Manila Standard - 2016 September 9 - Friday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXX • NO. 209 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

CHEEK BY JOWL. President Rodrigo Duterte (right) and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon (left) attend the 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday, a day after Duterte skipped a photo session with the UN chief and failed to read the Philippine statement during the Asean-UN Summit. AFP

Obama warns China Tensions rise over world tribunal’s maritime ruling Du30 power ‘Lessons to learn about diplomacy’ By Sara Susanne D. to suspend Fabunan and Macon habeas writ Ramos-Araneta proposed By Macon Araneta SENATOR Richard Gordon on Thursday said he would file a bill to grant President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers, including the authority to suspend the writ of habeas corpus because he believes the provisions for warrantless arrest under a state of emergency are not enough. “We will ask him [Duterte] to certify it. If he doesn’t want to certify it, it’s nothing. But I will fight for it,” said Gordon, while insisting that he is trying to protect the public. He added that there will be measures in place to curb any abuses. Gordon acknowledged it would be difficult to pass his bill

VETERAN diplomats said President Rodrigo Duterte has valuable lessons to learn about the complex world of diplomacy from his attendance at the Asean Summit in Laos. Although “nothing extraordinary” happened, Lauro Baja Jr., former permanent representative

to the United Nations said the experience can be used to improve the summit next year, which will be hosted by the Philippines. “We can improve as chair next year if we prepare and prepare well as soon as possible on issues which will be taken up then,” Baja said. Former journalist and China expert Chito Sta. Romana said the Asean summit this year is a valuable learning experience for

Duterte and will help his administration when the country chairs the summit next year. Baja played down the kerfufﬂe over Duterte’s rude remarks about US President Barack Obama before the summit which caused the American leader to cancel a scheduled one-on-one meeting. He said nothing extraordinary happened at the summit, except for Asean and China agreeing to Next page

DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said Thursday she lost two of the three babies in her womb following a miscarriage on Monday. Speaking at the change of command of Task Force Davao, Duterte said she felt “a little different” after visiting the wake of the victims of the Sept. 2 bombing in her city, which killed 15 people and injured 70 more, and immediately consulted her doctor. “When I went for a checkup Next page

By Francisco Tuyay and Funny Pearl A. Gajunera

CHECKPOINTS BOOSTED. Police reinforce checkpoints in strategic areas of the metropolis Thursday as they brace for any untoward incident, only six days after a nightmarish explosion in Davao City which killed 15 people and wounded 70 others in the city’s night market area. Danny Pata

Underground shabu lab unearthed in Pampanga AGENTS of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency have discovered an underground shabu laboratory in an isolated hog farm in Magalang, Pampanga, being managed by Chinese nationals, an ofﬁcial said Thursday. Wilkins Villanueva, head of the PDEA in Central Luzon, said

Eyebrows raised over SC pay A LAWMAKER on Thursday questioned the millions of pesos that he said the Supreme Court’s justices were receiving as compensation while failing to speed up the resolution of cases including the Malampaya fund. During the hearing by the House committee on appropriations on the Judiciary’s proposed budget, Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque said all 15 magistrates were included in the list of highest paid public ofﬁcials, with one of them receiving P7.8 million last year. “I believe the justices of the

The dispute has raised fears of military confrontation between the world’s superpowers, with China determined to cement control of the strategically vital waters despite a July verdict that its claims have no legal basis. “The landmark arbitration ruling in July, which is binding, helped to clarify maritime rights in the region,” Obama told Southeast Asian leaders at a summit in Laos. “I recognize this raises tensions but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy

and stability.” The verdict by an international tribunal in The Hague said China’s claims to most of the waters—through which $5 trillion in global shipping trade passes annually—had no legal basis. It also said that a massive burst of artiﬁcial island-building activity undertaken by China in recent years in a bid to bolster its claims was illegal. China angrily vowed to ignore the ruling, describing it as “waste paper,” even though it had legal force through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Next page Sea.

Metro terror plot bared

Sara loses twins in her womb

IENTIANE—US President Barack Obama warned Beijing Thursday it could not ignore a tribunal’s ruling rejecting its sweeping claims to the South China Sea, driving tensions higher in a territorial row that threatens regional security.

Supreme Court have the same salary grade as congressmen. I receive P90,000 a month so it should be P1.1 million under the revised government salary standardization scheme,” Roque said. “The ﬁgures of CoA [Commission on Audit] are disturbing.” Each congressman gets a net pay of about P97,000 a month excluding allowances and other perks. But Deputy Court Administrator Raul Villanueva said the high court’s justices were only getting what they deserved. Next page twitter.com/ MlaStandard

the agents arrested seven Chinese nationals at the laboratory called the Jay Wong Hog Farm, which is near the Regional Training Center of the Philippine National Police and the Central Luzon Drug Rehabilitation Center. “The shabu lab is a research

Tale of tape belies denial on narco-list By John Paolo Bencito VIENTIANE—Peace Process Adviser Jesus Dureza on Thursday claimed that media reports linking former President Fidel

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THE terrorist group that bombed the Davao City night market plans to launch similar attacks in Metro Manila to create havoc and to insult President Rodrigo Duterte, who is waging a war on terrorism and illegal drugs, a former police intelligence chief said Thursday. The Daulat-ul Islamiya, a unit

of the Maute group in Mindanao that has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, was identiﬁed Wednesday as the group behind the Davao blast that killed 15 people and wounded 70 others. “They have indeed plans in Metro Manila. I can categorically tell you now, but I don’t know the targets,” former police intelligence director Rodolfo Mendoza Next page said.

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INSALUTARY GRIDLOCK. Motorists and commuters in Metro Manila get a mid morning jarring jab with the unpleasant trafﬁc jam affecting a whole network of intersecting streets along the Estrella section of the capital’s major avenue Edsa. Ey Acasio

Health staff cuts bucked SENATE Minority Leader Ralph Recto on Thursday said he will question Health Department ofﬁcials on their plan to pull out a battalion of doctors and a division of nurses from the war against diseases and from the campaign for wellness. “I will ask Health ofﬁcials to explain the personnel cuts when they appear before the Senate this month to justify their proposed P141.6-billion budget for 2017,” Recto said. He said he also wanted to know if local governments were paying the doctors and nurses assigned to them. “Is there a hiring binge in lo-

cal government units using local funds? Or could it be due to an across-the-board decline in the number of sick people, that diseases are down?” Recto said. “Are there few applicants that they want to bring it down to a more realistic level?” Or is it simply a case of not having enough funds to bankroll the assignment of these people?” Recto said he believed the department “has been forced to cut the number of ‘untenured’ personnel due to the need to provide budget space for the second round of Next page

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Duterte recalls US atrocities V IENTIANE—President Rodrigo Duterte gave what diplomats said was a “ﬁery” address to leaders of the 18-nation East Asia group, including US President Barack Obama, on Thursday.

Veering off his prepared speech, Duterte launched into a tirade about US military killings in the Philippines when it was an American colony from

1898 to 1946, according to three diplomats AFP spoke with who were in the room. “The Philippine president showed

Du30...

Obama...

From A1 but said he didn’t care if nobody supported his bill. Gordon said he had not yet talked to Duterte about his plan. “I will preempt him….The whole world knows that there is such law, [and] we are in an emergency... How can tourists go here? How can investments be here?” Gordon said he was pushing to give the President emergency powers because he does not want him to declare Martial Law. “Do you want him to declare Martial Law? I don’t. I want [Congress] to be in control,” Gordon said. The senator said he was disturbed when Duterte at one time threatened to declare a revolutionary government. For a long time, Gordon said, the public just watched as drugs flowed in and out of the New Bilibid Prison. “Now, we have a President who has been fighting them. I know in my heart he is sincere in his drive against drugs and the Abu Sayff Group. But there should be a balance. I’d rather that I draft the restrictions than he dictates to me what the restrictions are. I’m talking about Congress creating the restrictions,” Gordon said. But Senator Leila de Lima said she was alarmed that somebody would propose suspending the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. She said the declaration of a national emergency was justified, although she had reservations about the implementing guidelines. “We are just in a few days after the declaration of a national emergency… [and] some people are contemplating the possible suspension of the writ of habeas corpus,” De Lima said. Habeas corpus, she said, is the power of a court to require the state to produce before it the physical body of a person in its custody, whether detained legally or illegally. This is a remedy open to a petitioner who questions the legality of the detention, she said. “Suspension of the writ means that the court can still ask the state to produce the body, but it can no longer inquire into the legality of the arrest or detention. In short, anybody can be arrested without a warrant and the legality of the arrest cannot be immediately questioned through a petition for habeas corpus, but maybe in some other later proceeding,” she added. De Lima said Gordon’s plan was alarming, because suspending the writ of habeas corpus is similar to Martial Law. She said it was laughable for Gordon to equate the war against drugs to an invasion or a rebellion, the only grounds under the Constitution to declare Martial Law. “What are we having here? A creeping Martial Law, a creeping authoritarianism?” she said Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon said there was no basis for Gordon’s bill. Under the Constitution, he said, the privilege of writ of habeas corpus be suspended only in cases of rebellion or invasion and when public safety requires. In other words, he said, these are the same grounds for the declaration of Martial Law, which are limited under the Constitution.

Eyebrows...

From A1 “SC justices are not receiving more than what they deserve,” Villanueva said. While he had nothing against the salaries of high court justices, Roque said, there must be an equal distribution of emolument between the high court justices and other employees of the Supreme Court. He took note of the slow disposition of cases in the high court, citing as a case in point the Malampaya fund controversy that has been pending for seven years. It was Roque, a lawyer, who represented a group of petitioners who questioned in 2009 the government’s supposed illegal and unconstitutional use of the Malampaya funds. Responding to Roque, Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. said he himself would

Sara...

From A1 last Monday the doctor said two of my babies were not breathing anymore,” Duterte said. But she said her third baby was still ﬁghting for its life, and that her doctor advised her to take some rest. “I’m taking it easy and taking pre-

From A1 Obama’s emphasis on the ruling being “binding” will undoubtedly attract a strong reaction from China, which has argued the United States has no role to play in the dispute. Other claimants in the sea are the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei—all part of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc meeting in Laos—plus Taiwan. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is also in Laos this week, with Asean hosting a series of regional meetings, and will meet Obama later Thursday at an 18-nation East Asia summit. Migraine forced President Rodrigo Duterte to skip two of his scheduled events on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit here. Duterte, who recently made headlines for cussing at US President Barack Obama, was absent in two events Thursday morning, including the US-Asean summit hosted by the American leader and the India-Asean meeting because of a severe headache. In a text message to reporters here, Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza conﬁrmed that the President was not feeling well since Wednesday night. “He was not feeling well in the morning so he missed the two sessions,” Dureza said. “But he was able to attend the East Asia Summit with 18 world leaders and the rest of the day’s remaining schedule until departure for Indonesia early evening,” he added. Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go said that while the President failed to attend the two earlier meetings, he was able to give a “more than 10-minute speech” at the East Asia Summit, where he discussed human rights. Go said Duterte did not follow the prepared speech but went impromptu with “very strong words.” Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said Duterte had met Obama during the summit and the two had ironed out their differences. Obama later told the press he urged Duterte to conduct his war on illegal drugs “the right way,” after more than 2,000 suspected drug pushers and users were killed in a crackdown in just over two months. “As despicable as these [crime] networks may be and as much damage as they do, it is important from our perspective to make sure that we do it the right way,” Obama told reporters when asked about his conversation with

Underground...

From A1 and development laboratory of an international drug syndicate,” Villanueva said. Police said the shabu laboratory had been operating for more than a decade. “The seizure and arrests proved that our law enforcement agencies are working as one and that cooperation and the sharing of information are most effective in combating the illegal drugs trade,” said Senior Supt. Graciano Mijares. A source in Camp Crame said Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa was appalled by the discovery of the shabu laboratory. He asked the police to look into the possible connivance of rogue policemen and government officials in the shabu lab operation. The PDEA said the arrested Chinese nationals were all from Xiamen. Florante S. Solmerin bring up the matter to the “attention and quick action” of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. A case may take five years to decide in the Regional Trial Court and up to 10 years in the Sandiganbayan. But Velasco said an RTC judge must be given a “manageable case load” of about 300 cases at most. “If he has more than that, then he would really have a difficult time ideciding and adjudicating the cases,” Velasco said. Velasco also brought up before the House appropriations panel the lack of funding for the RTCs created by the laws passed by Congress. “[When] a new court is created, it should be immediately funded because we badly need warm bodies,” he said. The Judiciary proposed a budget of P40.4 billion for 2017, but Malacañang approved only P32.5 million. Maricel V. Cruz cautions,” Carpio said. She said she requested the new commander of Task Force Davao to ensure the safety of her city and give her peace of mind for nine months for her surviving child. On Aug. 19, Carpio announced she was pregnant and expecting to deliver three babies. Funny Pearl A. Gajunera

a picture of the killings of American soldiers in the past and the president said: ‘This is my ancestor they killed. Why now we are talking about human rights,” an Indonesian delegate said. Th delegate described the atmosphere in the room as “quiet and shocked”. Another diplomat described the speech as “normal Duterte”. Duterte set the tone for the week when, just before ﬂying to Laos on

Monday, he launched a barrage of insults at Obama in response to the US president’s plans to question him over his war on drugs. “You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum,” Duterte told reporters shortly before ﬂying to Laos. At the press conference marking the end of his trip to Laos, Obama said he was unfazed by Duterte’s slur.

“I don’t take these comments personally because it seems as if this is a phrase he’s used repeatedly including directed at the pope and others,” Obama said. He added that such choice words were “a habit, a way of speaking for him”. Duterte has branded Pope Francis, the US ambassador to Manila and the United Nations as “sons of whores.” AFP

Duterte on the sidelines of the regional summit in Laos. “Because the consequences of when you do it the wrong way are innocent people get hurt and you have a bunch of unintended consequences that don’t solve the problem.” Relations between long time allies the US and the Philippines saw a spectacular setback this week after Duterte branded Obama a “son of a whore” for questioning his human rights record. The outburst on Monday was in response to being told Obama planned to raise concerns about his war on drugs. “You must be respectful. Do not just throw away questions and statements. Son of a whore, I will curse you in that forum,” Duterte told reporters shortly before flying to Laos. “We will be wallowing in the mud like pigs if you do that to me.” At the press conference marking the end of his trip to Laos, Obama said he was unfazed by Duterte’s jibe. “I don’t take these comments personally because it seems as if this is a phrase he’s used repeatedly including directed at the pope and others,” adding that such choice words were “a habit, a way of speaking for him.” Duterte has branded Pope Francis, the US ambassador to Manila and the United Nations as “sons of whores.” However, Obama canceled a meeting with Duterte scheduled for Tuesday because of the outburst. They met briefly on Wednesday night before a leaders’ dinner, but only exchanged “pleasantries,” the White House said. Duterte was elected to office in a landslide this year after pledging to kill 100,000 people in an unprecedented war on crime. He vowed in the campaign that so many bodies would be dumped in Manila Bay that the fish there would grow fat from feeding on them. Duterte has also repeatedly promised to protect police from prosecution if they are charged over the deaths and insisted human rights cannot get in the way of his war. Duterte has said the Philippines is in danger of becoming a “narco state”, and eliminating drugs in society is the top priority of his administrations. On the day he was sworn into office, June 30, Duterte urged people living in a Manila slum to kill drug addicts in their community. His handpicked police chief, Ronald dela Rosa, last month called for drug addicts to kill traffickers and burn down their homes.

The United Nations special rapporteur on summary executions has warned incitement to kill is a crime under international law. Despite growing condemnation of the comments and what rights groups say are rampant extrajudicial killings, Duterte has vowed to continue. “More people will be killed, plenty will be killed until the last pusher is out of the streets,” Duterte said on Monday. Earlier, Obama said the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in favor of the Philippines in its territorial row with China was already binding, and urged Asean leaders to use the decision constructively to move forward and lower tensions in the region. “With respect to maritime issues, we’ll continue to work to ensure that disputes are resolved peacefully including in the SCS. The landmark arbitration ruling in July which is binding helped clarify maritime rights in the region,” he said. Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Wednesday expressed serious concern over China’s continued and escalating reclamation activities in disputed areas in the South China Sea, even as the 10-member regional bloc avoided mentioning a landmark ruling favoring the Philippines in its row with Beijing. The Philippines had recently released photos of Beijing’s island building in the Scarborough Shoal, labelled “illegal” by the arbitral tribunal whom Philippine officials described as a “worrisome” threat to the country’s territorial integrity. Obama has urged China to adhere to the rule of law and not take unilateral measures that could raise tensions. China in turn accuses the United States of interference and using the ruling to stoke confrontation. “I recognize this raises tensions,” Obama said referring to the ruling “but I also look forward to discussing how we can constructively move forward together to lower tensions and promote diplomacy and stability.” Obama added that the United States will continue deepening its economic partnerships within the Asean, through the completion of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a free trade agreement of Pacific Rim countries which removes tariff and non-traffic barriers in trade. The United States also committed to address transnational threats and combat terrorism in Southeast Asia. “We’re expanding our cooperation

to address transnational threats. We will stay vigilant in combating terrorism, including in Southeast Asia, where we have very strong partnerships with many of you.” Asean leaders released a statement on Wednesday saying they were “seriously concerned” over recent developments in the sea. But intensive Chinese lobbying helped to ensure there was no mention of the July ruling in the Asean statement. Asean works by consensus, and China has successfully pressured Cambodia and Laos in recent years to ensure the bloc does not gang together to pressure Beijing. However, the Philippines released photos on Wednesday it said showed renewed Chinese island-building activity, in a deliberate move to throw the issue into the spotlight. The Chinese ships were at Scarborough Shoal, a small fishing ground within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone that China took control of in 2012. If China did build an island at the shoal, it could lead to a military outpost just 230 kilometers from the main Philippine island, where US forces are stationed. It would also be a major step in China’s quest to control the sea, giving it the ability to enforce an air defense identification zone across the waters. Obama warned Chinese President Xi Jinping in March not to build at the shoal. Chinese island-building in the Spratlys archipelago—another strategically important location—has already triggered various US military shows of strength. The United States has sent warships close to the new islands, and warplanes over them, deeply angering China. Security analysts have said Chinese island-building at Scarborough Shoal could trigger a military confrontation. China insisted repeatedly this week it was not undertaking any islandbuilding activities at the shoal. A barrage of other security threats were also in focus in Laos on Thursday, including North Korea’s nuclear ambitions following its latest missile tests. Obama warned on Monday that Kim Jong-Un’s regime was dooming itself to further isolation, and the UN Security Council condemned the tests. But North Korea responded by threatening on Wednesday to take “further significant measures.” With AFP

following the seizure of several bomb components, tools and explosive materials in Mlang, North Cotabato Tuesday. The recovery of the deadly bomb components in Cotabato came after security forces launched a massive manhunt against the suspected bomber in Davao City. Two suspects have been arrested. In Sultan Kudarat, Army operatives intercepted three 60 mm mortar projectiles that were to be used as makeshift mines. Mendoza said that the interdicted military ordnance could be attributed to the Ansar Khilafa, an IS-affiliated unit operating in Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani province led by an Indonesian jihadists and Malaysians terrorist. Mendoza said that terrorist have evolved, disregarding their “idealistic” objectives for more profitable aims. “This has led to the establishment of the alliances of terrorist organizations with organized crime groups to fortify their profit—generating activities,” Mendoza said. He said alliances maintain a slew of illegal activities such as terrorism, drug trafficking, arms and human smuggling, money laundering and other transnational crimes. “Firm strategic alliances have made it difficult for law enforcement to penetrate their targets,” he said. To advance their illegal activities, “legitimate businesses and nongovernment organizations serves as fronts for these groups to cover their illegal and criminal activities.” Security forces on Thursday foiled

bomb attacks on still unknown targets following the interception and discovery of several deadly bomb components and military ordnance in two separate areas in Mindanao. Police also intercepted a cache of ﬁrearms at a port in Masbate. The bomb components were seized while police tried to serve warrants of arrest on two suspected bomb makers in Purok 6, Brgy Dungan, Mlang, North Cotabato while the military ordnance was intercepted at Barangay Rebukin, Sultan Kudarat. Police raiders failed to catch the two suspects, but a search of their residence uncovered a fragmentation grenade, cellphones that could be used as detonators, blasting caps, batteries, a soldering gun, an ohmmeter tester, three circuit boards, silicon controlled rectiﬁer and test lights, 26 light emitting diodes, capacitors, electric stranded wires, an undetermined amount of black powder, a cellphone charger, a remote control and Christmas lights.

Metro...

From A1 The Maute group led by Abdullah Maute, a Jordanian-trained terrorist, was tagged as the culprit in the deadly blast in Davao City on Sept. 2. Abdullah is married to an unidentified Indonesian jihadist operating in Lanao province, and has an alliance with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) operating in Central Mindanao. However, Abdullah was killed along with his brother Omar in fierce fighting with Army troopers on the outskirts of Lanao del Sur. His Indonesian wife has reportedly been joined at four other Indonesian jihadists conducting bombing sorties in different parts of Central Mindanao. At least five Malaysians who were recruited by the IS in their country had sought sanctuary in the country after Malaysia cracked down on homegrown Islamic militants. They were University Malaya lecturer Dr. Mahmud Ahmad, stationary shop owner Mohd Najib Husen, former Selayang Municipal Council employee Muhammad Joraimee Awang Raimee, 39, Darul Islan Sabah members Mohd Amin Baco, 31 and Jeknal Adil, 30, both Tawau. Reports said that the bombing in Davao City by the Maute group was to avenge the killing of Abdullah and brother Omar and several of its members in the bloody fighting in Butig town. Mendoza’s disclosure surfaced after security forces foiled a supposed bomb attack on an unknown target

Health... From A1

salary increases under the Salary Standardization Law IV.” Due to the funding lack, he said, the Senate should transfer funds to the second round of salary increases to be sourced from non-essential items in the proposed 2017 national budget. While fewer doctors, nurses and dentists would be dispatched, he said, the number of medical technologists and midwives hired would stay at 308 and 3,100, respectively. And from 713 public health asso-

ciates deployed this year, the department is asking for funds to hire 2,587 implementers of the Universal Health Coverage and 2,803 public health associates whose job descriptions are not, however, stated in the department’s proposal. “Are they going to replace our doctors and nurses? If they are the ones to replace them, we are ready to listen to the explanation of the [department]. I am hopeful there’s a good basis,” Recto said. “I am keeping an open mind and hope to be convinced why such personnel changes are needed for public health to be served better.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

Tale...

From A1 Ramos as the source of President Rodrigo Duterte’s narco-list were “total fabrications” even if ofﬁcial transcripts and taped recordings show otherwise. “President Duterte categorically denied media reports claiming that former President Fidel Ramos was the original source on the so-called drug list,” Dureza said. “The President clariﬁed that in the various occasions when he met with the former President before the elections, the only recurring message to him was the need for him to run for President due to the many challenges facing the nation, drugs being one of them. “To say that the source of the narcotics list came from President Ramos is a total fabrication,” Duterte was quoted in the statement. But in his speech last Monday, Duterte said the source of his “narco list” was former President Fidel Ramos who gave it to him to convince him to run for President. Speaking before the Filipino community here, Duterte recalled how Ramos tried to convince him even when he was still mayor of Davao City to pursue the country’s highest position

‘Lessons...

