Manila Standard - 2016 October 05 - Wednesday by Manila Standard

TUGADE FOUND WANTING; CRISIS POWERS ON HOLD

VOL. XXX • NO. 235 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

PIVOT DESPITE. In this ﬁle photo, taken Oct. 9, 2015, Filipino Marines (in green) and their US counterparts (in light brown) take positions during the annual Philippine-American amphibious landing exercise at the naval base in San Antonio, Zambales facing the West Philippine Sea. On Oct. 4, the Philippines and the United States launched war games against the backdrop of the unusual threat of American forces being ejected from the Philippines as President Rodrigo Duterte, who has sustained a verbal assault on Washington, pivots to China. AFP

War drill ‘finale’ launched

THE Philippines and the United States launched war games on Tuesday against the backdrop of the unusual threat of American forces being ejected from the Southeast Asian nation, as President Rodrigo Duterte pivots to China. Duterte has sustained a verbal assault on the United States, the Philippines’ former colonial ruler and mutual defense partner, since he took ofﬁce on June 30 in response to criticism of his deadly war on crime. Duterte has in recent days warned the war games will be the last of his six-year term, and threatened to scrap a defense pact implemented by his predecessor that was meant to see more US troops in the Philippines to counter Chinese expansion in the South China Sea. “Better think twice now because I will be asking you to leave the Philippines altogether,” Duterte said on Sunday in his latest outburst against the Americans, full of typical invective. “The Americans, I don’t like them... they are reprimanding me in public. So I say: ‘Screw you, f--k you’,” he said, while signaling again that he wanted to forge closer alliances with China and Russia. Last week, Duterte, 71, also claimed the CIA was plotting to Next page assassinate him.

HOUSE Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Tuesday Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade’s performance in the first 100 days of the Duterte administration was a “failure.” He said Congress will not grant emergency powers to his department to solve the traffic problem because the parameters of the emergency powers being sought by the government must be defined. Tugade has not complied with Congress’ demand to provide the specifics and details of his plan to solve the traffic gridlock in many parts of the country. But he wants to become the “traffic crisis manager” once Congress grants him emergency powers. “Sad to say, I have not felt any improvement as far as traffic is concerned in Metro Manila and Metro Cebu,” said Alvarez, a key ally of President Rodrigo Duterte in the House of Representatives. He made his statement even as Senator Grace Poe said the Senate committee on public services had decided to hold a fourth public hearing on Oct. 12 on the proposed emergency powers to solve the traffic crisis. That extends the public hearings by the committee following the request of some senators to continue with those so they could learn more about the Transport department’s plans to solve the traffic mess. Next page

Duterte still at it, hits out at US, EU Tells Obama to ‘go to hell’, Europe to ‘purgatory’

By John Paolo Bencito

MID suggestions from his allies that he be more circumspect, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said he would not shut up.

To prove his point, he launched new tirades against his international critics, telling US President Barack Obama to “go to hell,” and for the European Union to “choose purgatory” instead of criticizing his war on illegal

drugs, which has already claimed 3,000 lives. “They’re telling me to stop making noises. No, I cannot stop. I’ll lose the momentum,” Duterte said during the Sulong Pilipinas Local Governance dialogues at

4 NBI deputies named; POEA, OWWA revamped PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed new deputy directors of the National Bureau of Investigation in line with the bureau’s plan to reorganize itself, an ofﬁcial said Tuesday. NBI spokesman Ferdinand Lavin said the reorganization at the NBI was “ongoing.” He made his statement even as Philippine Overseas Employment Agency chief Hans Leo Cacdac was named administrator of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, replacing former OWWA head Rebecca Calzado.

PCCI sees results in drug war

Labor Secretary Sylvestre Bello III said Department of Justice’s prosecutor Claro Arellano is the new head of POEA. Duterte has appointed to the NBI Leopoldo Leuterio Jr. as Deputy Director for Regional Operations Service; Jose Yap as Deputy Director for Investigation Service; Antonio Pagatpat as Deputy Director for Administrative Services; Jose Doloiras as Deputy Director for Financial Service; and Ferdinand Lavin as Ofﬁcer-in-Charge of the ofﬁce of Next page

PASSPORT VALIDITY. Senator Alan Peter

Cayetano asks Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., a question during a Senate public hearing extending the validity of Philippine passports from ﬁve to 10 years. The former is pushing for the establishment of a seamless and hassle-free processing of passports for Filipinos at home and abroad. Lino Santos

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the results of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on illegal drugs during his first 100 days in office. ”We know that foremost of the President’s promises was the very important issue on drugs and crimes. And on that aspect, we are very happy that he delivered,” PCCI president George Barcelon said. Barcelon and former PCCI president and now Employers Confederation of the Philippines president Donald Dee discussed the business sector’s impression on Duterte’s achievements so far. Malacañang says in just three months, the Duterte administration’s fight against illegal drugs

Makati City. “I cannot afford it, I’m now the President of the Philippines. The momentum has to be there, it will be there for the next six years until the last pusher is taken out of the Next page

De Lima facing censure By Macon RamosAraneta SENATOR Richard Gordon on Tuesday said Senator Leila de Lima could be censured, suspended or kicked out of the Senate for unparliamentary conduct, after she walked out of a hearing of the Senate justice committee Monday night. Gordon, who accused De Lima of withholding information from the committee, said any member of the panel could ﬁle a complaint against her, but said he would not be the one to do it. Gordon refused to apologize to De Lima, who demanded an apology after he had accused her ANGRY REACTION. Senator Leila de Lima is indignant while answering of committing “material concealment” in a previous inquiry reporters’ questions, a day after she walked out of the 5th Senate inquiry into the spate of extrajudicial into the government’s anti-drug related killings, taking ‘serious offense’ killings in the government’s war at accusations she concealed information on a criminal case ﬁled against Next page confessed hitman Edgar Matobato. Ey Acasio on illegal drugs.

Sex video: House relents, no to replay THE alleged sex video of Senator Leila de Lima will not be played during the resumption of the House probe on the illegal drug trade at the New Bilibid Prison, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Tuesday.

“We are not going to present anything about it,” Aguirre told reporters at the sidelines of the plenary deliberations on next year’s P3.35-trillion General Appropriations Bill in the House of Representatives.

He made the statement even as senators on Tuesday condemned and opposed the House’s plan to show the video. Led by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, they adopted Next page

Leila’s ‘whistleblower’ faces arrest By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—Davao Court issued an arrest warrant against Edgar Matobato, the self-confessed hitman who testiﬁed before the Senate, after he failed

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to show up for his arraignment on Tuesday before Branch 3 of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities here. Matobato’s lawyer, Gregorio Andolana, also failed to show up for the scheduled hearing, leading

Judge Silverio Mandalupe to cancel Matobato’s bail bond. Matobato faces charges for the possession of illegal ﬁrearms when he was arrested carrying a Colt .45 caliber pistol on June 9, Next page 2014.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Actor nabbed for 1-kilo MJ A By Francisco Tuyay

CTOR Mark Anthony Fernandez was arrested by police Monday night for possession of approximately one kilo of marijuana at a checkpoint along Barangay Virgen delos Remedios in Angeles CIty, the Central Luzon regional police ofﬁce reported Tuesday. Fernandez, on board a yellow Ford Mustang, was flagged down by an anti-criminality checkpoint along MacArthur Highway, but sped off going to the City of San Fernando where the actor was later intercepted due to heavy traffic, police said. Authorities from Angeles City Police Station recovered six packs

War... From A1

This came after he branded Barack Obama a “son of a whore” in response to being told the US president planned to raise human rights concerns over his drug war. Duterte has vowed to eradicate illegal drugs in the Philippines, warning the nation is in danger of becoming a narco-state. His crime war has seen more than 3,000 people killed, with the United Nations, the European Union and rights groups raising concerns about alleged extrajudicial killings and a breakdown in the rule of law. Duterte has insisted he is not doing anything illegal, yet at the same time said he would be “happy to slaughter” 3 million drug users. He also likened his crime war to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler’s effort to exterminate Jews, but following an outcry apologized for referring to the Holocaust. Some 2,000 troops from the two sides are taking part in the war games, including in waters close to ﬂashpoint areas of the South China Sea. China claims nearly all of the sea, even waters close to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations, and has in recent years built artiﬁcial islands in the disputed areas capable of hosting military bases. To counter China, the Philippines’ previous president, Benigno Aquino III, sought to draw the United States closer. This included the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement that Duterte now wants to scrap. Duterte appears intent on adopting the opposite tactic, saying recently he hopes to travel to China and meet with President

PCCI... From A1

left 3,441 drug dealers and users dead, including 1,347 in legitimate police operations and 22,387 drug personalities arrested in 23,474 operations under “Oplan Double Barrel” since July 1. Under “Oplan Tokhang,” the police visited a 1,601,691 houses of drug suspects, prompting 52,812 pushers and 679,303 users to surrender themselves to the authorities nationwide, the Palace says. The bloody war against illegal drugs also resulted in the killing of 13 policemen and injuring of 38 others. Three soldiers were also killed and eight others were injured. Barcelon said Duterte’s request for a six-month extension of his campaign against illegal drugs was “reasonable because of the gravity of the issue.” ”Many people did not realize how rampant this drug issue is and, of course, we know very well with drugs, normally it leads to crime,” he told reporters. He said that even the United States, which had criticized the alleged summary killings of drug suspects in the Philippines, had drug-related deaths, which were about 30,000 to 35,000 each year. ”But what I’m saying is that it’s a serious problem for any society whether developed countries or countries like us,” Barcelon said. Barcelon and Dee said peace and order was one of the main considerations by any foreign investor before putting capital in any country. ”Don’t think that peace and order is not an issue, it’s a very, very big issue,” Dee said. ”This [campaign against illegal drugs] is the most difﬁcult goal that the President has set for himself,” Dee said. PNA

of suspected marijuana weighing approximately one kilo from Fernandez’s possession. The actor is now detained at Station 6. Fernandez was the third showbiz personality to be arrested by police operatives who had apprehended starlet Krista Miller and two models in Quezon City over the weekend.

Xi Jinping. Aquino also launched international legal action that in July saw a UN-backed tribunal declare China’s vast claims in the sea illegal. However, Duterte has declined to use the verdict to pressure China. He has also said there will be no joint patrols with the United States in the sea. Still Duterte’s comments have not ﬁltered down into government policy, and it remains unclear to what extent he is prepared to damage ties with the United States. “The [US military] relationship has not changed as of today,” Philippine Defense Department spokesman Arsenio Andolong said Monday. The US Embassy in Manila urged the Philippines on Tuesday to live up to previous agreements. “We will continue to honor our alliance commitments, and we expect the Philippines to do the same,” embassy spokeswoman Molly Koscina said. In Washington, Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said the military was aware of Duterte’s comments. But “it hasn’t really so much translated into tangible actions that we’ve seen with regards to our actions under the alliance,” he said. Leftist groups led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or Bayan protested in front of the US Embassy in Manila Tuesday to protest the joint military exercises. The groups said they support the planned review of the EDCA and its eventual termination. The PHIBLEX 2016 war games involve some 1,400 US troops from Okinawa, Japan and 500 Filipino soldiers, and involves amphibious landing and live ﬁre exercises. They will be joined by four US Navy ships. AFP, Sandy Araneta

The first entertainment personality arrested in the government’s illegal drugs crackdown was former starlet Sabrina M—known in real life as Karen Salas Palasigui—who was caught having pot session inside her house on Pulangui Street, Napocor Village in Barangay Pasong Tamo, Makati City. The arrest of the showbiz personalities was part of a drive against high-profile drug users and pushers after the Taguig City Regional Trial Court branch convicted Joel Tinga, a cousin of former Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga, of drug charges. In a 12-page decision dated September 20, Judge Antonio Olivete of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court Branch 267 found Tinga guilty of selling 10 grams of shabu

Duterte... From A1

streets,” the President added. In a separate speech, Duterte said he did not have fascistic tendencies as his critics have charged. “This is not a fascist state where you can accuse any person, or tell him to take that off, or don’t use that. That is not the way of democracy. We are on the receiving end of criticism,” Duterte said. Several of Duterte’s allies in Congress—including Senator Richard Gordon and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas--have told the President to stop saying that he will kill drug dealers and drug pushers and refrain from talking too much and focus instead on his work. Duterte however, insisted that it’s not his problem, and said there was no law preventing him from threatening criminals. “And you say that my mouth is not for a statesman. Who said that I applied to be a statesman?” he added. Duterte, who has made several international headlines over the last few weeks over his near-daily rants against outspoken critics of his violent war on drugs, slammed the United States and the European Union for once again putting him in a bad light. “Instead of helping us, the ﬁrst one who attacked my war on drugs is the State Department. Mr. Obama, you can go to hell,” he said. “EU, you can choose purgatory,” he added. Duterte said: “Hell is already full already, why should I be afraid of you?” Duterte, who lamented being compared to Nazi leader Adolf leader, reiterated his apology to the Jewish community, who were offended by his speech. Despite the many gaffes he committed, Duterte said he will never bow to American pressure, whom he blamed for his mishaps. “It would be better if I will kneel down the King of Brunei or Thailand than to

Leila’s... From A1

The court recommended that a case be ﬁled against him when it found he was carrying an expired license to carry. After Matobato posted bail on June 30, 2014, his arraignment was postponed three times for different reasons. On Feb. 17, 2015, after he failed to appear for his arraignment, the court forfeited his P2,000 bail bond and issued a warrant for his arrest. But his lawyer Andolana presented a certiﬁcate showing that Matobato was under the Witness Protection Program of the Justice Department and asked the court to recall his warrant of arrest. In his statement during the Senate hearing on extrajudicial killings, Matobato said he was abducted by the Davao police on June 19, 2014 following the death of Cebu-based hotelier Richard Lim King. He said that he was tortured for a week so that he would admit that he was behind King’s death. The National Bureau of Investiga-

Tugade... From A1

Poe said the panel wanted to be apprised on two proposed bus rapid transit systems that will traverse Manila to Quezon City and another from Edsa to Ayala and Ortigas to Naia. The projects will cost P44.23 billion over a three year period assuming the emergency powers requested by the government are in place. Poe’s committee also asked for clarification on why the proposed list of port projects submitted by the Department of Transportation only included Manila ports and not Subic and Batangas ports. “Our traffic problems are by no means confined to land-based transportation. We also have to deal with port congestion resulting to slower movement of goods by sea and air traffic problems causing

during a buy-bust operation in Bicutan in 2009. Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency under the supervision of retired director Gen. Dionisio Santiago entrapped Tinga who was reported to have a huge stash of shabu. A poseur-buyer paid Tinga P60,000 for 10 grams of shabu. After Tinga was apprehended, chemical examination proved the substance he sold was indeed shabu. Besides the life sentence, Tinga was fined P500,000. The court directed city jail officials to transfer him to the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. In northern Metro Manila, the Northern Police District anti-illegal drug operatives confiscated about

kneel before America. Never. You can do your worst but I will risk my job, my life and the Presidency,” he added. On Tuesday, US ofﬁcials said that they are doing their best to ignore Duterte’s anti-American tirates, comparing him however to Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump whose almost everyday attacks were best to ignore. “He is like Mr. Trump,” a top US Defense Department said. “He craves attention, and the more he gets, the more outrageous he becomes. It is wisest to ignore him.” Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis meanwhile, said the military was aware of Duterte’s comments. But “it hasn’t really so much translated into tangible actions that we’ve seen with regards to our actions under the alliance,” he said. “In as much as our alliance with the Philippines is concerned, it’s very much solid and stable and secure and on track,” he added, pointing to continued cooperation in military exercises and assistance with counterterrorism operations in the southern Philippines. The Pentagon ofﬁcial also played down comments from Duterte who threatened to cancel a defense accord with the United States. Duterte on Sunday said he might scrap the treaty, known as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, that went into force in January. Duterte’s foul-mouthed outbursts since he was elected in May have frequently taken aim at the United States, including his calling US President Barack Obama a “son of a whore.” Duterte has also repeatedly threatened to move away from the United States and forge closer ties with China and Russia. Malacañang on Tuesday dismissed the suggestion of Senator Dick Gordon to change the Tourism slogan to “Welcome to the PI,” a swipe at President Rodrigo Duterte’s expletives. “He knows how to handle these things and so I’d like to leave it to him.

tion said Tuesday that Matobato, fearing for his life, refused to go to Davao to help them locate the burial grounds of victims killed by the Davao Death Squad, of which he claimed to be a member. NBI spokesman Ferdinand Lavin and other NBI officials testified Tuesday before the Senate committee on justice, which is investigating the rise in extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration. “He was so afraid, afraid for his life. He said ‘Don’t send me to Davao because I will be killed there,’” Lavin said. Lavin said because they could not locate the places where the bodies were allegedly dumped by the DDS, they could not pursue the case against those that Matobato named in his sworn statement for lack of evidence against the policemen who were tagged. Matobato’s affidavit did not identify Davao City Mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte as being directly involved in the Davao Death Squad, although he testified to this effect before the Senate committee on justice. Senator Leila de Lima, who was Justice secretary at the time, had ordered the NBI to assess Matobato’s

affidavit in 2014 when he executed it. Reports in September 2015 said five Davao City policemen implicated in the alleged Davao Death Squad’s killings were absent during the preliminary hearing of their cases at the Justice Department. The five--Senior Supt. Vicente Danao Jr., SPO1 Reynante Medina, SPO2 Rizalino Aquino, SPO2 Bienvenido Furog and SPO4 Arthur Lascanas—faced charges for violating the Anti-Torture Law and the law on illegal detention. The Justice Department, however, dismissed their case. Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte on Tuesday challenged Matobato to undergo a neurological test to prove he was in his right mind when he testified that the vice mayor ordered the killing of his enemies, including King, the Cebu-based hotelier. Duterte, the President’s son, said that he has no intention to appear before the Senate to defend himself against the allegations of a “madman” after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV summoned him to appear before the committee on justice to answer Matobato’s allegations against him.

