“But anyway, it can still be appealed,” Belmonte said.

During the special en banc session, Jimenez said, Comelec commissioners Rowena Guanzon, Arthur Lim, Al Pareño and Sheriff Abas favored the request of the LP and Roxas to avoid the negative implications if winning candidates could not assume office simply because they or their political parties failed to submit their SOCEs on time.

But Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista and Commissioner Luie Guia joined the firm stance of campaign and finance office chief Christian Robert Lim not to extend the filing of SOCE. “The problem is you will defeat essentially the voice of the voters because these candidates were voted by the people. And then suddenly you will not allow them to assume their positions simple because they failed to submit their SOCE,” Jimenez said.

“To a certain extent, they weigh down the evil that you wanted to prevent by forcing them to file a SOCE versus the evil that may be created if they failed to file.”

Lim had earlier maintained that the June 8 deadline for SOCE filing was “final and non-extendable.”

Guia and Bautista agreed.

But Bautista said he may not agree to extend the filing of the SOCE, but he favored accepting their documents as “late filers” and impose penalties.

Jimenez said the majority of the candidates failed to file their SOCEs on time due to the “complexity of the process” of submission that they had introduced.

“So a lot of the people who were requesting for the extension in the previous elections were citing difficulties for example in the BIR requirements. Some of them were citing difficulties with the documentation requirements,” Jimenez said. Sara Susanne D. Fabunan, John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

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SC jurist to induct Duterte at Palace

By John Paolo Bencito

Police phalanx. Quezon City policemen array in phalanx as squatters throw bottles at them during a demolition of illegal structures in Barangay Tandang Sora on Thursday. LINO SANTOS

Govt, NDF concludes informal talks in Oslo

By John Paolo Bencito GOVERNMENT and National Democratic Front peace negotiators concluded preliminary talks in Oslo, Norway on Thursday and agreed on a fivepoint agenda when formal talks resume on the third week of July after being stalled since 2011.

In a joint statement, the panels said government negotiators, comprised of incoming Labor secretary Silvestre Bello III, former Agrarian Reform secretary Hernani Braganza and incoming peace process secretary Jesus Dureza, will recommend the immediate release of detained NDF consultants.

The five-point agenda includes an affirmation of pre-

viously signed agreements; and accelerated negotiation process, reconstitution of the previously signed Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees; an amnesty proclamation with the concurrence of Congress; and the mode of interim ceasefire.

The statement was signed for the National Democratic Front of the Philippines by its chief nego-

Villar clarifies attendance

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Cynthia A. Villar clarified on Thursday that she was only absent once during the entire 16th Congress and the 36 days which were earlier reported as absences were actually days on which she was traveling for an official mission.

Based on Villar’s Senate attendance record, signed by Senate directors Demetrio Navarro Jr. and Bernardino Cailao, the senator only failed to attend the Senate session on Feb. 26, 2014, during the first regular session.

The same document also showed that out of the 224 session days during the three regular sessions, the senator was present at the session hall for 187 times (not 180 as earlier reported).

During the remaining 36 days of the session days, the senator was on official travel mission either local or abroad. She was on official mission nine times in the first regular session, 19 times during the second regular session and eight times during the third regular session.

The senator, who chairs the Senate agriculture and food committee and government corporations and public enterprises, was late eight times, arriving at the sessions after the roll call was made.

tiator Luis Jalandoni, peace panel member Fidel Agcaoili, and chief political consultant and Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison.

Ambassador Elisabeth Slattum, special envoy to the Philippine peace process of the Norwegian government, also witnessed the signing, as the Royal Norwegian Government hosted the talks and acts as third-party facilitator of the negotiations.

Among the key agreements the government and NDFP have signed in the course of the often-stalled peace talks are The Hague Joint Declaration, which lays down the framework and agenda for the negotiations, the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and

Child nutrition.

Students show off nutritious food as the EcoWaste Coalition and the Sto. Cristo Elementary School in Quezon City launched a program to promote ‘healthy meals, healthy kids and healthy schools.’

LINO SANTOS

International Humanitarian Law, and the JASIG. Formal peace talks between the Aquino administration and the CPP-NDF-New People’s Army bogged down in February 2011 because the communist group has been insisting on the reactivation of the Jasig, a move rejected by the government after the original list, stored in an old floppy disk, got corrupted and could no longer be retrieved.

Sison had earlier asserted that the goal of the peace talks was to form a “coalition government” of the CPP and Duterte administration. This coalition would need to carry out “democratic reforms that would lead to national industrialization and genuine land reform.”

DAVAO CITY—Dispensing with an inauguration ceremony established in 1992, Presidentelect Rodrigo Duterte has chosen to take his oath of office in “simple yet meaningful” ceremonies on June 30 before Supreme Court Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes at Rizal Hall of Malacañan Palace.

Incoming Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher Go said the arrangements for Duterte’s inaugural are meant to be “consistent with his principles on austerity.”

“This is also intended to cause the least disruption to the public,” Go said, adding that the oath of office will be administered by Reyes, one of founders of the Lex Stalionis Fraternitas of the San Beda College of Law, of which Duterte is also a member.

Go said there will be no luncheon after the inauguration and only “light finger food,” such as fried bananas and rice cakes will be served. Instead of wine, guests will be served cocoa from Malagos Chocolate in Davao City.

Go said there will also be a tour of the Presidential Museum and Library after the program and Duterte will stay the evening at Bahay Pangarap, the current official residence of outgoing President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. While Filipinos have witnessed nine inaugurations of seven presidents at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta Park, it is not the first time a Philippine president would take his oath of office in Malacañang.

Former President Carlos Garcia took his oath of office at the Council of State Room in Malacañan on March 23, 1957 after the death of Ramon Magsaysay. Former President Ferdinand Marcos was also inaugurated at the Maharlika Hall of Malacañang in 1986.

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US boosts PH-based air force

By Florante S. Solmerin The United States Pacific Command has deployed four airborne electronic attack aircraft to beef up its force which consists of five A-10C Thunderbolt aircraft and three hh60G Pave hawk helicopters already stationed at Clark Air Base, the headquarters of the 1st Division of the Philippine Air Force based in Pampanga, according to a statement released Thursday by the US embassy in Manila.

“At the direction of the US Pacific Commander and with the approval of the Government of the Philippines, the United States stood up an air contingent in April 2016 to promote interoperability and US-Philippines security cooperation,” it said.

This was happening as Manila was expecting a favorable decision from the Permanent Court of Arbitration on its arbitral case challenging the unilateral imposition by Beijing of its “nine-dash line” claiming up to 90 percent of the disputed sea and intruding into the exclusive economic zone of Manila and other claimant-nations such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

The embassy said the new deployment is meant to enhance interoperability with the Armed Forces of the Philippines with its newly acquired lead-in jet fighters FA-50 “Golden Eagle” from South Korea.

“As part of this contingent, the US Navy sent a detachment of EA18G Growler airborne electronic attack aircraft to Clark Air Base on June 15, where it will train with Armed Forces of the Philippines FA 50 aircraft pilots,” the embassy said.

The AFP has ordered 12 units of the lead-in jet fighters worth P18.9 billion from manufacturer Korean Aerospace Inc. as part of the PAF’s program to modernize its aerial capability.

The deployed EA-18G Growlers contingent has 120 personnel assigned to the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. This is in addition to the 200 personnel deployed for the A-10C Thunderbolt aircraft and Hawk helicopters contingent.

“In addition to these bilateral training missions, Growler aircraft will support routine operational missions that enhance regional maritime domain awareness,” the embassy explained.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines offered to host the US Air Contingent at Clark Air Base for the duration of their mission for the purposes of training the AFP’s FA 50 pilots and its support units for TDO, specifically on Maritime Security Operations. Clark Air Base is the home of the FA 50 and its pilots in training. Placing the US Air Contingent at this base gives the AFP an opportunity to train with US servicemen on Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance [C4ISR],” it added.

Mechanized nursery. Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jonas Leones and University of the Philippines president Alfredo Pascual (right and 2nd from right, respectively) lead the groundbreaking rites for the construction of a mechanized seedling nursery on a threehectare land provided by the UP Los Baños in Laguna. The facility is designed to produce at least 15 million high-quality tree seedlings annually for the National Greening Program. With them are (from left) DENR-Region 4A Director Reynulfo Juan, UPLB Chancellor Fernando Sanchez, Jr. UPLBCFNR Dean Willie Abasolo and Asean Center for Biodiversity Executive Director Roberto Oliva .

DTI official not authorized to clear China steel THE provisional import commodity clearance (ICC) issued for the release of 5,000 metric tons of steel rebars from China was signed by a Bureau of Products Standards official who was not an authorized signatory.

In a position paper submitted to the Customs head office, PISI asked that the alert order be maintained, and that the shipment be seized since it has no proper ICC. It said Bureau of Product Standards provincial head Leonila Baluyut was not authorized to sign the ICC and that under the law and existing orders, “provisional” ICCs are not allowed, and that only regular ones are legitimate.

It added that the shipment must first be subjected to testing to ensure the rebars are not substandard to protect public safety. But BPS officials claimed they conducted the required testing although no industry and Customs officials were present as required.

PISI said the BPS officials got only three samples when the rules, imposed on and followed by local producers for similar volumes, require about 250 samples to be cut and tested.

PISI filed a complaint for graft last week against Baluyut and BPS chief Ann Claire Cabochan with the Ombudsman.

PISI president Roberto Cola had earlier raised the alarm about the shipment given

the hurried and “secret” testing done by BPS, adding that substandard steel rebars were found in collapsed buildings and houses in Bohol and Cebu during the 2013 earthquake.

Those rebars also had no authorized logo which would identify the producer who will be liable in cases of product failure and substandard quality.

Cola said the current shipment’s logo is questionable since it is not among those in the official registry.

The shipment, worth around P95 million, was consigned to Mannage Trading Resources which was put up only last year with a capital of only P400,000.

Overweight kids a public health issue—Ecowaste

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Ecowaste Coalition on Thursday expressed alarm over the rising number of overweight and obese Filipinos and their negative implications on public health.

Citing data from the 8th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, the group noted that the number of overweight and obese Filipinos doubled in ten years from from 16.6 percent in 1993 to 31.1 percent in 2013.

On the other hand, the overweight and obesity prevalence was 5 percent among children aged five to 10 and 8.3 percent for teenagers aged 10 to 19.

Physical inactivity, changing dietary patterns, child undernutrition, and poor breastfeeding practices were cited as possible reasons for the steady rise of obesity in the country.

Being overweight or obese is bad for the health, the group said.

The World Health Organization confirmed that “childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death and disability in adulthood. But in addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties, increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and psychological effects.”

In a bid to prevent the health consequences of being overweight and obese among children, Ecowaste recently organized an event showcasing “baon” with good nutritional value that is within ordinary people’s reach and budget.

Dubbed as “Healthy Baon, Healthy Bata, Healthy Eskwela,” the event held at the Sto. Cristo Elementary School in Quezon City and featured healthful snacks and drinks prepared by the Edukasyong Pangtahanan at Pangkabuhayan teachers of the said public school.

Among their snack creations were burger patty made of shredded banana heart, grated carrots and chopped malung-

gay leaves; pancake batter with mashed squash, coconut milk and malunggay water on it; and spring roll with crushed camote and malunggay as fillings.

For healthier beverage options, the teachers concocted “Pinoy” drinks such as the malunggay, kalamansi and tanglad juice, guava juice and talbos ng kamote (camote tops) juice.

“We have staged this event to stir up interest and support for healthy school snacks and drinks as a way of reducing children’s consumption of junk food that are high in fat, sugar and salt, which can lead to overweight and obesity problems at an early age,” said Aileen Lucero, Ecowaste National Coordinator.

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NEWS editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Law schools’ dismal showing hit Manalo siblings refuse to cooperate with CHR IS THIS a case of the boy crying wolf?

This is what investigators from the Commission on Human Rights are asking themselves after they were again denied entry inside a section of the Iglesia ni Cristo compound in Quezon City last monday by the very people who sought the agency’s assistance: expelled INC members Angel manalo and Lottie manalo-Hemedez.

CHR-NCR Special Investigator Jun Nalangan, who led a team of CHR personnel, expressed both frustration and confusion over manalo and Hemedez’s lack of cooperation, saying they themselves called the agency for help but have repeatedly refused to see CHR personnel who seek to verify claims of harassment.

Nalangan said that the CHR had already made five previous attempts to enter 36 Tandang Sora, where the ex-INC members and their families are staying. manalo and Hemedez have repeatedly claimed that they were being harassed by the INC leadership for exposing irregularities within the church. The INC has sought the ejectment of the two manalo siblings because they were illegally occupying church property after losing their status as INC members. manalo and Hemedez have disputed INC’s ownership by filing a falsification case on the title of the property, but the complaint has since been dismissed by the Quezon City Prosecutor’s office for lack of evidence.

Nalangan likewise dispelled earlier media reports that manalo and Hemedez were being deprived of food, water and essential supplies. The two had alleged that deliveries of basic necessities were being screened and restricted by INC security personnel. manalo and Hemedez’s supporters have decried the restrictions on deliveries inside the compound, which were limited to “office hours.”

Nalangan said these security protocols were normal and within the rights of the INC to implement.

“The owners have every right to ensure the safety of everyone within the premises. Wala naman masama [sa] security concerns.

[There is nothing wrong with these security concerns],” said the the CHR investigator.

The INC leadership for its part expressed relief that the misinformation being spread in the media by the expelled members’ camp was slowly being exposed.

INC spokesperson edwil Zabala said that “the general public is now beginning to realize the complete lack of credibility of these publicity-hungry people and their small group of supporters.”

By Rey E. Requejo

There is a need to address the dismal performance of law schools in providing legal education in the country, according to a magistrate of the Supreme Court.

In a speech during the oathtaking of 1,731 Bar passers at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Thursday, Associate Justice Arturo Brion lamented the unsatisfactory performance of law schools in the 2015 Bar examinations.

Brion said of the 130 law schools nationwide that fielded graduates for the 2015 Bar exams, only three had passing rates of 70 percent and above, while 28 had zero passing rates and another 28 registered a passing rate of 10 percent or less.

The SC magistrate admitted that of the 130 participating law schools, 56 or 43 percent had passing rates of 10 percent.

Brion said in the best performers bracket, only three law schools had passing rates of 70 percent and above, and only 10 law schools fell within the 50 percent to 69 percent category.

Because of this, the SC justice stressed that of the 130 participating law schools in the 2015 Bar exams, only 13 law schools or 10

percent can say that half of their Bar candidates passed.

There are 140 law schools in the country, but only 130 have graduates taking up the 2015 Bar examinations.

“Can we call this law school performance satisfactory? What should the concerned agencies do with these non-performing law schools?”

Brion told the new lawyers.

The SC justice, however, did not call for the immediate closure of these non-performing law schools, saying that such move is a matter solely for the Legal education Board (LeB) which is under the executive Department to tackle.

“Lest I be misunderstood, I do not suggest, by these questions and by citing these statistics, the immediate closure of law schools with a poor showing. This is a matter solely for the LeB to consider.

But at the very least, a close inquiry into this matter should publicly be undertaken so that the public would be aware and concrete and holistic actions can be

taken,” he stressed. earlier, the high court said 6,605 law graduates took the 2015 Bar, but only 1,731 or 26.21 percent passed the examinations.

In 2014, 1,126 of the 5,984 examinees managed to passed the Bar. The SC said the passing rate is the 6th highest since 2001.

The highest was in 2001 with 32.89 percent, followed by 31.95 percent in 2011, 31.61 percent in 2004, 30. 60 percent in 2006 and 27.22 percent in 2005.

The passing rate for the 2015 Bar exams is higher than the 18.82 percent who passed the 2014 examinations.

University of the Philippines College of Law graduate Rachel Angeli miranda topped the 2015 Bar exams with a rating of 87. 40 percent, followed by Athena Plaza of the University of San Carlos with a rating of 87.25 and Jayson Aguilar of the UP College of Law with 86.75.

In fourth place was Reginald Arceo of Ateneo de manila University with a rating of 86.70, while mandy Therese Anderson, also of Ateneo de manila, came in at fifth place with a rating of 86.15.

In sixth place was Giselle Hernandez of the UP College of Law with a rating of 86.10, followed by Darniel Bustamante of San Beda College-manila

with a rating of 85.90.

In eight place were Jecca Jacildo of the University of San Carlos, Soraya Laut of Xavier University and Jericho Tiu of Ateneo de manila with a rating of 85.85.

In ninth place was Jedd Brian Hernandez of the UP College of Law with a rating of 85.80 while Ronel Buenaventura of the Bulacan State University and Lara Carmela Fernando of San Beda College-manila placed 10th with a rating of 85.75.

Nonetheless, Brion challenged the SC and the LeB to do something about the problem, suggesting that law schools with low passing rates should be published so that parents and prospective law students would know the schools that they should enroll in.

“For example and at the very least, the law school passing rates should be given the widest publication so that the public can at least be informed that enrolling in a given law school poses an 80 percent, 90 percent even a 100 percent hazard of failing the Bar exams. I challenge the Court and the LeB to start now with the 2015 Bar exams. And once we have arrived at a national consensus on solutions and approaches, then let us apply the agreed measures with an unwavering will,” he pointed out.

Bay guardians.

Members of Poro Sea Lovers Association emerge from patrol training as part of their roles as guardians of the 173-hectare marine protected area in Barangay Poro, San Fernando City, La Union.

The city government of San Fernando recently passed City Ordinance No. 2015-03 establishing the Poro Marine Protected Area, creating its management council and providing for its management.” Among the members of the MPA management council is the Poro Sea Lovers Association, most of whose members are fisherfolk engaged in food and catering services, apart from serving as MPA guardians.

PSLA was created based on a five-year partnership between Chevron Philippines Inc., marketer of Caltex fuels and lubricants, the Institute of Social Order and the City of San Fernando.

4 drug suspects fall in Caloocan buy-bust raid Some 650 grams of shabu with a street value of P1.5 million were confiscated by the Caloocan police from an alleged bigtime drug pusher and arrested four persons during a buybust operation.

Senior Supt. Bartolome Bustamante, Caloocan police chief said that the illegal drugs were seized by the Station Anti-Illegal

Drugs operatives in two separate raids in North Caloocan headed by Senior Inspector Bernard Pagaduan.

The four, who were presented to mayor oscar malapitan by Bustamante and Supt. Ferdie del Rosario, were identified as Abdul Aziz, 20, alias “major,” Alibiar macadato, alias “Bongkay, 41, both residents of

Phase 12, Barangay 188; Sherilyn Hermia, 31, of Diamante St., Barangay 170, and Dario de Paz, 48, resident of Reconville Subd., Barangay 17, Caloocan.

Bustamante said residents in the area sent him text messages about the alleged illegal activities of the suspects.

Police said the authorities first arrested Aziz

and macadato through oplan Galugad. operatives recovered some 500 grams of suspected shabu while 0.5 grams of the illegal drugs were recovered from Hermia.

Police said Hermia pointed to De Paz as the source of the illegal drugs.

Police said De Paz, president of the Reconville Subdivision, is suspected of being a drug pusher.

Aziz and macadato, and Hermia were charged with violation of Section 11 of the RA 9165, while De Paz was charged with violation of Section 5 and Section 11of RA 9165.

In the same press conference, malapitan vowed to offer reward to tipsters who provided information leading to the arrest of the four suspects.

Jun David

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NEWS

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Authorities seize ammo, firearms in Bukidnon

Hot enough. A tourist visits Barangay Mainit in Bontoc, Mt. Province where one can boil eggs in one of the hot springs. DAVID CHAN

K-12 program to include history of Moro struggle

By A. Perez Rimando

COTABATO CITY—Elementary and secondary school students will soon have a deeper understanding of the Bangsamoro struggle to attain genuine peace and order in Mindanao with the scheduled integration of its history in the Department of Education’s K-12 curriculum, a peace process officer said here recently.

The K-12 curriculum, introduced nationwide

by DepEd in school year 2011-2012, consists of

Kindergarten, six-year elementary education, fouryear junior high school (Grades 7, 8, 9 and 10) and two-year senior high school (Grades 11 and 12). Grade 11 was initially enforced last June 13, 2016.

A report received here by the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles said incorporating the history of Bangsamoro

in the K-12 curriculum “is part of the government’s continued initiatives for transitional justice and reconciliation (TJR) which is a major dimension of the Bangsamoro peace process.”

Deles said OPAPP had worked with DepEd even before the TJR Commission report came out, adding that “the template for the pilot integration into the K-12 curriculum would be finished before the start of next SY.”

She added that OPAPP earlier held a seminarworkshop at the Cotabato City-based Notre Dame University for the government bureaucracy on the Bangsamoro narrative which later was piloted in several areas of Southern Philippines.

Deles said other initiatives of the Aquino administration “to help heal the wounds inflicted by the decades-long Mindanao conflict were also undertaken.”

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Government agents seized several firearms and ammunition of various calibers in a raid in Bukidnon, a report reaching here said Thursday.

Armed with a search warrant, agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Bukidnon swooped down on a residence in the village of Balila, Lantapan, Bukidnon on Wednesday morning.

Police investigator Richard E. Salcedo, team leader of the CIDG, identified the suspect as Eric R. Devibar, 49, of Balila, Lantapan, Bukidnon.