From A1 establish hot lines of communication. Baja called on the administration to start preparing for next year’s summit immediately. The 10-member bloc consists of the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Laos, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia. Also on Thursday, Duterte’s losing vice presidential running mate Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, blamed the local and international media for playing up mistakes and faux pas that were caused by the President’s staff. On Wednesday, the Presidential Communications Office distributed a press release stating that Duterte, whom they played up as “a rockstar,” would be seated next to Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. This did not happen, however. Cayetano, however, blamed the media for the excitement about the supposed meeting. “Even the ministers, were going around… asking us. Will either Secretary General Ban Ki-moon or President Barack Obama meet with President Duterte? Remember, the international [and] local press created the excitement,” Cayetano said. Called out for his statement, Cayetano backtracked. “No no no no. I didn’t say you’re inventing anything, I said you created the excitement,” he said. Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon said Thursday that “unfriendly rhetoric and undiplomatic statements” would not advance the country’s cause. Drilon was responding to a question about Duterte’s cursing at Obama just ahead of the summit. Drilon also said the Philippines should maintain its relations with the United States, a strong treaty ally. Senator Panfilo Lacson expressed hope that Duterte will soon realize that diplomacy is always part and parcel of a country’s foreign policy. Being the country’s leader, he said Duterte should shape that policy because statements spoken by a country’s leader are always construed as policy statements. “Having said that, I don’t see any drastic change in the long-standing friendly relations between the Philippines and the United States. We are one of the United States’ strongest allies in the Asia-Pacific region, and it will stay that way,” he said. The President’s party mate and ally, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III again defended Duterte, saying professional diplomats at the Foreign Affairs Department conducted negotiations at the international level. “So let us allow the President to be himself. Anyway, we accepted the consequences of him being himself,” Pimentel said. “Maybe we just have to explain and then beg for the understanding of foreigners to understand that our President speaks that way and that should be accepted,” Pimentel added. Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto said Duterte’s unprovoked tirade would not drain the deep reservoir of goodwill between Filipinos and Americans. Police Supt. Romeo Galco Jr. said the seizure was a breakthrough in their efforts to arrest potential bomb makers and to deter bombing. In Sultan Kudarat, military intelligence operatives intercepted three projectiles for use with rocket propelled grenades. Col. Earle Baliao, commander of the Army’s 603rd Brigade, said the RPG projectiles were similar to the explosive used in the Davao City bombing. He added that there seemed to be a terrorist plan to plant the projectiles along the highway. “”Definitely we foiled a bombing attempt,” Baliao said. The Philippine National Police on Thursday said it has established the identity of the primary suspect in the Davao City blast. PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa said Thursday the suspect was positively identified based on the testimony of two massage therapists. With Florante S. Solmerin, PNA because of the illegal drug trade. “President Ramos went to Davao four times. He said I must run because it was about time that Mindanao had its own President,” Duterte said. “That’s what we discussed, and you can ask him. He’s still alive.” Duterte said Ramos’ second visit impressed him the most because he showed him the list of police generals and other officials involved in the illegal drug trade. “He was strongly urging me to run. He said I was the only one who could stop [the trade in illegal drugs],” Duterte said. “Then he showed me a list. It was very thick. I haven’t released all [the names yet] because I’m still validating it. “He said ‘If you do not run, who will run? If you keep on refusing, this country will go to the dogs’.” Duterte said Ramos talked to him two more times to convince him to run for President, and that he gave him at least P5 million from anonymous sources to help him finance his campaign. The Department of Justice, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and even the police had earlier denied giving Duterte his list of narco-generals and executives whom he named to shame them.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF Dengue outbreak in Biliran TACLOBAN CITY—The Department of Health has declared a diarrhea outbreak in the town of Cabucgayan, Biliran after the water-borne disease has downed 170 residents in the past few days. The health department tagged contaminated water as the culprit, based on water samples gathered from various sources, including from a water refilling station, which were found positive of coliform bacteria, that is commonly present in human and animal waste. The local government immediately issued a closure order of the water refilling station, said DoH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Minerva Molon. At least 21 residents have been admitted in hospitals, but as of Monday, only 11 remained in confinement, according to DoH. “The good thing is that the local government has been very active. We really learned a lot from diarrhea outbreak experience in Samar,” Molon said.

PH to import 805,200 MT of rice THE Philippine government has approved the additional importation of 805,200 metric tons of rice under the minimum access volume (MAV). This was aside from the 500,000 MT earlier awarded to Vietnam and Thailand by the National Food Authority through government-togovernment procurement scheme. The NFA on Thursday issued the import guidelines under which traders are to bring in well-milled rice with a quality not lower than 25 percent brokens or any special variety. Shipments, which should arrive not later than February 28, 2017, will be levied with a 35 percent tariff. NFA said the importation was under a country-speciﬁc quota scheme covered by a 2014 agreement with the World Trade Organization, which allows the Philippines to provide minimum market access for rice imports.

REAL ROCK STAR. Newly canonized Saint Teresa of Calcutta again revealed her popularity among Filipinos who scrambled to pay P600 for an image of the nun who once came to the Philippines during the beatiﬁcation of Filipino saint Lorenzo Ruiz. Danny Pata

NTC seeks hike in telco penalties By Maricel V. Cruz

Lawmakers questioned DICT ofﬁcials about the poor service of telcos, especially internet services in the country. He said he is optimistic that the 17th Congress can finally pass the proposed amendment because all they can do now is shame companies by making known the poor quality of service that telcos have been providing based on their equipment. “There is a pending legislation on this last Congress, so we are hoping that this will push through,” Cordoba said. “Based on the power you can give us on the imposable penalty, definitely we will be able to make use of it,” Cordoba said. “We do the test on a monthly basis and we publish it in newspapers, and tri-media. So instead of implementing the P200 penalty, we do the

N A bid to address poor cellular phone signals and slow internet connections, the National Telecommunications Commission urged Congress to amend an eight-decade law regulating telecommunications companies and increase ﬁnes from P200 to P1 million per day. “We really need the help of Congress [in amending the law] because when we asked the [National Economic and Development Authority], this P200 a day in 1936 is equivalent to P1,076,000 million [today],” said NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba. Cordoba told lawmakers in hearing on the P3.5-billion budget of the Department of Information and Communica-

tions Technology “if the penalty is this huge, we are sure telecommunication companies will step up.” Cordoba was referring to the 1936 Public Service Law where the NTC could only impose a ﬁne of P200 per day against erring telcos although the telecommunication industry has grown way beyond its size when the law was ﬁrst enacted.

shame game.” But Cordoba also admitted the difﬁculty in setting up cellular sites and lack of government investment in information and communications technology as among several reasons for the problem on signal and internet service. He said that it takes years for a telco to build cell sites due to health hazards and some local government units have been requiring the ﬁrms to get as many as 32 permits. “The LGUs can ask for 32 requirements, compared to us who only need one. That is where the problem is. On the other hand, Ayala Alabang— which is around 500 hectares— gets its signal from the outside [cell site] because this kind of villages see cell cites as hazardous or eyesores,” Cordoba said.

House ready to give Rody traffic powers THE chairman of the House committee on transportation on Thursday expressed readiness and commitment to grant President Rodrigo Duterte his desired “emergency powers” aimed at addressing the land and air trafﬁc in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

During the committee’s organizational meeting Thursday, Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, the panel head, said the request of President Duterte is considered approved in principle at the Lower House because trafﬁc woes become a national crisis. “Yes, in principle, we will

grant him emergency powers. I am in agreement in granting the President emergency powers, but we will see to it that it will pass the test of constitutionality,” Sarmiento said. He said the emergency powers to be extended to the President is legal and constitutional,

and is going to be within the bounds of the law. Sarmiento said the House expects such to be questioned before the SC, and to avoid this, they will have to draft one that is constitutional and that it will not be declared unconstitutional by the SC.

Sarmiento said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade was wrong to say that trafﬁc problem in Metro Manila is only a “state of mind,” explaining President Duterte would not ask for emergency powers from Congress if this is not a serious problem. Maricel V. Cruz

Stiffer hoax laws backed A TOP Palace ofﬁcial on Thursday said he supports moves in Congress to impose stiffer criminal penalties on those caught making hoax bomb threats. “I am in favor of the move to have a law on this, if only to quell these hoaxes which are not good. They must be disciplined,” said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea in an interview with former senator and broadcaster Orly Mercado over dwFM radio. The Palace on Tuesday issued guidelines for a state of emergency, as it defended warrantless arrests, searches and seizures. Memorandum Order No. 3, entitled “Providing Guidelines for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in the Implementation of Measures to Suppress and Prevent Lawless Violence,” was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Sept. 5, 2016. On the other hand, Medialdea reiterated that there is nothing new in the guidelines since this is already found in the Philippine Constitution. He also said this situation has already been done in the past, particularly in Mindanao. “There will only be some inconvenience like in checkpoints, you would be stopped. But this would ensure safety of the citizens, Mr. Senator. Isnt’ it? This is just a little discomfort and inconvenience to achieve peace which we want,” Medialdea said.

Manila

New DPWH teams formed By Joel E. Zurbano THE Department of Public Works and Highways announced on Thursday it has formed a team tasked to monitor the construction stage of big projects to ensure their completion on time and prevent irregularities. The team, dubbed Infrastructure Monitoring Advisory Groups (IMAGs), will enable participatory and transparent monitoring during construction stage of big-ticket projects and will be composed of a regional director, district engineer, chief executives of local government unit where the project is located, project consultant and project contractor. Public Works chief information officer Randy del Rosario said representatives from the business group; utilities companies affected; religious groups; civil society organizations; media; Philippine National Police; LGU traffic management group; Armed Forces of the Philippines command officer; professional groups; and representatives of national government agencies concerned will also form part of the group. The team shall conduct regular forums to report progress of project implementation, along with problems encountered and shall come up with needed solutions. It shall also function as the source of advisories and logistics to facilitate imple-

mentation of projects, especially in dealing with informal settler families (ISFs) in road right-of-way concerns. “Engaging stakeholders for support and cooperation is DPWH’s way to guarantee project implementation’s strict compliance with standards and to ensure that projects will be serviceable as soon as possible,” said Del Rosario. “From then on, the public can expect that the team will work on efﬁcient implementation of major roads, bridges, and ﬂood control projects all over the country,” he added. Meanwhile, the department has completed the upgrading works of 16-kilometer Dinadiawan-Casiguran section of Baler-Casiguran Road, which leads to Casapsapan Beach. Baler-Casiguran Road is a national road located in the mid-eastern coast of Luzon in the province of Aurora and is of strategic importance in the country’s arterial road network. The improved road will further boost the tourism industry of Casiguran, as well as other parts of Aurora as it will further strengthen the access to the town of Baler where the province’s primary economic development and emergency centers are located. A total of P231 million was allocated by the DPWH for the completion of the tourism road project.

Standard

TODAY

Unveiling of Marker. In its constant pursuit of its pious missions, the Wong Chu King Foundation (WCKF) and the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao finished one of its flagship projects in Cagayan province. The 46-year-old Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Nannarian, Peñablanca needed help as it deteriorated over time from termite infestation and to address its growing number of mass goers beyond its original capacity of 150. The one year construction was completed and subsequently turned over recently as they unveiled a marker as a symbol of gratitude to the WCKF. In photo are (L-R) Mrs. Belen Wongchuking, Executive Director of the WCKF, Mr. Alexander Wongchuking, Parish Priest Fr. Josef Hugo Aggabao and Tuguegarao Archbishop Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, D.D.

Opinion

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Jittery market

OREIGN investors in the stock market are not amused at President Rodrigo Duterte’s outbursts and his threat to swear at US President Barack Obama. With the uncertainty over the timing of the US interest rate hikes and the slow global economic recovery still dogging investors, the Philippine stock market plunged 1.3 percent Wednesday to extend its losses to three days. Mr. Duterte’s diplomatic gaffe prompted President Obama to cancel their meeting during a break in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Vientiane, Laos. Those developments did not sit well with

foreign stock market investors, who quickly dumped their investments. Foreign funds withdrew $58 million from the local market Wednesday and have sold a net $333 million in an 11-day run of outflows. Stock market traders fear that President Duterte’s unpredictable behavior in politics could be disruptive and eventually spill into economics and business. Mr. Duterte’s controversial remarks followed the Sept. 2 bombing in his hometown Davao City that killed 15 and wounded 70 people. The terror attack led to the declaration of a state of lawlessness in the whole country, and investors and businessmen have started to fidget because of its possible long-term implications on the economy. Moody’s Investors Service, a global credit rating agency, downplayed the security issue,

saying it posed a limited credit impact in the near term. But the agency cautioned that if recent events “lead to prolonged uncertainty around security or economic policy, such a development would eventually dampen business confidence and consequently, economic outcomes.” President Duterte remains popular with the masses and businessmen generally welcoming his economic policies amid the robust growth. The stock market, however, will always serve as the barometer of business confidence on the economy. President Duterte, thus, should act as a responsible leader and cease his penchant for picking a fight with the United States or other major economies. The Philippines has plenty to lose if it alienates its key trading partners.

Revisiting Hacienda Luisita

Blaming media THE media, unfortunately, is once again in the news. And it’s not a very flattering picture they’re painting of the press, especially among the fans of President Rodrigo Duterte. I don’t feel obliged, as a media worker, to defend the press from allegations of bias against Duterte. And while it may very well be true that some media outfits tend to be unjustly critical of the President, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are doing so maliciously or because they are part of a conspiracy to remove him from office. More than anything, I think some people just want to look for someone—or something— to blame for the controversy that led to US President Barack Obama’s refusal to meet Du-

terte in Vientiane after reports of the latter’s “colorful” outburst reached him while he was in China. By the time the foreign press had worked itself into a frenzy about the Philippine president calling Obama the “son of a whore” (something Duterte never did), the media were already in the sights of the Digong fans. And when one newspaper allegedly twisted the words of a Cabinet secretary in Manila, whom a headline writer tried valiantly to portray as an insensitive, Aquino-era official, the trigger was pulled. The anti-Duterte, Yellowtard “presstitutes” (mad props to the person responsible for this neologism, by the way), according to the President’s admirers were suddenly news themselves. The media, of course, was not reporting any of this. But in post after political post on Facebook and elsewhere online, people seemed to be talking of nothing else.

As someone who witnessed how media was manipulated by the previous administration into becoming an extension of the Malacañang propaganda machine—and who fought against this manipulation every

If media can prop up a bad president, it should also point out the failings of a good president. opportunity that I got—I think I’m in a good position to understand the current anti-media sentiment. I am convinced, after all, that one of the major reasons why Noynoy Aquino wasn’t able to make Mar Roxas

win was because the people had become fed up with all the rosy pictures Aquino painted in the media, which had no resonance whatsoever with the people; Duterte, I believe, won because he was the most “real” of the candidates, the one who best understood their plight and promised to fix things double-quick. To a Duterte supporter, it is hard to accept criticism of their idol—as hard as it was, I guess, for an Aquino fan to accept the same treatment for the son of a martyr and a saint. But while media can prop up a bad president, it should also point out the failings of a good president, or else it would not be doing its job. To demand that media take the position that Duterte can do no wrong is not only a misunderstanding of the role of the press in a democracy. It is also deleterious for a president in the long run—just like it was bad for Aquino, when he started believing that he was, as his

fans kept telling him, the best president this country ever had. Duterte is the last person, I think, who will say that becoming president made him infallible. I am sure he appreciates criticism, especially from people who bear him no ill will and who cannot be accused of working for his downfall. His many followers and fans should do likewise and not shoot the messenger when he brings bad news. That’s just so Yellow a position to take—and Duterte’s reality-based fans are certainly a lot better than that. *** The media is certainly not without error, either. Far from it. Media can be inaccurate and biased, even at times when it shouldn’t be. It tends to focus on the unimportant and the trivial and miss the big story and the big picture altogether. It sensationalizes headlines to grab readers’ attention. It sometimes succumbs to the

THE Cojuangco-Aquino clan seems to have found a new ally in Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano. The DAR secretary has not implemented a Supreme Court promulgation ordering the DAR to enforce its ruling to distribute parcels of land to farmers from the Hacienda Luisita owned by the powerful family in Tarlac. We realize Mariano has only been on the job less than three months but the High Court has already ruled in favor of the farmers’ case against the owners of Hacienda Luisita. He doesn’t have to study the case since the Supreme Court has already ruled on it. All Mariano has to do is implement the tribunal’s decision—or face contempt of court. Two Aquino administrations—Cory and Noynoy—sat on the case for 12 years. Somehow the Cojuangcos were also able to dissuade Presidents Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo from distributing the land to the farmers despite a Supreme Court ruling. The late Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona upheld the farmers’ case but was soon unseated through the machinations of Malacañang under BS Aquino who was protecting the Cojuangco interests. It’s rather strange, if not ironic, that Mariano used to be a militant who espoused the plight of the poor. But being appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as agrarian reform secretary must have changed Mariano’s social and political outlook. A former congressman representing the farmers group Anakpawis, Mariano was once a farmer himself and a chairman of the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. He is a survivor of the Mendiola massacre in 1987 when a group of farmers marched to Malacañang to present their plight to then-President Cory Aquino. In a petition to President Duterte, the Ambala group of farmers and residents of Hacienda Luisita called for an end to the intimidation, killing and militarization of the area under the control of the CojuangcoAquino family. The group demanded the implementation of the Supreme Court order to distribute the farmlands that was already allotted to them under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Turn to A5

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Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Ofﬁce, Manila. Website: www.thestandard. com.ph; e-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

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Opinion

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

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Henry Lim: The Bill Gates of hybrid rice

A course on pragmatics SHORTLY after a state of the language-game of familinational emergency was de- arity. clared, there was plenty of But truth, fellas, is not a demedia chatter: intimations of fense, nor is it a satisfactory Martial Law, concern about explanation for the failure of how long it would last, the what could have been very availability of judicial re- important communication view, and a fear that there between Digong and Barack. would be a diminution of our After all, even as we speak, rights. I think that our inordi- China’s abusive and illegal nate concern that liberties and activities in the South China freedoms not be diminished Sea continue unabated, and is a good indicator that we do turning to Putin with friendly need a strong hand! A people overtures in the hope that he that is quick to assert rights will take America’s place is and liberties but suspicious in foolish. There are hardly any respect to the exaction of du- Russian interests in the Philipties is exactly what made Ar- pines! istotle think a democracy to be Habermas’ universal pragdangerous proposition! matics is the analysis of speech I have said it before, and I acts and among its key points will say it once more. The pop- is that when anyone says anyularity of Digong, his bloopers thing, no matter how innocuand snafus notwithstanding, ous the statement or utterance, is proof that those who ped- there are simultaneously four dle the myth that Martial Law (implicit) claims one makes: was imposed on a reluctant if You can understand me. What not resistant nation are wrong. I say is true. You can depend We have an infatuation with on me on this. The relation I strong men because we are seek to establish with you by all aware of telling you the excesses this is normaof which we tively correct. are capable— In the Heads of and our teeth terms of uniare on edge states, precisely versal pragafter biting matics, these into the bit- on account of the are the claim ter fruit that a myth of sovereign to intelligibilharvest of the ity, the claim disproportion equality, do not to truth, the between the talk to each claim to sinrights of citicerity and zenship and other with such the claim to at tentiveness disregard for cor re ct ness. to its obligaOf course, reﬁnement and tions yields. much of what But many Digong says spite for being things went is true. But terribly wrong proper. talking in with Presisuch fashion dent Digong’s either to or debut on the in reference world stage. One of the worst to the President of the United chapters in this anthology of States is never normatively woes was his barrage of in- correct. And that is not besults aimed at President Barack cause we are a suppliant state. Obama, who had not even said It is simply because heads of a thing about President Digong. states, precisely on account of Our President was nevertheless the myth of sovereign equality, lured into his now familiar ful- do not talk to each other with mination by an unprincipled such disregard for refinement journalist who just wanted to and spite for being proper. report gore and bile! What President Digong His supporters—those who needs to learn is first, from will think him always right no Wittgenstein: there are varimatter how wrong he is—who ous language-games, and talknumber in the millions, will ing to heads of states on matinsist: “Tama naman yung ters of international policy and sinabi niya ah…”. Of course, relations is one kind of game that cannot refer to the “son of that cannot and should not be a whore” expletive, because confused with the languagethat cannot be true! And, in game of talking to one’s unthe Philippine setting, among derlings or drinking buddies. the uncouth—and even among The other is from Habermas’ those who ought to speak with universal pragmatics: It may more finesse—p****na, has, be the truth you are assertunfortunately, evolved from ing, and there may be no doubt being a description of one’s about your sincerity. But if mother to being an almost fa- you convey it in a form or a miliar, quixotically friendly manner that contravenes the introductory or conclusory norms of propriety, then no verbal appendage. It is rather matter the applause of a milcommon among many to be- lion sycophants, the speechgin a sentence or end one with act just does not succeed! this rather impolite expression without ever meaning any- rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph thing about anyone’s mother! rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph Sadly, it seems to be part of rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

Blaming... From A4

pressures of the ownership or government and falls in love with its subjects, becoming their advocates instead of their hard-eyed evaluators. Media grammar can be execrable. The research, interviewing and other required skills of its practitioners can be severely subpar. But media workers are really as diverse as any randomly-selected group of citizens. And many of them do their best to maintain standards of good journalism, day after day. What media cannot do is to do your thinking for you—

even if some of us in the trade actually think you should let media do that, as well. All media can do is to provide the most accurate information and the most informed opinion it can at a given point in time and considering the limitations of the medium used. What media you decide to believe is really up to you. This credibility is what media truly seeks—and no media entity, regardless of platform, will survive if it doesn’t have the trust of its readers, viewers or listeners. Just don’t blame the media—all of it—when things go wrong. Shooting the messenger never changed any bad message.

TWENTY years ago, Henry Lim Bon Liong didn’t know anything about rice, its price per kilo, how it was produced, its annual production, and how many hectares and farmers were involved in what probably is the oldest profession in the Philippines. Today, Henry, 65, speaks like a rice scientist. And like an economist, which he also is, he monitors daily rice prices and recites from memory statistics on rice—production, per capita consumption, geographic origin, and prices. Henry, who trained as a mechanical engineer from the University of the Philippines, can beat any rice scientist on the science of rice—the seed, how to cultivate it, cross-breed it, grow it commercially, and sell it to farmers here and abroad. Eventually, the boyish-looking, nattily-dressed tycoon with a rich crop of hair, took up business economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific in 1992 and an executive program at Harvard in 2003-2005. It took Henry four years to successfully cross-breed varieties to produce what he now calls the SL-8H. Success was not easy. The first 75 hybrids all failed. He credits his late mother, Maria Co Chiao Ti Lim, for the serendipitous discovery of SL-8H. Two months after she died in 2000, she was supposed to have guided Henry’s rice scientist to Plant No. 8 in the family’s 40-hectare experimental rice field in Laguna. The SL stands for his father’s initials, the 8 for the plant where

that particular seed was extracted successfully for the first time, and H for, of course, hybrid. The problem with hybrids is that the second generation almost always fails and yields much less than the first. Henry overcame that difficulty, thanks to hard and painstaking work, help from China, serendipity, and help from the supernatural. SL-8H has become a major moneymaker of Henry Lim’s SL Agritech Corp., the familyowned company that promises to be the biggest company in the emerging diversified conglomerate called Sterling Paper Group of Companies. Today, the Sterling Group is estimated to generate P10 billion in annual revenues and more than P400 million in profits. Sterling has a dozen companies under its wing, including SL Agritech. It celebrates its 70th year this year. Other companies under the group include Sterling Paper Products Enterprises, Central Book Store Inc., Expressions Stationery Shop Inc., S.P. Properties Inc., and Straight Lines International Inc. Sterling Paper’s narrative is a rags-to riches saga of hard work, persistence, entrepreneurial vision, and luck and serendipity. The business began as a nondescript bookstore in Manila 70 years ago. It ventured into pad and paper, pencil, pens and ballpens, and stationery of all kinds. In recent years, it grew further to build community malls and to diversify into property and call center business. It is hybrid seeds and rice production that offer enormous potential for growth and profits. In the course of nearly 20 years, Henry invested more than P500 million of hard-earned money from the family corporations and borrowings to fund his now-

booming hybrid seeds and rice business. SL Agritech Corp. reported revenues of P2.06 billion for the fiscal year 2015 which ended on May 31, 2015 and handsome profits of P254 million. That’s a return on sales of 12.3 percent and based on its stockholders’ equity of P1.236 billion in FY 2014, a return on equity of 20.6 percent, much more than what large banks return in a good year. The FY 2015 revenues of P2.06 billion was an increase of 48.4 percent from P1.392 billion in 2014 which itself showed a gain of 10 percent from P1.262 billion in 2013. That indicates a hefty 29-percent average rise in annual revenues in the past two years. Last year’s P254-million profit was a jump of 26.3 percent over the 2014 net income of P201 million which showed a gain of 11 percent from 2013’s P181million profits. This indicates an average annual rise in profits of 18.65 percent. Henry Lim himself expects annual profits of P500-million on revenues of between P7.5 billion and P10 billion. At yearly profits of P500 million, he will be recovering his P500-million investments every year for the next five years, if not longer. All he has to do is keep investing in his R and D to keep competitors at bay. SL Agritech currently has 85 percent of the hybrid seeds market. By 2017 alone, SL Agritech is looking at revenues of P3.5 billion and profits of P800 million. No wonder when SL Agritech conducted an IPO for P1 billion worth of commercial papers (with 4 percent yield), it was easily oversubscribed. Bids reached P2 billion. The P1-billion loan proceeds will be used to expand SL Agritech’s business, here and abroad.