ﬂight delays,” Poe said. The public services committee had decided to conclude the hearings after a third hearing on the emergency powers on Sept. 22, to be followed by technical working group meetings toward crafting a committee report on the measure. Alvarez said that, in particular, the Transport department had been remiss in ensuring that the rail systems in Metro Manila did not bog down. “Until now, we still receive reports of trains bogging down,” Alvarez told reporters on Monday. “Some of these have already been privatized. There are train lines that are being operated by private corporations, so these [things] should no longer happen.” Except for the trafﬁc mess, Alvarez said, it felt like President Rodrigo Duterte had made progress in his campaign promises. “The President has done a lot al-

ready,” Alvarez said. “It feels like one year instead of 100 days―particularly in the campaign against illegal drugs.” But Alvarez expressed sadness over the failure of Tugade and his men to ease the plight of commuters who, he said, continued to suffer from the worsening traffic crisis in the first 100 days of the administration. He said Congress wanted to know the parameters of the emergency powers being sought by Tugade. Tugade submitted a 40-page Palace-proposed emergency powers bill that would allow him to have control over several government agencies to resolve the transport mess. But Tugade did not provide details and failed to identify which parts of the country were vulnerable to a traffic crisis, aside from Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. Christine F. Herrera and

With Sandy Araneta

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Mark Anthony Fernandez

P1.3 million worth of shabu and arrested five suspected drug personalities in a raid in Valenzuela City on Sunday. With Jun David He’s a person after his own heart and he knows how to handle the situation. So far, he seems to have adjusted pretty well,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said of the President. He declined to comment on EDCA, saying that was a policy statement that was beyond his pay grade. The Pentagon on Monday downplayed comments from Duterte, after he threatened to cancel a defense accord with the United States. That agreement, sealed under the administration of Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino, allows US forces access to five Philippine bases to help counterbalance a growing Chinese presence in the South China Sea. “This EDCA is an official document... but it does not bear the signature of the president of the republic,” Duterte said. “Better think twice now because I will be asking you to leave the Philippines altogether,” he added. European Union ambassador Franz Jessen said on Tuesday that they would rather focus on policy instead of reacting to President Duterte’s rhetoric. Citing the investment interest and inputs of both countries, Jesses told the reporters that the EU is more concern of the policies being implemented by the Philippine government and not Duterte’s mouth. In September, Duterte called EU a hypocrite and cursed them for the parliament’s recent call to the Philippine government to “put an end” to the killings of drug suspects. “I have read the condemnation of the European Union. I’m telling them, ‘F**k you,’” Duterte said while holding up his middle finger during a speech to local businessmen in his hometown of Davao City on Tuesday. Describing them as hypocrites, Duterte said the parliament “has the gall to condemn me” despite historical records showing what member countries, including France and Britain, have done in the Middle East. With Sara Susanne D. Fabunan, AFP

De Lima...

From A1 “Did I do anything wrong? She should apologize to me because I was liberal with her,” Gordon said, noting that he even allowed senators to give De Lima more time than was allotted to her to question the witnesses. Gordon accused De Lima of committing material concealment for allegedly withholding information that witness and self-confessed Davao Death Squad hitman Edgar Matobato had been charged in a kidnapping case in 2000. De Lima explained that she did not remember if Matobato had mentioned the kidnap-for-ransom case during the hearing so she told them that Matobato may or may not have mentioned it. She said that she had the detail in her notes. However, Gordon, chairman of the justice committee, took this as material concealment. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who had protective custody of Matobato, defended De Lima by reading parts of the transcript that proved that Matobato indeed mentioned it twice in his previous testimony. Gordon also got irked when he called Matobato to testify but was later told that the witness had already left the Senate premises. He said that De Lima and Trillanes seemed to be “hiding something” from them. While Trillanes admitted that he allowed Matobato’s exit, De Lima said she did not know that the witness had already left. De Lima noted that it was Trillanes’ judgment to send Matobato off because it was late evening and they needed to extricate Matobato since it was no longer safe, especially while the people he identiﬁed as alleged DDS members—former and current Davao City police personnel —were there. “They should say sorry to the Senate for unparliamentary conduct,” Gordon said, claiming that De Lima and Trillanes tried to hide Matobato to avoid his being tagged as an unreliable witness. “There’s a long history of trickery

Sex... From A1

Senate Resolution 184 initiated by Senator Risa Hontiveros, head of the Senate committee on women, and signed by Senators Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, Nancy Binay and Loren Legarda. The chamber unanimously approved the resolution and all senators were made co-authors of it. Aguirre admitted having watched one of the alleged sex videos of De Lima, and that it allegedly came from the cellular phone of De Lima’s former driver-bodyguard Ronnie Dayan. “I do not have any details about it but all I can say is I was able to watch the video. It was them,” Aguirre said referring to De Lima and Dayan who has gone into hiding after the NBP controversy broke out. Aguirre said the Justice Department had been preparing an airtight case against De Lima, who has denied any involvement in the illegal drug operations inside the national penitentiary during her tenure as Justice chief. During the House hearing on Thursday, Aguirre said they will present 10 new witnesses that will corroborate earlier testimonies that the former Justice secretary had indeed accepted drug money from the inmates at the national penitentiary. “There are several new witnesses who will attest that they gave the [drug] money directly to De Lima,” Aguirre said. The House committee on justice, led by Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, will resume its hearing on Thursday, when the new witnesses to be presented by the Justice Department are expected to testify that they gave the drug money directly to De Lima. Aguirre said one of the witnesses will testify on the existence of one of the supposed sex videos of De Lima. He said he was pretty sure it was De Lima who was in the sex video he watched, but he refused to elaborate. Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

4 NBI... From A1

the Assistant Director for Forensic and Scientific Research Service. Medardo de Lemos, who was reappointed during the time of President Benigno Aquino III, was retained by Duterte as NBI Assistant Director. “The reshuffle is still ongoing. The reorganization is still ongoing,” Lavin told The Standard, during an exclusive interview at the sidelines of the hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights Monday night. Lavin, together with Joel Tovera, who heads the NBI’s anti-illegal drugs division, and NBI Director Dante Gierran, testified before that Committee on Monday on the alleged extra-judicial killings happening in the country. Sandy Araneta and Vito Barcelo in this country. They didn’t want to show Matobato because they were caught lying. He is not believable anymore,” he added. Gordon said De Lima and Trillanes should first present corroborating evidence that the witnesses were indeed involved in murder. “Matobato is fooling us. I’m a litigator, I’m a lawyer. I’m not stupid. Maybe they think the rest of the people are stupid, maybe they feel they can fool people all the time but not us, not the Senate,” Gordon said. “I am already 71 years old, I have no ambitions except to serve my country. I’m not after a headline. Maybe Trillanes is,” he added. In a separate interview, Trillanes said that Gordon was too “proud” to admit about forgetting that Matobato previously mentioned his kidnap-forransom case. “He [Gordon] should be man enough to admit that he made a mistake. He falsely accused a member of the committee, and now that we show him the truth, he lets his pride take over. His bias shows,” Trillanes said. Sixteen out of more than 20 police officers from Davao City allegedly linked to the DDS were present at the Senate inquiry into extrajudicial killings on Monday. The Davao City cops, who were previously members of the city’s Heinous Crimes Division, were tagged by Matobato in a previous hearing as being responsible for unresolved killings in the city. Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said he would recommend that Gordon abandon or suspend the hearings on extrajudicial killings after the probe was thrown off track by the testimony of Matobato. Senators had openly criticized Matobato, who was presented by De Lima, as a lying witness due to inconsistencies on his testimony given to the Senate hearings on two separate occasions. “We were stuck on Matobato. There were really many inconsistencies and the lies were so glaring,” said Lacson. “We feel that Matobato is just playing with us. It hurts to admit this, but we were really cheated by his testimony.” With PNA

News IN BRIEF Elderly gov sent to jail THE Sandiganbayan has ordered the transfer of convicted 81-year-old former governor of Antique from a hospital to a regular jail. The anti-graft court’s Special Third Division, in a four-page resolution, put an end to the continued hospital detention of the 81-year-old Jovito Plameras, a former Antique governor, by ordering his transfer to the city’s provincial jail. Plameras was convicted of graft and sentenced to six to 10 years imprisonment for underdelieveries of certain number of school equipment in 1997. He paid CKL Enterprises P5.67 million for the delivery of 1,354 grade school desks and 5,246 armchairs when the contractor only delivered 1,294 desks and 1,838 armchairs. The ex-Antique governor elevated his conviction to the Supreme Court but lost his case when the high court affirmed the Sandiganbayan’s ruling in 2013. Plameras had been under hospital detention at the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital since April 8, 2015 after being diagnosed with hypertension. Plameras’ physician, Samuel Tomogan, issued a medical certificate, dated Sept. 18, 2015 validating that he suffered a stroke and was hypertensive. His medical condition then prevented him from traveling to Manila to serve his sentence at the NBP. Later on, Plameras poor medical condition was affirmed by another doctor, Dr. Lester Dizmon of Western Visayas Medical Center, confirming that the former Antique governor suffered a history of stroke which left him with a left-sided weakness. “Considering the testimony of Dr. Tomogan and the medical report of Dr. Dizmon…, there is no more imperative need for the continued hospital detention of the accused. The medical findings merely show that the accused is not fit to travel by air,” the Sandiganbayan said. “Wherefore, the Court hereby orders the commitment of the accused Jovito C. Plameras to the Provincial Jail of Antique,” it added. Maricel V. Cruz

AEDC bids for Naia repair job ASIA’S Emerging Dragon Corporation (AEDC) will submit a bid for the $1.65-billion redevelopment of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to improve the country’s premier airport and meet the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization. AEDC president Salvador Mison said the project is under the government’s Public-Private Partnership scheme. The AEDC will have a foreign partner that would “improve the operational efficiencies” of the four Naia terminals. Mison said “we are participating in the bidding because we firmly believe in the growth potential of our country’s premier airport, given our past experience of pushing for Philippine aviation development.” The AEDC is confident it can provide viable solutions to Naia’s inter-terminal connectivity as well as traffic congestion in the area. Vito Barcelo

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Workers, employers miss win-win solution By John Paolo Bencito

USINESSMEN and labor groups failed to reach consensus on the “win-win” solution proposed to end the unfair and abusive of labor contractualization and the higly controversial end-of-contract, or “endo,” scheme in the country.

A top business leader, meanwhile, scored a senior Department of Labor ofﬁcial whom he blamed for the worsening dispute resulting in the persistent rejection of the “win-win” solution by

the labor groups. Following a tripartite conference called by the Labor Department last Monday, wherein groups were asked to settle their positions on the “win-win” setup

proposed by employer groups, several labor groups nixed the proposal they claimed was against President Rodrigo Duterte’s vow to end contractualization and other illegal labor practices in the country. “The Department of Labor [and Employment] is consulting with the labor sector. And I think the labor sector is still requesting for some clariﬁcation,” George Barcelon, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, told Malacañang reporters Tuesday. The Trade and Labor departments had earlier suggested a “win-win” setup proposed by employers themselves wherein work-

ers would be hired by the service providers and agencies as regulars, receiving full beneﬁts such as leave credits, 13th month pay as well as retirement, social security and health insurance plans, among others. Companies, meanwhile, will have the ﬂexibility to either directly hire workers as regular employees or outsource them through the service providers, in view of seasonal job functions as required by their needs and other operational demands. Barcelon, who represents the mostly small and medium enterprise-led PCCI along with Donald Dee, chairman emeritus of the

AGRI BUDGET. Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol explains to Senator Cynthia Villar programs he plans to implement with the administration’s budget for next year. Lino Santos

Mixed views on same-sex marriage By Maricel V. Cruz LAWMAKERS on Tuesday are singing different tunes on the commitment of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to champion a measure legalizing same-sex union in predominantly Catholic Philippines, where nearly 90 percent of its 102-million population are Christians. Navotas Rep. Tobias Tiangco thumbed down the idea that there must be a legislation to that effect even if he supported uphold-

ing the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. He said Congress should focus on legislating measures that would uplift the lives of the Filipino people, especially the poor. “I do not think a law for same sex marriage is timely. We have to prioritize bills that will uplift the lives of the poor or ease their burden. An example is the bill I proposed exempting from income tax those earning P30,000 monthly and below, and lower

the income tax brackets even for the middle class,” said Tiangco. Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte himself said Congress must open the debates on the controversial proposal allowing divorce in the country, instead of the same-sex union. “I think we should ﬁrst open the debate on divorce before we tackle the proposal on same sex marriage. There have been proposals advocating divorce in the country and some sectors are pushing for its passage,” said

Villafuerte. Divorce is not practiced in the Christian areas of this country, which received the Catholic faith in 1521, but is practiced in the Muslim areas in Mindanao, where Islam was established in 1380. Villafuerte said the bill on same sex union was “controversial” that it has to go through extensive consultations, especially among the “conservative sector” such as Congress which is a male-dominated government institution.

Koko eyes hike in campaign budget cap By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has ﬁled a bill increasing the budget bracket of campaign expenses of candidates for future national and local elections. Under Senate Bill 1178, Koko said spending limits for candidates, as set by the Omnibus Election Code, should be raised to make it more realistic and responsive to the dynamics of the changing times. Pimentel said the proposed measure in-

creases the “authorized aggregates” amount for the campaign expenditure of candidates and political parties for every voter currently registered. He explained that for more than two decades, the amount limiting the expenses of candidates and political parties remained the same. However, in a study conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, there was 259.5-percent increase in the prices of commodities from 1991 to 2015, making it dif-

ﬁcult for politicians in trying to limit their spending in accordance with the law. “The value of P1.00 in 1991 is now equivalent to P3.60. Also the National Economic and Development Authority [Neda] projected the P3.00 used for elections-related spending in 1991 is equivalent to P9.10 in 2016,” Pimentel said in his explanatory note. Under the measure, the campaign budget cap will be increased from P10 per registered voter to P20 if the candidate is gunning for the presidency.