Recovered from the suspect’s house were six firearms of varied calibers, an M14 assault rifle, Thompson sub-machine gun M-1, two units caliber .45 pistols, a .357 revolver and a Magnum 22 revolver.

Salcedo said that the raiding team also seized various ammunition for the seized firearms.

He said that the suspect was brought to the CIDG station in Bukidnon for the filing of charges involving violation of Republic Act No. 10591 or illegal possession of firearms. PNA

Incoming agri exec wants cold storage plant in Sulu ZAMBOANGA CITY, Zamboanga Sibugay—Incoming Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol recently announced here his plan to put up in Sulu a cold storage which will also serve as regional food terminal for Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa).

Piñol is currently undertaking a region-toregion visit and consultation with leaders of local government units through his self-styled “Biyaheng

Bukid” caravan.

He stressed that a cold storage would no longer allow BaSulTa fishermen to look for the market “but would merely deliver their catch to the cold storage area.”

Piñol, who grew up in the agricultural town of Mlang, North Cotabato, learned that BaSulTa sea waters boast of abundant fish varieties, including tamban, known as sardine fish.

The former three-term governor of his native province stressed that the

establishment of a regional food terminal in the strategically located Sulu will also “help stabilize prices of sea products since fisherfolk will no longer entirely rely on middlemen who buy their fish at low price and sell them at high cost.”

Piñol is conducting nationwide agri-fishery assessment “to determine what the incoming President Rodrigo Duterte administration should do to help uplift the socioeconomic condition of the country’s farmers and fisherfolk. A. Perez Rimando

Finally. Twenty-one farmers from Barangay Maticaa, Ormoc City were finally awarded their Certificate of Land Ownership Award after 17 years of struggle. MEL CASPE

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ADELLE CHUA EDITOR F R I D AY, J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

OPINION

‘DECENCY’

[ EDI TORI A L ] WHEN he was asking us to vote for him as president, former Interior and Local Governments secretary Manuel Roxas II made much of the fact that he was the most “decent” among the candidates. Going around the country aboard government vehicles, sporting his yellow shirt and shaking the hands of those thankful to receive dole, Roxas extolled the straight path.

He lost, but that is not the end of his— and the Liberal Party’s—hypocrisy.

Roxas is the only presidential candidate who still has not submitted his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures. The law requires that all candidates and all political parties submit to the Commission on Elections their SOCE a month after the polls. The deadline was June 8.

Roxas and the Liberal Party failed to meet this deadline. They asked the Comelec for a 14-day extension, citing voluminous receipts that needed to be scanned and attached to the submission.

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The LP itself finally managed to submit six days after the deadline, even as questions linger over how the form was filled out.

But Roxas, the man President Aquino said was the best person to succeed him, still has to come up with his statement.

It could be that he is overwhelmed by a mountain of receipts that needs to be sorted and listed down, even as the idea is difficult to believe. With the party’s—and Roxas’ family’s—vast resources, could they not hire an army of clerks to go make sense of these voluminous documents?

Or it could be that the Roxas camp is at a loss in showing how it blurred the lines between campaign funds and taxpayers’ money. This is hardly an exercise in decency.

The Yellows have been so used to portraying themselves as righteous at all times—so what’s a few days of missed deadline when many others commit bigger breaches?

Now comes the Comelec en banc voting 4-3 granting the request for deadline extension. It is not just Roxas and the Liberal Party that are covered by the decision: Two other parties and 15 candidates for senator, 115 for House member, and 40 for governor were also given an additional 14 days from the original deadline to make good on their requirement.

The Comelec decided in favor of the delinquents despite the fact that its own campaign finance office had recommended that the LP’s request be denied, saying that the deadline for the filing is a hard deadline set by law, that the poll body had reiterated the final and non-extendible nature of the June 8 deadline through its own rules and press releases, and that all others tried their best to comply with the requirement.

It’s a good thing the extension applies only to the deadline for the SOCE. Imagine the horror of living one more day under an administration peopled by hypocrites.

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Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

F R I D AY, J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

‘FORALITY’: A SPANISH SUGGESTION FOR THE PHILIPPINES PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO I MUST start with a profound, reverential bow towards Dean Sedfrey Candelaria of the Ateneo Law School. He organized, with the cooperation of course of his colleagues, notable professor Ruben Balane, the “International Scientific Congress on Private Law of the Philippines and Spain” involving selected members of Philippine legal academia and the Facultad de Derecho of the Universidad de Malaga, headed by its dean, Señor Juan Jose Hinojosa Torralvo. I am grateful for having been asked to deliver my comments on “The Implicit Philosophy of the Civil Code,” in reaction to Justice Jose Vitug’s keynote address, but the whole congress was a most welcome step in the direction I have always believed legal studies in the Philippines should go—away from the trade-school type schooling that is obsessed with the black-letter of codes and statutes, that drills into students mastery of procedure and technique—towards a more philosophical and scien-

tific treatment of the law.

On the very same panel that had the esteemed Justice Adolfo Azcuna discoursing on “The Constitutional Function of Human Rights Principles Within the Context of Private Law in the Philippines,” Señor Gonzalo Martinez Etxeberria—the name already identifies him as Basque —delivered an interesting discourse on “Forality” in Spain, and wondered whether it might be “an exportable model.” He did mention the issue of Muslim Mindanao and suggested that we explore the paradigm further for the possibilities it offers.

“Forality”—the term is itself exotic—derecho foral, in Spanish, in contrast to derecho comun—refers to the legal system developed in the Basque Country and Navarra that found its way into the national legal system of Spain and into the 1978 Spanish Constitution. Although professor Etxeberria was reticent about identifying it with a federal system, it is yet one more model of government decentralization and of local autonomy.

If anything, it makes clear that rather than a clean line separating the State from its political subdivisions, one has a “sliding continuum” rather so that there

We recognize that issue very well, for while some have argued that Muslim Mindanao is merely demanding that its historic rights be recognized, some maintain a kind of a ‘theory of concession.’

can be something like a “Basque Country” within the one Spanish Kingdom (or Republic, which it more factually is!).

The political pact underlying Spanish “forality” was originally an agreement between the King and the Community (such as the Basque Community or the Community of Navarra) that balanced powers between these two foci of a political ellipse. In effect, it was a derogation of royal absolutism.

In respect to the Basque Country, the pact is presently embodied

in the Basque Autonomy Act of 1979. The development of the system has not been straightforward, however, and certain epochs of Spanish history saw bold claims made in the name of “forality,” other times, the near demise of the pact—and the social and political unrest that followed in the wake of a tottering compromise.

The 1978 Constitution guarantees protection and respect for the “historical rights of the Foral Territories.” This gives reason for many to claim for these “foral” rights not only a historical, but also a “supraconstitutional” character, in the sense that the rights of peoples within Foral Territories antedate the Constitution. A similar argument may be constructed insofar as the Sultanates in Mindanao did enjoy self-governance and political autonomy prior to any Constitution. Of course, the more testy concern is whether or not those who now clamor for an autonomous Muslim Mindanao fall within the territories of the traditional sultanates— and that just does not seem to be the case. Then follows the theoretical but all too important question: Is forality the constitutional acknowledgment of a

political reality, or is it, in effect, a fragmentation of the unitary State? We recognize that issue very well, for while some have argued that Muslim Mindanao is merely demanding that its historic rights be recognized, some maintain a kind of a “theory of concession”—whatever autonomy it may enjoy comes about as a concession of the Republic of the Philippines.

Very importantly, notwithstanding the fact that the Spanish Constitution reserves for the State “civil legislation,” the Basque Country has, within the framework of forality, a Basque Civil Foral Law last revised in 2015. It is a deliberate effort to enable Basque Civil Law to confront the realities no longer of a rural, agricultural society but of a 21st century country!

As we eagerly set our hands to drafting and crafting longerlasting solutions to lingering problems in our own country, this suggestion coming from the sometimes tumultuous, many times cordial romance between Spain and the Basque Country may come in handy! rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

INCREASING PHILHEALTH’S PREMIUM CONTRIBUTIONS AND SIN TAXES FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO PHILHEALTH—probably taking seriously its stature as the national health insurance agency—calls the monthly dues that are remitted to it “premium contributions.”

Maybe, PhilHealth is simply adopting the term that the Government Service Insurance System is using in calling them. After all, they are both social insurance agencies, and like private insurance companies, they probably want to emphasize that the remittances they receive are insurance premiums.

The Social Security System, on the other hand, consistently avoids the word “premium” in its vocabulary despite being considered a social insurance scheme long before it got its present categorization as a social protection agency. Although these remittances are mandatory— and not voluntary—SSS simply calls them “contributions.”

Notably, the amount of benefits in both SSS and GSIS pension programs is based on paid contributions. The more contributions are

Duterte’s... From A11 signatures and one month for top agencies like the cabinet-level National Economic and Development Authority.

As mayor, Duterte was wary of Neda. It made him do tedious paperwork, secure as many as 47 signatures and wait for three years only to be told that his plan for a railway in his native Davao had been rejected. So Neda is now forewarned.

Studies indicate as much as 40

paid—because of a high salary base and a longer contribution period— the higher the pension will be.

But PhilHealth’s premium contribution system entitles all to the same health insurance benefits after three contributions have been paid in the last six months prior to the month of availment.

PhilHealth premium contributions, in other words, are like taxes.

Whether they are paid in the hundreds or millions of pesos, taxpayers enjoy or suffer the same quality of public service.

This lack of relationship between premium contributions and benefits—or absence of incentive to pay more—is manifested in its premium contribution system.

An employed member remits as premium contributions to PhilHealth 1.25 percent of his actual salary credit, which his employer matches for a total of 2.5 percent.

The total remittance for him could be as low as P200 a month or P2,400 a year if he is earning P8,000 or less a month, and as high as P875 a month or P10,500 a year if his income is P35,000 or more a month.

Consequently, whenever their wages are increased, their contribution premiums are correspondingly increased but their benefits remain

the same unlike in the SSS and GSIS programs where any increase in contributions brings about a corresponding increase in benefits.

These employed members end up carrying much of the burden in financing PhilHealth’s programs.

Others pay token premium contributions.

Employers of “kasambahay” helpers pay entirely for them the minimum PhilHealth dues of P200 a month if they earn P5,000 or less a month.

Considered modern-day heroes, overseas Filipino workers were paying, before 2014, only P100 a month, but they now pay P200, still the minimum amount of contributions. Obviously, they are in a position to pay more to PhilHealth but they don’t. In fact, they don’t even pay income taxes.

Self-employed and individually paying members also contribute monthly P200 if they earn P25,000 or less a month, and P300 if their monthly income is above P25,000.

The premium contributions of the sponsored program members— who must be indigents—are paid for fully or partially by their sponsor local government units, private entities, legislators, and national government agencies at the same

minimum P200 a month.

Without paying anything, pensioners and senior citizens are now entitled to PhilHealth benefits. They are financed by sin taxes and from their previous premium contributions, but this is a mystery to us.

This premium contribution system has slowly evolved under the PNoy administration, and it has resulted in a questionable if not unsound PhilHealth financial condition.

As disclosed on March 8 by PhilHealth board member Eddie Dorotan in the presence of Albay Gov. Joey Salceda— “PhilHealth lost almost P1 billion last year…Payments of benefits to claimants reached P97 billion while earnings hit only P96 billion from PhilHealth’s share from sin tax, members’ contributions and yields from its investments.”

He explained this by also disclosing that “in the past two to three years, the company spent a large chunk of its financial pie for the enrollment of five million indigent Filipinos.”

Then he concluded—sounding dumb and not knowing what he was talking about—that PhilHealth “might have its last breath after 10 months.”

Sounding dumber, however, was

how PhilHealth’s president Alex Padilla corrected his statement of doom. Citing PhilHealth’s reserve funds of P127 billion, and employing probably some weird mathematical techniques, he assured us that “it has funds that would take more than a hundred years to be consumed.”

Remember Executive Orders 201 and 203 that PNoy signed in March?

They increased significantly the pay of 1.4 million government workers this year and in the next five years. They have, however, created huge unfunded pension liabilities to GSIS, which only a full actuarial valuation could determine.

But these pay increases are favorable to PhilHealth, as they would result in a modest increase in premium contributions, and reduce PhilHealth’s funding deficit.

However, only those earning less than P35,000 a month would increase their premium contributions. Sadly for them, they’ll have no matching increase in their PhilHealth benefits.

The rest of us PhilHealth beneficiaries could not expect benefit increases, either, unless premium contributions—and sin taxes—are increased. This is the only way to increase PhilHealth’s benefits.

percent of the national government budget is stolen or lost to corruption.

The 2017 budget is a record P3.5 trillion. So P1,400 billion of that will be pocketed by government men who number three million. That P1.4 trillion is more money than what is allotted by government for social services (36.8 percent) and for economic services (29.7 percent), and is twice the amount needed by the country each year, P700 billion, to modernize its infrastructure and bring it to about 5 percent of GDP.

To curb corruption in government, Duterte will employ a balance of outright communists (the cadres and the elite of the Communist Party of the Philippines) and outright rightists (the police and military generals).

The last time a president employed such a volatile mix, during the administration of Corazon Cojuangco Aquino (mother of the outgoing president BS Aquino), she was hobbled by no less than seven coup attempts, two of which, the August 1986 and the December 1989, were

the bloodiest in the country’s history.

The third C is cronyism. Studies by the prestigious The Economist of London showed that between 2014 and 2016, cronyism worsened in the Philippines.

That cronyism gave rise to the corrupt and incompetent administrators the nation’s mass transit railway system (its maintenance was monopolized by cabal from the ruling LP) and of the international airport (the general manager there is Aquino’s cousin).

Now, who will jail or shoot these people? The evidence is there. biznewsasia@gmail.com

LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES Mr. Robles’ column will resume on Tuesday.

F R I D AY, J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO WITH many congressmen and senators rushing to jump into the “super coalition majority,” the essence of an opposition minority party is fast making an independent House an extinct institution. The rush to join the party of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte has been so shameless it smacks of convenience and opportunism to partake of the presidential pork barrel. Watch and note members of both House and Senate who have flown to Davao like devotees of Duterte since the mayor won by a landslide in last month’s presidential polls.

One of them is an aspirant to be House Minority Leader.

Money has been tight for the politicians since the Priority Development Assistance Fund spout was turned off after the arrest and detention of pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ DURING his senior year at Manila’s San Beda College of Law, Rodrigo Duterte was almost expelled because of a shooting incident. A classmate was bullying him, pinching his ears and his by now prominent nose. Irritated, the young probinsyano law student from Davao drew his gun from his waist and poked it at the face of the abusive rascal.

Thinking Duterte was going to pull the trigger, a third classmate made a karate chop to avert disaster. But the gun went off anyway. The bully was wounded but only slightly.

Quickly, Duterte’s classmates retrieved the bullet and hid it, along with his gun. Apparently, in those freewheeling pre-martial law days, guns, licensed and unlicensed, flowed and were flouted freely and fearlessly in Manila campuses in what could be called the student council version of the Wild, Wild West.

By September 1972, the strongman Ferdinand Marcos had put a stop to the nonsense. His martial law military and police col-

WANTED: A TRUE MINORITY LEADER Napoles and the Supreme Court struck down the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as illegal. These funds were diverted to the Office of the President. Because President Aquino had the discretion to dispense billions of funds only to Palace allies, it also serves as leverage used to the max to make even non-LP legislators toe the line for Malacañang-initiated measures. Congressmen have to beg the President for funds for projects in their districts and benefits for their constituents.

And of course, for getting reelected and staying in power to perpetuate their political dynasties. Thus, the flow of turncoats traffic joining Duterte’s bandwagon has been heavier than the volume of vehicles on Edsa.This is the new normal—political butterflies crossing over to the party in power—dealing a death knell to the two-party system.

It is in this surreal setting that a true opposition party and a

credible minority floor leader are sorely needed. A working democracy needs an opposition whose role is not to be an obstructionist but to scrutinize bills the Duterte administration would certify as priority measures. Palace-proposed measures must be reviewed and studied lest the overwhelming majority ram and railroad even onerous measures that serve vested interests.

One of those being looked at as a credible opposition leader is Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza. A three-term Manila mayor, former Environment and Natural Resources secretary and a member of the National Assembly during the martial law years, Atienza is a true-blue member of the Liberal Party founded by his uncle Herminigildo Atienza, a well-known figure in Manila politics. Lito Atienza has remained loyal to the LP even when it was tempting to switch sides to enjoy the perks of power. He was marginalized by the LP infight-

ing manipulated by Senate President Franklin Drilon. Atienza is, in fact, one of the few remaining survivors of the deadly Liberal Party miting de avance bombing in Plaza Miranda on August 21, 1971. The bombing killed nine people and injured many others, including prominent LP leaders like Senator Jovito Salonga, and former Manila Mayor Ramon Bagatsing.

This early, Atienza, instead of pandering to Duterte, is opposing the incoming president’s plan to return the death penalty as a deterrence against rising criminality.

“Returning capital punishment will not solve the problem.

It will only fan more violence,” said Atienza, a staunch pro-life advocate who also opposed the Reproductive Health Law initiated by Aquino. At the closing day of the 16th Congress, Atienza still fought to override President BS Aquino’s veto of the proposed P2,000 increase

in the monthly Social Security System pension of retired workers. He was, however, drowned out by a viva voce vote despite his motion for a roll call to get the true sentiment of the House.

This latest House episode could be a portent of things to come under the “supermajority” in the House and Senate formed under Duterte. Those who sucked up to PNoy are now doing the same to Digong to get chairmanships of choice committees and a slice of the president’s pork.

We have a new president elected by an overwhelming majority of voters. Call me an incurable cynic but I doubt much will change. It will still be patronage politics as usual. The people have seen it all—from Erap’s “walang kaibigan, walang kamag-anak” to PNoy’s “daang matuwid.” While there’s a new president who promises change, the deck of cards is stacked against the people. The players are still the same.

DUTERTE’S THREE CS lected more than 500,000 illegal firearms, three times the combined firepower of the national police and the armed forces.

Back to the Bedan bully.

Shaken after the incident, he was told to go, disappear. San Beda’s monks heard about the incident and conducted a discreet but earnest investigation.

The acting law dean, a Harvardtrained lawyer, wanted to expel the delinquent would-be lawyers. Duterte’s classmates used their nascent knowledge of the law, however. There was no bullet, no victim, no complainant.

How could there be a crime?

Duterte went on to finish his law (Class 1972, though it is not clear whether he marched during his graduation, as a result of the shooting incident).

Attorney Duterte became a very successful state prosecutor, running after malcontents and criminal suspects. As a lawyer, he lived by one dictum—go by the evidence.

As Davao’s mayor of 22 years, however, he became known as The Punisher, for his swift and deadly approach towards criminals and suspects who just dropped dead

#FAILOCRACY

without authorities looking for the evidence of guilt.

On June 30, 2016, lawyer Rodrigo Duterte will start his job as the 16th president of the Philippines. With more than 16.5 million votes, 39 percent of the total votes cast for president, he won with an overwhelming mandate. The 16.6 million votes is the largest in history for a presidential winner, and his getting 6.62 million votes than the ruling Liberal Party’s Manuel Araneta Roxas, is also the biggest winning margin ever.

Duterte’s massive mandate was an absolute rejection of the lackluster six-year reign of Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, whose dismal performance as president earned him the sobriquet “BS”—for bullsh*t.

More importantly, analysts, including this writer, see Duterte’s victory as a revolt of the masses, a change of government so revolutionary it will recast society so radically it will transform the nation for good hopefully forever.

The new President must grapple with the three main Cs that are cancer to society—criminal-

ity, corruption and cronyism.

The country is in the grip of criminals and criminal syndicates, particularly of drug lords.

So entrenched are illegal drugs syndicates their leaders welcome being convicted and imprisoned at the National Penitentiary in suburban Muntinglupa south of the capital Manila. There, the drug lords are believed to operate three drug laboratories turning chemical precursors into highly valuable illegal drugs and prison guards and inmates into runners, drug couriers and their private bodyguards paid for by government.

In one of his press conferences, the incoming President vowed to lead an elite group of specially trained commandos to assault the Bilibid Prisons to flush out the drug lords and their henchmen and padlock the laboratories for good. “Anyone left standing will be shot dead,” Duterte declared.

He thinks the drug lords and the labs exist with the tolerance of the Justice Department.

In succeeding statements, Duterte disclosed plans to conduct 50 public executions, by hanging, twice— “until the head

is completely severed from the body”—of drug lords and other criminals.

He has quickly assembled an amazing “super majority” in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to enable him to rush an all-important death penalty bill. Capital punishment was declared illegal in 2006 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia routinely kill drug lords and drug couriers.

At the same time, Duterte has identified agencies which are supposed to be among the most corrupt in the bureaucracy. These include the Bureau of Customs, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the Land Transportation Office. Feeling hopeless, he has threatened to abolish these three if that is what it would take to stop their corruption. He has named military men to Customs and the LTO. The next President has ordered all government bureaucrats to smile and to cut red tape to the minimum—five signatures and three days for most paperwork or permits, and five Continued on A10

CHONG ARDIVILLA

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Last-gasp France makes Final 16 MARSEILLE— Late goals from Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet booked hosts France’s place in the last 16 of Euro 2016 after overcoming stiff resistance from European Championship debutants Albania.

