The Standard - 2016 July 13 - Wednesday

VOL. XXX NO. 151 3 Sections 32 Pages P18 WEDNESDAY : JULY 13, 2016 www.thestandard.com.ph editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Police capture floating shabu laboratory

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PH WINS RULING ON SEA DISPUTE

UN tribunal rejects China’s territorial claims Timeline of the PH-China maritime row April 11, 2012— standoff in the Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal May 16, 2012— PH, China impose fishing ban

West Philippine Sea

AN INTERNATIONAL tribunal in The Netherlands on Tuesday ruled against China in a bitter row over territorial claims to the South China Sea that is likely to ratchet up regional tensions.

“The tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights within the sea areas falling within the ‘ninedash line’,” the Permanent Court of Arbitration said in a statement.

All eyes were watching for reaction from the Asian political and

military powerhouse, which had fired off a barrage of criticism even before the decision by the PCA in The Hague was announced.

China asserts sovereignty over almost all of the strategically vital waters in the face of rival claims from its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Malacañang said it would study the court’s decision.

Solicitor General Jose Calida was expected to provide President Rodrigo Duterte a synopsis of the ruling Wednesday, and a complete and thorough interpretation of it in five days, said Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Beijing said it did not accept or recognize the UN tribunal’s ruling in a statement on its foreign ministry’s website.

“The award is null and void and

has no binding force,” the ministry said. “China neither accepts nor recognizes it.”

Beijing “does not accept any means of third party dispute settlement or any solution imposed on China,” it added, reiterating its long-standing position on the dispute.

Manila had lodged the suit against Beijing in 2013, saying that after 17 years of negotiations it had exhausted all political and diplomatic avenues.

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September 5, 2012— PH adopts West Philippine Sea name January 22, 2013 — PH files arbitration case before UN tribunal December 16, 2014—China snubs UN deadline to answer suit

March 30, 2014—PH files 4,000page memorial containing evidence and legal arguments April 1, 2014— PH discontinues bilateral talks on the territorial disputes July 7, 2015 to July 8, 2015—Round 1 of oral arguments at the UN court in The Hague, Netherlands October 2015— US warship USS Lassen conducts freedom of navigation operations in WPS October 29, 2015—PH wins Round 1, tribunal rules it has jurisdiction on the case November 24-30, 2015— Round 2 on the merits of case July 12, 2016— UN tribunal rules in favor of PH

Duncan retires after 19 seasons

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Various groups celebrate at Baywalk along Roxas Boulevard on Tuesday, July 12 following the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s issuance of its verdict on the case filed by the Philippines against China. DANNY PATA

SC tells Robredo to explain fraud charges THE Supreme Court, acting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, acted on Tuesday on the election protest filed by former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. seeking to nullify the proclamation of Vice President Leni Robredo.

A Court insider disclosed that the justices deliberated on Marcos’ poll protest and decided to require Robredo to comment on the allegation that her

election was tainted with irregularities.

While the Court’s spokesman Theodore Te admitted that the tribunal had acted on the Marcos protest, he declined to offer any specifics.

In a media briefing, Te said he was only authorized to announce that the tribunal will issue a resolution on this matter in due course.

The PET is composed of the same 15

Supreme Court justices as its members.

In his protest filed last June 29, Marcos questioned the election results in 39,221 clustered precincts in 25 provinces and five cities all over the country involving some nine million votes.

Marcos lost to Robredo by a margin of 263,473 votes in the final and official tally of votes. He garnered 14,155,344

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Beijing waged a months-long campaign to discredit the panel, which it says has no jurisdiction in the multinational dispute, and it refused to take part in the case.

The state-run China Daily topped its front page with a picture of Woody Island in the Paracels, emblazoned: “Arbitration invalid.”

English-language headlines on the official Xinhua news agency included: “South China Sea arbitration abuses international law: Chinese scholar,” “Permanent Court of Arbitration must avoid being used for political purposes” and “The sea where Chinese fishermen live and die.”

Ahead of the decision, Duterte had signaled he did not want to antagonize China, saying he would not “taunt or flaunt” a favorable ruling and would seek a “soft landing” with China.

China’s claims were first enshrined in a map drawn in the 1940s with a nine-dash line stretching south from China and encircling almost all of the sea, although it says Chinese fishermen have been using it for centuries.

To bolster its position it has rapidly turned reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military planes.

It has held naval drills between the Paracels and the southern Chinese island of Hainan in recent days.

US naval destroyers have been patrolling near the Chinese-claimed Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands, supported by aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, the US-based Navy Times reported.

Chinese state media have said Beijing will not take a “single step back” after the ruling, and President Xi Jinping said earlier this month that China would never compromise on sovereignty, adding: “We are not afraid of trouble.”

China had sought diplomatic support around the world, and foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said its latest backers included Angola, Madagascar and Papua New Guinea, showing that “justice and righteousness always have popular support.”

“Who is upholding the sanctity of international law and who is breaking international law, I think people are all clear about that,” Lu said.

Manila lodged its suit against Beijing in 2013, saying China was in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), to which both countries are signatories.

One of the key issues was whether the land features in the area are islands capable of supporting human habitation—which under Unclos are entitled to territorial waters and an exclusive economic zone—or rocks, which only have territorial waters, or low-tide elevations, which get neither.

If none of the outcrops are islands, then none of the claimants to them would gain sole rights to major expanses of the waters around them.

“The ruling can reduce the scope of the South China Sea disputes, but will not solve them,” said analysts Yanmei Xie and Tim Johnston of the International Crisis Group in a report.

The ruling was likely to “escalate the war of words,” they said, but added: “Escalation to military standoffs is not inevitable.”

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China could choose to withdraw from Unclos, or begin building on Scarborough Shoal, which Washington would view as a provocation.

Beijing could also declare an air defense identification zone over the South China Sea, claiming the right to interrogate aircraft passing through the airspace, or try to remove a ship grounded by the Philippines on Second Thomas Shoal for use as a base.

Alternatively, it could move to reduce tensions.

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said Friday that Manila hoped to open direct talks with Beijing on the dispute, and presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said Tuesday: “The top priority will be national interest.”

The Philippine Embassy in China has warned its citizens to beware of personal “threats” and avoid political debates.

Nationalist demonstrations are not rare in China, sometimes apparently with the tacit backing of authorities.

More than 20 Chinese police were positioned outside the Philippine Embassy on Tuesday, with more in vans nearby—a significantly larger presence than usual—along with two lorries loaded with crowd control barriers, a possible indication that authorities expected protests at the building.

President Duterte had earlier warned his Cabinet members to avoid using the arbitral court’s decision to “taunt or flaunt,” saying he doesn’t want to “put the country in an awkward position.”

Abella said the President was likely to call a meeting of his Cabinet once the decision was released.

Over the course of negotiations, the Duterte administration had repeatedly said it would like to pursue bilateral talks with China after the arbitral court hands over its decision.

Ahead of the tribunal’s decision, Vietnam accused the Chinese coastguard of sinking a fishing boat near a disputed island chain.

Two Vietnamese boats were chased by a pair of Chinese coastguard ships on Saturday afternoon off Vietnam’s Quang Ngai province, the Vietnam Fisheries Society (Vinafis) said in a statement.

One ship was boarded by Chinese coastguards who forced the crew overboard, Vinafis said, while a second vessel was prevented from reaching the stranded fishermen.

“Chinese men jumped onto fisherman Vo Van Luu’s boat, struck the Vietnamese sailors and... sunk the vessel,” forcing five crew members overboard, the statement said.

The five fishermen remained in the sea until dark, when the second Vietnamese vessel was able to approach the area.

Vinafis condemned the incident and demanded compensation from China.

Territorial waters can extend from 12 to 200 nautical miles from the shoreline of states, depending on whether they are classed as islands, rocks or a national coastline. The Philippines argues that such rights do not apply to artificial islands.

China’s Asian rivals also claim that the nine-dash line is illegal as it cuts through the territorial waters of states, as defined by international law. AFP, John Paolo Bencito, Sara Susanne Fabunan

Landmark ruling upholds Unclos as charter of oceans

By Rey E. Requejo, Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

SUPREME Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Tuesday lauded the landmark decision rendered by an international tribunal at The Hague that invalidated China’s massive claims on the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea. Carpio, a strong advocate of the Philippine claims over the West Philippine Sea, said the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Netherlands “reaffirms mankind’s faith in the rule of law in peacefully resolving disputes between states and in rejecting the use or threat of force in resolving such disputes.”

“The ruling also reaffirms Unclos [UN Convention on the Law of the Sea] as the Constitution for the oceans of our planet, a treaty ratified by 167 states, including China and the Philippines,” the justice said.

The ruling applies the principle that “land dominates the sea,” meaning any claim to maritime zones must emanate from land and can extend only to the limits prescribed under the Unclos.

He said no state can claim almost an entire sea contrary, to this fundamental principle and maritime limits.

“The ruling further reaffirms the wisdom of the Philippine Constitution in renouncing war as an instrument of national policy, and in adopting international law as part of the laws of Philippines,” he added.

“The ruling manifests the faithful compliance by the Philippine government to the Philippine Constitution, which mandates that the “state shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to Filipino citizens,” the magistrate said.

Carpio has been on the forefront of the government’s claim over the West Philippine Sea.

A party-list lawmaker on Tuesday urged President Rodrigo Duterte to convene the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) to discuss the sea dispute between Philippines and China.

Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque said the issue is not just for the executive branch to resolve but also the legislative branch of government.

“Do not exclude Congress. I call on the President to convene the Ledac, as this is not just an issue of foreign affairs,” Roque said.

Roque faulted the administration of President Benigno Aquino III for abandoning diplomatic talks with the Chinese government.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay earlier said that despite the favorable ruling from the international court, the Duterte administration is open to sharing natural resources with China.

Yasay added that the administration can begin direct talks with China to negotiate the possible joint exploration of natural gas reserves and fishing grounds within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

But Roque, an international law expert, said an agreement to share natural resources could not be implemented as Yasay could not just execute his idea without approval by the Senate or a law enacted by Congress.

Incoming Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez welcomed Tuesday’s decision and urged China to respect the outcome of the arbitration process.

“The case filed by the Philip-

SC...

Marcos sought the annulment of the proclamation of Robredo as vice president and his declaration as duly elected vice president.

It was earlier learned that the case has been raffled to Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, the last appointee and known buddy of former President Benigno Aquino III, who is tasked to study the protest and submit recommendations for actions of the PET. Caguioa and Aquino were classmates from elementary to college at the Ateneo de Ma-

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votes while Robredo got a total of 14,418, 817 votes.

Marcos sought the nullification of about a million votes cast in three provinces—Lanao del Sur, Basilan and Maguindanao—over claims of massive cheating.

Marcos also asked the PET to order the reopening of ballots and manual recount of about eight million votes in 23 provinces and five cities.

pine government before the Arbitral Court is premised on our stand that we are entitled to a 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [Unclos]. China, we must point out, is a signatory to Unclos. Thus, because of our EEZ, we should be allowed to conduct exploration activities in the area for our own economic benefit,” he said.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said the favorable ruling “strengthens and solidifies the Philippine position in future bilateral talks with China, especially now that her expansionist 9-dash line theory is declared without legal, historical and moral basis.”

Zarate also called on the international community to step in and pressure China to de-escalate the situation in the West Philippine Sea and to stop militarizing the area.

Senator Grace Poe called the decision a legal and moral victory.

Other senators, including Franklin Drilon, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Joel Villanueva and Antonio Trillanes IV also welcomed the decision.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian challenged Duterte to defend the West Philippine Sea from further intrusions by China.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Tuesday urged Duterte to resist any pressure from China.

More than 100 members of the group trooped to the Chinese Embassy in Makati to protest China’s nine-dash line policy.

The leftist League of Filipino Students, meanwhile, slammed Yasay for offering a sharing of resources with China, and for saying the Philippines had no authority over international waters.

“This is unacceptable. It is a treacherous remark,” said LFS national spokesperson JP Rosos.

With Vito Barcelo, Sandy Araneta nila University. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court in January, Caguioa was Aquino’s chief presidential legal counsel and then secretary of justice.

Aquino had earlier vowed to do all he could to stop Marcos from being elected vice president.

Aquino’s sister, actress Kris Aquino, was the top campaign contributor of Robredo in the polls.

The Aquinos and Marcoses are known political rivals. Rey E. Requejo

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Police seize floating shabu lab Lacson criticizes Solicitor General Calida SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday lashed back at Solicitor General Jose Calida, calling him arrogant and highhanded and reminding him that only the Supreme Court could stop Senate investigations.

He recalled that on Sept.

6, 2006, the Supreme Court ruled that the Senate and Congress could not be stopped from conducting investigations in aid of legislation and summoning resource persons except during Question Hour.

Question Hour needs the consent of the President, and the Executive may reject a summons if national security concerns were involved.

Outgoing Senate President Franklin Drilon said Calida’s remarks “undermine the independence of the Senate and our very own democracy.”

He said his remarks were “uncalled for and reek of arrogance—unbecoming of a solicitor general.”

He also considered Calida’s remarks “an affront to the

power of the Senate,” and that those undermine “the effort of the President to foster transparency and accountability.”

He said the Senate was mandated by the Constitution to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation.

“We will not hesitate to invoke the power of the Senate to compel the attendance of witnesses and resource persons if such attendance is necessary,” Drilon said.

But Lacson warned that

the Senate might be accused on embarking on a “fishing expedition” with the plan of Senator Leila De Lima to conduct an inquiry on the drug killings.

He described as “baseless” the Senate inquiry that De Lima wanted to conduct to determine if the drug killings were the result of legitimate police operations or were merely being done to silence police assets who knew which policemen were corrupt.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Deadly raid. Policemen inspect one of six suspected drug pushers who were killed during a raid in Novaliches, Quezon City. MANNY PALMERO

Village officials face probe over drug incidence MALACAÑANG said Tuesday the village captains and mayors in the areas with a high incidence of illegal drug use will be probed for “serious neglect of duty.”

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella also said there were plans to create more regional drug rehabilitation centers to address the overcrowding in the rehabilitation centers.

He made the statement even as incoming Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said the House of Representatives will not conduct any probes on the increasing

cases of summary executions of those involved in the distribution of illegal drugs.

“Let the NBI handle the case and allow Congress to attend to matters that will benefit the people, such as the budget deliberation,” Alvarez said.

Abella said the Interior Department, which has jurisdiction over all local governments, was planning a memorandum of agreement with LGU officials to authorize any probe by the national government on the drug situation in the communities and to find those liable

for neglecting their duty.

“A memorandum, a proposed memorandum to barangay captains and mayors in places with high incidence of drugs,” Abella told reporters.

He said doing so would help LGU executives initiate the fight against illegal drugs in their communities.

More than 8,000 villages in the country are plagued with the drug menace, according to data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

It says around 20.51 percent or 8,629 villages out of

the 42,065 villages nationwide have drug-related cases.

Metro Manila is the most drug-affected area with 92.10 percent of its villages affected, followed by Southern Tagalog at 33.78 percent.

Based on the results of the anti-drug operations in 2014, the street value of shabu is P2,000 to P10,000 per gram, while marijuana sells at P18 to P300 per gram, depending on the area of transaction and the quality of the drug sold. John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

FOUR Chinese nationals were arrested and their “ floating shabu laboratory ship” was seized by government agents Monday night off Calapandayan village in Subic, Zambales, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

He made the statement even as the Justice Department on Tuesday filed criminal charges against the three Taiwanese nationals arrested in separate raids on July 5 in which authorities seized P1.5 billion worth of high grade shabu and raw materials used for its manufacture.

Morente said the details on the arrested aliens were based on the official report submitted to him by Richard Emerson Chua, alien control officer of the Olongapo Field Office.

“Isa sa kanila ang kapitan ng barko. Base sa passport nila, dumating sila pitong araw na sa Pilipinas lahat sakay ng Cathay Pacific mula Hong Kong,” Chua told ABS-CBN. “Tatlo sa apat ang first timer, samantalang iyung isa, in and out sa Pilipinas.”

Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa rushed to Zambales to inspect the shabu laboratory and to interview the suspects.

“Sa loob lang ng dalawang araw, nakakagawa na ng shabu. Ibabagsak sa dagat, may pi-pick-up na Pinoy sa mga lugar,” Dela Rosa said.

“Route possibly Ilocos to Cagayan and Ilocos to Pangasinan from Subic.”

Chua said he received a call at around 8:15 p.m. from an intelligence official from the Bureau of Customs requesting assistance to look into the documents of the four arrested Chinese-looking suspects.

Also with the operating team were agents from the PNP Anti-Illegal Drug Group led by Senior Superintendent Bert Fero and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

“After the operatives did a quick search of the vessel, they found what seemed to be a cooking area of some sort which they believed was used to cook metamphetamine [hydrochloride],” Chua said.

“As they [operatives] were going through the personal belongings of the four in front of the camera, a bag of shabu was found in one of the bags to our surprise.” Florante S. Solmerin, Francisco Tuyay and Rey E. Requejo

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Battle vs red tape begins

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon Araneta MALACAÑANG said some government agencies, particularly the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Finance, have begun to implement measures meant to cut red tape and improve the delivery of services to the public.

Plenary meet. Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto (center) and Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle (right) greet Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal after the opening Mass of the 113th Plenary Assembly of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines over the weekend. CBCP PHOTO

Duterte to go after illegal gambling too

By John Paolo Bencito THE Duterte administration’s campaign against crime and corruption is not limited to narcotics use and trade, but also includes other crimes, including illegal gambling, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Tuesday.

“It’s part of the priorities of the President because his top priorities [are] drugs, crime, and corruption. It’s included,” Abella said in response to the appeal of retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz that President Rodrigo Duterte also pay attention to illegal gambling.

Abella noted that Duterte had

previously expressed his disapproval of gambling and directed that the revenue of state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the country’s principal gambling regulator, be used for public health care needs.

Duterte also ordered Pagcor chairperson Andrea Domingo to cancel “soon” the licenses granted to online casinos because of its detrimental effect on people.

“In Davao City, they’re at it but I stopped it in time. It’s not good that people know nothing but gambling...

And there is no way to collect taxes,” Duterte had said earlier.

Cruz, for his part, said he was

grateful at Duterte’s disapproval of gambling but insisted that gambling is morally wrong and giving gambling revenues to worthy charitable causes does not make it morally right.

“Gambling is gambling and don’t tell me that these gamblers are saints and holy,” Cruz said in a recent radio interview. “It’s so hard to accept that gambling will be used to help the poor. The end does not justify the means.”

After the Philippines got involved in the cyber-heist of some $81 million from the Bangladeshi central bank, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines issued a pastoral statement on how gambling

corrodes moral values.

“Gambling’s malice consists in the desire of the gambler to profit, if possible immensely and quickly, without making any corresponding contribution to society in terms of industry, investment and the creation of jobopportunities,” the CBCP said.

“Gambling also runs counter to the providence by which every person ought to provide diligently and prudently for himself and for his family, for it leaves to the flipping of dice, the spinning of wheels or the fortuity of cards what can and must be earned through diligence, creativity, application and toil,” the pastoral statement read.

Better traffic in 100 days John Paolo Bencito COMMUTERS should see changes in Metro Manila’s traffic situation within the next 100 days, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

“Secretary [Arthur] Tugade made a presentation and they have a menu of changes which could very positively impact the rate of flow of traffic soon, very soon,” said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

“Within the next 100 days, you should be feeling something, there should be results,” he added.

“There are certain proposals—being able to purchase tickets not just from on-site but from other sources.

Also proposing nicer and better waiting rooms,” Abella said, referring to the metropolis’ train system.

The Transportation department is also eyeing technical adjustments to increase the number of passengers and trips,” said Abella.

Tugade has also expressed his intention to reduce airport congestion and the installation of Wi-Fi routers at sea ports and the creation of a printing office for driver’s licenses and vehicle plates.

Tugade is also eyeing the procurement of cable cars and double-decker buses, the continuation of the bus rapid transit program and the modern- Deliver us from lead. Children hold up EcoWaste Coalition posters of its ization of the rail system, Abella said. campaign to rid the country of lead-laden products like paint. MANNY PALMERO

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the matter was discussed during the Cabinet meeting last Monday and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, who used to head a private institute for entrepreneurship, has committed to cut business registration processes to three days.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, on the other hand, appointed an “anti-red tape czar” at the DoF to oversee efforts to hasten transactions in the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the Bureau of Customs.

Dominguez appointed one of the most respected career officials in the DoF, Finance Undersecretary Gil S. Beltran, as the department’s “anti-red tape czar.”

“His role will be to dramatically reduce the number of steps and documentary requirements in transacting business with the DoF and all attached bureaus,” Dominguez said in a statement.

“This will include paying taxes, getting tax refunds, acquiring tax exemption certificates, getting imports released, shipping out exports, registering a business and getting appointments with public officials,” he added.

Prior to his new appointment, Beltran was the DoF’s chief economist with extensive experience in the country’s dealings with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Last year, the World Bank ranked the Philippines a low 95th among 189 economies in the field of overall ease of doing business.

Reelected Senator Ralph Recto lauded Beltran’s appointment and suggested that the move be imitated by other government agencies.

“The first thing that this official should do is conduct an inventory of rules and then install benchmarks to be followed,” Recto said, urging the adoption of a “singular national timetable” for all government transactions.

“The speed by which a business permit will come out in the NCR should be the same in Mindanao,” Recto said.

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‘No pork in budget menu’

By Maricel V. Cruz

INCOMING Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has said there will be no ‘unlimited’ congressional entitlements for each lawmaker under the soon to be proposed P3.3- billion national budget for 2017.

“It cannot be unlimited due to the number of congressmen,” Alvarez told a radio interview.

“One cannot have a bigger budget than the other,” Alvarez said as he confirmed that the allocation for each lawmaker would be P80 million.

But Alvarez maintained there is “no pork” under his leadership.

“I never said that members of the House of Representatives ‘will be entitled to their usual district allocations.’ The Supreme Court has already ruled against such lump sum allocations,” Alvarez said.

“What I said was that congressmen will be allowed to propose projects needed in their districts so they can be included in the line budgeting of the General Appropriations Act [GAA],” Alvarez, representative of Davao del Norte, said.

Alvarez said the function of identifying priority projects is inherent in members of the House of Representatives because “the people go directly to us to tell us what projects are badly needed by their communities.”

“This is the reason why the framers of our Constitution made sure that budget-setting starts at the House,” he said. “We congressmen are at ground zero, so to speak.”

Alvarez also reiterated that the budget for the projects approved for inclusion in the General Appropriations Act would be given to the agencies of the government that will implement them.

“The Duterte administration has a strong anti-corruption program. Woe to the lawmaker who will propose a project with the end-in-view of making money out of it in the manner it was done in the past through under-the-table commissions from implementors,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said that the misimpression may have arisen from the P80 million cap that had been proposed for each legislative district per year, divided between infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, school buildings; and non-infra expenditures like medicines.

“Putting a cap on project costs is realistic because public funds are limited and thus must be used judiciously. We want bang for the buck to get the most benefit for our people,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez also declared “corruption has no place under this administration.”

“We in government cannot take or even consider a single centavo of taxpayers’ money as our due,” Alvarez said.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno will submit to Congress the proposed P3.3-trillion national budget for 2017 on August 15.

Protest. An activist wearing a hat representing a half-submerged Philippine Navy boat ‘Sierra Madre,’ poses with protesters during a protest rally in front of the Chinese consulate in Manila on July 12, 2016, ahead of a UN tribunal ruling on the legality of China’s claims to an area of the South China sea contested by the Philippines. The tribunal decided in favor of the Philippines. DANNY PATA

Comelec told to explain SOCE ruling Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has required the Commission on Elections to comment on the petition questioning its decision to extend the deadline for the filing of the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures by candidates and their parties in the May 9 elections.

During its en banc session on Tuesday, the SC gave the Comelec 10 days to submit their comment to the petition filed by the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDPLaban), the political party of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The Court directed respondents to comment within 10 days on the petition for certiorari dated July 5, 2016 challenging Comelec

Resolution No. 10147 dated June 23, 2016,” SC spokesperson Theodore Te said, in a media briefing.

PDP-Laban’s petition challenges the legality of Comelec Resolution No. 10147 issued on June 23, 2016, which extended the deadline for the filing of SOCE until June 30.

The Comelec earlier set deadline for the filing of SOCEs on June 8.

However, the deadline was extended upon the request of the Liberal Party which cited as reasons “the confusion brought by the stringent new requirements for its submission and the voluminous documents that will be attached to the SOCE filing of LP and its presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas.

The poll body also flaunted the possibility

of Vice President-elect Leni Robredo as well as several senators and local winning candidates not being able to assume their posts as the reason for extending the deadline for the filing of the SOCE. The Comelec explained that refusal to allow winning candidates from assuming the posts they were voted for due to the failure to file SOCE is in effect disenfranchising millions of voters.

In its petition, the PDP-Laban through its Secretary-General, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez argued that Comelec Resolution No. 10147 should be set aside as it violates the provision of Section 14 of Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized Local and National Elections and Electoral Reforms Act.

High court upholds grant of bail to Enrile Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has sustained its August 2015 decision allowing former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile to post bail.