Alvarez rejects plan to make Red rangers

ANOTHER UNSAFE DAY AT THE OFFICE. A lineman works on power lines along Samson Road in Caloocan City without safety gear. Andrew Rabulan

Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines expressed support for the proposed “win-win” solution by the government for workers to be regularized and enjoy all benefits mandated by the law. “They will get the benefits and they would be registered SSS members. So that’s one thing from the employer side. If we were to get some employees, our workers from the service provider, we have to make certain that they are registered with the SSS. And they will also enjoy all the full benefits, 13th month, holiday pay, and all of these must be granted. So we’re for that solution,” Barcelon said.

SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Tuesday thumbed down a senator’s proposal to deputize former New People’s Army rebels as forest rangers. “We better hire them as tax collectors [of the Bureau of Internal Revenue] or Customs police,” Alvarez told reporters, stressing the need for NPA returnees to be reintegrated into society and that the government must be able to support and provide them livelihood. “Many of them are qualiﬁed [to either be BIR tax collectors or Customs police] because most of them came from schools before they seek refuge to [sic] the mountains because of perceived social inequalities,” Alvarez stressed. “Let’s bring them back to nor-

mal living by giving them decent jobs. We can train them for BIR or Bureau of Customs,” Alvarez added. Senator Ralph Recto earlier broached the idea of hiring exrebels as “guardians of the forest,” saying the latter are fit for the job for they have more knowledge with the mountain terrain. Recto said the country’s forest guards need reinforcements, having only one government guard per 3,376 hectares. “The lack of forest guards has made our timberlands prone to fires, poachers, and destruction,” Recto said as he urged the government to come up with the financial cost of transforming rebels into civilians. Maricel V. Cruz

Drugs top barangay assembly By Francisco Tuyay THE government’s determined nationwide campaign against illegal drugs will be the top agenda of barangays during their first Barangay Assembly Day under the Duterte administration on Oct. 9. Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno said since the campaign against illegal drugs is one of the top priorities of President Rodrigo Duterte, barangay officials should discuss with their constituents how they can help eradicate the pervasive social menace. “Barangays are the first line of defense to lead the fight against illegal drugs. Communities are more familiar of the peace and order situation in their areas,” said Sueno. The Barangay Assembly Day is mandated under the Local Government Code of 1991, wherein “the barangay assembly shall meet twice a year to hear and discuss the semestral report of the Sangguniang Barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay.” Sueno directed officials from more than 42,000 barangays to discuss their compliance with national laws and issuances such as revitalization of the Badac— the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council—and their roles in drug clearing operations. “We call on barangays to reactivate their Badacs and do their functions consistently such as gathering, updating, and reporting all drug-related data and information in their neighborhood,” said Sueno. “Punong barangays must declare during their Barangay Assembly Day a substantial appropriation from their annual budget for anti-illegal drugs programs, projects and activities in accordance to the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” he added. Francisco Tuyay

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Just doing the job

FAVORITE sport among spokesmen and apologists for President Duterte these days is to blame journalists for the gaffes that they or their boss commits. The recent controversy over Mr. Duterte’s remarks likening his anti-drug campaign to the Nazi Holocaust because he would be “happy to slaughter” three million drug addicts, is certainly the most dramatic, but certainly not the only example.

After stories—and video footage—of the President’s remarks triggered an international firestorm of criticism, Palace officials blamed the media for wrongly reporting on his statements. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella described the reporting on the Hitler gaffe as “sensationalist,” and said it was “another crude attempt to vilify the President in the eyes of the world.”

He said critics had long been comparing Duterte to Hitler during the campaign, and what the President was doing last week was to reject that comparison, Abella said. “The President himself flatly rejected the Hitler comparison as can be seen in his reaction. The President recognizes the deep significance of the Jewish experience especially their tragic and painful history,” he said.

In his Sept. 30 speech, Duterte noted that Hitler ordered the massacre of millions of Jews, then said: “Now there are three million drug addicts… I’m happy to slaughter them.” “At least if Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have you know…,” he added. “My victims, I would like to be all criminals to finish the problem of my country and save the next generation from perdition.” Not to be outdone, Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay accused “unscrupulous journalists” of deliberately twisting the President’s statements. “The misconception or misunderstanding or misinterpretation is not on the basis of what the President has said, but on the basis of what is written on the media,” Yasay said in a TV interview.

“There is a deliberate scheme or distortion or attempt to distort the statement of the President to make the public misunderstand what he is saying,” he added. Was it sensational for the press to play up the President’s Hitler remarks? Did media distort what he said? We hardly think so. The journalists who reported on the President’s remarks were just doing their jobs—picking as they are trained to do—the most newsworthy thing that Duterte said that day. Video footage of the speech is easily accessible on the internet, where anyone can view it and verify the accuracy of the reports and make up his or her own mind. From where we sit, it was clear that it was the President and his spokesmen who were not doing their jobs—he for not thinking before he opened

his mouth, and they for failing to avert disaster. Journalists are an easy mark, especially for people who do not understand the news business. In the aftermath of the flap over Duterte’s Hitler remarks, one political observer even blamed the media for asking “provocative” questions that they knew would make the President fly over the handle. For the good of the country, he added, journalists must learn to couch their questions in terms that would not provoke the temperamental President. We would like to know when it became the job of journalists to appease or second guess those in power. The last time we looked, that was not part of our job description—except maybe during the Martial Law years. BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

‘Mighty Mouth’ scaring US aid away

Walking out LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES WHEN cornered, walk out. That’s just how the Terrible Two in the Senate roll. The other night, deep into the 12-hour hearing by the Senate committee of justice and human rights on so-called extrajudicial killings, Leila de Lima one-upped Antonio Trillanes, her fellow traveler on the Yellow brick road, in their personal battle for the walkout record. The score is now De Lima 2, Trillanes 1. Earlier, both were tied with Rene Saguisag, the original walkout king of the Senate, who pulled off the stunt way back in August 1987. Saguisag stepped out of the Senate so long ago that I doubt if even he remembers why he staged

his footloose protest—if he remembers the incident at all. Because Saguisag is no longer a senator, he can’t add to his walkout tally anymore. But four years ago, during the Corona impeachment hearings, Saguisag got close enough to Senate to accuse the embattled chief justice of walking out of his own trial, prompting the old former lawmaker to spout a famous line from Cicero’s Catiline Orations in the original Latin; maybe Rene’s memory isn’t as bad as I think. As for De Lima’s tag-team, riding-in-tandem partner, Trillanes, he voted with his feet during a plenary session on Sept. 19, 2012, while Senator Juan Ponce Enrile was grilling him on the junior senator’s role as an unauthorized negotiator with the Chinese government. Enrile called Trillanes “the Phantom of the Opera of Philippine politics” because of the latter’s ninja-like moves to in-

stall himself as a backdoor channel after his boss, Noynoy Aquino, decided he was no longer talking to the Chinese—for personal profit, not out of patriotism, Enrile said.

mouthing Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and of nominating Interior Secretary Mar Roxas to head up the foreign affairs department. Trillanes just up and left the session hall, probably because he was scared that if he didn’t, Enrile would summon a police officer to drag him out by his waistband, reDe Lima and prising that famous photo of him after he “laid siege” to the wellTrillanes should stocked buffet tables at the Manila walk out of the Peninsula hotel. As for De Lima, she first got Senate for good high on walking out of the Senate and for the good in the middle of a recent privilege speech by her and Trillanes’ selfof the nation, appointed nemesis in the chamber, taking Matobato Alan Peter Cayetano. The camera with them. caught De Lima briefly conferring with her alleged mentor in the Senate, Franklin Drilon, before gathering up her things and slowly, dramatically walking behind Enrile, using notes made by Cayetano—who didn’t even skip a Ambassador to Beijing Sonia beat while delivering his own antiBrady, accused Trillanes of bad- De Lima tirade from the podium.

As Saguisag (or Cicero, I forget which) would say: Quo usque tandem abutere, Leila de Lima, patientia nostra? *** The second Leila walkout episode last Monday night was precipitated by her anger at the senator who replaced her as justice committee chairman, Richard “Dick” Gordon. Dick and his co-chairman Panfilo Lacson took De Lima and Trillanes to task for a) failing to disclose that their star witness, Edgar Matobato, had been charged with kidnapping a Turkish national and had filed a counter-affidavit, and b) allowing Matobato to leave the Senate despite Gordon’s order for him to stick around, because the policemen he had accused of horrible crimes were at the session hall to refute his allegations. De Lima, by my count, threatened Turn to A5

BECAUSE of his “foot in mouth” propensity, President Rodrigo Duterte could be scaring away millions of dollars in US aid. The mercurial Duterte may say, so what? And possibly say it with his usual expletive, profanity-laced words for Washington. But these are the cold, hard figures the Philippines received from the US in fiscal year 2016: $175 million as development assistance; $50 million in foreign military spending; and $75 million for counter terrorism and maritime security. Since 2011, the Philippines got three US Coast Guard cutters. Digong is losing his cool and the Philippines is losing friends. Allies like the US, in particular, are starting to rethink its relationship with the Philippines which has a Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington. The 1951 MDT was further strengthened with the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement signed two years ago when the Chinese dragon was breathing too closely on our necks in the West Philippine Sea. Edca grants US troops access to Philippine military bases under the Visiting Forces Agreement and the annual Balikatan war exercises between the two countries. Can Duterte recoup or replace US foreign aid when he comes visiting in Beijing on October 19 to 20? Mr. Duterte has made known his plans to purchase military hardware from China and Russia, a move surely not welcomed by Washington. How sure are we of getting high-quality weapons and not substandard ones from China? We have a running territorial row with Beijing in the West Philippine Sea. If the Chinese-made weapons are up to par, what guarantee do we have that spare parts are available in the event the territorial row comes to a head? A shift in China’s policy in its nine-dash line claim to nearly the entire South China Sea looks remote despite a Duterte visit to Beijing. The Chinese need the territory that is potentially rich in oil, gas and mineral resources beneath the sea to solve its internal problem posed by having to feed 1.3 billion people. Apparently, the President’s visit is to make up for the non-event back channel efforts of former President Fidel V. Ramos who 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 VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Six years to change

Walking... From A4 to walk out three times before actually doing so, as if she thought she could convince Gordon and Lacson to stop being such hard-asses if they wanted her to continue to honor them with her presence. But Gordon responded like they do on Magsaysay Boulevard to Trillanes’ call for him to apologize to De Lima: “Not in your lifetime, boy!”; so Leila walked out again, for the second time since she became a senator. But what was the fuss all about, really? Gordon and Lacson were aghast that De Lima and Trillanes, Matobato’s co-managers, did not disclose that the witness had been charged before a prosecutor for kidnapping and had already submitted an affidavit in his defense. In his affidavit, which only Matobato and his Senate handlers knew about, the witness never said the Davao City police and/or Davao Death Squad helped him kidnap Sali Makdum, the Turkish “international terrorist.” He only pointed to men “in military uniforms” as the kidnappers, not cops. This was what Gordon and

Lacson meant when they said Matobato and the two other senators were guilty of “material concealment.” If the three had informed the committee that Matobato had already issued a sworn statement that was very much different from his Senate testimony, the policemen who went to Manila from Davao (at their own expense, I’m told) to rebut his claims would never have been summoned. As for Trillanes hiding from the committee that he had told Matobato to leave “for security reasons,” that’s just a lot of cow manure, according to Dick and Ping. My own theory is that Trillanes was just hiding Matobato from the Davao cops against whom he made such wild accusations, in the same way that he escaped from the Senate to avoid Enrile’s questions about selling Panatag Shoal to the Chinese. Walking is good for your health, they say. And what I really want is for De Lima and Trillanes to walk out of the Senate for good and for the good of the nation, taking their clueless flunky Matobato with them. Ave atque vale, as Rene would say. And stay out.

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte’s ﬁrst 100 days

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

PRESIDENT Duterte may have DND dig deeper into this case. created a virtual tidal wave around the world. He has used foul lan*** guage against Pope Francis, United The appointment of Mark States President Barack Obama, Villar, congressman son of forUnited Nations Secretary-General mer Speaker and Senate PresiBan Ki-moon, Amnesty Inter- dent Manny Villar and Senator national, the UN Human Rights Cynthia Villar, as secretary of Watch rapporteurs, the American Public Works and Highways soldiers in Mindanao, Australia was controversial from the start. and even the Jewish community. The Villars have many housBut I would rather focus on ing projects—it’s simply conwhat he has done, so far. He has flict of interest. gone against criminality, illeSure enough, the service road gal drugs and corruption. And leading to Merville Park Vildefinitely, all things considered, lage and Moonwalk Subdivision Duterte is winning the war. The has been extended all the way to very fact that his war against C-5, a road development passing illegal drugs has led to the de- through the subdivision and propcrease of crimes by 50 percent erty developments of the Villars. resonates with the people who have given him unprecedented *** trust and acceptance. The year 2016, being an elecIn Colombia alone, the gov- tion year, was predicted to be a ernment has been fighting drug promising one for the broadcast cartels, big and small, for the companies. True enough, the past 30 years. In Mexico, big deluge of political ads on televicartels, like the Sinaloa, which sion translated into billions of already has it pesos in revtentacles in the enues, espePhilippines, is cially for the still a menace to c o u n t r y ’s I believe contend with detwo leading spite the arrest Duterte can still radio and of its drug lord in change because I TV network the US. the ABSIn the US, co- see his humility. CBN and caine is a menace GMA-7. worth no less that Based on ABS-CBN’s $6 billion, while in Europe, Russian drug syndi- Management Discussion and cates have made their presence Analysis of Financial Condiknown. tion and Results of Operation The reason I believe Duterte (MD&A) for the first half of the can still change is that he has year, the Lopez-led company enough humility to accept his generated consolidated revmistakes and apologize for enues of P20.990 billion from them. The very fact that after advertising and consumer sales, a speech, the President bows to or 19 percent higher than the his audience, shows this. same period in 2015. In this respect he is so unlike Rival station GMA Network, his predecessor, BS Aquino III, which is owned by the Gozon, when never apologized for any- Duavit and Jimenez families, on thing, much more accepted his the other hand, reported that its mistakes. gross revenues reached P8.760 In fact, Aquno tolerated every- billion, or 32 percent higher thing, including the mistakes and than the 2015 figure. incompetence of his friends. The bottom line of two rival networks, however, is more tell*** ing of which network is in fact The arrest was made right ahead—financially speaking, to next door to Camp Crame. This be sure. GMA-7 reported a net should make Malacañang, Po- income of P2.378 billion, P264 lice Chief Ronald dela Rosa million or 11 percent higher than and Defense Secretary Delfin ABS-CBN’s P2.114 billion. For Lorenzana realize that some of the first quarter, GMA-7’s net the very guns used by the Abu income was at P1.013 billion, still Sayyaf Group to kill military higher than ABS-CBN’s P761 personnel come from the Armed million net income by P252 milForces of the Philippines. lion or 32 percent. President Duterte, who has These figures are there to been visiting military camps for analyze. Congratulations to the last several weeks, should Henry Gozon of GMA-7 and at least make the PNP and the his staff.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

THREE things stand out during President Duterte’s first 100 days in office: one, a vicious and bloody campaign against illegal drugs and its users and dealers; two, the hardening of presidential policy statements against longtime ally and mentor the United States; and three, failure to cut red tape and corruption in the bureaucracy. The first cut drug supply by 90 percent from streets and reduced crime by 49 percent. Some 3,300 died in the campaign, half of them killed by vigilantes. In the process, the tough as nails Duterte acquired a global reputation as a murderer and one lacking in the manners and mores of a leader of a nation with more than 102 million, the 12th largest on earth. Meanwhile, some 800,000 drug addicts have surrendered. Duterte says their number will reach a million by yearend. Accordingly, the President has extended the drugs campaign from three to six months to another six months. Some 35 people are killed daily because of drugs. The second strained relations with America and brought it to the precipice of ruin, breakup, if not total collapse. Commanderin-chief Duterte wants American troopers out of Mindanao, pronto. He wonders why the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, despite the fact that it has the effect of a treaty or an executive agreement (between two presidents of sovereign nations) and would effectively return US bases in five agreed locations the Philippines, was signed only by the Filipino defense secretary then and the US ambassador, the outgoing Philip S. Goldberg whom Duterte once described, in Pilipino, as “gay”. A supine Supreme Court last January