Pro league revives PBA Campus Tour THE Philippine Basketball Association is reviving the PBA Campus Tour as part of its outreach program, bringing Barangay Ginebra and Mahindra to the Arellano University in Manila today to start the jaunt.

The Gin Kings and the Enforcers face off in a tune-up match at 1 p.m., kicking off a six-leg series with other stops at the Centro Escolar University, Arellano University-Pasig, Lyceum-Manila and Tarlac State University.

A regular preseason event of the league in the past, the PBA Campus Tour brings PBA stars closer to the fans, with each stop providing opportunity for interaction activities.

The Star Hotshots and the Phoenix Fuel Masters clash at the CEU Gym on June 22, the Tropang TNT Texters and the NLEX Road Warriors collide at the Arellano UniversityPasig Gym on June 24, the Meralco Bolts and the GlobalPort Batang Pier slug it out at LyceumManila on June 29 while the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Alaska Aces square off in Tarlac State University on June 2.

Yet to be finalized is the venue of the San Miguel Beer-Blackwater tiff on July 1.

For the ball clubs, the series serves as part of their preparation for the PBA Governors Cup set to open on July 15.

The season-ending tournament features regular imports -- with a height ceiling of 6’5”, except for Mahindra and Blackwater which are allowed a height cap of 6’9” for their reinforcements – plus an optional Asian recruit.

France teammates celebrate their 2-0 win over Albania in the Euro 2016 group A football match between France and Albania at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille on June 15, 2016. AFP

Hamilton unimpressed by Baku BAKU, Azerbaijan (AFP)--Lewis Hamilton heads to Baku for this weekend’s European Grand Prix, the first to be held in Azerbaijan frustrated at the stereotypical nature of the new street circuit.

The 31-year-old Briton, who is looking to complete a hat-trick of wins that could put him back above Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg on top of the drivers’ championship standings, said he had tried the track in his team’s simulator.

“It’s just another new track,” said the defending three-time world champion of the controversial addition to the F1 calendar under attack from human rights protesters.

Hamilton added: “There’s one very tight spot on it. It’s got a very long straight I don’t have a lot to say about it. I don’t know what I can say “Monaco is the street circuit and they don’t make them like that. I don’t why they don’t, but why don’t

they just make street circuits like they used to?

“I don’t understand. It’s super wide in some places -- as wide as a motorway almost, but, hopefully, it will be fun.

“I’ve heard the weather will be good and hopefully they’ll have a good turn out.”

Just days after his second win of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix had trimmed German Rosberg’s lead to nine points, Hamilton has the incentive he wants and the momentum to deliver a result.

But, as his team chief Toto Wolff has warned, Mercedes no longer can rely on outright performance superiority and recognized that Ferrari may, in some conditions, have the power to out-pace them.

Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel demonstrated that in Montreal where he took the lead at the start and might have triumphed if Ferrari had not switched him, er-

3-way battle for last semis slot looms Games tomorrow (Blue Eagle gym) 1 p.m. – Sta. Elena vs Bounty Fresh 4 p.m. – Pocari vs Iriga 6:30 p.m. – Laoag vs Baguio

WITH four wins apiece, Pocari Sweat, BaliPure and Air Force are assured of at least a playoff for the last semifinal berth, virtually leaving the fight for the last Final Four slot among three teams with five playdates left in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference.

That makes the remaining matches crucial for National University and Laoag, toting identical 2-3 cards, while Uni-

versity of the Philippines and Iriga, with 1-3 slates, knock each other out on Monday with the winner staying in the hunt for a playoff for the last semis seat.

Iriga actually faces elimination when action in the season-opening conference sponsored by Shakey’s resumes Saturday at the Blue Eagle gym in QC when the Lady Oragons collide with the unbeaten Pocari Lady Warriors in the 4 p.m. match.

Laoag, on the other hand, is fancied to move to solo fourth as it takes on winless Baguio in the 6:30 p.m. main dish.

The Lady Bulldogs, coming off a stinging five-set setback to the surging Water Defend-

ers late Wednesday, hope to rebound against the Summer Spikers on Monday.

Both NU and Laoag’s last games will be against UP with the Lady Bulldogs squaring off with the Lady Maroons on June 25 and the Power Smashers facing the Diliman-based squad in the final elims day on June 27.

The playoff will be held on June 29, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Meanwhile, BaliPure and Air Force try to formalize their stint in the semis on June 22 with the Water Defenders taking on the Summer Spikers at 4 p.m. and the Jet Spikers clashing with the Lady Oragons.

rantly, from a one-stop to a twostop strategy.

Like Hamilton, however, Vettel has found early sightings of the Baku street track an elusive one to evaluate.

“It was a bit difficult to find my way round to be honest,” he said after testing the track in the Ferrari simulator.

“So, I don’t think it’s fair to judge yet. We have to wait till we get there.

“It looks exciting in some parts and others a bit more straightforward .”

In a revelation that will boost his hopes and those of Red Bull, Wolff said that Mercedes were no longer clearly the team with the fastest top speed.

“You could see the top speed of Red Bull and Ferrari is pretty much where we are,” he said after the Canadian race.

AFP

Atletico Madrid forward Griezmann came off the bench in Marseille to head the opener in the 90th minute before West Ham United’s Payet strengthened his reputation by smashing home a second deep into stoppage time.

Payet also struck a late winner as France opened the tournament with a nervy 2-1 win over Romania.

“This is becoming a bit of a habit, I’d prefer us to break the deadlock a bit earlier,” said a relieved French coach Didier Deschamps.

“Until the final whistle is blown there is still a chance to win the game, especially against teams who you have to wear down.”

However, two leave-itlate wins left doubts about whether Deschamps’s side can repeat the feats of French sides past at the 1984 Euros and 1998 World Cup by winning on home soil.

Deschamps surprisingly left Juventus star Paul Pogba and Griezmann on the bench in the only two changes from the game against Romania.

Les Bleus only kicked into gear with Pogba and Griezmann reunited with the mercurial Payet after the break.

“We needed a win to qualify, and it’s done,” Griezmann told French television. AFP

BaliPure’s Gretchel Soltones (right) defies Laoag’s Katherine Villegas and Mylene Paat’s defense as she fires away a kill during their Shakey’s VLeague encounter. BaliPure wore down a stubborn Team Laoag with its power game in the third set and fashioned out a 28-26, 25-23, 25-17 victory.

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Chiefs capture Martin Cup title ARELLANO University secured its second consecutive men’s division championship, University of the East took its first women’s plum, while the National University Bullpups retained the junior division title last Thursday (June 9) in the 22nd Fr. Martin Cup Summer Basketball Tournament.

Jiovani Jalalon and Lervin Flores joined forces in scoring crucial baskets in the last three minutes to lead the Chiefs to an 84-79 beating of the Adamson Falcons in the senior finals.

Meanwhile, Daniel Atienza scored seven of his 11-point total in overtime to power the NU Bullpups past the Adamson Baby Falcons, 91-83,

and keep the high school championship for a second straight year.

Ruth Tacula had 21 points, while Love Joy Domingo and Eunique Chan added 18 and 17, respectively, for the UE Lady Warriors, who edged the Adamson Lady Falcons, 74-70, and earned their first ever crown in the three-monthlong cagefest.

The Falcons drew 12 points apiece from Kenneth Miranda and Rob Manalang in their efforts to stop the Chiefs, who went on to earn their second straight crown since taking the Collegiate Open honors a few months back.

They managed to trim down the Chiefs’ 10-point 74-64 lead in the last three

Bach hails ‘beautiful Rio village’ RIO DE JANEIRO—International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach oversaw the inauguration of the Rio Olympic Village on Wednesday and declared the $835 million complex as “one of the most beautiful” he had seen.

The village, which is made up of 31 buildings and will host more than 10,000 athletes at the Games from August 5-21, is based in the Olympic Park at Barra da Tijuca where most of the events will take place.

“It’s one of the most beautiful Olympic villages I have ever seen,” said Bach.

“It is the heart of the Games and it’s from here that the Olympic message will be spread to Brazil and the world.

“Athletes will be taking part in the most difficult competitions of their lives and, at the same time, will live together in peace and with respect for the entire world.” AFP

Arellano University Chiefs are shown after their senior division title conquest.

minutes off JD Tungcab’s three-pointer, 75-76.

But Jalalon’s jumper and two charities pushed the Chiefs out of trouble, 80-76, with 2:13 left

as they took a five-point cushion with 31.5 ticks to go, off Flores’ charity shot, 81-76.

“Bihira mangyari ang mag-back to back title

kami. Grabe ang laban.

Pahirap nang pahirap. Lahat ng best teams kasi ng NCAA nandito,”said Arellano Chiefs coach Jerry Codinera, who noted that

some schools seeing action in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association season, fielded in two squads in their pre-season campaign.

Federer in winning Halle start; Nishikori pulls out HALLE WESTFALEN, Germany—Roger Federer got his bid for a ninth Halle grasscourt title off to a winning start on Wednesday with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Germany’s world number 88 Jan-Lennard Struff.

The top seed and world number three will face Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri, ranked 64, for a place in the last eight, as he steps up his bid for another tilt at the Wimbledon title.

“It was hard to find a rhythm today. He took the ball early, went for a lot on the forehand, backhand. He has a big serve, especially the first one,” Federer said.

“So then you go back to basics, you focus on your own serve. I thought I did that very well. He never really had chances on my own serve, so that was

comforting.”

The 34-year-old Federer, who has now won 52 matches in his Halle career, has yet to win a title in 2016, his longest drought to start a year since he went title-less in 2000.

But Wednesday’s tie was just his 19th match of the season after he struggled with a back injury and endured knee surgery in February.

His injury woes forced him to skip the French Open, ending his record run of 65 successive Grand Slam appearances stretching back to 1999.

Last week, 17-time major winner Federer made the semi-finals of the Stuttgart grasscourt event, where he lost to Dominic Thiem, who went on to take the title.

Later this month, Federer will begin his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title when the third Grand Slam tournament of the season starts on June 27.

“I feel after the first round, after having played last week, actually maybe something is really possible here,” added Federer.

“I don’t want to get too carried away but I feel like if I serve the way I did today and I’m able to step it up just a little bit on the return from the baseline, all of a sudden I’m dangerous for anybody.

“We’ll see how it goes. But I take one match at a time and I hope just to keep on playing a bit better match by match.”

Japan’s world number six Kei

Nishikori suffered a pre-Wimbledon blow when he was forced to pull out of the Halle tournament with a rib injury.

Nishikori, seeded two in Germany behind Federer and a semifinalist in 2014 and 2015, was to play Florian Mayer, who was given a walkover into the quarter-finals.

“I’m very sad to not be able to go on playing,” said Nishikori, whose status for Wimbledon is not yet certain.

German teenager Alexander Zverev made the quarter-finals when compatriot Benjamin Becker, 16 years his senior, withdrew with an injury at 7-5, 3-0 down.

Zverev will next meet Cypriot veteran Marco Baghdatis who put out Dustin Brown, also of Germany, 7-5, 7-6 (10/8).

Philipp Kohlschreiber, the Stuttgart runner-up, enjoyed a 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) win over Spanish clay courter Marcel Granollers. AFP

Mickelson out to shatter US Open jinx

Phil Mickelson of the United States plays a shot during a practice round prior to the US Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. AFP

OAKMONT—Phil Mickelson seeks to end 26 years of US Open misery at Oakmont Country Club in the Pittsburgh suburbs this week, while battle is rejoined for golfing supremacy between the new spearheads of the sport -- Jason Day, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy.

No other golfer has endured such heartache at one tournament as Mickelson has at the second of the year’s four majors.

He has finished second a record six times since he first played it in 1990, and having captured the British Open in 2013 to go with his three Masters titles and one PGA Championship, the US Open is all that is stopping him from becoming just the sixth golfer to complete a career Grand Slam.

To do so though he will have to conquer one of the world’s finest and toughest golf courses in Oakmont.

Opened in 1904, the rugged par-70 layout features 210 bunkers that swallow up balls and aspirations in equal quantities, greens that confound the best of putters and rough so thick that sprained wrists are not uncommon.

On top of that it has the longest par-three in US Open history that can be stretched to 300 yards and the second longest par-five at a mind-boggling 667 yards.

Mickelson will know the dangers he faces when he steps out for the first round on Thursday on his 46th birthday.

“I think that it accomplishes the goal that the members want,

which is to have the hardest course in the world or in America or wherever, and I think they’ve accomplished that,” he said on the eve of the tournament.

“I think that there’s no reprieve off the tee, there’s no reprieve into the greens, and there’s certainly no reprieve on the greens.

These greens are way more difficult to putt than Augusta’s.”

Still, Mickelson feels that he has the craft and the experience to finally come good in what would provide one of the most compelling golf stories in recent years.

Defending champion Spieth and McIlroy, the winner in 2011, have already been victorious in the US Open, both in their early 20s, while Day has time on his side too. AFP

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Curry calls Game 6 biggest of his career CLEVELAND—Golden State’s Stephen Curry called game six of the NBA Finals the biggest contest of his career Wednesday while the revived Cleveland Cavaliers expressed confidence they can dethrone the Warriors.

Stephen Curry (left) of the Golden State Warriors battles for the rebound against LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 of the 2016 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

AFFIDAVIT OF SELF-ADJUDICATION OF THE ESTATES OF TERESITA TARONGOY Notice is hereby given that THE ESTATES OF TERESITA TARONGOY, who died on January 01, 2013 at 174 NIA Road, Wakas, Bocaue, Bulacan has been the subject of EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF TERESITA TARONGOYWITH ABSOLUTE DEED OF SALE AND DEED OF PARTITION of her heirs AURELIO TARONGOY, RAYMOND TARONGOY, RONALD TARONGOY, AUTER TARONGOY, and AUBREY TARONGOY, over two (2) parcels of land together with all the improvements covered by TCT No. T-9992-P(M), TCT No. T-365797 (M); the heirs hereby adjudicate themselves the above mentioned real properties and have agreed to sell one parcel of land under TCT No. T-365797 (M) to MARITA VILLAMAR; as per instrument dated April 07, 2016; known as per Doc. No. 43;Page No. 10; Book No. IV; Series of 2016 under the Notary Public ATTY. CLAUDETTE C. TOLENTINO. ( T S - J U N E 10 , 17 & 2 4 , 2 016)

The defending champions lead host Cleveland 3-2 in the bestof-seven series entering Thursday’s tension-packed showdown, which will result in either a seventh game Sunday in California or the Warriors celebrating backto-back titles clinched on the Cavaliers’ home court.

“We have a chance to win a championship, so definitely (my) biggest game and I’m ready for it,” NBA Most Valuable Player and scoring champion Curry said.

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving each scored 41 points in a 112-97 road victory Monday that sustained Cleveland’s title hopes, the first time teammates cracked 40 points in a Finals game.

“For us, it’s just about coming out with that aggressive mindset, pushing in transition and getting easy opportunities,” Irving said.

No team has ever rallied from 3-1 down to win the NBA Finals and no team in 50 years has even forced a seventh game.

“We have confidence we can

Republic of the Phillippines Department of Health National Capital Regional Office VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER BIDS AND AWARD COMMITTEE

Republic of the Philippines PROVINCE OF QUIRINO Cabarroguis -oOoBIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Telefax No. 294-4625 Email addressvmc_bac@yahoo.com

INVITATION TO BID FOR

PROCUREMENT OF VARIOUS LABORATORY SUPPLIES CY 2016 (1ST SEMESTER) RE BID

June 17, 2016 1.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino, through the DILG-Trust Fund intends to apply the sum of P 31,284,927.40 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for 2016-017 Rehabilitation of Dagupan – Tres Reyes Road, Saguday - Aglipay, Quirino. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino now invites bids for Rehabilitation of Dagupan - Tres Reyes Road. Completion of the Works is required by 142 Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

FUNDING SOURCE: The Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) through INCOME/GAA/GOP intends to apply the amount of Four Million Two Hundred Ten Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty Five 50/100 Pesos Only (Php 4,210,955.50), being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the provision of public bidding for LABORATORY SUPPLIES CY 2016 1ST SEM (RE BID) . Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at Bid Opening.

2.

The Valenzuela Medical Center now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for laboratory supplies cy 2016 (1st Semester) Re-bid. The description of an eligible Bidder is contained in Section II of the Bidding Documents’ ITB.

3.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criteria as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations Parts A (IRR-A) of Republic Act No. 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, and is restricted to Filipino citizens/ sole proprietorships, 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 and regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to Republic Act 5183 (RA 5183) and subject to Commonwealth Act 138 (CA 138). Only Bids from bidders who pass the eligibility check will be opened. The process for the eligibility check is described in Section II of the Bidding Documents, ITB. The Bidder with the lowest calculated bid (LCB) shall advance to the post-qualification stage in order to finally determine his responsiveness of the bid to the technical and financial requirements of the project.

The contract shall then be awarded to the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during the post-qualification procedure.

Cavs like extra rest

Rehabilitation of Dagupan – Tres Reyes Road Contract No. 2016-017

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID

1.

win the series,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. “They have seen the blueprint is just being physical, being aggressive and attacking the basket. You don’t play Golden State, you attack them.

So we’ve got to attack.”

The Warriors welcome back forward Draymond Green, banned from a game-five loss for accumulated playoff flagrant fouls. He is the only Warrior to play in every regular season and playoff win this season and is an emotional and defensive stalwart.

“He’s going to play with that same aggression, same passion, leave it all on the floor but be smart,” Curry said. “He can do that without having to take away a piece of what he does on the floor.

“He won’t get baited into any kind of altercations. I’m pretty sure he’ll be talkative, but hopefully in a very constructive kind of way.”

Green was suspended after his flailing hand struck the groin of James late in game four and was ruled a flagrant foul by the league.

“He knows if he gets another flagrant he misses game seven,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

“I’d be shocked if anything happened on that front.”

But Golden State will be without Australian center Andrew Bogut, who will be sidelined at least six to eight weeks with a left knee injury suffered Monday.

“It sucks not having him out there. He has anchored our defense,” Golden State’s Shaun Livingston said. “Not having his IQ, his passing ability, rim protection, it’s going to hurt us. We’ve just got to grind it out.”

Where’s the Love?

James called out Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, who managed only two points and three rebounds Monday in his first start since a concussion kept him out of game three.

“We definitely need Kev to play better,” James said. “But we don’t want to add no more stress on him or added pressure. Just need him to be aggressive. We definitely need him. He’s too big of a piece to our puzzle.”

Said Love: “If you can’t get yourself up for this, you might as well go home.”

James averages a record 32.4 points a game when facing playoff elimination. AFP

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 AM to 4:00PM.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from June 17, 2016 to July 4, 2016 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (P25, 000.00).

The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents at the BAC Secretariat, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, upon payment of the applicable non-refundable fee. The Pre-Bid Conference shall open only to interested parties who have purchased the BD’s.

Bids must be accompanied by a bid security, in the amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.2 of the Revised IRR.

4.

Interested Bidders may obtain further information from Valenzuela Medical Center and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00AM4:00PM starting June 15, 2016 to July 04, 2016.

6.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 20, 2016, 3:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Building, Capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, which shall be open to all interested parties.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos Only (Php 5,000.00) (1M to 5M). The method of payment will be in cash. The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective bidder or his authorized representative. It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

7.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before July 4, 2016, 3:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Building, Capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

6.

Eligibility Check and Bid Opening will be on July 04, 2016. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

7.

Bids and eligibility requirements must be delivered to the address below on or before July 04, 2016, 10:00 AM, BAC Office. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of Cash, Manager’s Check or Cashier’s Check Bank Draft or Bank Guarantee of two (2%) percent of the total amount to bid. Late Bids shall not be accepted.

8.

The Valenzuela Medical Center reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to the contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders. (sgd.) DONA D. SALMOS, RN, MAN BAC Chairperson

(TS-JUNE 17, 2016)

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BD’s in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualification.

8.

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

For further information, please refer to: (SGD) ENGR. DENCIO A. PAGBILAO Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Province of Quirino +639175007275 +639177756155

(TS-JUNE 17, 2016)

CLEVELAND—An extra rest day between travel and games in this year’s NBA Finals has come as a welcome break for the Cleveland Cavaliers, but not for the Golden State Warriors.

The move was made to help ensure players were at their best when contesting for the championship trophy after last year’s finals, when Cleveland star LeBron James was exhausted after epic efforts against the eventual champion Warriors.

This year, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are healthy instead of sidelined by injury as in 2015, and no one has complained of too little rest while the quality of play has been top level.

“The one day in between was taxing on all of us,” James said. “It benefits all of us as a league, being able to get an extra day and prepare from coast to coast.”

The extra rest might certainly have helped fourtime NBA Most Valuable Player James and teammate Kyrie Irving on Monday when they each scored 41 points in a 112-97 road victory, pulling the Cavaliers within 3-2 in the bestof-seven series that continues Thursday in Cleveland.

“It has been beneficial for me for sure,” Irving said. “That four and a half hour flight coming from the west coast and getting adjusted to the time, it can take a toll on your body.

But I love the extra day— just coming in, able to get some work in and get treatment when you need to and prepare for the game. AFP

F R I D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Tabal makes it to Rio; Torres out

By Peter Atencio AN Olympic dream has finally come true.