Voting 7-6-1, the SC dismissed the appeal filed by the Office of the Ombudsman for lack of merit.

The tribunal stressed that there was no preferential treatment given to Enrile for being a sitting senator, but the grant of bail was due to his health condition.

“The imputation of ‘preferential treatment’ in ‘undue favor’ of the petitioner [Enrile] is absolutely bereft of basis,” SC’s spokesperson

Theodore Te told reporters.

Aside from the fact that Enrile is not a flight risk, the high court reiterated that it also took into consideration Enrile’s advance age, poor health as well as his past and present disposition of respect for the legal process, length of public service and private reputation.

“There was really no reasonable way for the Court to deny bail to him simply because his situation of being 92 years of age when he was first charged for the very serious crime in court was quite unique and very rare,” the SC said.

“To ignore his advanced age and unstable health condition in order to deny his right to bail on the basis alone of the judicial discre-

tion to deny bail would be probably unjust,” it added.

The seven justices who voted to deny the government’s appeal are Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin, Presbitero Velasco, Teresita Leonardo De Castro, Arturo Brio, Jose Perez and Bienvenido Reyes.

The six dissenting justices are Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justices Marvic Leonen, Mariano Del Castillo, Estela Perlas Bernabe and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza took no part on the proceedings while Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza is on leave.

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20 cops test positive for shabu

By Francisco Tuyay

LABORATORY results confirmed the presence of illegal substances in the bodies of 20 policemen who took the random drug tests last week under the Philippine National Police’s six-month internal cleansing process.

Of the 20 policemen, nine came from Mindanao, the region with the highest number tested confirmed for illegal drugs, followed by Visayas with six, and

five others assigned in different posts in Luzon.

Chief Supt. Emmanuel Aranas, chief of the PNP Crime Laboratory, said the policemen tested

positive for shabu.

Aranas said 16 other policemen are undergoing confirmatory tests and added that the probability of clearing them was nil, since the 20 policemen who tested positive already failed the initial test of urine samples. He, however, did not discount the possibility that some maintenance medicines may have shown up in the confirmatory test.

The confirmatory test for the 20 cops were conducted after 22,770 PNP personnel were subjected to

random and surprise drug tests across the country to weed out scalawags in the organization.

Chief PNP Ronald dela Rosa voluntarily submitted to a drug test shortly after the second command conference in Camp Crame barely two days upon his assumption to office.

President Rodrigo Duterte has linked three active police generals and two former police officials to the drug trade but the accused vehemently denied the allegations.

Last week, at least 100 policemen assigned in Bulacan and Pampanga were implicated in illegal drug operations in the region and a profiling has been carried out preparatory to the filling of charges against them.

The PNP has withheld the identities of the 100 rogue cops, considered the largest number of policemen involved in illegal activities.

The PNP continues to test its 160,000 uniformed police force and civilian personnel for drugs.

Customs resets focus on easing transactions THE Bureau of Customs will give top priority to trade facilitation rather than revenue collections, which has not been reaching its targets for the past years.

Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon said that he would focus on simplifying and harmonizing trade procedures including import and export procedures to get rid of corruption that beset the agency.

Faeldon is also proposing to cut the period of processing claims for shipments from five hours to five days by eliminating the duplication of permits as a requirement, and lessen the number of signatories on documents.

He said he wants records of the bureau to be made transparent to the public and the media.

Revenue collections for May 2016 fell short anew, amounting to only P22 billion, or short by almost P8 billion from its assigned collection goal of P30 billion.

However, the new customs chief said that instead of setting collection targets based on the percentage of the gross domestic product, there will be performance indicators that “should contain grading on ease of doing business and facility of trade.”

Easing traffic.

Transportation officials and bus operators discuss ways to decongest traffic in Metro Manila. From left (top panel): Undersecretary Anneli R. Lontoc, LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III and LTO Chief Edgardo B. Galvante.

MANNY PALMERO

Honorees at UP Beta Sigma 70th anniversary

Makati awards 26th centenarian-resident

By Joel E. Zurbano THE city government of Makati on Monday awarded P100,000 cash gift and a plaque of recognition to the city’s 26th centenarian resident in a simple ceremony held at city hall.

Mayor Abby Binay said Maria Silva Carpio, 100 years old from Barangay Bangkal, was found to be qualified for the award through the joint efforts of the Makati Social Welfare Department and

Normally, the inter-agency policy-making body Development Budget Coordination Committee assigns monthly and annual revenue collection targets for BoC. The customs agency, however, has not been reaching its targets for the past years.

Meanwhile, duties and tax information can now be easily access by its customers through the use of mobile application to assist balikbayan, overseas Filipino workers and the public, the customs said.

“The user-friendly application is designed to estimate the amount of customs duties and taxes of commonly sent items based on the declared value provided by the application user.

It also answers the public’s frequently asked questions on balikbayan box, parcels and other related matters,” the BoC said.

Customs encourages the public, not just balikbayan and OFWs, to download and try this mobile application so they would know the basics in importation and payment of duties and taxes.

The Balikbayan Tax Calculator provides the app user a readily available means to get the estimate customs tax and duties of the articles or items they wish to bring in or send to the Philippines. Vito Barcelo

Office of Senior Citizens Affairs. Her son Gonzalo Carpio received the award on her behalf.

“It is such an honor to give due respect and recognition to the people who have stood as pillars of society,” Binay said.

Carpio was born in Tanauan, Batangas on Oct. 22, 1915 and was married to the late Silvestre Carpio.

The couple was blessed with four children who are now professionals.

She helped her husband

put up and manage their textile business during her younger years. It has become a family business now being managed by her children. She has been bedridden for some time now.

Makati is the first local government to extend cash gifts to centenarians. The first batch of centenarians awarded in January 2013, during the administration of Binay’s brother former mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, consisted of nine with only one

male among them. Four were honored posthumously.

In 2014, there were also nine recipients of the award.

During the same year, the awarding has been done quarterly upon the recommendation of MSWD to increase the chances of recipients being able to attend the ceremony themselves.

Last year, there were four recipients of the award, all female. For the first quarter of 2016, three lady centenarians received the cash gift.

NATIONAL Scientist Dr. Teodulo Topacio Jr. and former University of the Philippines president Jose Abueva will lead outstanding alumni who will be honored as the UP Beta Sigma Fraternity celebrates its 70th founding anniversary with a Grand Fraternity Ball on Saturday, July 16, 6 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

Dr. Topacio will be given the “Order of the Supreme Grand Princep” Award while Abueva will receive the “Distinguished Service” awards, along with former UnionBank president Vic Valdepeñas, performing artist Wilfredo “Willie” Nepomuceno and agriculturists Onofre “Grine” Grino and Jose Cruz.

To be given posthumous awards are the late Agrarian Reform secretary Horacio “Boy” Morales and Air Force Col. Antonio Bautista, the legendary squadron leader who was killed while providing support to beleaguered troops in Parang, Jolo in 1974.

Martial artists Jose “Jopet” Laraya and Noli Nolasco will receive the Johnny Chiuten Memorial Award.

Former Environment and Natural Resources secretary Victor O. Ramos will be the keynote speaker during the event.

The UP Beta Sigma Fraternity is considered as the first post-war university fraternity in the Philippines and one of the largest fraternities in the country in terms of the number of established university based and alumni chapters. Its name represents their core ideals of scholastic excellence, taken from the Greek letters Beta and Sigma, which stands for “Brotherhood of Scholars.”

w e d n e s d ay : j u ly 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

A7

news

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Rice diseases prevalent in rainy season

By Ferdie G. Domingo

Rehabilitation facilities. Philippine National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa and Police Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino inspect the beds in Bahay Pagasa, a rehabilitation center for drug users in Region 3. MANNY PALMERO

Police eye abandoned Subic, Clark buildings as rehab sites

By Romeo E. Dizon

Camp Olivas, pampanga—police authorities in Central luzon are eyeing abandoned buildings in former military bases subic and Clark to house illegal drug dependents in the region, which has now ballooned to 12,000.

Subic and Clark, both freeport zones, have such buildings which can be converted into temporary rehabilitation centers for the drug dependents. Both former naval and air force bases are under the

control of Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

The idea surfaced as seven provincial police directors of Central Luzon were ordered to produce rehabilitation centers within

months for drug users who have surrendered to authorities.

The figure is expected to swell to 50,000 in the coming days.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, regional director of the PRO 3 in Central Luzon, said that the rehabilitation need only to be habitable for the dependents.

For instance, Bahay Pagasa in Lamao, Bataan is an old building that has been converted into a rehabilitation center to house the 700 drug dependents.

Aquino said he was surprised

because only 8,000 dependents including 600 pushers were in the watchlist of the command.

The figure has grown to 12,000 as of July 10.

Under the signed undertaking between the police stations and barangay captains, the dependents must report three times with police in their areas and promise to help in the eradication of illegal drugs campaign of the government. They will also be given counseling to complete their rehabilitation process.

SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija—The Philippine Rice Research Institute has warned local farmers against the presence of pests and other diseases in rice which are more prevalent during the rainy season.

Dr. Jennifer Niones, chief of the PhilRice’s crop protection division, said tungro, bacterial leaf blight (BLB) and fungal diseases such as rice blast and sheath blight are among the major rice diseases that could plague farmlands.

Niones said rice diseases are more prevalent during the rainy season as weather conditions are more conducive to disease development and severity.

She urged farmers to choose pests- and diseases-resistant modern varieties such as PSB Rc10, Rc242 and Rc 216.

“Actually, there are many modern varieties resistant to pests and diseases but these three stand out,” she said, adding early detection is the best way to prevent spread of rice diseases.

She explained that PSB Rc10 is resistant to rice blast, Rc242 against BLB and Rc 216 against green leafhopper.

“Choosing the right variety to plant that is high-yielding and adaptable to the local environment is crucial. Farmers must select varieties resistant to the diseases that previously attacked their farm,” she said.

Niones added that farmers should ensure that lands are well-prepared before they plant on it as pathogens and other bacterial cells can thrive on undecomposed rice stubbles and straw.

The modified dapog method is also recommended to fasttrack seeding preparation and minimize transplanting shock.

Davao City’s Kadayawan to raise indigents’ issues

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

Sunday afternoon. Las Casa Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan showcases sculptures, noble-class mansions and cobblestone streets of a bygone era. SONNY ESPIRITU

DAVAO CITY—This year’s Kadayawan Festival, which will be held Aug. 19 to 22, aims to show the issues concerning the lumad and the Muslims in the city, said Acting Mayor Paolo Duterte.

Duterte said that this year’s annual festival of the city will be simpler than the previous years’.

“We want Davaoeños to concentrate more on the issues concerning our lumad and our Muslim brothers and sisters,” the vice mayor said.

He said that this year’s 31st Kadayawan Festival would show the importance of lumad in the community, the development of the

city and that the government is alarmed with the issues that they are facing right now. The event will also showcase the lumad culture, according to Duterte.

On Monday, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 1 series of 2016 for the formation of the executive committee that will handle this year’s Kadayawan Festival.

The younger Duterte said that since the new President in the country is from the city, he expects that there will be an increase of local and foreign tourists during the festival.

The Kadayawan is an annual event in the city that aims to celebrate life, the gift of nature, the bounty of harvest and peace.

W E D N E S D AY: J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

DOMINGUEZ TO CUT POVERTY RATE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

RESTORING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE ONE of the most infuriating aspects of the Aquino administration was its inability to provide timely services to the transacting public. These were services that we had previously taken for granted, until President Benigno Aquino III and his cronies put their own inimitable stamp of incompetence and corruption on the government bureaucracy.

The poster child of this incompetence and corruption was the Land Transportation Office, an agency under what used to be called the Department of Transportation and Communication. The department has since been reorganized as the Department of Transportation, but the mess left by the Aquino administration in the LTO remains.

Trouble began almost immediately with the appointment of Mr. Aquino’s shooting buddy, Virginia Torres, to the top post in 2010. As LTO chief, Torres quickly became embroiled in an ugly ownership dispute over the agency’s private technology provider, Stradcom Corp., which disrupted the issuance of drivers’ licenses. Suddenly, the renewal of drivers’ licenses—a process that used to take a little over an hour—involved a months-long waiting period. After a scandal in which Torres was seen on a video playing the slots at a casino, the LTO chief was allowed to retire in 2013, leaving the driver’s license mess to her successor, Alfonso Tan Jr. Taking a leaf from his predecessor, Tan approved an anomalous P3.8-billion deal with a Dutch-Filipino consortium to replace all existing car plates with imported ones. When the Commission on Audit disallowed the deal in 2015, millions of car owners who had already paid for their replacement license plates were told they wouldn’t get them any time soon. Nor, they were told, would they be given refunds for the license plates they never received. By the time Tan was replaced by Roberto Cabrera in January this year, the new LTO chief estimated that the agency’s backlog of license plates had reached almost four million.

In his inaugural address, President Rodrigo Duterte declared that the country’s biggest problem was not crime or corruption, but the people’s loss of confidence in their own government.

At the same time, he ordered his Cabinet secretaries and heads of agencies to immediately cut red tape in their respective departments and to make no changes to government contracts that have already been approved.

Duterte said these policies needed to be set straight immediately.

The President’s assessment and his order seem particularly relevant to the LTO, which has made life more difficult for motorists and car owners alike in the last six years. Any moves to restore public confidence in the government clearly ought to begin here.

WHAT NOW?

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO THE Philippines won its case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in a ruling handed down on Tuesday. What now?

The same question need not be asked of the Chinese who at the outset did not participate in The Hague hearing. China has made known it would and made known it’s going to ignore the court’s decision.

Manila, on the other hand, is in a bind. Although it won its case, filed in 2013, challenging China’s claim to 90 percent of the South China Sea, it cannot count on the court’s decision to be enforced. The Hague court is a United Nations agency.

Both China and the Philippines are signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The landmark Hague ruling in essence rejects the Chinese claim of a ninedash line that violates the 200mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. The nearest Chinese coastline in Hainan is at least 900 miles away.

China’s f lexing of its military muscle has been carrying out air and sea drills in the disputed area in the Spratlys ahead of The Hague decision.

Earlier, China reclaimed land from the sea and converted the shoals, rocks and reefs into military installations to assert its sweeping nine-dash line that even included the West Philippine Sea. The Chinese encroachment has deprived Filipino fishermen living in the coastlines. This is arrogance of power, a dangerous and provocative act that could spark an armed confrontation with the United States which

A9

The ruling is a loss of face for the Chinese, even if it defiantly says it will not abide by it.

has remained a Pacific power although the US is not a signatory to Unclos.

The US has been steadfast in its stand to maintain the free and unimpeded sea lanes in the strategic waters where trillions of dollars in commercial cargo are carried by international vessels. The rich marine resources under the seabed include oil, natural gas and minerals, not to mention the vast fishing ground for the people in the region. Filipino fishermen have been deprived of their livelihood when Chinese gunboats drive them away from fishing ground near Bajo de Masincloc off Zambales since China seized Scarborough Shoal known as

Panatag among the locals.

The Duterte administration has made known it’s willing to share the vast fishing grounds with the Chinese and that it’s open to joint exploration of the potential oil and gas resources in the West Philippine Sea off Palawan.

Will Beijing accept this appeasement offer of Manila? The consequences of a hardline Chinese policy can be a scary scenario not only to the peace and stability of Asia-Pacific region but also to the whole world which relies on commercial cargo passing

through the vital waterways of the South China Sea. More importantly, will the US allow a rising China to be more dominant than it already is in the region?

The UN and the The Hague court have no power to enforce the court ruling. The US, with its vast sea power and aircraft carriers, are plying the South China Sea and its warships sailing close by the man-made islands where China built air strips and docking berths for its warships.

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.

The Standard Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 8325556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.thestandard.com.ph; E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

ONLINE

can be accessed at: thestandard.com.ph

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

read a statement at 5 p.m. at the DFA briefing room calling for restraint among the nations in the area. It was a statement that did not say much. The Continued on A11

LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES Mr. Robles’ column will resume tomorrow.

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

PRESIDENT Duterte’s top economic manager is Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” G. Dominguez III, 71. The leader of the government’s economic team has “invest, invest, invest” for his mantra.

The government will invest heavily in three areas—in infrastructure, in education, and in health. They constitute among the elements that are the true measure of wealth of a nation.

The vast government investments in turn must be matched by the private sector because when human and infrastructure capital improves, business improves and doing business becomes easier.

According to the World Bank, a nation’s wealth consists of natural resources or natural capital (usually 20 percent of wealth), human and institutional capital (also called intangible capital), and produced capital (infra, or machinery, structures and equipment).

The Philippines is obviously a rich country because it is rich in natural resources. Duterte doesn’t want to deplete those resources in consideration of future generations of Filipinos. That is why he named an environmental activist, Gina Lopez of the powerful Lopez oligarchy (broadcast and energy), as secretary of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources.

Mining, thus, will take a backseat under Duterte.

The focus then is on people (human capital) and on infra (produced capital).

The Philippines failed to meet its global commitment to halve its poverty, from 34 percent in 1990 to 17 percent by 2015. Last year, poverty was 26 percent.

All other countries of Asia, and in fact, nearly the rest of the world achieved the cut poverty by half target.

Accordingly, the Duterte administration will invest heavily in infra. And in education. Budget Secretary Ben Diokno talks about infra budget of as high as P1 trillion, 30 percent of an expected 2017 budget of P3.35 trillion and almost seven percent of a P15-trillion GDP. A P1-trillion infra budget will exceed current spending for education, P436 billion. Under the Constitution, education must receive the highest budgetary priority. So some of the proposed P1trillion infra spending will be disguised as education spending so as not to violate the Constitution. Currently, school building is counted as infra, not education spending.

Continued on A11 Publisher Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

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

W E D N E S D AY: J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

A8

OPINION

ADELLE CHUA EDITOR

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

OPINION

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

DOMINGUEZ TO CUT POVERTY RATE

[ EDI TORI A L ]

RESTORING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE ONE of the most infuriating aspects of the Aquino administration was its inability to provide timely services to the transacting public. These were services that we had previously taken for granted, until President Benigno Aquino III and his cronies put their own inimitable stamp of incompetence and corruption on the government bureaucracy.

The poster child of this incompetence and corruption was the Land Transportation Office, an agency under what used to be called the Department of Transportation and Communication. The department has since been reorganized as the Department of Transportation, but the mess left by the Aquino administration in the LTO remains.

Trouble began almost immediately with the appointment of Mr. Aquino’s shooting buddy, Virginia Torres, to the top post in 2010. As LTO chief, Torres quickly became embroiled in an ugly ownership dispute over the agency’s private technology provider, Stradcom Corp., which disrupted the issuance of drivers’ licenses. Suddenly, the renewal of drivers’ licenses—a process that used to take a little over an hour—involved a months-long waiting period. After a scandal in which Torres was seen on a video playing the slots at a casino, the LTO chief was allowed to retire in 2013, leaving the driver’s license mess to her successor, Alfonso Tan Jr. Taking a leaf from his predecessor, Tan approved an anomalous P3.8-billion deal with a Dutch-Filipino consortium to replace all existing car plates with imported ones. When the Commission on Audit disallowed the deal in 2015, millions of car owners who had already paid for their replacement license plates were told they wouldn’t get them any time soon. Nor, they were told, would they be given refunds for the license plates they never received. By the time Tan was replaced by Roberto Cabrera in January this year, the new LTO chief estimated that the agency’s backlog of license plates had reached almost four million.

In his inaugural address, President Rodrigo Duterte declared that the country’s biggest problem was not crime or corruption, but the people’s loss of confidence in their own government.

At the same time, he ordered his Cabinet secretaries and heads of agencies to immediately cut red tape in their respective departments and to make no changes to government contracts that have already been approved.

Duterte said these policies needed to be set straight immediately.

The President’s assessment and his order seem particularly relevant to the LTO, which has made life more difficult for motorists and car owners alike in the last six years. Any moves to restore public confidence in the government clearly ought to begin here.

WHAT NOW?

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO THE Philippines won its case against China before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in a ruling handed down on Tuesday. What now?

The same question need not be asked of the Chinese who at the outset did not participate in The Hague hearing. China has made known it would and made known it’s going to ignore the court’s decision.

Manila, on the other hand, is in a bind. Although it won its case, filed in 2013, challenging China’s claim to 90 percent of the South China Sea, it cannot count on the court’s decision to be enforced. The Hague court is a United Nations agency.

Both China and the Philippines are signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The landmark Hague ruling in essence rejects the Chinese claim of a ninedash line that violates the 200mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines. The nearest Chinese coastline in Hainan is at least 900 miles away.

China’s f lexing of its military muscle has been carrying out air and sea drills in the disputed area in the Spratlys ahead of The Hague decision.

Earlier, China reclaimed land from the sea and converted the shoals, rocks and reefs into military installations to assert its sweeping nine-dash line that even included the West Philippine Sea. The Chinese encroachment has deprived Filipino fishermen living in the coastlines. This is arrogance of power, a dangerous and provocative act that could spark an armed confrontation with the United States which

A9

The ruling is a loss of face for the Chinese, even if it defiantly says it will not abide by it.

has remained a Pacific power although the US is not a signatory to Unclos.

The US has been steadfast in its stand to maintain the free and unimpeded sea lanes in the strategic waters where trillions of dollars in commercial cargo are carried by international vessels. The rich marine resources under the seabed include oil, natural gas and minerals, not to mention the vast fishing ground for the people in the region. Filipino fishermen have been deprived of their livelihood when Chinese gunboats drive them away from fishing ground near Bajo de Masincloc off Zambales since China seized Scarborough Shoal known as

Panatag among the locals.

The Duterte administration has made known it’s willing to share the vast fishing grounds with the Chinese and that it’s open to joint exploration of the potential oil and gas resources in the West Philippine Sea off Palawan.

Will Beijing accept this appeasement offer of Manila? The consequences of a hardline Chinese policy can be a scary scenario not only to the peace and stability of Asia-Pacific region but also to the whole world which relies on commercial cargo passing

through the vital waterways of the South China Sea. More importantly, will the US allow a rising China to be more dominant than it already is in the region?

The UN and the The Hague court have no power to enforce the court ruling. The US, with its vast sea power and aircraft carriers, are plying the South China Sea and its warships sailing close by the man-made islands where China built air strips and docking berths for its warships.

Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr.

The Standard Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 8325556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial), 832-5546, (Advertising), 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.thestandard.com.ph; E-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

ONLINE

can be accessed at: thestandard.com.ph

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

read a statement at 5 p.m. at the DFA briefing room calling for restraint among the nations in the area. It was a statement that did not say much. The Continued on A11

LOWDOWN JOJO A. ROBLES Mr. Robles’ column will resume tomorrow.

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

PRESIDENT Duterte’s top economic manager is Finance Secretary Carlos “Sonny” G. Dominguez III, 71. The leader of the government’s economic team has “invest, invest, invest” for his mantra.

The government will invest heavily in three areas—in infrastructure, in education, and in health. They constitute among the elements that are the true measure of wealth of a nation.

The vast government investments in turn must be matched by the private sector because when human and infrastructure capital improves, business improves and doing business becomes easier.

According to the World Bank, a nation’s wealth consists of natural resources or natural capital (usually 20 percent of wealth), human and institutional capital (also called intangible capital), and produced capital (infra, or machinery, structures and equipment).

The Philippines is obviously a rich country because it is rich in natural resources. Duterte doesn’t want to deplete those resources in consideration of future generations of Filipinos. That is why he named an environmental activist, Gina Lopez of the powerful Lopez oligarchy (broadcast and energy), as secretary of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources.

Mining, thus, will take a backseat under Duterte.

The focus then is on people (human capital) and on infra (produced capital).

The Philippines failed to meet its global commitment to halve its poverty, from 34 percent in 1990 to 17 percent by 2015. Last year, poverty was 26 percent.

All other countries of Asia, and in fact, nearly the rest of the world achieved the cut poverty by half target.

Accordingly, the Duterte administration will invest heavily in infra. And in education. Budget Secretary Ben Diokno talks about infra budget of as high as P1 trillion, 30 percent of an expected 2017 budget of P3.35 trillion and almost seven percent of a P15-trillion GDP. A P1-trillion infra budget will exceed current spending for education, P436 billion. Under the Constitution, education must receive the highest budgetary priority. So some of the proposed P1trillion infra spending will be disguised as education spending so as not to violate the Constitution. Currently, school building is counted as infra, not education spending.

Continued on A11 Publisher Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

Emil P. Jurado Chairman Emeritus, Editiorial Board

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

W E D N E S D AY: J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

A10

OPINION

lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

DUTERTE, SENATE ON COLLISION COURSE TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO THE Senate and the Executive department are on a collision course over the spate of killings and vigilanteism, given President Rodrigo Duterte’s vow to end criminality, illegal drugs and corruption in three to six months.

Senator Leila de Lima has asked for a Senate investigation into the killings; this has been supported by Senate President Frank Drilon and the others. Meanwhile, SolicitorGeneral Jose Calida has vowed that his office would defend the police to the limit. Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo labeled the Senate probe as “baseless” and “in aid of media mileage.”

But the spate of killings of suspected drug dealers has become a cause for concern. The police and other law enforcement agencies have already killed more than 500, according to research records. According to the police, however, the number is 103.