2016 declared the Edca “not constitutionally infirm.” The third may be a reflection of the fact that corruption in government is so endemic bureaucrats treat it as a matter of right and perk and that the bureaucracy is so wellentrenched it is nimble enough to repel threats from no less than the President for reform or perish. It still takes two months to get an appointment to apply for a passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs. The first available date is Nov. 29. Next to that of course, is December. The only thing that beats red tape at DFA and the slowest internet of Filipinos is the colossal traffic in Metro Manila, rated as the worst in the world. On Friday, Sept. 30, floods coming from clogged drains in Balintawak market in the north rose more than a meter. They caused traffic to standstill for 22 kilometers and for six hours up to the Naia. Crossing from Resort World hotel to Naia Terminal 3 just across the street, took two hours by car. Walking, but under the rains, would have been 12 times faster. The cherubic GM of the Metro Manila Development Authority, Tim Orbos, discovered the cause of the traffic at 11 p.m. After fixing it, he found two MMDA traffic enforcers under a dark shade mulcting a motorist. He scolded the two but they scolded back, angry that Orbos, their boss whom they did not recognize, was interfering with traffic duty. The first guy was fired the next day. The second, who had no business being in the field because he was supposed to be assigned at the main office, is undergoing “due process.” Had the two enforcers been engaged in illegal drugs, they would have been shot on the spot, in accordance with Duterte’s doctrine of anyone caught in the act of committing a crime should be dealt with extreme prejudice. But then Tim Orbos is a former seminarian and according to the most cel-

ebrated tablet of all time, Moses’. murder (Commandment No. 6) is a crime worse than stealing (Commandment No. 8). There are still fixers in various offices of the Land Transportation Office. There are still no new driver’s licenses and no vehicle plates. October was the promised arrival of nirvana (arrival of licenses and plates). No sight of that. And the three days maximum time demanded by Duterte for government agencies to process papers, permits or applications of ordinary mortals doing business with government remains a dream. Overall, the medium and longterm outlook is mixed at best. The Philippine economy remains robust. But global growth is sluggish. Duterte plans to impose massive tax increases on products and services consumed by the poor—diesel, by P10 per liter; sugar by P10 per liter of soft drinks, and no more value added tax (VAT) exemption for seniors. VAT itself will rise to 16 from 12 percent, already the highest in Asia. The tax on the rich will go down. Inheritance tax will drop to six percent, from 20 percent; the highest tax rate on corporate income will drop to 25 from 30 percent. Only 20 families own the more than 230 companies listed in the stock exchange. The World Bank gloats about the Philippines’ strong and stable economic fundamentals begun and achieved during the nine years of the much-maligned Gloria Arroyo administration, resulting in unprecedented 71 quarters of consecutive economic growth. At the same time, global growth will contract to 2.3 percent this year, from 2.6 percent in each of 2015 and 2014. The economy grew 6.9 percent in the first half this year, up from 5.5 percent in the first half of 2015. “The economy continues to defy global trends,” notes the World Bank. Recovery in rich

countries failed targets. Global trade growth remains sluggish. Capital has become volatile, thanks to “Brexit” or Britain’s departure from the European Union beginning March 2017. Credit for the Philippine growth goes to Filipinos, not outside investors. Capital formation, or investments made by businesses in machinery, equipment and buildings or factories rose 27.1 percent in the first half of 2016, up tremendously from the 16.7 percent rise in investments in durable equipment and construction in the first half of 2015. Credit goes to the Filipino consumers, too. Their spending this year has been the fastest since 2012, at 7.2 percent year-on-year, thanks to strong remittances of Filipino expats. Services, basically wholesale and retail (the malls), banking (which handles the remittances), and the selling of real estate, grew 8 percent in the first half to account for 60 percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product or total economic output). Manufacturing was equally strong, up by 7.2 percent. Food production has been bad, however. Agriculture is down 3.3 percent in the first half 2016. Blame bad weather and the incompetence of BS Aquino’s agriculture secretary, Proceso Alcala who was linked to smuggling and whose family is linked to illegal drugs. Food is 55 percent of an average family’s spending. Without adequate food supply and onerous taxes like P10 a liter tax on diesel (the mainstay of fishermen and small irrigation pumps), how can Duterte reduce poverty incidence from 26 percent at present to 17 percent by 2022? The 9-point reduction is equivalent to freeing 10 million individuals from the clutches of poverty in six years. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Changing mindsets SO I SEE LITO BANAYO SO MUCH has been said, mostly in shock and condemnation, of President Duterte’s “disruptive” remarks against the Western powers, particularly our so-called “long time ally,” the United States of America. In Bacolod over the weekend at the invitation of my good friend Deputy BIR Commissioner Clint Aranas, whose hospitality knows no bounds, I encountered some rather “worried” reactions from political acquaintances who basically said that the President may be pushing the envelope too far in his “anti” US rhetoric. This worry is of course understandable in the heart of sugarlandia whose mono-crop largesse was largely built up for years of market preference based on the US sugar quota. Friends asked me for tips on how they could communicate best what the President they supported really means when he fulminates against the powerful US of A, or the United Nations or even the European Union. Truth is, it is the Filipino who should begin to change his or her mindset. The President we elected in May this year has long changed his mindset about “favored” friends and “reliable” alliances. He has been a keen student of history, and most probably scoffed at the textbook on Philippine history we were both fed by our teachers and Catholic school administrators, which kept reminding us of America’s “altruistic”

Mighty... From A4

was tapped by Duterte as special envoy to repair strained relations with China. To soften the failure of the back channeling effort, the Palace will probably issue a statement saying FVR worked out the Duterte visit. While Washington officials still see US-PHL ties as “iron clad” going back to the 1951 MDT, a dent in relations has certainly begun to appear since Duterte assumed power. Washington circles cannot be blamed for seeing in Duterte’s outbursts against President Barack Obama and his courtship of China and Russia as an inclination to sleep with the enemy. In his latest eyebrow-raising statement, Duterte said he wants to review Edca which has been upheld by the Supreme Court as legal,

rule of the Philippine Islands for 40 years while hiding the brutalities of the war that preceded it, from Bud Dajo to Balangiga and elsewhere. In reminding both the international community and the Filipino publics, media especially, of these incidents in our history, Duterte seeks to re-cast the Filipino mindset that America is our one and only “trusted” ally, and that we therefore should pursue an independent foreign policy so that we will be respected by the rest of the international community which heretofore has regarded our country as some servile appendage of the US of A. There are still those who believe that being friends with China, or even Russia is pushing it too far, and may offend the sensibilities of the Americans, especially those feared “manipulators” in the CIA and Pentagon. Such perceptions are further bolstered by the belief, rightly or wrongly, that what happened to Marcos and Estrada, the two targets of “people power,” could not have succeeded, or even transpired, without American intervention. But, as we wrote about in our previous article last Monday, it’s all about seeking balance. In pursuing our best interests as a nation, we should be friends to all and enemies to no one. But to begin with, the Filipino public must shake off the mindset that our fate must be bound together with the US of A, come hell or high water. It may be precisely because we have chosen through all these years to sink or swim with that powerful North American nation that we have been unable to take advantage of opportunities for economic advancement that are available bilaterally from other countries

or other multilateral alliances. Recently, Wilson Lee Flores, writing for another paper, recounted his recent attendance at a twoday conference in Xian City in the Shaanxi Province of China, the principal topic of which was the 4 trillion dollar trans-continental development loan development plan called the One-Belt, One Road Initiative which seeks to link all of Asia to the Middle East and Europe via trade, reliving the ancient trade routes. He makes mention of his being seated beside Jonathan E. Hillman of the American think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Philip Fleischmann of Germany’s business paper, Handelsblatt. One of the best speakers in the conference, he relates, was US investment banker Dr. Robert Lawrence Kuhn. In fine, we can remain a friend and ally of the United States even as we seek stronger relations with other countries whose economic or political agenda may rival those of America. I recall for instance how Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi balanced their country’s relations with both the US and the USSR at the height of the Cold War, when the State Department was dictating our foreign policy through a succession of presidents who trusted the “benevolence” of our mighty ally. Where is India now? One of the world’s great economies, rivaling in growth so many countries who used to decry its massive poverty and backwardness. As we write, it is now the world’s fastest-growing economy. Why can’t we be like them? Rodrigo Duterte is not a Chinese toady, nor a great admirer of Vladimir Putin, whom he once described in less-than-lofty terms. And nei-

ther is he an American puppet, so unlike a gaggle of his predecessors. He is simply a Filipino who will put his country’s interests over and above any other country, and will fight for such interests no matter whose sensibilities he pricks. He keeps arguing that if the Americans really wanted to protect our maritime claims over the West Philippine Sea, then why did it allow the Chinese to reclaim islands out of rocks, and occupy these in the first place? The truth is, America will protect only its national interests, which is fine, as a country’s foreign policy is a function of its domestic interests. But sauce for the goose must be sauce for the gander. In like manner, the Philippines must do whatever is best for its national interests, especially for the benefit of teeming millions of poor in this country left backward by wrong policies and a subservient past. So if Rodrigo Duterte seems to be “boorish” or “extreme” in his statements, read it as an attempt to recalibrate calcified mindsets and attitudes built through years of misguided brainwashing. He does not find it humiliating to apologize whenever his judgment goes awry or his statements run afoul. He is capable of eating his unfortunate words and saying sorry for language said in anger. Such humility belies attempts to picture him as an aspiring dictator. When he sees that we as a people have regained our nationalistic bearings, and are conscious of our rights in the community of nations, watch him bring us back to center. Let us give him space. His heart is in the right place. He has a sharp mind. He has a great sense of history. And to top it all, he has balls.

valid and binding. How can one man overturn a high court ruling? He maintains Edca was not signed by the President of the Republic but only by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and his US counterpart. Duterte has taken issue with Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Is Rody ready to take it to the next level or will he wait until he can stack the SC with his own appointees? He has made threats to abolish Congress if it becomes an obstruction against his policies especially his war on drugs. Half-a-million residents and naturalized American-Filipinos also frown on any strain on US-Philippine relations. They can lobby their respective congressmen to stop the foreign aid pipeline if the present president of the Philippines does not desist from his destructive ranting

against the US and the UN. Some members of the US congress in key budget, military and foreign relations committees are asking for a review of US support to the Philippines because of the extrajudicial killings arising from Duterte’s ruthless war on drugs and Digong’s mouthful against US foreign policy and President Obama. There is a powerful Jewish lobby in Washington. Although he already apologized for comparing the extrajudicial killings of drug suspects to Adolf Hitler’s slaughter of three million Jews, it isn’t going to assuage the outrage of the powerful and influential Jewish bloc in American society. It is a reality in US politics that presidential and congressional candidates, whether Democrats or Republicans,

get huge contributions from the Jewish lobby that controls business conglomerates and multinational companies. It’s a basic rule in life that you don’t bite the hand that feeds you. That adage still holds true today, in politics and more so in international relations. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is set to approve the P3.3-trillion national budget by year’s end. The President has been promising salary increases to military and police personnel. Income tax exemptions to those earning not more than P250,000 a year is also in the offing. Where will the Duterte administration source the funds for all this? It does not take a rocket scientist to know the numbers do not add up.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Solons push hospital funding By Lance Baconguis

EFTIST congressmen urged their colleagues in the House of Representatives to sign a petition asking the Duterte administration to provide sufﬁcient funding for government hospitals in the 2017 budget to avoid detrimental effects on public service, particularly to the poor.

“I wonder if President Duterte is aware of the health budget cuts and its dire consequences on poor patients. This is the opposite of the Cuba public health care model which he instructed

Secretary Paulyn Ubial to learn from,” said Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate. “Secretaries Benjamin Diokno and Ubial should have a heart and reconsider the budget cuts,” he

said as he urged congressmen to sign the petition titled “Legislators Unite: Stop Hospital Budget Cuts” asking the administration to save 26 national hospitals and dozens of LGU facilities from closure. So far, Zarate said 98 legislators have affixed their signatures to the petition meant to ensure adequate financial support for equipment and personnel that would assure poor patients can continue to get free or low-cost care. Gabriela Women’s Party also urged the Departments of Health, Finance and Budget and Management to fully disclose long-term plans for the Dr. Jose

Fabella Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila. “The DoH said that the budget for the transfer and upgrade of Fabella to DoH-San Lazaro Compound amounts to P2.00025 billion—P1.617 billion for infrastructure and P383.25 million for medical equipment, in a report on the Transfer and Modernization of the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital dated 28 September 2016 yet the P383 million budget intended for medical equipment component was not included in the DoH 2017 NEP,” said Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus. “We cannot allow such haphaz-

ard, clearly unplanned moves that will jeopardize the health and well being of indigent mothers in Metro Manila who hope to avail of health services in Fabella, a known public maternity hospital for the poor,” she added. The two legislators said the 2017 General Appropriations Act cut the budgets of 12 specialty hospitals by as much as P446.8 million. This is 25 percent of the 2016 MOOE of P1.81 billion which is now pegged at P1.36 billion in the 2017 GAA. Most affected will be the Philippine Orthopedic Center (44 percent decrease), Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (43 percent

IN BRIEF

Court rejects appeal vs INC

UP official pursues bid for president UNIVERSITY of the PhilippinesDiliman Chancellor Michael Tan pursued his application for university president to challenge the age requirement which he described as discriminatory. “I intentionally filed my candidacy papers last Sept. 23 to challenge the age requirement of having to complete the six-year presidency before the age of 70,” he said, but the Board of Regents stood firm on its ground to disqualify Tan, 66, who will turn 70 on Sept. 12, 2022. “It is wrong to discriminate against senior citizens, who have much to contribute,” said Tan in a letter to the Board of Regent, adding, however, that he does not plan to take any further steps. Those at the shortlist vying for the position of UP president were Dr. Consolacion R. Alaras, professor Danilo L. Concepcion, professor Gisela P. Concepcion, professor Prospero de Vera III, professor Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Dr. Orlando Mercado, professor Benito M. Pacheco, Dr. Roger D. Posadas, professor Caesar A. Saloma and Tan. Rio N. Araja

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has sustained its April 2016 decision dismissing the appeal for protection order by former Iglesia ni Cristo worker Lowell Menorca and his family. In a three-page resolution, the CA’s 7th Division stressed that petitioners Anthony, brother of Lowell and sister-in-law Jungko Otsuka failed to raise new issues in their motion for reconsideration that would warrant a reversal of their earlier decision. “After due consideration, it has become manifestly clear that petitioners’ arguments are mere reiterations of points and issues which were discussed and addressed in the Resolution sought to be reconsidered and since no new matter and argument had been raised, we find no cogent reason to justify the modification, amendment or reversal of our ruling,” stated the resolution penned by Associate Justice Victoria Isabel A. Paredes. The appellate court pointed out that it would not determine question that have already become moot and academic “because there is no longer any justiciable controversy to speak of.” “The judgment will not serve any useful purpose or have any practical legal effect because, in the nature of things, it cannot be enforced,” the resolution said. The petition was filed in October last year after Menorca and his family were taken and allegedly detained by INC after he was suspected of being Antonio Ebanghelista, the blogger who has been writing against INC. The INC sought the dismissal of the petition pointing out that the Menorca family is already out of the CA’s jurisdiction.