Mary Joy Tabal finally got confirmation that she will be in the women’s marathon event of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Philippine chef de mission Joey Romasanta personally informed the 26-year0old Tabal of her status in a text message yesterday.

“Dream ko ito. Dream ito na nabuo na matagal na with Coach Philip Duenas,” said Tabal, as she and personal mentor Duenas were heading for an evening workout at the oval of the Cebu Sports Complex.

Romasanta said he received an email on Wednesday evening from Rio Sports Entries Committee representative William Souza of Tabal’s status, which has been posted on the International Association of Athletics Federations website.

The confirmation on Tabal’s Olympic stint comes four days after officials of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, led by its president Philip Ella Juico, met with her, and reinstated the Cebuana runner as a member of the national team a day later.

Juico, who said he is expecting confirmation by July 11, is currently confiding with Romasanta on Tabal’s and status and that of long jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang.

Romasanta said Rio organizers are asking Philippine sports authorities to delist Torres-Sunang from their list of delegates.

“Wala na. Sobrang excited. Wala nang hindrance,” added Tabal.

Tabal placed eighth in the Scotia Bank Ottawa Marathon three weeks ago and passed the Olympic standard for the sport.

But she did not make the PH national team going to the Rio Olympics outright as she was not a part of the PATAFA national team, hence the request for reinstatement.

Players of the coming 2016 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference are shown during the tournament’s press launching. They are (from left) Petron’s Frances Molina, Generika’s Wensh Tiu, Standard Insurance’s Lilet Mabbayad, F2’s Cha Cruz, Amy’s’ Cindy Imbo, Foton’s Angeli Araneta, Cignal’s Carmela Tunay and RC Cola’s Jovelyn Gonzaga. ROMAN PROSPERO

Uphill battle for champ Petron in All-Pinoy tilt IT IS expected to be an uphill climb for Petron when it defends the 2016 Philippine Superliga AllFilipino Conference crown starting Saturday at The Arena in San Juan.

After losing the core of Aby Marano, Rachel Anne Daquis, Dindin Manabat and Fille Cayetano, the Tri-Activ Spikers will be marching with a new crew that features veteran Aiza Pontillas, Bang Pineda and CJ Rosario, who was tabbed as second overall pick in the recent PSL Annual Rookie Draft.

But it will not be a cakewalk for them this time as the rest of the field also beefed up their respective rosters in this prestigious women’s inter-club volleyball tournament bankrolled by Asics, Grand Sports, Mikasa, Mueller, Senoh and supported by Focus Athletics, KLab Cyscorpions, Island-

2016 Bea Zobel Cup IT WAS nearly a decade when Doῆa Beatriz Miranda de Zobel decided to hold her special tournament of all bridge SYLVIA LOPEZ players from the membership of the ALEJANDRO Philippine Tournament Bridge League.

The first Bea Zobel Cup was held in 2008 at the Manila Golf Club. A very memorable occasion for me as I was the first recipient together with Joseph Maliwat from Bea the silver miniature galleon trophy crafted from Madrid with inscription: Premio Bridge Zobel Cup. The next three Bea Cup were held at the Manila Intercontinental Hotel. The next three Bea Zobel Cup were held at the Manila Polo Club.

Madame Beatriz Miranda de Zobel welcomed all of us-the invited bridge players to the 2016 Bea Zobel Cup. The much waited event was held at Turf Room of the Manila Polo Club last June 8, 2016. This event is usually held in or on February to coincide Bea’s birthday on February 29. As Viksi Egan explained Bea had a very tight schedule this year. Earlier Bea had to attend the wedding of her grand daughter which took place in Colombia.

Bea nevertheless found the time to host this year’s event. The ever gracious host Bea feted us with a sumptuous lunch and she had also expanded the recipient only to first three winners: but to the placers

rose.net, LGR and Petron with TV5 as official broadcast partner.

Foton, which foiled Petron’s bid for a three-peat, added more offensive muscle when it recruited EJ Laure and Cherry Rondina from UST and Carol Cerveza from La Salle, while retaining the core of Jaja Santiago, Angeli Araneta and Patty Orendain.

F2 Logistics also bolstered its roster as it acquired Kim Fajardo, Mika Reyes, Ara Galang and the entire core of reigning UAAP champion La Salle to team up with former Lady Spikers Marano, Cha Cruz and Paneng Mercado.

Three time champion RC Cola-Army remains formidable as it retained the core of Honey Rose Tubino, Nene Bautista, Tina Salak and Daquis, who emerged as Most Valuable Player during Petron’s championship run in the All-Filipino conference last year.

“Mukhang mahihirapan na kaming makaulit. Lahat ng teams malaki ang improvement,” said Petron coach George Pascua, who made history by becoming the first coach to lead his team to a clean 13-0 sweep last year.

Pascua added that although they lost some key players, the addition of Pontillas, Pineda and Rosario as well as the return of Ces Molina, Maica Morada, Mayette Zapanta, Mina Aganon and Jen Reyes will offset their losses.

“I like my team. We’re now

until the eight place. Imagine the traditional silver trophies from Madrid for the first three and miniature size ones from fourth to the eight place. On behalf all, Viksi thanked Bea for her kindness and generosity for persevering in hosting this annual event.

This year the format was reverted to the format as in the previous years. The pairings could be both senior players paired together with unlimited masterpoints.

You can see that from the list of players it constituted bridge players from a varied field: from national players to immediate and to novices.

The list of the players as follows: 1. Ito Velhagen & Viksi Egan 11. Marilen Espiritu & Harriet Velayo 2. Isabel Wilson & George Soo 12. Mila Camus & Ellen Esteban 3. Gemma Tan & Romy Virola 13. Lani Tayas & Dina Velasco 4. Sylvia Alejandro & Albert Quigue 14. Cora Rodriguez & Titang Montinola 5. George Francisco & Ann de Guzman 15. Toti Fernandez & Nena Ramirez 6. Lyn Gavino & Hector Tarrazona 16. Bambi Harper & Fr. Ting 7. Salma Lall & Satomi Suzuki 17. Dolly Montinegro & Ann Aspinall 8. Tootsie Quiogue & Winnie Monsod 18. Isabel Maloles & Fusako Breckner 9. Justo Manlongat & Alice Brione 19. Aiko Taylor & Cynthia de Guzman 10. Ditas Jalbuena & Pocholo Lozano 20. Bea Zobel & Elena Colome

The Tournament Director was again Joseph Maliwat who not only kept the players moving in time and also kept us updated on the progress of the tournament. Kudos Joseph!

The first update: 1. Cora Rodriguez and Titang Montinola

more aggressive because we got a little younger,” he said during the press launch yesterday graced by PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico and Peter Bratschi of Eventcourt, the co-organizer of the FIVB World Women’s Club Championship here in Manila in October.

Petron will open its campaign against Foton at 4 p.m., while F2 Logistics will face Cignal at 2 p.m. following a colorful opening ceremony.

Also expected to make an impact are Cignal, Standard Insurance-Navy, Generika and Amy’s Kitchen.

The HD Spikers will parade the core of NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde in Djanel Cheng, Jeanette Panaga and Janine Navarro, while the Corvettes will have Pau Soriano and Norie Jane Diaz as cornerstones.

2. Sylvia Alejandro and Albert Quiogue Later updates had always named Cora Rodriguez and Titang Montinola as being in the lead.

Finally at the awarding the tandem emerged as winners.

Winners of 2016 Bea Zobel Cup 1. Cora Rodriguez-Titang Montinola 2. Justo Manlongat-Alice Briones 3. Dina Velasco-Lani Tayas Another feast awaited us as merienda was served with yummy halo-halo and goodies during the award.

Thank you Bea for the lovely and the pleasurable time we had in your hosting the Bea Zobel Cup as the Hostess with Mostest. Thanks be to God for allowing me to be strong and healthy to play all these years. My fervent and special thanks to Beatriz de Zobel for having given me at an early time and date carte blanche to choose and select my partner.

The parting words from Bea: See you next year!

Hopefully— in January when playing with Margaret Kwok she said she hoped to practice with partner to play at the Bea Zobel Cup. The Lord taketh her. When I receive my call I also do not tarry.

So, meanwhile Let’s Celebrate and Let’s Continue to play with passion our favorite game: BRIDGE THANK YOU, THANK YOU BEATRIZ LOVE - SYLVIA Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@yahoo

F R I DAY : J U N E 17, 2 0 16

A16

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

Can anybody beat

France?

Nash also coming to Manila FIBA meet THE NBA’s newest sensation may not be coming to Manila for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, but in his place is a legend who is now at the forefront of Canada’s bid to make it to back to the Summer Games Rio de Janeiro is hosting come August.

Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, now the general manager of Canada’s national team, is set to come for the July 5 to 10 OQT at the Mall of Asia Arena and he is bringing with him a group of players all projected to make up for the absence of 2014-15 NBA Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins.

The Canadians also have this one overwhelming aim, which is to return to the quadrennial meet after failing to make it in the Games’ last three editions.

Aside from the Minnesota Timberwolves star, other NBA players Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Andrew Nicholson (Orlando Magic), Kelly Olynyk (Boston Celtics), Robert Sacre (LA Lakers), Nik Stauskas (Philadelphia 76ers) and Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks) are not included in the initial 19-man pool Canada Basketball bared last week. Olynyk is out for six months and has ruled himself out of the FIBA OQT. Both Nash and coach Jay Triano have stated said absent players are welcome to join the pool should they decide to do so.

“Given the time of year, player availability is always changing,” said Nash, who was part of Canada’s squad in the 2000 Olympics, the last time it made the Summer Games, through Canada Basketball’s Twitter account @CanBball.

ASVEL’s owner Tony Parker poses with the trophy at the end of the Pro A basketball game 5 of the final match between Strasbourg (SIG) and Villeurbanne (ASVEL) in Strasbourg, eastern France. AFP

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

BACKED by its fifth-place world ranking by FIBA, France, which is loaded with a roster of outstanding stars from the National Basketball Association, are the favorites to win the only slot available for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in the FIBA Qualifying Tournament to be held at the 20,000-seat Mall of Asia Arena.

The French national team finished third in the Euro Basketball Championships, beating Serbia, 8168, after outscoring the Serbs, 21-12, in the third quarter following a 10-0 run and at one point, led by as many as 16 points.

In a post-game interview, French coach Vincent Collet said that it was not what they went to Spain for, but that “it’s always good to finish with a win.”

France earned a qualifying berth in Manila and opens its bid against the host nation Philippines on July 5.

In fact, the French have shown their determination to make it to Rio that the squad, led by superstar Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA, planned to arrive in Manila on June 30.

Biggest game of Curry’s career TURN TO A14

Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio pointed out that the FIBA time frame for the teams to be in Manila is July 3, but the French will fly in one week before their opening game against Gilas so they could get acclimatized to the weather and the playing conditions.

Canada and Senegal, which are in Group A, and the New Zealand Tall Blacks, who are bracketed with France and the Philippines, will be here on July 1, while Turkey which is bracketed in Group A will be the first team to arrive on June 28, in preparation for a tune-up game against Gilas Pilipinas on July 1.

The Philippine team is currently on a three-week training stint in Europe and is scheduled to return to

Manila on June 27.

France coach Vincent Collet said that after the third-place finish in the Eurobasket championships, all the French stars, including Parker who had 13 points in the bronzemedal game would return.

“We all agreed that the main goal is to win an Olympic medal and this is the last chance for this generation to win an Olympic medal,” said Collet. “But it won’t be easy to qualify.”

However, latest reports indicate that NBA players Rudy Gobert and Evan Fournier will skip the Manila qualifier, although Nicolas Batum, who was earlier listed as likely to miss the Manila qualifying tournament, remains in coach Collet’s roster .

A FIBA report said that Batum, who is in negotiations for a new contract with the Charlotte Hornets, will be in Pau, France when the team formally gathers to prepare for the six-day Manila tournament. But while doing physical work, he will not participate in the team’s scrimmages.

Gobert, who plays for the Utah Jazz, stands 7’1” and won the bronze medal in the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-20 championships and the silver medal at the 2012 FIBA Europe Un-

Uphill climb for Petron TURN TO A15

der-20 tournament. In addition, the towering center was named to the All-Tournament team.

Meantime, a back injury plaguing Fabien Causer, has forced him to withdraw from the FIBA qualifier in Manila.

The 28-year-old shooting guard has been playing well in the Euroleague this season before being sidelined with an injury last March 20.

The French Basketball Federation has indicated it has no plans of naming replacements for the two players in the 17-man preliminary line-up.

While France may be handicapped by injuries just like Gilas Pilipinas, who lost Paul Lee, the Most Valuable Player in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup, and shooting star Marcio Lassiter, who is slowly recovering from a bout with pneumonia and another top gunner Jeff Chan is also recovering from injury, the French have enough depth and experience playing at a highly competitive level and remain the favorites to win a berth in the Rio Olympics, although they have shown some concern about how much the passionate fan support in Manila will spur Gilas Pilipinas to play like never before.

B1

FRIDAY: JUNE 17, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Govt starts coal policy review

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Climate Change Commission on Thursday started reviewing the government’s energy policy to reshape the country’s power development plans and eventually replace coal with renewable sources of energy.

CCC, together with key government agencies, has six months or until the end of the year to conduct a national review and craft a framework development on energy, in accordance with Commission Resolution No. 2016-001 it issued last month.

CCC vice chair and Secretary

Emmanuel De Guzman said in a statement the policy review was vital to fulfilling the country’s commitments under the Paris climate agreement to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

“With time running out to ad-

dress climate change and prevent the worst effects of rising temperatures, countries must act fast and more decisively to cut down their respective greenhouse gas emissions in order to keep global temperature rise to below 1.5C,” De Guzman said.

CCC is under the Office of the President and is the lead policymaking body of the government mandated to coordinate, monitor and evaluate state programs to mitigate the impact of climate change.

CCC said a comprehensive review of the government’s energy policy involved a whole-of-nation approach to achieve a low-carbon development pathway and na-

tional goals and targets for climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.

“One sure way to defuse the ‘ticking time bomb’ of global warming is to shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energy, which is the main thrust of the most recent resolution issued by the Climate Change Commission and signed by no less than the President,” De Guzman said.

The CCC resolution calls for the development of a clear policy on coal-fired power plants, which are the biggest sources of manmade carbon emissions, accounting for about 35 percent of global GHG emissions.

De Guzman said CCC strongly believed that “transitioning away from coal is a cost-effective path to a low-carbon economy for the Philippines.”

Aside from the CCC, other agencies called to participate in the energy policy review are the Environment and Energy Departments and the National Economic and Development Authority.

De Guzman said the CCC would facilitate at least three meetings of the CCC advisory board, serving as steering committee; three sub-national business summits; 10 roundtable discussions; and 10 technical working group meetings throughout the six months of the policy review process.

PSe comPoSite index Closing June 16, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,564.47 62.82

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing June 16, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P46.430

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P46.290 LOW P46.430 AVERAGE P46.351 VOLUME 651.300M

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

Electronics convention.

Toshiba hosts the Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Convention and Exhibition at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Toshiba showcases its cutting-edge technologies in storage and electronic devices solution, as the Philippines continues to experience rapid economic growth. Shown during the exhibition are (from left) Toshiba Philippines Inc. president and chief executive Tomoo Kobayashi, Toshiba Corp. corporate representative for Asia and Toshiba Asia-Pacific managing director Tatsuo Doko and Toshiba Information Equipment Philippines Inc. president and director Hiroshi Okamura. MANNY PALMERO

P36.35-P43.45 Unleaded Gasoline

PLDT, Globe agree to share Internet services

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE country’s two biggest telecom companies on Thursday signed a bilateral Internet Protocol peering arrangement after six years of dispute in a bid to improve mobile and fixedline broadband speed in the Philippines.

PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. signed a memorandum of agreement, which will serve as a preamble to a formal peering agreement between the two parties.

The agreement provides for the two companies to implement a bilateral domestic peering within 30 days. A formal peering agreement is set to be signed by

both companies within 90 days.

“After six years of actively advocating for an IP peering, Globe welcomes PLDT’s decision to have a meaningful and applicable IP peering arrangement with us. We are happy with this landmark development considering the benefits to our customers in terms of internet experience,” Globe chief technology and information officer Gil Genio said.

“With an effective domestic internet peering in place, Globe customers will gain direct access to content and applications hosted by PLDT data centers and vice-versa. We are confident that this agreement will redound to a better experience on internet

services benefitting customers of both parties and the country as a whole,” Genio said.

The IP peering agreement means that content and applications hosted by the PLDT group which are being accessed

by Globe customers will be treated as local content and do not have to be routed overseas, causing additional IP transit costs, delay in data transmission and latency in downloading sites.

About 20 percent of internet traffic is local, which means that traffic originates in the Philippines and terminates in the Philippines Globe pushed for a mandatory IP peering with PLDT as early as 2011 to improve internet speeds

in the country, but rival PLDT said such arrangement would not really address the objective of improving the speed of Internet services given that 80 percent to 90 percent of traffic goes overseas.

PLDT also earlier said the mandatory IP peering could lead to a situation where some parties “free ride” on the networks of others.

PLDT on Thursday, however, entered into a bilateral IP peering with Globe in line with the former’s digital pivot. With the peering arrangement, PLDT and Globe will now allow direct local exchange of traffic between PLDT’s Philippine Internet Exchange and Globe Internet Exchange.

oPriceS il P today

P24.75-P29.60 Diesel

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, June 16, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.3940

Japan

Yen

0.009434

0.4377

UK

Pound

1.420900

65.9212

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128874

5.9790

Switzerland

Franc

1.040799

48.2868

Canada

Dollar

0.774533

35.9337

Singapore

Dollar

0.739481

34.3075

Australia

Dollar

0.740400

34.3501

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654632

123.1590

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266738

12.3750

Brunei

Dollar

0.736757

34.1811

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.028361

1.3158

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.6325

Euro

Euro

1.126100

52.2443

Korea

Won

0.000856

0.0397

China

Yuan

0.152008

7.0523

India

Rupee

0.014910

0.6917

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.243992

11.3198

New Zealand

Dollar

0.703200

32.6243

Taiwan

Dollar

0.030908

1.4339 Source: PDS Bridge

FRIDAY: JUNE 17, 2016

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Thursday, June 16, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low 7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 75 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 58 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 89 148 20.6 125 85 36 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 1.3 2.17

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 40.3 32 15.32 62.5 20.2 10.08 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 1.63 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.37 3.87 8.45 3 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 5.9 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 0.640 1.2

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 4.92 1455 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 9.66 0.0670 2.31 1.61 2.99 84.9 974 1.66 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.26 837 49.55 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 3 0.030 1.23 0.550 2.26 59.3 751 1.13 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83

STOCKS

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.99 3.7 45.8 44.6 106.80 103.90 97.10 96.50 37.65 37.5 3.18 3.10 1.41 1.40 14.1 14 18 17.6 7.00 7.00 1.9 1.77 595.00 595.00 0.550 0.550 87.4 84.75 0.93 0.92 15.04 15.00 23.00 23.00 52.90 52.55 106.9 101.1 263 262 32 31.45 203 196 1374.00 1361.00 65.30 65.20 1.54 1.54 INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.35 46.2 45.5 Agrinurture Inc. 4.03 4.05 3.89 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.83 0.83 0.81 Alsons Cons.

1.96 1.98 1.95 Asiabest Group 12.38 12.88 12.5 Bogo Medelin 59.9 58.5 58.5 C. Azuc De Tarlac 175.00 189.00 185.00 Century Food 21.05 21.7 21.05 Chemphil 142 142 142 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 188 194 187 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 16.8 17.16 16.7 Crown Asia 1.99 2.02 1.99 Da Vinci Capital 5.34 5.35 5.24 Del Monte 11.22 11.48 11.2 DNL Industries Inc. 9.700 9.800 9.700 Emperador 7.08 7.30 7.11 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.32 5.37 5.33 EEI 7.50 7.67 7.51 Euro-Med Lab 1.79 1.75 1.74 First Gen Corp.

22 22.4 22.1 First Holdings ‘A’ 64.85 65.9 64.8 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 11.98 11.98 11.98 Holcim Philippines Inc. 14.72 14.72 14.60 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.59 5.7 5.58 Ionics Inc 2.370 2.370 2.290 Jollibee Foods Corp.

230.00 235.00 231.20 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.37 3.28 3.15 Manila Water Co. Inc. 27.05 27.2 26.95 Maxs Group 26.5 28 26.5 Megawide 6.61 6.64 6.6 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 315.00 325.00 315.00 MG Holdings 0.280 0.285 0.270 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.35 4.45 4.16 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.38 3.42 3.38 Petron Corporation 11.00 11.34 11.00 Phil H2O 3.1 3.09 3.02 Phinma Corporation 11.64 11.64 11.64 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 5.95 6.00 5.81 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.65 1.73 1.67 Pryce Corp. `A’ 2.74 2.81 2.7 RFM Corporation 4.24 4.24 4.20 Roxas Holdings 4.17 4.17 4.11 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 212 216.4 214.8 Splash Corporation 2.51 2.51 2.5 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.150 0.149 0.148 TKC Steel Corp.

1.63 1.73 1.60 Trans-Asia Oil 2.54 2.54 2.51 Universal Robina 197.3 200.4 197 Vitarich Corp.