That there have been many killed in alleged shootouts is alarming because it indicates that the police may have resorted to extra-judicial killings and other forms of violence. The rights of the pushers have been violated.

Since we still live in a democratic space, every man or woman has rights under the law. Yes, even if he or she is a suspected drug pusher.

By simply looking at photos and video clips of those killed, it is quite obvious that the President’s campaign against illegal drugs is directed only against the poor. Why is this happening?

Drug lords don’t live in shanties. They are either outside the country or incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prison.

We still have to see the police and other law enforcement agencies, like the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, going after movie stars and other celebrities. It’s an open secret that those who

frequent private clubs and discos in Metro Manila and other urban centers are also in the drug trade.

Obviously, the police, NBI and PDEA are hesitant to touch these big names. Is this not selective justice under the Duterte administration, reminiscent of BS Aquino’s regime?

People around the President, whether they like it or not, must realize that the Senate is mandated to fiscalize the executive branch of government. That’s the justification of its mandate to investigate “in aid of legislation.” What legislation, they ask. That will depend

I wonder how will the investigation into the killings progress.

on what violation the police, NBI and PDEA have committed.

The President and the people around him have to understand that the end cannot ever justify the means.

Mr. Duterte may have won the presidency on his promise to eliminate criminality, illegal drugs and corruption. This vow, however, does not justify illegal and unconstitutional means to attain them. Duterte is a lawyer; I am sure he knows it.

This is why I doubt whether Mr. Duterte can really deliver on his promise, unless he declares martial law or a revolutionary government. He will ride the tiger, from which he will never dismount lest it devour him.

The President should remember that those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it. *** Is it true as reported that BS Aquino knew about the existence of the 23 local executives coddling or conniving with

PREGNANCY BLUES

By Cesar Barrioquinto 30 May 2016 ME: SO you’re going to Hong Kong?

She: Yeah, but not till early July.

Me: Take care.

She: Will still have my Ph SIM on me so I can receive texts from here.

Me: That’s good.

She: I’ll be living next door to my folks. Told them under no circumstances will I live with them, will likely end up killing them or myself.

Me: It’s that bad?

She: Hate-hate relationship.

Never heard from my dad, even after I told (well, messaged) him about the pregnancy.

She: Mom is mentally ill but she doesn’t know that.

Me: I don’t know what to say.

She: Dad is a god nut.

Me: ?!

She: He turned to god cos of my mom. It’s a pity. We had a good relationship once upon a time, then he forgot about the family. Used ‘religion’ as an excuse to forget about us, his family. He could never stand up to my mom, so using god was perfect. But really, he’s just a coward.

Me: These are things you can’t change, so be strong.

She: Goes to mass every morning, and on Sundays I think he’s in church half the day.

Me: That also counts as mental illness.

She: Yeah. I don’t care. Didn’t greet him on his birthday last month, ha ha.

She: Religion is the opium of the masses, as they say.

Me: Karl Marx said that, I think.

She: Yeah, I think so, too.

01 June Me: Where will you be staying drug lords and dealers?

The same list is now in the hands of President Duterte.

If indeed, BS Aquino knew all along that there are local executives in cahoots with drug lords, then in effect, he cannot be faultless in the pervasiveness of the drug menace.

Obviously, BS Aquino did not go after the 23 local executives. In his mind, the May 9 presidential and senatorial elections were more important.

But for a President to act on available information such as this is not just dereliction of duty. It could be interpreted as conniving with the perpetrators of the drug trade. BS Aquino is accountable for what he

EVERYMAN in Hong Kong?

02 June She: In Mong Kok. Where the rent is cheap.

Me: You can deliver your baby here, you know.

She: I have no health insurance [here], no money. Too risky to deliver at Fabella. I’m high risk as it is cos of my age.

Me: You don’t have to spend in Hong Kong?

She: No. Free health care for residents.

She: As a HK resident, at least I give her the best chance of entering this world safely. Public hospitals have the highest standards, higher than the private hospitals there. I owe her that.

Me: Okay.

She: Will apply for her passport once she pops out.

She: So assuming she arrives mid-September, as scheduled, I should be back mid-October.

Sigh. Such a long time.

Me: Okay.

06 June Me: Your boyfriend going with you?

She: Only to visit. He can only stay 2 weeks max each time. We go there together, he returns for the birth. Then we all go back to Manila once the baby gets her passport.

Me: Okay.

Me: I wonder what Lan Kwai Fong looks like these days.

Me: That was where I got stewed after knocking off from work at midnight. With frigid apple schnapps and ice-cold German beer from the beerpulls.

26 June Me: I’ll bet you’re ready to leave.

She: Not even close.

Me: What’s the problem?

She: Heaps to do. Checkups

allowed to happen. These days, he is no longer immune from suit.

If the five police generals publicly named by President Duterte as protectors of drug syndicates can be made responsible for their involvement, so should BS Aquino, who reportedly knew those 23 local executives but did not lift a finger, also be made accountable.

I’d even go further to say that the spate of killings began shortly after President Duterte’s victory. And BS Aquino did nothing even as all these had been happening during his time.

If neophyte Senator De Lima wants to be truthful in her proposed inquiry into the killings, she

at the obg, blood work, final ultrasound, have to buy a buggy for the baby. Then there’s work stuff—can’t find my replacement, haven’t cleaned my desk, lots of unfinished work and emails. House is filthy, laundry not done, so looks like will have to bring dirty clothes [to Hong Kong].

Me: Jesus.

She: 3.5 months will zip by really fast, right?

Me: Yes. Unless you’re bored.

She: How is that going to happen? I’m not taking any leave.

Will simply be working out of HK. Then I’m going to have a baby in two months. It’s all downhill from there.

Me: Then it’s going to be fast.

And busy. Here’s hoping you manage.

She: Do you know a helper I can hire? Probably stay in Monday to Friday.

Me: Try contacting some of my colleagues there.

She: Whoa. I meant house help.

Me: I know. They can help you find one.

She: For here, in October when I’m back.

Me: For here? I don’t know. Help is hard to find here these days.

She: Yeah. Been on the lookout for months. But I need someone, else the BF’s mom will come to stay and I can’t have that.

She: I’ll try an agency if I have to.

Me: That would absolutely be the worst. Keep trying.

She: I’ve tried it all. I just don’t want his family in my house.

Me: Yes, but I wouldn’t trust the agency. Trust me on this.

They’ll screw you.

30 June She: When were you in HK last again?

Me: 1995.

should include the fact that BS Aquino did not do anything about the problem.

We are all watching you, Senator De Lima. *** Some Supreme Court justices known to be lapdogs of BS Aquino III are said to be against the demurrer of evidence or outright dismissal of the plunder case against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The plunder case against Gloria involves the P336-million intelligence fund transfer from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The former president wrote “OK” on the document.

And for this, she has been languishing under hospi-

Continued on A11

tal detention for almost four years simply because BS Aquino wanted her to be the poster child of his so-called fight against corruption through his hypocritical Daang Matuwid.

The tragedy of it all is that while Gloria’s co-accused have all been granted bail, the frail former President remains under hospital arrest, obviously upon the orders of a vindictive BS Aquino III. President Duterte had wanted to pardon her, but that would mean Gloria acknowledges her guilt.

How could she be guilty of plunder when she did not profit from the transaction—not single centavo?

The Supreme Court should do Mrs. Arroyo justice by dismissing her case.

W E D N E S D AY: J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

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OPINION lettertotheeditor@thestandard.com.ph

WAYS AND MEANS

SO I SEE LITO BANAYO WHEN I was yet in school, I wondered why there was a Committee on Ways and Means in Congress. You immediately knew what a committee on public order, or on health or education means, but why the phrase “ways and means”? Later, one would learn that the committee, one of the most powerful in both Houses, is all about taxes.

Ways and means of raising revenues for the state. This is also one of the most difficult tasks in government. The wag who said that only two things are inevitable in this world— death and taxes, was quite succinct, although surely there are other things inevitable as well.

When you have a country of 103 million people where 25 percent can hardly put body and soul together due to poverty, raising the ways and means by which to fuel governance is no mean feat. There will always be objections to any new tax or to a tax increase. Everyone and his mother will ask, why me, and why should I be taxed more for the crummy service government gives in return? Now that’s a chicken-and-egg question, and government simply cannot be chicken.

This is why the task given to the new head of the economic team, Sonny Dominguez, is quite daunting. It is easy for pundits to say increase collection efficiency, whether in the BIR or Customs, or tax the rich and spare the poor, but the balancing act can be quite tricky. It is always convenient to say stop graft and corruption, whether on the revenue-raising side or the expenditure side, but coming up with the needed cash to finance ever-increasing expenditures is always a problem for an over-populated country with a small comparative percapita income.

There was a time when we all railed against the value-added tax. “Pahirap sa bayan,” everyone cried, but government pushed it through nonetheless, because there was no other way or means but to tax via the consumption end, income taxes being so difficult to properly collect. And when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Ralph Recto pushed for the expanded VAT, increasing it to 12 percent, Ralph took a hit in the elections of 2007. But looking back, what could have fueled the growth years of the economy in the last years of GMA and even during the years of PNoy, if the added revenues that allowed government expenditures to increase

Dominguez... From A9 Elementary and high school education is guaranteed by the Constitution to be free. The administration is studying ways to enable more college-age people to enter and finish college.

It takes only P20,000 a year to send a child to college per year. So one million students entering college will need only P20 billion a year—peanuts considering that 40 percent or P1.34 trillion of the P3.35-trillion budget is stolen through corruption. In other words, the Philippines is rich enough to send its entire college-age population to college.

To reduce poverty incidence to 17 percent (the target Philippines missed in 2015), the current 26 percent poverty incidence has to be reduced by nine percentage points or by an average of 1.5 percentage-point per year in the next six years of the Duterte administration. That will mean rescuing at least seven million Filipinos from poverty.

If the Duterte administration wants to be aggressive enough, the poverty reduction goal should be at least two percentage points per year—so that poverty incidence will be 14 percent by 2022. Thailand, Indonesia and China achieved poverty incidence of 10 percent. There is no reason why the Philippines cannot do the same.

At the recent “Sulong Pilipinas: Hakbang Tungo sa Kaunlaran” consultative workshop between economic managers and the business community held in Davao City, Dominguez unveiled the Duterte administration’s goal to cut by 1.25-1.5

had not happened? Ralph and GMA did what was politically incorrect, but right from the economists’—and posterity’s— viewpoint.

Now comes the newly reminted DBM Secretary Ben Diokno’s correct thesis that government needs to spend more to grow more, and provide more jobs especially in the countryside. But where to get the ways and means?

Ben mumbled something about increasing the VAT to 15 percent, but times like these may not be ripe. Not yet, at least politically. Which means the economic managers—Sonny D, Ben D and Ernie Pernia, will need to think of more creative means.

This early, they are reviewing the budget that Butch Abad’s DBM has fashioned for submission to Congress come August, but trimming a bit here and transferring a bit there can only do so much. The 2017 budget is more or less done. The deficit to be financed by borrowing is more or less calculated. It will only be in the 2018 budget where the stamp of President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic policies and poverty-reduction programs can be truly seen.

But this is also the time for creative ways of increasing the ways and means. BIR’s Billy

percentage points per year the poverty rate from the present 26 percent.

He said this could be done by implementing a “bold and audacious” 10-point socioeconomic agenda by the Duterte administration.

Dominguez stressed that halving (to 17 percent) was the government’s target for 2015 under its commitment to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. “It’s not ambitious; we’re just achieving what the other guys did not,” Dominguez said.

Sonny said steady growth during the past six years—the highest average gross domestic product expansion since the late 1970s—has not trickled down to most Filipinos.

“The high GDP growth rate which was achieved and talked about by the previous administration did not get them reelected, did it? Obviously that’s not what the people want. The people want something else, and that something else they did not do—and it was to reduce the poverty rate,” Dominguez explained.

Turning over the Department of Finance to Secretary Dominguez, on July 1, outgoing Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, 56, expressed confidence his successor will succeed in his job.

For three reasons: Sonny has the President’s ear and trust, he has a working knowledge of government, and he has an immersive experience in business.

“These three enable a Secretary to put pedal to the metal in the driver’s seat of the nation’s economy.

With him at the helm of our nation’s economy, our prospects as Asia’s rising star has only become brighter,” Purisima gushed.

Dulay, Clint Aranas and the new team in QC must think of creative means of raising revenue collections while at the same time releasing the small and medium businessman who DTI’s Ramon Lopez rightly considers the backbone of the economy from the oft-complained harassment and onerous impositions of Kim Henares’ examiners. So must Nick Faeldon at the waterfront.

But it is also the time for the economic managers led by Sonny Dominguez to ask the Senate’s Sonny Angara (currently the Ways and Means Committee chair) and whoever Bebot Alvarez assigns in the House, to pass some new revenue measures. If they can’t do it in the next two years, they will find it more difficult to pass these in 2019 which is an election year.

One very good “ways and means” measure is increasing the tax on soft drinks and other sugared drinks (the “orange juice” the kids are duped into drinking because of colorful TV advertorials are really just water plus color, plus artificial flavoring and loads of sugar). Everyone will cry, but the heck—it’s good for everyone’s health. Taking less sugar, and by the way, less carbo-loading is

“We are all lucky to have him [Sonny Dominguez],” exclaimed Purisima. “His extensive profile speaks for itself: he’s served in the Cabinet, twice before. He’s headed a wide array of successful businesses across various sectors,” the two-time finance chief [first under President Arroyo and second under President Aquino], added.

Purisima also thanked Mrs. Dominguez “for sharing your husband again to the nation. The high personal toll is a sacrifice you both have chosen in the spirit of service— and we are all better for it.”

Dominguez is considered one of the country’s most successful selfmade millionaires and tycoons. He finished his BA Economics from Ateneo in 1965, and his MBA, also at Ateneo, in 1969. He got his doctorate in humanities, from Ateneo de Davao, in 1997.

A childhood friend and former classmate of Duterte, Dominguez owns the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City, and was chairman and president of Philippine Airlines from 1993 to 1995, and president of BPI Agricultural Development Bank from 1984 to 1986.

He also served as chairman and president of various companies, including the Philippine Tobacco Flue-Curing and Redrying Corp., the Baesa Redevelopment Corp., CG Dominguez and Associates, The Linden Suites Inc, Halifax Capital Resource, RCBC Capital Corp., Alip River Development and Export Corp., and Intelligent Agro-Technical Resources Inc. biznewsasia@gmail.com

good for everyone’s health.

Look at obese Americans, and trace the same to addiction to Coke and Pepsi and whatever else. Plus burgers and all that fat as well. Look at so many diabetic and hypertensive Filipinos, and trace that to fondness for sugared drinks plus dependence on a heavy rice diet plus fatty chicharon and sisig as well. Worse, with our salty food, from the poor’s bagoong and ginamos to everyone’s patis and toyo and daing to boot, so many are afflicted with kidney problems.

Remember when they increased the taxes on alcohol and cigarettes? BIR collected more, but similarly, at least on cigarettes, the consumption showed declines, which in the long run will help curb the number of cancer patients. Tax sugared drinks, make soft drinks costlier for the average family who hopefully would take their meals with just water as “panulak,” and in the long run produce a healthier nation.

There are many other creative ways and means to fuel economic growth, and we have confidence that the new government’s economic managers can do so much more than just selling government assets to big business for quick fixes.

What... From A9 press was at least given documents from The Hague decision for them to work with.

The milestone Hague ruling could encourage other SCS claimants—Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan—to file their case before the international arbitration court.

What are the implications of The Hague ruling for China if its does not withdraw and dismantle those military installations?

The ruling is a loss of face for the Chinese, even if it defiantly says it will not abide by it. Not to do so would make China a rogue state and could lead to its being seen as an international outcast.

If the European Union and whatever is left of it plus the fragmented Association of Southeast Nations declare economic sanctions, China could feel the pinch particularly when its economy is in a slump.

The scenario of an economic boycott of Chinese products might be difficult to pull off. Most of the Asean countries and Europe including the US have strong trade ties with China. Economic sanctions and a trade embargo, however, could have a telling effect for China to rethink its foreign policy and to stop bullying its Asian neighbors.

Pregnancy... From A10 She: Trying to work out how to get a decent internet plan for my pocket wifi while there.

Me: Okay.

She: My last day in the office tomorrow.

Me: Okay. Good luck.

She: Thank you. Will need it.

Me: You take care.

She: I will be back in no time. You take care, too.

WE DN E S DAY : J ULY 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Woods an inspiration for Day TROON—Ailing US golfing legend Tiger Woods may not be competing in this week’s Open Championship but he is a regular source of advice for Australia’s world number one Jason Day. The 28-year-old—born to an Australian father and a Filipina mother—played with Woods for the first two rounds at last year’s Open along with South African Louis Oosthuizen, who barely got a word in edgeways as the other two chatted.

The friendship has grown over the past year and Day admitted Monday he regularly turned to 14-times major champion

Woods —who is still recuperating after a back operation he underwent last year—for advice.

“When I talk to him, it’s about how mentally tough he was,” said Day. “When he didn’t have his best stuff, he would just find a way to get it done. His game plan was, ‘I just got to get this ball in the hole’.

“If it was trying to catch someone, he wanted to cut

that lead down maybe one or two shots. Just cutting into that lead will show that there’s presence there.

“In the same way, if you have the lead, being able to extend that lead shows that you’re playing some pretty strong golf.”

Day, who lost eight members of his Filipino side of his family in the devastating Haiyan Typhoon in 2013 including his grandmother, says he has been spurred on also by several near misses in majors.

He has been runner-up and third in The Masters and twice a runner-up in the US Open whilst he just failed to make the three man play-off for last

year’s Open Championship— though he credits missing out on that as the spark that finally saw him capture a major, the US PGA last year.

“Coming so close last year was definitely a motivational factor in that I would love to one day hold the Claret Jug and be able to put my name down in history with the best that have ever lived and played the game,” Day said.

“It was the start of my run where everything kind of changed my world, really,” added Day, who went on to take the US PGA and two FedEx tournaments following the Open.

Day, who was effectively

brought up by his mother as his father died when he was 12 of stomach cancer, said all golfers dreamt of being as dominant as Woods had once been.

“You can’t win them all, and that’s just the way of life. Like I’ve always said, we got spoilt with Tiger Woods, how he dominated and did so well,” said Day, who when still a schoolboy borrowed a book off a pal on Woods.

“That’s what I’m shooting for, to be able to finish off like he did back in the day.

Will I ever get to a point like that? Maybe not. But that’s what I’m shooting for right now.” AFP

Jason Day of Australia reacts to a missed birdie putt on the fourth green during the final round of the World Golf Championships - Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club South Course in Akron, Ohio. AFP

Brazil ready to welcome world RIO DE JANEIRO—Rio de Janeiro is “ready to welcome the world” when the Olympics start in just over three weeks, the inspector from the International Olympic Committee said Monday.

Nawal El Moutawakel, head of the IOC coordination committee, said a final pre-Games visit showed that sporting venues and the athletes’ Olympic Village are set for the starter’s gun.

“From views of the Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain to the new state-of-the-art facilities in Barra or Deodoro and the iconic Maracana stadium and Copacabana beach, I cannot imagine more spectacular backdrops for the world’s top sportsmen and

women to showcase their talents to a watching world,” she said in a statement.

The August 5-21 Games will be the first hosted by a South American city.

Brazil is in the midst of a painful recession and a political crisis that could see the president, Dilma Rousseff, removed from office in an impeachment vote just days after the closing ceremony.

Worries have been raised over serious pollution in the bay where sailing events will take place, the risk of catching the Zika virus from mosquitoes, high levels of violent crime, and the still unfinished extension to the metro system. AFP

Spieth pulls out of Rio games T RO ON—World number three Jordan Spieth became the latest leading golfer to decide not to play at the Olympics next month in Rio de Janeiro, the International Golf Federation president Peter Dawson announced Monday.

The 22-year-old American’s withdrawal means golf’s return to the Olympics after a 112year hiatus will not include the top four players in the world—Australia’s Jason Day, this year’s US Open champion Dustin Johnson, Spieth, and Rory McIlroy.

Spieth, who dominated the sport last year winning the Masters and the US Open whilst finishing fourth in The Open and second in the PGA, cited like many of his rivals fears over the mosquito-borne Zika virus which has been linked to birth defects.

Spieth’s place in the four-man USA Team will be taken by Matt Kuchar. Spieth’s withdrawal brings to 17 the number of leading male golfers electing not to travel to Brazil.

Sixty male golfers—for whom Monday was the deadline for qualifying for the Games—will compete in Rio. AFP

Rio Olympics in 20 fun numbers RIO DE JANEIRO—When Rio de Janeiro opens the Olympic Games on August 5, they will be the first ever staged in South America.

And here are 20 more eye-catching statistics: 17,000—number of Olympic athletes and officials.

78,000—the capacity of Maracana stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies will be held.

206—countries competing in the August 5-21 Games.

1—team of refugees competing under the Olympic banner for the first time.

7.5 million—tickets on sale.

10—miles (16 kilometers), length of the extension of the underground metro system, the biggest infrastructure project in preparation for the Games.

4—zones across Rio where

events will unfold: the Olympic Park in Barra da Tijuca, Deodoro, Copacabana beach, and the Maracana and Olympic stadiums in the north.

25,000—number of journalists covering the Games.

500,000—estimate of tourists expected to attend the Games.

61—percentage of Rio residents in a recent poll who said the Games will be great. Another 27 percent fear a mess.

31—number of tower blocks making up the Olympic Village.

The 3,604 apartments will be sold off after the Games.

60,000—meals per day to be served at the huge Olympic Village dining hall.

5—number of jumbo jets you could fit into that dining hall.

80,000—chairs for the Olym-

pic Village.

7—players in rugby sevens, which brings the oval ball game to the Olympics for the first time ever.

400—number of footballs expected to be used in Olympic competition.

0—times that football powerhouse Brazil has won an Olympic medal in the sport.

112—years since golf was last in the Olympics.

2—Brazilian presidents expected at the opening ceremony: Dilma Rousseff, who is suspended and on the verge of being removed from office, and her arch-rival Michel Temer, who is temporarily replacing her.

450,000—condoms awaiting the roughly 11,000 athletes, so about 41 each, or two each a day.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

Tenorio to lead TM Basketball project

LA Tenorio conducts the 1st TM Basketball Para sa Bayan free basketball clinic in Cavite.

Air Force, Pocari begin title clash Games today 11 a.m. – Sta. Elena vs IEM (Spikers’ battle for third) 2 p.m. – Air Force vs Cignal (Spikers’ finals) 4 p.m. – Laoag vs Bali Pure (V-League battle for third) 6 p.m. – Air Force vs Pocari Sweat (V-League finals)

AIR Force and Pocari Sweat try to come out strong coming off a long break as they slug it out in the opener of their best-of-three title series for the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference crown at the Philsports Arena in Pasig Wednesday.

The Lady Jet Spikers swept the Laoag Power Smashers in their semis face-off while the Lady Warriors needed to rally from 0-1 down with a sweep of the last two games to eliminate Alyssa Valdez and the BaliPure Water Defenders in their side of the Final Four.

Air Force, starring Judy Ann Caballejo and Joy Cases, will be coming into the 6 p.m. encounter oozing with confidence, having beaten Pocari, 20-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-15, in their lone elimination round clash last June 27 to clinch the top seeding in the semis.

“I do think so, considering Air Force beat us in our first meeting,” said Pocari interim coach Rommel Abella when asked of the odds in the title series of the season-opening conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

The match will be aired live on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23 and via livestream on www.vleague.ph, according to the organizing Sports Vision.

Meanwhile, BaliPure and Laoag clash in their own series for third at 4 p.m.

But Air Force mentor Jasper Jimenez disagreed, saying Pocari is packed with a talent-laden roster led by former collegiate stars Myla Pablo of National U and Michele Gumabao and Melissa Gohing of La Salle. He added that the Lady Warriors have been around and active in the local circuit for quite sometime.

BARANGAY Ginebra point guard LA Tenorio will teach basketball to underprivileged children through Globe Telecom’s nationwide basketball youth program, TM Basketball Para sa Bayan.

The program offers free basketball clinics and a 3-on-3 nationwide tournament from midJuly to mid-August for boys and girls ages 9 to 14. Through this, the winning team will participate in the NBA 3x 2016 in Manila in August.

Tenorio was thankful for the opportunity to coach the youth and find a new purpose for the country after being cut from the final line-up of Gilas Pilipinas for the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

“I guess everything happens for a reason. I am really grateful for being given an opportunity by Globe to impart my knowledge and skills to the future basketball stars that may one day represent

the flag in international competition,” Tenorio said.

Globe Director for citizenship Fernando Esguerra saw Tenorio’s innate passion for teaching the youth.

“We witnessed LA’s big heart for coaching when we invited him to conduct the first TM Basketball Para sa Bayan free basketball clinic in Cavite last May,” said Esguerra.

Globe uses sports as the platform to promote a healthy lifestyle, build character, and create opportunities for the Filipino youth—instilling in them the importance of having great skills and possessing good values and good education.