SAVE THE HOSPITALS. Members of the Alliance Health Workers picket the House of Representatives to denounce the cuts in the national government’s 2017 budget. Manny Palmero

Drilon passes buck on nurses’ pay hike SENATOR Franklin M. Drilon passed responsibility for the pay increase for nurses and teachers which the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III vetoed during the 16th Congress when Drilon was Senate president. In a statement on Tuesday, Drilon urged President Rodrigo Duterte to grant a P3,000 additional allowance to about 1.3 million civilian government employees, less than four months after Aquino vetoed the consolidated bill that would have hiked the salaries of nurses. “I urge the President to extend his generosity that he has showered our uniformed men and women to our equally deserving and dedicated civilian personnel,” Drilon said. “It is only timely and proper that we provide relief to civilian employees, whose purchasing power has erod-

ed through the years, by way of an additional allowance of P3,000 per month,” Drilon said. Drilon said civilian employees “are having a hard time to cope with the rising cost of living,” adding workers should get an additional allowance on top of the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance of P2,500 that is already required by law. From September to December, Drilon estimated the budgetary requirement at approximately P15.73 billion, saying that “the amount can be sourced from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefit Fund.” Annually, it will only cost additional P47 billion in government coffers, which can be lodged under the MPBF or in the agencies’ respective budgets, Drilon added. Drilon said that if the President

grants this proposal, the Congress can include the amounts necessary for the grant of additional allowances to both the uniformed and civilian employees in the 2017 national budget. But during the last Congress, Drilon and his Liberal Party comembers did nothing to overturn Aquino’s veto of the consolidated House Bill No. 6411 and Senate Bill No. 2720. “While we recognize the objective of the bill to promote the wellbeing of the country’s nurses, we cannot support the bill in its present form because of its dire financial consequences,” Aquino said when he vetoed the bill around two weeks before he stepped down from office. The Philippine Nurses Association earllier lamented Aquino’s lack of empathy for government work-

ers, particularly nurses who receive only P2,000 as monthly income. “I wanted to cry, and I am angry at the same time. It’s very sad [because] it is supposed to be for the welfare of our nurses,” said Paulita Cruz, PNA president, said after Aquino vetoed the law. Aquino said Executive Order No. 201 that increased the annual salary of nurses from P228,924 to P344,074 already dealt with this concern and that granting the bill would trigger “dire financial consequences” although it was already provided in the Philippine Nursing Act of 2002. “President Aquino should have looked at the totality of the bill. It’s not just about the salary of the nurses,” Cruz said. “It’s a shame because we don’t have laws that will protect them.” With Macon R. Araneta

Marcos asks tribunal to junk Robredo counter-suit THE Presidential Electoral Tribunal has been asked to dismiss the counter-protest filed against him by Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo. In a motion, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appealed to the PET, composed of the 15 justices of the Supreme Court, stressed that Robredo’s Verified Answer with Special Affirmative Defenses and Counter

WAGES OF ROAD RAGE.

Geronimo Iquin is escorted by Quezon City policemen after he was arrested at the Green Land Hotel in Aparri, Cagayan for shooting dead trafﬁc enforcer Ernesto Paras who cited him for a parking violation in Cubao, Quezon City. Manny Palmero

decrease), and the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center (37 percent decrease). Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said they intend to propose realignments in the 2017 budget to augment the shortages in the allocations for social services including healthcare. “The Duterte government needs to put its money where its mouth is. The promise of improving people’s access to health services cannot be realized with a health program that pours its resources into a health insurance while cutting down on expenditure for government hospitals,” Brosas said.

Protest was filed beyond the period prescribed by the PET rules. Marcos, through lawyer George Erwin Garcia, stressed that he filed his protest last June 29 to declare the proclamation of Robredo null and void because the certificates of canvass are not authentic, and may not be used as basis to determine the number of votes that the candidates for vice president received. According to him, Robredo’s

Verified Answer with Special Affirmative Defenses and Counter Protest should have been filed by Aug. 12, 2016, which is the 10th day from her receipt of the Summons and Protest of Marcos in accordance with PET’s Rules 23 and 24. Marcos said it was clearly seen that “protestee Robredo, per the date reflected on the receiving stamp of the Office of the Clerk of

this Honorable Tribunal, it would appear that her Verified Answer with Special and Affirmative Defenses and Counter Protest was belatedly filed on 15 August 2016—or 3 days after the 12 August 2016 deadline.” “As a consequence of the above mentioned late filing, protestee Robredo’s Verified Answer with Special and Affirmative Defenses and Counter-Protest should be

stricken off and/or expunged from the records of this case for blatantly violating the mandate of Rules 23 and 24 of the 2010 PET Rules,” the former senator pointed out. Marcos also said “Robredo categorically admitted in her Verified Answer with Special and Affirmative Defenses and Counter Protest that she received the summons and protest on 02 August 2016.” Rey E. Requejo

Fake trainer arrested GOVERNMENT agents filed criminal charges against a suspected member of a syndicate engaged in trafficking undocumented Filipina workers pretending to be boxers to the Middle East. Charged with human trafficking before the Pasay City Prosecutors Office was Rexsan Naval Godala, who was arrested by immigration agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 1 on Sunday. Godala, who is now detained at the Interagency Council Against Trafficking office in Naia, was about to board a flight to Bangkok with his two women companions when immigration agents noticed something suspicious on their documents. Investigation showed that the suspect introduced himself as a professional trainer and claimed he was just escorting the two women, whom the authorities described as suspicious because of their unusual getup and jersey shirts emblazoned with a logo of the Philippine flag. “It turned out that he was not a boxing trainer and that the Games and Amusement Board [GAB] license and letter of authority purportedly signed by GAB chairman Abraham Mitra which he presented are spurious,” said Immigration commissioner Jaime Morente. The women, whose name temporarily withheld, told the Immigration officers that upon arriving in Bangkok they would take a connecting flight to Dubai where they will employed as domestic helper and waitress.

Drive vs jaywalking, littering on By Joel E. Zurbano METRO Manila Development Authority officer-in-charge Thomas Orbos ordered the deployment of more than 100 personnel to launch a crackdown against jaywalking and littering in the metropolis. “We want to continue to instill discipline among pedestrians and commuters alike. Following rules and regulations on the roads should be second nature to us all,” said Orbos. He said he wants the stringent implementation of the anti-littering and anti-jaywalking measures to ensure that pedestrians and commuters alike in Metro Manila follow the law. The latest operation resulted in the apprehension of a total of 440 persons, 306 of them for anti-littering and 134 for anti-jaywalking. More than the P500 fine, the

MMDA is reminding the public of the stiff consequence of these violations as the names of violators will be forwarded to the National Bureau of Investigation for inclusion in its alarm list or red flag unless they pay the penalty for their infractions. Further, their names may be included in the NBI’s hold departure order. Last year, an overseas Filipino worker bound for Singapore was stopped by immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport because of an arrest warrant issued by a Makati Metropolitan Trial Court for failing to settle his anti-littering violation. Orbos noted the alarming number of pedestrians who have run over and died while crossing busy thoroughfares such as Commonwealth Avenue, which earned the monicker “killer highway.” Each anti-littering team consists of

four spotters and an enforcer while the anti-jaywalking unit is composed of five enforcers, two of whom are armed with citation tickets. The composite teams are augmented by members of the MMDA’s Sidewalk Clearing Operations Group. The composite group will be in designated fixed posts in Monumento, SM North, Cubao area, Ortigas district, Edsa-Taft, Guadalupe area and Coastal Road. The MMDA stated that despite the huge amount of taxpayers’ money that had gone into the construction of footbridges, people continued to cross busy streets and dangerous portions of the roads where they are not supposed to. The agency also observed that undisciplined pedestrians openly disregard pedestrian lanes and warning signage.

Sports Pacman: All Floyd cares for is money By Ronnie Nathanielsz SENATOR and eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao said unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., who retired last September, cares less about the paying public and his sole motivation in the ring is to make a payday. “I know in his heart, he doesn’t have the concern for the fans, his concern is only for money. My concern is not only for money [or] making money from the fans, from the people. My concern is how I entertain the people, how I entertain the fans. Of course, paying you money for the fight is good, but we have to remember as a fighter that you have a responsibility to make the people happy, make the fans happy,” Pacquiao was quoted by Boxing Scene. Pacquiao, who is right now training hard for his battle against WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on May 6 (Manila time) is eager to get a rematch with Mayweather after losing his initial showdown on May 2, 2015 by a unanimous decision at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The fight was the most lucrative event in boxing history and generated $600 million in revenue and over $4.6 million purchases on pay-per-view. But the fight stirred considerable post-fight controversy with Pacquiao entering the ring with a shoulder injury, which he said was further aggravated during the fight. He was operated on for a torn rotator cuff three days later in Los Angeles. Team Pacquiao also alleged that Mayweather used an IV to rehydrate after the official weigh-in, with Pacquiao’s camp only becoming aware of that a few weeks later. Pacquiao insisted he did more than enough to win and Mayweather simply ran around the ring without putting on a show for the public. Mayweather’s strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza, who previously worked for Pacquiao when he had an amazing run of success, told Manila Standard that in terms of money, a rematch makes sense even if they d r a w half the pay-perview audience.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Obama: Olympic hosting decisions a little ‘cooked’ WASHINGTON—President Barack Obama has suggested that decisions on who hosts the Olympics are corrupt, in a wide-ranging interview that touched on Chicago’s failed 2016 bid.

In an interview published late Sunday, Obama recalled his 2009 travel to Copenhagen in a failed effort to get his adopted home city across the finishing line. “Everybody thought that if I flew out there we had a good chance of getting it, and it might be worth essentially just taking a one-day trip,” Obama told New York magazine. “Subsequently, I think we’ve learned that IOC’s decisions are similar to FIFA’s decisions: a little

bit cooked,” he said comparing the International Olympic Committee to football’s scandalized governing body. The loss for Chicago was seen as a political blow for Obama. Meanwhile, Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee became the latest star to have his medical data leaked by Russian computer hackers on Monday. The sixth batch of stolen therapeutic use exemption (TUE) forms

has been released online by hackers known as the ‘Fancy Bears’. TUEs are effectively a doctor’s note enabling athletes to take medication that would normally be banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and Brownlee’s was for a two-day course of acetazolamide in October 2013. Acetazolamide, or Diamox as it is more commonly known, is used to treat altitude sickness or glaucoma, although some athletes are believed to have used it as a masking agent. “I have had one TUE in my career in October 2013 for Diamox to treat altitude sickness while climbing Kilimanjaro,” Brownlee wrote on his Twitter account.

“Slightly embarrassing that someone as fit as me suffered from altitude sickness but thankfully @jonny_brownlee was there to carry me.” As with the other 126 athletes whose TUEs have been hacked from WADA’s database, there is no suggestion Brownlee, a fourtime world champion, has broken any anti-doping rules. Other stars to have their medical data released in this way include British cyclists Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins, American tennis sisters Serena and Venus Williams, British distance runner Mo Farah and Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal.

The Fancy Bears, who are believed to have targeted WADA’s database in retaliation for the investigations that exposed Russia’s state-sponsored doping programme, have been widely condemned by anti-doping groups for breaching data protection laws and falsely accusing innocent athletes of cheating. But their actions have drawn attention to an area that some antidoping experts have suggested is open to abuse. WADA, however, has defended the TUE process, saying it is essential to allow athletes with medical conditions to compete at the highest level. AFP

Sharapova awaits verdict on 2-year ban

Members of the La Salle Greenhills team display their trophies, medals and championship banner.

La Salle, Adamson defend cage crowns SBP-Passerelle defending national champions La Salle Greenhills and Adamson University secured their spots in defending their national titles after winning the National Capital Region finals of the largest twin tournament in the country. In the SBP division, the Greenies dominated the court in a battle against Ateneo Blue Eaglets, 56-44, while San Beda College placed 3rd with a score of 48 while Xavier School earned the 4th spot with a score of 44.

It was also a tight match between Adamson University and La Salle Greenhills, ending the Passerelle division game with a score of 64-57. 3rd place went to Ateneo de Manila University with a score of 71 while San Beda College bagged 4th place with 60 points. Special awards were also given. The coveted Sportsmanship Award was given to Ateneo de Manila for the Passerelle division and Xavier School for the SBP Division, while Ahmad Didat Hanapi of Adamson Uni-

versity was awarded MVP for Passerelle and Ethan Rod Alian from La Salle Greenhills for SBP. Other regional playoffs will be held on Oct. 21 to 24 in Davao City for Mindanao, Nov. 4 to 7 in Baguio City for Luzon and Nov. 18 to 21 in Roxas City for Visayas. The regional champions will then battle against each other for the national championship trophy on Dec. 3 and 4 in Bacolod City. Now on its 31st year, SBP-Pas-

sarelle is the longest running and most prestigious interschool basketball competition for children where students ages 9-11 compete in the SBP division, while students ages 12-14 compete in the Passarelle tournament. For more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments, call the hotlines 4116260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email bestcentersports@gmail. com or follow its official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/BEST-CenterSports-Inc/66172039922.

Southwoods-Masters grabs 4-pt lead

Bernice Ilas scored an even par 69, worth 54 points in the Molave system, to lift defending champion Manila Southwoods to a four-point lead over Cebu Country Club at the start of the 11th PAL Ladies Interclub at the Camp John Hay in Baguio.

BAGUIO CITY—A pair of teenagers lifted defending champion Manila Southwoods-Masters to a fourpoint lead over rival Cebu Country Club Tuesday at the start of the 11th Philippine Airlines Ladies Interclub golf team championships at the Camp John Hay golf course here. Rookie Bernice Ilas, 14, and Sophia Chabon, 15, delivered for the fivetime champions, scoring 54 and 52 points, respectively. Ilas mixed four birdies with four bogeys to finish at even par 68 while Chabon returned a 70 on two birdies against four bogeys. Counting Lora Roberto’s 47 points, the SW-Masters totaled 153 points. “As long as we’re up, it’s a good day,” said SW playing captain Claire Ong. SW-Masters was forced to use only

three players after one of its players, Andrea Pineda, failed to make the trip due to her studies. CCC, out to end SW-Masters’ fiveyear reign, rode on Crystal Faith Neri’s 57 points to stay in contention. Neri made six birdies against three bogeys to score the day’s best score. Sisters Irina and Junia Gabasa shot 48 and 44 points, respectively to round out CCC’s scoring. Ryoko Nagai failed to count with 34 points. In the Founders division, Alabang Country Club surged on top with 145 points behind Ma. Josefina Gorres (51), Rita Horan (47) and Marilyn Reyes (47). Valley Golf South, powered by Marielle Isabela Tee’s 49 points, took second spot with 140 followed by Orchard Team A with 131 points.

Eagle Ridge was the leader in the Sportswriters class after submitting 121 points. Scoring for Eagle Ridge were Lita Samson 47, Erlinda Goble 40 and Leonila Patricio 34. Two points behind was Camp Aguinaldo Team A while Apo Golf was running third with 115 points. A three-horse race was shaping up in the Friendship bracket among Wack Wack (99), Victorias (97) and Alabang Ladies Golf Chapter (95). Major sponsors of the 72-hole event include Solar Entertainment Corp., Airbus, Business Mirror, Mareco Broadcasting Network, People Asia and Manila Broadcasting Corp. Other backers are Philippine Daily Inquirer, Fonterra, Mega Fiber, Mastercard, Tanduay Distillers and Zalora.

Bingo Open offers ranking points THE country’s finest badminton players and rising stars brace not only for a duel for supremacy and cash prizes but also for ranking points when the P1.5 million Bingo Bonanza National Open is staged Oct. 17-23 at the CW Home Depot Ortigas and SM Megamall. Tournament director Nelson Asuncion said ranking points will be up for grabs in the week-long event, this being the country’s premier championship which features members of the national team and the national pool with a slew of other talented players from the provinces also out to make their mark. Possible inclusion in the national team also awaits the top finishers in various divisions of the event sponsored by Bingo Bonanza Corp. and sanctioned by the Philippine Badminton Association headed by Vice President Jejomar Binay and sec-gen Rep. Albee Benitez, according to Asuncion during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate. Meanwhile, to accommodate the big number of players seeking spots in the event, organizers have moved the deadline for registration to Oct.

7. Entry fee is P800 at 5 p.m., according to the organizing EventKing Corp. For details and online listup, visit wwww.bingob.com/nationalopentournament or email entry forms to EKC at info@eventkingcorp.com.ph. Also gracing the forum sponsored by San Miguel Corp., Accel, Shakey’s and Pagcor are national team head coach Paulus Firman and team manager Atty. Ponciano Cruz. Asuncion also said foreign players are welcome to join the event although they can’t earn ranking points. “They (foreigners) can join and help make the tournament competitive but they can’t gain ranking points,” said Asuncion. The posting of participants will be on Oct. 7 while the draw and seeding will be held on Oct. 11 at the LWRC 26F West Tower, Philippine Stock Exchange Center in Ortigas. The schedule of matches will be posted on Oct. 14 while the coaches, team managers and players’ meeting will be held on Oct. 16, also at LWRC.