0.89 0.9 0.88 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.22 1.29 1.23 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.385 0.385 0.370 Aboitiz Equity 72.90 73.00 72.90 Alliance Global Inc. 15.96 16.00 15.84 Anglo Holdings A 1.13 1.16 1.12 Anscor `A’ 6.10 6.10 6.10 ATN Holdings A 0.345 0.360 0.345 ATN Holdings B 0.345 0.350 0.340 Ayala Corp `A’ 820 835 818 Cosco Capital 7.73 7.95 7.73 DMCI Holdings 12.78 12.96 12.70 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

6.40 6.52 6.39 GT Capital 1438 1444 1433 JG Summit Holdings 83.40 84.20 83.50 Lopez Holdings Corp.

7.45 7.56 7.44 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.69 0.7 0.69 LT Group 15 15.02 14.94 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 6.38 6.55 6.41 MJCI Investments Inc. 3.2 3.75 3.3 Pacifica `A’ 0.0330 0.0320 0.0320 Prime Media Hldg 1.390 1.500 1.390 Prime Orion 1.820 1.820 1.800 Republic Glass ‘A’ 2.6 2.60 2.6 San Miguel Corp `A’ 79.80 79.80 78.55 SM Investments Inc. 955.00 968.50 955.00 Solid Group Inc. 1.18 1.17 1.17 Top Frontier 185.000 186.500 181.100 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3050 0.3100 0.3050 Wellex Industries 0.1960 0.2020 0.1960 Zeus Holdings 0.320 0.345 0.325 PROPERTY 8990 HLDG 7.680 7.790 7.650 Anchor Land Holdings Inc. 7.55 7.40 7.40 A. Brown Co., Inc. 1.26 1.27 1.23 Araneta Prop `A’ 2.180 2.250 2.190 Arthaland Corp.

0.280 0.270 0.265 Ayala Land `B’ 37.950 38.050 37.550 Belle Corp. `A’ 3.23 3.27 3.22 Cebu Holdings 5.19 5.19 5.19 Century Property 0.510 0.51 0.500 City & Land Dev. 1.00 1.00 1.00 Cityland Dev. `A’ 1.100 1.090 1.050 Crown Equities Inc. 0.130 0.132 0.129 Cyber Bay Corp.

0.610 0.620 0.570 Double Dragon 56.1 61.35 57.3 Empire East Land 0.810 0.810 0.790 AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. I-Remit Inc. 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

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

Close

SHARES 7,324,000 48,529,337 92,503,888 170,598,064 168,873,968 863,306,322 1,371,340,194

3.9 45.7 104.00 96.60 37.5 3.10 1.48 13.98 17.5 7.00 1.77 595.00 0.560 85.45 0.92 15.06 23.00 52.50 105 262 31.45 199 1380.00 65.20 1.54

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.79 45.8 106.10 97.00 37.65 3.18 1.40 14 17.66 7.00 1.77 595.00 0.550 86.15 0.92 15.00 23.00 52.80 106.5 262 32 202 1374.00 65.30 1.54

-2.82 0.22 2.02 0.41 0.40 2.58 -5.41 0.14 0.91 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.79 0.82 0.00 -0.40 0.00 0.57 1.43 0.00 1.75 1.51 -0.43 0.15 0.00

346,000 83,800 1,469,950 1,160,860 61,800 31,000 25,000 11,800 274,200 600 39,000 10 144,000 1,299,210 96,000 96,100 2,200 57,130 2,120 1,710 306,400 647,070 305 248,910 1,000

45.5 4.01 0.83 1.96 12.5 58.5 189.00 21.4 142 188 17.16 1.99 5.24 11.46 9.750 7.12 5.35 7.61 1.74 22.15 65 11.98 14.66 5.59 2.300 234.00 3.28 27.05 26.85 6.6 325.00 0.285 4.45 3.38 11.12 3.09 11.64 5.99 1.72 2.8 4.24 4.17 216.4 2.51 0.148 1.66 2.51 200.4 0.89 1.23

0.33 -0.50 0.00 0.00 0.97 -2.34 8.00 1.66 0.00 0.00 2.14 0.00 -1.87 2.14 0.52 0.56 0.56 1.47 -2.79 0.68 0.23 0.00 -0.41 0.00 -2.95 1.74 -2.67 0.00 1.32 -0.15 3.17 1.79 2.30 0.00 1.09 -0.32 0.00 0.67 4.24 2.19 0.00 0.00 2.08 0.00 -1.33 1.84 -1.18 1.57 0.00 0.82

883,200 415,000 246,000 1,057,000 300 910 150 54,100 10 2,360 417,300 2,429,000 245,800 12,400 1,936,200 348,700 14,766,200 355,000 29,000 620,600 201,710 1,100 38,900 147,000 2,155,000 380,010 12,000 3,659,400 605,300 87,200 469,590 120,000 7,000 105,000 2,308,800 10,000 1,000 439,100 429,000 430,000 700,000 9,000 5,050 240,000 4,860,000 592,000 1,171,000 813,370 3,716,000 277,000

0.385 73.00 15.90 1.16 6.10 0.355 0.350 831 7.93 12.78 6.50 1439 83.80 7.56 0.69 15 6.5 3.3 0.0320 1.470 1.800 2.6 79.00 965.00 1.17 186.500 0.3100 0.1970 0.325

0.00 0.14 -0.38 2.65 0.00 2.90 1.45 1.34 2.59 0.00 1.56 0.07 0.48 1.48 0.00 0.00 1.88 3.12 -3.03 5.76 -1.10 0.00 -1.00 1.05 -0.85 0.81 1.64 0.51 1.56

500,000 1,618,440 543,000 33,000 1,300 219,000 230,000 306,050 635,200 2,408,500 1,149,000 97,285 4,977,590 279,600 152,000 3,791,400 37,491,100 9,000 200,000 114,000 2,290,000 64,000 494,420 203,640 105,000 19,120 1,340,000 1,390,000 20,380,000

7.650 7.40 1.25 2.210 0.270 37.850 3.26 5.19 0.510 1.00 1.050 0.131 0.580 59 0.790

-0.39 -1.99 -0.79 1.38 -3.57 -0.26 0.93 0.00 0.00 0.00 -4.55 0.77 -4.92 5.17 -2.47

95,000 100 1,802,000 44,000 1,150,000 9,002,500 637,000 5,500 846,000 10,000 110,000 3,530,000 64,897,000 5,366,060 263,000

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

High

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.305 2.22 2.1 5.94 0.180 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.188 1.15 1.42 4.13 0.090 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

Ever Gotesco 0.145 Global-Estate 0.97 Filinvest Land,Inc. 1.98 Megaworld 4.32 MRC Allied Ind. 0.089 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.485 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 43.00 Primex Corp.

9.49 Robinson’s Land `B’ 29.30 Rockwell 1.61 SM Prime Holdings 25.20 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.89 Starmalls 6.5 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 1.020 Vista Land & Lifescapes 5.270

7.59 0.00 3.54 0.93 -1.12 -5.15 -6.51 0.11 0.68 0.00 0.79 0.00 0.77 -1.96 -0.76

110,000 706,000 30,789,000 14,460,000 520,000 80,000 2,200 73,500 1,778,500 66,000 16,111,800 885,000 100 170,000 3,880,000

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 7.67 2720 8.41 1.97 119.5 7 12.5 0.017

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 4.8 1600 5.95 1.23 102.6 3.01 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 2.53 95.5 1 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.01 3.1 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 4 18 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 2.28 8.8 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

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.

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

-2.31 0.00 -1.57 0.00 -1.40 4.48 7.36 1.72 -0.71 -0.15 0.00 0.76 0.88 0.00 1.75 -0.08 1.09 0.00 0.00 -0.10 1.54 -1.23 2.51 -0.33 -2.83 -0.30 -3.70 0.00 1.72 0.00 4.84 -0.51 0.36 -0.48 0.00 0.00 -3.23 0.00 0.21 1.10 2.33 1.92 0.85 0.00 0.48 1.85 -1.72 4.23 0.89 1.54 0.00

71,700 118,400 19,000 2,884,000 10,100 11,200 26,758,600 5,900,000 1,161,000 1,441,570 1,500 27,500 103,590 50,900 112,000 683,760 49,800 30,000 27,400,000 712,000 13,080,000 3,414,000 37,000 15,400 233,000 539,000 10,000 1,500 22,000 93,000 22,464,000 461,000 3,977,000 2,700 31,000 42,000 300 50 36,300 52,645 4,160,000 30,453,000 1,554,200 471,520 599,600 9,005,000 7,141,000 1,000 1,716,000 40,000 66,600

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 9.43 0.236 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ 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

2.38 12.23 4.26 7.45 -0.44 4.90 1.25 -1.56 6.52 4.34 0.00 -1.67 5.77 3.51 0.00 13.33 3.26 1.85 0.00 -3.33 3.23 -9.09 0.00 0.74 7.75 -2.00 0.00 -0.23 0.75 0.00

164,000,000 215,000.00 4,913,000 -4,218,080.00 764,000 -220,730.00 28,400 70,000 21,000 8,000 -22,654.00 378,000 2,020,000 51,400 10,573,000 4,346,370.00 230,000 91,480,000 8,120,000 -29,500.00 416,400,000 42,500,000 839,000 10,863,000 -11,465,900.00 98,000 107,970.00 26,000 75,000 15,300,000 1,100,000 2,000 12,712,300 -1,153,294.00 5,710,700 124,500.00 59,000,000 218,980 -4,811,851.00 364,000 15,100,000 27,400.00

70 553 118 515 12.28 111 1060 1047

33 490 101 480 6.5 101 997 1011

-422,201.00

84.8

75

29,700.00 41,799,215.00 1,165,810.00

1.34

1

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ First Gen F GLOBE PREF P Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

0.42 1.31 6.42 0.00 -0.93 0.72 0.58 0.78 0.38 0.00 0.00 -0.06 0.00 0.00 5.50

32,400 200 290 200 45,000 17,500 10 100 400 610 5,000 49,760 26,600 343,600 12,000

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

1.64

1,213,000

-1.76 0.00 24.01 -2.28

848,000 3,890.00 5,000 18,670,000 1,866,670.00 668,100 -1,659,222.00

0.97

8,400

-40,730.00 83,667,079 -6,323,376.00 1,169,160.00

-1,268,340.00

-14,341,970.50 22,500.00 -1,258,027.50 -144,630.00 9,408,190 52,282,828.00 3,716,840.00 -1,508,115.00

-10,824,780.00

7,294,531.00 -597,926.00 -3,667,337.00 319,085.00 -3,500.00 1,617,595.00 -557,580.50 -249,900.00 -416,892.00 -1,038,920.00 24,250,330.00 -39,906,085.00 230,830.00 -9,240.00 5,295,056.00 132,940.00 8,473,410.00

539,270.00 1,410,970.00 -87,850.00

30,957,083.00

-1,279,010.50 -330,662.00

70,000.00 73,360,520.00 1,962,452.00 -8,827,798.00 13,943,020.00 27,154,245.50 -520,450.00 -39,879,542.00 4,850,767.00

-794,400.00 -166,400.00 -8,349,108.50 37,953,480.00 5,850.00 -9,300.00

61,000.00 10,000.00 -94,050.00 1,869,000.00 27,569,016.00

15

3.5

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

0.156 0.156 0.156 0.97 0.96 0.97 2.05 1.96 2.05 4.4 4.36 4.36 0.089 0.088 0.088 0.460 0.450 0.460 42.70 40.05 40.20 9.64 9.5 9.5 29.65 28.95 29.50 1.61 1.61 1.61 25.95 25.35 25.40 0.9 0.88 0.89 6.55 6.55 6.55 1.020 1.000 1.000 5.270 5.210 5.230 SERVICES 7.35 7.3 7.18 7.18 48.3 48.85 48 48.3 1.27 1.28 1.25 1.25 0.610 0.650 0.610 0.610 11.46 11.3 11.3 11.3 29 30.5 29 30.3 5.30 5.72 5.30 5.69 0.0580 0.0590 0.0580 0.0590 2.81 2.85 2.79 2.79 98.7 101 97.4 98.55 9.85 9.85 9.85 9.85 6.55 6.60 6.39 6.60 2270 2312 2280 2290 6.32 6.32 6.23 6.32 1.14 1.16 1.13 1.16 60 61.8 59.7 59.95 12.86 13.90 12.32 13.00 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 9.62 9.61 9.45 9.61 0.325 0.330 0.325 0.330 1.6200 1.6100 1.5600 1.6000 2.39 2.45 2.38 2.45 12.04 12.1 12 12 7.78 7.78 7.56 7.56 3.31 3.31 3.28 3.30 1.08 1.07 1.04 1.04 19.00 20.00 19.00 19.00 0.580 0.590 0.590 0.590 1.95 1.96 1.95 1.95 2.48 2.64 2.5 2.6 3.96 4.01 3.94 3.94 2.810 2.910 2.820 2.820 12.42 12.78 12.14 12.36 4.83 4.87 4.83 4.83 2.41 2.41 2.4 2.41 8.99 8.7 8.7 8.7 120.00 120.00 120.00 120.00 24.30 24.35 24.00 24.35 2000.00 2044.00 2020.00 2022.00 0.430 0.440 0.430 0.440 1.040 1.080 1.020 1.060 41.00 41.85 41.10 41.35 80.10 81.00 79.00 80.10 6.30 6.51 6.30 6.33 2.70 2.82 2.66 2.75 0.580 0.580 0.570 0.570 1.89 1.97 1.97 1.97 3.36 3.41 3.35 3.39 0.325 0.330 0.330 0.330 6.300 6.630 6.250 6.300 MINING & OIL 0.0042 0.0043 0.0042 0.0043 2.29 2.57 2.34 2.57 4.46 4.80 4.48 4.65 11.00 12.00 10.50 11.82 0.229 0.234 0.228 0.228 7.1500 7.9 7.5 7.5000 7.2100 7.6900 7.1100 7.3000 0.64 0.63 0.62 0.63 0.460 0.500 0.475 0.490 8.53 9.00 8.53 8.90 0.910 0.920 0.910 0.910 0.300 0.305 0.295 0.295 0.260 0.280 0.265 0.275 0.285 0.295 0.285 0.295 0.0150 0.0160 0.0140 0.0150 0.0150 0.0170 0.0150 0.0170 1.84 1.97 1.84 1.9 4.86 5.04 4.82 4.95 2.65 2.67 2.6 2.65 0.6000 0.5800 0.5800 0.5800 1.2400 1.2800 1.2500 1.2800 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0100 4.04 4.07 4.07 4.07 8.65 9.35 8.67 9.32 5.00 5.09 4.75 4.90 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 128.80 129.20 128.50 128.50 4.02 4.1 3.98 4.05 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 PREFERRED 47.6 48 47.6 47.8 532.5 539.5 539 539.5 109.1 116.1 116.1 116.1 535 535 535 535 1.08 1.07 1.07 1.07 111 111.8 111 111.8 1028 1034 1034 1034 1030 1038 1038 1038 106 106.4 106.4 106.4 81 81 81 81 78.5 78.5 75.9 78.5 78 78 77.9 77.95 77 77 77 77 77 77 75.2 77 2.18 2.3 2.2 2.3 WARRANTS & BONDS 3.050 3.320 2.950 3.100 SME 3.98 4 3.87 3.91 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.54 4.42 3.54 4.39 16.7 16.74 16.2 16.32 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 123.2 124.4 123.2 124.4

T op g ainerS VALUE 632,148,679.05 809,544,991.15 1,703,789,928.59 1,393,038,925.10 994,053,759.71 293,106,703.2092 5,915,123,779.81

Low

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,721.16 (up) 18.23 INDUSTRIAL 11,662.74 (up) 146.26 HOLDING FIRMS 7,463.57 (up) 50.73 PROPERTY 3,292.34 (up) 19.78 SERVICES 1,583.52 (up) 13.99 MINING & OIL 11,916.83 (up) 269.57 PSEI 7,564.47 (up 62.82 All Shares Index 4,517.26 (up) 38.36 Gainers: 117; Losers: 61; Unchanged: 58; Total: 236

19,400.00 9,447,980.00 14,997,360.00

5,049,025.00 48,300.00 51,393,175.00

-5,594,767.00 -118,113.00

16,031,841.00 125,800.00 5,581,819.00 -75,336,790.00 -5,857,183.50

1,921,200.00 9,750.00 -11,060.00 -406,343 65,800.00

-162,000.00 8,395,580.00 -138,020.00 399,090.00 -28,920.00 6,000.00 -14,510.00 32,126,990.00 -5,579,880.00 -35,037,080.00 12,384,708.50 132,760.00 -4,060,400.00 -1,947,150.00

48,450.00

-49,410.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Italpinas

4.39

24.01

Oriental Pet. `A'

0.0100

-9.09

Manila Mining `B'

0.0170

13.33

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

40.20

-6.51

Apex `A'

2.57

12.23

Bright Kindle Resources

1.40

-5.41

C. Azuc De Tarlac

189.00

8.00

Phil. Realty `A'

0.460

-5.15

Philex `A'

9.32

7.75

Cyber Bay Corp.

0.580

-4.92

Ever Gotesco

0.156

7.59

Cityland Dev. `A'

1.050

-4.55

Atok-Big Wedge `A'

11.82

7.45

Lorenzo Shipping

1.04

-3.70

Bloomberry

5.69

7.36

Arthaland Corp.

0.270

-3.57

Coal Asia

0.490

6.52

Omico

0.5800

-3.33

First Gen F

116.1

6.42

Phil. Racing Club

8.7

-3.23

FRIDAY: JUNE 17, 2016

B3

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

Globe-PLDT agreement.

Telecommunications operators Globe Telecom Inc. and PLDT Inc. make another positive step at improving internet services for millions of customers through a bilateral IP peering arrangement that will make downloading/ uploading of web content faster and more efficient. Shown during the signing of the memorandum of agreement are (from right) Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu, Globe chief technology and information officer Gil Genio, Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino, PLDT executive vice president Eric Alberto and PLDT director Ray Espinosa.

Govt, Shell may quit arbitration

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE government filed a motion to dismiss the arbitration case initiated by the operator of the Malampaya natural gas project in Palawan, Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada said Thursday.

Monsada said the Office of the Solicitor General filed a motion to dismiss the arbitration case filed

by Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. with the arbitration tribunal in Singapore.

“I think we moved to dismiss the arbitration. Our lawyers at the OSG filed it. They [Shell] might agree to it, so it may not be passed on to the next administration,” Monsada said

Shell sought the intervention of the arbitration tribunal in Singapore against the government, following the Commission on Audit’s decision to collect P53.14 billion in taxes from the contractors of Malampaya-gas-to-power project.

“What I’m saying is we elevated it to the Office of the President.

And we don’t know what will happen,” Monsada said.

COA ruled in May last year that the service contractors’ payment of income tax for the Malampaya project was not included in the government’s 60-percent share of the Malampaya royalties.

The department, in its filing with COA, also agreed that imposing the P53.14-billion taxes on the contractors of the Malampaya project would create havoc on the petroleum industry.

Members of the consortium running service contract 38 include Spex, Chevron Malampaya Llc and state-owned PNOC Exploration Corp.

The department said in its 30-page motion for reconsideration that the COA decision had “sent a very wrong signal to the existing and future pe-

Golden Haven eyes pre-need plans

By Jenniffer B. Austria GOLDEN Haven Memorial Parks Inc., a company controlled by the Villar family, said Thursday it plans to venture into pre-need industry.

Golden Haven chief operating officer Maribeth Tolentino said during the investors briefing the company planned to form a new subsidiary offering pre-need plans to customers.

“We hope to do this before the end of 2016 or early 2017,” Tolentino said.

The move to venture into the pre-need sector will not only expand Golden Haven’s services but will also allow the company to play in all five segments of death care services.

Golden Haven is now into development of memorial parks and columbaria and will soon start operating memorial chapels and a crematorium in Las Piñas City.

Golden Haven has developed 55.2 hectares of land and currently operates six memorial parks and four columbaria in the cities of Las Piñas and Cagayan de Oro and the provinces of Bulacan, Cebu, Zamboanga and Iloilo.

The company has recently acquired two properties in Nueva Vizcaya and Bulacan that would add over 19,000 memorial lots to its inventory.

Tolentino said the company also planned to start selling products and services to overseas Filipino workers through sister company Vista Land & Lifespaces Inc., which is the integrated real estate firm of former Senate president Manuel Villar.

“Our vision is to provide premier private memorial parks and services to all Filipinos. We also aim to improve the quality of death care services available in the country,” Golden Haven

2

president Jerry Navarete said.

“The company has mapped out a strategy to having a park in every hometown that targets to achieve its vision of becoming the nationally-recognized brand in the deathcare products and services industry,” he said.

Golden Haven in the first company in the death care industry to be listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

It plans to raise up to P778 million in proceeds, representing 15 percent of the total issued and outstanding capital stock of the company after the initial public offering.

Proceeds are intended for land acquisitions, land development and completion of Las Piñas memorial chapel and crematorium. Listing date was set on June 29.

Golden Haven will be the first company to list with the PSE this year.

troleum exploration investors in the country.”

It said petroleum exploration, especially offshore, involved great risk, huge capital and high technical capability and foreign investors decided where to put their money based on “the certainty and stability of investment riles and regulatory regime of a country.”