Though hybrids is a science and anchored on solid technology, it is still subject to hits and misses, just like any science, and the vagaries of the market place. Thus, it is not easy to value the worth of SL Agritech’s seeds and rice business. Still, the father of the hybrid rice, Dr. Yuan Long Ping, is estimated to be worth about $45 billion because of his vast knowledge of the grains science and the one who perfected the science of hybrid rice. Sources say a foreign investor has attempted to buy the rights for SL Agritech’s SL-8H for commercial production in the investor’s country. Not only is Henry’s hybrid seeds and rice becoming popular in the Philippines. He has also exporting SL-8H to Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. It is poised to export to other countries like Cambodia and India. SL Agritech has developed additional rice varieties such as SL-7H and SL-9H. They taste better but produce lower yield. The new varieties enabled the company to expand its rice business producing premium rice under the brand Doña Maria, Henry’s late mother. Dr. Yuan is said to be responsible for saving hundreds of millions of Chinese from dying from hunger since 1974. During the Mao Tse Tung era, as many as 30 million Chinese are estimated to have died from hunger because they had nothing to eat. It was Dr. Yuan who inspired and helped Henry develop hybrid rice in the Philippines. In China, the hybrid rice is suitable only for temperate countries. It was Henry’s SL Agritech which developed the hybrid rice suitable for tropical countries. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Just and equitable compensation and pensions

“THE payment of just and equitable compensation to all government personnel…that is generally comparable with those in the private sector” was a governing principle that President Benigno Aquino III highlighted in his Executive Order No. 201 last Feb. 19. It is so basic, it cannot be contradicted. He must have wanted to leave as his legacy to our public servants this kind of compensation system, albeit to be realized in four tranches. But, who knows about these compensation systems from which his government compensation system would be compared with? Indeed, reputable research groups regularly conduct compensation surveys in companies that willingly disclose their compensation system. In practice, of course, only the top companies of their industry sector participate in these surveys. Why would a losing company that pays low wages bother to participate? Thus, these surveys tend to show only the wages in elite companies, which are relatively high, and they are what emerging companies use as benchmark if they want to upgrade their compensation system. E.O. 201 must have been benchmarked, too, from these wage surveys so that after its last

Revisiting... From A4

With the end of CARP, pursuing the farmers’ case has been made more difficult. Although the Duterte government has not yet reached its first 100 days, it has shown resolve in the fight against crime and illegal drugs and in the pursuit of peace. By talking with the National Democratic Front and Joma Sison’s Communist Party of the Philippines, the government panel was able to reach an indefinite ceasefire agreement with the New People’s Army. Despite his differences with the media, Duterte signed the executive order on Freedom of Infor-

tranche, government workers would be paid higher than the typical private sector workers. But even today, government workers are already paid handsomely. They now receive allowances for transportation, meal, clothing, hazard, and housing and bonuses for company anniversary, productivity and on their birthdays. They also get 13th and 14th month bonuses. Rankand-file employees are paid overtime and night differential pay while officials get representation allowance and car loan subsidies. Government-owned corporations contribute additionally to their provident or retirement fund, which constitutes a significant part of their compensation on top of what are being remitted for them to the Government Service Insurance System, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG. Obviously, all of these when added together form a significant part of a public sector worker’s total compensation. They are not received by a typical private sector worker, who may not be even paid the legal minimum wage. The superiority of the compensation system of government employees becomes more pronounced if only their pension system under the GSIS is viewed as part of total compensation. And why would pensions not be considered part of compensation? When salaries are paid, a part of them is deducted as a worker’s contribution to his pension fund. His employer also contributes its share to the same pension fund instead of paying it directly to

the worker. These contributions would be paid later as pensions, which by then could be considered deferred compensation. This is equivalent to spreading a worker’s total compensation over his lifetime. After working for government for 40 years and earning P30,000 monthly in the last five years, he would receive a lifetime, taxfree monthly GSIS pension of P27,000. His private sector counterpart, who also earned P30,000, would get from the Social Security System a monthly pension of only P13,140. This is not even half of the pension of the government worker, who obviously would be receiving a lifetime compensation far more than his private sector counterpart. The pension gap is even magnified if both earned P50,000 monthly. The public sector worker would get P45,000 as pension, while his private sector pensioner would get the same P13,140. Why has this happened? Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez provided the explanation when he delivered his keynote address at the 59th anniversary celebration of SSS last Friday, stating that— “Under the present system, SSS members contribute 11 percent applied to a maximum monthly income of P16,000. In contrast, GSIS members pay at a much higher 21 percent contribution rate that applies to the worker’s entire monthly salary since it has no restriction similar to SSS’ maximum monthly salary credit. “To illustrate, given a monthly

income of P50,000, the amount of contribution per month would be P1,760 under the SSS. Meanwhile, a GSIS member with the same income would remit P10,500 per month, nearly six times more compared with the amount of SSS contribution.” Until January 1, 2003, the SSS pension system was still just and equitable, and not the subject of complaints. Both pension systems had the same maximum salary credit, but the GSIS contribution rate was 18 percent of salary credit while the SSS rate was only 8.4 percent. GSIS pensions were computed 2.5 percent of salary for every year of service. For SSS pensions, the multiplier was 2 percent. These contribution and benefit systems are still reconcilable. And in what could very well be the Duterte administration’s policy statement about the SSS pension system, Secretary Dominguez diplomatically conveyed in his anniversary address what should be done immediately— “The SSS contributions cannot compare with the contributions of the GSIS and that’s why the benefits are not as good as those in the GSIS. This is something I think we should all sit down and consider how it can be improved.” Obviously, he meant reestablishing a just and equitable pension system for all private sector personnel similar to what is being enjoyed now by public sector workers. Realistically, it could be attained only after several scheduled contribution and pension increases over the next 20 years.

mation and exhorted Congress to pass an FOI Law. The President can show his sincerity in introducing meaningful change if he steps in on the long-drawn Hacienda Luisita case. Doing so would endear him even more to the masses who voted him into office. Not a window of opportunity Our people go abroad to look for windows of opportunity to improve the lives of their families. But our Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong instead find themselves washing windows while perched precariously on ledges of high apartment blocks. It is not in the job description of the Filipino maids —but their employers have no regard for their safety. They

overwork their maids and won’t hire professional window cleaners in order to save money. Last month, a 35-year-old Filipino maid fell to her death while cleaning the window of a highrise apartment. Stories of Filipino domestic helpers falling out of windows are often ruled by police as suicide. Philippine embassies abroad find it difficult to prove the death is either accidental or she was trying to escape from an abusive employer. There are instances the maid was fleeing from the male employer attempting to rape her or the wife’s wrath who blamed her for thinking she seduced her husband. Last Sunday, Filipino maids

staged a protest march on the streets of Hong Kong asking the authorities to stop the dangerous practice of employers ordering the help to wash windows. There are some 100,000 Filipino workers in Hong Kong. We don’t know if the abuse of the maids has something to do with the massacre of eight Hong Kong Chinese tourists at the Rizal Park in front of the Luneta grandstand. That former President Noynoy Aquino did not apologize for the August 2010 incident didn’t help assuage the anger of the Hong Kong Chinese for the botched rescue attempt. A dismissed policeman had hijacked the tourist bus and held its passengers as hostages.

News

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

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Estrada asks P100m for Boystown rehab

DIGONG AND THE ADDICTS. The National Police Commission staged a puppet show called, ‘Tatay Digong and the Addicts,’ during their 50th anniversary celebration at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Thursday. Lino Santos

IN BRIEF POEA taps QC villages vs trafficking VICTIMS of human trafficking and illegal recruiters in Quezon City may now seek immediate help from barangay officials after the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration has tapped the city’s 142 barangays as information and help desk conduits. “Considering that the barangays are the front-liners in the delivery of basic services, it is imperative they are properly guided on government policies on illegal recruitment, including the modus operandi of unscrupulous recruiters,” said the city’s Public Employment and Services Office chief Carlo Magno Abella. “QC government’s continuing effort to facilitate the delivery of programs and services to OFWs and their families is also made evident by the establishment of an OFW help desk at PESO and in the crafting of related ordinances to migration of overseas Filipinos,” said Mayor Herbert Bautista. The city’s ongoing initiatives provided the city government the much-needed shot in the arm in validating its accomplishments and initiatives toward making the locality as “illegal recruitment-free city.” Rio N. Araja

American pedophile arrested GOVERNMENT agents arrested in Pampanga a convicted American pedophile who hid in the Philippines for more than two years to avoid imprisonment for sexual offenses in the US. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said his men from the Fugitive Search Unit arrested Donald Steward Hammond inside his room in the Oasis Hotel along Clark Premiere Road in Angeles City on Tuesday. The arrest was made on the strength of a mission order that Morente issued at the request of the United States embassy in Manila which sought the fugitive’s arrest and deportation to the US. Morente said Hammond had been hiding in the country since April 26, 2014 when he arrived in Manila as a tourist. He added that Hammond was an undocumented alien when arrested as his passport was already canceled by the US government. Lawyer Jose Carlitos Licas, FSU chief, said Hammond was the subject of an arrest warrant by the Broward County court in Florida on Feb. 24 last year after authorities learned that he had fled. Joel Zurbano

MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada will ask for a P100-million funding from the national government to hasten the construction of a specialized drug rehabilitation center at the city-owned Manila Boystown Complex in Marikina City. Estrada said Thursday the P100 million will cover the construction of a 100-bed building in a five-hectare portion of Boystown facility in Parang where drug users who surrendered to authorities will undergo rehabilitation. “We need the help of the national government, We will ask for a P100 million funding support for this rehabilitation center,” Estrada said in a statement. Estrada was among the Metro Manila chief executives who have voiced their strong support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. Under Estrada’s watch, Manila has the most number of drug suspects who were arrested and voluntarily surrendered to the city police, which, at the latest count, stood at more than 500; at least 10,000 have also presented themselves to the police authorities during “Oplan Tokhang” operations. In the planned drug rehabilitation center, Estrada said the city

government will take care of the maintenance and operational costs, including the meals, medicines, and vital needs of the drug patients. “We will take care of these, although the maintenance is enormous. Breakfast, lunch, supper, will be maintained every day. We need to put doctors there, too, and medical personnel. It’s not a joke,” he pointed out. The extensive rehabilitation treatment, Estrada added, is also costly, because it takes a minimum of three months for a patient to fully recover. Estrada stressed, however, that expenses are immaterial in helping a drug dependent to be treated and start a new life. “Drug dependents do not cease to be humans when they do drugs. We will help them. They should get adequate treatment and they need our help,” the mayor said. The Boystown drug rehabilitation project is handled by Estrada’s daughter Jerika Ejercito, who heads the non-government organization Initiatives for Life and Action for Women (ILAW). ILAW helps troubled women in Manila who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction, depression and other mental sickness, and all forms of abuse. Sandy Araneta

DoH chief insists Fabella unsafe for staff, patients By Macon Ramos-Araneta

EALTH Secretary Paulyn Jean RosellUbial raised alarm that some of the buildings of the 65-year-old Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Medical Center are no longer safe because they may not withstand a strong earthquake.

“We must understand that the buildings of Fabella Hospital were built in the 1950s. The buildings were designed as government offices not as hospitals,” Ubial said. Ubial said four of the eight buildings of the national maternity hospital, at Lope de Vega Street in Sta. Cruz, Manila, are already structurally unsound as

determined by the Department of Public Works and Highways and a private engineering firm that assessed the buildings of the hospital complex. The findings also showed that the continued and long-term presence of people inside the buildings is dangerous, especially in case of an earthquake. Because of this, Ubial said

Fabella management deemed it necessary to transfer clients and staff to a new site that complies with all the engineering and structural safety requirements. Oppositors had earlier suggested that the affected buildings undergo retrofitting to avoid disturbing the hospital’s operations but Ubial said it is more expensive to retrofit the existing buildings than build a new building. She said the Duterte administration and the Department of Health are embarking on the long-term goal of building a new, modern and structurally fit and sound hospital that can serve the needs of mothers and children in much better and safer ways.

A new national maternity hospital inside the DoH compound in Rizal Avenue and Tayuman Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila is being constructed and is expected to be completed by May 2017. “I emphasize the reality that it is in the long-term interest and safety of the people inside Fabella Hospital that we decided to transfer the facility. We must recognize the safety hazards and concerns posed by the existing structures.” said Ubial. DoH expects its clients, surrounding community and hospital staff to appreciate the higher benefits of cooperating with the temporary arrangements for the continuous service of expecting women by the government hospitals, like the Jose R. Reyes

Davao military chief replaced

Lawmakers back P125 pay increase By Maricel V. Cruz LAWMAKERS on Thursday backed Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III’s directive to Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) to conduct nationwide consultations on the legislative measures proposing a P125 across-theboard general wage increase in the private sector. Reps. Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, Ben Evardone of Eastern Samar, Jose Antonio Alvarado of Bulacan, and Sherin Tugna of Cibac party-list said any proposal to augment the present salaries of workers, not only in the public sector, but also in the private sector would be a welcome development. Albano, member of the majority bloc of the Commission on Appointments, said it is time the state enacted a law that would prescribe a decent amount of wage adjustment for Filipino workers.

“I think it is high time that they [employers] grant the wage increase,” Albano said. Albano supported Bello’s move that wide ranging consultations among stakeholders must be carried out to determine the amount of necessary salary adjustment across all sectors as well as the capability of employers to give the specified wage hike. “The proposal for a general wage increase is good if employers across the country can afford it,” Albano said. Evardone said Congress would support the Duterte administration’s push for a decent wage for all Filipino workers. “The salary increase is long overdue. We should support the initiative,” Evardone stressed. Alvarado and Tugna themselves said the proposed P125 across the board wage hike not only for state workers but also private employees is a great idea.

CERTIFIED NARCS. The United States Department of Homeland

Security awarded certificates of recognition to Bureau of Customs officials, led by Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement lawyer Arnel Alcaraz, for their help in arresting a drug felon in Pampanga. US Homeland Security Investigations attaché Ransom Avilla presented the certificates to Alcaraz and Customs police officials Marlon M. Alameda and Lt. Sherwin Andrada

Business as usual in Davao, DoT chief says By Sandy Araneta TOURISM Secretary Wanda Teo said it is business as usual in Davao City amid the recent bombing in a night market in the city last September 2, leaving 15 dead and 70 injured. “We want to show our friends from abroad that while we sympathize with those who suffered loss and injury in the tragic explosion and echo the nation’s outrage for the senseless act that happened in Davao City recently, life must go on for the people. And this shows that the city remains a safe place for visitors and residents alike. In fact, DoT Mindanao is now working on Davao-Manado flights and chartered Xiamen flights to augment foreign arrivals to the region,” Teo said.

Memorial Medical Center, Tondo Medical Center, Philippine General Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center and other DoH hospitals in Metro Manila. Through the years, the Fabella Hospital has been dubbed a “baby factory” because of the volume of births there being the go-to maternity facility of the poor. Members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. confined at Fabella Hospital are not charged a single centavo unless they exceed the insurance allocation of the government. That has spurred strong opposition to the hospital’s transfer and Ubial asserted that they are in constant negotiation with the group to be able to reach an agreeable decision.

“It is business as usual in Davao,” Teo said during the annual Philippine Travel Exchange 2016 gathered quite a crowd in spite of security concerns following the bombing incident in Davao City Friday night last week. A total of 201 international buyers from 35 countries and 198 local sellers from 132 companies across the Philippines came for a series of business to business meetings at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City held from September 4 to 6. “In the wake of upheavals, discord, uncertainties, and safety concerns, the love of travel and the new experiences it brings far outweighs the fear and helplessness these random, senseless acts can bring,” Teo said. Citing the World Travel and Tour-

ism Council’s 2016 Economic Impact Report that says global tourism generated 7.2 million jobs and contributed US$ 7.2 trillion to global gross domestic product in 2015, Teo referred to tourism’s strong “potential of bringing cultures and people together” and “build bridges of peace.” Closer to home, seven buyers from Indonesia, one from Thailand, Switzerland and the US, and three members of the international media are now in Davao City as part of their post-tour activities in the country, according to the tourism chief. “The Department of Tourism believes that we all have an equal stake in advancing peace in the country. We believe that one way of easing tension in Mindanao is to

give importance to the region as one of the top tourist destinations where priority action should be given in designing and implementing product development programs. This initiative is based on the belief that cultural dialogue, through tourism, has a key role to play in the peacemaking process,” Teo emphasized. Teo also spoke of the world renowned culture of Filipino hospitality and the people’s indomitable spirit. “You will fall in love not only with the places you will visit but more so with the communities that will welcome you with open arms and open hearts. You will be amazed by the resilience with which we all bounce back stronger,” Teo said.

ARMY Col. Erwin Bernard Neri is the new Task Force commander of Davao City, replacing Col. Henry Robinson Jr., a week after the deadly near midnight bombing on Sept. 2 that killed 15 people and wounded 70 others in President Rodrigo Duterte’s own home city. City Mayor Sara Carpio, who attended the turnover ceremony Thursday, had previously disclosed she lost two of her unborn triplets, but stopped short of attributing the miscarriage to the grisly incident that sent shock waves across the city and the country’s other urban centers. Carpio had asked for the relief of Robinson and city police chief Sr. Supt. Michael John Dubria, but Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa has yet to designate Dubria’s replacement. “As I assume (the post) today, I intend to immediately hit the ground and buckle down to work. Rest assured that Task Force Davao will be with a strong and resilient people of Davao City and hand in hand we will overcome the effect of the terror attack in our city on Sept. 2 and convert it into an opportunity of synergizing the strength and capabilities of the different stakeholders in maintaining peace and tranquility in the city,” Neri said. Although President Duterte denied there was no “failure of intelligence,” security experts have suggested the cohesiveness of intelligence operations among government agencies in the city are not that solid. Florante S. Solmerin

Sports

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Superal sinks birdie putt to rule ICTSI Sherwood Ladies Classic

RECE MARTIREZ, Cavite—Princess Superal birdied the ﬁrst playoff hole from 12 feet to edge Thais Aunchia Utama and Ajira Nualraksa and former teammate Pauline del Rosario and complete a dream pro debut in the ICTSI Sherwood Ladies Classic at the Sherwood Hills Golf Club here yesterday. Superal lost an early two-stroke lead as she missed her putting touch then rallied from two down on a lost ball on No. 12 with a clutch birdie on No. 16 to scramble for a 72 and force a playoff with the Thais and Del Rosario, who all put in under-par cards, at fourunder 212s. Utama fought back from four down to tie Del Rosario on top

with back-to-back birdies from No. 14 but bogeyed the 17th and finished with a 68. Nualraksa wrested the lead with a solid 32 start but dropped three strokes in the first two holes at the back and needed to birdie No. 15th to shoot a 70 and gain a crack at the crown. Del Rosario worked her way up with a stirring birdie-birdieeagle feat from No. 12, moving

from three-down to two-up and appeared headed for a romp with four holes to go. But the spearhead of Team The Country Club hit an errant drive on No. 18, struggled to reach the green and wound up with bogey for a 69, setting the stage for a four-player playoff. Superal picked herself up in sudden death back on No. 18, coming away with two brilliant shots, then banging in that gem of a putt that shattered Nualraksa’s confidence as the Thai lost her poise and missed extending the match. Two others actually made it in regulation but Utama’s birdie bid from long range fell short and Del Rosario, who putted next, flubbed her try from afar before Superal, figuring the slope and the speed needed a couple of times, rolled in

the clincher that proved too much for Nualraksa to overcome. “I feel very happy. Though I missed a couple of putts early, I still found a way to win,” said Superal, basking in glory as she received her first pro trophy and check worth P150,000 in the 54-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI. “This win means a lot to me,” said the 19-year-old ace, who recently finished tied for second in Stage I of the LPGA Qualifying School. “I really did my best to win.” All the others also did their best to spoil her pro debut but Superal proved steadier than the rest in the end. “Princess has been through a lot of tough challenges as an amateur but this one is different. She was vying not just for a championship. She handled herself well and rode

through the pressure. This win should put her in good stead in her future tournaments,” said Superal coach Bong Lopez. After birdying three of the first five holes to go two-up, Superal said she lost her rhythm and touch and made back-to-back bogeys from No. 5. She dropped another stroke on No. 11 and bogeyed the par-five 12th after losing her ball on a wild drive to the right, casting doubts on making it to the podium on her first try. “But I told myself to relax and take it one shot at a time. Luckily, I was able to regain my bearing and confidence after I birdied No. 16,” said Superal, who has won three tournaments as an amateur in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Woods targets October return NEW YORK—Tiger Woods said Wednesday he hopes to return to competitive golf next month at a tournament in California, but the 14-time major champion warned his muchanticipated return would depend on his continued recovery. “My rehabilitation is to the point where I’m comfortable making plans, but I still have work to do,” the 40-year-old Woods, who has not played competitively since August 2015, said in a statement. “Whether I can play depends on my continued progress and recovery. My hope is to have my game ready to go,” said Woods, who has been recuperating from back surgery since his last tournament. The golf superstar said he is hoping to return to competition on October 13-16 at the Safeway Open in Napa, California. That event is the first of the 2016-17 PGA Tour season. He then hopes to travel to Antalya for the Turkish Airlines Open in November and the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas in December that benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation. “Hoping to play in Napa, Turkey, and Hero in the Bahamas. Can’t wait to compete again,” Woods tweeted. He also plans to take part in his foundation’s Tiger Woods Invitational on October 10-11 in California before his tour return. Woods hasn’t competed since finishing equal 10th at the 2015 Wyndham Championship. He had back surgery last September and a follow-up procedure to ease discomfort from a pinched nerve. Videos of Woods swinging a club earlier this year prompted a spate of speculation that he was on the brink of a comeback. But he eventually missed the entire season, skipping all four major championships for the first time in his career. “It could be a fun Fall,” Woods said. “It was difficult missing tournaments that are important to me, but this time I was smart about my recovery and didn’t rush it. AFP

Princess Superal pumps her ﬁst after sinking the title-clinching birdie putt on the ﬁrst playoff hole.

INO Sadorra, the Philippines’ US-based top player, faces world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway in Thursday night’s sixth round of the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijian. “We will give our best,” said men’s captain James Infiesto in his Facebook account. The team spent a part of Wednesday on a tour of a city before meeting in the afternoon with delegation head Manuel Canovas. Norway’s players have a higher Elo rating than the Philippines on every board as the Filipinos face their first strong opponent in the Olympiad. Sadorra has a rating of 2560 to Carlsen’s 2857. Carlsen has scored two points and two draws from four games. The 19th-placed Norway, who like 23rd ranked Philippines has eight match points, lost to Romania, 1.5-2.5 in the third round as Carlsen was held to a draw. Carlsen also drew against David Smerdon as Norway eked out a 2.5-1.5 win in the fourth round. On second board John Paul Gomez (2492) is pitted against Jon Ludwig Hammer (2641), Eugene Torre (2447), the highest scorer of the team with 4.5 points out of five rounds, meets Aryan Tari (2570) and Rogelio Barcenilla Jr (2455) faces Frode Urkedal (2537). The Filipinas face Mexico with captain Jayson Gonzales keeping the same lineup which produced wins in their last two games. Grandmaster candidate Janelle Mae Frayna plays top board followed by Jan Jodilyn Fronda, Catherine Secopito and rookie Shania Mae Mendoza. The Filipinas are in 27th place while Mexico is in 21st place.

Team Casimero says cocky Edwards will see stars By Ronnie Nathanielsz INTERNATIONAL Boxing Federation flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero was three pounds over the flyweight limit with two days to go before the official weigh-in for his title defense against unbeaten Charlie Edwards of Britain at the O2 Arena in London at 1:00 a.m. Manila Time on Sunday. Casimero’s veteran trainer Jhun

Agrabio said his fighter shouldn’t have a problem shedding off the excess poundage before the weigh-in on Friday. Meantime, the cocky Edwards who will be facing Casimero for the world title in only his ninth fight claims his victory “is written in the stars” which brought out a retort from Team Casimero that he will be seeing stars when the hard-hitting Filipino two-division champion

catches him with the same kind of combination that knocked out Thai champion Amnat Ruenroeng. Boxing man Sean Gibbons said Casimero is “one the best kept secrets of Philippine boxers.” Gibbons added, “he’s got punch, he’s got charisma. He’s going to be on the big stage and I think he’s really going to show what he’s made of.” He said he’s happy that fight fans

will get a chance to see him because he’s had to go to Argentina, Columbia, Mexico, Thailand and China but fighting in the O2 Arena with a historic country like England in boxing, it’s going to be his night.” He said, “Casimero is the only person I know who thrives on being on the road and when he gets booed it just fires him up and he gets the job done. Gibbons said Edwards is “a

But she made her task against 2014 French Open finalist Halep harder with 43 unforced errors and Halep, firing on all cylinders from the baseline took advantage. The Romanian became the first player in the tournament to break Williams’s serve, and the first to take a set off the top seed. After failing to convert any of a dozen break points in the 65-minute second set, Williams regained control in the third with a break for 3-1 and steamed

fundamentally sound guy. Maybe they took the fight because they saw something we didn’t. I think he’s a solid fighter but not on Casimero’s level. I see him (Casimero) somewhere in the middle rounds breaking Edwards down and stopping him.” Sean said Edwards had “a deep amateur background but once Casimero figures him out it will be a whole different ballgame.”