LAUSANNE—The world’s top sports court will rule Tuesday on Maria Sharapova’s appeal against her twoyear tennis ban over doping. In a statement, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland said the verdict will be issued at 3:00 pm (1300 GMT). The 29-year-old Russian tested positive for the banned medication meldonium during January’s Australian Open. In a severe blow to her reputation, the infringement was revealed in March. The product had just been added to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list on January 1. The ruling had initially been expected in July, with Sharapova hoping to be reinstated in time for the Rio Games. But both Sharapova’s camp and the International Tennis Federation, which imposed the ban, needed further time in preparing their case. The five-time grand slam winner said she had been taking the substance for 10 years to help treat illnesses, a heart issue and a magnesium deficiency. She also claimed it had entirely escaped her attention that the product had been added to the banned substance list. AFP

Full security ensured for world volley LOCAL organizers are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the security of the participants, fans and visiting officials for the 2016 FIVB World Cup Women’s Championship set at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines on Oct. 18to 23. The Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, Inc. and the Philippine Superliga, chief organizers of the event, received assurances from Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rolando “Bato’ dela Rosa that the event, which will gather the eight best club teams from around the world, will be treated in a manner befitting an international political and economic conference in terms of security. This was ensured by no less than PNP Senior Superintendent Romas Colet Apolinario, Deputy District Director for Operations of the Southern Police District, who was designated by Gen. Dela Rosa as one of the security officials in charge of the WCWC delegates. Also manning the welfare of the athletes, coaching staff and officials of the International Volleyball Federation and the Asian Volleyball Confederation, which sanctioned the event which has Eventcourt as its international organizer, is PNP Senior Superintendent Joel Napoleon Coronel of the Manila Police District. The athletes, coaches and VIP delegation for this prestigious event being held for the very first time in the Philippines, will be staying at the Diamond Hotel, whose officials have also ensured an unforgettable stay to the delegates.

LOTTO RESULTS

National badminton team head coach Paulus Firman (center) stresses a point as national team manager Atty. Ponciano Cruz and tournament director Nelson Asuncion look on during yesterday’s launch of the 2016 Bingo Bonanza National Open at the PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate. Lino Santos

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P0.0 M+ P0.0 M+

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

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

Sports

Meralco achieves franchise milestone By Jeric Lopez

Meralco Bolts veteran Jimmy Alapag (3) protects the basketball against TNT KaTropa defender Chris Rosales during their 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal duel. Alapag came out of retirement to lead the Bolts to their first finals appearance in franchise history.

Red Lions rout Altas to reach NCAA Finals By Peter Atencio

HE San Beda Red Lions will have a chance to win back the crown they lost to the Letran Knights last year.

The Red Lions dictated the pace with their bench players stepping up in the second half as they posted a 78-63 rout of the University of Perpetual Help Altas yesterday in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball rubber match at the Mall of Asia Arena. Davon Potts banged in 26 points for the Red Lions, who will fight to regain the crown against the Arellano University Chiefs at the start of their best-of-three playoff on Thursday.

The Altas, who were left behind when the Red Lions took command in the third, grabbed the initiative in the first period. But Gab Dangangon and Gemmar Ylagan combined for 10 points to push the Lions to a 2015 advantage. Then, Robert Bollick Jr. struck with 10 of 16 points in the second canto as the Red Lions went on to take a 37-30 advantage at halftime. Things changed after Daryl Singontiko’s putback had the Altas threatening, 38-42. But San

Beda bench players like Calvin Optana rose to the occasion and struck twice during a 6-0 spurt in the third. The Red Lions were then up by 12, 54-42, off Potts’ drive in the closing minutes of the third. They posted a 20-point spread, 77-57, after another bench player Jomari Presbitero sank two charities in the last 1:19 of the fourth. “We should have played faster in the first period. We wanted to end it early. But we adjusted in the second half,” said Red Lions coach Jamike Jarin, who added that the bench players contributed big to their effort to keep the Altas at bay. Meanwhile, the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs took control early, and held their

Games Thursday

(Game 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena) 1 p.m. San Beda vs Mapua (jrs) 3:45 p.m. San Beda vs Arellano (srs)

ground in the fourth to put away the Arellano University Braves, 102-93, in their junior division rubber match. Point guards Robi Nayve and Mark Lagumen shot 17 and 16 points for the Red Cubs, who advanced to the finals for an eighth straight season where they will meet the Mapua Red Robins in a best-ofthree affair starting Thursday. Lagumen unloaded nine points in the first period to post a 25-4 spread in the last 1:26 of the quarter. Carlo Obenza tallied 15 points, including nine in the second, with his triple keeping the

Red Cubs ahead, 40-25. Peter Alfaro’s drive with 8:07 in quarter the allowed the Red Cubs to taste a 30-point edge, 69-39. The Braves, behind big men Carlo Abadeza and Aaron Fermin who finished with 19 and 15 points, charged back from 15 points down in the fourth as they moved within six, 85-91, off Marlon Espiritu’s triple. But, free throws from Nayve, and Lagumen’s drive allowed the Red Cubs to stay ahead, 95-85. “For most of the game, we were in control. We were ahead by 30 points. But we gave up too many free throws in the second half. But we learned a lot from our last game, when they came back in the last seven minutes,” said Red Cubs coach JB Sison.

Lady Warriors start V-League campaign OPEN Conference champion Pocari Sweat Lady Warriors kick off their drive for a second straight Shakey’s V-League championship when they tangle with the Air Force Jet Spikers today (Wednesday) even as Customs and Laoag clash in a duel of early winners in the Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena. The Lady Warriors set out for their 4 p.m. clash with the Jet Spikers, whom they beat to claim the season-opening conference crown on their very first stint last July, as the heavy favorites owing to their solid roster and a pair of US imports raring to strut their

Games today

Philsports Arena 12:30 p.m. – Army vs 100 Plus (S Turf) 4 p.m. – Pocari vs Air Force (V-League) 6 p.m. – Customs vs Laoag (V-League)

wares before local fans. Myla Pablo, Michelle Gumabao, Elaine Kasilag and setter Iris Tolenada along with Melissa Gohing, Maricar Nepomuceno, Desiree Dadang and Gyzel Sy are back for the Lady Warriors, who will also parade a pair of powerhitting aces in Andrea Kacsits and Breanna Mackie. Air Force dropped its opening day match to UST last Saturday but the Jet Spikers hope

to spring a surprise behind Iari Yongco, Joy Cases, Mary Ann Pantino, Jocemer Tapic, Mae Antipuesto and the comebacking power-hitter Dell Palomata. The Alyssa Valdez-led Customs, meanwhile, hopes to nail its second straight win after debuting with a 25-23, 25-18, 2523 victory over University of the Philippines. But the Transformers face a tougher challenge this time against the Laoag Power Smashers who opened their campaign in the season-ending conference of the 13th season league sponsored by Shakey’s with a 25-8, 25-15, 25-16 romp over Coast Guard last Saturday. Gametime is at 6 p.m.

UP IN SMOKE. Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team’s British driver Lewis Hamilton leaves his smoking car after ﬂames appeared at the back of his car after the engine exploded during the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang. Hamilton was leading with 15 laps to go when the engine on his Mercedes spectacularly exploded. AFP

Defending UAAP champion FIBA wants 3x3 at Tokyo 2020 FEU battles NU Bulldogs THE defending champion Far Eastern Earlier, Adamson (3-3) seeks to University Tamaraws will face a bigger bounce back from their loss to the Unitest at the end of the first round of the 79th versity of the East Warriors in their 2 University Athletic Association of the p.m. match with UST. Philippines men’s basketball tournament The NU Bulldogs, led by Matt Saat the Mall of Asia Arena. lem with a career-high 26 The team’s character will points that pushed them to Games today (at the MOA Arena) be put on trial again when an 80-69 win over Univer2 p.m. Adamson vs UST they meet the National Unisity of the Philippines, are 4 p.m. FEU vs NU versity Bulldogs at 4 p.m. expected to make it tough FEU coach Nash Racela for FEU. said the Bulldogs will provide a big The Bulldogs’ backcourt of Rev Diputachallenge after they got past the Uni- do, JV Gallego, and J-Jay Alejandro are exversity of Santo Tomas Growling Ti- pected to provide headaches for FEU. gers, 79-72, last Saturday in the UAAP The last time around, Jojo Trinidad had Season 79 basketball tournament at the 17 points and five rebounds, while Reymar Mall of Asia Arena. Jose tallied 16 and 10 for the Tamaraws. So far, the Tamaraws have won their The Tamaraws will play with defensive third straight game and improved their specialist Ron Dennison back in action. win-loss card to 4-2. He was suspended for incurring a They are in a share of second place disqualifying foul in the UP game. with Ateneo and the NU Bulldogs. Peter Atencio

ASIA’S growing fascination with three-on-three basketball, the game’s half-court version which is already hugely popular in streets and backyards the world over, has given the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) fresh hope that it can get the sport into the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. FIBA’s previous attempts to win Olympic status for the abbreviated format have failed, but the governing body is more optimistic than ever before because of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) stated desire to include more sports that appeal to younger generations. Although three-on-three basketball fits that criteria and has its own roots in urban America, Asia has been the

driving force behind the inclusion of the high-speed game in major multi-sports events. The sport has already been featured at the Asian Beach Games, Asian Indoor Games and Asian Youth Games and will be on show at the next Asian Games in 2018. It was also included at last year’s inaugural European Games in Azerbaijan and, significantly, was played at the first two Youth Olympics, which were both held in Asia. The IOC has introduced new rules giving Olympic hosts more power and flexibility in choosing their own sports and disciplines, and a decision on the final program for Tokyo is expected in June 2017 with three-onthree hoops among the list of candidates.

“There’s a lot of discussions going on,” Nicolas Widmer, a three-on-three development assistant for FIBA, said. “It won’t replace five-on-five, it would be an addition. It’s a new discipline so it doesn’t mean adding a new sport, it’s a new discipline from the sport of basketball and that’s how we are bidding.” Widmer was among a FIBA delegation that travelled to central Vietnam to monitor the three-on-three tournament at the Asian Beach Games. Played outdoors in a temporary venue next to Danang’s main tourist beach, Widmar said the tournament was a great advertisement for the sport’s popularity and increasing diversity, with the stands packed at every session.

THE first time is always memorable. The odyssey in the Philippine Basketball Association lasted five years but Meralco finally came of age as it reached the finals in stunning fashion for the first time in franchise history. Few believed, but at the end of the day the Bolts were able to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. They defeated heavily favored top seed TNT KaTropa, 3-1, in their best-of-five semifinals encounter to move forward to the championship round of the 2016 Philippines Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. It’s been a long and winding journey but finally Meralco ended years of mediocrity and got over the hump emphatically to give itself a crack at finally winning an elusive PBA championship. No one is happier and more proud than Meralco coach Norman Black, who was tapped two years ago to turn the Bolts from an inconsistent wild card into a title contender. “I’m just really happy for the team and for the players,” said Black, who will now shoot for his 12th championship as a PBA coach. “They really worked hard and put in the extra effort.” After a disappointing start in the season where the Bolts finished dead last in the Philippine Cup, Black and his wards turned things around, making the semifinals in the Commissioner’s Cup and now taking their first trip to the finals. “We have come a long way from the first conference where we had a miserable run. Now, the team is peaking and maturing and we’re in the finals. I really can’t be more proud of the players. I’m just really happy for the Meralco community,” said Black. Meralco waits for its opponent in the best-of-seven finale that starts on Friday. It will face either of two talent-loaded teams in San Miguel Beer or Barangay Ginebra. As of this report, the Beermen and the Gin Kings are fighting their hearts out to get the last ticket to the finals in Game 5 of their own semifinal series.

Tigresses subdue Falcons CHERRY Rondina and Jem Gutierrez put University of Santo Tomas on the cusp of making it to the women’s Finals with a 21-9, 21-13 victory over Adamson University’s Jema Galanza and Bernadette Flora late Monday in the UAAP Season 79 beach volleyball tournament at the Sands SM By The Bay. The Tigresses, who won the championship behind Rondina and RJ Rivera in 2014, stretch their perfect run to six games. UST shoots for an automatic entry in the best-of-three title series with a victory against FEU in the final day of eliminations on Friday. The Growling Tigers are also on a win away from clinching an outright championship berth in the mens’ division, as KR Guzman and Anthony Arbasto improved to 6-0 with a 21-12, 21-17 romp of Rence Melgar and John Philip Yude of the Falcons. UST will advance in the bestof-three Finals if it prevails over the Tamaraws on Friday. The Lady Tamaraws joined the Tigresses in the semifinals as Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza overwhelmed National University’s Aiko Urdas and Roma Doromal, 21-6, 21-16, for a 5-1 slate in second place. Ateneo’s Michelle Morente and Kim Gequillana overcame University of the Philippines’ Diana Carlos and Arielle Estrañero, 2116, 14-21, 15-12, to move closer in nailing a semis berth with its fourth win in six matches. Defending champion De La Salle, behind reigning MVP Kim Fajardo and Tin Tiamzon, made quick work of University of the East’s Judith Abil and Angelica Dacaymat, 21-15, 21-11, to keep its semifinals hopes alive.

SEC proposes lower public ﬂoat for Reit B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

Cabinet off to woo US groups By Gabrielle H. Binaday

HE economic team of the Duterte administration left for the US Tuesday to attend the World Bank-International Monetary Fund meeting and talk to international credit-rating agencies, US newspapers and investors to “counter adverse media reports” about the Philippines. This developed as Londonbased think tank Capital Economics said President Rodrigo Duterte’s antics and recent tough talks against his critics had increased the potential downside risks to the economic outlook of the Philippines.

“What has unnerved investors is a string of inﬂammatory statements and erratic foreign policy changes which have raised questions about Duterte’s judgement and his commitment to the rule of law,” Capital Economics senior Asia economist Gareth

Leather said. Capital Economic said Duterte was threatening to completely upend the country’s foreign policy by “opening an alliance” with China, while at the same time ordering US troops out of the Philippines. “His anti-drugs campaign, which has led to thousands of extrajudicial killings, has generated negative headlines across the world,” it said. Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia told reporters in a media brieﬁng the economic team was set to meet with Moody’s Investor Service, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s to counter the negative news about the country.

“[We’re] meeting with three rating agencies, and also because we want to counter adverse media reports coming out,” Pernia said before leaving for the ﬁveday US trip. Pernia, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. would attend the ministerial meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Pernia said aside from the WB and IMF meetings, the economic team would also meet with foreign investors and international media, including Washington Post and The New York Times.

Pernia said the Philippines “continues to be robust and the government is focused on reducing inequality and poverty.” He said the war on drugs campaign would add to the improving investment climate, infrastructure development and the program to reduce red tape and corruption. “The war on drugs is really aimed at peace and order,” Pernia said. Pernia also cited the conﬁdence among local business groups such as the Makati Business Club and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “We talked to local businessmen. They are still cheering the president on the war on drugs,” he said.