“The trust and confidence of foreign investors in the stability and certainty of our investment laws and regulations that the government, for a long period of time, has painstakingly built and nurtured, has been greatly damaged,” the department said.

“In the face of this tight competition with other countries for foreign investors, the Philip-

pines, if it is to achieve its aim of energy security and incidentally, overall economic progress, needs to discover other Malampaya by intensifying the exploration and production of its indigenous petroleum resources,” it said.

The department said a stable and sufficient supply of energy was one of the primary requisites to attain sustainable economic development.

“What the Philippines needs is a continued investment in petroleum exploration and development and convince those already existing investors in the country to remain and stay for the long haul notwithstanding the domestic difficulties and challenges they have to face,” it said.

Stock mart advances; Philex, Bloomberry up STOCKS rose for a second day, bucking the downtrend in regional markets, after the US Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 62 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 7,564.47 Thursday. The bellwether was up 8.8 percent since the start of the year.

The broader all-share index also rose 38 points, or 0.9 percent, to settle at 4,517.26, on value turnover of P5.9 billion. Advancers led gainers, 117 to 61, while 58 issues were unchanged.

Eighteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Bloomberry Resorts Corp. which climbed 7.6 percent to P5.70 and Philex Mining Corp. which gained 7.1 percent to P9.26. DoubleDragon Properties Corp. advanced 4.3 percent to P58.50, while power retailer Manila Electric Co. added 2.8 percent to P323.80.

Meanwhile, Asian markets sank Thursday after Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen sounded a warning over a possible British exit from the EU, while the yen soared to a 22-month dollar high as the Bank of Japan refused to pump up its stimulus.

The Fed on Wednesday lowered its growth forecasts for this year and the following two, and flagged interest rates rises to be lower and slower, highlighting increasing concern about the US and global economic outlook.

Her comments dragged New York stocks lower and sent the dollar tumbling against the yen and even the British pound despite fears of Britain leaving the EU. In a news conference after the Fed kept interest rates unchanged, Yellen voiced confidence in the US economy but said there were concerns about the impact a British exit would have across the world. with AFP, Bloomberg

FRIDAY: JUNE 17, 2016

B4

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

Steady Fed rates good for PH IN BRIEF

By Julito G. Rada

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipi-

PH gets $73-m foreign inflows nas Governor Amando TetFOREIGN portfolio investments or hot money posted net inflows of $73 million in May, a reversal of the $569-million net outflows registered a year ago, on renewed investors’ interest in the domestic market and peaceful conduct of national elections.

Data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed the May net inflows marked a turnaround from the $354-million net outflows in April. Total inflows in May reached $1.78 billion, while outflows amounted to $1.71 billion.

Net inflows in the first five months amounted to $129 million, lower than the $1.2-billion net inflows last year, which included large inflows for stock rights offerings by two holding firms, two universal banks and a property company.

About 83.8 percent of investments in May were in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities mainly involving holding firms, property companies, banks, food, beverage and tobacco firms and telecommunication firms.

The 16.2-percent balance went to peso-denominated government securities. Julito G. Rada

angco Jr. said Thursday the latest move by the US Federal Reserve to keep interest rates steady will benefit emerging markets, including the Philippines.

“The Fed standing pat on rates was expected by the market. But that the policy path chart reflected a more dovish stance was new. The FOMC also continued to be mindful of external developments [e.g.

Brexit],” Tetangco said in a text message to reporters.

“These may give some more room for EME markets, including the Philippines, to remain supported. There are also domestic factors that market participants will be looking at in the different markets,” Tetangco said.

He said the policy-setting Monetary

Wells Fargo expands in PH WELLS Fargo Enterprise Global Services LlcPhilippines broke ground on a new 50,000-squaremeter facility in Taguig City.

The center is Wells Fargo’s second building in the McKinley Hill area and is targeted to begin occupancy in the second quarter of 2018. The new 12-story building will seat 5,000 team members.

Wells Fargo EGS provides end-to-end analysis of business operations and delivers services that currently support more than 60 percent of Wells Fargo’s business lines and staff functions. Ongoing service delivery includes support for technology, operations, customer support and knowledge functions.

“Wells Fargo started in the Philippines in 2011, and we continue to believe strongly in the capability of this market,” said Charlie Roberson, head of Wells Fargo EGS.

ERC bucks Meralco petition

THE Energy Regulatory Commission asked the Pasig City regional trial court to dismiss the petition filed by power retailer Manila Electric Co. to declare void its issuances on retail competition and open access.

Meralco asked the court on May 27 to issue a temporary restraining order and subsequently a writ of preliminary injunction, enjoining the Energy Department from enforcing Department of Energy Circular 2015-06-0010 and implementing Article I, Sections 2 and 3 of ERC Resolution No. 05, Resolution No. 10 and Resolution No. 11, all Series 2016.

ERC said in its 30-page filing with RTC Pasig Branch 157 that Meralco “had all the chance and opportunity to mitigate probable losses by virtue of the implementation of the RCOA.” The regulator said Meralco had known since 2006 of the imminent transition from the captive market to the contestable market where customers could choose their own suppliers as these underwent public consultations. Alena Mae S. Flores

CSR expo. League of Corporate Foundations chairperson and Bato Balani Foundation Inc. executive director Natalie Christine Jorge (left) talks to LCF advisory council member and LCF trustee Lydia Sarmiento-Enrile during the media forum and launching of the LCF 20th Anniversary and Corporate Social Responsibility Expo Conference 2016 at Discovery Primea Hotel in Makati City. LINO SANTOS

Car firms to start production

TOYOTA Motor Philippines Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. on Thursday welcomed the Board of Investments’ approval of their application for the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy program.

Both companies received Wednesday their certificate of registration as participants to the Cars program. “Toyota is truly grateful to DTI for approving our application in the Cars program. We are optimistic that Cars will improve the cost-competitiveness of the Vios and, likewise, open a lot of opportunities for the growth and development of both the vehicle and parts manufacturing industries in the country,” said TMP president Satoru Suzuki.

Mitsubishi vowed to bring in a fleet of automotive parts makers to support the local production of Mirage, its entry model to the program. Mirage is currently being imported and produced from Thailand. “This signifies MMPC’s more than half a century commitment to developing the automotive manufacturing industry in the Philippines. Under the Cars program, our projected production volume is 200,000 units within a period of six years. In order to meet this target volume, MMPC plans to increase its plant’s capacity by adding another work shift.

Along with this, more jobs are likely to be generated nationwide,” said MMPC president and chief executive Yoshiaki Kato. Othel V. Campos

PLDT to hike stake in iFlix PLDT Inc. said Thursday it is open to raise its investment

in iFlix to support the expansion of Southeast Asia’s leading Internet TV service, its top executive said.

“We are happy with our investment. Well, we’re always open to it. They did their second round of funding and most of the $45 million were picked up

by Sky Plc and Emtek Group, which is a media group in Indonesia, “ PLDT chairman and president Manuel Pangilinan told reporters, when asked if the company was willing to increase its investment in iFlix.

PLDT’s $15-million investment in iflix was converted into a 7.5-percent equity in Southeast Asia’s leading Internet TV service after the $45-million investment by Sky Plc and the additional investment by Emtek.

The fresh funds raised by iflix will be used to accelerate its growth in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines and for expansion into new markets.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Still no LTO stickers ONLY 13 more days to go before this selfpraising administration finally bows out, but each day that BS Aquino and his minions spend in the Palace feels like a lifetime for people who can no longer endure the blindness, hypocrisy, incompetence and self-righteousness that has spread like a virus all around Malacañang. The first thing incoming President Rodrigo Duterte should do is to have someone spray the whole area with some kind of “anti-yellow fever” disinfectant so that the next occupant and his official family will not be afflicted.

Hopefully, the new administration will be more responsive to the concerns of the people and the new Cabinet officials will really do something to look for solutions (we’re not deluded into thinking everything will be fixed overnight) knowing they cannot BS their way around Mayor Duterte, whose impatience is also well-known but only when it comes to taking action over reported problems, even something as simple as a lamppost that fell down and is obstructing traffic.

One source of extreme irritation is the LTO which keeps promising that stickers and car plates will soon be available at a certain date, even claiming recently that 93 percent of the license plates turned over by the Bureau of Customs has been delivered to its regional offices, following the issuance of a temporary restraining order by the Supreme Court. Funnily though, LTO chief Roberto

Cabrera says he does not know exactly how many license plates have been distributed.

(And did we mention that the agency also promised last April that 2016 plates and stickers are going to be available by May?) In many places though, the number is a big fat zero—with car owners told that 2016 stickers and car plates are still unavailable, and for people to just drop by the LTO branch or keep calling to follow up. Thick faced, definitely, because these officials just shrug when asked about the 2015 stickers that motorists paid for but did not receive.

Until now, nobody can (or wants to) answer where all that money from these non-existent stickers went. Simply out, people paid for a product that was not delivered so in all probability there was no product at all in the first place, meaning money was not spent for production.

Motorists renewing their registration are also angry because they have to pay a penalty of P200 even if they were only a day late in registering their vehicles. So what about this government, they ask us—shouldn’t they also be penalized for the delay in issuing the stickers and car plates? And that’s more than one year, mind you. So again, what happened to the money people paid for undelivered stickers?

One of our buddies made an “educated guess,” reminding us about the recent May elections and the quandary faced by the Liberal Party because it was unable to file the statement of contributions and expenses on time. Why these LP guys were unable to comply with the deadline is now the source of numerous speculations. After all, aren’t there a lot of yellow minions who could have filed and monitored the expenses if the LP machinery was really so organized and well oiled as they claim? How come ailing (yet still colorfully feisty) Senator Miriam Santiago was able to comply with the Comelec’s deadline?

Board would consider this development during its meeting Thursday next week.

“We will consider these in our next policy meeting to see if there is need to adjust policy settings, including the amount of liquidity to be siphoned off in the succeeding TDF [term deposit facility] auctions,” he said.

The US Fed kept interest rates unchanged Wednesday, but hinted it could still raise rates for the remainder of 2016. Reports said six of the Fed’s 17 policymakers projected just one increase this year.

Fed Chair Janet Yellen said there was a need to see clear signs of economic strength before lifting rates. A sharp slowdown in US hiring in May cast doubts about the strength of the labor market.

The Fed also said the economy would grow only 2 percent in 2016 and 2017, or 0.1 percentage point lower than previously forecast for each year. Yellen was uncertain on the timing of the rate increase.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said earlier the Monetary Board would likely maintain the current policy rates steady in its next meeting amid low inflation and robust economic growth.

Cuyegkeng said while inflation accelerated to 1.6 percent in May from 1.1 percent in April, it remained within Bangko Sentral’s forecast for the month of 1.1 to 1.9 percent. “[The] BSP-MB is likely to keep policy rates steady at next Thursday’s meeting…

May inflation of 1.6 percent is in line with BSP’s 1.1 percent to 1.9-percent inflation forecast,” Cuyegkeng said.

“The higher May inflation is still in line with our 2016 average inflation forecast of 1.7 percent which implies steadily higher inflation to end of this year. Inflation expectation remains steady at 3 percent for 2017 while inflation for the rest of the year is expected to trend higher to end the year above 2 percent,” Cuyegkeng said.

Good thing Comelec commissioner Christian Robert Lim—who heads the Campaign Finance Office—has made the recommendation to grant the request of the LP for an extension. What—are they special people that they need special treatment?

Let’s see though if the rest of the Comelec officials including chairman Andy Bautista will not waffle and make some excuse again to grant LP’s request.

Lim said the SOCE should be filed within 30 days after the elections per Republic Act 7166, which means June 8 was the deadline.

The LP was only able to file its SOCE on June 14. “To grant the request for extension would not only be unfair to other candidates and parties who complied within the prescribed period but also would be a reversal of the commission’s own resolution on the matter,” Lim rightfully pointed out in his memo. A consequence of the failure to file the SOCE on time would be the inability of winning candidates under the LP to occupy their respective positions.

As expected, the LP mouthpiece has slammed Lim’s memo, calling it “absurd” and that the filing is just “ministerial” (implying that it is unimportant?). He has the nerve to say that preventing Leni Robredo from occupying the position of VP would be a dismissal of the will of the people— hello? Doesn’t he know that majority of voters continue to doubt Robredo’s win since there have been a lot of allegations— with corresponding proof—of cheating and manipulation to shave votes from Senator Bongbong Marcos?

••• For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo. com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ happyhourmanilastandard. We’d be very happy to hear from you. Cheers!

F R I D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

B5

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Tribute. Civilians and policemen take part in a march from Mantes-la-Jolie, in the western suburbs of Paris, on June 16, 2016, in tribute to French policeman Jean-Baptiste Salvaing

and his partner Jessica Schneider who were killed outside their home in the Paris suburb of Magnanville. During the June 13 assault, 25-year-old Larossi Abballa, who was previously convicted for jihadism, killed the two before streaming his claim for the murders live on Facebook. AFP

Senate to consider gun control WASHINGTON—Senate Democrats claimed a small victory early Thursday, forcing the US upper house to consider legislation to help keep guns out of the hands of terrorism suspects.

The move, which could break a years-long logjam on gun control, follows demands for action after the weekend massacre of 49 people at a gay nightclub in Florida.

Democrats took to the floor of the Republican-controlled Senate Wednesday to launch a procedural obstruction, known as a filibuster, to press colleagues to accept the socalled “no-fly no buy” legislation.

Under it, people on watch lists or no-fly lists would be barred from buying firearms.

The filibuster was led by Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, where a 2012 school shooting left 20 children dead.

“I’m at my wits’ end,” said Murphy as he began on Wednesday morning his hours-long takeover.

“I’m going to remain on this floor

until we get some signal, some sign that we can come together.”

Murphy, with support from 40 senators including Republican Pat Toomey, spent hours discussing ways to reduce gun violence.

At 1:53 am (0553 GMT) Thursday he claimed victory on Twitter.

“I am proud to announce that after 14+ hours on the floor, we will have a vote on closing the terror gap & universal background checks,” Murphy wrote.

The chamber’s Republican and Democratic leaders agreed “on a path forward to get votes ... on a measure to assure that those on the terrorist watch list do not get guns,” as well as an amendment that would expand background checks to sales at gun shows and on the Internet, Murphy said.

The filibuster “captured the attention of our nation,” Booker said early Thursday.

“How many of our children’s dreams must be destroyed by gun violence before we do the common-sense things that we agree on to begin to shrink those numbers?” he asked.

“When you attack one American you attack us all.”

A Senate measure that would have stopped FBI terror suspects from buying firearms and explosives failed in December, with every Senate Republican but one voting in opposition.

Some Republicans appear to be reconsidering, including congressman Bob Dold, who is locked in a tough re-election fight in Illinois.

“Thoughts and prayers are not enough,” Dold said Tuesday on the House floor. “It’s time for action.”

Republican Toomey, whose bill to expand gun sale background checks failed in 2013 and again in 2015, worked with Democrats in a bid to break the gridlock. AFP

Page ‘hadn’t heard’ song he allegedly plagiarized LOS ANGELES—Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page told a court Wednesday he hadn’t heard a song he is accused of plagiarizing for the iconic “Stairway to Heaven” until a few years ago.

Page and bandmate Robert Plant are accused of stealing the rock epic’s opening bars from “Taurus,” an instrumental track from the first album of the longdefunct psychedelic Los Angeles rock band Spirit.

The 72-year-old, who was wearing a tailored black suit and his white hair tied back in a ponytail, said he had three Spirit albums among a collection of around 10,000 vinyls and CDs. But he told the court on the second day of the trial he only realized Spirit’s first record was among them when he searched

for it after his son-in-law played an Internet posting in which the tracks were compared side by side.

“I knew I’d never heard it before,” Page said, adding that the concept of comparing the two songs “was just totally alien to me.”

Spirit, who enjoyed a niche following but never attained the superstardom of Zeppelin, claim the melancholic guitar that opens “Stairway” was taken from the riff that builds after the first 45 seconds of “Taurus.”

Spirit’s guitarist Randy Wolfe— who went by the nickname Randy California—never took legal action and drowned in Hawaii in 1997, but a lawsuit was filed by his trustee and friend Michael Skidmore. AFP

Gravitational waves detected again

Rescue. Indonesian environmental activists redirect a disoriented a

short-finned pilot whale to sea during a rescue operation in Probolinggo on June 16, 2016. Eight pilot whales have died after a mass stranding on the coast of Indonesia’s main island of Java that sparked a major rescue operation, an official said on June 16. Thirty-two of the shortfinned pilot whales came ashore during high tide early on June 15 in Probolinggo, East Java province. AFP

WASHINGTON—A team of international scientists said Wednesday that they had detected gravitational waves—ripples in space and time that Albert Einstein predicted a century ago—for the second time.

Einstein predicted the existence of the waves in his theory of relativity a century ago, and scientists have been able to detect them with an instrument known as the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO. The first detection of the waves— in September—was announced in February, in a landmark discovery for physics and astronomy after de-

cades of efforts.

On Wednesday, researchers announced they had found the waves a second time in December, produced by the collision of two black holes some 1.4 billion years ago, which sent forth a wobble that hurtled through space.

“We know from this second detection that the properties being measured by LIGO will allow us to start to answer some key questions with gravitational astronomy,” said Sheila Rowan, a member of the discovery team and director of the University of Glasgow’s Institute for Gravitational Research.

“Mysteries still to be explained include: how do such black hole systems form? In future we’ll study this through cosmic history aiming to fill in the ‘missing links’ in our knowledge.”

Scientists announced their findings at the meeting of the American Astronomical Society in San Diego, California, this week, publishing their findings in the Physical Review Letters journal.

LIGO consists of two identical detectors sitting about 3,000 kilometers apart—one in Livingston, Louisiana, and the other in the city of Hanford in Washington state. AFP

B6

F R I D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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BEIJING—China criticized US President Barack Obama on Thursday for hosting the Dalai Lama at the White House, despite efforts to avoid irking Beijing by holding the meeting off-camera and out of the public eye.

Obama carried out what has become a political rite in Washington, spiriting the exiled Tibetan religious leader into the White House through the back door—and prompting the usual Chinese denunciations.

“No matter in what way the US leader met with the Dalai Lama, the meeting violated the US promises of acknowledging Tibet as a part of China, not supporting Tibet independence and not supporting separatist activities,” Lu Kang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters in Beijing.

“Such a meeting will

hurt China-US mutual trust and cooperation.”

Since coming to office, Obama has hosted the Dalai Lama four times.

Each time, Obama has tried to limit the fallout by holding the meeting behind closed doors.

Obama was criticized in 2010 for obliging the 80-year-old, clad in his characteristic red robes and flip flops, to leave the White House through a rear entrance and walk past piles of snow and bags of rubbish.

This latest confab took place in the Map Room, not the Oval Office, and the press was not invited—which

meant no images of the two Nobel peace laureates emerged from the meeting.

“The personal nature of their meeting would explain why the president received the Dalai Lama in the White House residence, as opposed to the Oval Office,” said White House press secretary Josh Earnest.

Obama calls the monk, who is revered

by Tibetans but portrayed by Beijing as a dangerous separatist, “a good friend”.

He made a highlypublicized public appearance with the Dalai Lama last year at a prayer breakfast in Washington, calling him “a powerful example of what it means to practice compassion”.

The spiritual leaderwho has lived in exile in the north Indian town of Dharamsala since a failed 1959 uprising— has for decades called

for more Tibetan autonomy rather than independence.

Beijing maintains he is a “wolf in monk’s clothing” and vigorously lobbies—often successfully—against foreign leaders meeting him.

In a statement after the meeting, the White House said Obama had “encouraged meaningful and direct dialogue between the Dalai Lama and his representatives with Chinese authorities to lower tensions and resolve differences”.

Obama also “emphasized his strong support for the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic traditions, and the equal protection of human rights of Tibetans in China”, according to the White House statement.

But some exiled Tibetans questioned the value of such meetings, urging bolder action from Washington. AFP

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Van Gogh exhibit. A worker walks through an exhibition about the life and works of Dutch

painter Vincent van Gogh in Beijing on June 16, 2016. The exhibition, titled ‘Meet Vincent van Gogh’, was created by the Van Gogh Museum and had its global launch in Beijing on June 15. Featuring reproductions of his work and recreations of scenes he painted, the exhibition is scheduled to tour cities across Greater China over the next five years. AFP

The state of the art market in Basel BASEL—Hundreds of suitcases hang eerily from the ceiling, old publications depict colonial scenes of dark “savages” committing horrific acts of violence, and an anti-protestor gun blasts into life... with rounds of birdsong.

A common theme—of angst at a world in political turmoil, beset by a migration crisis and dread of terrorism—unites many of the works at this year’s Art Basel, the world’s biggest contemporary art fair.

“As anyone knows who reads the papers, these are very dynamic times,” Art Basel director Marc Spiegler told AFP ahead of the show’s public opening on Thursday.

“We have major political elections coming up, we have major referenda coming up, we have mass migration in Europe, we

have economic uncertainties,” he said, pointing out that “from an artistic standpoint (this) creates a lot of material for artists to work with.”

“Interesting times make for interesting art,” he insisted.

Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota’s 120-square-meter installation “Accumulation: Searching for Destination”, for instance appears to speak to the large numbers of people on the move.