“With (Tenorio’s) help in this program, we hope to further promote grassroots sports development in the country, hone the basketball skills of underprivileged youth as well as impart to them the value of sportsmanship,” Esguerra added. Maxine Lagman

PH IX routs Indonesia, stays alive in AsPac tilt CLARK—Host Philippines stayed alive in the 2016 Asia Pacific Intermediate League Baseball Tournament as it routed Indonesia, 21-2, in five innings yesterday at Clark International Sports Complex at The Villages here.

Determined to bounce back from their 0-8 defeat at the hands of fancied Japan on opening day, Phl titlists Sarangani went full throttle against the Indonesians and didn’t ease up after establishing an early 7-0 lead.

Angelo Misawa and Lester Sanchez stood at the forefront of the Phl searing assault, blasting a pair of two-run home runs in the third and fourth, respectively.

“Mas maganda ang performance ngayon compared sa last game, mas marami kaming hits, may dalawa pang naka-home run and na-minimize ang errors (We played better this time.

We made more hits and had two home runs. We also minimized our errors),” said Sarangani coach Lord Ken Naval, whose wards had nine hits against Indonesia and four less errors than they committed in the setback to Japan.

With 1-1, the Filipinos stood third in the team standings of the tournament sponsored by Mister Donut and Philippine Sports Commission.

Japan (2-0) grabbed the solo lead after a five-inning 11-0 demolition of Hong Kong in the other game. The batters from Kaizuka moved one W ahead of idle Korea, which waylaid the Indons Monday, 13-0. Indonesia (0-2) bombed out of the race for the two finals berths.

Meanwhile, Philippine representative ILLAM seeks to redeem itself from its crushing 4-21 defeat to Australia on Day One when it plays CNMI today over in Senior League Baseball play.

Donaire Sr: Pagara will bounce back

By Ronnie Nathanielsz DODONG Donaire, the trainer/ farther of five-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. believes that Prince Albert Pagara, who suffered his first defeat in a crushing eighth-round knockout at the hands of rugged Mexican Cesar Juarez before a sell-out crowd at the San Mateo Events Center last Sunday “will bounce back.”

Donaire, who had cautioned the previously unbeaten Pagara not to stand in front of Juarez and trade punches, told The Standard: “If he stuck to the game plan to jab and move, he would have won the fight.”

But the young Pagara made the mistake of standing in front of Juarez and trying to trade punches after scoring a knockdown with a classic left hook in the dying seconds of the opening round.

The elder Donaire said Pagara “is still young (24 years old) and has a long time to recover from that first setback in his career.”

Nonito Donire Jr., who joined Dyan Castillejo on the ABS-CBN TV panel, said he felt exhaustion was the cause of Pagara’s defeat.

When the fight was stopped, the official scorecards showed Pagara ahead on the cards of two judges, while the third judge had it a 66-66 draw after seven rounds.

Cage champ. Jubilee Christian Academy was crowned champion of the Alumni Basketball League

2016. Members of the team are Lester Ong, Marvin Tan, Team Manager Gilbert Ang , Winston Lao , Alvin Lim, Frederick Teng, Francis Teng , Ramon Lianko, Vincent Cua, Denny Ngo, Jaerold Ang, Jowett Yao, Atong Yeung, Kesengbert Carpo and Coach Steven Tan. They are joined here by Commissioner Mike Fuerte.

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SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

‘We have edge in tennis experience’

By Lito Cinco

Cage, football tourneys set

THE Philippines lost to Chinese Taipei in its last three Davis Cup meetings, but when they meet again this week, it will be a different story.

“We have the edge when it comes to experience, our team members are all veterans in international tournaments but more important in our series this weekend against Chinese Taipei, our players are match-fit and tournamentfit,” said non-playing Davis Cup Team skipper Karl Sta. Maria.

And with Treat Huey coming off an impressive Wimbledon performance, where he reached the doubles’ semifinals, Ruben Gonzales winning in an ITF tournament in France, and the duo of Nino Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon campaigning in Hong Kong in the ITF circuit for two weeks prior to this week’s match-up with the Taiwanese, long-time Philippine Davis Cup team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier echoed the optimism of Sta. Maria.

“Our players are at their best condition now and everyone is pumped up to end the string of losses we have suffered against the Chinese,” said Lhuillier.

Aside from the advantage of playing in their home court with the local crowd to energize them, Sta. Maria

Tight duel looms as ICTSI golf unfolds

pointed out that the top Chinese Taipei player will not be with the team this time as he opted to play in the Rio Olympics.

“This would be a definite plus for us,” said Sta. Maria.

On the players’ side, Huey said one motivation is the desire to get the country back to Group 1 and at the same time, avenge the previous losses the team has suffered against the Taiwanese in recent years. For Gonzales, who wants to play for the Philippines for the next 10 years—if he can—the motivation is playing for flag and country.

Alcantara is hoping he will be the team’s lucky charm as this is his first time to play against Chinese Taipei.

He reached two doubles’ semifinals in Hong Kong prior to coming back here.

After the Davis Cup tie, he will play for three weeks in Vietnam then move to Canada for more ITF tournaments.

Looking at the state of Philippine tennis, Sta. Maria believes that the game has evolved so much through the years in terms of technology and style.

By Peter Paul Duran THE United Calabarzon Collegiate League will open its 10th season on Saturday, with 23 teams competing in at least three major events.

“Ready na kami para sa (10th season ng) UCCL,” said Juan Luzano, Managing Director of First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities, which will host the tournament.

“We have newly renovated facilities, we have a new indoor arena that has a capacity of 3,000 and we have upgraded our electronic scoring system,” added Luzano as FAITH marks a decade of the UCCL. The team that will rule the tournament will represent Southern Luzon and the Bicol region in the elite Sweet 16 round of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League.

The majority of the games will be played on Saturdays and Sundays at the FAITH Indoor Sports Turn to A14

BACOLOD—Premium will be on power and putting as the men of the tour, headed

by Olympic-bound Miguel Tabuena and streaking Tony Lascuña, resume their hunt for Philippine Golf Tour glory in the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic beginning today (Wednesday, July Tabuena 13) at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here.

While Tabuena and a slew of others will opt to attack the relatively short 6,197-yard, par-70 layout, and try to gun down birdies in bunches, Lascuña said he’d go for a conservative approach and bank on his superb putting that has carried him to three victories in the last three legs of the circuit sponsored by ICTSI. “I’m very eager to play and in top shape,” said Tabuena, back in the local hunt since the ICTSI Manila Masters at Eastridge last May. “I will attack every hole, especially the reachable par-4s.”

Meanwhile, Tabuena, priming up for next month’s Olympic Games in Rio de

Janeiro, Brazil, backed up his claim to enjoying top form by winning yesterday’s pro-am tournament, teaming up with Jess Maestral, Jason Villarosa and Lito Maestral to pool a 17-under 53 and beat Cassius Casas, Mike Ortiz, Kenneth Valderama and Jack Alonso by two.

Charles Hong, with partners Marlowe Cortez, Mark Cuaycong and Jeffrey Infante, also shot a 55 but lost in the countback to Casas’ group.

The 21-year-old Tabuena, the reigning Order of Merit champion, said his target is to get to 20-under as he seeks a follow-up to his Anvaya Invitational romp in the kickoff leg of this year’s circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. last February.

In contrast, Lascuña said he will play it safe all throughout, aware of the challenges and terrors lurking on the tight, hazard-laden, tree-lined layout, having reigned here with a 12-under card when NOGCC, the former Marapara layout, last hosted a PGT event in 2014.

Livelihood Recovery Program for Farmers Affected

by Typhoon Lando GOODS 100-16-06-034 (REBID) 1. The Local Government of Dinalupihan, through General Fund 2016 Budget intends to apply the sum of Two Million Nine Hundred Twelve Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety Pesos (Php2,912,890.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Livelihood Recovery Program for Farmers Affected by Typhoon Lando. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2. The Local Government of Dinalupihan now invites bids for Livelihood Recovery Program for Farmers Affected by Typhoon Lando. Delivery of the goods is required on August 01, 2016. Bidders should have completed, within two (2) from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. 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 a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

4. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

5. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the Bids and Awards Committee and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours at eight o’clock in the morning to five o’clock in the afternoon.

6. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on July 1-8, 2016 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00).

7. Pre Bid Conference will be on June 7, 2016 at 2:30PM at BAC Office 2nd Floor Municipal Bldg, Dinalupihan, Bataan.

8. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before July 11, 2016 at 2:30PM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on July 11, 2016 at 2:30PM at BAC Office 2nd Floor Municipal Bldg, Dinalupihan, Bataan. 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.

9. The LGU of Dinalupihan 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) AMELITA E. PEÑAFLOR BAC Chairman San Ramon, Dinalupihan, Bataan (SGD) ARCELI SAMSON BAC Secretariat San Ramon, Dinalupihan, Bataan

( TS- J U LY 13 , 2 0 1 6)

Robbie De Vera (left), Milo Sports Executive, explains Milo’s commitment to support the Philippine Swimming Long Course Championships during an appearance at the PSA Forum in Shakey’s Malate.

He is joined by Coach Raina Suarez, Philippine Swimming Inc. Executive Director, and Lani Velasco, PSI Secretary General. LINO SANTOS

Edwards confident of beating Casimero

By Ronnie Nathanielsz UNBEATEN British fighter Charlie Edwards is confident he will beat Filipino Johnreil Casimero and grab the IBF flyweight title when they clash at The O2 in London on Sept. 10.

The former Great Britain star said he will grab what has been described as “a golden opportunity” on the undercard of the colossal World Middleweight title fight between pound-for-pound king Gennady Golovkin and IBF Welterweight ruler Kell Brook.

ProBoxing-Fans.com reported that Edwards has made a big impact

on the paid ranks in quick time, picking up the English title in just his fifth fight and the WBC International strap in his seventh. The 23-year-old talent now faces a huge step-up, in what will be his ninth pro fight after he boxes in Berlin this weekend.

Casimero won the IBF Flyweight crown in May with a fourth-round KO over Amnat Ruenroeng, gaining revenge for a hugely controversial unanimous decision loss in a foul-infested bout in Bangkok, where referee Larry Doggett performed horribly in June 2015.

The Casimero win made the 26-year-old Filipino a two-weight division champion, having previously

held the IBF Light-Flyweight crown.

But Edwards believes he will “rip the title from Casimero’s hands.”

“Many people may think this is too early, but believe me when I say this that IBF World title is coming home with me. People underestimate my engine. Half way through the fight, when he’s behind, he will not be catching up. I didn’t turn pro to knock over journeymen. I’m in this game to take over the lighter weight divisions. The team behind me at MGM know I am more than ready for this and I would like to thank them, Eddie and Barry Hearn for giving me this chance—I won’t let anybody down,” said Edwards.

W E D N E S D AY : J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

A15

SPORTS sports@thestandard.com.ph

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 6 DIGITS 0-0-0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0.0 M+ P0.0 M+

Meralco, Phoenix swap guards

By Jeric Lopez

FIVB executive council member Gustav Jacobi (left), players Mika Reyes, Jacquilyn Daquis, Juvelyn Gozaga and Cha Cruz and PSL Chairman Philip Ella Juico (right) unveil of the official logo of the 2016 FIVB Women’s Club World Championship in a press launching at the Diamond Hotel. LINO SANTOS

PH hosts world volley tilt

By Peter Atencio

VETERAN spikers Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga want to take their games to the next level.

And the two promise to unleash their best performances for the Philippine Super Liga All-Stars in the coming FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship in Manila from Oct. 18 to 23.

“Our games in the PSL serves as our preparation for the world championship.

Kailangang paghandaan. We will give it our best. No pressure,” said Daquis, who plays for RC Cola-Army in the ongoing PSL All-Filipino tournament.

The 28-year-old Daquis talked about her stint in the FIVB-

sanctioned spikefest with Gonzaga during the tournament’s launching Tuesday at the Diamond Hotel in Malate, Manila.

For Gonzaga, playing at a high-level tournament is a dream come true for her.

“Thankful ako. Nag-payoff lahat ng pinaghirapan ko,” said Gonzaga.

Other members of the Philippine squad, which will be known as the PSL All-Stars, will be named on Sunday during the PSL-AFC tourney.

The PSL-All Stars, coached by

Cage, football...

From A14

Arena and Activity Center in Tanuan City, Batangas until August 28.

Meanwhile, football teams of the 14th Ang Liga pre-season tourney are set to clash on July 16 as well.

A total of 20 teams from two divisions will feature top varsity squads from the National Collegiate Athletic Association

Sammy Acaylar, will go up against seven of the world’s best club teams from Brazil, Japan, Italy, Turkey, Switzerland and Thailand.

Daquis is a veteran international campaigner and former PSL Most Valuable Player, whose deadly combination of power and beauty turned her into an instant fan favorite.

She and Gonzaga last played together for the national team in the Southeast Asian Games last year.

Six foreign players will be picked to play for the PSL All-Stars.

The participating clubs are Rexona Ades of Brazil, Bangkok Glass of Thailand, Volero Zurich of Switzerland, Hisamitsu Springs of Japan, Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul and VakifBank Istanbul of Turkey, and Pomi Casalmaggiore of Italy.

of the Philippines, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, as well as neighboring provinces this year’s tournament.

Defending champion Far Eastern University will banner teams in the 1st Division against fellow UAAP schools such as University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, National University, University of Santo Tomas and University of the East, with last year’s 2nd Division leaders University of Batangas joining the mix.

Four other foreign teams are expected to join via wildcard.

“We have a time table in naming the players before Sept.

15. The third Golden ticket is on Sunday,” said PSL president Ramon Suzara, who was at the launch with chairman Philip Ella Juico, LVPI official Peter Cayco, FIVB Executive Member Stav Jacobi and EventCourt director general Peter Bratchi.

Jacobi cited the Philippines’ love affair with the sport and its volleyball tradition across the country as one of the main reasons why the Philippines is playing host to the world championship for the first time.

“It has a strong volleyball tradition, and its players have a potential to show good quality games worldwide,” said Jacobi.

San Beda College, last year’s NCAA runners-up, headlines the contingent from the oldest athletic association in the country with College of Saint Benilde and Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Division 2 will have teams from Emilio Aguinaldo College, University of Perpetual Help Dalta System and Malayan Colleges-Laguna.

The opening game of the 14th season will kick off between LPU and UP at the San Beda College football pitch.

MERALCO and Phoenix completed a swap of guards just three days before the opening of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. The Bolts sent veteran Ronjay Buenafe to the Fuel Masters in exchange for Jonathan Uyloan.

The trade was given a green light by the PBA’s commissioner’s office Wednesday.

Buenafe’s addition to Phoenix can be a vital one for the Fuel Masters as they are currently dealing with the injury of star JC Intal.

The instant offense that Buenafe is expected to provide can help the cause of Phoenix in the upcoming third conference.

On the other hand, Uyloan will make Meralco’s point guard rotation deeper.

Bolts’ leader Jimmy Alapag is still not a 100 percent recovered from his wrist injury and the addition of Uyloan can somehow help Meralco.

The Bolts will have Allen Durham as their reinforcement, while the Fuel Masters will parade a new face in Marcus Simmons.

Both teams get to show whether they benefitted from the trade when they take on each other on opening day Friday at 4:15 p.m., while Star and Mahindra, two teams which struggled last conference, will have a go at it at 7 p.m. in the tournament’s second game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The following day, action continues with the scene shifting to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay as crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra gets its first taste of action when it goes up against GlobalPort at 6:45 p.m., while Blackwater and NLEX opens the playdate with their 4:30 p.m. encounter.

Capping the tournament’s opening weekend this Sunday will be the start of San Miguel Beer’s title defense as it takes on the Fuel Masters at 4 p.m. to be followed by a tiff between Alaska and Meralco at 6:15 p.m. as the league goes right back to the Big Dome.

The first out-of-town game of the conference will be on July 30, when the Gin Kings lock horns with the Bolts in Lucena City, Quezon at 5:30 p.m.

Underwood claims Philracom 3rd leg Triple Crown THE HOARSE WHISPERER JENNY ORTUOSTE

LIGHTLY regarded Underwood bested three other contestants to win the third leg of the the Philiippine Racing Commission Triple Crown Stakes series held last Sunday (July 10) at the Manila Jockey Club’s San Lazaro Leisure Club in Carmona, Cavite.

Guatemala was scratched, leaving only four contenders in the last event of the Philracom’s most important

series for elite 3YO. The lead in the 2,000-meter race was taken by the faststepping Dewey Boulevard, followed two lengths off the pace by Radioactive, Underwood four lengths behind, and Homonhon Island last.

This was the scenario until the far turn, when Radioactive and Underwood rallied to close the gap between them and Dewey Boulevard.

Underwood, guided by star jockey Jesse B. Guce, ran on the inside to dash past Dewey Boulevard down the stretch to win by three.

The colt owned by Stoney

Road Horse Farm and trained

by Dave de la Cruz earned the P1.8 million first prize for its connections. The breeder’s purse was claimed by Herma Farms and Stud, which bred Underwood from Real Spicy, a champion during his racing career, and dependable mare Kayumanggi.

Dewey Boulevard 2nd, Radioactive 3rd, Homonhon Island 4th and last all the way. Time: 2:06.8 (2524-26’-24’-26’). *** In the Philracom Hopeful Stakes held the same day, Pinay Pharoah, also a long-

shot, ran off the pace from frontrunning Indianpana for most of the 2,000-meter race to grab the lead at the club house turn. She hung on to her position to reach the wire three lengths ahead of third choice Real Flames.

Pinay Pharoah (Pioneerofthenile- Hayley Rebecca) is owned by Herminio Esguerra, trained by Ruben S. Tupas, and was ridden by Fernando M. Raquel Jr. Space Needle 3rd, Tagapagmana 4th. Time: 2:09.2 (24.4-25.4-26.8-25.6-27.4). *** In other exciting races

held the same day, favorite Piskante won the Philracom 3YO Locally-Bred stakes by a nose over Leave It To Me. Play It Safe came in third.

Time: 2:10.8 (25.2-24.626.8-26-28.2) for 2,000-meters.

In the 2nd Erap Cup in honor of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada (who graced the event with his presence), Atty. Benhur C. Abalos’s Kanlaon, the second favorite, won the 2,000-meter race by two lengths over Angel’s Dream. Dixie Gold 3rd, Messi 4th. Time: 2:07.6 (25.6-24.2-26.4-25.4-26).

*** I don’t recall any other raceday having so many 2,000-meter races! Last Sunday’s was a truly exciting and interesting program that racing fans appreciated very much.

Kudos to Philracom, led by Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez; MJCI, run by Chairman Atty. Alfonso Reyno Jr. and President Atty. King Reyno; and SLLP, managed by Racing Manager Jose Ramon “Ding” Magboo. *** Facebook: Gogirl Racing, Twitter: @gogirlracing, Instagram: @jensdecember

A16

W E D N E S DAY : J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 16 RIERA U. MALL ARI EDITOR

REUEL VIDAL A S S I S TA N T E D I T O R

sports@thestandard.com.ph

SPORTS

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan , guarded by Los Angeles Clippers DeAndre Jordan in an NBA game, announced his retirement after 19 seasons in the NBA, ending a glittering career that included five titles and 15 All-Star Game appearances.The 40-year-old Duncan, who was originally selected by the Spurs as the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, spent his entire career with the team. They reached the playoffs in every one of his 19 seasons, the team said in a statement. AFP

Lions, Cards stay ahead

By Peter Atencio

WITHOUT point guard Roldan Sara, two other sentinels stepped up and helped carry the San Beda Red Lions to a 91-76 swamping of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan.

Ranbill Tongco and Amiel Soberano took over in the absence of the injured Sara, banging in 22 and 21 points, respectively, for the Red Lions as they posted their third straight win in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

They stayed in front with the Mapua Cardinals (3-0), who had Allwell Oraeme coming up with another monster double-double performance to carry the Intramuros-based dribblers to a 75-64 smothering of Lyceum of the Philippines (0-3).

With Sara sidelined by a finger injury he sustained during practice, Tongco and Soberano came

Woods an inspiration to Jason Day TURN TO A12

up with impressive numbers as they kept the Red Lions ahead in the first half, 40-34.

They joined hands for 18 points in the third, with Tongco hitting 11 and the Red Lions taking a 7153 advantage at the end of the period.

“We shot well today and I’m happy with that. Hopefully, everything will fall into place,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin.

Hamadou Laminou had 18 points and nine rebounds for the Generals (1-2).

Meanwhile, Oraeme reached a double-double in the first half alone, with 12 points and 10 rebounds as the Cardinals held a 38-35 lead. He

eventually finished 16, Biteng 15, EsGames Thursday with 22 points and (Junior Basketball, The Arena) trella 6, Menina a season-high 25 10 a.m. • UPHSD vs SSC-R (Jrs) 6, Serrano 4, Erirebounds on top of obu 4, Victoria 2, 12 noon • CSJL vs AU (Jrs) five blocks and four Orquina 0, Mab2 p.m. • UPHSD vs SSC-R (Srs) assists in 38 mingoo 0, Raflores 0.

4 p.m. • CSJL vs AU (Srs) utes of play.

LYCEUM 64— Mapua coach Atoy Co was satis- Nzeusseu 16, Ayaay 15, Serafico fied with the team’s start, which he 11, Baltazar 7, Alban 6, Caduyac considers as their best ever since 3, Alanes 3, Bulawan 2, Malathe PBA great took over in 2013. banan 1, Soliman 0, Magbuhos 0, In the third game, the Jose Rizal Rubite 0.

University Heavy Bombers (1-2) Quarters: 20-22, 38-35, 58-42, found their rhythm in the third 75-64. period and put away the College Second Game of St. Benilde Blazers (0-4), 86-56.

SAN BEDA 91—Tongco 22, Paolo Pontejos led with 23 Soberano 21, Potts 13, Presibitero points, including seven at the start 8, Mocon 7, Bolick 5, Tankoua 4, of the second half as he joined Optana 4, Alas 4, Noah 2, Bonsubre forces with Abdoul Potutouochi 1, Navarro 0, Carlos 0, Adamos 0. for 13 points in the third. Their efEAC 76—Laminou 18, Munforts saw JRU taking a 57-34 edge sayac 13, Onwubere 12, Morada when the fourth quarter got under 11, King 10, Pascual 7, Corilla 3, way as they went on to earn their Diego 2, Mendoza 0, Aguas 0, Neri first win in three outings.

0, Guzman 0, Serrano 0, Estacio 0, The Scores General 0.

First Game Quarters: 20-13, 40-34, 71-53, MAPUA 75—Oraeme 22, Isit 91-76

PH hosts world volley tilt TURN TO A15

Duncan retires after 19 seasons LOS ANGELES—San Antonio Spurs star power forward Tim Duncan, one of the best players in NBA history, announced his retirement Monday, ending a brilliant 19-season career that included five league titles.

The 40-year-old Duncan, who was selected as the first overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, spent his entire career with the Spurs —an anomaly in a league where players often change teams.

The Spurs reached the playoffs in every one of his 19 seasons.

“Tim Duncan is one of the most dominant players in NBA history,” National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver said, adding that Duncan’s “understated selflessness made him the ultimate teammate.”

“For two decades Tim represented the Spurs, the city of San Antonio and the league with passion and class.”

Duncan, together with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, formed one of the most successful trios in NBA history. They hold the league record for regular season wins (575) and postseason wins (126).

Duncan and Spurs coach Gregg Popovich also formed a dynamic duo, accounting for the most wins ever by a player-coach duo at 1,001.

Duncan, a three-time NBA Finals MVP and a two-time regular season MVP, led San Antonio to titles in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2014.

The Spurs posted a 1,072-438 regular-season record since drafting Duncan—the best 19-year run in league history. AFP

B1

WEDNESDAY: JULY 13, 2016

RAY S. EÑANO EDITOR

RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ ASSISTANT EDITOR

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

BUSINESS

Govt reviewing tax incentives

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

THE Finance Department said Monday it will review the tax exemptions enjoyed by companies amounting to P144 billion annually.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a statement the agency would review the incentive program that was costing the government billions of pesos in foregone revenues.

“This administration is committed to rationalizing tax incentives,” Dominguez said.

“Government provides at least P144 billion in income tax perks and tax holidays. A truly serious study needs to be done about the relevance of many of those tax perks,” he said.

The Finance Department said aside from the tax perks review, it was teaming up with the Justice Department to expedite the

implementation of 635 smuggling and tax cases involving about P103 billion in lost revenues.

“We will work closely with the DoJ to speed up resolution of 635 pending tax and smuggling cases, amounting to P103 billion in collectibles,” Dominguez said.

“It will be a sad commentary on our state of affairs if Rate and Rats [campaigns] have resulted in only five convictions for tax evasion and two convictions for smuggling,” he said, in reference to the BIR’s Run Against Tax Evaders program and the BoC’s Run After The Smugglers program.

Dominguez said the new gov-

ernment would raise public spending on human and physical capital so it could “deliver a bigger bang per buck” in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s electoral mandate to bring progress to all Filipinos amid the country’s resurgent economy.

He said to generate enough funds for priority programs, the Finance Department would overhaul the collection systems at the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Bureau of Customs and work to eliminate misconduct in these two agencies.

Dominguez appointed Finance undersecretary and chief economist Gil Beltran as the “antired tape czar.” Beltran will be in charge speeding up processes at the Finance Department, BIR, BOC and other attached agencies to comply with Duterte’s first directive for all government offices to provide hassle-free frontline services to the public.