IN BRIEF THE peso is expected to remain stable this year as the country’s solid macroeconomic fundamentals shield it from volatilities, an economist said Tuesday. ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng, however, revised his peso exchange rate forecast to around 47.50 per US dollar by yearend from an earlier estimate of 46.60. The peso closed at 48.245 against the greenback, near a seven-year low, Tuesday. “The Philippine peso’s weakness in September [of] around 4 percent is said to be the worst in 16 years or since 2000. This reminds us of political events in 2000. At that time Philippine peso weakened quite signiﬁcantly [by 21 percent from August 2000 to early January 2001 or by as much as 36 percent from March 2000 to early January 2001],” Cuyegkeng said. He said the very weak peso then reﬂected a full-blown political event or risk. “Economic fundamentals now are more robust with record high foreign exchange reserves covering more than 13 months of merchandize imports of more than four times short-term FX liabilities, OFW remittances are at $25 billion or more now while additional sources of US dollar come from a fast growing outsourcing sector,” he said. He said economic growth this year was expected to remain around 6 percent and the political environment was far from that which prevailed in 2000. “Thus a 56 exchange rate seems quite unlikely,” he said. Julito G. Rada

TRANS-Aire Holdings Development Corp., a unit of San Miguel Corp., said Tuesday it teamed up with Smart Communications Inc. for free high-speed Wi-fi access at Boracay International Airport in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan. “Reliable and fast Internet connection will go a long way in enhancing passenger experience here at Boracay Airport. Toward this end, transforming this airport into a modern, worldclass-facility, is something that we in San Miguel have been working hard to achieve these past couple of years,” SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said. The installation of the facility is a part of the first phase of a P1-billion nationwide rollout of Smart Wi-fi aimed at addressing demand for more hotspots following increasing reliance on smartphones and digital devices to communicate, go online and access information. Smart will also deploy carrier-grade Wi-Fi in other major transport hubs such as airports, seaports, and mass transport systems MRT and LRT in Metro Manila. “The internet has become an integral part of people’s lives. Almost everything we do on a daily basis is linked to the Internet. With a backhaul of up to 1 gigabit per second, one can easily post those beautiful Boracay photos, and plan for that next getaway while waiting at the airport. With Smart Wifi, we give you a worldclass digital experience,” said Kat Luna-Abelarde, first vice president and wireless consumer operations head at Smart. Darwin G. Amojelar

Closing October 3, 2016

7380 7380 7380 6920 6920 6920 6460 6460 6460 6000 6000 6000

7,719.24 7,677.73 7,677.73 41.51 48.00 48.00

PPeSo eSo-d -dollar ollar rrate ate

Closing ClosingOCTOBER OCTOBER4,3,3,2016 2016 Closing OCTOBER 2016

48.00 48.00 48.00 46.00 46.00 46.00 45.00 45.00 45.00 44.00 44.00 44.00

P48.245 P48.180 P48.180 CLOSE CLOSE

43.00 43.00 43.00

P392-P620.00 P392-P620.00 P392-P620.00 LPG/11-kg LPG/11-kgtank tank LPG/11-kg tank P35.70-P42.50 P35.70-P42.50 P35.70-P42.50 Unleaded Gasoline UnleadedGasoline Gasoline Unleaded

oPriceS ilil PPriceS today today

P24.84-P28.27 P24.84-P28.27 P24.84-P28.27 Diesel Diesel Diesel P28.50-P36.85 P28.50-P36.85 P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Kerosene Kerosene Bangko BangkoSentral Sentralng ngPilipinas Pilipinas Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, October 4,3,2016 Monday, October 2016 Monday, October 3, 2016

FFForeign ate oreign eeexchange xchange r ate oreign xchange rrPeso ate Currency Currency Unit Unit US USDollar Dollar Peso Currency

BANCASSURANCE MONTH. Bank of the Philippine Islands and The Philippine American Life and General Insurance Company unveil the new BPI Philam Life Makati building (formerly Ayala Life-FGU) along Ayala Ave. in Makati City coinciding with the celebration of Bancassurance Month in October. Bancassurance refers to the cross-selling of insurance products through bank branches. Shown pressing the ceremonial switch are (from left) BPI Philam Life chief executive Surenda Menon, BPI president and chief executive Cezar Consing, BPI Family Savings Bank president Natividad Alejo, BPI Philam Life chairman Aurelio Montinola III and Philam Life president and chief executive Ariel Cantos. Manny Palmero

United UnitedStates States United States Japan Japan Japan UK UK UK Hong HongKong Kong Hong Kong Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland Canada Canada Canada Singapore Singapore Singapore Australia Australia Australia Bahrain Bahrain Bahrain Saudi SaudiArabia Arabia Saudi Arabia Brunei Brunei Brunei Indonesia Indonesia Indonesia Thailand Thailand Thailand UAE UAE UAE Euro Euro Euro Korea Korea Korea China China China India India India Malaysia Malaysia Malaysia New NewZealand Zealand New Zealand Taiwan Taiwan Taiwan

Unit

Dollar Dollar Dollar Yen Yen Yen Pound Pound Pound Dollar Dollar Dollar Franc Franc Franc Dollar Dollar Dollar Dollar Dollar Dollar Dollar Dollar Dollar Dinar Dinar Dinar Rial Rial Rial Dollar Dollar Dollar Rupiah Rupiah Rupiah Baht Baht Baht Dirham Dirham Dirham Euro Euro Euro Won Won Won Yuan Yuan Yuan Rupee Rupee Rupee Ringgit Ringgit Ringgit Dollar Dollar Dollar Dollar Dollar Dollar

US Dollar

1.000000 1.000000 1.000000 0.009842 0.009881 0.009881 1.284500 1.292200 1.292200 0.128947 0.128942 0.128942 1.027432 1.028912 1.028912 0.762369 0.762195 0.762195 0.732654 0.733730 0.733730 0.767000 0.765200 0.765200 2.652450 2.658019 2.658019 0.266674 0.266631 0.266631 0.729980 0.731048 0.731048 0.000077 0.000077 0.000077 0.028885 0.028843 0.028843 0.272287 0.272287 0.272287 1.121300 1.123300 1.123300 0.000907 0.000908 0.000908 0.149936 0.149936 0.149936 0.015030 0.015027 0.015027 0.242014 0.242014 0.242014 0.727400 0.727500 0.727500 0.031916 0.032005 0.032005

Peso

48.3010 48.4820 48.4820 0.4754 0.4791 0.4791 62.0426 62.6484 62.6484 6.2283 6.2514 6.2514 49.6260 49.8837 49.8837 36.8232 36.9527 36.9527 35.3879 35.5727 35.5727 37.0469 37.0984 37.0984 128.1160 128.8661 128.8661 12.8806 12.9268 12.9268 35.2588 35.4427 35.4427 0.0037 0.0037 0.0037 1.3952 1.3984 1.3984 13.1517 13.2010 13.2010 54.1599 54.4598 54.4598 0.0438 0.0440 0.0440 7.2421 7.2692 7.2692 0.7260 0.7285 0.7285 11.6895 11.7333 11.7333 35.1341 35.2707 35.2707 1.5416 1.5517 1.5517

Source: Source:PDS PDSBridge Bridge Source: PDS Bridge

Aboitiz Investments increase 49% to P286b, says BoI secures By Othel V. Campos $650-m bank loan INVESTMENT commitments jumped 49 percent in the ﬁrst nine months to P286.4 billion from P192.2 billion a year ago, as foreign and local businessmen remain bullish on the Philippines, the Board of Investments said Tuesday. BoI said the large investment pledges in the months of September and July contributed to the increase in total investment ﬁgures in the nine-month period. Data showed investment proj-

ects approved by BoI surged 200 percent to P51 billion in September alone from P17 billion a year ago. “Investors are looking at the long term. Any investor who would come in will look at the fundamentals – strong economy, fast consumer market spending, demographic dividend – all of these we have right now. Their interests on investments are still there,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said at the sidelines of the EU-Philippines Business Summit in Makati City. Lopez said investors wanted to

invest in the Philippines to have an easy access to the 600-million Asean consumer market. Lopez said investment projects continued to rise, “even as there has been outﬂow of portfolio investments, [which] are erratic in nature.” “It’s not a purely PhilipUK Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad also said Tuesday two major UK projects were set to come to the Philippines. He said both companies were interested in setting up electronics manufacturing operations in the

country. Ahmad said the two UK ﬁrms were examples of continued interest of foreign companies to do business here. “In some respects, any country with a new administration, the world looks on that country to explain what its agenda is. The media, government, business they have limited attention span. We, however agree on each and every one of the 10-point agenda and it is time for the new government to make it known globally,” said Ahmad.

Mining employees to keep jobs—Lopez By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

UK supports govt bid to cut red tape

THE National Competitiveness Council and the British Embassy signed Tuesday a technical assistance grant through the Asia Paciﬁc Bilateral Program Fund to quantify costs saved through Project Repeal, a move expected to entice more entrepreneurs to invest in the Philippines. The assistance will be used for the development, pilot-testing and initial roll-out of the Standard Cost Model for Project Repeal in a bid to come up with a systematic way of determining the savings brought about by reduced cost of compliance for businesses by streamlining rules and regulations. Signatories to the agreement—UK Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and NCC private sector co-chairman Guillermo Luz—agreed that the project would serve to improve competitiveness by identiﬁng ways to optimize government processes. “Our goal is reducing the cost of compliance by reducing time and lowering the cost of doing business in the Philippines. Such will put weight on our quest for improved ranking on world competitiveness,” said Luz. Othel V. Campos

8300 8300 8300 7840 7840 7840

HIGH HIGHP48.150 P48.180LOW LOWP48.290 P48.380AVERAGE AVERAGEP48.249 P48.301 HIGH P48.180 LOW P48.380 AVERAGE P48.301 VOLUME VOLUME495.300M 337.900M VOLUME 337.900M

Peso expected to remain stable

Smart offers free Wi-Fi in Caticlan

PSe ccomPoSite PSe omPoSite index index omPoSite index Closing Closing October October4, 3,2016 2016

EU-ASEAN ALLIANCE. The Board of Investments receives the Europe-

Asean Business Alliance delegates for a courtesy call on Trade Undersecretary and BoI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo (left). EABA is an alliance made up of leading European multinational companies with serious business interests in the Asean region. Shown with Rodolfo is Johan de Villiers, head of the EABA delegation during the courtesy call.

EMPLOYEES of 20 mining companies that were recommended for suspension will keep their jobs for the moment, Environment Secretary Regina Lopez said Tuesday. Lopez, in a meeting with mining executives, assured that workers would not end up unemployed, as they would be used in the rehabilitation of mine sites, which was one of the conditions imposed by the Environment Department. Lopez said the goal was to make sure that workers would continue to work despite the suspension of mining operations. “No, they won’t be [unemployed]... A part of the directive, should there be suspension, is that they [mining companies] must hire those people to rehabilitate the mining sites,” Lopez said. Lopez met with executives of mining companies to propose a viable sustainable livelihood program that would benefit the communities where their projects operate. Lopez said they could also tap the displaced mine workers for the National Greening Program, the government’s massive forest rehabilitation initiative that doubles as an anti-poverty measure due to its cash-for-work component. The government earlier announced that only 11 of the 41 metallic mines in the country passed the mining audit. Environment Undersecretary and head of the mining audit Leo Jasareno assured the companies would be given due process. Mining companies expressed confidence shutdowns could be avoided as they raced to remedy problems flagged in the nationwide checkup.

By Alena Mae S. Flores ABOITIZ Power Corp. on Tuesday signed an agreement with six foreign banks for a $650-million facility to partly finance the acquisition of indirect interests in two big coal plants in Bataan province. Aboitiz Power signed the facility agreement with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd., DBS Bank Ltd., The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Maybank Kim Eng Securities Pte. Ltd., Mizuho Bank, Ltd. and Standard Chartered Bank. “The proceeds of the loan will be used to partially finance Therma Power Inc.’s acquisition of indirect partnership interests held by funds managed by Blackstone in GNPower Mariveles and GNPower Dinginin,” it said. Aboitiz Power, through subsidiary Therma Power Inc., announced Tuesday the proposed acquisition of indirect partnership interests held by funds managed by Blackstone in GNPower Mariveles Coal Plant Ltd. Co. and GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. for $1.2 billion. Therma Power signed purchase and sale agreements for the acquisition of the partnership interests held by affiliated investment funds of The Blackstone Group L.P in World Power Holdings, L.P. and Sithe Global Power, L.P. Aboitiz Power said the transaction would result in Therma Power ultimately acquiring a 66.1-percent beneficial ownership interest in GNPower Mariveles and a 40-percent beneficial ownership interest in GNPower Dinginin. With Butch Gunio

Business

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5,, 2016 5, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Standard standard standard Market climbs; Semirara up S

Standard PSE cuts standard capital standard raising standard forecast

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 41 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 7,719.24 Tuesday. This pushed up total gains this year to 11 percent. The heavier index, representing all shares, also advanced 10 points, or 0.2 percent, to settle at 4,570.40, on a value turnover of P7 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 91 to 85, while 66 issues were unchanged. Miners led gainers, after several companies expressed optimism their sites would remain open, despite the results of a government-led audit that found

THE Philippine Stock Exchange expects companies to raise P185 billion from the stock market this year, lower than the initial forecast of P200 billion because of the volatile trading conditions. PSE president Hans Sicat said in a speech during a forum two more companies were expected to complete initial public offerings this year, including the P29.7-billion maiden share sale by oil refiner Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. Capital raised through the stock exchange reached P92.1 billion as of end-September, down nearly 40 percent from the same period last year. Bond listing also declined 17 percent to P76.3 billion. Sicat said despite the decline in the number of companies going to the capital markets to raise funds, fund-raising activities remained robust. He said several private placements were expected to happen before the end of the year. PSE earlier said it expected fund raising activities in the stock exchange to hit P200 billion in 2016, including proceeds from IPOs, stock rights offering, private placements and preferred shares offering. It also projected that 10 companies would conduct IPOs and backdoor listing this year. Only two companies were listed so far this year, including Golden Haven Memorial Parks Inc. of the Villar Group and cement manufacturer Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc., a unit of Mexico’s Cemex. Aside from Pilipinas Shell, which could be one of the biggest IPOs in the country, technology firm Audiowav Media Inc. recently filed an IPO application to raise P2.66 billion in fresh capital.

TOCKS rose for a second day, tracking other Asian markets, after data showing expansion in US manufacturing boosted optimism over the health of the world’s largest economy. only 11 of the 41 mines complied with environmental rules. Fourteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Semirara Mining and Power Corp. which climbed 6.4 percent to P122 and A. Brown Company Inc., the holding company of businessman Walter Brown, which gained 6.1 percent to P1.21. Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., the holding company of the Aboitiz family, rose 3.2 percent to P77.60, while Manila Water Company Inc. added 1.6 percent to close at P31. Meanwhile, most Asian stocks also traded higher Tuesday. The

odds the Fed will raise rates in December climbed to 61 percent on Monday, from 51 percent a week earlier, as new orders and production expanded last month, indicating gradual improvement across America’s manufacturing landscape. “The data is suggesting the Fed will likely raise rates in December,” Michael McCarthy, chief market strategist at CMC Markets, said by phone from Sydney. “We’ll probably have a couple of months of stronger data gauging from the strength of new orders. The yen weakness is supportive of Japanese exports.” Tokyo shares rose Tuesday as banks rallied and a weaker yen lifted exporters, including auto giants Toyota and Honda. The dollar rose against the yen as upbeat US manufacturing data boosted bets that the world’s larg-

est economy was strong enough to absorb an interest rate hike. In Asian afternoon trading, the greenback fetched 102.23 yen up from 101.63 yen in New York Monday. A weaker yen boosts the proﬁtability of Japan’s exporting ﬁrms by making their goods cheaper. “Overall, the US economy appears to be on a growth track,” Mitsuo Shimizu, deputy general manager at Japan Asia Securities Group, told Bloomberg News. South Korea’s Kospi index added 0.4 percent, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 0.4 percent and New Zealand’s S&P/ NZX 50 Index slipped 0.3 percent. Markets in mainland China are closed all week for holidays, while those in Hong Kong have yet to start trading. Futures on the Hang Seng Index slipped 0.1 percent in their

most recent trading. Hong Kong’s benchmark equity gauge rose 1.2 percent on Monday as betterthan-expected Macau gambling numbers lifted casino operators. Futures on the S&P 500 Index rose 0.1 percent after the US equity benchmark gauge fell 0.3 percent on Monday. Traders are keeping a close watch on US economic reports this week, scouring data for clues as to the timing of a potential Fed rate increase. A key jobs report on Friday could show a pickup in the pace of hiring, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg. Oil halted four days of gains, holding near the highest close in three months, before data forecast to show U.S. crude stockpiles expanded. West Texas Intermediate futures slipped 0.3 percent in early Asian trading. With Bloomberg, AFP