Suspended from the ceiling by red yarn, the vintage suitcases slope gently towards the floor, some bobbing and twitching in the air, perhaps uncertain of where their journey will lead them.

Elsewhere, Hong Kong artist Samson Young has mounted a sound cannon usually used to violently disperse crowds of protesters to shoot melodic bird

songs across the vast hall.

And French artist Kader Attia’s installation “The Culture of Fear: An invention of Evil”, with its 19th and early 20th century newspaper and book covers displaying horrific images of “wild men” murdering and raping whites, examines the conceptual construction of Western fears of “harmful Otherness” that continues to colour our anxieties in an age of terrorism.

The angst infusing politics and economies around the world does not meanwhile appear to have rubbed off on the deep-pocketed collectors amassing at Art Basel.

Elegantly dressed art enthusiasts braved the rain to throng to the advance VIP opening of the show on Tuesday to check out what the 286 galleries on site had to offer. AFP

F R I D AY: J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

MOTORING

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

B7

Eco-run yields impressive results

By Dino Ray V. Directo III

WITH the volatility of oil prices, consumers have added fuel efficiency to their list of requirements when shopping for a new car. To persuade the local market from using their fuel, oil companies have been putting one over the other by coming up with advanced fuel technology that promotes fuel efficiency.

A record 22 carmakers took part in the Petron-Department of Energy fuel economy run.

FASTLANE Diesel engine protection from Motul MOTUL’S line of oil and lubricants has been tested in actual conditions and has been proven to provide ultra low-friction for more horsepower, incredibly smooth and almost no noticeable drop in rpms when shifting and instantaneous engine revs with noticeable gains in horsepower.

Its high performance antiwear additive increases engine life duration and decreases wear by reducing engine internal frictions resulting in smooth

Innovations...

From B8

has finally released one which is ready to be tested on public roads. The car needs no input from the driver other than to tell it where you wish to go. Should the design be successful the car will become an office on wheels or a playroom whilst travelling between destinations.

Several of the world’s biggest car makers may be looking into developing robotic cars. This won’t happen in a couple of years, although eventually it might be considering that technology is advancing so fast. At the 2015

and light acceleration.

As a company dedicated to protect your engine and maximize its output, Motul’s SPECIFIC CRDi Diesel 5W-30 is a 100% synthetic lubricant specially designed for new generation cars, powered by Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel engines. It is engineered to be compatible with catalytic converters and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF).

SPECIFIC CRDi Diesel 5W-30 also provides excellent lubrication properConsumer Electronics Show in Vegas, the car exhibits took people’s breaths away. The car that wowed those present was a Mercedes FO15 prototype, also known as the “luxury in motion” car. It generated a lot of buzz mainly because it claimed to be a blend of robotic and driverless vehicle.

Digital gauges: This technology is now being used by some automotive manufacturers such as Toyota, Volkswagen, BMW, Audi and Mercedes Benz. Most of today’s mechanical gauges are tough to read; they’re inaccurate and to some extent look outdated. Fully digitized dashboards are the future.

Google jumped the gun with their driverless car that will take you anywhere.

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Motul’s innovative dispersant technology, which also assures excellent anti-wear, anti-corrosion and antifoam properties Motul’s diesel motor oil are certified to be compliant with Euro IV or Euro V emission regulations requiring an ACEA C3 engine oil. It is engineered and designed to handle diesel soot and protects emission control systems in modern turbocharged diesel vehicles.

For details on how to improve your car’s performance, visit Autoplus Sportzentrium or log on to www.motul.com.ph. Motul oil and lubricants are also available in select dealers nationwide.

Digital gauges are gradually being seen in modern cars such as the Volkswagen Passat.

This software allows you to locate your car by simply tapping the App on your smartphone.

One of the oil firms Petron Corporation joined forces with the Department of Energy to stage a fuel economy run with the help of 21 car companies which fielded 70 different variants for the DOE Euro 4 Fuel Economy Run. The event also highlighted Petron’s TriActiv performance advantages such as (1) better engine protection for longer engine life; (2) better mileage for longer drives; and (3) better power.

Capping the fuel economy run which was held early this month, the DOE and Petron issued Fuel Economy Rating certificates to the participating automotive manufacturers, which participated in the pioneering event that aims to provide vital information on the fuel economy performance of vehicles and raise public awareness on the use of cleaner and more efficient Euro 4 fuels.

The certificates were given during a presentation ceremony at the Makati Diamond Residences.

Twenty-one car companies in the Philippine market fielded a total of 70 models of various body types and engine displacements last May 27 to mark the 12th Fuel Economy Run led by the DOE. They traversed a preset route of 280-kilometers starting from Petron Clark station in Angeles City, Pampanga, through SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway), TPLEX (Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway), and back, in a controlled run to approximate standard driving conditions.

Fueled by Petron XCS (95RON), 27 out of 38 gasoline vehicles, or a significant 71% of the entries, produced fuel economy ratings exceeding 20 kilometers for every liter. For vehicles powered

by Petron Turbo Diesel, 21 out of 32 participants (66%) achieved over 20 km/l. The best performances were registered by a Suzuki Celerio with 29.14 km/L using Petron XCS, and an Isuzu D-Max getting 38.46 km/L on Petron Turbo Diesel.

The fuel economy ratings obtained in the run serve to expand the Philippine Energy Standards and Labeling Program (PESLP) of the DOE.

The car companies that received Fuel Economy Ratings include: Asianbrands Motors Corporation (Mahindra), Automobile Central Enterprise Inc. (Volkswagen), Bayan Automotive Industries Corporation (BAIC), Berjaya Auto Philippines (Mazda), British United Automobiles Inc., Columbian Autocar Corporation (Kia), Eurobrands Distributor Inc. (Peugeot), Ford Group Philippines, Foton Motor Philippines Inc., Honda Cars Philippines Inc., Hyundai Asia Resources Inc., Isuzu Philippines Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation, Motor Image Pilipinas Inc. (Subaru), Nissan Philippines Inc., PGA Cars Inc. (Audi / Porsche), Pilipinas Taj Autogroup Inc. (Tata Motors), Suzuki Philippines Inc., The Covenant Car Company Inc. (Chevrolet), Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, and Volvo Philippines.

The DOE Euro 4 Fuel Economy Run, the first in the country, forms part of DOE’s efforts to promote judicious utilization of energy.

Results of the run also aim to guide consumers buying vehicles by highlighting the importance of fuel economy rating aside from performance, quality, and safety. In addition, the DOE also wishes to promote the use of Euro 4 fuels, which it mandated in January this year. Euro 4 fuels are more environment-friendly, as they contain significantly lesser amount of sulfur and benzene.

On the part of Petron, the results confirm the TriActiv performance advantages of their specially-formulated Euro 4 fuels, including: (1) better engine protection for longer engine life; (2) better mileage for longer drives; and (3) better power. The excellent fuel economy ratings achieved by a majority of the participating vehicles also serve to reaffirm Petron’s massive US $2-billion investment to upgrade its Bataan Refinery. Petron is now the only oil company capable of locally producing environment-friendly and premium fuels while assuring reliable supply of fuel variants that meet the needs of Filipino motorists. Photo by megabytes.com

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RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

MOTORING Innovations that will change the way we drive Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

WITH the threat of global warming, and the quest for fun and safe driving, automotive manufacturers are comparing notes on how to advance vehicle technology.

Coined by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a “revolution in safety”, sophisticated car technologies are being introduced every year and most center around occupants’ convenience and vehicle safety. Historically, automakers have focused on engineering vehi-

cles to enhance occupant protection in the event of a crash. That’s why automobiles today have a range of airbags – front, rear, side and even curtains – as well as a long list of safety enhancements, including structural reinforcements to the passenger compart-

Hyundai has developed a software that provides information to the driver, from speed down to the weather conditions of your destination.

Toyota’s ingenious innovation warns the driver of an impending collision.

ments and advanced safety belts.

The future of vehicle safety has expanded into technologies that help prevent or mitigate crashes.

Crash avoidance, or “driver assist,” technologies employ sophisticated software to interpret data from sensors, cameras, and radar based technologies that allow vehicles to sense the environment around them and assist drivers by alerting them to impending dangers.

At the recent Computer and Electronics Show (CES) and Geneva Autoshows, automotive manufacturers introduced the latest in passenger comfort, convenience and vehicle safety. Here are AQ’s top innovation picks that will soon be available in most cars as a standard feature.

Pre-collision technology: This is a complimentary innovation with the autonomous driving and the vehicle-to-vehicle communication

modules. The pre-collision technology system utilizes two sensors; a front mounted camera and tiny radar located in the front of the car, probably behind the radiator grill. These devices calculate distance and speed to another vehicle or object and sound a warning for the driver. If this warning goes unheeded the car will apply the brakes itself. Toyota has been working on such an ingenious system. Basically, we’re talking about a device that warns drivers when a potential collision is sensed. There will be visual and immediate audible warnings to assist with the avoidance maneuvering.

Driver assistance: Currently being developed by Hyundai, this software can easily be incorporated into almost any vehicle.

The system is a new approach to the heads up display that has become common in many vehicles.

The display will show an array of information, such as speed limits, distance to traffic lights, time until the lights change and even the weather forecast. It is designed to improve the information available to a driver and, therefore, improve safety.

Driver-less cars: We all recently got amazed at Tesla’s driverless car when the innovative manufacturer began uploading videos of their robotic cars driving their occupants while asleep behind the wheel. It was a stunt that gave us a preview of what the future of automobile technology has in store for us. This has been a dream for many manufacturers and drivers for some time but it is an incredibly difficult and complex task to create a truly autonomous car.

Aside from Tesla, Google has been working on several prototypes and Turn to B7

F R I D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

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TATUM ANCHETA EDITOR

BING PAREL

A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS

life @ thestandard.com .ph

WRITER

@LIFEatStandard

ST Y L E & BE AU T Y

LIFE

BECAuSE EvEn mEn nEED ACCESSORIES GIfT IDEAS fOR ThE SpECIAl mAn In yOuR lIfE On fAThER’S DAy

F

ather’s Day is just two days away and if you still haven’t gotten dad something for his special day, we’ve gathered a few more ideas on what you can box up for him. Men always say that there are more fashion options for women than men, but that would mean they have not gotten around to shopping for some accessories to spice up their wardrobe. Here are a few picks that might make your dad, stepdad, grandpa, brother, best friend, significant other, boss or whoever might be a father figure to you smile this Sunday.

John Hardy Classic Chain collection

Artisan handcrafted jewelry Men can wear jewelries aside from their trusty wedding rings. For children who are finally earning their keep and would love to honor dad with a memento, then going for artisan jewelry might be a good option.

The John Hardy Classic Chain collection

of silver bracelets and magnificent marine blues make for versatile gifts for dads who can wear them on any occasion. Crafted by master artisans, these one-of-a-kind pieces make for a truly memorable gift designed specifically for the fashion forward man.

ZeroGrand Wingtip Oxford

Cole haan shoes Cole Haan is finally opening its first New York concept store in Manila at the new high-end retail complex S Maison located in Conrad Manila – the Hilton Group’s newest luxury hotel along Manila Bay. This might be the best time to get a good pair of Cole Haan shoes for your dad. For the young and fashionable father, get him a cool pair of ZeroGrand Wingtip Oxford that not only looks great, but also very comfortable because the shoe follows the shape of the foot, engineered to maximize flexibility and cushioning in a very trendy stylish pair of footwear.

Balcas and Walking Sticks brands

Adolfo Dominguez belts

Belts Sometimes, the only thing a man needs to complete his ensemble is a tight belt to cinch his waist. While some men look at belts as just a leather material worn to hold up his

trousers, it is a classic accessory that can add a clear distinction between his top and pants.

Adolfo Dominguez has new belt designs that can be a good addition to dad’s closet, whether it’s for his casual, formal or corporate wear.

Balcas shoe horn

Shoehorns Sleek shoes can be a stressor when dad is trying to fit a new pair. For the trendy dad who is always buying more shoes than

mom, a classic shoehorn can be a good item to give him. Just like the walking sticks from Balcas, you can find classic design shoehorns of the same brand in Rustan’s.

Walking Stick We all remember Scott Disick (the onagain, off-again boyfriend of Kourtney Kardashian) in 2011 sporting a walking stick as his fall fashion accessory during that time, and while some critics may have split opinions about it as a cool fashion accessory, walking sticks have different functions for different men. While they are used mainly by older or disabled people as a walking aid, during the olden times, the walking

stick was a symbol of power, authority and social class. The make (kind of wood for instance) and where it was made also add up to its value, hence it’s a sought after item for collectors. Though lolo might appreciate this gift, the younger dads might like it, too, as a collector piece. Handles come in different designs, shapes and material, and some items even have a sword inside or a pillbox.

You may find cool designs from Balcas and Walking Sticks brands in Rustan’s.

Wallet or cardholder Since dad has been the one giving you money when you were still a kid (hopefully y o u ’ v e graduated from that), maybe it’s your turn now to give to him.

But if you don’t have enough moolah yet, maybe a wallet will do so he can neatly put Façonnable card holder and wallet his riches together when he goes out with his dough. But do put some amount in it so that daddy will have good luck and will never run out of money. For corporate dads who always go out in meetings and functions, a fashionable cardholder will be a good item to purchase.

Continued on C4

F R I D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

VANITY BOX

I

All-natural grooming goodies for daddies

n a sea of neckties, socks and statement mugs, one of the oft-overlooked Father’s Day gifts is dad’s grooming kit. He would probably not ask for a new soap or a refill for his shampoo, but these are the kinds of gifts that he would appreciate receiving.

On his special day—or any day, really— give the father who works extra hard for his family bath and grooming supplies that work just as hard in keeping him clean and good-looking, while being gentle to the planet.

Dad’s me-time during bath time

Dad will feel clean and energized with the help of Human Nature for Men Black Diamond Natural Shampoo, Human Nature Bamboo Charcoal Cleansing Bar and Human Nature for Men Natural Refreshing Shower Gel in Citrus Chili.

The Black Diamond Natural Shampoo is powered by deep cleansing bamboo charcoal which eliminates itch-causing dirt and effectively removes buildup from styling products, thereby keeping his scalp and hair grime-free with every wash. The all-natural shampoo is boosted by cool and fresh peppermint.

After a day’s work, dad can wash away dirt, oil and impurities with Bamboo Charcoal Cleansing Bar and Natural Refreshing Shower Gel which are both packed with cleansing bamboo charcoal and coconut-derived cleansers.

In addition, the shower gel’s foamy lather helps gently get rid of sweat and filth, while its zesty blend of mint and citrus gives an instant mood booster.

Primped papa

For the father who spends additional minutes making sure he’s looking his best, Human Nature for Men’s range has got him covered.

Make sure dad never leaves the house with a single strand of hair out of place with Human Nature for Men 100% Natural Hair Shaper. This styling product uses kaolin clay to keep his hair in place all day. Kaolin clay is gentle on hair and scalp and is easy to rinse, thus avoiding buildup.

Help him rock the clean shaven look with a shaving cream that cares after every shave like Human Nature for Men 100% Natural Shaving Cream. The shaving cream has natural glycerin that promotes easy glide, helps soothe razor

burns and keeps skin moisturized with the help of aloe vera.

Dad can stop worrying about breakouts when you give him Human Nature for Men 100% Natural Oil-fighting Face Wash which is infused with deep-cleansing bamboo carbon and bamboo scrubs that help get rid of oil and impurities.

Body odor, even on days when he has to work overtime, will be the least of his concerns with the help of Human Nature for Men Natural Deodorant, as it is powered with natural antibacterial ingredients that help prevent the proliferation of underarm

odor-causing bacteria.

Better yet, complete dad’s bath and grooming items by getting him Everyday Care Essentials (Facial Wash, Natural Shaving Cream, Cleansing Bar and Deodorant) for P399 or the Refreshing Shower Trio (Refreshing Shower Gel, Face Wash and Cleansing Bar) for P299.

Both sets come with a special Father’s Day greeting card for the man of the day.

Find a Human Nature store via www.humanheartnature.com to know where to get these products.

Pampering products for pops Even the strictest and strongest dad needs pampering, too. On his special day this Sunday, introduce him to an at-home spa experience with The Body Shop’s Spa of The World range.

The all-natural spa line is composed of Hawaiian Kukui Cream with kukui oil that helps restore the natural suppleness

of the skin; French Lavender Massage Oil with lavender essential oil from the south of France that has a relaxing scent which promotes a sense of well-being; the invigorating Thai Lemongrass Massage Oil that boosts vitality, awakens the senses and revitalizes skin; and the Polynesian Monoi Radiance Oil that leaves skin

and hair silky soft when used as a hair treatment, massage oil or bath soak.

Aside from luxurious creams and oils, The Body Shop also offers dads Maca Root Shave Cream, Kistna Hair & Body Wash, Activist Shower Gel, White Musk Sport Anti-perspirant Deodorant and Red Musk Eau De Parfum – all

of which are made with organic and cruelty-free ingredients.

Furthermore, The Body Shop makes it possible for consumers to give their dads and the other special men in their life cruelty-free products as the beauty brand slashes 30 percent off the prizes of items under the Men’s category until June 29.

F R I D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

LIkE FAthER, LIkE SoN

B

Perry ellis celebrates the stories of four doting dads

eing a father is not an easy job.

Despite what parenting books say, many can attest that there is no one formula or one-size-fitsall rule for being a great – or at least a decent – dad. Nonetheless, many men, with different personalities and backgrounds, work hard to be the best example to their children.

This Father’s Day, men’s casual wear label Perry Ellis takes a look into the different lives of four different dads and their respective sons, and reveals how despite their unique differences, they all share a bond that is unbreakable.

Troy and Hunter Montero

In the eyes of his young son, Troy Montero is Superman (and rightfully so considering his physique). Thus, the first-time dad knows how much of a responsibility it is for him to set a good example.

“I wouldn’t say that Hunter favors me over his mom, but we are very close. I do think he is a daddy’s boy,” beams Troy.

“Hunter always wants me to tuck him in at night, read him bedtime stories, and he usually comes to me and gives me morning hugs. It’s funny and cute. When it comes to me, he doesn’t want to let me down.”

As he tries to become a good role model to his son, Troy thankfully has many great men in his life who have shown him what it means to be a good man and father, starting with his own dad.

“It’s funny because having a son, you’re forced to look back on your own childhood, trying to remember what your own parents did. As a parent, I try to incorporate my own style and everything.

I know with Hunter, hopefully he will appreciate the things I am teaching him and hopefully (when he has his own son and family) it will be the same thing for him,” enthuses Troy.

Kenji and Conrad Onglao

Philip and Luca Cu-Unjieng

With Philip Cu-Unjieng’s years of experience raising three boys, it would seem that he knows everything about parenthood. But even he admits that with the changing times, there is more to learn about being a father and raising children.

“With my dad, he came from a generation where it was more, ‘I’m here, I’m the father, and you just follow.’ But that won’t work anymore, especially with this generation,” Philip admits.

While he does get inspiration from his own childhood and takes a leaf from his own dad’s example, Philip has had to figure out what works and what doesn’t work as a parent on his own.

“With my family and in my case, I try to accept each of the kids as unique individuals, because they are all different.

I’ve learned that what works for one doesn’t necessarily mean it will work with another,” he shares.

Luca, the youngest of Philip’s three boys, admits that he and his dad don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye on every matter. “I understand that he has to be strict when he has to. He sticks to his ideals. He stays true to what he believes in, and he shows that to us.

Sometimes our relationship is a love-hate relationship, but at the end of the day, he is still my father."

“What I love about my dad is that he is funny. He’s really clever and quick on his feet,” the young Cu-Unjieng raves.

Conrad and Kenji Onglao

Architect Conrad Onglao and photographer Kenji are two very creative minds with a strong visual aesthetic.

From their work down to the clothes they wear, there is a common thread that can be seen – both have an appreciation for the finer things.

Hunter and Troy Montero

Luca and Philip Cu-Unjieng

to my family that you were able to give me and my brother, I’d consider myself successful.’ It touched me; that was the best compliment I ever got from anyone,” the proud dad shares.

Alvin and Angelo Patrimonio

Alvin and Angelo Patrimonio

But more than nurturing their similarities, Conrad works hard to make sure he’s always there for his children.

“My own father was very busy. I couldn’t recall if we had much of a father and son relationship. He was always working,” relates Conrad. “Though my brothers and I admired my dad for his discipline and dedication, I wanted to be a little different when I became a father.”

Though Conrad pours himself into his work, he never forgets to dedicate time and energy into taking care of his family.

“When they were growing up, I purposely

didn’t get any sport, and didn’t have any barkada, so that my weekends could be for my kids. I was very conscientious of time, because I knew that time flies by so fast.

Before you know it, they all have a life of their own.”

Parenthood comes with so much responsibility, but Conrad is proud and grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity to become a father.

“There was time I had asked my other son, ‘What’s your measure of success?’

And to my surprise, he answered, ‘If I can give the same comfort and luxury

Philippine basketball icon Alvin Patrimonio and and his son Angelo share a bond that goes way beyond basketball.

But the love of the game will always be a shared passion.

Alvin, who has always been supportive of Angelo’s choices, is a proud father and describes his son as very obedient, responsible and hard working. “Angelo is such a great brother as well,” he says.