Lady Eagles subdue Lady Tams

Pauline Gaston (5) and Michelle Morente (3) underscore Ateneo’s solid net defense as they foil FEU’s Toni Rose Basas during Game Two of their Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference semis duel won by the Lady Eagles.

ATENEO came charging back to overhaul a big deficit in the fourth set then pounced on Far Eastern U’s meltdown to post a scrambling 25-23, 24-26, 25-19, 25-23 victory late Wednesday and seal a second straight showdown with National U for the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference crown at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. Bea de Leon and Kim Gequillana stepped up and combined for 26 attack points while skipper Michelle Morente, Ana Gopico, Julia Morado, Julianne Samonte and Pauline Gaston backed them up with superb all-around games to clinch the victory for the overachieving Lady Eagles. Ateneo, which also took the series’ opener, 25-14, 28-26, 25-22, last Monday, thus matched NU’s

Games Monday (Philsports Arena) 10 a.m. – La Salle vs UST (S Turf) 12 noon – Ateneo vs NU (S Turf) 4 p.m. – UP vs FEU (best-of-3 for 3rd) 6 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU (best-of-3 for title)

sweep of University of the Philippines in their side of the Final Four to arrange another face-off for the mid-season conference title of Season 13 of the league sponsored by Shakey’s. The Lady Bulldogs frustrated the then-Alyssa Valdez-led Lady Eagles in a rubber match to nail their second collegiate crown in the league backed by Mikasa as official ball and Accel as official outfitter. Game One of the best-of-three title series will start on Monday, along with Game Two of the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate

Serena holds off Halep to reach US Open semifinals NEW YORK—World number one Serena Williams fended off spirited Simona Halep on Wednesday, downing the fifthseeded Romanian 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to reach the US Open semifinals. Williams, seeking a record seventh US Open title and 23rd Grand Slam crown, fired 18 aces en route to the triumph, which set up a meeting with first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Karolina Pliskova for a place in Saturday’s championship match.

PH faces Norway in Chess Olympiad

home from there. “I’m glad I got tested,” said Williams, who saw seven break point opportunities go by in the second game of the second set. She had five more chances in the final game of the set, which went to deuce eight times before Halep closed it out on her fifth set point when Williams fired a backhand long. “I think her level really picked up in the second, but I had some opportunities that I didn’t take.

“So what I gather from that is I really could have played better in that second set and maybe had an opportunity to win in straights. “If anything, that’s the biggest silver lining I take.” She can also take heart from her ability to produce some massive serves when she needed them, especially after a sore right shoulder prevented her from even practicing her serve much in the build up to the tournament. “I feel OK,” Williams said.

“I’m not at 100 percent, but I’m OK. Nothing to complain too much about. Halep was left regretting her inability to convert two break points in the opening game of the third set. “[If] I could take that game, I think the story of the match would have been different,” Halep said. “I am a little bit disappointed that I had could not take the chances, but I’m also happy about the way I stayed there and played.” AFP

Conference Finals, according to the organizing Sports Vision. With Valdez cheering her former teammates from the sidelines, the Lady Eagles battled back from six-points down in the fourth to foil the Lady Tams from sending the match to a fifth set. De Leon turned in a solid outing and finished with 20 hits while Morente, now taking the lead role for a depleted, young squad, put in a 15-point game. Gequillana added 12 markers and Gopico chipped in 10 points. Though the finals will be an entirely different series, the Lady Eagles have proven their worth, surviving a series of knockout games to snare the last semifinal berth and then upending the top seeded FEU side in the Final Four.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

Cardinals beat EAC to secure fourth spot By Peter Atencio THE Mapua Cardinals drew 19 points from Andrew Estrella and endured a tense encounter with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 82-72, yesterday at the Arena in San Juan. Games Today The Car- (at the Arena in San Juan) nn JRU vs Perpetual Help dinals struck 12 2 p.m. San Beda vs Lyceum hard in the last 4 p.m. Arellano vs Letran six minutes of the third period and never let go of the lead to post the scrambling victory and firm up their hold of fourth spot in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament. Almel Orquina tallied 18 points, including a penetration in the last 5:57 which moved the Cardinals away from a tight 43-42 contest with the Generals. This touched off an 8-2 spurt for Mapua as the Cardinals nursed 51-44 spread in the final 3:12. “This win gives us confidence in our coming games,” said team skipper Darren Menina, who scored 14 points along with JR Raflores. The Generals share the same 5-10 card with Lyceum and San Sebastian College. There were a few tense moments before the final two minutes of the game. Cardinal Laurenz Victoria almost came to blows with EAC’s Hamadou Laminou following a loose ball situation after Mapua posted an 80-66 lead. The defending champion San Beda Red Cubs and the La Salle Greenhills Greenies repulsed their rivals to stay on course for the top two Final Four semifinals seats in the junior division. Sam Abu Hijle led with 22 points for the Red Cubs as they demolished the Letran Squires, 96-83. Unique Naboa drilled in 25 points for the Greenies in their 85-72 swamping of the Lyceum Junior Pirates. The Red Cubs picked up their 14th win in 15 games. This allowed them to stay in contention for the no. 1 semis slot. The Junior Pirates leaned on a 9-0 run in the fourth period off triples from Naboa and Haribon Espinosa which turned the tables on the Junior Pirates, who were ahead, 59-58, at the close of the third. Joshua Tagala made 12 points, including eight in the first as the Red Cubs took control with a 27-13 spread.

Kei Nishikori of Japan reacts to a point against Andy Murray of Great Britain during their 2016 US Open men’s singles quarterfinals match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7 in New York. Nishikori stunned Andy Murray to reach the US Open semifinals to move two wins away from becoming the first Asian man to capture a Grand Slam singles title. AFP

Nishikori stuns Murray to reach US Open semis N

EW YORK—Kei Nishikori stunned Andy Murray to reach the US Open semifinals, holding his nerve in a gripping final set to move two wins away from becoming the first Asian man to capture a Grand Slam singles title.

Japanese star Nishikori clinched a dramatic 1-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 comeback triumph in a shade under four hours against the Wimbledon and Olympics winner and 2012 US Open champion. In Friday’s semifinal, the 26-year-old will take on Swiss third seed Stan Wawrinka who defeated tearful Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 champion, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Wawrinka, who had to save a match point in his third round clash with Dan Evans, will be

playing in a third US Open semifinal in four years. The other semifinal on Friday will see defending champion Novak Djokovic take on 10th seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils. “It was one of my toughest matches mentally and physically. Juan Martin’s an incredible player,” said Wawrinka. In a match which featured 17 breaks of serve, Nishikori prevailed for only his second win in nine matches against world number two Murray.

His win came just three weeks after losing to Murray in the Olympic semifinals. “It was a really difficult match. I didn’t start well. I felt it was really quick and I was missing too much,” said Nishikori after reaching only his second Slam semifinal after his runner-up spot in New York in 2014. “In the fourth and fifth sets I think I played some of the best tennis.” Murray looked to be in control at two sets to one ahead and carving out a break point in the third game of the fourth when a loud gong-like sound burst from the malfunctioning public address system in Arthur Ashe stadium. Umpire Marija Cicak ordered the point to be replayed

to break again for 3-2 before holding for 4-2 as both men thrilled with a series of big hits, subtle touches and exhausting athleticism. Nishikori surrendered the advantage yet again, giving up a 40-0 lead in the eighth game and missing an easy volley. The Briton was soon 5-4 up but Nishikori, showing nerves of steel, held and broke again before taking victory when Murray blinked first in the 12th game, burying a backhand in the net. Del Potro, the world number 142 and bidding to become the lowest ranked man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in 16 years, was out to a 4-1 lead in the first set against Wawrinka. AFP

Barangay Ginebra battles Mahindra

Size advantage gives La Salle edge over rivals THE La Salle Green Archers got a gamehigh 28 points from a confident Jeron Teng as the Archers turned back the defending champion Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 83-78, Wednesday in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena. Most of his baskets in the fourth quarter were from inside the paint. Teng scored 10 of his total output in the last 10 minutes to help the Green Archers post the scrambling victory. Teng said he is more confident about attacking the basket now that they have enough big men, Cameroonian Ben Mbala, Prince Rivero and Justine Baltazar, under the boards. “When you make attempts and you have a Ben Mbala, you are confident because even if you miss you are confident that he will be around to get the rebounds,” said Teng. The Green Archers were in front, 75-74, when Teng made his move. His layup, jumper and two charities touched off La Salle’s scoring burst as they then enjoyed an 82-76 edge in the last 16 seconds. It was a rousing debut for new coach Aldin Ayo who said he was just giving his wards the chance to prove themselves. “A win is a win. Well, that was a hardfought game. We were rusty. That was our first game in a while. We hadn’t played an actual game for almost three weeks. Our last tune-up game was cancelled. We were rusty and there was poor decision-making, especially on our defense and especially during the end-game,” said Ayo. The La Salle mentor said it was a good win, especially because a lot is expected from the Green Archers. “For me every game is like a championship compared to my time in the NCAA. There are a lot of expectations, a lot of hype. But it’s still basketball,” said Ayo. Peter Atencio

much to the irritation of the Briton who lost his composure and the next five games as an acrobatic Nishikori levelled the tie. Murray refused to blame his defeat on the incident. “Definitely I would say to 4-1 I didn’t play a good game after I got out of the change of ends, and then he held pretty comfortably the next game,” said Murray. “But after that, I don’t think so. There was a lot of time.” Nishikori broke for 1-0 in the deciding set and backed it up for 2-0 before Murray stopped a seven-game losing streak to hold. Murray, with his focus suddenly rebooted, broke back for 2-2. But back came Nishikori, stunning his rival

By Jeric Lopez

GlobalPort Batang Pier guard Terrence Romeo (7) tries to dribble past Alaska Aces defender Ping Exciminiano (17) during their game won by Alaska, 133-106, in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup.

THE much anticipated clash between two impressive squads take place as second-running Barangay Ginebra gets a crack at third placer and giantkiller Mahindra Enforcer at the resumption of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Playing solid and consistent basketball all tournament long, the Gin Kings (6-2) and the Enforcer (6-3) lock horns at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight to see who will be in a better place as the elimination round winds down. Prior to that, another important encounter takes place as the NLEX Road Warriors (4-5) and GlobalPort Batang Pier (3-6) face off with both teams badly needing a win to

strengthen their respective bids for a spot in the quarterfinals. Only the top eight teams after the eliminations will qualify for the next phase. Both Ginebra and Mahindra are already safely in the quarters but both teams want to secure a top four finish to gain a twiceto-beat incentive in the playoffs. “I hope we can sustain our energy and our defensive focus. Also, I’m wishing we won’t come out rusty after that long break,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “We need to keep winning to ensure we’ll finish in the top four and keep our spot there.” The Gin Kings, who are coming off an 11-day layoff, are looking for their third straight win while the Enforcer is looking to bounce back after a setback in its last assignment.

CEU Scorpions, RGSMC Rivera shocks favored Santiago Spartans repulse rivals THE Centro Escolar University-B Scorpions and the Rich Golden Shower Montessori Center Spartans repulsed their rivals Sunday in the senior and junior divisions of the 14th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gym of the San Beda CollegeManila campus in Mendiola, Manila. The Scorpions, led by Don Tabol with 14 points, outplayed St. Michael College of Laguna, 80-50, to earn their second win in five games in in Group A of the men’s action. Miguel Canada drilled 21 points as the Spartans defeated

Colegio San Agustin-Binan, 108-63, for their second straight triumph in Group A of the high school side. Tabol made seven points in the second period for the Scorpions, who held their Laguna rivals to a low scoring first half to take a 37-19 halftime advantage. In other games, the San BedaB Red Lions got 15 points from transferee Kenmark Carino, who is formerly from Ateneo, in putting away Arellano University, 70-67, in the senior action. The National University Bullpups won over SMCL, 9052, in another junior encounter. Peter Atencio

SHAIRA Rivera bucked the odds and upended fourth seed Frances Santiago, 6-4, 6-3, to crash into the semifinal round of the ladies singles of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Tuna Festival Open Tennis Championship at the Gen. Santos City Tennis Club in Gen. Santos City yesterday. Rivera, the 17-year-old star from Davao, leaned on her solid baseline game and superb court coverage to break Santiago in the opening frame then sustained her form to dominate the next and stay in title hunt in the top-level tournament tournament sponsored by the

country’s leading pawnshop, remittance and claim center Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger. The veteran of the WTA Future Stars in Singapore will need more than breaks when she slugs it out with top seed Clarice Patrimonio for a spot in the finals of the event backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusively distributor of Slazenger, the official ball. Patrimonio displayed her top form to bundle out Patricia Velez, 6-1, 6-4, even as second seed Khim Iglupas stayed on track for another crack at the crown with a similar 6-1, 6-4 romp over Shary delos Santos in the

lower half of the draw. Iglupas, winner of the recent Olivarez Cup, expects a tougher outing when she faces third seed Hannah Espinosa, who eased out Kathleney Arandia, 6-1, 6-0, for the other championship berth. “It’s going to be an exciting semis series among the country’s top players with Rivera looming as the darkhorse,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, who underscored his commitment to help promote the sport and at the same discover fresh talent from the countryside by putting up the year-long age-group circuit, spiced up by a number of Open tournaments.

Benguet bullish on mining audit B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

SBMA assures Hanjin workers By Othel V. Campos

HE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority assured workers of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines Inc. that the local unit of the Korean shipbuilder is not affected by the problem besetting transport company Hanjin Shipping Corp. Ltd.

“I think that the Hanjin workers in Subic have nothing to worry about because the ﬁnancial woes affecting Hanjin Shipping has no impact

on Subic. They can be rest assured that the Hanjin company in Subic is a separate entity and the one here is very stable,” SBMA chairman Roberto

Garcia said Wednesday. HHIC-Philippines has 35,000 direct and indirect employees working on various operations at company’s facility in Redondo Peninsula, a part of Subic Freeport. Garcia issued the statement following inquiries from workers at HHIC-Philippine’s Redondo Peninsula shipyard in Subic Freepor,t after Hanjin Shipping Co., the world’s seventh largest shipping line, ﬁled for bankruptcy protection in the United States Friday.

The Korean shipping line was left bankrupt when creditor-banks rejected a debtrestructuring plan. Hanjin Group, its parent company, announced it would put up $90 million to bail out the shipping line. Garcia said Hanjin Heavy Industries in Subic Freeport and the bankrupt Hanjin Shipping were two separate entities. “HHIC-Phil is not related to Hanjin Shipping, so there is no need to worry,” he said. Garcia

said the Subic shipbuilder separated from the Hanjin Group in 2005. HHIC-Phil managing director for external trade Yoo Hoan Jo also said the Subic shipbuilding ﬁrm remained ﬁnancially healthy and stable. “Despite what is happening in the shipping industry, orders for container ships are still coming,” Jo said in a statement. He said new orders included three ultra large container vessels with a capacity to carry

Car sales climbed by 40% in August VEHICLE sales jumped 40 percent in August from a year ago, in line with the industry’s target to achieve a revised sales target of 370,000 units this year. The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. and Truck Manufacturers Association said members sold 32,472 vehicles in August, up from 23,181 units delivered in the same month last year. The two groups said the August ﬁgure was also up 8.4 percent from July, despite the slower growth in sales of passenger cars and Asian utility vehicles. Sales of passenger cars increased 7.8 percent year-onyear to 11,136 units in August while orders for commercial vehicles jumped 66 percent to 21,336 units. Campi said the bulk of growth for the commercial segment came from new Campi members. “During the 6th Philippine International Motor Show press conference, we announced our revised sales target for the year. With consistent increase in monthly sales,we believe that we can reach 370,000 units sales by end of 2016,” said Campi president Rommel Gutierrez. “With impressive August performance and the muchanticipated 6th Philippine International Motor Show this Sept. 14 to 18, the revised target is likely possible,” he said. Total sales in the ﬁrst eight months already reached 229,919 units, data showed. Sales of category 3 vehicles (light trucks) surged 227 percent to 1,527 units in August while orders for category 4 (heavy duty trucks and buses) grew 193 percent to 639 units. Category 5 (heavy duty trucks and buses) sales increased 189 percent to 309 units. Othel V. Campos Toyota Motor Philippines

IN BRIEF Clark rail pushed

ASIAN CARRIERS CONFAB. PLDT Inc. and mobile subsidiaries Smart Communications and Sun Cellular are once again hosting the Asian Carriers Conference, the award-winning telco and technology meeting, now on its 12th year, at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu City on Sept. 6 to 9. Attended by over 1,300 delegates from over 60 countries, ACC provides an ideal venue for bilateral meetings, workshops, exhibits and networking events, featuring speakers from around the world. Shown cutting the ceremonial ribbon of the ACC Exhibit are PLDT head of Alpha and ACC Inc. chairman Juan Victor Hernandez (fourth from left) ePLDT president and chief executive Ernesto Alberto (ﬁfth from left) and PLDT Global Corp. president and chief executive Alejandro Caeg along with ACC global event partners.

ERC delays approval of 8 power supply contracts By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Regulatory Commission said Thursday it suspended the processing of eight applications for power supply agreements which have not secured the required environmental compliance certiﬁcates from the Environment Department. ERC said the eight applications without ECCs were ﬁled by Misamis Oriental Electric Cooperative II and Astroenergy; Palawan Electric Cooperative and Delta P; Cebu Electric Cooperativ I and Mariveles Power Generation Corp.; Tarlac Electric Cooperative Corp. I and Mariveles Power; Cebu Electric II and Mariveles Power; Aurora Electric Cooperative and Mariveles Power; and Palawan Electric Co. II and Mariveles Power. Tarlac

Electric II and Mariveles Power have two separate ﬁlings. “The ERC fully shares DENR’s concern to ensure the protection of the environment and is determined to help safeguard the people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology in accordance with the Constitution,” ERC chairman Jose Vicente Salazar said in a statement. ERC said it decided to act on the request of the Environment Department for the former to suspend the process of approval of any power supply agreement in view of the ongoing re-evaluation of ECCs. Environment Secretary Regina Lopez sent a letter to Salazar in July on the department’s ongoing re-evaluation of the ECCs. Lopez asked the commission to suspend the approval of any power

PH lost $27b in 2013 due to air pollution By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE Philippines suffered economic losses of about $27 billion in 2013 due to air pollution, the World Bank said in a report released Thursday. The Washington-based lender and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation of Washington University said in a report, titled “The Cost of Air Pollution: Strengthening the Economic Case for Action,” the Philippines’s economic losses of $26.758 in 2013 was a sharp rise from $10.356 billion in 1990. The losses in 2013 accounted for about 4.3 percent of the gross domestic product in the same year.

20,600 twenty-foot equivalent unit containers in one hauling. Jo said the new projects “would likely mean additional workers for the completion of these three ULCVs.” Jo said “the tried and tested Filipino workers at the Subic shipyard” helped Hanjin deliver 91 vessels since it started full operation at the Redondo Peninsula in 2008. The company delivered 16 vessels last year and received numerous orders this year, including the three ULCVs.

Air pollution caused losses of $2.77 billion in terms of the forgone labor output and claimed almost 60,000 lives in the same year. The World Bank said air pollution was a major health risk. “Air pollution is not just a health risk; it is also an economic burden. By causing illness and premature death, pollution reduces quality of life. By causing a loss of productive labor, pollution also reduces output and incomes in these countries,” the report read. Latest available estimates show that 5.5 million premature deaths worldwide in 2013, or one in every 10 total deaths, were attributable to air pollution.

“In 2013, as in 1990, air pollution was the fourth leading fatal health risk worldwide, resulting in 4.8 million premature deaths,” the bank said. Key ﬁndings of the study showed that exposure to ambient and household air pollution cost the world’s economy some $5.11 trillion in welfare losses in 2013. Welfare losses in South Asia and East Asia and the Paciﬁc were the equivalent of 7.4 percent and 7.5 percent of the regional gross domestic product, respectively. “The fact that global welfare losses from fatal illness attributable to air pollution are in the trillions of dollars, is a call to action,” the WB said.

supply agreement while the reevaluation was taking place. “In response to the said request, the commission en banc, during the 9 August 2016 commission meeting, unanimously resolved to hold in abeyance the processing of pending application for approval of the power supply agreements, which to date, are without ECCs,” Salazar said in his response to Lopez. The Environment Department requires any project that poses a potential environmental risk or a significant impact on the environment, such as mining, agriculture projects or construction to get an ECC. An ECC certifies that the proposed project or undertaking will not cause a significant negative impact on the environment. It contains specific measures and

conditions that must be accomplished by the project proponent before and during the operation of the project. It also certiﬁes that the proponent has complied with all the requirements of the environmental impact statement system and has committed to implement its approved environmental management plan. Power generators and distribution utilities and electric cooperatives jointly ﬁle their power supply agreements with the ERC for approval. Coal plant operators earlier expressed concern over the appointment of Lopez, a staunch environment advocate because of her anti-coal stance. Coal industry players argued that coal was still the cheapest source of electricity.

BANGKOK—Southeast Asia’s largest airline wants the Duterte administration to build a train system going to Clark and forego a plan to construct a new international airport near Manila. “We believed in Clark a long time ago. We lost a lot of money in Clark. But’s as I’ve said, Clark has to be developed. It’s important having been an operator in Clark. Clark will not work unless there’s a good train service. It’s important that the government push the infrastructure,” AirAsia Group chief executive Tony Fernandes told reporters at the sidelines of the airline’s Asean Heroes 2016 event. AirAsia Philippines started operations in Clark in 2012, but halted ﬂights a year later due to issues on commercial viability. The company acquired Zest Airways to access slots from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. “Clark is a great airport. It’s important that the government puts a total solution [which] includes buses, and effective transport system to Clark. Clark will work if you have a good transport,” Fernandes said. He said the government should build a train system to Clark. “It’s [train system] cheaper and faster. I’m not someone who would build and build. I’d think, use what you have. Clark is great. It’s just too long to get there,” he said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Customs cuts goal

THE Bureau of Customs said Thursday its reduced its 2016 collection target to P409 billion because of low oil prices in the global market. Customs collection this year was originally set at P498.64 billion by the inter-agency Development Budget and Coordination Committee. The new target was almost 18 percent lower. The agency said of the total target collection, P402.5 billion would represent cash component, representing a 17.6-percent reduction from the cash collection target of P488.7 billion. “The target recalculation comes after continuous decline in oil prices and level of imports in the recent months,” the agency said. The recomputed cash collection target this year would be higher by 12.6 percent than the 2015 actual cash collection of P357.4 billion. Actual collection in the ﬁrst half of 2016 reached P190.6 billion. To reach the new target, the agency needs to collect P218.4 billion in the second semester. Gabrielle H. Binaday

JICA’S SUPPORT.

The Board of Investments in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency is conducting a study on the potential industries that will help the further development of Central Luzon and Calabarzon. The study, which commenced August 2016 and will run up to March 2017, aims to identify the potential industries in the said regions that can play central roles in development by analyzing the industries’ global value chain structure. Shown are Trade undersecretary and BoI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo (left) and Jica senior representative Tetsuya Yamada.

Business

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Benguet bullish on mining audit BENGUET Corp., the parent company of Benguetcorp Nickel Mines Inc., said it is optimistic the audit findings on its nickel operations in Sta. Cruz, Zambales will validate that it has been operating as a responsible mining company in the province. This followed the recently concluded Mining Philippines 2016 where geologist Carlo Arcilla identified deforestation as the main culprit causing siltation in Zambales. According to the seasoned geologist, the only scientific study on siltation in Zambales was done by the University of the PhilippinesNational Institute of Geological Sciences. Findings from BNMI’s copy of the study showed that much of the siltation during the rainy season is caused by the natural erosion characteristic of the land formations in the province, particularly highly erodible banks, run-offs from agricultural areas and reworking of existing deposited sediments, mostly downstream, and that mining activities contribute a negligible 6 percent to 9 percent siltation in the river systems. “Many times mining has been the whipping boy of many things. Mining is an ugly business but it is not necessarily a harmful business,” Arcilla said. “I challenge anybody to come up with a deterministic, more accurate study than what we have done for more than a year,” Arcilla said, as he blasted the closure of mines in Zambales due to unfounded accusations.