“I will be appointing shortly undersecretary Gil Beltran to be the ‘anti-red tape czar’,” Dominguez said of Beltran, who is the undersecretary for policy development management.

“His [Beltran] role will be to dramatically reduce the number of steps and documentary requirements in transacting business with the DOF and all attached bureaus,” Dominguez said.

Beltran welcomed his new position and said that from an average of 10 days and five days of processing time for complicated documents and regular requests, he would try to cut it down by half

by January 2017.

“The faster you do things, the more work needs to be done, the number of transactions also increases because you are serving more. You don’t usually cut down the number of personnel,” Beltran said.

PSe comPoSite index Closing July 12, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,937.95 72.68

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing July 12, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P47.320

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P47.270 LOW P47.500 AVERAGE P47.394 VOLUME 711.200M

P427.00-P620.00 LPG/11-kg tank P36.35-P43.45 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P24.75-P29.60 Diesel P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, July 12, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate

Popular game. Sameer Uddin (left) and Michelle Macias

play Pokemon Go on their smartphones outside of Nintendo’s flagship store, July 11, 2016. in New York City. The success of Nintendo’s new smartphone game, Pokemon Go, has sent shares of Nintendo soaring. AFP

Currency

Unit

US Dollar Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.1630

Japan

Yen

0.009729

0.4588

UK

Pound

1.299500

61.2883

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128911

6.0798

Switzerland

Franc

1.017915

48.0079

Canada

Dollar

0.762718

35.9721

Singapore

Dollar

0.740247

34.9123

Australia

Dollar

0.752900

35.5090

Bahrain

Dinar

2.650411

125.0013

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266588

12.5731

Brunei

Dollar

0.737518

34.7836

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028482

1.3433

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.8419

Euro

Euro

1.106000

52.1623

Korea

Won

0.000870

0.0410

China

Yuan

0.149403

7.0463

India

Rupee

0.014897

0.7026

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.250438

11.8114

New Zealand

Dollar

0.721800

34.0423

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031085

1.4661 Source: PDS Bridge

Automotive sales in June jumped by 36% to 32,993 units

By Othel V. Campos AUTOMOTIVE sales in June jumped 36 percent to 32,993 units from 24,185 year-on-year on attractive financing deals and promotional packages, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association said Tuesday.

Sales in the first six months of 2016 increased 27 percent to 167,481 units from 131,465 units on year, industry data show.

“There has been a sustained growth since the start of the year. We remain confident in achieving our initial target for the year with continued supply of vehicles, attractive promos and affordable financing scheme, among others,” said Campi president Rommel Gutierrez.

He added infrastructure development was feeding the growing demand for heavy-duty vehicles.

Other vehicle categories re-

corded a sales increase. Asian utility vehicles rose 41 percent to 6,185 units on year, while light commercial units surged 49 percent to 13,689 units.

Sales of light trucks rose 42 percent to 661 units, while those of trucks and buses jumped 48 percent to 314 units.

Both passenger cars and commercial vehicle segments rose compared with June sales last year.

Passenger cars sales grew 22 percent to 11,951 units in

June and 18.5 percent in the six-month period to 62,560 units.

Sales of commercial vehicles rose 46.7 to 21,042 units in June and 33 percent to 104,921 units in the first half of 2016.

All segments within the commercial vehicle segment performed well. Sales of heavy duty trucks and buses surged 91 percent to 193 units.

Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. was still the leading performer with a 43-percent mar-

ket share, followed by Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp. with 18 percent.

Ford Motor Philippines was at the third spot with a 10-percent share, while Isuzu Philippines Corp. landed at fourth position with 7.9 percent.

Honda Cars Philippines occupied the fifth spot with a 6.7-percent market share.

The industry maintained its self-imposed sales target of 350,000 units for 2016.

WEDNESDAY: JULY 13, 2016

B2

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

The STandard BuSineSS daily STockS review Tuesday, July 12, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 4 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 8.7 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

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings 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

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 20.6 125 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 3.95 4 74 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 5.28 1.3 2.17

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 15.32 62.5 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 34.1 2.3 1.63 33 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 4.28 0.640 1.2

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 6.5 5.29 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 9.66 0.0670 2.31 1.61 2.99 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 0.23 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.43 3 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 3 0.030 1.23 0.550 2.26 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

10.5 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 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

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.99 3.8 47.5 47.1 115.50 114.50 98.80 98.15 38.1 37.75 4.15 4.05 1.36 1.31 9.04 9.04 14.5 14.2 19.46 19.1 6.80 6.80 2.08 1.97 620.00 600.00 0.560 0.540 94 90.85 0.91 0.88 14.92 14.84 23.10 23.10 58.90 57.15 105 101.6 270.4 267.2 32.05 31.7 197.7 196.4 1350.00 1350.00 65.60 64.80 1.48 1.46 INDUSTRIAL Aboitiz Power Corp.

44.3 45.25 44.5 Agrinurture Inc. 3.9 4.01 3.84 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.83 0.85 0.82 Alsons Cons.

2 2.01 1.98 Asiabest Group 12.12 12.18 11.26 Century Food 23.55 17 15.9 Chemphil 152.5 170 155 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 149 158 148.4 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 20 20 18.7 Concepcion 47.5 48.9 47.6 Crown Asia 2.09 2.13 2.08 Da Vinci Capital 5.37 5.61 5.38 Del Monte 12.56 12.6 12.5 DNL Industries Inc. 9.740 9.930 9.750 Emperador 7.38 7.41 7.35 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.50 5.58 5.50 EEI 7.67 7.80 7.69 Euro-Med Lab 1.85 1.84 1.8 First Gen Corp.

24.3 25 24.35 First Holdings ‘A’ 69.85 70.75 69.7 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 11.90 12.20 11.90 15.24 15.18 Holcim Philippines Inc. 15.20 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.55 5.6 5.54 Ionics Inc 2.440 2.470 2.400 Jollibee Foods Corp.

250.00 253.00 249.40 Liberty Flour 42.00 41.95 37.40 LMG Chemicals 1.85 1.94 1.94 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.15 3.25 3.15 Macay Holdings 35.80 36.00 32.10 Manila Water Co. Inc. 27.5 27.55 27.35 Maxs Group 28.85 28.8 28.35 Megawide 7.3 7.38 7.3 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 312.00 313.20 311.00 MG Holdings 0.285 0.295 0.295 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.30 4.40 4.40 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.45 3.44 3.42 Petron Corporation 10.10 10.80 10.14 Phil H2O 3.04 3.34 3.34 Phinma Corporation 11.64 11.62 11.50 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 6.35 6.45 6.31 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.62 1.67 1.62 Pryce Corp. `A’ 2.96 3.1 2.96 RFM Corporation 4.16 4.17 4.15 Roxas Holdings 3.98 3.98 3.86 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 212 212 209 Splash Corporation 2.99 3.05 3 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.151 0.151 0.150 TKC Steel Corp.

2.25 2.37 2.00 Trans-Asia Oil 2.52 2.54 2.49 Universal Robina 201.4 203.8 199.7 Victorias Milling 4.4 4.4 4.35 Vitarich Corp.

0.97 1 0.96 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.35 1.36 1.25 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.415 0.420 0.390 Aboitiz Equity 79.20 79.40 78.50 Alliance Global Inc. 15.26 15.44 15.22 Anglo Holdings A 1.30 1.37 1.23 ATN Holdings A 0.360 0.370 0.365 ATN Holdings B 0.385 0.375 0.360 Ayala Corp `A’ 850 870 849.5 Cosco Capital 7.81 7.84 7.8 DMCI Holdings 12.70 12.78 12.70 F&J Prince ‘A’ 5.36 5.7 5.36 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

6.47 6.58 6.47 Forum Pacific 0.222 0.265 0.244 GT Capital 1485 1520 1490 House of Inv. 6.46 6.44 6.44 JG Summit Holdings 85.30 87.15 85.00 Jolliville Holdings 4.27 3.7 3.65 Keppel Holdings `A’ 5.05 5.05 5.05 Lopez Holdings Corp.

7.76 7.78 7.6 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.71 0.72 0.7 LT Group 15.96 16.06 15.88 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 7.02 7.2 7.05 3.12 MJCI Investments Inc. 3.09 3.3 Pacifica `A’ 0.0330 0.0320 0.0320 Prime Media Hldg 1.240 1.340 1.240 Prime Orion 1.920 1.940 1.900 Republic Glass ‘A’ 2.60 2.70 2.69 San Miguel Corp `A’ 78.45 78.50 77.80 Seafront `A’ 2.27 2.27 2.13 SM Investments Inc. 999.00 1008.00 997.00 Solid Group Inc. 1.23 1.35 1.20 South China Res. Inc. 0.90 1.04 0.90 Top Frontier 193.000 192.000 189.000 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3050 0.3100 0.3000 Wellex Industries 0.2090 0.2070 0.2060 Zeus Holdings 0.300 0.305 0.290 PROPERTY 8990 HLDG 7.520 7.540 7.490 A. Brown Co., Inc. 1.34 1.37 1.32 Araneta Prop `A’ 2.240 2.280 2.210 Arthaland Corp.

0.275 0.290 0.275 Ayala Land `B’ 39.100 39.700 39.150 Belle Corp. `A’ 3.33 3.39 3.31 Cebu Holdings 5.17 5.02 5.02 Century Property 0.520 0.52 0.510 City & Land Dev. 1.15 1.15 1.06 Cityland Dev. `A’ 1.020 1.200 1.000 Crown Equities Inc. 0.132 0.133 0.131 Cyber Bay Corp.

0.680 0.730 0.680 Double Dragon 61.5 62 60.8 Empire East Land 0.800 0.810 0.800

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

Close

SHARES 15,030,867 138,868,850 99,934,730 289,110,554 372,901,734 364,783,526 1,310,710,947

3.8 47.5 115.20 98.80 37.95 4.10 1.31 9.04 14.26 19 6.80 2.08 600.00 0.560 90.85 0.92 14.86 23.80 57.50 105 265 31.7 196.4 1350.00 65.65 1.48

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.8 47.5 114.80 98.40 38 4.14 1.36 9.04 14.3 19.38 6.80 1.97 620.00 0.540 93.8 0.91 14.9 23.50 58.65 102 270.4 32.05 197.3 1350.00 65.60 1.48

0.00 0.00 -0.35 -0.40 0.13 0.98 3.82 0.00 0.28 2.00 0.00 -5.29 3.33 -3.57 3.25 -1.09 0.27 -1.26 2.00 -2.86 2.04 1.10 0.46 0.00 -0.08 0.00

179,000 21,700 1,631,840 1,783,260 90,800 14,000 241,000 3,200 21,500 851,100 800 328,000 20 690,000 7,321,090 13,000 136,500 3,100 56,710 440 11,420 67,500 671,740 290 23,800 320,000

44.65 3.9 0.85 2 12.18 16.18 169.9 148.4 19.68 48 2.09 5.53 12.54 9.850 7.35 5.55 7.80 1.83 24.7 70 12.20 15.22 5.54 2.400 250.00 41.95 1.94 3.25 35.70 27.5 28.75 7.31 311.00 0.295 4.40 3.42 10.76 3.34 11.50 6.40 1.66 3.07 4.17 3.98 210 3.02 0.150 2.12 2.52 200 4.4 0.97 1.32

0.79 0.00 2.41 0.00 0.50 -31.30 11.41 -0.40 -1.60 1.05 0.00 2.98 -0.16 1.13 -0.41 0.91 1.69 -1.08 1.65 0.21 2.52 0.13 -0.18 -1.64 0.00 -0.12 4.86 3.17 -0.28 0.00 -0.35 0.14 -0.32 3.51 2.33 -0.87 6.53 9.87 -1.20 0.79 2.47 3.72 0.24 0.00 -0.94 1.00 -0.66 -5.78 0.00 -0.70 0.00 0.00 -2.22

2,147,800 977,000 467,000 1,131,000 500 5,278,800 340 1,630 7,908,500 35,200 1,287,000 1,760,600 124,400 5,459,300 1,487,100 15,669,600 257,700 35,000 8,991,800 222,590 1,100 173,400 284,400 1,500,000 1,169,420 700 1,000 13,000 35,400 968,900 413,400 1,391,200 177,720 10,000 1,000 659,000 18,155,100 3,000 11,000 4,436,400 938,000 988,000 54,000 4,000 2,260 3,360,000 4,120,000 16,320,000 1,395,000 3,206,270 5,000 21,266,000 4,371,000

0.400 79.00 15.28 1.30 0.370 0.375 870 7.8 12.78 5.5 6.55 0.260 1520 6.44 86.70 3.69 5.05 7.78 0.71 16 7.1 3.12 0.0320 1.340 1.900 2.70 78.00 2.27 1005.00 1.20 0.92 189.000 0.3050 0.2060 0.290

-3.61 -0.25 0.13 0.00 2.78 -2.60 2.35 -0.13 0.63 2.61 1.24 17.12 2.36 -0.31 1.64 -13.58 0.00 0.26 0.00 0.25 1.14 0.97 -3.03 8.06 -1.04 3.85 -0.57 0.00 0.60 -2.44 2.22 -2.07 0.00 -1.44 -3.33

2,690,000 1,591,570 5,100,800 665,000 1,820,000 1,130,000 239,580 4,777,300 2,159,000 447,400 72,500 2,560,000 239,585 5,000 3,002,700 5,000 100 3,255,500 325,000 4,198,100 36,549,600 10,000 10,200,000 60,000 780,000 12,000 144,510 39,000 420,950 10,189,000 444,000 12,200 1,080,000 200,000 4,910,000

7.500 1.33 2.280 0.275 39.700 3.39 5.02 0.510 1.09 1.070 0.131 0.710 62 0.800

-0.27 -0.75 1.79 0.00 1.53 1.80 -2.90 -1.92 -5.22 4.90 -0.76 4.41 0.81 0.00

5,217,200 2,398,000 712,000 1,520,000 15,195,900 691,000 7,300 2,066,000 71,000 242,000 1,160,000 39,569,000 612,060 121,000

531,510.00 -8,583,724 -72,170,473.50 38,000.00 4,150.00 -7,599,924.00

398,228,316.00 684,903.00 10,200.00 2,500,572.00 1,524,040 -14,628,014.00

25,041,575.00 -374,090.00 -13,483,188.00 -10,298.00 934,240 12,540.00 -57,018.00 23,726,204.00 -1,622,726.00 36,684,758.00 1,335,498.00 51,978,985.00 111,620.00 -1,954,946.00 -196,830.00 -3,282,476.00

9,160,760.00 4,558,433.00 -16,960,512.00 95,760.00 -37,310,072.00 -25,493,700.00 -9,960.00 -70,690.00 -316,920.00 -364,520.00 -77,990.00 50,200.00 -256,803,450.00 477,750.00 -132,000.00 37,834,699.00 14,950,282.00 74,722,595.00 4,295,042.00 6,965,558.00 132,054.00 -12,200.00 166,898,920.00 39,473,635.50 5,742,842.00 -10,262,910.00 80,817,892.00

-763,141.50 -41,978,830.00 -5,000.00 -57,000.00 -75,000.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

60,000 14,886,000 13,618,000 74,000 400 110,947,000 12,150,000 100,000 360,000 700 642,800 2,118,600 297,000 105,000 40,635,300 4,225,000 6,000 4,263,000 10,179,600

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 4 2720 8.41

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 2.58 1600 5.95

70.5 1.97 119.5 7 12.5 0.017

17.02 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 3.2 95.5 1 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.01 1.95 3.1 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

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

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

Discovery World DFNN Inc. Easy Call “Common” Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel 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 Macroasia Corp.

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

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

0.00 -0.10 4.96 -1.64 0.18 -1.60 -2.46 0.00 -0.35 0.96 0.00 9.57 -1.00 0.63 -0.42 -0.16 2.86 0.48 2.63 0.16 7.42 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.41 1.81 1.22 -1.54 0.46 -3.86 -7.89 -2.20 0.00 0.00 -0.49 3.75 0.00 2.11 -0.17 2.51 0.00 4.62 -8.66 -0.96 0.00 0.00 1.43 2.98 0.16 0.00 1.72 -0.29 -1.47 0.16

16,600 2,199.00 54,300 13,000 317,000 4,000 5,550.00 59,200 13,600.00 10,550,300 -5,519,606.00 21,650,000 3,304,000 735,460.00 373,550 12,614,703.50 1,600 1,000 179,600 50,240.00 1,000 45,805 8,170,970.00 102,900 1,279,500 62,042.00 56,700 25,000 -1,150.00 2,270,920 -84,443,020.50 262,600 200 17,000,000 310,000 105,580,000 3,500.00 114,709,000 -191,203,220.00 4,431,000 -42,420.00 16,200 87,100 -25,970 2,124,000 65,720.00 1,000 24,000 -54,790.00 1,400 31,000 1,000 21,201,000 13,406,000 3,502,710.00 9,048,000 1,282,390.00 236,300 23,920.00 82,800 5,000 27,410 107,720.00 1,707,200 -2,917,140.00 -63,336,340.00 120,430 3,740,000 -4,600.00 18,737,000 -4,205,300.00 4,846,700 117,527,435.00 258,830 10,473,881.50 543,400 10,483,000 -11,823,670.00 865,000 1,340,000 -1,659,510.00 230,000 149,600 201,895.00

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

0.00 -0.57 -0.69 0.00 -0.87 0.00 -11.92 0.00 0.00 0.57 0.00 0.00 -0.81 1.96 0.00 0.00 -1.60 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.85 0.00 0.00 0.51 -1.25 0.86 0.00 -0.41 0.25 10.00

130,000,000 1,059,000 144,020.00 190,000 -78,200.00 10,400 830,000 35,700 14,800 329,000 1,551,000 510.00 1,300 16,984,000 3,986,850.00 600,000 41,140,000 900,000 12,750.00 1,000,000 5,700,000 766,000 -1,830.00 5,452,200 3,683,026.00 835,000 109,000 131,000 28,560.00 64,700,000 200,000 2,000 3,011,800 5,025,237.00 19,754,000 2,157,320.00 16,100,000 482,470 -2,524,441.00 1,765,000 61,200.00 50,900,000

70 525 120 8.21 111

33 500 101.5 5.88 101

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ First Gen G GMA Holdings Inc. MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

-0.41 0.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 -3.45 0.20 -1.67 -1.75 0.19 1.58 0.00 -0.38 0.00 1.04 0.00

131,800 500 160 220,000 10 1,000 4,185 160 8,360 140,400 20,020 2,000 123,690 76,860 102,900 107,650

3.13

385,000

-15.56 6.02 2.09 0.37

27,665,400 458,854.00 3,000 497,000 1,900,800 1,944,188.00

0.78

13,560

1047

1011

78.95 84.8

74.5 75

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

0.159 0.145 0.158 0.99 0.97 0.98 2.04 1.98 2.00 1.25 1.20 1.25 5.20 5.20 5.20 5 4.88 5 0.110 0.103 0.105 0.2800 0.2800 0.2800 0.450 0.440 0.440 37.30 36.50 36.50 13 12.2 12.98 31.30 30.10 31.00 1.78 1.72 1.77 3.3 3.29 3.3 29.60 28.30 29.40 0.99 0.97 0.98 6.99 6.48 6.99 1.080 1.000 1.080 5.860 5.680 5.850 SERVICES 7.35 7.37 7.3 7.35 49 49.05 48.75 48.95 1.21 1.33 1.27 1.27 0.610 0.600 0.590 0.600 11.18 11.2 11.1 11.2 6.86 7 6.7 6.75 6.92 7.00 6.75 6.75 0.0600 0.0610 0.0600 0.0600 2.86 2.89 2.81 2.85 98.95 101 99 99.9 9.83 9.83 9.55 9.83 1.88 2.06 2.06 2.06 5.00 5.09 4.87 4.95 3.20 3.22 3.22 3.22 2360 2390 2350 2350 6.36 6.37 6.35 6.35 17.48 18.20 16.80 17.98 21.00 22.00 21.10 21.10 1.14 1.17 1.14 1.17 63 63.4 62.35 63.1 13.48 15.00 13.50 14.48 11.5 11.5 11.5 11.5 0.0092 0.0093 0.0092 0.0092 9.39 9.39 9.39 9.39 0.340 0.360 0.345 0.355 1.6600 1.7200 1.6500 1.6900 2.45 3.22 2.36 2.48 13 13 12.8 12.8 6.48 6.55 6.48 6.51 3.11 3.12 2.97 2.99 1.14 1.05 1.05 1.05 2.73 2.75 2.60 2.67 19.98 19.98 19.98 19.98 0.580 0.590 0.580 0.580 2.03 2.02 2.02 2.02 4 4.15 3.9 4.15 4.68 4.80 4.60 4.68 3.800 3.950 3.820 3.880 11.98 11.98 11.8 11.96 5.17 5.30 5.15 5.30 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 130.00 136.00 125.00 136.00 16.40 16.80 14.00 14.98 2094.00 2096.00 2072.00 2074.00 0.455 0.465 0.455 0.455 1.210 1.210 1.180 1.210 45.55 46.35 45.60 46.20 84.00 86.70 84.00 86.50 6.38 6.43 6.35 6.39 3.73 3.73 3.61 3.73 0.580 0.590 0.580 0.590 3.42 3.42 3.39 3.41 0.340 0.340 0.330 0.335 6.300 6.400 6.000 6.310 MINING & OIL 0.0040 0.0041 0.0040 0.0040 3.50 3.54 3.43 3.48 4.37 4.40 4.34 4.34 11.80 11.80 11.16 11.80 0.230 0.234 0.228 0.228 6.5000 6.7 6.5 6.5000 7.5500 7.2000 6.6500 6.6500 0.62 0.63 0.61 0.62 0.500 0.510 0.495 0.500 8.70 8.88 8.67 8.75 0.880 0.890 0.860 0.880 0.290 0.300 0.285 0.290 0.248 0.249 0.244 0.246 0.255 0.260 0.255 0.260 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 0.0130 1.87 1.88 1.83 1.84 5.55 5.6 5.4 5.55 2.75 2.78 2.66 2.75 0.5700 0.5700 0.5700 0.5700 1.1800 1.1900 1.1800 1.1900 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 0.0120 3.92 3.94 3.92 3.94 8.82 8.91 8.68 8.71 4.66 5.20 4.65 4.70 0.0130 0.0130 0.0120 0.0130 121.00 121.00 120.30 120.50 3.99 4.25 3.99 4 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 0.0110 PREFERRED 49 49.35 48.15 48.8 541.5 545 545 545 115.4 115.4 115.4 115.4 6.2 6.2 6.16 6.2 112 112 112 112 1160 1120 1120 1120 1020 1023 1022 1022 108 108 106.2 106.2 79.9 79.6 78.5 78.5 79.65 81 79.55 79.8 75.8 77 77 77 78 78 78 78 78.3 78.1 77.5 78 78.3 78.5 78.3 78.3 77 77.8 77 77.8 77 77 76.8 77 WARRANTS & BONDS 2.560 2.800 2.590 2.640 SME 5.4 6.13 4.41 4.56 3.49 3.7 3.69 3.7 4.3 4.49 4.3 4.39 16.36 16.52 16.34 16.42 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 128.8 129.8 128.6 129.8

% 5.33 0.00 0.00 1.63 4.00 3.09 -3.67 1.82 -5.38 -2.14 6.39 1.64 0.00 0.00 3.89 0.00 -0.14 5.88 2.63

STOCKS

FINANCIAL 1,792.51 (UP) 10.76 INDUSTRIAL 11,884.71 (UP) 32.91 HOLDING FIRMS 7,794.09 (UP) 76.96 PROPERTY 3,584.70 (UP) 82.82 SERVICES 1,643.67 (DOWN) 3.10 MINING & OIL 11,241.36 (DOWN) 43.01 PSEI 7,880.31 (UP) 72.68 All Shares Index 4,766.85 (UP) 38.68 Gainers: 111; Losers: 81; Unchanged: 61; Total: 253

Close

Ever Gotesco 0.150 Global-Estate 0.98 Filinvest Land,Inc. 2.00 Interport `A’ 1.23 Keppel Properties 5.00 Megaworld 4.85 MRC Allied Ind. 0.109 Phil. Estates Corp.

0.2750 Phil. Realty `A’ 0.465 Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry 37.30 Primex Corp.

12.2 Robinson’s Land `B’ 30.50 Rockwell 1.77 Shang Properties Inc. 3.3 SM Prime Holdings 28.30 Sta. Lucia Land Inc. 0.98 Starmalls 7 Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. 1.020 Vista Land & Lifescapes 5.700

T op g ainerS VALUE 1,272,934,274.61 2,146,315,264.771 1,954,063,481.835 2,771,198,024.29 1,452,619,821.40 257,148,441.10 10,035,695,712.81

Low

0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 3.1 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

10,200.00 -50,400.00 -42,240.00 -383,820.00 2,507,892.00 -4,000.00

High

0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 8.4 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

37,915,859.00 -89,900.00 62,963,990.00 1,272,310.00

Close

-9,910,740.00 -10,214,790.00 1,250.00 302,924,990.00 52,500.00 -245,200.00 3,430,570.00 148,372,790.00 -98,000.00 -316,000.00 2,325,268.00

5,260,475.00 -1,363,380.00

-1,591,000

-3,875,000.00 -26,950.00

-2,596.00

T op L oSerS Close (P)

Change (%)

STOCKS

Close (P)

Change (%)

Forum Pacific

0.260

17.12

Alterra Capital

4.56

Chemphil

169.9

11.41

Jolliville Holdings

3.69

-15.56 -13.58

United Paragon

0.0110

10.00

Benguet Corp `B'

6.6500

-11.92

Phil H2O

3.34

9.87

Philweb.Com Inc.