On the other hand, Angelo admires his dad because “he’s such a hard worker. He always gives his 100 percent. Even when he was busy as a basketball player and team manager, he would always have time for us.”

Today, both revel in the simple family time they share together, whether it’s eating out, watching a movie together, or going to the beach for a quick getaway.

If there’s one thing that Alvin would like his son to learn and remember him by, it would be “To be good and do good to those around you. I remind them often to do what’s right and know what’s wrong.

But thankfully, all my children are very kind-hearted and generous. I’m blessed to have them,” ends Alvin.

Perry Ellis currently has five boutiques in the country: SM Aura Premiere, SM North Edsa The Block, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia and Glorietta 5.

F R I D AY : J U N E 17, 2 0 1 6

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LIFE life @ thestandard.com .ph

@LIFEatStandard

BEcAUSE EvEN mEN NEED...

From C1

Oleg Cassini 995 cufflinks

Happy Socks So your father has so many socks in his closet already, but it’s probably filled with plain or drab colors that add to the monotony of his corporate life. Give him something that he can actually smile about every time he feels down. Go get him new pairs of Happy

Shiny cufflinks Sometimes, aside from his watch and wedding band, cufflinks are the closest dad gets to have as bling. For that wellgroomed man, it is usually his most essential accessory. So, it won’t hurt if

you get him another shiny one for his collection. Oleg Cassini accessories have a variety of classic silver cufflinks that will suit his personal style and can suit any occasion for his formal, casual or corporate wear.

Ferrari merchandise For dads whose love for cars transmits to his apparel, make your way to the Ferrari Philippines showroom in Bonifacio Global City for the latest Ferrari merchandise curated specially for Father’s Day. These collectors’ items are usually by order basis, so take advantage of this occasion so you don’t have to pay for shipping fees. They have items ranging from caps, jackets,

gloves, key rings, even cool items like ashtrays and golf balls all with the brand’s signature prancing horse and logo. You still have time to get your father a special gift today so visit the showroom at 32nd & 4th, Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City to see the entire Ferrari merchandise line. There are limited stocks so message sales@ferrariphils.com or call or (02) 8017777 to reserve the items today.

Undone watch For a customized gift specially made for dad, head to Rustan’s until the end of June and take advantage of the pop-up Undone watch booth. Undone watch gives everyone a chance to design a watch that will be personalized by the wearer. You can

even add dad’s signature in it if you want.

Choose from a variety of styles for the customized watch from the base, crystal, dial, crown, lugs, and bracelet. The price usually varies but the month of June, take advantage of Rustan’s Urban Man exclusive promo and get any design for only P22,000.

Socks and tell him that every time work gets tough and he is feeling down, these fun and vibrant socks can actually lift his spirit and he will always remember you trying to cheer him up. Catch the boxed pairs that come in fours in Rustan’s so he can have something new to wear for consecutive hectic days.

Neckties and pocket squares For a working man who’s always out on public engagements or speaking functions, a necktie is what he usually gets as gift. And if you do not know what else to give to your dad and you’re already set in making a beeline for the necktie section, then head towards Thomas Pink.

Their versatile ties are made of 100 percent silk and come in a multitude of colors, patterns and styles including some playful car or animal prints. While you’re at it, add a little more color to his look by getting him some pocket squares that will surely make a difference to his usual suitand-tie look. These little wonders can add pizzazz to his gentleman ensemble. Thomas Pink neckties and pocket squares

Photos of brands Balcas and Walking Stick, Adolfo Dominguez, Façonnable, Oleg Cassini, Thomas Pink, Happy Socks and Undone taken by STAr SABrOSO

f RIDAy : J UNE 17, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

Celebrities KZ Tandingan, Angel Locsin, Pokwang and ylona Garcia flanked by runway models

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Rock band Kwjan performs while models strut the runway

Manila X: Where music and fashion collide

f

ilipino festivalgoers witnessed the merging of music and fashion through bold runway shows scored by worldclass musical performances at the Manila X Festival held on June 4 at the Globe Circuit Event Grounds.

Aimed at empowering and connecting innovators in music and fashion, each show was curated by some of the country’s most sought-after celebrity stylists paired with live acts from brilliant and well-known musical artists and DJs. Hence, making Manila X Festival an active statement of Filipinos’ creative talents proving to exceed expectations.

Welcoming the crowd were catchy beats from DJ Jess Milner. Drilling down the different strands of music were Pop Rock Princess Yeng Constantino and Kiana Valenciano. Yeng sang Sia’s “Titanium” and her hit single “Chinito” and other mashedup songs. Meanwhile, Gary V’s daughter kept the vibe smooth and sophisticated with the help of DJ Mars Miranda.

Live musical acts, intensified with the presence of various artists and celebrities, had the crowd dancing and singing the night along. One of the crowd favorites was Gloc 9 whose album Sukli under Star Music was launched recently in ABSCBN’s variety show ASAP. Also the headliners in the fest were some of the country’s muchanticipated and well-received bands like Kjwan, Up Dharma Down, and The Juans. They cruised through their original hit songs while fashion models stun the audience with their impeccable style.

Once everyone was prepped up, hip online retailer Zalora filled the runway with bold tribal prints and romantic night out pieces, pumped up by performances from up and coming band The Juans and singer-songwriter duo Thyro and Yumi. This was followed by stylist John Paul Dizon’s sleek-themed show, with ensembles worn by his models and celebrity clients and friends including Roxanne Barcelo, Koreen Medina, Pauline Mendoza, Phytos Ramirez, Yasser Mata, Ayra Mariano, Jake Ejercito, Wynwyn Marquez, and Lance Serrano.

The third, Coachella-inspired show styled by Myrrh Lao To was paired with laidback hits

Models. fashion models showcase the creations of several designers that participated in this year’s Manila X

Top DJs (clockwise) Jessica Milner, Tom Taus and Curse & Bless serving some cool beats

Jake Ejercito (left) walks for fashion designer John Paul Dizon (right)

from crowd-favorite Up Dharma Down. With soft chiffon and laces, the Coachella segment ended with Myrrh’s power squad of celebrity clients and friends starring Ylona Garcia, KZ Tandingan, K Brosas, Pokwang and Angel Locsin.

The energy was brought back up by stylist duo Rain Dagala and Em Millan through youthful, editorial, street looks in their sportswear-dominated show. It was complemented by powerful,

DJs Tom Taus and Ace Ramos spun their best beats, making the crowd dance the night away.

Directed by Paolo Valenciano, this revolutionary merging of music and fashion came from the aspiration of Founder and Creative Director, stylist John Lozano to give every Filipino access to fashion and styling, and ultimately help realize and embrace individuality through the merging of runway shows and musical performances.

collaborative performances from Gloc 9 and DJ Badkiss.

With Bang Pineda’s flair for menswear, the stylist/designer went forward with a show presenting a legion of men imbibing the grunge spirit. Completing the vibe was a high-dosage rock performance from Kjwan led by vocalist Marc Abaya. DJs Marc Marasigan and duo Curse & Bless spun in between shows to keep everyone on their toes.

To end the festival with a bang,

Both Valenciano and Lozano saw a good potential in revolutionizing both industries by putting up a good show that is musically and aesthetically inspired.

Sponsored by make-up label BYS, and powered by Zalora and TaskUs Philippines, the fastest growing startup firm in the country, Manila X is the first of its kind in the Philippines — and proudly local event where music and fashion collide. - Angelica Cruz. Photos: Sonny Espiritu

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f RIDAy : J UNE 17, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

pEOplE ¼

are talking about

¼

are not talking about

Trumpet Dance challenge

Kristine Hermosa

Everybody is doing it. Almost every showbiz celebrity and wannabe have a video uploaded on Facebook or Instagram. What’s even more interesting though, both Eat Bulaga and It’s Showtime hosts are claiming that they were the first to make the dance craze popular. This tug of war is just another story of network rivalry and we can no longer wait for the next development. In the meantime, let’s do the dance – which is a Sak Noel and Sean Paul original, by the way.

Her husband set the record straight – she doesn’t have any existing contract with ABS-CBN hence her being part of an upcoming series on GMA Network won’t break any rules. In line with her showbiz comeback, she said that she chose to be with GMA-7 because she wants to stay close to her family. If by family she meant her husband and children then why didn’t just stayed home? She’s an expectant mother to begin with.

She will need all the rest and all the time with her three children.

Baron Geisler

His bad behavior has been caught on video yet again.

This begs the question whether the videos featuring Baron on “beast mode” were meant to send an important message or they were just plain stunts to desperately seek public attention. Either way, these videos just validate the kind of showbiz personality Baron is.

Mark Herras

A number of stars feel unmotivated when from starring in a primetime series they are relegated to doing an afternoon soap. But Mark’s case is different. He feels even more inspired to work after he’s given not one but two assignments that will be shown on GMA-7 afternoon block. That, we know for sure, is a kind of career strategy that will make Mark not a short-term actor.

Rufa Mae Quinto Kiray celis

Even talented makeup artists or heavy photoshopping cannot change the way she looks. But why would she still want to change her appearance?

Besides, that’s what makes her “bankable.” Just a few months after top billing a movie alongside Derek Ramsay, the young starlet is again headlining a big screen project. This time with Enchong Dee. So, who says only pretty girls can be a sought after talent?

cROsswORD puzzlE

answer PreVIOUs PUZZLe

ACROSS 1 Tomato jelly 6 Oklahoma town 9 Nonswimmer, maybe 14 Bow of the silents 15 Toshiba rival 16 Humble 17 Kafka topic 19 Taste or smell 20 Golf ball stand 21 Resembling

22 23 25 26 29 31

Lieu Cobblers’ tools Smart-mouthed Flowering shrub Chevalier musical Small flatbottomed boats 32 Deer’s rack 36 Melody 37 Good times 38 Warrior princess 40 Growled at

43 Pekoe packet 45 Strong, as venison 46 Something to pay 47 Rose pest 50 Antarctic explorer 51 Herring 52 Floor 54 Muscle spasm 57 Where the fat lady sings 58 Distance east or west 61 Swift-footed 62 Leo mo.

63 Slander’s kin 64 Rigid 65 Qt. parts 66 Minimum DOWN 1 No. on a bank statement 2 Fruit of the blackthorn 3 Gait 4 Vex 5 Ford product 6 Diarist — Nin 7 Knock flat 8 Yearn for 9 Holiday quaff 10 Is a party to 11 “Great” dogs 12 Term paper 13 Bulrush or cattail

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2016

18 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 33 34 35 37 39 41 42 43 44 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 59 60

Crocks Put in a row Minuscule U.S. Army rank Classifieds Camera lens Handel contemporary Loud Tavern Checkups McEntire of country music Pitfall Not masc.

Make cheddar better Shake No gentleman Flip-flop Goddess of dawn Doctor’s bane?

Admire oneself “Share” anagram Way to climb Too lenient Smack Tipster Big brass “Et tu” time Stonehenge builder Not well Dead heat

For the longest time, people thought her boyfriend was just imaginary and that her wedding plans were just her illusions until “a real person” appeared and professed his love for the comedienne. Proud of her settling down, she took to Instagram and asked her followers which wedding ring to buy. Since when choosing a wedding ring became someone else’s business?

f RIDAy : J UNE 17, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

C7

Coco gives back,

shares blessings with 800 students

T

he lead star of the no.1 primetime series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Coco Martin, started the school year by bringing smiles to students of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan as he led the launch of “Saludo sa Pamilyang Pilipino, Oplan Balik Eskwela 2016” last Monday.

Coco personally went to Paradise Farm Elementary School, his chosen beneficiary, and gave away 800 school bags containing school supplies, raincoats, slippers, etc. He also donated 18 electric fans and boxes of teaching aid for teachers.

Because of the Kapamilya actor’s help, both students and teachers

were thankful for the donations, which will surely help the kids in learning their lessons.

“Public school students are really close to my heart because I was one back then. I hope I could send out help to other public schools as well,” said the award-winning actor.

Joining Coco in the charity event was the Dreamscape management, led by Deo Endrinal, Biboy Arboleda, Dagang Vilbar, and the staff of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and Dreamscape unit.

The event was made possible by Dreamscape Television Entertainment with the help of ABS-CBN Integrated Public Service.

The pupils at Paradise farm Elementary School with Coco Martin

Boodle fight with Bb. Pilipinas beauties Happy 118th Independence Day! Celebrating it with the Bb. Pilipinas family @ The Araneta Center with Binibining PilipinasIntercontinental 2016 Jennifer Hammond and Binibining Pilipinas 2016 1st Runnerup Angelica Alita :) Boodle fightl unchtime.

Concurrent to the celebration is a live mural painting at the Gen. Araneta St. and concert at night

Araneta Center joined the nation in the celebration of Philippine Independence Day highlighting the Filipinos love for food, art and music.

Shoppers and Bb. Pilipinas official Facebook page registrants enjoyed the native foods served during a boodle fight at the Farmers Plaza on June 11 participated by Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental 2016 Jennifer Hammond and Bb. Pilipinas 2016 First Runner up Angelica Alita.

Gateway Food Park took the occasion to make a name as the place for freedom and fun-loving people by showcasing native foods from the different Philippine regions in their respective activity areas culminating with the boodle fight. A

Globe Broadband’s surprises

with premiere of Disney/Pixar’s ‘finding Dory’ Globe Broadband brings wonderful surprises to customers in line with the much-awaited movie premiere, Disney/Pixar’s Finding Dory. As the official broadband service partner of Disney in the Philippines, Globe Broadband customers are in for a whole lot of fun with its latest events, ticket giveaways, and special prizes.

Directed by Andrew Stanton and Angus McLane, Finding Dory is the highly anticipated sequel to the successful 2003 movie Finding Nemo.

Now, the main protagonist, Dory the forgetful blue tang fish, explores her childhood through flashbacks. This eventually leads her to embark on a life-changing quest to go back home and be reunited with her parents.

“Disney’s brilliant storytelling has made most if not all, look forward to what movie they are going to premiere next. Finally after over a decade, Finding Nemo’s sequel makes its way to theatres and this gives us another opportunity to give our customers access to exciting giveaways and exclusive events. By taking that extra mile we provide our customers a more immersive experience.” shares Martha Sazon, Globe senior vice president for Broadband Business.

Headlining Finding Dory’s Philippine premiere was the homecoming tour of Pixar Studios Filipino sketch artist, Paul Abadilla. Mak-

street mural painting activity for Filipino art lovers followed and towards the evening, a music hub was held with #ATMKalayaan, a Pinoytuner-powered concert that featured celebrated singer-songwriter Ebe Dancel, pop-rock powerhouse Mayonnaise, emerging indie favorites Autotelic and the U.P. Music Circle Bands, Slow Sink, Rayf Panotes Band, Modern Romans, Lamb street and Cupcake Alliance.

Hammond, a 25-year-old, BS Nursing cum laude graduate of Perpetual Help Laguna and a member of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP), took time out from her preparation for the

Miss Intercontinental pageant later this year, where she aims to become the first Filipina to win the title. “Happy Independence Day, Alita and I are honored to join everyone present in this event, and we’re especially excited with the boodle fight, as we both are food lovers like most Filipinos,” the statuesque, sweet smiling beauty said.

Alita, a 20-year-old, Culinary degree graduate and a former ‘star magic’ artist and finalist of ABSCBN’s popular contest “My Girl” , also expressed appreciation to be a part of the celebration. She is not closing her door to a return stint at the annual Bb. Pilipinas pageant. – Eton B. Concepcion

iPHOTO

APHCA 20th International Hair Olympics 2016 in Manila Manila hosts the prestigious international hair and beauty competition with 18 Asia Pacific member countries competing against each other for pride and honor.

Globe officers during the premiere of Disney/Pixar’s “finding Dory”

ing his way back home, Abadilla conducted a by-invitation animation workshop and shared his work on Finding Dory and his experience as part of one of the most prestigious animation studios.

Globe Broadband customers in Metro Manila were also entitled to join the exclusive block screenings via free movie invites when they subscribe to a broadband plan or upgrade their current subscription until June 16. New customers are eligible to get four tickets while plan upgraders get six tickets.

One lucky customer will also get a chance to hold a private block screening with 50 of his friends.

To join, customers simply need to catch the Finding Dory artwork on the @enjoyglobe Twitter account and re-tweet with the hashtag #GlobeBroadband.

Participants

with at least 50 likes and re-tweets combined are qualified for the raffle and should stay tuned for the announcement on June 22.

With speeds of up to one Gbps, Globe Broadband currently offers a wide range of Internet services for home. Customers can enjoy seamless Internet connectivity for the family alongside free entertainment content bundled with their plans such as Spotify, HOOQ and NBA League Pass.

Disney/Pixar’s Finding Dory opens in cinemas on June 16.

For more information on promos and free movie invites, visit www.globe.com.ph/broadband/ promos/movie-invites.

Tickets will be confirmed via the application email provided and can be claimed from Globe representatives in participating cinemas on the day of the screening.

APHCA, a brainchild of beauty expert and philanthropist Ricky Reyes, is a premiere association of professionals in the beauty, health and wellness industry in the Asia Pacific region, fostering camaraderie and sharing of trends and knowledge among beauty practitioners in member countries. The “Hair Olympics” is usually held in different APHCA member countries like Macau in 2011, Indonesia in 2012, Malaysia in 2013, and Thailand in 2014. Last year’s event was hosted by Taipei. This year, it is going back here in Manila where it officially started.

Be awed and be dazzled with the creations of the best hair and beauty masters of the country and the world on Oct. 26at Hall 4, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Philippines.

During the official launch were, from left, (standing), Johnny Tai, Taiwan country leader, Pasay City first Lady Edna Calixto, Airene Wong, Malaysia country leader, Maribel Costan of Shawill Cosmetics; (Sitting): Dr. MJ Torres of Zen Institute, Air Asia’s Gerard Peñaflor, Ricky Reyes and Steve Tamayo, official caterer of the event.

f riday : J UNE 17, 2016

C8

iSaH V. rEd EDITOR NiCKiE WaNG WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ

Kiray Celis is one lucky girl ISAH V. RED

a

Enchong dee and Kiray Celis are the new romantic pair in the horror comedy “i Love you To death”

Enchong dee (center) and his male co-stars in the movie

fter romancing a hunk actor in the box-office hit romantic-comedy Love is Blind, diminutive comedienne Kiray Celis pays lip service to a handsome chinito in a movie that will launch her to full stardom on July 6.

Yes, you heard it right. Celis had a romantic interlude with the desirable hunk Derek Ramsay in Love is Blind. This time she gets to be passionate, short of being lurid, in her love scenes with Enchong Dee in I Love You To Death.

The movie is this year’s most riotous comedy horror movie from Regal Entertainment, Inc., producer of such blockbusters The Haunted Mansion and Love is Blind.

In the film, Gwen (Kiray) and Tonton (Enchong) are childhood sweethearts born and raised in the province. They promise to love, marry and be with each other until death do they part.

Tonton proposes marriage to Gwen with an heirloom piece from his late grandmother.

When she leaves for Manila, Gwen, who is at the top of her class, meets new friends. Her newfound companions are a bunch of gorgeous women, only they are natural bitches.

Tonton has remained the nerdy type whose look is often the butt of joke among his friends. Because of this, he and Gwen part ways. She then loses contact with him permanently.

As days pass, Gwen notices how different she is from her group of gorgeous friends. They all have boyfriends. She never had one.

Gwen then grows tired of being the brainy kind. She wants change… to be confidently beautiful with a heart. So, on her 20th birthday, she wishes to meet the guy who would die for her.

And so, Gwen gets her wish. The man of her dreams suddenly appears – handsome, hunky and desirable Tonton. Bent on having a love life, she accepts her childhood friend’s marriage proposal despite her loved ones’ and friends’ disapproval.

Gwen and Tonton set their altar date but on their very wedding day, the bride uncovers the mystery behind her groom’s undying love.

Catch Kiray in her wackiest performance in “ILYTD,” inspired as she is working with real-life crush Enchong.

No wonder, director Miko Livelo’s work at bringing out Kiray’s comic talent was effortless. Enchong, in fact, says this of Kiray: “She’s an actress!”

Witness Gwen and Tonton’s odd love story in I Love You to Death and find out if it this line is true: “Nakakamatay nga ba ang pag-ibig?” Which is apt, “’Til death do us part” or “I love you to death?”

‘Doble Kara’ continues to rule afternoon TV

Julia Montes’ star shines even brighter as her top-billed Kapamilya series ‘Doble Kara’ posted another all-time high rating recently.

Last Thursday, it recorded an all-time high national TV rating of 20.2 percent, easily beating rival show Hanggang Makita Kang Muli, which posted a mere 13.9 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

Meanwhile, as the story continues, Alex (Maxene Magalona) is slowly brainwashing Kara (Julia Montes) and Seb’s (Sam Milby) adoptive daughter Hannah and instills in her that she is not well-loved, building hatred in the child’s heart. And their situation gets even more complicated now that Sara has returned to her family.

Will Alex succeed in her plans? Will the Suarezes achieve peace in their home with the return of Sara?

Don’t miss the newest chapter of the top-rating afternoon teleserye Doble Kara, weekdays after It’s Showtime on ABS-CBN or on ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

Catch up via iWanTV or skyondemand. com.ph for Sky subscribers.

The bridesmaids in the wedding scene of “i Love you To death”