Market rebounds; Megawide climbs S

TOCKS rebounded Thursday from a threeday slump, after debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service said recent political developments will not affect the country’s investment-grade credit rating. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 47 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 7,667.07, bringing total gains this year to 10.3 percent. The heavier index, representing all shares, also advanced 23

points, or 0.5 percent, to settle at 4,565.53, on a value turnover of P9 billion. Advancers led losers, 94 to 85, while 50 issues were unchanged. Fifteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by builder Megawide Construction

Corp. which climbed 4.2 percent to P14.38 and PLDT Inc. which gained 3.2 percent to P1,869. Security Bank Corp. picked up 2.3 percent to P230.40. Meanwhile, Asian markets mostly fell Thursday following a recent run of gains but Hong Kong and Shanghai traders cheered data showing Chinese imports rose in August for the ﬁrst time in almost two years. Regional shares have enjoyed a strong run since the start of the month, fueled by optimism about

THE MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2016

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

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

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

AG Finance 3.5 Asia United Bank 47.65 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 110.30 Bank of PI 105.90 China Bank 38.15 Bright Kindle Resources 1.45 COL Financial 16.48 Eastwest Bank 20.35 I-Remit Inc. 1.93 MEDCO Holdings 1.090 Metrobank 83.7 Natl. Reinsurance Corp. 0.87 PB Bank 14.28 Phil Bank of Comm 23.55 Phil. National Bank 57.50 Phil. Savings Bank 100 PSE 270.2 RCBC `A’ 33.95 Security Bank 225.2 Union Bank 73.65 Vantage Equities 1.47

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92

20.6 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5.25 12.98 15 2.65 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

15.32 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 34.1 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.87 8.45 10.04 2.09 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 5.9 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp. 45 Agrinurture Inc. 3.2 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.93 Alsons Cons. 1.7 Asiabest Group 16.52 Cemex Holdings 12 Century Food 16.96 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 129.9 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 24.2 Concepcion 57.05 Crown Asia 2.09 Da Vinci Capital 6.24 Del Monte 12.2 DNL Industries Inc. 10.760 Emperador 7.56 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.80 EEI 8.10 Euro-Med Lab 1.83 First Gen Corp. 25.3 First Holdings ‘A’ 72.8 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.10 Holcim Philippines Inc. 16.46 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.44 Ionics Inc 2.240 Jollibee Foods Corp. 247.00 Liberty Flour 45.00 Mabuhay Vinyl 4.22 Macay Holdings 28.00 Manila Water Co. Inc. 28.7 Maxs Group 30 Megawide 13.8 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 311.80 MG Holdings 0.270 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.2 Petron Corporation 9.69 Phinma Corporation 11.64 Phinma Energy 2.17 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 6.00 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.58 Pryce Corp. À’ 3.4 RFM Corporation 4.17 Roxas Holdings 3.19 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods À’ 215.2 Splash Corporation 3.05 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.157 TKC Steel Corp. 1.83 Universal Robina 182 Victorias Milling 4.35 Vitarich Corp. 2.4 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.26

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 823.5 911 10.2 84 4.92 1455 76 5.29 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 2.31 1.61 2.99 84.9 974 1.66 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.225 634.5 260 7.390 12.8 2.26 837 49.55 3 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 0.030 1.23 0.550 2.26 59.3 751 1.13 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

Abacus Cons. À’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor À’ ATN Holdings A Ayala Corp À’ BHI Holdings Inc. Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings Filinvest Dev. Corp. GT Capital JG Summit Holdings Keppel Holdings À’ Lopez Holdings Corp. Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. Pacifica À’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp À’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.385 72.85 16.30 1.24 6.30 0.375 850 1000.00 8.24 11.74 7.28 1480 74.90 5.4 7.9 0.83 17.08 6.9 0.0360 1.200 2.010 2.58 82.00 666.00 1.29 214.000 0.3250 0.2030 0.285

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.97 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 2.22 2.1 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 1.1 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 1.15 1.42 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop À’ Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. À’ Cebu Holdings Century Property City & Land Dev. Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Double Dragon Empire East Land Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Phil. Realty À’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp. Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings

7.560 1.31 3.150 0.270 38.350 2.91 5.12 0.620 1.04 0.173 0.600 58.35 0.780 1.03 1.85 4.57 0.156 0.2800 0.455 42.00 3.36 30.30 1.69 3.31 27.20

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.59 3.42 47.75 47 112.50 109.30 105.50 104.90 38.1 37.95 1.47 1.36 16.48 16.46 20.85 20.1 1.98 1.86 1.150 1.010 86.7 83.2 0.88 0.88 14.32 14.28 23.55 23.55 57.55 57.00 100 100 278 274 35 33.2 231 222.2 73.65 73.25 1.47 1.47 INDUSTRIAL 45.65 44.15 3.2 3.08 0.94 0.86 1.74 1.66 17.1 16.56 12 11.9 16.96 16.62 128 117 24.25 23.9 57.9 57.05 2.14 2.05 6.2 6.01 12.36 12.1 10.980 10.700 7.55 7.30 5.97 5.75 8.16 8.05 1.83 1.74 25.25 24.65 74 71.75 12.10 12.10 16.50 16.40 6.44 6.35 2.270 2.240 249.20 243.00 52.00 46.50 4.34 4.2 28.00 26.55 29.35 28.15 30.75 29 14.54 13.72 311.80 310.00 0.280 0.260 3.25 3.11 10.00 9.60 11.52 11.52 2.19 2.16 6.10 5.95 1.58 1.54 3.41 3.4 4.17 4.17 3.45 3.45 218 216 3.05 3.05 0.157 0.156 1.83 1.80 184.2 179.9 4.63 4.32 2.49 2.34 1.24 1.24 HOLDING FIRMS 0.395 0.385 73.50 72.25 16.70 16.00 1.24 1.20 6.28 6.15 0.385 0.370 860 845 1098.00 930.00 8.22 8.18 12.00 11.50 7.29 7.01 1495 1461 75.10 73.00 5.4 5.4 8.05 7.77 0.84 0.8 17.06 16.98 6.97 6.98 0.0360 0.0350 1.180 1.180 2.120 2.030 2.59 2.59 82.00 80.50 673.00 660.50 1.29 1.25 214.000 212.400 0.3300 0.3200 0.2080 0.1990 0.295 0.285 PROPERTY 7.650 7.560 1.32 1.26 3.200 2.950 0.305 0.270 38.950 37.650 2.98 2.9 5.12 5.12 0.63 0.600 1.05 1.00 0.173 0.164 0.610 0.590 59 57.05 0.780 0.770 1.03 1.01 1.85 1.83 4.74 4.5 0.164 0.153 0.2950 0.2900 0.450 0.420 40.00 37.65 3.37 3.25 31.00 29.60 1.7 1.65 3.3 3.25 28.00 26.50

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.59 47.75 111.30 105.00 38.1 1.44 16.46 20.85 1.98 1.070 85.6 0.88 14.28 23.55 57.45 100 278 34.65 230.4 73.65 1.47

2.57 0.21 0.91 -0.85 -0.13 -0.69 -0.12 2.46 2.59 -1.83 2.27 1.15 0.00 0.00 -0.09 0.00 2.89 2.06 2.31 0.00 0.00

11,000 14,600 2,069,950 4,181,950 352,600 23,000 1,500 177,300 53,000 25,138,000 3,057,790 100,000 359,600 10,000 16,930 10 11,490 360,800 2,610,270 153,220 6,000

45.4 3.16 0.9 1.7 17.06 11.92 16.92 127 24.2 57.9 2.1 6.1 12.2 10.780 7.50 5.93 8.05 1.83 25.2 73 12.10 16.46 6.38 2.250 247.20 50.00 4.24 28.00 29.2 30 14.38 310.00 0.260 3.11 9.65 11.52 2.19 5.95 1.55 3.41 4.17 3.45 218 3.05 0.156 1.81 183.8 4.54 2.49 1.24

0.89 -1.25 -3.23 0.00 3.27 -0.67 -0.24 -2.23 0.00 1.49 0.48 -2.24 0.00 0.19 -0.79 2.24 -0.62 0.00 -0.40 0.27 0.00 0.00 -0.93 0.45 0.08 11.11 0.47 0.00 1.74 0.00 4.20 -0.58 -3.70 -2.81 -0.41 -1.03 0.92 -0.83 -1.90 0.29 0.00 8.15 1.30 0.00 -0.64 -1.09 0.99 4.37 3.75 -1.59

1,683,500 370,000 3,193,000 2,265,000 86,600 2,656,800 1,583,100 860 176,700 5,630 324,000 802,500 29,800 4,522,700 1,156,200 15,168,200 4,676,400 2,000 1,957,000 222,590 100 153,400 436,200 885,000 610,690 1,700 38,000 1,200 1,351,700 1,904,000 15,967,300 171,910 3,390,000 305,000 7,449,400 1,500 2,198,000 367,100 956,000 38,000 42,000 2,000 6,050 30,000 2,160,000 394,000 1,067,340 5,935,000 24,149,000 15,000

0.390 73.10 16.70 1.24 6.20 0.370 855 1090.00 8.2 11.90 7.29 1488 74.90 5.4 8.05 0.82 17.04 6.94 0.0360 1.180 2.060 2.59 82.00 668.50 1.29 214.000 0.3250 0.2080 0.290

1.30 0.34 2.45 0.00 -1.59 -1.33 0.59 9.00 -0.49 1.36 0.14 0.54 0.00 0.00 1.90 -1.20 -0.23 0.58 0.00 -1.67 2.49 0.39 0.00 0.38 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.46 1.75

400,000 1,771,170 4,547,600 45,000 53,400 1,420,000 621,760 100 3,625,800 8,467,700 168,500 262,805 5,139,580 2,400 1,980,400 803,000 6,316,500 55,287,000 10,800,000 4,000 1,559,000 10,000 90,070 386,670 89,000 24,120 2,500,000 720,000 1,060,000

7.650 1.30 3.050 0.290 38.600 2.9 5.12 0.620 1.00 0.167 0.610 59 0.770 1.03 1.84 4.6 0.159 0.2950 0.450 40.00 3.32 30.35 1.7 3.3 27.30

1.19 -0.76 -3.17 7.41 0.65 -0.34 0.00 0.00 -3.85 -3.47 1.67 1.11 -1.28 0.00 -0.54 0.66 1.92 5.36 -1.10 -4.76 -1.19 0.17 0.59 -0.30 0.37

340,200 3,478,000 10,872,000 13,880,000 14,233,600 1,322,000 87,600 5,105,000 20,000 43,120,000 3,393,000 775,060 17,000 7,184,000 14,314,000 68,307,000 92,750,000 40,000 120,000 300 1,508,000 3,572,600 52,000 8,000 19,108,700

586,305.00 -47,033,778 -63,002,455.00 3,674,030.00 2,035.00 99,260.00 -445,010.00 -50,974,803.00 -5,135,092.00 303,677.00 -500,400.00 4,365,735 120,804,560.00 256,738.50 -21,748,620.00 -1,404,370.00 16,856,906.00 -22,389,286.00 -980,625.00 233,345 16,600.00 967,803.00 -10,546,446.00 -5,531,401.00 12,212,500.00 14,233,241.00 -20,136,090.00 -6,114,079.50 2,272,864.00 1,594,882.00 -73,466,802.00

12,360,195.00 -37,802,290.00 -27,690,940.00 1,863,608.00 516,750.00 -302,880.00 -5,927,936.00 3,683,970.00 -1,854,190.00 104,910.00 166,800.00 1,090,880.00

-2,877,287 -25,354,080.00 -67,920.00

-254,807.50 -5,667,946.00

-242,901,545 -170,026.00 -36,118,030.00 -4,374.00 -84,427,635.00 -106,165,315.50 -3,135,341.00 4,791,022.00 -214,190,885.00 -572,550.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

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

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 1.6 4.8 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 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.01 1.95 3.1 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

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

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

70 553

33 490

118 120 515 8.21 12.28

101 101.5 480 5.88 6.5

1047 78.95 84.8

1011 74.5 75

-504,584.00 -40,213,835.00

794,672.00 127,000.00 -1,210,520.00 -6,650.00 -266,972,760.00 -3,301,740.00 -60,000.00 -47,320.00 -12,000.00 -17,359,005.50 -1,380,600.00 -16,341,950.00 -146,782,750.00 25,460.00

94,250.00 -38,982,130.00 -273,775,310.00

6.98

0.8900

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6

Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

High

1.08 1.03 7 7 1.070 1.020 5.490 5.310 SERVICES 2GO Group’ 7.26 7.28 7.15 ABS-CBN 49.15 49.45 48.25 Acesite Hotel 1.27 1.31 1.31 APC Group, Inc. 0.590 0.600 0.570 Asian Terminals Inc. 11.4 11.6 11.6 Berjaya Phils. Inc. 5.2 5.6 5.2 Bloomberry 5.06 5.25 4.91 Boulevard Holdings 0.1070 0.1060 0.0990 Calata Corp. 3.95 4.09 3.88 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 118.7 121.8 117 Discovery World 2.23 2.33 2.23 DFNN Inc. 5.25 5.50 5.29 Globe Telecom 2010 2002 1975 GMA Network Inc. 6.26 6.30 6.25 Golden Haven 14.38 14.38 13.60 Grand Plaza Hotel 20.40 20.40 20.40 Harbor Star 1.79 1.83 1.68 I.C.T.S.I. 82 83.45 79.6 Imperial Res. À’ 20.20 20.05 19.78 IPeople Inc. À’ 11.48 11.48 11.32 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.0092 0.0092 0.0091 IPM Holdings 9.30 9.35 9.20 Island Info 0.290 0.290 0.275 ISM Communications 1.4100 1.4300 1.4000 Jackstones 3.7 3.65 3.47 LBC Express 12.4 12.3 11.9 Leisure & Resorts 4.24 4.22 3.97 Liberty Telecom 2.16 2.17 2.16 Lorenzo Shipping 1.07 1.14 1.12 Macroasia Corp. 2.24 2.24 2.22 Manila Broadcasting 20.05 20.05 20.05 Manila Jockey 1.99 1.99 1.98 Melco Crown 3.72 3.82 3.53 Metro Retail 5.56 5.75 5.32 NOW Corp. 3.610 3.690 3.450 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 11.3 11.3 11.12 PAL Holdings Inc. 5.61 5.75 5.61 Paxys Inc. 2.6 2.93 2.56 Phil. Seven Corp. 130.00 135.00 135.00 Philweb.Com Inc. 6.10 6.35 6.03 PLDT Common 1812.00 1869.00 1801.00 PremiereHorizon 0.430 0.435 0.425 Premium Leisure 0.930 0.950 0.900 Puregold 44.85 44.85 43.90 Robinsons RTL 78.00 78.00 75.95 SBS Phil. Corp. 6.02 6.03 5.95 SSI Group 3.09 3.14 3.02 STI Holdings 0.600 0.610 0.600 Travellers 3.39 3.4 3.38 Waterfront Phils. 0.350 0.345 0.340 Yehey 5.700 5.700 5.510 MINING & OIL Abra Mining 0.0038 0.0040 0.0039 Apex À’ 3.03 3.05 2.97 Atlas Cons. À’ 3.87 3.88 3.84 Benguet Corp À’ 2.1400 2.2 2.11 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.6 0.61 0.6 Coal Asia 0.410 0.410 0.405 Dizon 8.70 8.78 8.50 Ferronickel 0.830 0.840 0.820 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.270 0.275 0.270 Lepanto À’ 0.214 0.217 0.208 Lepanto `B’ 0.222 0.217 0.210 Manila Mining À’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Manila Mining `B’ 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.6 1.64 1.61 Nickelasia 6.4 6.6 6.14 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.9 2.93 2.88 Oriental Peninsula Res. 0.9900 1.0000 0.9600 Oriental Pet. À’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 Oriental Pet. `B’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 4.08 4.09 4.02 Philex À’ 8.55 8.65 8.44 PhilexPetroleum 3.14 3.18 3.02 Philodrill Corp. À’ 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 Semirara Corp. 113.10 113.00 111.00 TA Petroleum 3.26 3.3 3.19 United Paragon 0.0099 0.0099 0.0096 PREFERRED ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 48.5 48.95 48.5 Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ 528 544.5 528 DD Pref 104.8 104.9 104.5 First Gen F 103 115 115 First Gen G 118 118 118 GLOBE PREF P 540 540 540 GMA Holdings Inc. 6.02 6.05 6.05 Leisure and Resort 1.02 1.03 1.02 PCOR-Preferred B 1140 1140 1140 PF Pref 2 1021 1022 1020 SMC Preferred B 79 77.6 77.55 SMC Preferred C 81.65 81.7 81.65 SMC Preferred E 79 79 79 SMC Preferred F 80.3 80.2 79.6 SMC Preferred G 79.85 79.5 79 SMC Preferred H 78.3 78.6 78.3 SMC Preferred I 78.8 79 78.9 WARRANTS & BONDS LR Warrant 2.420 2.450 2.330 SME Alterra Capital 4.2 4.19 4.04 Makati Fin. Corp. 3.77 3.75 3.73 Italpinas 4.7 4.7 4.45 Xurpas 15.5 15.48 15.2 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS First Metro ETF 126.1 126.6 124.6

TRADING SUMMARY

FINANCIAL

39,778,725

INDUSTRIAL

110,957,654

HOLDING FIRMS

109,500,722

PROPERTY

336,086,613

SERVICES

497,988,707

MINING & OIL

253,112,968

GRAND TOTAL

1,350,259,229

1.08 6.58 1.050 5.500

Low

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.03 7 1.040 5.310

-4.63 6.38 -0.95 -3.45

16,775,000 5,250.00 1,000 1,116,000 -5,200.00 14,509,500 -44,065,824.00

7.17 49 1.31 0.580 11.6 5.5 5.10 0.1000 4 121.8 2.23 5.50 1976 6.30 14.36 20.40 1.79 83.35 19.90 11.32 0.0092 9.28 0.285 1.4300 3.63 12.3 4.00 2.16 1.12 2.24 20.05 1.99 3.79 5.66 3.660 11.3 5.75 2.56 135.00 6.24 1869.00 0.435 0.950 44.20 76.20 5.98 3.07 0.600 3.4 0.345 5.650

-1.24 -0.31 3.15 -1.69 1.75 5.77 0.79 -6.54 1.27 2.61 0.00 4.76 -1.69 0.64 -0.14 0.00 0.00 1.65 -1.49 -1.39 0.00 -0.22 -1.72 1.42 -1.89 -0.81 -5.66 0.00 4.67 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.88 1.80 1.39 0.00 2.50 -1.54 3.85 2.30 3.15 1.16 2.15 -1.45 -2.31 -0.66 -0.65 0.00 0.29 -1.43 -0.88

34,100 33,400 112,000 2,947,000 300 6,500 16,765,000 275,490,000 9,019,000 703,500 27,000 183,800 81,910 143,500 138,800 16,900 5,173,000 1,469,510 76,200 12,600 55,000,000 657,000 25,220,000 1,537,000 266,000 1,700 5,166,000 57,000 2,000 16,000 200 42,000 12,193,000 12,553,300 5,230,000 111,800 13,000 49,000 500 634,700 183,715 1,490,000 43,279,000 5,790,200 2,023,550 132,300 1,694,000 7,021,000 166,000 400,000 86,700

0.0039 3.00 3.86 2.1500 0.6 0.410 8.60 0.840 0.270 0.213 0.217 0.0110 0.0120 1.63 6.56 2.92 0.9800 0.0110 0.0110 4.05 8.65 3.08 0.0120 111.50 3.3 0.0099

2.63 -0.99 -0.26 0.47 0.00 0.00 -1.15 1.20 0.00 -0.47 -2.25 0.00 0.00 1.87 2.50 0.69 -1.01 0.00 0.00 -0.74 1.17 -1.91 0.00 -1.41 1.23 0.00

101,000,000 135,000 7,000 42,000 1,301,000 50,000 19,900 5,586,000 410,000 9,290,000 580,000 89,100,000 200,000 765,000 6,450,700 197,000 347,000 12,700,000 1,400,000 9,000 1,032,000 2,166,000 2,400,000 561,660 81,000 15,000,000

42,900.00 -15,090.00 -11,570.00

48.5 540 104.6 115 118 540 6.05 1.03 1140 1020 77.55 81.7 79 80.2 79 78.6 79

0.00 2.27 -0.19 11.65 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.98 0.00 -0.10 -1.84 0.06

-486,440.00

-0.12 -1.06 0.38 0.25

34,200 8,780 53,640 440 43,290 4,100 1,000 3,878,000 1,500 1,060 30,000 810,000 20,000 37,380 79,600 185,550 164,000

2.380

-1.65

330,000

4.12 3.74 4.6 15.2

-1.90 -0.80 -2.13 -1.94

882,000 7,000 537,000 1,369,100

77,650.00

126.6

0.40

31,620

633,118.00

146,720.00 -6,760.00 -28,772,014.00 327,800.00 -477,200.00 7,540,824.00 656,454.00 -36,585,700.00 -18,668.00 7,793,248.00 281,200.00 8,400.00

-8,679,320

-23,322,150.00 -30,870,072.00 91,200.00

-22,420,875.00 -15,605,270.00 -89,747,840.00 -106,149,438.50 -1,350,650.00 -251,200.00 -277,781.00

78,020.00 -25,930.00

-722,595.00 -58,000.00

18,904.00 12,380.00 -12,269,851.00 9,600.00

-31,383.00

-2,326,835.00

-15,413,274.00

VALUE 1,829.15 (up) 15.38 1,693,545,336.268 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,843.85 (up) 63.44 1,313,580,452.40 HOLDING FIRMS 7,544.35 (up) 36.76 2,524,781,668.19 PROPERTY 3,406.66 (up) 12.48 1,565.47 (up) 17.10 1,753,587,242.10 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,681.85 (down) 13.68 1,545,114,211.08 PSEI 7,667.07 (up) 47.97 132,297,966.268 All Shares Index 4,565.53 (up) 23.18 8,993,914,814.558 Gainers: 94; Losers: 85; Unchanged: 50; Total: 229

the state of the US economy and the prospects of borrowing costs being kept at ultralow levels until at least December. But the rally petered out Thursday as investors put their foot on the brake. Tokyo closed down 0.3 percent but the standout performer was Nintendo, which soared on news it had developed an exclusive Super Mario game for Apple. Sydney lost 0.7 percent and Seoul shed 0.7 percent. Singapore, Wellington and Bangkok also witnessed sharp losses. “With the Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan [policy] meetings ahead of us, investors can’t make any outsized moves before the major events are over,” Takashi Hiroki, chief strategist at Monex Securities in Tokyo, told Bloomberg News. “We have a lack of reasons to move, and have been seeing a directionless market for some time.” But Hong Kong was up 0.4 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai ended 0.1 percent higher, reversing its early losses thanks to the trade ﬁgures. China’s customs department said August imports rose 1.5 percent on-year, the ﬁrst increase in 22 months, while exports fell less than expected thanks to weakness in the country’s yuan currency. With AFP, Bloomberg

Arthaland raising P3b from sale of shares By Jenniffer B. Austria BOUTIQUE property developer Arthaland Corp. plans to raise P3 billion from a follow-on offering of 30 million preferred shares priced at P100 apiece. Arthaland, a listed company controlled by the Po family, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board approved the offer, sale and distribution of Series B preferred shares from the unissued authorized capital stock by way of follow-on offering. The company recently secured shareholders’ approval to increase authorized capital stock to P2.996 billion from P2.946 billion to create 50 million preferred shares at P1 per share. Arthaland said the preferred shares would be redeemable and would have features prescribed by the board of directors. The capital increase is intended as fund raising activity in anticipation of projects in the pipeline and as working capital. Arthaland said wholly-owned subsidiary Cazneau Inc. would acquire an 8.1821-hectare property in Biñan, Laguna for P306.82 million from YCLA Sugar Development Corp. and South Industrial Facilities Inc. The property firm also acquired a prime property along Salinas Drive in Cebu City last year. Arthaland said it planned to develop a world-class green office building within the property that would provide at least 51,000 square meters of high-grade space to the local market under the first phase. Arthaland’s flagship residential project is Arya Residences, a two-tower boutique condominium project in McKinley Parkway, Bonifacio Global City.