14.98

-8.66

Discovery World

2.06

9.57

Lorenzo Shipping

1.05

-7.89

Prime Media Hldg

1.340

8.06

TKC Steel Corp.

2.12

-5.78

Imperial Res. `A'

14.48

7.42

Phil. Realty `A'

0.440

-5.38

Petron Corporation

10.76

6.53

I-Remit Inc.

1.97

-5.29

Primex Corp.

12.98

6.39

City & Land Dev.

1.09

-5.22

Makati Fin. Corp.

3.7

6.02

Liberty Telecom

2.99

-3.86

WEDNESDAY: JULY 13, 2016

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

Merger of SM units approved

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Securities and Exchange Commission approved the plan of the Sy family to consolidate all retail businesses under SM Retail Inc. SM Investments Corp., the holding company of tycoon Henry Sy, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the corporate regular approved the merger of SM Retail with other retail subsidiaries and affiliates, including Forsyth Equity Holdings Inc., HFS Corp., Morrison Corp., San Mateo Bros. Inc. and Tangiers Resources Corp. SM Retail is the surviving corporation.

“The merger is seen to be both value and earnings accretive given the stores’ competitive position, synergies with SM Supermalls and strong growth potential,” SM Investments said.

Under the plan, over 1,300 retail outlets will be folded into SM Retail in exchange for shares of stock in SM Retail’s expanded net assets.

The merger will include SM Re-

tail’s food and department stores, leading local brands Ace Hardware, Watsons, Toy Kingdom, SM Appliances, Our Home, Baby Company, Kultura, Sports Central, Pet Express and other specialty retailers.

Macquarie Capital was the appointed advisor of SM Investments for the merger.

SM Investments earlier said the consolidation would boost total revenues of the retail group to P251 billion, up 16.7 percent from P215 billion before the merger.

SM Investments will hold 77.3 percent interest in SM Retail after the merger, while the Sy family will continue to own 22.7 percent.

Aside from higher revenues, the combined entity will have

1,927 outlets and 2.4 million square meters of gross floor area across a diverse portfolio of food, household appliances, DIY, furniture, apparel, footwear, pharmaceuticals/cosmetics and specialty retailing stores.

Meanwhile, property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. set the interest rate for its P10-billion, 10-year fixed rate bonds at 4.2005 percent on strong demand for investors.

SM Prime said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the offer period for the bond offering would be on July 13 to 19, 2016. The retail bonds will be issued and listed with the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp on July 26.

“The retail bond to be issued

will sustain SM Prime’s development roadmap, which is geared towards provincial expansions mostly allotted on malls and offices developments. We remain optimistic on the huge growth potential in the provinces where large areas remain unserved,” SM Prime president Hans Sy said.

SM Prime bonds’ joint issue managers, joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners are BDO Capital & Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp., China Bank Capital Corp. and First Metro Investment Corp.

East West Banking Corp., PNB Capital and Investment Corp. and United Coconut Planters Bank are participating underwriters for the bond issue.

Stocks near 8,000 level; SM Prime, Petron rise

Manila Water’s global award. Manila Water gets the Unilever Global Development Award at Business in the Community’s 2016

Annual Responsible Business Gala in London. The company is cited for its Tubig Para sa Barangay (Water For The Poor) program, which helps people in poor urban communities access clean, safe, affordable water while improving the quality of the water supply and growing a new customer base.

Accepting the award is Manila Water head of corporate strategic affairs Nestor Eric Sevilla Jr. With him are (from left) Anthony Jenkins, chairman of Business in the Community; Sarah-Jane Mee, gala presenter; Kofi Siaw, member of Race for Opportunity youth advisory panel, Business in the Community; Keith Weed, chief marketing officer of Unilever and chair of judging panel; and Stephen Howard, chief executive of Business in the Community.

Remittances, BPO revenues to hit $47b this year

By Julito G. Rada REMITTANCES from Filipinos working overseas and business process outsourcing receipts are expected to reach $47.3 billion this year, enough to sustain the country’s external strength, an economist said Tuesday.

ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said in a report the combined remittances and BPO revenues in 2016 would represent a 9-percent growth from last year.

“We also expect outsourcing revenues to amount to $25 billion this year, a 16-percent increase.

We have assumed a 3-percent YoY growth for OFW remittances in 2016. The combined amount of

these inflows reaches $47.3 billion this year or a combined growth of 9 percent this year,” Cuyegkeng said.

“These inflows should keep the country’s external payments position healthy and would likely moderate any externally driven weakness of Asian currencies,” Cuyegkeng said.

He said remittances were expected to increase by 4 percent to 5 percent year-on-year in May to $2.2 billion, bringing the fivemonth remittances to $10.9 billion, or an increase of 3.4 percent from a year ago.

“The recent improvement in oil prices should deliver some relief that remittances are unlikely to contract for the whole of 2016. In

addition, the deployment of higher skilled Filipinos abroad would likely support a modest growth not only this year but in the coming years,” Cuyegkeng said.

Bangko Sentral is scheduled to release the remittance data for the month of May on Friday.

Cash remittances grew 4.6 percent to a record $25.767 billion in 2015 from $24.628 billion in 2014, surpassing the conservative 4-percent growth projection of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

It also accounted for around 10 percent of gross domestic product in 2015. In 2016, Bangko Sentral aims for a 4-percent growth in remittances.

Remittances grew 4.1 percent in April this year to $2.2 billion

from $2.1 billion a year ago amid sustained demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad. The April expansion was also a reversal of the revised 1.2-percent decline in March. This brought cash remittances in the first four months of 2016 to $8.67 billion, up by 3.1 percent from $8.4 billion in the same period last year.

Cash remittances from both land-based ($6.8 billion) and seabased ($1.9 billion) workers grew by 3.8 percent and 0.8 percent yearon-year, respectively. More than three-fourths of cash remittances came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, Qatar, Hong Kong, Kuwait and Germany.

STOCKS advanced for a third day, sending the benchmark index above the 7,900-point level for the first time in 15 months, amid waning fears over Britain’s European Union exit vote.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 72 points, or 0.9 percent, to close at 7,937.95 Tuesday, the highest since it settled at 7,946.89 on April 17, 2015. The bellwether achieved a peak of 8,127.48 on April 10, 2015.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also rose 38 points, or 0.8 percent, to finish at 4,795.85, on a value turnover of P10 billion.

Advancers outnumbered losers, 111 to 81, while 61 issues were unchanged.

Thirteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by oil refiner Petron Corp. which climbed 6.3 percent to P10.74 and developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. which rose 4.1 percent to P29.45. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second largest lender, added 3.4 percent to close at P93.90.

Meanwhile, Tokyo stocks soared again Tuesday to lead another Asia-wide markets rally fueled by hopes of fresh central bank stimulus and following last week’s blockbuster US jobs report.

The gains extended a global advance that saw the S&P 500 on Wall Street close at a record high for the first time in 14 months.

They also suggest investor fears over Britain’s shock European Union exit vote last month have been allayed by promises of central bank help.

The Nikkei index ended up 2.5 percent, adding to the 4-percent surge clocked up Monday as the yen retreated against the dollar following a huge win for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s coalition in weekend elections. with AFP, Bloomberg

B4 IMF keeps growth target

By Julito G. Rada MULTI-LATERAL lender International Monetary Fund retained its growth forecast for the Philippines this year at 6 percent and 6.2 percent in 2017, saying the expansion could be higher in the medium term if the country will spend more on infrastructure and the education and health of its population.

“A higher revenue and productive spending scenario of about 3 percent of GDP with the expeditious implementation of the 10-point reform agenda [of the Duterte administration] would raise the IMF staff’s baseline growth outlook of about 6 to 7 percent to a 7 to 8 percent range over the medium term,” mission chief Chikahisa Sumi said in a briefing Tuesday.

“This additional effort scenario would make the Philippines one of the fastest growing [if not the fastest] economies in the world and help reduce poverty toward the government’s ambitious target,” Sumi said.

The IMF during the World Economic Outlook for April also kept the growth forecast for the Philippines this year at 6 percent and 6.2 percent in 2017.

Given the large infrastructure and social needs and ample fiscal space, Sumi said IMF supported raising the national government budget deficit to 3 percent of the gross domestic product over the medium term.

“We would moreover encourage a comprehensive and equitable tax reform package that raises substantial additional revenue to finance higher productive spending that would crowd in private investment,” Sumi said.

He said the Philippine economy was doing “very strong” despite the external headwinds coming from trade slowdown globally, volatility in the financial markets, and the recent exit of United Kingdom from the European Union.

“The Philippines has a growing young population which is a blessing. But if there is no vital investments in education and health, this can turn to an unemployment issue [in the future].

This will have negative impact to the economy,” Sumi said.

Group calls for new steel shipment rules

By Othel V. Campos

THE Federation of Philippine Industries called for a review and revision of the implementing rules and regulations on the importation of mandatory products such as steel.

“It is in effect adding provisions illegal to the Philippine National Standards. The sampling method being used currently is illegal based on the Asean Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature code,” FPI president Jesus Arranza said in a briefing Tuesday.

He noted that the local sampling process, a test of quality for steel products, was deficient because it did not conform to the standards set by the Bureau of Product Standards.

Under the Asean Harmonized

standards, the protocol calls for at least one bar of the product for every 20 metric tons.

“If they refuse to amend the IRR, then I think, we’ll have to go to the court,” said Arranza, who spoke in behalf of Filipino industries and enterprises facing trade challenges.

Arranza cited the ongoing case of 5,000 metric tons of steel shipment from China that recently received a release from the warehouse to its intended market by Subic Port officials despite mis-

declaration as stated in the import entry.

The shipment of deformed reconstruction bars or rebars imported by Mannage Resources Trading Corp. in April used the tariff heading of 72.28.30.90, which had a Bureau of Customs reference value of $340 per ton.

In contrast, the BoC reference value was $380 per ton for carbon rebar and $410 per ton for alloy rebar. The misdeclaration resulted in a loss of P2.25 million in taxes for the government.

The importer also allegedly did not declare the specifications and grade of the steel bars as required “for the interest of public safety.”

The shipment should have followed the PNS sampling process, which would require 250 samples to be tested for a 5,000-metric ton quantity, rather than the single test done for the entire shipment

of imported rebar in question, the steel group said.

The Metal Industry Research and Development Center said it only took three samples from the 5,000 MT steel shipment following the advisory of the BPS. One rebar underwent quality testing and the remaining two were spare samplings, the center said.

The local steel group said it was committed to correct the illegal importation of the substandard steel products.

Faced with a steel importer cartel that brings down the prices in the market since their products lacks the proper seal of quality, the Philippine Iron and Steel Institute said it would continue its advocacy to rid the industry of substandard products and unmask importers engaged in technical smuggling.

‘AIM for Change.’ The Asian Institute of Management and TeamAsia gather Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Manuel Pangilinan, Washington SyCip and Jaime Zobel de Ayala in AIM For Change, a series of roundtable discussions held at Fairmont Hotel Makati. Four of the country’s top business titans weighed in on how the current administration should address inclusive growth through the eyes of an experienced executive. Shown are (from left) AIM president and dean Jikyeong Kang, Pangilinan, Magsaysay-Ho, Zobel, SyCip and moderator Coco Alcuaz.

It just got harder to build coal-fired power plants in PH THE Philippines’ new environment secretary will prioritize renewable energy over fossil fuels like coal in approving permits for new power plants.

Southeast Asia’s fastest growing economy should build wind, solar and geothermal projects to capitalize on falling costs and minimize emissions, Gina Lopez, named Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources by President Rodrigo Duterte last month, said in an interview in her office Thursday.

Lopez said her family’s ties to renew-

able energy companies don’t affect her views.

Lopez, 62, whose office gives environmental approval for new power plants in the Philippines as it nearly doubles electricity generation by 2030, stopped short of promising to never approve a new coal-fired plant.

She said she would make decisions in consultation with the Department of Energy, which has said the Philippines will have to continue to rely on coal.

“Why allow more coal plants?

Why commit to a form of energy

that has no future?” Lopez said in an interview with Bloomberg Thursday. “I’m not keen on it. I’d have to be very convinced.”

Thermal coal at Australia’s port of Newcastle, a benchmark in Asia, rose 6.4 percent the week ended Friday to $60.11 a metric ton, according to globalCOAL. Prices have fallen 50 percent in the past five years.

Energy Department officials did not immediately respond to e-mails and phone calls for comment. New Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said

at a July 4 press briefing the country couldn’t afford to not use coal as it seeks to reduce electricity costs while finding a balance between adequate supply and protecting the environment.

“We have to find that balance, not everything can be renewable,” he said.

Coal accounted for 45 percent of the nation’s electricity output in 2015, with natural gas at 23 percent, according to Energy Department statistics. Geothermal, hydro and other renewable sources accounted for about a quarter.

Plummeting costs for solar generation mean that if the Philippines commits to new coal plants now, it could be stuck paying higher prices for higher-emission power for the next two decades, Lopez said.

The cost of photovoltaic modules, the largest part of solar costs, has fallen from $72 per watt in 1976 to 60 cents last year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Costs will fall another 60 percent by 2040, BNEF said in its New Energy Outlook last month.

Bloomberg

W E D N E S D AY : J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

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

School credit. Development Bank of the Philippines approves a P220-million term loan and P30-million working capital for University of Perpetual Help Rizal Inc., which is doing business under the name University of Perpetual Help System DALTA. Signing of the loan agreement are (from left) UPHSD vice president for special operations Homero Jose, UPHSD president Anthony Jose Tamayo, UPHSD corporate treasurer Daisy Tamayo, UPHSD chief executive Antonio Tamayo, DBP executive vice president Mario Palou and DBP senior assistant vice president Jeanne Adamos.

May exports fell 3.8% to $4.7b

By Gabrielle Binaday

Merchandise exports in May declined 3.8 percent to $4.71 billion from $4.89 billion year-on-year, as the sluggish global economy led to a lower demand for the country’s garment and mineral products, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Tuesday.

The drop was the 14th consecutive decline in export shipments since the 4.1-percent decrease in April last year.

Total exports for the January-toMay period as a result fell 6.6 per-

cent $22.074 billion from $23.638 billion on year.

The National Economic and Development Authority said companies should refocus their export strategies amid falling exports.

PLDT, Globe file suit versus anti-trust body

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE two largest telecommunications companies on Tuesday filed separate cases before the Court of Appeals against the government’s newly created anti-trust body amid a review of their joint acquisition of San Miguel Corp.’s telecom assets.

PLDT Inc. regulatory affairs head Ray Espinosa said the company sought a temporary restraining order against the Philippine Competition Commission, after declaring the P70billion acquisition of San Miguel’s telco assets by Globe Telecom Inc. and PLDT was not “deemed approved” and would need a review.

“We were constrained to file the petition to uphold the deemed approved status of the transaction under the terms of the PCC’s transitory circulars,” Espinosa said.

PLDT claimed that the circulars had considered the transaction approved and could no longer be challenged before the implementing rules and regulations of the Philippine Competition Act came into

full force.

The deal between PLDT, Globe and San Miguel was sealed on May 30, while the PCC rules were published on June 3 and would take effect after 15 days.

“The transaction has been deemed approved by operation of law. The transitory circulars issued by the PCC have the force and effect of law. We complied fully with the terms of the circulars. The legal effects and consequences of such compliance cannot be reversed or undone,” Espinosa added.

He said that to reverse or undo the transaction would result in irreparable and incalculable injury to the public service.

Espinosa said “the use of the new frequencies is also in compliance with the order and directive of the National Telecommunications Commission, when it approved the specific frequency co-use arrangement between Smart and BellTel Telecommunications Philippines Inc., that such co-use arrangement be implemented immediately.”

“The growth of exports is expected to remain muted for the rest of 2016 with the slow recovery of the global economy.

Given the soft demand, exportoriented firms may need to refocus their strategies to consider non-traditional markets, which have shown healthier ap-

petites in recent months,” said Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

Exports of manufactures declined 0.5 percent, forest products by 82.6 percent, and petroleum products by 33.4 percent.

Exports of agro-based prod-

ucts and mineral products both fell 29.4 percent to $233.4 billion and 13.6 percent to $216.98 million, respectively.

The other mineral products category registered the steepest decline of 44 percent to $87.08 million among the top 10 export commodities

WEDNESDAY: JULY 13, 2016

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

Mining group hits new DENR circular

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

THE new memorandum order issued by Environment Secretary Regina Lopez will jeopardize mining investments in the country, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines said Tuesday.

Lopez earlier issued Memorandum Order No. 2016-01 calling for an audit on all mining firms and imposing a moratorium on new projects.

CoMP executive vice president Nelia Halcon said in a statement the new order “impedes on the otherwise positive investment environment created during the business forum in Davao City.”

Halcon said responsible mining was crucial in driving investments in rural areas.

“A continuing moratorium on new mining projects only breeds more confusion and uncertainty, particularly on capital-intensive and risky mining business,” Halcon said.

Halcon said that since 2010, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau had undertaken an assessment of all mining permits and agreements in a bid to purge the system of nonmoving mining applications.

“After six years of review, it is now incumbent upon MGB to report the results to the new secretary before another comprehensive review is undertaken,” Halcon said.

DENR earlier ordered mining companies to secure an ISO 14001 certification.

Halcon said of the 42 total operating mines, only 21 were members of the CoMP and of the 21 members, 17 had fully complied with ISO 14001, with the remaining four waiting to be certified anytime soon.

“We are now calling on MGB to release the list of cancelled mining applications in the spirit of transparency,” Halcon said.

“The Chamber of Mines and its entire membership continues to rely on the President’s pronouncement to the DENR to just implement the Mining Act of 1995 and ensure responsible mining in the country,” Halcon said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Coalition for Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining and environment group Ban Toxics called on President Rodrigo Duterte and Lopez to hear out the concerns of and support the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.

The coalition appealed to the new administration to respond to the sector’s issues such as poverty, human rights, legalization, amendment of mining laws, occupational health and environmental impact.

The group said they were “willing to cooperate with the new administration in realizing these goals.”

“This coalition hopes to change the game for small-scale mining communities in the country,” said Ban Toxics development program manager Evelyn Cubello.

Winning design. Hocheng Philippines Corp. president Sam Chen (right) chats with ArchiNext 2015 winner Laredo Angelo Paras during during the inauguration of the Sustainable Community Comfort Area at the plaza of Barangay Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac. The structure—which followed Paras’s winning design—was donated by HCG to the community as a nod to Tarlac State University, where Paras is currently working on his degree in Architecture. The structure was designed under ArchiNext: HCG Young Designers’ Competition, a contest in partnership with the United Architects of the Philippines and the Council of Deans and Heads of Architecture Schools in the Philippines

Factory output fell 1.2% in May

By Gabrielle H. Binaday FACTORY output declined 1.2 percent in May from a year ago, ending 11 months of growth, on high inventories of several products, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

Results of PSA’s monthly integrated survey of selected industries showed the volume of production index dropped 1.2 percent, following an 11.8-percent increase in April. The value of production index also tumbled 4.9 percent in May. The negative growth performance of the manufacturing sector in May ended 11 months of positive growth, or since the 1.7-percent decline in June 2015, according to the National Economic and Development Authority.

“This drop in manufacturing production is the first for 2016. As business sentiment remains optimistic and supported by stable consumer confidence, industrial output is expected to improve towards the end of the second quarter,” said Economic Planning Secretary and Neda director-general Ernesto Pernia.

Pernia said the manufacturing sector was expected to benefit from the economic agenda of the current administration, particularly on increasing competitiveness, easing business processes, accelerating infrastructure spending and attracting foreign direct investment.

High levels of inventories in leather goods, drugs and medicines posted at the beginning of the year continued to meet the demand for these products, resulting in a production slowdown.

The volume and value of production in petroleum continued to decline, but at a slower pace due to higher demand for diesel from Europe and lower supply of oil from the US. Pernia said the subdued global economic prospects, weakerthan-expected economic performance of major trading partners and weather shocks such as La Niña and typhoons remained risks to the manufacturing sector’s growth.

Property24, My Saving team up to conduct second auction PROPERTY24, the leading online property portal in the Philippines, along with real estate firm My Saving Grace Realty and Development Corp., gave property investors a reason to celebrate on May 28, 2016 after a successful auction of exclusive properties from Philippine Asset Growth One Inc. and Philippine Asset Growth Two Inc. With over 100 prime properties in the NCR sold, the May 28 auction was proof of the industry’s continuing robust growth and the astuteness of buyers who were

able to save an average of 45 percent of the property cost.

“We were very pleased and quite overwhelmed by the response of investors to the May 28 auction. Our collaboration with Property24 paid off and, thus, the market can be assured that we will reinforce this successful business relationship further for the benefit of the market and buyers and to contribute to nation-building,” MSGRDC head honcho and award-winning broker Ramil Alquileta said.

Property24 said that due to the exuberant clamor and demand for more auctions and in appreciation for the enthusiastic response, the second in a series of auctions would be held on July 16, 2016 starting at 8 a.m. at Max’s Restaurant along Jupiter St. in Makati City. Over 800 prime properties in NCR are still up for grabs.

The auction will also include the recently acquired Dee Hwa Liong Hospital in Mabalacat, Pampanga. This property is an eight-story hospital building that

spans two parcels of land with an aggregate area of 12,724 square meters. Minimum bid price is pegged at P300 million pesos.

Also on the block are properties in the upscale Las Hacienda de Luisita in Tarlac City.

Spanning 121 hectares of five interconnected subdivisions boasting of first-rate residential properties, buyers can take advantage of the lower cost—as much as 15 percent less than the current market value.

MSGRDC said it is looking for-

ward and determined to continue working closely with Property24 to provide a wide selection of properties from bank-foreclosed assets to value-for-money homes.

With a substantial number of MSGRDC properties listed on the Property24 website, buyers are assured of the best possible, costefficient choices in their preferred locations.

Details of the properties to be auctioned off and the foreclosed properties can be accessed via www.property24.com.ph.

W E D N E S D AY : J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

WORLD

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

North Korea keeping test site ready, say analysts SATELLITE—Satellite imagery indicates a high-level of activity at North Korea’s nuclear test site to ensure the facility is always ready for use on any orders from Pyongyang, a US think-tank said.

The US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said images from July 7 of the Punggye-ri site show what appear to be supplies and/or equipment stacked next to the North Portal where the North conducted its fourth nuclear test in January.

A small vehicle was also at the nearby support building and several mine ore carts may also be present southeast of the portal, suggesting the tunnel was being actively worked.

“Based on imagery alone, it is not possible to determine whether this activity is for maintenance, excavation or preparation for a fifth nuclear test”, it said Monday on its website 38 North.

“Nevertheless, it is clear that North Korea is ensuring that the facility is in a state of readiness that would allow the conduct of future nuclear tests should the order come from Pyongyang,” it added.

Tensions are high since Pyongyang carried out its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a series of missile launches.

Pyongyang on Monday threatened to take “physical action” after Washington and Seoul announced they would deploy a sophisticated US anti-missile defense system.

The North’s military said it would take “more merciless and powerful successive corresponding measures” against deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system in the South.

Pyongyang test-fired what appeared to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile on Saturday, a day after the THAAD announcement.

Also on Monday, the North said it would cut off all diplomatic channels with the US and handle the issues related with it under its “wartime law” in protest at the sanctions on leader Kim Jong-Un. The issue of two Americans jailed in the North was “no exception”, the North said, indicating it would give up using them as a negotiating card and could treat them harshly.

US State Department spokesman John Kirby on Monday urged Pyongyang to cease the “improper and unjust” detention of the two.

AFP

Rebel fighters assault Syria’s divided Aleppo ALEPPO, Syria—Rebel fighters launched a major assault on the government-held districts of Syria’s long-divided Aleppo on Monday, after the regime severed their only remaining supply route into the battleground city.

New PM. Britain’s Home Secretary and new leader of the Conservative Party Theresa May arrives in Downing Street in London on July 12, 2016, as she prepares to attend Prime Minister David Cameron’s last Cabinet meeting. Cameron heads his final Cabinet meeting on Tuesday after six years as Britain’s prime minister, with incoming premier May preparing to form a new government to deliver Brexit. AFP

New Zealand shop owner ignores armed robber WELLINGTON—A New Zealand kebab shop owner who ignored a pistol-wielding, would-be robber and continued to serve his customers has insisted “I’m not a hero” after footage of his actions went viral.

Said Ahmed said he decided to call the bluff of a robber wearing a black hood and face mask who burst into the Egyptian Kebab House in Christchurch late in the evening.

In extraordinary CCTV footage released by Canterbury police, the robber shakes a sports bag in Ahmed’s face with one hand and

B7

points a pistol at him with the other.