Business

Chinese imports end two-year fall B

EIJING―China’s imports rose 1.5 percent year-on-year in August, ﬁgures showed Thursday, the ﬁrst increase in nearly two years, in a positive sign for the world’s second-largest economy. Exports dropped 2.8 percent on-year to $190.6 billion, a smaller fall than the median forecast in a survey of economists by Bloomberg News. The data from Customs was the latest indicator of improving health for the world’s biggest trader in goods, with the rise in imports―to $138.5 billion―the

ﬁrst since October 2014. China is crucial to the global economy and its performance affects partners from Australia to Zambia, which have been battered by its slowing growth. Its economy expanded 6.9 percent last year, its weakest rate in a quarter of a century. The “big surprise” of the results was

imports, said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics, as they hinted at stronger domestic demand. He noted that some of the improvement could be attributed to a recovery in commodity prices after years of declines. Customs data also showed that import volumes of key commodities rose year-on-year, with iron ore climbing 18.3 percent, crude oil up 23.5 percent, and coal surging 52.0 percent. Post-ﬂood purchases after a summer of unusually heavy rains and widespread ﬂooding in southern China also lifted im-

ports, Zhao Yang of Nomura said in a note, pointing particularly to increased buying of automobiles to replace destroyed vehicles, and greater use of iron ore and oil owing to reconstruction work. But such boosts will be shortlived as recovery efforts conclude, he said, adding that import growth was likely to be “more transient than long-lasting.” In the fourth quarter “downward pressures posed by the possible slowdown of property investment” were likely to weigh down both imports and general growth momentum, he said. AFP

Japanese economy rose in Q2, —new data

Manila

Standard

TODAY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

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

INVITATION TO BID FOR THE SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF TWO (2) LOTS DUPLICATING MACHINE UNDER ITB NO. PB16-087COR-09 The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming public bidding for the Supply and Delivery of Two (2) Lots Duplicating Machine under ITB No. PB16-087-COR-09. Brief Description

LOT 1

Low End Duplicating Machine

LOT 2

High End Duplicating Machine

Delivery Schedule

Within Thirty (30) calendar days from the effectivity date specified in the Notice to Proceed.

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

The total ABC is in the amount of Two Million Eight Hundred Eighty-Five Thousand Eight Hundred Pesos (PhP2,885,800.00), VAT Exclusive, Zero Rated Transaction

Source of Funds

The ABC for each of the Two (2) lots are as follows, VAT Exclusive, Zero Rated Transaction : LOT 1

Seven Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Pesos (PhP 775,000.00)

LOT 2

Two Million One Hundred Ten Thousand Eight Hundred Pesos (PhP 2,110,800.00)

Internally Funded

Note: Bidders may bid in any or both lots. Bidder should have completed, within the last three (3) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidder. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. All particulars relative to Pre-Bid Conference, Detailed Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR. The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities

Schedule

1. Issuance of the Bidding Documents

September 9, 2016 (Fri) to October 03, 2016 (Mon)

2. Pre-Bid Conference

September 21, 2016 (Wed),2:00 p.m.

3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids

October 03, 2016 (Mon), 2:00 p.m.

4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids

October 03, 2016 (Mon), 2:00pm onwards

Complete details of the project are indicated in the bidding documents which will be available to prospective bidders at the Procurement Department (PD), upon payment of the non-refundable fee for sale of bidding documents based on the following matrix: Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Pesos)

Approved Budget for the Contract

500.00

500,000.00 and below More than 500,000.00 up to 1 Million

1,000.00

More than 1 Million up to 5 Million

5,000.00

Prospective bidder may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidder shall pay the non-refundable fee for sale of bidding documents not later than the date of the submission of bids. The Prebid Conference is open to all prospective bidders. Prospective bidder should present to PAGCOR’s Cashier located at the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, New World Manila Bay Hotel, 1588 M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila either the Fee Slip for the sale of bidding documents which may be secured from PD or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

TOKYO―Japan’s economy barely grew in the April-June quarter, revised data showed Thursday, supplying the latest failing report card for the prime minister’s policy blitz. Growth in the world’s thirdlargest economy came in at 0.2 percent on-quarter, slightly better than a 0.0 percent preliminary estimate last month, as weak exports dented activity. On an annualized basis, the economy expanded a revised 0.7 percent, compared with a slight 0.2 percent expansion in the preliminary data. That is still off a 2.1 percent annualized growth rate seen in A construction site in Tokyo on September 8, 2016. Japan’s economy barely grew in the April-June quarter, revised data showed September 8, supplying the latest failing report card for the prime minister’s policy blitz. AFP the first quarter of the year. Japanese officials are under pressure to deliver as economists increasingly write off Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s years-long bid to cement APACHE Corp. said it’s made cipal analyst at industry con- ing, Apache raised its full-year a lasting recovery, dubbed an “immense” oil and natural- sultant Wood Mackenzie Ltd. 2016 capital budget by 11 perAbenomics. gas discovery in an underde- That could increase costs in the cent to $2 billion, according to The Tokyo stock market veloped area of Texas’ Permian 62-year-old company’s bid to the statement. Alpine High will opened lower shortly after the shale formation, though a lack develop what could be a “trans- account for about one-quarter of announcement of the revised of infrastructure will pose chal- formational” find, he said. the drilling budget this year. data, with the benchmark lenges to bringing the fuel to “While it’s an exciting discov“This is a world class resource,” Nikkei index falling 0.18 market. Shares jumped 14 per- ery, there’s a tremendous amount Christmann said during a presenpercent in the first minutes of cent in New York trading. of work above ground and below tation at the Barclays Plc confertrade. The Alpine High discovery in ground to actually make the eco- ence in New York. “We are very The dollar, meanwhile, was West Texas contains an estimat- nomics work,” Shattuck said in a early in starting to understand how trading at 101.80 yen in early ed 3 billion barrels of oil and 75 telephone interview from Hous- big this is going to be.” Tokyo trade compared with trillion cubic feet of gas, Hous- ton. If Apache can overcome the The find is “an immense re101.73 yen in New York late ton-based Apache said in a state- challenges, “it’s a game-chang- source that we believe will deWednesday. ment on Wednesday. The land is er.” liver significant value for our The weak growth figures in a southern reach of the DelaApache shares rose as much shareholders for many years,” will heap pressure on the Bank ware Basin, a subsection of the as 14 percent in New York, the Christmann said in the stateof Japan for more action when Permian that has been a hotbed biggest intraday gain since No- ment. it meets later this month. of acquisition activity among oil vember 2015. The stock was up Apache amassed drilling Tokyo recently announced a explorers this year. 12 percent to $57.75 at 9:40 a.m. rights across 307,000 contiguous whopping 28 trillion yen ($275 Only 19 wells have been Chief executive officer John acres in the region at an average billion) package aimed at kickdrilled in the Alpine High, a cor- Christmann told investors at a cost of $1,300 per acre, accordstarting growth, after Britain’s ner of the Permian that’s short conference Wednesday that oil ing to the statement. The compaJune vote to quit the European on infrastructure to process and and gas production in the area ny has identified at least 2,000 to Union sent financial markets transport oil and gas, accord- won’t begin before the second 3,000 more drilling sites beyond into a tailspin and sparked a ing to Benjamin Shattuck, prin- half of 2017. To accelerate drill- its initial 19. Bloomberg rally in the yen. AFP

PAGCOR assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidder for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids. In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - Tie-Breaking Method, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 1 shall use a non-discretionary and non-discriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two (2) or more bidder have been postqualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final bidder having the LCRB, based on the following procedures: 1. In alphabetical order, the bidder shall pick one rolled paper. 2. The lucky bidder who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as the final bidder having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract. PAGCOR reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidder. Please address all communications to the Bids and Awards Committee thru PD, Room 203, Second (2nd) Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Tel No.: 524-3911, 521-1542 local 223 or 671. (SGD) RODERICK R. CONSOLACION Chairperson BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (BAC) 1 (MS-SEPT. 9, 2016)

Republic of the Philippines OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION

Higher Education Development Center (HEDC) Building, C.P. Garcia Street, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City Website: www.ched.gov.ph email:chedbac@ched.gov.ph

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PROCUREMENT OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE CONDUCT OF “IMPACT EVALUATION OF HEDF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (PHEIs)” 1.

The Commission on Higher Education, through the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF), intends to apply the sum of SIX MILLION SIX HUNDRED THIRTY THREE THOUSAND PESOS (PhP 6,633,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) as payments under the contract for the PROCUREMENT OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE CONDUCT OF “IMPACT EVALUATION OF HEDF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (PHEIs)”. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposals.

The CHED BAC now calls for the submission of Letters of Intent (LOIs) from potential bidders to apply for eligibility and short listing for the PROCUREMENT OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE CONDUCT OF “IMPACT EVALUATION OF HEDF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PRIVATE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (PHEIs)”. Interested consultants must submit their LOIs on or before September 8-14, 2016; 8:00AM - 5:00PM to the Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat, Commission on Higher Education, Ground Floor, CHED – Higher Education Development Center (HEDC), C.P. Garcia Avenue, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City and secure the Eligibility Documents, therefrom. Eligibility documents cost Two Thousand Pesos (PhP 2,000.00) and can be purchased on the address indicated below. Applications for eligibility will be evaluated on a “pass/fail” basis. The last day for the submission of the accomplished Eligibility Documents shall be on September 15, 2016; 9:00 AM and the opening of Eligibility Documents: September 15, 2016, 10:00 AM at the Commission on Higher Education, Higher Education Development Center (HEDC), C.P. Garcia Avenue, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. Only those that are short listed will be entitled to submit bids.

BAC Schedule of Activities

Apache discovers huge Texas oil ﬁeld

‘Digongism’ THAT’S the closest word we could think of to describe the latest outburst of President Rodrigo Duterte prior to his departure for the Asean summit in Vientiane, Laos when a reporter outlined a hypothetical scenario for the now-aborted meeting with US President Barack Obama, where the American leader would “question” the Philippine president about extra-judicial killings and human rights issues. One could feel the indignation rising from the president as he ﬁred back: “To whom shall I address myself to, and who would be asking the questions, may I know?” to which someone piped in – perhaps the Reuters rep – “Like Obama.” For a person with a highly evolved sense of patriotism like the president, the thought of having to explain his government’s strategy in curbing the drug problem in the country to another nation or leader was unthinkable. Many of our buddies who are proud to call themselves “Dutertards” said they are fed up with the notion that since the Philippines is a smaller nation and needs the help of allies like the US in key areas like modernizing the military and securing our borders, we should not be offended when domestic policies and issues are questioned or scrutinized by ofﬁcials of these nations. Sure, hearing the expletives may be cringe-inducing, but many agree with the sentiment expressed by the president that we are not a vassal state and we have long ceased to be a colony of the United States. A careful watching of the video would indicate that the

president may not have been specifically referring to Obama when he uttered the expletives that followed as he said, “Be respectful. Do not just throw [away] questions and statements. P… ina, mumurahin kita diyan sa forum na yan. Wag mo akong ganunin [Son of a bitch, I will curse you in that forum. Don’t treat me that way]. Tell that to everybody.” As expected, the remarks created an international kerfuffle (we’ve been seeing a lot of this word lately so might as well use it) with many news agencies trying to outdo each other in coming out with attention-grabbing headlines, focusing on those P.I. remarks, but a careful scrutiny would show that President Duterte did not direct it at Obama but uttered a phrase that many Filipinos usually say when they are exasperated, angry or frustrated. As pointed out by benign0 of getrealphilippines.com, it would have been entirely different had the president added “mo” – a Filipino word that is roughly translated as “you” and directed specifically at a person. (Check out http://www.getrealphilippines.com/blog/2016/09/newsmedia-lied-dutertes-plan-call-obama-son-bitch/) Many also agree, before any other nation starts questioning us about human rights issues, they should consider another Digongism: “look to their own backyard first and clean up their mess.” Besides, the president did say he did not want to pick a quarrel with Obama but at the same time, he does not want to appear as if he is beholden to anybody, repeating that he is only answerable to the Filipino people. “I do not accept that proposition that anybody is superior than me. We are supposed to be equal there,” he said, adding that the Philippines may be small, hardly keeping up with economic problems but he will not allow himself or the Filipino people to be insulted. That’s President Digong Duterte for you. ••• For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo.com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ happyhourmanilastandard. Cheers!

Bidding Activities Submission of LOIs and Issuance of Eligibility Documents Deadline of Submission of Eligibility Documents Opening of Eligibility Documents Short Listing/Evaluation of Eligibility Documents Issuance of Bid Documents Pre-Bid Conference Submission Technical and Financial Proposal Opening of Technical and Financial Proposal 4.

Dates & Times for Compliance September 8-14, 2016; 9:00 AM-5:00 PM September 15, 2016; 9:00 AM September 15, 2016; 10:00 AM September 16-28, 2016 September 29, 2016 October 6, 2016; 10:00 AM October 19, 2016; 9:00 AM October 19, 2016; 10:00 AM

The BAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted LOIs and have been determined as eligible both in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184) and its revised Implementing Rules and Regulations Part A (IRR-A). The short list of prospective bidders shall consist of three (3) consulting groups. The criteria and rating system for short listing are: Each eligible consultant shall be evaluated based on the following criteria:

CRITERIA Technical Experience Vendor Credentials Current Workload relative to Capacity Value-added Services, if any TOTAL

WEIGHT (%) 25 40 30 5 100

As stated in the previous paragraph only the top three (3) consultants shall be short listed provided however that all short listed applicants obtain a score of 70% and above and no score should be lower than 50% of the specific criteria. 5.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures as specified in the revised IRR-A of R.A. 9184, and is restricted, unless otherwise stated, to Filipino citizens or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest belonging to citizens of the Philippines. In accordance with revised IRR-A of R.A 9184, only bids from short listed consultants will be opened. The process for the eligibility check is described in the Eligibility Documents. In accordance with the IRR-A of R.A. 9184 the contract will only be awarded to the Highest Rated and Responsive Bidder who was determined as such during post-qualification.

The PROCURING ENTITY shall evaluate bids using the Quality Cost Based Evaluation/Selection (QCBE/QCBS) procedure. The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of bids shall be provided in the Instructions to Bidders.

Interested consultants may obtain further information from the Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat at the address given below from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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

For further information, please refer to: Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat: Ms. Violeta B. Galo Commission on Higher Education, Ground Floor CHED – Higher Education Development Center (HEDC), C.P. Garcia Avenue, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City Telephone number: 441 – 1171

(MS-SEPT. 9, 2016)

(SGD) ATTY. JULITO D. VITRIOLO, CESO III BAC Chairman

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

Motoring

MAXIMUM EFFECT. From left: Isuzu Motors International Operations Thailand Co. Ltd. President Yoichi Masuda, Isuzu Motor Co. Thailand President Takashi Kakuchi, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) President Hajime Koso, Isuzu D-MAX Brand Ambassador Derek Ramsay, IPC Executive Vice President Takashi Tomita and Mitsubishi Corp. Senior Vice President Shigeru Wakabayashi.

Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III

NE of the country’s hottest selling pickup variants just got better with the recent launching of an upgraded version of the Isuzu D-Max.

In a lavish ceremony held at the Grand Ballroom of the Marriot Hotel in Pasay City, Isuzu Philippine Corporation put its best foot forward and introduced the new D-Max brand ambassador, actor and model Derek Ramsay. “Like the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX, Mr. Derek Ramsay is tough, and appears capable of handling anything that life may throw at him. We at Isuzu Philippines Corporation are extremely proud to have him as part of our family,” said IPC President Hajime Koso. Similar to its celebrity endorser, “strong,” “emotional” and

The D-Max just got better

“sporty” are also the defining traits of the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX. Its dynamic and flowing exterior styling is characterized by a much bolder front end, made possible by a new muscular hood and a complexly redesigned radiator grille that both harmonize with the contours of the fascia. Highlighting the powerful styling are the redesigned projector headlamps, which have been modernized and made more sophisticated through the addition of LED Daytime Running Lamps and the updated fog lamps, which raise the vehicle’s level of safety and ap-

pearance. The pick-up’s rear end also got a new tailgate design that incorporates a spoiler shape design which aids the vehicle’s aerodynamics and styling. To compliment the rugged and tough exterior, Isuzu equipped the 2017 D-Max with larger 18-inch alloy wheels that are fitted with 255/60 R18 tires. The upgraded wheel-and-tire package is suited for both on and off-road use and benefits the vehicle’s traction and driving dynamics because of the bigger contact patch, as well as its water-wading and obstacle-clearing capabilities.

Aside from a redesigned interior which boasts of electroluminescent instrument meter clusters, 7-inch colored multi-information display center console and push start/stop feature, the biggest news is what’s lurking underneath the hood of this metal behemoth. Under the sculpted hood of the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX LS is still Isuzu’s proven 4JJI-TC (HI) diesel engine. Equipped with a Variable Geometry System (VGS) turbocharger and intercooler, this inline four-cylinder, 3.0-liter, Common Rail Direct Injection engine

produces maximum power of 163 PS @ 3,200 rpm and 380 Nm of torque @ 1,800 – 2,200 rpm. This durable, powerful and fuelefficient engine can be matched to either a 5-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift, or a 5-speed manual transmission. Also available on the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX LS is a shift-on-the fly 4WD system that can be engaged at speeds of up to 100km/h mby simply twisting a knob on the console; plus new driver-assist packages that includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), and Hill

Go to ‘war’ armed with Black Rhino THE new Black Rhino Warlord truck rims live up to that aggressive name in more ways than one. The first thing that hits you visually are the eight brawny spokes, bifurcated as they reach the thick, detailed lip. It’s a beefy, take-no-prisoners design, entirely in keeping with the spirit of stock and lifted trucks prepped for off highway gambols. Warload off-road wheels are aggressively sized, too, from 17x8, 17x9, 18x8, 18x9, 20x9 and up to 22x10, all with oversized lips to provide a sturdy bead seat for the big fat tires off-roaders prefer. Warlord truck wheels are available in 5, 6 and 8-lug bolt patterns, including5x110, 5x114, 6x120, 5x120 for the VW Amarok and the newer 6x130 pattern for Chevy Colorado, GMC Canyon and 8x180 for bigger GMC trucks. Offsets range from -23mm to +12mm. Versions are also available for Sprinter vans and CUVs. Warlord wheels are available in a striking matte gunmetal finish and in matte black with a machined darktint lip. Like all Black Rhino wheels, Warlord off-road rims are engineered for strength, durability and long-lasting good looks. Those who want to level up their game, purchase only the authentic and original Black Rhino wheels in accredited dealers nationwide or log on to www.conceptonewheels. com Start Assist (HSA). All these systems guarantee the vehicle’s safety on every type of terrain. The 2017 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L LS is available in Venetian Red, Cosmic Black, Titanium Silver, Splash White and new Obsidian Gray paint colors. It comes with a three-year/100,000-kilometer warranty (whichever comes first). Prices are pegged at P1,520,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4x4 A/T; P1,450,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4x4 M/T; P1,210,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4x2 A/T; and P1,140,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4x2 M/T.

CAMPI ready to ‘steer the future’ Text and photo by Dino hicles and automotive technolo- uting to the country’s growth gies during the show: BAIC, and leading the way for better Ray V. Directo, III INDUSTRY leaders from the domestic automotive manufacturing industry pledged their all-out support for the staging of the 6th Philippine International Motor Show which will rev up its four-day run froom September 14, 2016, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila, Pasay City. Organized by the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI), the Sixth PIMS prides itself to be the most-anticipated motor show as it gathers 17 top brands that will feature their latest ve-

BMW, Daewoo Bus, Foton, Honda, Isuzu, Jeep, KIA, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Peugeot, Suzuki, Toyota, and Volkswagen. “We are excited to bring back PIMS, the prime industry-led motor show, for its sixth staging and showcase the latest automotive technologies from the top automotive brands in the country today. This year’s theme, “Steer the Future” is a testament to CAMPI’s mission of not only bringing new car models in the market but also contrib-

mobility and transportation for Filipinos. Additionally, the automotive manufacturing industry, one of the major drivers of the country’s industry sector, generated about a quarter of a trillion pesos in sales in the last three years. Together with the government, CAMPI will work to increase the manufacturing sector share to total gross domestic product from 23 percent to 30 percent, with employment increase from nine percent to 15 percent,” says Rommel Gutierrez, President of CAMPI

Present during the launch are (front row, from left): George Chua, BAIC President and CEO; Maricar Parco, BMW President; Arsenio G. Yap, Daewoo Bus President; Rommel Gutierrez, CAMPI President; Dante Santos, CAMPI Vice President;. Rommel Sytin, Foton President; Hajime Koso, Isuzu President; Felix Ang, Auto Nation Group President (representing Mercedes-Benz and Jeep); Ginia Domingo, KIA President; and Chino Poblete, Total Philippines Corporation Managing Director. Joining them are (upper row, from left): Delﬁn De Guzman, Honda Vice President; Jose Ariel Arias, Lexus SVP for Marketing & Lexus Brand Champion; Dave Macasadia, Managing Director of SsangYong Berjaya Motor Philippines, Inc. (also representing Mazda); Yoshiaki Kato, Mitsubishi Motors President and CEO; Ramesh Narasimhan, Nissan President & Managing Director; Glen Dasig, Peugeot President; Satoru Suzuki, Toyota President.

LGUs

SCENIC. The landscape of

the wind farm in Pililla, Rizal harmonizes technology and nature. Erwin Leyros

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Sueno: PPPs speed up infra INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno urged the government and the private sector to forge partnerships to speed up infrastructure projects and improve public services. “Public-private partnership (PPP) may just be the answer to the infrastructure demands of our country. It is a win for both the government and the private sector and the public will benefit from the services,” said Sueno during the launch of the PublicPrivate Partnership for the People (P4) Initiative for Local Governments (LGU-P4) at the DILGNapolcom Center yesterday. He said the agency which teams up with an LGU can help look for partners to finance their program or project. “The mayors of Zamboanga Sibugay Province said they had no water for drinking and irrigation. So I asked our PPP people and the World Bank. Both expressed their willingness to help not only financially but also in capability building,” Sueno said. The secretary said some local executives have entered into public-private partnerships even before the project was officially launched. Valenzuela City through the leadership of Mayor Rexlon Gatchalian has completed two PPP projects. In line with this, Sueno recognized the efforts of the volunteer partners of the DILG particularly Atty. Alberto Agra who agreed to work as a consultant for the department at P1 a year salary, and is currently the DILG advisor on LGU P4.

Workers’ Inn to be rebuilt, says MMDA T

HE Metro Manila Development Authority is set to rebuild the Workers’ Inn (formerly Gwapotel) in Port Area, Manila to entice more guests, specifically transient students and low-income workers, to avail of the facility.

The four-story hotel, located beside the Department of Public Works and Highways central office, is being rehabilitated and repainted and installed with new toilets and bathrooms, MMDA officer-incharge Thomas Orbos said. Orbos added that MMDA per-

sonnel are also repainting and debugging the bunker beds in the budget hotel. The Workers’ Inn, which was built in 2007, is no longer part of the MMDA’s mandate, according to Orbos, but the continuous maintenance and operations of the facility is part of its public

THE city government of Valenzuela will fully subsidize the tuition of local university and college students starting October. Students of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) and the Valenzuela Polytechnic College (ValPoly) will enjoy full tuition subsidy once the Valenzuela City Free Higher Education Ordinance is passed. On September 3, more than

By Joel E. Zurbano

BEAUTIES. The 24th Padul-Ong Festival queens dance on the feast of their patrons in Borongan, Eastern Samar on Wednesday. Mel Caspe

Advisory Council (QCADAAC), the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the barangays in the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. In Wednesday’s meeting with the QCADAAC chaired by Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, the homeowners volunteered to draft guidelines or protocol that can be used by law enforcers in their drug operations in villages and condominiums. AQCHAI will

submit the proposed guidelines to QCADAAC on September 16. After the adoption of the guidelines or protocol, law enforcers may enter posh villages such as White Plains, Corinthian, Xavierville and St. Ignatius to conduct anti-drugs operations. AQCHAI president Gloria Soriano said homeowner groups will help the Philippine National Police make the country drug-free and crime-free.

“We overcame our prejudice against police because of their renewed commitment to stamping out drugs, thus, we will give our full cooperation,” Soriano said. In the past years, police had a hard time entering posh villages to serve warrants of arrest or conduct legal searches due to policies of exclusivity of the gated subdivisions. But with the support and consent of homeowners associations led by the 91-member AQCHAI,

the anti-illegal drug operation, aimed to maintain peace and order and crimeless subdivision, can be conducted inside the member subdivisions by just following the set of guidelines or protocol. QCPD director Senior Supt. Guillermo Eleazar said the continuing drug operations in the city has tremendously decreased crimes including rape, robbery, car theft and carjacking for the past two months.

Valenzuela subsidizes college students’ tuition By Jun David

service and charity work for laborers and students who live in the outskirts of Metro Manila. “This is a missionary business. Although this venture is not generating much income, its continued operations will provide temporary shelter to its customers.

Pay with credit cards in Taguig

QC’s exclusive subdivisions to allow PNP operations HUNDREDS of homeowners associations in Quezon City, mostly in gated and exclusive subdivisions and condominiums, joined forces to support the city government’s effort to curb the drug problem. In a statement, the city government said members of the Alliance of Quezon City Homeowners Association, Inc (AQCHAI) agreed to cooperate with the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse

6,000 parents and students from the local university and college witnessed the passage of Proposed Ordinance 2016-011 or the “Ordinance Providing for Full Tuition Subsidy in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela and Valenzuela Polytechnic College” at the Valenzuela City Astrodome. According to Mayor Rex Gatchalian, “This ordinance will grant all the current and future students of the academic institu-

tions a full tuition subsidy and miscellaneous fees including the school ID, library fee, medical fee, newsletter, handbook, laboratory fee, sports fee, multimedia fee and guidance and counseling fee. Every year, each student should pay P20,000 each semester for the tuition and miscellaneous fees.” The local government’s current subsidy for PLV and ValPoly amounts to P17,500, while the remaining P2,500 of the fees is

shouldered by the students. The city government is expected to shoulder P240 million annually for the tuition subsidy. “Under the new proposed ordinance, students will no longer have to pay for their tertiary education in the city. However, student beneficiaries of the full tuition subsidy should fully satisfy their academic obligations,” the mayor said. Among the students’ obligations is to participate in the Va-

lenzuela’s Education 360 degrees Investment Program including but not limited to the Summer Reading Camp and being a mentor for the 3,000 out-of-school youth Valenzuelanos in the Alternative Learning System. Gatchalian also commended the city council for their initiative in passing the ordinance. According to the local chief executive, the ordinance aimed to give every Valenzuelano youth a chance for a brighter future.

BUSINESSMEN and residents of Taguig City can now pay taxes and other fees and secure licenses and permits using their credit cards, the city government announced on Wednesday. The City Council came up with Resolution 102-2015 that authorized Mayor Laarni Cayetano to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Development Bank of the Philippines allowing the city to accept credit cards and other modes of electronic payment such as debit transactions. It stated that the city treasury will now honor Visa credit card and debit cards in the payment of local taxes and fees. “We owe it to our tax payers to make it convenient for them to pay taxes and fees. It is our commitment to constantly give excellent service to the people and our stakeholders. The technology is already there so why not maximize its use,” Cayetano asked. The Office of the City Treasurer collected almost P500,000 through credit card and ATM debit card transactions just two weeks after its implementation. According to the World Bank Ease of Doing Business study, Taguig is one of the best places in the country to do business in. Since Cayetano assumed office in 2010, the process of registration and renewal of business permits have been streamlined and red tape has been eliminated. The city was also a recipient of the Blue Certification Award from the Office of the Ombudsman which indicates that it met anti-red tape standards and its system conformed to the ease of doing business standards.

LGUs

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

NE holds agriculture summit By Ferdie G. Domingo

ALAYAN CITY—More than 2,000 Novo Ecijanos joined the province’s first ever Agricultural Summit at the Nueva Ecija Convention Center here.

Gov. Czarina Umali said agri“I believe that the core issue culture will be the core and top in agriculture is food. There is priority program of her admin- no food without agriculture. But istration. a good harvest will not neces-

sarily bring food on the table of every Novo Ecijano. “The challenge therefore is not only to ensure high agricultural production but to make certain that people will get the food that they need. The idea is to liberate food from the mundane complexity of economics and politics, and eradicate hunger through responsible and sustainable agriculture,” Umali added. Agriculture Secretary Manny

Piñol is expected to award a support package to Nueva Ecija agriculture amounting to P300,000,000. Nueva Ecija is considered the “rice granary” of the Philippines. Its annual rice yield exceeds its consumption and the surplus is exported to national and international markets. Some 274,000 hectares of its land area are agricultural and 200,000 hectares are planted to rice. Since 2002, it has been the

top rice-producing province. But Nueva Ecija has its own share of woes. Typhoon “Lando” and Typhoon “Nona” in 1910 devastated the province and caused damage that to this day are under rehabilitation. Its irrigation facilities also run short during dry season which lessen rice production to about 50 percent. Small farmers are also at the mercy of loan sharks and low gate prices. Seasonal

farm hands get displaced by farm machinery. All these issues were tackled in the Agricultural Summit. Its theme “Maunlad na pagsasaka, modernong teknolohiya, salalayan ng masiglang ekonomiya” (Progressive farming, modern technology, bases for a vibrant economy). Other national agencies and their regional offices will align their programs with the thrusts and direction of the province.

Pilar Elementary School gets tablets, projector By Butch Gunio PILAR, Bataan—The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines donated 15 computer tablets and a projector to Pilar Elementary School in this town. NGCP regional corporate communication officers Ernest Vidal and Fely Francisco delivered the tablets and the projector to the school. Francisco, newly assigned in the provinces of Bataan, Zambales, Bulacan and Ri-

zal, said the donation was part of the NGCP corporate social responsibility projects for education. “The donation aims to make the students in public schools become more competitive and abreast with the trend in technology,” she said. “Likewise we urge parents, teachers, and the community in general to help in the protection of NGCP assets,” she added. Faculty members of Pilar Elementary School thanked NGCP for the donation.

EDUCATION. United States Agency for International Development-Office of Education deputy chief Erica Rounsefell and Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla inaugurated 24 classrooms built by USAID in four schools on Wednesday. Mel Caspe

Proposed NBP in Ecija scrapped GEN. TINIO, Nueva Ecija—The national government is abandoning the plan of the previous administration to build the P50.3-billion stateof-the-art New Bilibid Prison inside the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation straddling this town because of the high cost of building the facility amid the loss of 53,800 potential jobs in the province. The scrapping of the project was disclosed by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre during a congressional hearing Wednesday night. Aguirre said the present 551-hectare prison in Muntinlupa City would just be refurbished. “The cost of transfer is so high. That is, it is prohibitive. The buildings alone would cost at least P50 billion or more than $1 billion,” Aguirre told congressmen.

The project was hatched during the term of former President Benigno Aquino III when Senator Leila de Lima was his justice secretary. Last June, former governor Aurelio Umali said the project would push through despite the reluctance of Aquino to approve it for fear of being accused of implementing a “midnight deal.” Umali, husband of Gov. Czarina Umali, said Aquino gave his gosignal for the project but left it to his successor to implement it. The modern facility was to be set up in the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation where Aquino’s late father, former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was placed under solitary confinement during Martial Law. The two-story new facility was

planned to be constructed under the build-transfer-maintain structure at a 500-hectare area in Barangay Nazareth inside Fort Magsaysay as a joint undertaking of the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Corrections. Teodora Diaz, BuCor assistant director, said the facility would have had a maximum capacity of 26,000 inmates, including 20,000 inmates from the NBP and 2,000 from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. Former DoJ undersecretary Francisco Baraan said that at present, prison conditions in the various penal facilities in the country leave much to be desired, citing those in Muntinlupa, Palawan and even in Davao, hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte. Ferdie G. Domingo

Workers’... From C1

EXPRESSWAY. Private Infra Dev Corp. president Mark Dumol briefs Public

Works and Highways Acting Secretary Mark Villar on the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway project, portions of which opened to traffic in mid-2014.

ARMM warns vs. rains, flash floods By A. Perez Rimando

COTABATO CITY—With the onset of La Niña in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the office of Gov. Mujiv Hataman has warned villagers in enclaves along rivers and swamps that connect to the Liguasan Delta in Maguindanao against flash floods and heavy rains. At least one-half of Maguindanao’s 36 municipalities surround the Liguasan Delta, a catch basin for some 12 large rivers that spring from forested hinterlands in nearby Sultan Kudarat, Bukidnon, South Cotabato and North Cotabato. Myrna Jocelyn Henry, an official of the ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Team (HEART), observed

that Maguindanao’s coastal barangays usually get inundated at the slightest increase in the water level in rivers and swamps near the Liguasan Delta. Henry also cautioned residents of possible occurrence of tidal wave—similar to the tsunami, which was preceded by a strong earthquake in the Moro Gulf, that devastated Central Mindanao on Aug. 17, 1976, killing some 5,000 Maguindanao coastal barangay residents and rendering more than 10,000 families homeless. Incidentally, Henry said, the 40-year-old tragedy was commemorated by the city government of Cotabato, ARMM rescue and emergency response personnel, and the military in appropriate rites on Aug.17, 2016 at Camp Awang airport.

The improved facilities will provide more comfort and will better serve the public,” Orbos said. The Workers’ Inn posted net earnings of P1.4 million from January to June 2016. Its occupancy rate increased two weeks after it was given proper attention. An average of over 400 guests stayed at the Gwapotel in August this year. The facility provides safe and decent 12-hour lodging with free showers for workers, students and travelers for P50. More than 20 food stalls on the ground floor of the inn offer guests a wide variety of local delicacies. The Workers’ Inn started operating in 2007. Closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) were installed on each floor to ensure the safety of the guests. Each floor has a TV set, electric fans for ventilation, and beds for up to 200 guests. Security guards are on duty at any given time. Ordinary workers, vendors, small entrepreneurs, white collar-job employees and other transients from the provinces doing business in Metro Manila have visited the hotel because they could not find an affordable, clean, safe and decent place to stay elsewhere. The Gwapotel project is part of the MMDA’s urban renewal program, originally aimed at providing cheap but decent accommodations to workers whose place of residence is outside Metro Manila. In September 2007, then MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando spearheaded the construction of Gwapotel to ease congestion in Metro Manila by giving out-of-town workers an inexpensive place to stay. During its first year of service, the hotel, painted in Fernando’s signature pink and blue, posted an average occupancy rate of 73 percent, or 519 guests daily.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

World

Britain walling out migrants L

ondon—Britain is to start building a wall in the northern French port of Calais to stop migrants jumping on trucks, under a deal agreed earlier this year, the interior ministry said Wednesday.

UN council encroaches on sovereignty—Nokor

The four-meter (13-foot) high, onekilometer long barrier will be built on a port approach road starting this month and should be completed by the end of this year, officials said. The wall, which will be funded by the British government under an agreement struck at a summit in March, will complement a security fence already put up around the port and entrance to the Channel Tunnel. “We are going to start building this big new wall very soon. We’ve done the fence, now we are doing a wall,” junior minister Robert Goodwill told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday. Green Party MP Caroline Lucas called the wall “monstrous” while campaign group Citizens UK asked Britain to use the money instead to transfer child migrants with families in Britain from Calais. Richard Burnett, chief executive of Britain’s Road Haulage Association also told the BBC the plan was a “poor use of taxpayers’ money.” He said funding for a wall “would be much better spent on increasing security along the approach roads.” The wall, which is expected to cost 2.7 million euros ($3.0 million), will be the latest barrier to go up around Europe as the continent struggles with its biggest migrant influx in decades. Hungary has built a reinforced fence on its frontier with Serbia and Austria has announced plans for a massive new fence along its border with Hungary in a bid to shut down the Balkan migrant route. Republican White House hopeful Donald Trump has said he plans to build a wall along the border with Mexico funded by the Mexican government if he is elected. Many commentators on Twitter drew comparisons with Trump’s proposal, with @fleetstreetfox saying: “And now we’re the United Kingdom of Trump.” Meanwhile, counterculture and hippie life are served up in a visual and musical blend at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, where a new exhibition delves into the swinging sixties. “With this exhibition we explore the era-defining significance and impact of the late 1960s upon life today,” says Victoria Broackes, curator of the exhibition “You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels 1966-1970,” which opens on Saturday. The wall in Calais was agreed following tens of thousands of attempted Channel crossings last year by migrants sneaking onto lorries boarding ferries and the Eurotunnel. Angry French truckers and farmers blocked the main routes in and out of Calais on Monday to call for the closure of the sprawling “Jungle” migrant camp. AFP

SEOUL—North Korea on Wednesday rejected a UN Security Council statement condemning the reclusive state for its latest missile tests and threatening to take “further significant measures.” “The DPRK categorically rejects this as an intolerable act of encroaching upon its dignity, right to existence, sovereignty and right to self-defense,” a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of North Korea was quoted by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) as saying. The statement by officials in Pyongyang follows the test-firing by North Korea of three ballistic missiles on Monday, as world powers gathered for a G20 meeting in China, with leader Kim Jong-Un hailing the tests as “perfect.” In a meeting to consider a response to the tests, the 15-member Council said the launches were “in grave violation” of North Korea’s international obligations and UN Security Council resolutions, warning it would closely monitor the situation. The document was adopted unanimously, including by Pyongyang’s

only ally China. UN resolutions bar North Korea from any use of ballistic missile technology, but Pyongyang has nevertheless conducted a fourth nuclear test and a series of missile tests this year, prompting South Korea to announce plans to deploy a US anti-missile system to counter such threats. The isolated communist state has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006. KCNA reported that Kim personally oversaw Monday’s missile firing, and vowed that the isolated state would continue to build its nuclear arsenal. The North will continue to bolster “the nuclear force in a phased way in this historic year”, the spokesman said. US President Barack Obama held talks on Tuesday with his South Korean counterpart Park Geun-hye on the sidelines of a regional summit in Laos. Obama said after the meeting in Vientiane that North Korea needed to know that “provocations will only invite more pressure and further deepen its isolation”. AFP

Irate Sino wives seeking help of mistress hunters BEIJING—Don’t get mad, get your opponent to surrender voluntarily: when Mrs Wang discovered her husband had been cheating on her for several years, she called in an elite team of Chinese “mistress hunters.” Rather than seek a divorce— which could have hit her social and financial standing—she hired a specialist to earn the other woman’s trust, and then persuaded her to end the extra-marital relationship. It was a longstanding affair, but once the mistress hunters were called in, it was over within two months. Wang said she paid between 400,000 and 500,000 yuan ($60,000$75,000) for the service. “I think it was worth it, I’m satisfied,” she added. So much so, she is now thinking of becoming a hunter herself. “That way I can help women protect their families and their rights,” she explained. The company Wang used, Weiqing—or “protector of feelings”— has 59 offices across the country, and offers free legal advice and lectures. Its founder Shu Xin said he has 300 agents at his command.

“My goal is to prevent divorces,” he told Agence France Presse at his upmarket Beijing headquarters. “Every year we save some 5,000 couples.” The mistress hunters are mostly women and are all psychology, sociology or law graduates. They spend three years learning the ropes before being sent out into the field, where they pose as neighbors, cleaners or even babysitters. Ming Li, 47, has been doing the job for three years. “I’m older than these mistresses, in general, so they listen to me,” she said. “If the mistress goes to a park, to the supermarket or to work, I’ll happen to meet her. And even if she is a stay-at-home sort of person, I can claim I’ve got a leak in my apartment and ask for her help,” she told AFP. “We always find a way to initiate contact. “One time, I pretended to be a fortune teller, and the mistress asked me to tell hers. Obviously, I already knew all about her from the wife, so it was easy to leave her dumbfounded and exhort her to leave the husband. It was one of our most quickly resolved cases.” AFP

Antique dolls still collectible HUES. A model walks the runway at the JSong Way fashion show during New York Fashion Week September 2016 on Wednesday in New York City. AFP

Queer tango to compete on world stage BUENOS AIRES—In tango, a male dancer leads his female partner through a series of sensual and synchronized movements. The man always leads— but Argentina’s “queer tango” turns this convention upsidedown. Subverting the lead male role is nothing short of revolutionary in the rigid world of tango dancing, and faces resistance from traditionalists. “Tango is a reflection of society, a social code where men

FLYING EGG. The PowerVision PowerEgg drone is displayed at InterDrone, an international drone conference and exposition for commercial drones, at the Paris Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday. AFP

have the power,” said Yuko Artak, an instructor at a queer tango lesson in Buenos Aires. She then gives a demonstration. “One, two, three,” Yuko says, guiding her partner, Liliana Chenlo, as music plays in the background. The women halt in mid dance, switch position, and Chenlo leads Artak. Tango originated in the late 19th century in the River Plate region, between Argentina and

Uruguay. Legend has it that it began as men dancing with men in brothels. As the dance grew in popularity and became accepted among the middle class, women were allowed to join, though always led by the man. “Queer tango seeks to break up that code... to shatter the exclusive male-female pairing of the dance,” said Artak. Alexis and Ignacio, who declined to give their last names, are excited about their queer

tango lesson. “It’s good to be able to get out of the forced masculinity, and see the tango as movement,” Ignacio said. Tango purists had already raised their eyebrows at Astor Piazzolla, the late creator of “Libertango,” who revolutionized the dance with a contemporary vibe that incorporated jazz-style music. Queer tango is facing just as much, if not more, resistance. AFP

LIKE every collectibles market, the world of antique dolls is subject to towering heights and devastating lows. “It’s almost like the wind, or almost like fashion,” said Jay Lowe, the head of the doll department at Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pa. “What people want this year might be different than what people will want 10 years from now.” Such is the case of a William and Mary doll in Morphy’s upcoming Toys, Dolls, Marbles, and Figural Cast Iron auction, which contains almost 1,300 lots estimated to sell in excess of $1 million. The doll, which is made out of wood and dates to the 17th century, sold in the 1980s for £50,000 at Sotheby’s in London. Adjusted for inflation, that’s today’s equivalent of about £280,000, or $375,000. When the doll returns to the auction block on Sept. 23, it will carry a high estimate of just $25,000, a 93

percent decrease in value. “That really hits home for me,” Lowe said. “I have a William and Mary doll I bought in 2005 for $46,000; the fellow I got it from paid $103,000 for it in 1992.” The collapse of the William and Mary doll market is, Lowe said, the inverse result of supply and demand: The more sought-after the dolls became, the less often they came on the market. Without a robust market, collector interest waned. “You can’t collect something you can’t buy,” Lowe said. “And eventually if you’re a collector, you might become discouraged and start to collect something else. The market sort of fell apart.” The silver lining is that potential collectors are still out there. Lowe said that French dolls, like the auction’s Lot No. 13, a “Magnificent Early French Mystery Bebe,” remain in demand. “That’s one of the hot areas,” he said. AFP

Life

HERO OF BICOL.

Baltog is one of Ibalong's legendary heroes, along with Handyong and Bantong.

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

DESTINATIONS

Bicol’s epic legend

Ibalong turns 25

ROM the dustbins of history to the street theater of Legazpi City is the unfolding saga of Ibalong, Bicol region’s epic legend which has been given a new lease on life through a festival named after it in Albay’s scenic capital city. Bicol’s biggest non-religious festival, Ibalong Festival is based on indigenous folklore and perhaps the only cultural event in the country, which relives an epic. Now in its 25th staging, it is a popular recreation of a mid-19th century fragments of 60-stanza epic poem penned by Franciscan friar Bernardino de Melendreras about the ancient civilization of Ibalong or present-day Bicol. The story is inspired by the oral accounts of Kadunung, a wandering minstrel regarded as the bard of Ibalong for being a fountainhead of indigenous folklore. Cast in the mold of classic mythologies, Ibalong tells about its three legendary heroes—Baltog, Handyong and Bantong—who, with their supernatural strengths, rid the land of beasts and helped it attain its golden era. Arriving at various points in history, these warriors who came from a faraway land, vanquished the dreaded beasts, which sowed terror among the populace. Among these dreaded beasts were Tandayag (giant wild boar) and Rabot (a half-man, half beast creature). Another prominent character is the villain-turned-heroine Oryol, a beautiful half woman-half serpent, that had a change of heart as she fell in love with Handyong and joined his forces to de-

feat the other monsters of the land. The legendary heroes later cultivated the land, established a government and a justice system, followed by an age of discovery and invention that helped civilization flourish. After recounting their heroic exploits, Kadunung suddenly stopped and promised to continue telling the story some other time. Scholars noted that while the epic appears to be an unfinished story, it is a living legend where the readers can freely continue the saga with their own interpretations of modern-day heroism. The epic first got into mass exposure in 1895 when editor Wenceslao Retana compiled and annotated the fragments of the poem in the book Archivo del Bibliofilo Filipino. While the original Spanish manuscripts were lost, fragments copied by Fray Jose Castaño in Breve Noticia are included in the Bibliofilo of Retana published in Madrid, Spain. The title “Ibalong” was supplied by noted Bicolano essayist Jose Ma. Panganiban, a colleague of Dr. Jose Rizal in the Propaganda Movement, because the original 60 quatrains had no title. In 1992, the late mayor Imelda Roces staged the maiden edition of the festival to rescue the epic from the dustbins of history and make it a source

of pride for the people of the city and the entire Bicolandia. And when Legazpeños breathe life into a legend, guests can expect an equally legendary celebration with the pomp and pageantry of epic proportions. In 2013, Ibalong was adapted for the stage as a dance musical at the Cultural Center of the Philippines by playwright Rody Vera and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio with Carol Bello’s ’s musical direction, as part of Tanghalang Pilipino’s 26th season. Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal said that Ibalong Festival puts to the fore Bicol’s rich heritage and resilient character despite the adversities they encounter in life as can be gleaned from the epic’s unfolding story. He said that in transforming an almost-forgotten legend into a colorful festival, the city has put a visual touch into the epic to make it more under understandable by the people. Rosal noted that the festivity showcases the city’s strides in investment, economic development, governance and tourism. The festival was held on Aug. 30 where the scenes of the legend were acted out in a street theater competition. Another highlight was the modern stage adaption of the epic based on CCP’s dance musical shown to the public at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation. A much-awaited event in the twoweek festivity was the star-studded Mutya ng Ibalong on Aug. 24, one of Bicol’s biggest pageants. Other events were Mt. Mayon Triath-

lon, a dragonboat race, and an array of sociocivic and cultural activities. D ubbed as the “City of Fun and Adventure,” Legazpi is one of the country’s top tourist destinations, being the home to Mayon Volcano, the world’s most perfect-cone. The bustling urban hub is also home to adventure recreational activities such as the allterrain vehicle (ATV) to the Mayon lava watch, jetskiing and scuba diving in Albay Gulf, three ziplines at different parts of the city, and a host of cozy homegrown restaurants that have made Legazpi a culinary capital. The Ibalong Festival puts to the fore Bicol's rich heritage and the resilient character of its people despite the adversities they encounter

Quezon province’s festival of life By Lito Cinco THE Philippines has many festivals in practically all corners of the country with most of them religious in nature. But, that is not the case of Quezon province’s Niyogyugan Festival, now on its 4th year evolving from a simple agri trade fair in 2011. Organizers of the twoweeklong festival call it the festival of life, referring to the lifeblood of Quezon – the coconut tree. Called the tree of life, the primary objective of the event is to revive the coconut industry. Quezon alone, with its 45 million fruit bearing coconut trees planted on some 389,000 hectares, accounts for two billion nuts a year. Gov. Jay-jay Suarez says it is the Quezonians way of shaking up the industry, thus the name “yugyugan" and the whole province has responded positively with an impressive active participation. This year, there are 39 cities and municipalities, out of 41, that put up booths. After all, the organizers gave them millions of reasons to come up with their best, with the winning booth receiving a cool P3 million in cash. This year, Infanta with its giant, very realistic-looking half opened coconut on top of its booth won the prize. Runners up in this Class A category were Tagkawayan and Gumaca, receiving P2 million and P1 million, respectively. In the Class B category, composed of towns classified as 3rd to 5th class, top entries were Buenavista, Padre Burgos, and Sampaloc. The towns received the

Calauag won the float competition with its entry that featured a crab on top of a boat

same amounts for their efforts. All these trade booths located at the Old Capitol Compound in Lucena City showed off not only the creativity of the locals in designing booths. The crowds that trooped daily to the site were wowed seeing the cornucopia of endless coconut and other products, food delicacies and souvenir items, that in the last two days of the festival, total gross sales surpassed last year’s total. The festival had a record number of visitors. Among the more popular items, all derived from coconut trees were coco jam, lambanog, virgin coconut oil, nata de coco, coco vinegar, coco sugar, bukayo, and ornamental items. Suman from Infanta was always sold out, so was the

longganisa from Lucban. Fresh vegetables, fruits, jams and jellies, dried fish and tinapa were good business as well. A float parade with 18 entries starting near SM Lucena along with the streetdancing groups attracted a big crowd craning their necks to get a glimpse of the colorful floats. Calauag, which featured a giant crab on top of a native boat, Quezon, and Pagbilao won the float competition. A beauty pageant was a big hit at the Quezon Convention Center with people supporting their respective beauty bets. Bb. Niyogyugan was Ma. Athisa Manalo from Candelaria, and the runners-up were Aubrey Macalalad from Sariaya and Jullie Anne Gil from the

Infanta, Quezon's booth won the P3 million top prize at the 4th Niyogyugan Festival

host city. Bamboo performed to a standing room crowd. Department of Tourism Regional Director Rebecca Labid shared the province offers year-round attractions, with Kamay ni Hesus alone in Lucban drawing 7 million visitors this year. She said, “Our direction from our new Secretary is to promote equally all the region’s destinations, including those that are being developed right now. Here in Quezon we are looking at several to

promote. We have surfing in Real, the Polillo group of Islands, Infanta with its food offerings like its suman and fresh seafoods—particularly crabs—the golden sands of Jomalig island, Alabat in Perez where we are encouraging homestays to experience island living and explore its yet unknown waterfalls and caves. Our province is a place one can visit any time of the year.” PHOTOS BY TEDDY PELAEZ

Life

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

MERCURY RISING BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

ANILA, the party capital of Asia, sparkles even brighter with the events that hotels in the metropolis come up with. These grandiose celebrations are always worthy of maximum publicity because they showcase not only the skill of the hotel officers in staging a glittering event but they also highlight the party spirit of Manila’s society. Here are some hotel activities I attended recently.