Instead of filling the bag with cash, Ahmed continues to pack the souvlaki he was working on and turns his back on the gunman to pick up some plastic cutlery and a napkin.

He then calmly reaches around the robber to hand the meal to a customer, who accepts it and warily backs away.

As Ahmed walks off to the kitchen, the gunman stands at the counter for a few seconds, not knowing what to do, then takes his bag and shuffles off somewhat sheepishly.

Footage of the May 28 incident has been viewed almost 140,000 times, with commentators labeling Ahmed “the chillest chip shop operator ever”.

He said the robber demanded money but his first thought was serving his customer and his reaction wrong-footed the gunman.

“He didn’t scare me... he was surprised from my reaction,” he told Fairfax New Zealand.

“I was sure he would not shoot me. He came to rob me, not to kill me.”

Ahmed, who migrated to New Zealand from Egypt 20 years ago, said it was the first incident of its kind in the 15 years he has owned the kebab shop.

“When he had gone my heart was beating hard,” he told the New Zealand Herald, saying he “thanks God” for guiding him during the robbery.

The 55-year-old said he now closed his shop earlier and advised his children “be a little brave—life can change in a few seconds”.

Police said they were still seeking the gunman. AFP

Once Syria’s economic powerhouse, Aleppo has been ravaged by the war that began with antigovernment protests in 2011 and which has since killed more than 280,000 people.

Rebels launched the offensive at dawn to reopen the Castello Road, their last lifeline into the northern city, an AFP correspondent said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 19 regime forces were killed Monday when rebels blew up a tunnel in the Old City.

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said: “The opposition has not advanced because of the heavy aerial bombardment the regime is carrying out on the areas where fighting is underway.”

Air raids on the rebel-held parts of Aleppo killed 13 civilians Monday, the Observatory said, most of them in the Bab al-Maqam neighborhood near the front line.

An AFP journalist saw rescue workers help a stocky, shirtless man out of the rubble in Bab alMaqam, his face and thick beard caked in dust.

The unidentified man entered a field hospital and embraced the limp bodies of two young boys. “He was martyred. He’s gone,” he said crying over the body of one them.

Several rounds of UN-brokered talks to end the conflict have failed, but the UN’s special envoy Staffan de Mistura said Monday that a “crucial moment” had been reached in efforts to secure a political settlement.

But despite the diplomatic flurry, fighting has intensified in Aleppo, divided between government forces in the west and rebels in the east since mid-2012.

Rebels fired a barrage of at least 300 shells into western Aleppo, killing nine civilians, the Observatory said.

Ahmed, a resident of the government-controlled west of the city, said his home in the Syriaq quarter was completely destroyed.

“The shells have rained down on the western neighborhoods since 4:30 am,” he told AFP. Residents lifted debris in the Syriaq quarter and helped neighbors gather their belongings so they could leave in search of shelter elsewhere.

Mahmud Abu Malak, a spokesman for the Nureddin al-Zanki rebel group, described fierce fighting.

“All kinds of heavy artillery and machine-guns are being used in the assault, which is intended to ease the pressure on the Mallah and Handarat fronts,” he said, referring to areas near the rebel supply route into Aleppo. AFP

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO EDITOR

editorial@thestandard.com.ph

WORLD

Rehearsal. Australian soldiers attend a rehearsal of the annual Bastille Day military parade on July 12, 2016, on the Champs Elysees in Paris. AFP

Obama to try to unify nation Rights group slams ‘consensus’ in Tibet BEIJING—A rights group on Tuesday slammed foreign representatives for attending a Chinese government-organized forum in Tibet that claimed international support for a “Lhasa Consensus” on economic development in the mainly Buddhist region.

Chinese state media said that “130 guests from over 30 countries and regions” agreed “Tibet will have a bright future!” at a two-day meeting in the regional capital.

The official Xinhua news agency said the document stressed the ruling Communist Party’s traditional view that economic development was Tibet’s most important task, adding that growth should be environmentally friendly.

“Cultural preservation with de-

velopment is the best way to carry Tibet’s outstanding traditional culture forward,” the Consensus reportedly said.

It made no reference to the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader and a Nobel laureate.

Beijing says its troops “peacefully liberated” Tibet in 1951 and insists it has since brought development to a previously backward region where serfs were exploited.

But many Tibetans accuse officials of repressing their religion and eroding their culture, adding that natural resources are exploited to benefit China’s ethnic Han majority at the expense of the environment.

More than 140 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009 in protest against Beijing’s rule.

Most have died. AFP

WASHINGTON—US President Barack Obama heads to Dallas on Tuesday to offer comfort to relatives of the five police officers slain in a sniper ambush—and to try to unify a nation struggling to process a raw week of deadly violence and racial tensions.

For Obama, his speech at an interfaith memorial service in the sprawling Texas city—with Vice President Joe Biden and former president George W. Bush at his side—will serve as a monumental leadership test as his presidency winds down.

Eight years ago, Obama’s charisma and ability to inspire propelled him to office as America’s first black president, and raised hopes that the country would overcome some of its deeply entrenched societal divides.

Even on Saturday, as the country reeled from the Dallas sniper attack targeting police, Obama— who cut short a trip to Europe so he could head to Texas—sounded a note of optimism.

“I firmly believe that America is not as divided as some have suggested,” he told a news conference at a Nato summit in Warsaw.

“There is sorrow, there is anger, there is confusion... but there is unity.”

Soaring words no longer seem enough.

America is all too familiar with armed violence, but the country now finds itself on a new precipice.

From Charleston to Orlando to Dallas, the past year has seen a torrent of slaughter motivated by hate.

The massacres have brought a measure of common revulsion, but not a common purpose, as gun control legislation has remained elusive on Capitol Hill.

“The president recognizes that it’s

not just people in Dallas who are grieving—it’s people all across the country who are concerned about the violence that so many Americans have witnessed in the last week or so,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday.

“The president is hoping to offer some measure of comfort tomorrow.”

Each week seemingly brings a new shaky image of a police officer shooting dead a black American— images that quickly go viral and revive tough questions about race and policing.

Last week, the controversial fatal police shootings of two black men, Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota, prompted nationwide anger, with thousands of protesters taking to the streets from coast to coast.

They also seemingly triggered the deadly rampage in Dallas by black Afghanistan war veteran Micah Johnson, as a protest against police brutality was wrapping up.

AFP

Trafficking victims rescued in Thailand YANGON—Nineteen Myanmar human trafficking victims have been rescued in Thailand, state media and an activist group said Tuesday, a rare policing success against criminal networks that dominate the region.

The group were discovered

by Thai police locked up on an Indonesian-flagged fishing vessel off the coast of Thailand’s southern Pattani district on Sunday, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported.

The raid was launched after the families of some of those on board managed to alert the Myanmar As-

sociation in Thailand, a local support group, about their plight.

Kyaw Thaung, director of the association, told AFP that the victims, some of whom were as young as 13, were lured with the promise of work in Bangkok but instead found themselves locked on the fishing vessel.

“A police force raided the fishing boat to Indonesia and found 19 Burmese workers there,” he said.

“They had been there about 10 days already.”

A Burmese broker was arrested at the scene, he added.

Thai police did not respond to

requests for comment but a source at Myanmar’s human trafficking police division in Naypyidaw confirmed to AFP that the raid rescued 19 citizens.

Drawn by the lure of comparatively higher wages, millions of Myanmar’s poor work inside Thailand, often in unregulated industries where they routinely face exploitation and abuse by unscrupulous employers.

The kingdom had long been a human trafficking hub, aided by officials who either turned a blind eye or were complicit in the grim but lucrative trade. AFP

Pose. A bride

poses for a photo as she sits on a horse at the Mirim riding school on the outskirts of Pyongyang on July 12, 2016. AFP

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ISAH V. RED EDITOR

BING PAREL

A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R

BERNADETTE LUNAS WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

FAS HION & BE AU T Y

LIFE

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Sneak peek of the ASEAN Designer’s collection by Dennis Lustico, Tex Saverio, Rajo Laurel, Francis Libiran and Ivarluski Aseron for Fashion Exchange International

F

ashion Exchange International (FEI) was established to bring Filipino fashion to the global market - the first of its kind in Manila.

Coming from various backgrounds, FEI’s four partners, Carmina SanchezJacob, Robby Carmona, Valerie Lim and Henry Chan, saw a unique opportunity in combining their strengths to connect local talent to an international audience. The main goal of the collective is to promote and sell ready-to-wear fashion labels for distribution overseas.

This month, the fashion marketing and brand management platform showcased Filipino designers and their carefully curated products. The muchanticipated event, held in Marriott Grand Ballroom, was targeted towards international buyers.

By working closely with their roster of designers, FEI has partnered with Samsung Electronics, the leader in innovation, to offer a more in-depth and experiential showcase of the fashion process. Leveraging on the technology present in Samsung’s mobile gadgets like Gear 360, Gear VR, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy Tablets, this platform will enable the audience to capture their experiences to create beautiful and exciting content,

BRINGING FILIPINO FASHION TO THE GLOBAL MARKET as well as relive them even after they are done. This allows consumers and buyers alike to see and understand what it takes for a product to go from “Raw to “Rack”.

In addition to a stellar lineup of Filipino designers, including Ivarluski Aseron, Rajo Laurel, Francis Libiran, and Dennis Lustico, the FEI showroom presented the diffusion line, TXID,

by Indonesian couture designer, Tex Saverio. Other homegrown talents who were part of the FEI included Aranaz, Ann Ong, Jail Jeans, Jeffrey Rogador, John Herrera, Ken Samudio, Maco Custodio, Proudrace and Rosenthal Tee. All the designers had their previous and current collections on display.

The FEI team is composed of Carmina Sanchez-Jacob, a PR and marketing maven; Robby Carmona, a seasoned events director; Valerie Lim, an international fashion icon/ businesswoman; and Henry Chan, an AsiaPacific MNC corporate veteran.

The FEI team is composed of Carmina Sanchez-Jacob, Robby Carmona, Valerie Lim, Henry Chan and a pool of criticallyacclaimed Filipino designers and other homegrown talents

Sneak peek of Rajo Laurel’s collection for Fashion Exchange International

A piece from Francis Libiran’s collection

Designers’ insight “This is an inspiring endeavor and it has created a renewed hope in me, and I can only wish that its long-term vision will be realized. I personally salute its organizers for tirelessly championing the Filipino talent.” – Dennis Lustico “As a Filipino designer, I know and believe that Fashion Exchange International will be able to bring Philippine fashion in the world stage. It’s about time that Philippine fashion be recognized and loved by people all over the world, because the designers that are represented by FEI are world-class and will bring pride and glory to the Philippines.” – Francis Libiran

“I love the idea and concept of Fashion Exchange International. I am hopeful and optimistic about the project. All forms of dialogue are always good. When you open up your mind to fresh perspectives and opportunities, everyone wins.”

– Rajo Laurel “I’m very positive about this project, and I’m very thankful that I’m able to participate in this first-ever venture of this kind to happen here in Manila. I believe this will be beneficial not only to designers but to the entire industry as well.” – Ivarluski Aseron

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LIFE isahred @ gmail.com

YSA’S NEWEST FACE

iss Teenage Maple Ridge Shawna Warhurst is the newest beauty ambassador of YSA Skin and Body Experts.

Warhurst, of Filipino-Spanish and English-Irish descent, was crowned at the 2016 Miss Teenage British Columbia pageant and will represent her city and province as a finalist in the Miss Teenage Canada 2016 on July 17 to 24.

The 18-year-old charmer also won the title Miss Teen Philippines of the World 2015 that led her to joining Miss Teen Universe. She did not win the crown but was awarded Miss Congeniality. In the same year, she was Miss Calendar Girl, taking home four awards: Most Creative Outfit, Miss Bikini Beautiful, Best in Long Dress, and Miss Photogenic.

In 2014, Shawna was crowned Miss Teen Philippines of the World, where she was recognized as the Most Photogenic, Best in Interview, and landed on the Top 3 in the talent portion.

Shawna believes that beauty is not only about maintaining one’s outer appearance but also maintaining a healthy and positive conscience.

“I’ve learned that true beauty is loving and respecting yourself and your own body,” she adds.

For her skin and body, Shawna only trusts the experts—YSA Skin

Teen beauty queen Shawna Warhurst is the newest brand ambassador of YSA Skin and Beauty Experts

and Body Experts. she is impressed with YSA’s world-class services and

high quality products. She would love to visit the Philippines soon.

Year-round skin protection just got a little easier Summer might be over but skin protection should be a year-round habit. Those harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can penetrate clouds, rain, and even the night sky—there’s no escaping them, which means

skin damage can happen any time of the day or year. With the Philippines being a tropical country, it should be a given that protection from the sun is a priority, but it has been discovered that most Filipinas still limit their use of sunscreen to when they visit beaches.

This is where Bioré comes in. Japan’s no. 1 skin care brand is finally here in the Philippines and it’s giving Filipinas a water-based sunscreen formula perfect for daily use. Having its entire sun-centric skin care line hit the shelves late last year; women now have a vast range of products to choose from.

BEAUTY CORNER Perfect combination

Looking for the right products to complete your skin care routine could be a challenge especially if you don’t know which works best for the kind of skin you have. Thankfully, all-natural personal care brand Human Nature makes the matching with its products so you don’t have to.

Individuals with combination to oily skin would benefit from the Manila Elemi in Human Nature Balancing Facial Wash and Balancing Toner whose formulation naturally evens out oil production thereby helping the face stay shine-free while keeping it moisturized.

Those with oily and acne-prone skin have a friend in Human Nature Acne Defense Gel and Acne Defense Wash which have an all-natural tea tree solution that dries out blemishes, reduces redness and controls oiliness.

People suffering from rough, dull and flaky skin need the hydration from Human Nature Hydrating Creamy Wash and Hydrating Face Toner which gently cleanse and keep skin soft and supple courtesy of deepnourishing Moringa.

Red patches and tight skin? Get that extra TLC your face needs with Human Nature Nourishing Facial Wash and Nourishing Face Toner which are enriched with tomato extract and are mild enough to help keep skin clear and nourished.

The aforementioned products are available at Human Nature outlets and humanheartnature.com.

Organic remedy

Fans of ethical and organic skin care products rejoiced when Rustan’s officially opened the first Neal’s Yard Remedies boutique at Rustan’s the Beauty Source in Makati.

The 30-year-old UK brand is popular for its natural and holistic health, beauty and wellbeing products.

Some of NYR’s acclaimed and favorite products include the anti-aging Rejuvenating Frankincense Skincare collection, which features the aromatic and therapeutic blend of calming and uplifting frankincense essential oil, oil-balancing mandarin and cooling antiseptic bergamot.

The brand is also popular for its Organic Essential Oils, which is a range 100 pure, wild-crafted and organically plant essences that can be used for bath, massage or as a diffuser.

These products and more are available at Neal’s Yard Remedies boutique at Rustan’s the Beauty Source in Rustan’s Makati.

Get all-around sun protection from Bioré

Bioré UV Perfect sunscreen range provides sun protection and other skin benefits

Stickiness will be a thing in the past with Bioré UV Aqua sunscreen range formulated to be as light as water

No one wants bad skin, but the time and effort it usually takes to put on the necessary products oftentimes convinces women that they don’t need to anymore. Many would consider putting on moisturizer as the pinnacle of skin care, but UV protection is just as important. So, Bioré came up with a non-sticky, light and absorbent formula that can multi-task.

Bioré UV offers Filipinas six types of SPF 50 and PA++++ that are more than just sunscreen. While all six of them double as moisturizers, each has its own skin specialty that can surely make skin care much easier.

The Bioré Aqua Rich Watery Essence and the Bioré Aqua Rich BB Essence make for the perfect bases for make-up, with the former giving users a weightless and transparent finish and the latter giving a 3D brightening effect perfect for facial contouring.

Meanwhile, the Bioré Sara Sara Perfect Bright Face Milk gives users a light pink gleam that brightens dull skin, and the Bioré Sara Sara Perfect Milk gives outdoorsy women long-lasting protection without being uncomfortable.

Lastly, the Bioré Sara Sara Perfect Face Milk offers oil and shine control while evening out the users skin tone, and the Bioré Aqua Rich Whitening Essence whitens skin while users are under the sun.

With this wide list of skin care products, Filipinas can’t reason out of using sunscreen anymore. These multi-taskers’ accessibility, convenience, and lighton-the-skin formula is giving women on-the-go a different version of the usual lotions and creams. So, get all-around skin protection from the sun without compromising your daily beauty rituals to those sticky old sunscreens.

Crazy for cushion

American makeup label Maybelline jumps into the BB cushion bandwagon that’s taking over the world of many beauty junkies today with its new Super BB Cushion.

Packed in a sleek matte gray compact is 14 grams of formulation that promises radiant skin, perfect poreless skin, intense moisture, high coverage, even skin tone, zero stickiness, long lasting coverage and UV rays protection.

Maybelline Super BB Cushion features dense and soft sponge for application and a seal that prevents evaporation and contamination of the BB cream. The new product comes in two shades: light and natural.

Maybelline Super BB Cushion is available at all Maybelline makeup counters nationwide.

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LIFE

isahred @ gmail.com

BAG-FUL

OF PURPOSE

BY BERNADETTE ANDREA I. CATALAN

T

he artistry and the passion of three different empowered women come together in homegrown leatherware brand Fino’s latest collection.

For its “Now” collection, Fino tapped multi-faceted athlete and sports commentator Dyan Castillejo, multi-awarded pianist Serla Russell and advocate of the arts Margie Moran to be the living symbols of the bags. Each advocate has one bag designed to exemplify their life and the passions they pursue.

Castillejo’s fast-paced, active life deserves a utilitarian “dumpall” bag that features built and functions that suit her on-the-go lifestyle. If piano keys inspired the lovely tote bag of Russell, the timeless beauty of Moran is the face of Fino’s classic overnight bag.

But more than releasing new styles dedicated to modern Filipinas who dare to pursue their passion, Fino’s “Now” collection aims to aid financially challenged athletes, students and ballet dancers.

Part of the sales of the collection, depending on which advocate’s design is purchased, will be dedicated to the advocate’s chosen beneficiaries.

“The advocates—Dyan, Serla and Margie—are testimonies that the collection has a purpose” says Fino Leatherware owner Rose Ann Bautista, adding that “the campaign is more geared towards people than really our bag.”

Partial sales of Castillejo’s “dump-all” bag will go to the children of Buklod Kalinga who are engaged in tennis, football, athletics and other sports.

“Sports has done so much for my whole life and there’s nothing more that I’d like to do but to help other people get into sports,” shares Castillejo.

Proceeds from the “dump-all” bag are earmarked for facility enhancement and equipment provision in the community.

Widely acclaimed pianist Russell devotes partial sales of her piano tote bag to the 93 students of a

Filipino multi-awarded pianist Serla Russell plays a piece with the piano keys-inspired tote bag beside her

school in Smokey Mountain. She and her team are planning to further develop the school to eventually accommodate 400 students.

“It’s all about supporting the children in Smokey Mountain,” enthuses Russell.

The president of Ballet Philippines, Moran believes in artists and their careers, so much so that part of the proceeds

Complementing athlete and host Dyan Castillejo's fast-paced, active life is a multi-compartmentalized Fino 'dump-all' bag

of her overnighter bag will go the scholarship program of the premier ballet institution.

“I’m collaborating with Fino because I like the artisanship of our own workers making the bags,” says Moran.

Fino Leatherware showcases products made mostly of local materials and crafted by Filipino artisans that at par with other

Thomas Sabo Glam and Soul collection is characterized by sophisticated details, feminine elegance and highly-individual style

Thomas Sabo, together with Creative Director, Susanne Kölbli, developed the brand into one of the most successful in 925 silver jewelry, noted for its innovative design, attention to detail, and strict quality standards.

Thomas Sabo has certainly gone beyond fleeting trendiness, at once combining contemporary design with a timelessness that has cemented the brand’s status as a cult favorite. Collections that have gained iconic status include the edgy and masculine Rebel at Heart collection, first introduced in 2007, and the men’s and women’s watches, initially unveiled in 2009 and reflective of the distinct Thomas Sabo aesthetic.

New classics find expression in well-thought collections released in the past five years.

The women’s Glam and Soul collection features elegant transitional pieces done in silver or finished in 18K or rose

Visit www.finoleatherware.com or like FINO Leatherware on Facebook for more information on the campaign and details on how to avail the bags.

Ballet Philippines President Margie Moran observes ballet rehearsals with a Fino travel carry-all bag by her side

Thomas Sabo dazzling in silver and gold Since 1984, premium lifestyle brand, Thomas Sabo has been impressing with it trademark collection of fine jewelry.

Its founder and namesake, the dynamic Austrian entrepreneur,

high-end international bags.

“If you look into the bags [you will see that] the quality, the make and the finish are really world class,” raves Russell.

The sparkling Karma Beads are fashioned from radiant 925 sterling silver or with 18k rose-gold plating

gold plating. The Karma Beads collection, injects an Eastern sensibility into each intricate bead to create highly personal bracelets for him or her. The Love Bridge eternalizes special moments shared between significant others through beautiful pieces engraved with personal declarations. Finally, there is the masterfully-done Fine Jewellery collection, which takes inspiration from Indian

culture, resulting to seven Chakra pendants drenched in luxurious 18K rose, yellow and white gold, pavé diamonds, and gemstones.

Thomas Sabo’s Charm Club has seen growing popularity since 2006. It is unveiled twice a year, fueling fan devotion to the intricate filigree charms. To date, Charm Club boasts of more than 500 designs that cater to every occasion or style expression, from classic heart shapes to sparkling crowns and twinkling keys. By 2013, the intricate charms were made available in 18K yellow or rose gold plating. The year 2015 marked the 10th anniversary of this cult fashion favorite, with 12 designs in 925 silver embellished with diamonds.

Thomas Sabo’s longevity and continued dedication to crafting beautiful fine jewellery is a testament to the brand’s overwhelming success and growing global presence in 75 countries.

Thomas Sabo Charms have been wowing fans around the world thanks to their wide range of designs that caters to every occasion or style expression

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LIFE

isahred @ gmail.com

I

t’s no secret that many Filipino women prefer fair, radiant and flawless skin.

That’s why whitening products are among the best-selling items in supermarkets.

However, only one contains the two powerful natural-based ingredients of Kojic Acid and high-grade virgin coconut oil: Kojiesan Skin Lightening Soap.

In the light of the debate as to which ingredient is best for skin lightening, it is important to look for products that are made from natural sources. Originated in Japan, Kojic Acid is a chemical compound made from organic materials that form complexes with substrates and metal ions.

Kojic Acid can also be extracted as a byproduct of fermentation when making Japanese rice wine and sake.

How natural is that? Surely, Kojic Acid perfectly fits the bill. Inspired by the luminous, flawless skin of Japanese women, Beauty Elements Ventures, Inc. (BEVI) developed the Kojiesan Lightening Soap, the company’s flagship product, the way the Japanese traditionally formulated theirs.

Since 2007, Kojiesan has been consistently producing Kojic Acid soap blending highgrade Kojic Acid and virgin coconut oil with effective lightening ingredients that keeps dark pigmentation from forming and inhibits the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme that produces melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for the skin’s darker color.

Despite its massive multinational competition, Kojiesan’s formulation turned out to be the key ingredient in convincing local whitening fans to become true believers. Today, it is the no. 1 Kojic Acid soap in the Philippines.

With regular use, Kojiesan can slow down melanin production and prevent darkening of the skin. It is best for treatment to even out skin tone, erase dark spots and other forms of skin pigmentations. It also corrects skin discoloration and of course lightens skin.

Kojiesan products do not contain any hydroquinone, mercury or steroid that may cause further skin irritation like blisters, swelling and severe allergy.

“Whitening has always been one of the goals of most Filipinas today. Perhaps from the influence that we get from Korea and Japan or our daily exposure to teleseryes starring women with flawlessly fair skin, we see that they really look beautiful and attractive. According to research, having a whiter complexion can really boost your self-esteem. However, not all whitening products are the same and not all socalled Kojic Acid formulated soaps are as effective and safe like Kojiesan,” says Trisha Gregorio, Kojiesan’s marketing director.

With more and more Filipinas falling in love with the Kojiesan effect, the brand decided to launch a full range of lightening products to complement the best-selling

Homegrown label Kojiesan harnesses the power of Kojic Acid and high-grade virgin coconut oil in its range of products that lightens skin and keeps dark pigmentation from forming

SKIN IN A NEW LIGHT

While the brand enjoys a strong market base here and abroad, Kojiesan is bent on reaching out to more women who are still baffled about which lightening ingredient works best. The new Kojiesan campaign that airs on television will enlighten them as to what Kojiesan as a product is about and what it can do for your skin. No celebrities, no famous faces – just Kojiesan and you – because with Kojiesan, you are the It Girl.

So, when it comes to your skin, you are your strongest advocate. Learn more and try Kojiesan and see how it should be your best choice in bringing your skin to light!

Kojiesan Classic Line is composed of Face Lightening Cream, Skin Lightening Soap, Cleanser + Toner, and Body Lightening Lotion

Host Janeena Chan, Dr. Lindsay Torralba, Kojiesan Marketing Head Tricia Gregorio and makeup artist RB Chanco welcome the new Kojiesan products

soap—all meticulously developed for undeniably alluring and visibly lighter skin.

Rejuvenate with Kojiesan Cleanser + Toner, equipped with Ginseng Extract and Rosehip Oil to revive tired skin, ridding the skin of excessive oils while repairing skin damage; brighten with Kojiesan Face Lightening Cream, a combination of natural extracts and high-grade Kojic Acid to lighten as it nourishes, restoring skin suppleness for a healthy, rosy look; and lighten with Kojiesan Body Lightening Lotion with advanced formula

of Kojic Acid and Rosehip Oil - to whiten skin as it heals - and Collagen + Vitamin E to increase youthfulness and improve skin health.

Monde Nissin and Uniqlo’s limited edition tees They’ve been staples of Pinoys’ homes for years. Now two beloved Filipino food brands appear front and center on quality cotton shirts by a global retail giant.

A collaboration between Monde Nissin Corporation and Japanese casual clothing label Uniqlo produced T-shirts carrying the distinctive designs of iconic Filipino brand, Lucky Me!, and the country’s favorite cookie sandwich, Bingo.

“The collaboration between Monde Nissin Corporation and Uniqlo sees the coming together of two companies that have well-loved brands and share the same goal of being part of people’s lives through their world-class products,” says Melissa Pabustan, Monde Nissin’s head of Corporate Communications. “For years, Lucky Me! and Bingo have established themselves as favorite food brands. We are pleased that being part of Uniqlo’s South East Asia Corporate Collaboration will allow our consumers here and abroad to

Monde Nissin and Uniqlo join forces to bring popular Filipino labels Bingo and Lucky Me! to more people through the Japnese clothing label's limited edition T-shirts

enjoy and appreciate Lucky Me! and Bingo in a unique and fun way.”

“We are very happy about the warm acceptance of Filipinos for Uniqlo since 2012,” says Geraldine Sia, general manager

of Uniqlo Philippines. “As we continue being part of Filipinos’ everyday lives, we share the same joy as we partner with wellloved Filipino household brands Lucky Me! and Bingo. We believe that this partnership

will bring Bingo, Lucky Me! and Uniqlo closer to Filipinos.”

As the leading instant noodle brand in the country, Lucky Me! has been a staple in every Filipino pantry with its wide array of products that is hinged on local flavors sure to appeal to the Filipino taste. The launch of this collaboration coincides with the recent release of the Kantar Brand Footprint Report, with Lucky Me! once again topping the list of fast moving consumer good brands in the Philippines in 2015. Meanwhile, as a catalyst of daily sweet connections, Bingo Cookie Sandwich continues to captivate consumers, especially today’s teens, with its creamy fillings spread between meltin-your-mouth chocolate cookies, and its distinctively kilig commercials.

The limited edition collection will be available in all Uniqlo stores nationwide at P590 each. The shirts will also be available in Uniqlo stores in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.

W EDNES DAY : J ULY 13, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

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DARE TO SURVIVE

IN THE SEDUCTIVE WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA

I

t’s an all-or-nothing online game in the exhilarating thriller Nerve set on the streets of New York City, where amateur daredevils compete for the highest payoff that mines their online information, exploiting their wildest dreams—and their deepest fears. Nerve stars Dave Franco, Emma Roberts, Emily Meade, Kimiko Glenn, Marc John Jefferies, Brian Marc, Samira Wiley and Juliette Lewis.

A cautionary tale for the highly active social network generation, Nerve starts with an industrious, shy high school senior Vee Delmonico (Roberts) who is challenged by her best friend to take part in the game. Vee breaks out of her comfort zone when she impulsively signs up for Nerve, an adrenalinefueled competition that streams live over the internet. Young thrill-seekers challenge each other to a series of dares that rapidly escalate from mildly embarrassing to downright deadly, as an anonymous community of “watchers” instigates the action.

Suddenly, Vee becomes an overnight superstar once partnered with a mysterious stranger named Ian (Dave Franco), their instant chemistry makes them online stars and fan favorites. As the night wears on, though, Vee alienates her longtime friends and puts her life on the line in pursuit of money and celebrity. Making a discovery about Ian’s past, Vee finds her family’s future at risk. As the tension mounts, the stakes rise—and the possible outcome shifts from win or lose to life or death.

The directing team of Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, best known for their work in Catfish and Paranormal Activity series, have created an action-packed urban adventure that also offers keen insights into online behavior. “Our first film, Catfish, started a national conversation about the internet and identity,” says Joost. “This is a similar opportunity to talk about the way all of us, teenagers in particular, communicate these days. We can do all kinds of

Emma Roberts (left) as Venus “Vee” Delmonico and Dave Franco as Ian, the main protagonists and players of Nerve

“Nerve” is a techno-thriller film that revolves around an online objective truth or dare video game called Nerve that people can enlist as “players” or “watchers” as the game intensifies

Film and TV actor Dave Franco takes on extreme dares on “Nerve”

things on the internet that we might not do in real life.”

“We take a shy girl, sit her in front of the Internet, and she’s suddenly inspired to be someone she didn’t have the courage to be yesterday,” says Schulman. “Someone in cyberspace is daring her to be something she may not want to be. Vee goes down the rabbit hole to the dark side of that. The online audience can be powerfully alluring. All of a sudden you’re posting pictures you never would’ve shown anybody, and that’ll catch up with you.”

The game operates through a smartphone app, allowing prospective players to sign up and start taking chances instantly.

Getting out is another story. “The watchers have access to your personal information from Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat— everything else you’re using,” says Joost.

“They custom-craft dares based on your

fears and aspirations. It starts out pretty easy and fun. But the game tries to find your limits.”

The more sinister side of the internet seemed like a topic that was ripe for exploration to actress Emma Roberts, who plays Vee. “People are putting their whole lives on the internet today,” she notes. “This movie captures that phenomenon and takes it one step further.”

Roberts says she thinks twice now when she uses Instagram, Twitter—or even email. “Nothing’s ever truly private. I think this movie taps into that feeling. Whatever you post can potentially be seen by anyone, whether you want it to be or not.”

Are you a player or a watcher? Find out when Nerve opens in cinemas nationwide on July 27 from Pioneer Films.

Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=A_Ii8NRB_AU&feature=youtu.be

Happy world unlike any in ‘Trolls’ From DreamWorks, creators of highly successful animation such as Kung Fu Panda, How To Train Your Dragon, and Madagascar” comes Trolls, the smartest, funniest, and most irreverent animated comedy of the year.

Trolls takes the audience to a colorful, wondrous world populated by hilariously unforgettable characters and discover the story of the overly optimistic creatures (Trolls), with a constant song on their lips, and the comically pessimistic Bergens, who are only happy when they have trolls in their stomach.

Trolls features the voice of Anna Kendrick as Poppy, the optimistic leader of the Trolls, and her polar opposite, Branch, played by Justin Timberlake. Together, this unlikely pair of Trolls must embark on an adventure that takes them far beyond the only world they’ve ever known.

Leading the happy bunch of Trolls is Poppy (Kendrick), a relentlessly upbeat — if slightly naive — Troll whose father King Peppy saved his subjects from the Troll-hungry Ber-

Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) leave their world on a quest to save the Trolls

gens. As she and her group of nine friends, the Snack Pack, face their biggest challenge ever, Poppy is faced for the first time in her life with a problem that apparently can’t be solved with a song, a dance and a hug. But af-

ter some hilarious attempts at saving the day, Poppy discovers that being true to himself is always the best answer.

Justin Timberlake takes on the role of Branch, the over-cautious paranoid surviv-

alist in Troll Village, who lives in fear of invasion from the Bergens. The only Troll in the village who doesn’t sing, dance or hug, Branch lives a disgruntled existence, constantly trying to prepare for the worst. He’s constantly flummoxed by the over-the-top positivity of the other Trolls — is he the only sane one in this crowd of exuberantly happy Trolls? Over the course of the film, Branch will be challenged to embrace his inner Troll, even if it includes a dreaded burst of singing and dancing. Will he learn to find inner happiness with Poppy at his side?

Trolls also features the voices Russell Brand, Zooey Deschanel, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop and Gwen Stefani.

DreamWorks’ and 20th Century Fox’s Trolls is a fresh, broad comedy filled with music, heart and hair-raising adventures that will open in cinemas nationwide on Oct. 26.

Trailer link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=arUNsqnvNC0

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W EDNES DAY : J ULY 13, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

GLOBE PARTNERS WITH NETFLIX

F

urther strengthening its content offering to customers, Globe announced its much-awaited partnership with Netflix, the world’s leading Internet television network. Home to some of the best original series and extensive library of TV and movie titles, Globe and its partnership with Netflix will provide Filipinos access to the streaming giant’s top quality entertainment via their mobile or broadband service.

On June 24, Globe announced its partnership with Netflix making it the first Philippine mobile and broadband to offer Netflix on its mobile/broadband platform. Soon, Globe customers will be able to subscribe to Netflix through Globe, and enjoy its content anytime, anywhere, on nearly any internet-connect screen, while conveniently charging the monthly subscription to their Globe mobile or broadband accounts.

“The Filipino’s swift adaption to the digital lifestyle and our shift to smartphones also changed the way we enjoy entertainment.

Today, everyone demands primetime shows, anytime. Our partnership with Netflix gives us this extensive library that will allow us to give our customers their much-awaited TV and movie titles whether they are at home or on-the-go”, says Globe Chief

Netflix VP for Business Development for Asia, Tony Zameczkowski, discusses the new partnership of the streaming service company with Globe Telecom

Commercial Officer, Albert de Larrazabal.

To date, the Philippines is now the fastest growing smartphone market in ASEAN according to the International Data Corporation’s (IDC) Asia/Pacific Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, with 3.5 million smartphones shipped to the country in the first quarter of 2016.

“Today, Netflix is bringing the joy

of entertainment to over 81 million members in 190 countries through our great content. Our partnership with Globe brings us closer to consumers who love entertainment and enables us to connect even more Filipinos to our top quality Netflix original shows and movies like Marvel’s Daredevil, Orange is The New Black, Narcos and many more,” says Tony Zameczkowski,

Netflix vice president, Business Development, Asia Pacific.

Netflix will also soon be available to customers on the new customized Broadband plans. Customers can now mix and match their preferred internet speeds that can be bundled with access to content and entertainment devices ranging from smart HD TVs, speakers, streaming devices, gaming consoles

and even security cameras.

Larrazabal continues, “This new way of putting together a broadband plan makes the selection process not only easy, but enjoyable for the Filipino family.

With our new plans, our families will be in full control, allowing them to discover their digital lifestyle by being able to watch exclusive movies, TV shows and enjoy concert-like experiences; listen to millions of songs and play games for endless hours, as they want.”

By signing up for a Netflix account, members can watch today’s top original Netflix series and renowned movie hits. Netflix adds TV programs and films all the time.

As members start using the service, Netflix’s algorithms will start to shape each member’s personal profile with recommendations based on what each member likes. Depending on the subscription plans, members can create up to four profiles within a single Netflix account. Profiles allow different members of the household to have their own personalized Netflix experience built around the films and TV programs they enjoy. There are also parental control settings to ensure a safe-viewing experience for kids. This will limit a child’s profiles to child-friendly titles.

For more information on Globe Telecom and its latest line-up of content partners and services, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Meet and greet opportunity for ‘Annie, The Musical’ fans

Annie, the much-loved Broadway musical turned popular Hollywood movie hits the stage at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, on Sept. 30.

Theater lovers will soon get the chance to see their favorite characters—Daddy Warbucks, Miss Hannigan, and of course, the adorable little orphan, Annie—live!

What’s more, Citi cardholders

get a 25 percent discount on SVIP and VIP tickets, plus a fun meet and greet opportunity with the cast if you purchase in advance, from now until July 22. Cardholders may also opt to use PayLite for their ticket purchases up to three months at TicketWorld outlets, for a minimum of P3,000.00.

To avail of this exclusive promotion, Citi cardholders may purchase their tickets via either

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 40 41 42 43

ANSWER PREVIOUS PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 Sugar crop 6 Smoothing tool 10 Bugged off 14 Not built-up 15 La — Tar Pits 16 Knuckle under 17 Get — — out of 18 Feedbag morsels 19 Fishing float 20 Saved but not rescued (2 wds.)

22 Queen —’s lace 23 Auto pioneer — Benz 24 Popular pet 26 Postpone 30 More gung-ho 34 Loft denizens 35 Plain on the moon 36 Hurry along 37 Go postal 38 Mexico’s Sierra —

Eyeliner site Dog days mo.

Coal scuttles “Luncheon on the Grass” painter 44 Building material 46 Fans 48 Ltd. cousin 49 Soft metal 50 Bullring cheers 53 Falls 59 Strong wind 60 “Cope Book” aunt 61 Overstuffs 62 Leaf veins 63 Budget item 64 Huffing and puffing 65 Latin 101 word 66 Courtesy env.

67 Assembles DOWN 1 Lingerie buys 2 Franc successor 3 Clapton or Idle 4 Chore 5 More glossy 6 On deck 7 Speak slowly 8 Catherine — -Jones 9 Wash-and-wear (hyph.)

10 Track down 11 Bard’s black

online via www.ticketworld. com.ph and enter promo code “CITIBANK,” or overthe-counter transactions in all TicketWorld outlets. Indeed with your Citi credit card, the sun will come out tomorrow!

For more information about delightful entertainment deals, visit www.citibank.com.ph or call the 24-hour CitiPhone at 9959999.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2016

12 Plant with fronds 13 Small fry 21 Newscaster — Rather 25 Birthday count 26 Fragment 27 Self-move firm (hyph.)

28 Waterlogged 29 Bakery purchase 30 Sense organ 31 German wine region 32 Quilt material 33 Hits the hammock 35 Rx givers 38 Panhandlers, in a way 39 Tack on 40 It has a long arm 42 Sweetie 43 Token amount 45 Most sensible 46 Tongue-lash 47 Drink like Rover 49 Sketches 50 Horrible boss 51 Place to hibernate 52 Napoleon’s isle 54 General vicinity 55 Sea eagle 56 Sidewalk — 57 Shed, as light 58 Mach 1 breakers

Actor Michael De Mesa plasy the role of billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks in the Manila restaging of “Annie”

W EDNES DAY : J ULY 13, 2016

SHOWBITZ

ISAH V. RED EDITOR

isahred @ gmail.com

C7

FOOD AND FASHION FOR THE BENEFIT OF GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION

G

MA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) received overwhelming support for its programs on education through Styles and Bites at the SMX Convention Center. It is the newest festival of finely curated flavors and fanciful finds that ran from July 1 to 3.

Styles and Bites, organized by Cut Unlimited, Inc., was held for the benefit of GMAKF’s Kapuso School Development project, which builds and rehabilitates schools and classrooms in the provinces, and “Unang Hakbang sa Kinabukasan,” which distributes school supplies to public schools in remote areas.

The event created a unique experience for shoppers and diners as they were able to shop from a variety of event-exclusive merchandise, and indulge in a wide array of culinary delights amidst a social and enjoyable atmosphere – all for a good cause.

The three-day event only featured the best of the best in clothing lines, novelty items, beauty and skincare products, lifestyle brands, arts and crafts, and various culinary delights.

Shoppers were also able enjoy

Delectable delights were abundant and the fashion and food festival

Festival-goers enjoyed a musical performances from various local artists

the live music performances and spoken word acts featuring talented young artists like Danny Corsiga, JP Palanca and Mig, Kidthrones, Paola Mauricio, Keiko Necesario, Erickson Amores, Rizza Cabrera and Chrissie Bellosillo, Banna Harbera, Trisha O Bannon, Franz Pantaleon and many more.

Styles and Bites was organized in partnership with SUN Cellular and in cooperation with GMA Network and The Philippine Daily Inquirer.

18 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Proceeds of the Noel Bazaar will also support GMAKF’s mission of providing Serbisyong Totoo to underprivileged Filipinos nationwide.

Shoppers and fans alike can also grab their favorite stars’ pre-loved items in GMAKF’s annual Celebrity Ukay-Ukay to be held at the Noel Bazaar World Trade Center, while enjoying performances by various Kapuso stars at the event.

It is supported by ClickTheCity. com, What’s to Love PH, WhenInManila.com, GourManila. com, MikkiGalang.com, Monster Radio RX 93.1 and Stages Sessions.

For more great finds in the upcoming Christmas season, shoppers can also anticipate the opening of the Noel Bazaar on Nov. 18 to 30 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Dec. 2 to 4 at the Filinvest Tent in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, and Dec. 15 to

To catch updates and special promos about Styles & Bites, like them on Facebook (facebook.com/ StylesAndBites) or follow them on Instagram (@StylesAndBites); and watch out for more updates on the Noel Bazaar through their Facebook page (facebook.com/noel.bazaar).

For details on how to support GMA Kapuso Foundation’s socio-civic efforts, visit the website www.gmanetwork.com/ kapusofoundation.

More filipinos tuned in to ABS-CBN’s ‘Ang Panunumpa: Pangako Sa Pagbabago’ More Filipinos were able to witness and take part in history through ABS-CBN’s comprehensive and extensive cross platform coverage of the inauguration of President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Leni Robredo lon June 30.

Ratings data from Kantar Media shows the Ang Panunumpa: Pangako ng Pagbabago special coverage of the country’s largest news organization led all coverage by media networks with 18.8 percent national TV rating. GMA 7’s Panata sa Pagbabago, meanwhile was a distant second with 13.2 percent.

Its flagship newscast program also won that day. TV Patrol, which consistently lands in the Top 5 among daily programs, registerd a rating of 32.1 percent

ABS-CBN’s coverage of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Inauguration garnered high ratings compared to competition

to 19.8 percent of 24 Oras. Latenight newscast Bandila also beat Reporter’s Notebook, 3.0 percent

to 2.5 percent to close the day.

Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural

homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population, while the other ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen reportedly has only 2,000 homes based solely in urban areas that represent only 57 percent of the Philippine TV viewing population.

With unparalleled reach in both traditional and new media, ABS-CBN once again took the lead in ensuring that Filipinos here and abroad, at home or mobile, are informed, updated, and enriched with analysis on a significant event in the country’s history. More Filipinos also watched the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates it organized early this year, a testament to the public’s trust in ABS-CBN. ABS-CBN offered the widest

Inauguration coverage that featured its top anchors and broadcast journalists reporting from the Malacañan Palace, the Quezon City Reception House, and Naga and Davao --- the hometowns of Robredo and Duterte, respectively.

There were synergized coverage on free TV, cable TV via ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel and DZMM TeleRadyo, on radio via DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and online via news.abs-cbn.com, which offered live streaming and had social media postings that informed and engaged netizens.

ABS-CBN News is the country’s largest news organization and is the news arm of ABS-CBN Corporation, the Philippines’ leading media and entertainment company.

Karl Aquino’s ‘Trumpet Challenge’ video Olive-C product endorser Karl Aquino

Rising star and Olive-C cologne endorser Karl Aquino became the talk of the town after his video doing the “Trumpet Challenge” in San Juanico Bridge went viral lately.

Karl, together with co-Psalmstre endorsers Miss Earth Air 2012 Stephany Stefanowitz and Dolce Amore guest star Laurence Mossman, was in Tacloban City to grace the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival 2016.

While on their way to the ‘Free Hug’ activity at a mall, Psalmtre chief executive officer Jim Acosta asked Karl to do the “Trumpet Challenge” in the middle of the famous bridge as a way of promoting it as a tourist attraction. In just two weeks, the video, which was uploaded in Olive-C Soap Facebook page, got nearly 200 thousand views.

San Juanico, formerly named Marcos Bridge, is still officially considered as the Philippines’ longest bridge. It connects Leyte and Samar provinces and shows the big initials L and S on aerial view. The bridge is very significant to the WarayWarays because, aside from geographically connecting them, it also becomes a clear manifestation of their love and unity towards each other.

The “Trumpet Challenge” became a phenomenal dance craze among the millennials. Additionally, it has generated appreciable activities such as fund raising events for cancer patients, dance contests, and many more. Karl’s video significantly aims to help boost SamarLeyte’s tourism potential.

“Tito Jim told me his idea automatically popped up of his mind. Later on, we real-

ized it has its own purpose pala. The video is a good advertising strategy to promote San Juanico Bridge and the entire Samar and Leyte provinces. San Juanico bridge offers a breathtaking view, Samar has its captivating island of Biri, and Leyte is the home of the world-famous beach Kalanggaman Island.

The video is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the Leytenos and Samarnons for patronizing Psalmstre products. At least, we can help promote these two beautiful tourism-rich provinces,” said the be-dimpled teen.

Karl promised to make more tourism-related videos whenever he gets the chance to visit a place. He said his next stop is Dumaguete City, the birthplace of his mother, and Cebu City for the upcoming go-see of the country’s biggest student-model search Mr. and Ms. OliveC Campus Model Philippines.

W EDNES DAY : J ULY 13, 2016

C8

ISAH V. RED EDITOR NICKIE WANG WRITER

isahred @ gmail.com

SHOWBITZ CINEMALAYA BREAKS THE SURFACE

From left: Alex Diaz, Janine Gutierrez and Benjamin Alves in Atom Magadia’s “Dagsin,” which literally means gravity

will vie for the Cinemalaya Award in the main category are: Ang Bagong Pamilya Ni Ponching by Inna Miren Salazar and Dos Ocampo, Dagsin by Atom Magadia, Hiblang Abo by Ralston Jover, I America

by Ivan Andrew Payawal, Kusina by David Corpuz and Cenon Palomares, Lando he annual Cinemalaya Independent at Bugoy by Vic Acedillo, Jr., Mercury Is Film Festival has created a unique Mine by Jason Paul Laxamana, Pamilya niche. As it glorifies an unorthodox Ordinaryo by Eduardo Roy, Jr., and Tuos way of storytelling, sans the gloss by Derick Cabrido.

Cinemalaya will also offer the following of mainstream cinema, it has turned into a mecca for political, dark, artsy, edgy, sections this year: Festival’s Best, Asian and socially relevant films. Thanks to the Showcase, Documentaries, Tribute to “creative control” given to the filmmakers, Francis Pasion, and Cinemalaya Institute showcase.

The which workers in mainstream cinema To date, Cinemalaya has Cinemalaya Campus, a major component have not enjoyed. supported and promoted of the Festival, will be To go beyond the production of 127 held on Aug. 9 to 10 at Bela Padilla in “I America” a dramedy about a complex half-Pinay, half-Caucasian lady looking for entertaining and to encourage active full feature independent the CCP Little Theater. American living in Olongapo City The Gawad CCP and critical viewing, stimulate discussion films and 106 short films. Para sa Alternatibong about the topics film Many of these films have Pelikula at Video, is considered entries depict, the won awards in local and which the longest-running 2016 Cinemalaya was film launched last week at international competitions independent competition of its the Cultural Center and festivals kind in the ASEAN/ of the Philippines Main Theatre Lobby with a promise of a Asian region, will have its 28th run during bigger festival, introducing new sections and Cinemalaya.

At the official launch of the annual indie additional features.

Now on its 12th edition, the biggest film festival, Chris B. Millado, Cinemalaya gathering of independent film workers and festival director, said Cinemalaya would aficionados in the country carries the theme feature the participation of young celebrities “Tuos” tells the story of a woman (Nora Aunor) chosen to keep an age-old tradition alive must now choose “Break the Surface,” which marks the return as Cinemalaya Navigators They would between her granddaughter’s (Barbie Forteza) life and a belief that shackled her in solitary confinement of the much talked about section of the engage the audiences in conversations about the Cinemalaya films. festival, the Full-Length Feature Category.

Millado also added that Cinemalaya, Each year, 10 finalists receive each a half a million-peso grant as seed money through the Japan Foundation, would from Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. for partner with Eigasai Japanese Film Festival.

“As allied festivals, Cinemalaya and the production of the films. But last year, the festival officials announced they were Eigasai will encourage film exchange, postponing the competition for the full- help in the promotion of both events, length category, which was divided into and contribute to audience building and two: the New Breed that caters to novice film education,” he told the press during filmmakers; and Directors’ Showcase, Cinemalaya’s media launch at the CPP which features the works of veteran film Main Theater Lobby.

To date, Cinemalaya has supported and directors.

This year though, there will be no promoted the production of 127 full feature subcategories in the main competition. The independent films and 106 short films. Many finalists, which were announced during of these films have won awards in local and the awarding ceremony for Cinemalaya international competitions and festivals.

Allen Dizon (left) with Camilo Apugan (right) in a scene from “Lando at Bugoy,” a film by Vic Acedillo, Jr. Shorts in 2015, received production grants Through the annual festival, Cinemalaya Cinemalaya runs in Metro manila at its main Quezon City (Trinoma and UP Town Center) of P750,000.00 each. And the nine entries has showcased over 1,000 works by (J.E. Tiglao’s Maselang Bahaghari, which independent filmmakers including feature venue on Aug. 5 to 14 at the Cultural Center of and in Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. The film is one of the Main Competition entries, films, shorts, documentaries, Filipino film the Philippines and at satellite venues in Makati festival also sails to Cebu for its run in the (Ayala Cinemas in Greenbelt 3 and Glorietta) sounth on Aug. 9 to 14 at Ayala Mall. dropped out of the contest last month) that classics, and art films.

T