Hotel round-up

Conrad Manila

This newly opened hotel’s premier Chinese restaurant, China Blue, had celebrity master chef Jereme Leung showcasing his modern interpretation of traditional and provincial Chinese cuisine. To launch the restaurant’s specially curated menu, Conrad Manila General Manager Harald Feurstein invited a select group of friends to solicit their comments on the special menu served only in China Blue. The 12-course tastefully authentic and sumptuous dinner reaped praises from everyone in the group. It was an out-of-this-world culinary experience. The different courses served us took Chinese cuisine to the nth level, something that foodies would really enjoy and look forward to. The food made for a perfect match with the restaurant’s plush modern interiors, which features the signature blue chandeliers, local artworks and floorto-ceiling glass windows that offer a breathtaking view of Manila Bay. Hong Kong-born Jereme Leung is hailed as one of the most creative Asian pioneers of modern Chinese cuisine, blending it perfectly with classical Chinese dishes. He has made his rounds as a Chinese executive chef in luxury hotels around Asia before putting up Jereme Leung Concepts Ltd., a Shanghai-based food and beverage consultation company. Since then, he has been instrumental in curating restaurant and menu concepts in various parts of Asia.

The classy interiors of Conrad Manila's China Blue restaurant that offers Chinese cuisine and a breathtaking view of Manila Bay

lunch and two snacks for a very affordable rate. This new offer is designed not only for the budget conscious corporate establishment but also for those who appreciate being freed from the hassle of having to organize the event. Complementing the introduction of the Corporate Meeting Package is the debut of delectable creations from the kitchen of executive chef Mario Bassig. The Chef’s Special takes diners on a virtual global culinary tour to Asia, Europe and Oceania. More information on City Garden City Garden Hotel Makati’s new offerings is available at Without much fanfare, this hotel 899-1111 local 217 or through www.citlaunched its new Meetings Package ygardenhotelmakati.com for a minimum of 20 persons, offering an 8-hour session in any of the hotel’s For feedback, I’m at function rooms, complete with a set bobzozobrado@gmail.com dates paraded individually in their revealing swimwear along an improvised ramp, which cut across the entire hall, making it easy for any member of the audience, regardless of where he/she was seated, to ogle at the attractive contestants. The event also featured the latest fashion designs of Ditta Sandico, Ann Ong and the jewelry collection of Hoseki. Contestants Shirley Vy and Jan Louie Ngo eventually won the titles and took on the role of ambassadors of the Chinese-Filipino community.

City of Dreams Manila officers and guests (from left): VP for PR Charisse Chuidian, F&B Director Anthony Hannan, Grace Gobing, VP for Gaming Operations Kevin Benning, Manager for Li Ying Lounge Angel Fang, Eni Alba and Natalie Lim Ang

China Blue by Jereme Leung is on of finger food laid out by the City of Level 3 of Conrad Manila and may be Dreams culinary team. The by-invitareached through 683-3915. tion only event also featured the muchawaited segment of the Mr. & Ms. ChiCity of Dreams natown Philippines 2016, the Swimwear A glittery night at Chaos, celebrating Competition, adeptly introduced by the heritage and culture of the Filipino- program host, the witty Johnny Litton, Chinese community, had Manila’s elite known for his hilarious one-liners. circle enjoying the sumptuous buffet Fifteen pairs of female and male candi-

YOUR FRIDAY CHUCKLE A man brings his best buddy home for dinner unannounced at 530PM after work. His wife begins screaming at him and his friend just sits and listens in. “My hair and make-up are not done, the house is a mess, the dishes are not done, I’m still in my pajamas, and I can’t be bothered with cooking tonight! Why the hell did you bring him home for?” Husband answers, “Because he’s thinking of getting married!”

Negros comes to Glorietta

The Negros Trade Fair returns to Manila this month

METRO Manila fans of Aida’s Chicken’s Bacolod inasal, El Ideal’s delicacies and Tumandok Crafts’s decors have a chance to purchase these products, among others, as the Negros trade fair returns to Glorietta Mall this month. Now on its 31st year, the Negros Trade Fair is tagged as the longest running provincial trade fair. This year’s edition will see over 100 booths selling the best of Negros products and services from Association of Negros Producers, Inc. (ANP) members and Negrense manufacturers. Products range from food, natural and organic items, fashion accessories and garments, furniture and furnishings, gifts, décor and housewares, and tourism. Social enterprises also get a chance to present their goods at the fair to support their respective advocacies. Aside from supporting small and medium enterprises in Negros, trade fair visitors will also witness the kind of care Negrenses have for their environment, as this year’s theme, “Biodiversity in Tourism” tackles the Biodiversity situation in the region reflected through their products. The Negros Trade Fair is a non-profit program of ANP, which aims to provide SMEs in Negros an affordable venue to showcase their individual ingenuity and a platform for possible export trade. It is held annually in Metro Manila since 1985. The fair will run from Sept. 14 to 18 at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. Bernadette Lunas Negros crafts and delicacies will once again dot the Glorietta Activity Center on Sept. 14 to 18

Smart unveils its best call and text roaming rates for Pinoy travelers and overseas workers GETTING in touch with your family and friends while vacationing abroad or working overseas just got a lot more affordable and convenient with Smart Roamer, a prepaid service that lets you enjoy Smart’s best roaming rates yet. Open to all Smart Prepaid subscribers, Smart Roamer offers as low as P3 per minute or P1.00 per text from over 130 countries – whether you are on a holiday in Hong Kong, Japan, or the United States, or working in Saudi Arabia, Singapore or United Kingdom, among many other destinations. With its affordable call and text roaming rates in over 130 countries, Smart Roamer is perfect for travelers

who can use the dialer to stay connected with loved ones back in the Philippines, or buddies can also use Smart Roamer to conveniently call each other while touring overseas. On the other hand, overseas workers can rely on Smart Roamer to stay close with their family despite the distance through frequent catch-up calls and loving messages. Here are five easy steps to enjoy Smart’s best call and text roaming rates: Step 1. Download the Smart Roamer Dialer. Simply download the Smart Roamer Dialer on Google Play Store or App Store, and register your Smart Prepaid number to create your account.

Step 2. Activate your roaming. Before leaving the Philippines, activate your Smart Prepaid Roaming by sending ROAM ON to 333. Step 3. Top up your Smart Prepaid account. Prior to flying abroad, be sure to top up your existing Smart Prepaid account, which you can convert to Smart Roamer credits. Step 4. Activate your cellular data and convert your Prepaid load to Smart Roamer load. Upon reaching your destination, simply turn cellular data and data roaming on in your phone settings. You will not be charged for data usage. Convert your regular load to Smart Roamer load by dialing *133# on

your phone’s native dialer (not Smart Roamer dialer). Once successful, you will receive a flash message and text confirmation of your load transaction. Step 5. Avail of the Smart Roamer buckets. You can already use Smart Roamer with the regular Smart Roamer load, but to enjoy Smart Roamer’s best rates of P3.00/min calls and P1.00/texts to the Philippines, you can subscribe to the Smart Roamer buckets. Simply go to “MORE” and “BUCKETS” in your Smart Roamer dialer and choose the Talk or Text bucket for your needs. Aside from offering the best call and text roaming rates, Smart Roamer also

has other convenient features, such as allowing users to top up credits within the dialer; transfer load to another Smart Roamer user; call other Smart Roamer users in other countries, and enjoy additional roaming call minutes for successful referrals. With the Smart Roamer service, you can travel overseas with the confidence that you can easily call and text your friends and loved ones within your budget. For more information on Smart’s best call and text roaming rates via the Smart Roamer service and all its convenient features, visit smart.com.ph/ smartroamer.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

LCINA, an opera seria by George Friedrich Handel, one of the greatest composers of the baroque era, will take center stage, 3 p.m. today, at the School of Design and Arts (SDA) Theater of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSCSB). The Sinag Arts Foundation and Octave Inﬁnity Music Makers Incorporated partnered and collaborated with the college’s A.B. Music Production Department to present this obra maestra. Handel’s post-apocalyptic Alcina tackles “Man is by nature good”, and delves into the topic when there is hope, then there is a future, where love and peace will save humanity. As the stage and artistic director, Alegria Ferrer, who likewise directed Rusalka at the Cultural Center of the Philippines two years ago, continues to thrill audiences from all walks of life to experience the beauty of

Handel’s ‘Alcina’ to be staged this

weekend opera and music theater. Ferrer recently stage directed the same opus in Arezzo, Italy, last summer as a result of an opera program grant of the University of the Philippines College of Music. Fresh from her directorial stint abroad, she presents an all-Filipino cast in the upcoming production, all products of different music institutions. Cast includes Jade Riccio as Alcina, Mia Ariana Tanciongco as Morgana, Pauline Therese Arejola as Oberto, Ervin Lumauag as

Fil-Scottish commercial model Catriona Elisa Gray as expected led the short list of early favorites for the title Miss World Philippines 2016 when the 25 ofﬁcial candidates from across the country were announced on Monday at the Sampaguita Gardens in Quezon City. Gray, born in Cairns, Queensland to a Scottish father and Bicolana mother and presently completing her Master’s degree at the Berklee College of Music, is known as the face of Ponds beauty ads. The 22-year-old, 5-foot-10 aspiring singer and composer, is a woman of substance with a heart for the poor under her Paraiso Bright Beginnings Project. CQ Global Quest directress Cory Quirino expressed pride of this year’s batch of candidates who could give the country its second Miss World title in three years. Miss World Philippines 2015 Hillarie Parungao performed well last year ﬁnishing at the Top 10 and winning the Multimedia Award. The rest of the candidates are Maria Paula Prose (Cagayan Province), Shenna Mae Zaldivar, (Dapitan City), Rossette

Ruggiero, Krissan Manikan Tan as Bradamante, Malvin Macasaet as Oronte, and Avelino Guande as Melisso. Farley Asuncion assists on the piano, while the costume design team is headed by Joy Rago. Agnes “Aji” Manalo, chairperson of Music Production in DLS-CSB, is the consultant. SDA Theater of the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde is on Arellano Avenue corner Estrada Street, Malate, Manila. For tickets and information, please contact Maricris R. Joaquin at 09178669354.

‘Alcina’ was written at a time in George Friedrich Handel’s career in London. Now, the opera seria is well regarded as one of his ﬁnest works for the stage.

25 ladies in Miss World Philippines 2016

BEVY OF BEAUTIES. CQ Global Quest director Cory Quirino (fifth from left, first row) flanked by the 25 official candidates of Miss World Philippines 2016

Lifestyle channels

Animax packs a punch THIS September, viewers in the Philippines will be able to enjoy blockbuster series One Punch Man on Animax, Asia’s ﬁrst and leading channel brand specializing in anime. Based on a webcomic series, which became a viral hit, the anime adaptation will premiere on Sept. 12 and air 10 p.m. every Monday Set in a world where monsters and humans both exist, the action-comedy series follows protagonist Saitama, a superhero who is so powerful that his battles end with a single punch, leaving him frustrated to no end. Beloved by fans for its unique, unreﬁned art style, the webcomic series has garnered over 10 million views since its launch by its creator One in 2009 and continues to grow in popularity. Its incredible reception prompted a digital manga remake and an anime adaptation, with the latter being fronted by renowned animation studio Madhouse (Hunter x Hunter, The Irregular at Magic High School, Parasyte -the maxim-). The anime series

has been well received in other territories for its ﬂuid animation, particularly when it comes to its ﬁghting sequences. Aside from One Punch Man, viewers can also look forward to a full-day marathon of Mob Psycho 100, a second hit series by One, as well as a marathon for supernatural-action series D.Grayman HALLOW. Animax will broadcast both marathons in October after the two series end their same-day-as-Japan run on the channel. Other hit series debuting this September include actionromance series Snow White with the Red Hair (Season 2), premiering on Sept. 27, every Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m.; and the supernatural thriller Laughing Under the Clouds, which will begin on Sept. 29, 10 p.m. every Thursday and Friday. For more information on upcoming series, visit www.animax-asia.com. Animax is seen on SKYCable Channel 46, Cignal Digital TV Channel 34, GSat Channel 24, and Dream Channel 07.

now accessible for free

One Punch Man is Japanese webcomic set in a ﬁctional metropolis called Z-City

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, September 9, 2016

ACROSS 1 Betrayed a secret 5 — out (goes kaput) 10 Iris-like flower 14 Bleachers sound 15 Hockey venue 16 Diva — Ponselle 17 Cornell or Pound 18 Generator part 19 “— Breaky Heart” 20 Wrinkles 22 Deckhands 24 Ottoman title 27 Put down 28 Doubt 32 Nouveau — 36 Home page addr. 37 Famed viol. 39 Showed in the summer 40 Under cover? 42 Mixes up 44 Split in two 45 Guys like Hamlet 47 Cool in manner 49 Job-ad letters 50 Muddle 51 Excellent 53 Stationery buys 56 Dry and withered

57 Produce prolifically (2 wds.) 61 Microwaved, slangily 65 Strauss of jeans 66 Wardens’ fear 69 Saucy 70 Deep black 71 Ho-hum feeling 72 Norse Zeus 73 Snake’s tooth 74 Player’s rep 75 Brownie morsels DOWN 1 — bien, monsieur! 2 Move like lava 3 “Tomb Raider” heroine 4 Plays 5 Drag race participant 6 Spanish gold 7 Takes home 8 Is familiar with 9 Food wrap 10 More acquisitive 11 Focal points 12 Late tennis great 13 Dog or salad — 21 Some NCOs 23 Laird’s accent

25 Popular movies 26 Major artery 28 Thigh muscles, in the gym 29 Sort of sprawl 30 Ms. Verdugo 31 Claws or talons 33 Rocky rival Apollo — 34 Vietnam capital 35 Drew to a close 38 Hard candies 41 Explaining 43 — amandine 46 Submerged 48 Ancient plant

Joyce Tayam (Zambales), Alyana Mikaela Cagandahan (Laguna), Arienne Louise Calingo (Pampanga), Casey Austria (Albay), Sarah Margarette Joson (Manila), Sandra Lemonon (Pasig City), Jan Helen Villanueva (Bulacan), Kristine Gaile Lopez (Bulacan), Shaina Lalaine Sazon (Aurora Province), Arah Salientes (San Fernando Pampanga), Madeleine Iya Gabrella Uy (Nueva Ecija), Charlene Fontanilla (Mandaluyong City), Roshiel Asingua (Cebu City), Irina Cortez (Makati City), Ivanna Kamil Pacis (Makati City), Vinie Camille Quiangco (Roxas City), Quenie Litz Lorenzo (Bulacan), Marah Muñoz (Parañaque City), Jane Pactoranan (Antipolo City), Ralph Lauren Asuncion (Batangas City, Yuri Yu Caunca (Las Piñas City) and Ivy Meerry Enriquez (Bataan). Who will represent the country at the 66th Miss World pageant in Washington D.C., USA? Catch the exciting Miss World Philippines 2016 grand coronation night at the Manila Hotel to be telecast over GMA Channel on Sept. 25. Eton B. Concepcion / Photos by Teddy Pelaez

52 Nerve cell 54 Asian nation 55 Bringing action 57 Sheet-music symbol 58 Singer McEntire 59 Stratford’s river 60 Attitude 62 Striped antelope 63 Check manuscripts 64 Bears’ abodes 67 Large vat 68 Command to Fido

EXPLORE and discover new things with the entire family as SKY opens its lifestyle cable TV channels for free to all its SKYcable and Destiny Cable digital postpaid subscribers until Sep. 15 to give Filipino families an incredible learning experience in the comforts of home Free cable TV channels roster on the week of Sept. 9 to 15 are the best of SKY’s lifestyle channels that include Asian Food Channel, FYI, Travel Channel, Outdoor Channel, DMAX, Fashion TV, HGTV, Food Network, Lifestyle Channel, Eve, TLC, and Discovery HD World. Throughout the years, Sky Cable has delivered and

distributed world-class content using innovative services. It pioneered cable TV in 1990 and launched the ﬁrst prepaid cable service in the Philippines through SKYcable prepaid. It also introduced the iRecord feature that lets subscribers pause, play back live TV, and record shows. Now, Sky Cable is eyeing expansion nationwide through the launch of SKYdirect, its affordable direct-to-home pay TV service. Don’t miss the free learning experience with the entire family at home only with SKY. Channel availability varies per area. For more information, visit mysky. com.ph.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

Showbiz

Yen Santos and Devon Seron (second and third from left) in a photo op with Regal Entertainment matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde (second from right) with her daughter Roselle

Yen Santos and Devon Seron, new millennial Regal babies

OTHER Lily and daughter Roselle Monteverde have two new Regal babies.

Yen Santos and Devon Seron, Pinoy Big Brother Teen Clash Edition 2010 discoveries, signed a ﬁlm contract with Regal Entertainment on Aug. 30 at 38 Valencia Events Place. From TV actress-singer, Yen got her biggest acting break in the movies from the motherdaughter team of Lily and Roselle Monteverde in the currently in production project, Once In A Lifetime, opposite screen heartthrob Piolo Pascual. In fact, Yen just got back from shooting vital romantic scenes for the ﬁlm in New Zealand under director Dondon Santos. Also in the cast of Once in a Lifetime are seasoned actors Tirso Cruz III, Joel Torre, Jerald Napoles and child

actor Raiko Mateo. On TV, Yen had her biggest break via the Pinoy adaptation of the hit Koreanovela Pure Love on ABSCBN. She was also part of several TV series like Dugong Buhay, Precious Heart Presents Pintada and Oh My G. She made her mark as well as Albert Martinez’s love interest in the afternoon series All of Me. Aside from these regular programs, Yen also appeared in lead roles in ABS-CBN weekly dramas Maalaala Mo Kaya, Ipaglaban Mo and Wansapanataym. Devon, meanwhile, was named Big Teen 4th Place in the Teen Clash edition of PBB. She was a houseguest in the recent PBB 737. Her TV credits include appearances in such TV series as Moon of Desire, Maria Mercedes, Forevermore,

James Reid makes the bold move FUJIFILM Philippines officially launched James Reid as its newest brand endorser with a grand press launch held on Aug. 26 at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City. Reid now joins Fujifilm’s other brand endorser, Bea Alonzo and over 50 of the country’s top social media influencers, lifestyle bloggers and celebrities who trust FUJIFILM for high quality photos for all their lifestyle, fashion, and travel photography. “We are very excited and optimistic to embark on this partnership with James,” said Takuya Maeda, FUJIFILM Philippines’ division head for electronic imaging and photo imaging. “He embodies what the FUJIFILM brand is about – young, current and innovative.” The popular actor admitted to being a budding photography enthusiast. He started his journey with photography during the production of his hit TV series On The Wings of Love. Today, Reid is one of the hottest and busiest heartthrobs. While he’s away for his numerous showbiz engagement or personal travels, he keeps his fans updated by generously regaling his social media followers with sharp, well-defined, and interesting photographs – be it a landscape snapshot or a photo of him and his reel and real life sweetheart Nadine Lustre. With all these travels, the one gadget that James never forgets to bring with him is his FUJIFILM camera. During the press launch, FUJIFILM also announced some of the new products from FUJIFILM’s instax and mirrorless cameras that Reid will actively endorse. These are the X-A3 and X-T2 mirrorless cameras and the instax SHARE SP-2.

ISAH V. RED

You’re My Home, All of Me, and Be My Lady. In ﬁlms, she was seen in The Reunion, Maybe This Time, Halik Sa Hangin, and Everything About Her under Star Cinema. Soon after, Regal took notice of the showbiz newbie’s acting talent and cast her in blockbuster horror Haunted Mansion, an entry in last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. Devon’s initial Regal stint was followed by the horror comedy I Love You To Death. Mother Lily believes Regal picked the perfect leading lady for Piolo in Once in a Lifetime the ﬁrst time she met Yen. Roselle, meanwhile, has so much faith in Devon’s acting potential and bankability considering her huge following on social media.

SHUTTERBUG.

Actor James Reid steps behind the camera as he ﬁnds photography as his new hobby

...are talking about Angel Locsin Fans’ frenzied speculation has just been confirmed. Shortly after being named as one of the 10 sexiest nationalities of MTV Australia (a list that also included Rihanna, Liam Hemsworth and Emma Watson), the Kapamilya star became the most talked about celeb online when a bigwig from her network confirmed that she is set to reprise her role as Darna. Though she won’t be doing the film immediately this year, since she’s still working on another film, fans can no longer wait to see Angel sport the iconic costume for the second time around. Kakai Bautista While she’s had plenty of on-screen attention, she’s still basically an underrated talent in showbiz. Though she’s not the “girl next door” every man would always fantasize to be with, Kakai has this certain appeal that turned her from being a perennial sidekick into a lead actress in an upcoming romantic comedy. And if there’s someone people should watch out for on the comedy scene, it’s Kakai and no one else comes close. Sylvia Sanchez Female actors who are identified by the roles they assume in their personal lives such as wives or mothers find little opportunity in showbiz. But not in Sylvia’s case. The 40-something star is good at portraying motherly roles. She’s very effective that we can no longer identify her playing any other roles. And that being said, her new TV drama, where she plays a mother suffering from dementia has been getting a lot of positive feedback. People are so impressed with her performance and the show in general that they think the drama is better off in primetime.

...are not talking about Suzette Doctolero The television and film writer has expressed her dismay over feedback on Alyas Robin Hood teaser. She vehemently denied that the upcoming Kapuso show is an Arrow rip off. She emphasized that the Alyas… is homage to the British folktale Robin Hood and it is a modern retelling of his story in a Filipino, setting. Though people got what she wanted to say, they still couldn’t ignore the shows striking resemblance to the hit American action TV series especially the costume of the central character. We hope that was just a coincidence. Mark Neumann When we saw his photo with other Kapuso stars, we asked ourselves if the young actor is giving his mother network a subtle hint that he badly needs a job. TV5’s prized leading man is going “over the bakod” as he joins Karelasyon, the buzz-worthy weekly drama anthology hosted by Carla Abellana. We guess it’s about time that finally Mark makes a wise career move. Nothing is happening with his career on TV5 to begin with. Without social media, no one would even know that he still exists. Enteng Kabisote 10 One of the longest film properties is returning to the big screen this year. The Vic Sotto-starrer movie series has just started filming its 10th installment with a promise of yet another stellar cast. By the looks of it, Enteng Kabisote is aiming to dethrone Shake Rattle & Roll, which also has overstayed and existed as a movie series for no other reason than to milk our wallets dry. Enteng Kabisote has been stretched beyond its natural length, only to give us crappy and corny film each year.