Manila Standard BuSineSS daily StockS review tueSday, octoBer 4, 2016

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

High

Low

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

AG FINANCE 3.6 ASIA UNITED 47.35 BANK PH ISLANDS 104.8 BDO LEASING 3.79 BDO UNIBANK 110.3 BRIGHT KINDLE 1.32 CHINABANK 38.05 CITYSTATE BANK 9 COL FINANCIAL 16.2 EAST WEST BANK 20 FILIPINO FUND 6.64 FIRST ABACUS 0.7 IREMIT 1.83 1.83 MANULIFE 640 640 MEDCO HLDG 0.88 METROBANK 86.35 NTL REINSURANCE 0.91 PB BANK 14 14.38 PHIL NATL BANK 58.3 PHIL STOCK EXCH 265.6 PHILTRUST 239 249 RCBC 35.8 35.85 SECURITY BANK 237 SUN LIFE 1,455 1,455 UNION BANK 75 VANTAGE 1.46 1.46

3.65 47.65 105.3 3.79 110.5 1.4 38.3 9 16.2 20.35 6.64 0.7 1.83 640 0.92 86.75 0.91 14 58.4 272 239 35.7 237 1,455 75.5 1.44

FINANCIAL 3.6 3.65 47.1 47.65 104.7 105.3 3.79 3.79 110 110.5 1.31 1.4 38.05 38.3 8.62 8.62 16.06 16.06 19.3 19.52 6.64 6.64 0.7 0.7 1.83 5,000 640 100 0.85 0.86 86.35 86.55 0.9 0.9 14.38 16,000 57.9 57.9 262 270 239 130 35.85 235,900 230.8 232.2 1,455 215 74.1 75.2 1.46 189,000

10,000 36,220 179,000 8,474,710 630,990 1,510,980 158,903,988 186,000 704,940 2,437,940 269,228,307 25,000 33,060 80,800 3,086,150 2,857,100 2,600 23,210 79,900 1,290,996 -6,480 1,795,900 35,348,146 600 3,984 50,000 35,000 -35,000 9,150 64,000 64,000 13,434,000 11,798,340 2,673,190 231,346,429.50 46,000 41,810 224,380 4,220 244,842.50 2,970 787,626 31,268 8,444,695 1,079,970 2,193,620 509,487,532 312,825 145,500 219,470 16,518,587.50 273,240 -

ABOITIZ POWER 46.5 AGRINURTURE 3.9 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.92 ALSONS CONS 1.61 ASIABEST GROUP 15.7 BOGO MEDELLIN 50.3 CEMEX HLDG 12 CENTURY FOOD 16.4 CHEMPHIL135.2 135.2 CIRTEK HLDG 23.6 CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION 59.95 CONCRETE A 117 CROWN ASIA 2.09 DAVINCI CAPITAL 7.8 DEL MONTE 12.34 DNL INDUS 11.58 EEI CORP 7.67 7.7 EMPERADOR 7.33 ENERGY DEVT 5.98 EUROMED 1.76 1.76 FIRST GEN 25 25 FIRST PHIL HLDG 72.5 GINEBRA 13.02 13.02 HOLCIM 16.4 16.48 INTEGRATED MICR 6.07 IONICS 2.17 2.27 JOLLIBEE 248.8 253 LIBERTY FLOUR 54 MABUHAY VINYL 4.4 MANILA WATER 30.5 MAXS GROUP 29.1 MEGAWIDE 15.54 MERALCO 309.8 310 MG HLDG 0.255 0.26 PEPSI COLA 3.11 PETRON 10.24 10.26 PHINMA 11.6 11.6 PHINMA ENERGY 2.26 PHX PETROLEUM 6 PHX SEMICNDCTR 1.54 PRYCE CORP 3.65 PUREFOODS 217 RFM CORP 4.18 4.21 ROXAS AND CO 2.21 SWIFT FOODS 0.15 TKC METALS 1.72 UNIV ROBINA 182.6 VICTORIAS 4.63 4.63 VITARICH 2.29 2.32 VULCAN INDL 1.22

46.8 4 0.94 1.67 16.16 50.3 12 16.4 135.2 23.7 150.1 60 117 2.12 8.23 12.34 11.7 7.6 7.37 5.98 1.76 24.55 72.6 13 16.32 6.09 2.16 248.6 54 4.43 31 29.1 15.88 308.2 0.255 3.15 10.14 11.42 2.27 6 1.54 3.75 217 4.18 2.21 0.151 1.87 185.5 4.63 2.24 1.22

INDUSTRIAL 45.6 45.65 3.65 3.8 0.91 0.91 1.6 1.66 15.7 16.16 50.2 50.2 11.9 12 16.34 16.38 135.2 70 23.5 23.7 160 150 59.9 60 109.1 115 2.08 2.11 7.12 7.12 12.1 12.14 11.48 11.62 7.62 343,000 7.25 7.37 5.93 5.95 1.76 1,000 24.65 2,884,500 71.2 72 13 2,500 16.48 10,500 6.07 6.08 2.21 1,592,000 251.4 891,270 54 54 4.4 4.43 29.7 31 28.7 29 15.4 15.5 308.2 88,750 0.26 330,000 3.11 3.11 10.2 771,200 11.42 16,800 2.24 2.27 5.86 6 1.52 1.54 3.65 3.75 217 217 4.2 527,000 2.2 2.2 0.147 0.149 1.71 1.8 182.6 185 4.63 2,000 2.28 2,790,000 1.2 1.2

1,647,700 75,690,810 5,102,000 19,510,690 1,433,000 1,324,240 1,121,000 1,849,710 2,300 36,156 4,890 245,578 2,742,600 32,863,958 1,430,500 23,431,564 9,464 445,100 10,494,015 158 630 96,341 34,210 2,052,528.50 290 32,527 711,000 1,497,630 6,270 8,320,400 62,780,476 79,200 963,432 200 2,562,600 29,707,024 2,623,309 -1,665,599 1,165,200 8,509,584 754,084 5,804,700 34,566,869 1,760 71,306,590 -19,513,655 75,090 5,404,912.50 32,506 172,696 174,400 1,059,816 -216,249 3,545,930 223,248,400 105,812,270 200 10,800 11,000 48,640 4,801,500 146,801,400 168,700 4,889,415 -3,258,275 731,900 11,426,456 27,410,480 -11,034,774 84,200 8,000 24,920 7,873,420 -2,239,494.00 192,830 16,092 881,000 1,982,570 677,240 795,100 4,757,482 0 223,000 340,540 3,040 260,000 967,400 503,480 60 13,020 4,340 2,213,190 1,276,780 14,000 30,860 13,260 4,330,000 647,160 60 3,365,000 6,108,260 54,900 1,775,110 327,188,634 9,260 6,358,240 -68,400 228,000 275,480 -

ABACORE CAPITAL 0.375 ABOITIZ EQUITY 75 ALLIANCE GLOBAL 15.98 ANGLO PHIL HLDG 1.2 ANSCOR 6.1 6.1 ATN HLDG A 0.355 ATN HLDG B 0.36 AYALA CORP 871 COSCO CAPITAL 8.4 DMCI HLDG 12.6 FILINVEST DEV 8.2 FORUM PACIFIC 0.21 GT CAPITAL 1,420 JG SUMMIT 75.95 KEPPEL HLDG A 5.21 LODESTAR 0.8 0.81 LOPEZ HLDG 8.25 LT GROUP 15.26 15.3 METRO PAC INV 7.08 MJC INVESTMENTS 3.08 PACIFICA 0.037 0.042 PRIME MEDIA 1.17 PRIME ORION 1.98 REPUBLIC GLASS 2.6 SAN MIGUEL CORP 81.5 SEAFRONT RES 2.33 SM INVESTMENTS 675.5 SOC RESOURCES 0.93 SOLID GROUP 1.23 TOP FRONTIER 227 UNIOIL HLDG 0.32 WELLEX INDUS 0.198 ZEUS HLDG 0.265

0.375 77.8 16 1.2 6.05 0.36 0.36 880.5 8.4 12.92 8.25 0.21 1,425 76.4 5.4 0.8 8.28 14.8 7.19 3.08 0.037 1.17 1.98 2.6 82 2.33 685 0.93 1.26 230 0.32 0.202 0.275

HOLDING FIRMS 0.365 0.375 74.8 77.6 15.9 16 1.2 1.2 6.05 5,200 0.35 0.36 0.36 0.36 868.5 880.5 8.27 8.3 12.6 12.82 7.96 7.96 0.201 0.209 1,417 1,418 75.5 76.2 5.21 5.4 0.81 87,000 8.18 8.28 14.8 4,013,700 7.01 7.14 3.08 3.08 0.039 413,000,000 1.17 1.17 1.95 1.96 2.55 2.55 81 82 2.31 2.31 675.5 685 0.92 0.92 1.21 1.23 227 230 0.31 0.31 0.198 0.202 0.265 0.275

460,000 168,950 2,312,800 177,545,110.50 -6,612,579 4,762,300 76,026,052 -20,198,790 21,000 25,200 31,620 -10,980 570,000 200,200 100,000 36,000 219,680 192,965,050 94,081,635 1,853,800 15,399,555 1,533,735 6,905,100 88,472,722 -2,799,928 160,200 1,306,412 70,000 14,420 141,460 200,623,255 -42,479,430 1,545,590 117,615,618.50 42,315,240.50 3,700 19,676 69,630 522,800 4,324,963 -873,064 59,925,960 11,198,208 35,105,400 248,772,586 -85,138,217 2,000 6,160 16,334,700 -101,400 5,000 5,850 360,000 705,140 46,000 118,490 10,240 57,860 4,714,993 -1,433,838.50 6,000 13,920 375,260 255,691,965 61,612,070 100,000 92,200 97,000 118,220 95,890 21,834,174 -31,852 1,600,000 499,600 20,000 4,000 60,000 16,000 -

8990 HLDG 7.4 A BROWN 1.14 1.22 ARANETA PROP 2.63 ARTHALAND CORP 0.265 AYALA LAND 39.15 BELLE CORP 2.95 CEBU HLDG 5.08 CENTURY PROP 0.6 CITY AND LAND 1.21 CITYLAND DEVT 1.02 CROWN EQUITIES 0.165 CYBER BAY 0.58 DOUBLEDRAGON 58.3 EMPIRE EAST 0.75 FILINVEST LAND 1.87 GLOBAL ESTATE 1.02 IRC PROP 1.18 1.19 KEPPEL PROP 4.6 MEGAWORLD 4.8 MRC ALLIED 0.216 PHIL REALTY 0.405 4.6 PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP 35 ROBINSONS LAND 31.8

7.5 1.14 2.63 0.265 39.5 2.98 5.1 0.6 1.27 1.02 0.167 0.59 58.4 0.77 1.88 1.02 1.18 4.6 4.82 0.227 0.405 4.83 35 32.9

PROPERTY 7.4 7.5 1.21 128,264,000 2.51 2.54 0.265 0.265 39.05 39.5 2.92 2.98 5.05 5.1 0.58 0.59 1.21 1.22 1.01 1.02 0.164 0.166 0.58 0.59 58 58.3 0.75 0.76 1.85 1.87 1 1 1.19 103,000 4.21 4.21 4.77 4.81 0.208 0.208 0.405 0.405 4.13 4.16 35 35 31.8 32.5

208,800 1,562,558 1,121,817 149,989,880 37,840 394,000 1,005,840 -183,630 2,320,000 614,800 6,106,000 240,189,930 3,305,000 9,735,600 826,020 537,500 2,739,493 -2,550,000 3,282,000 1,948,940 80,000 97,480 27,000 27,530 13,090,000 2,157,640 3,157,000 1,833,870 184,810 10,751,092.50 83,000 62,700 -8,300 13,146,000 24,517,140 3,247,000 3,277,440 122,190 -15,340 8,000 34,070 23,035,000 110,615,360 108,120,000 23,509,820 10,000 4,050 6,723,000 30,246,500 100 3,500 4,063,400 131,622,205

54,211,773 15,500,318

-9,895,650

-4,571,130 -60,906,373.50 8,118.50

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

1.68 3.28 28.3 1.03 1.02 5.36

High

Low 1.68 3.29 28.35 1.04 1.02 5.36

3,312,908

33,711,465 -1,917,020

12,801,474 -1,335,696

-188,000 7,194 -490,932

9,905,648

417,945

-1,233,505

7,271,305

5,220,832

61,600,817

7.6 48.8 0.57 11 5.21 4.62 0.099 3.68 107.7 10.22 6.6 2.51 3 980 2,110 6.32 14.7 21.6 2.23 19.18 136.1 80.5 0.01 11.7 9.1 0.255 1.47 3.81 10.92 5.47 2.23 1.09 2 3.94 5.57 22.6 3.46 11.46 5.4 2.52 140 5.78 1,700 1.03 0.425 43.5 77.2 6.3 2.89 0.65 1.87 3.27 5.39

SERVICES 7.4 7.5 49 12,900 0.56 0.57 10.6 10.6 5.21 6,600 4.51 4.51 0.094 0.094 3.42 3.43 107.9 1,779,050 9.5 9.94 7 504,200 2.51 2.49 3.18 3,000 955 955.5 2,040 2,040 6.24 6.24 14.4 14.7 20.05 20.05 2.03 2.07 18.6 18.74 136 136 77.5 79.95 0.01 12,200,000 11.7 500 9.24 467,000 0.245 0.25 1.42 1.47 3.51 3.56 10.92 10.92 5.27 5.3 2.22 2.22 1.09 1.02 2 2 3.82 3.89 5.26 5.26 19.3 21.45 3.38 3.41 11.3 11.46 5.41 40,700 2.53 26,000 137 139 5.88 380,300 1,700 123,275 1.01 1.03 0.44 0.425 43.15 43.5 76.6 77 5.85 6.24 2.93 1,562,000 0.67 12,751,000 1.72 1.87 3.22 3.27 5.27 5.39

285,000 2,134,695 289,410 631,500 128,000 71,780 5,000 53,220 35,062 12,736,000 57,928,710 97,130,000 9,349,290 9,674,000 34,301,070 193,529,209 823,646 43,900 419,686 3,467,950 2.49 17,000 42,480 9,180 460 444,340 90,205 184,770,230 110,600 691,176 129,500 1,887,770 1,470 200 4,165 19,464,000 41,707,700 20,000 378,594 30 4,081 1,416,600 112,268,564 125,800 5,850 4,314,800 62,570,000 15,623,410 1,264,000 1,847,330 -147,000 161,000 583,600 1,000 10,920 960,100 5,109,072 592,926 157,000 348,670 1.08 99,000 104,880 10,000 20,000 3,017,000 11,719,790 9,526,300 50,902,220 77,600 1,668,259 1,477,000 5,051,410 228,690 64,600 733,682 227,857 65,840 740 102,900 90,350 2,226,171 -152,286 210,475,465 -1,309,225 8,440,000 8,671,300 -422,280 0.43 5,270,000 2,278,700 1,482,400 64,370,110 649,040 49,950,343 673,400 4,166,043 47,075 4,547,380 -2,251,940 8,516,120 65,000 3,000 5,310 551,000 1,782,510 -16,150 10,700 57,241 -

ABRA MINING 0.0037 APEX MINING 3.07 ATLAS MINING 4.26 BENGUET A 2.1 BENGUET B 2.04 CENTURY PEAK 0.59 COAL ASIA HLDG 0.41 DIZON MINES 8.02 FERRONICKEL 1.1 GEOGRACE 0.265 LEPANTO A 0.195 LEPANTO B 0.197 MANILA MINING A0.011 MANILA MINING B 0.011 MARCVENTURES 1.57 NICKEL ASIA 7.55 NIHAO 2.92 2.92 OMICO CORP 0.51 ORNTL PENINSULA 0.86 ORNTL PETROL A 0.011 ORNTL PETROL B 0.011 PETROENERGY 4.07 PHILODRILL 0.013 PX MINING 8.7 PXP ENERGY 3.89 SEMIRARA MINING TA PETROLEUM 3.39 UNITED PARAGON 0.0097

0.0038 3.07 4.26 2.15 2.15 0.59 0.41 8.37 1.11 0.27 0.195 0.203 0.011 0.011 1.57 7.84 2.88 0.51 0.88 0.011 0.012 4.1 0.013 8.7 3.97 114.7 3.48 0.0097

MINING & OIL 0.0036 0.0036 3.01 3.04 4.22 4.22 2.1 2.11 2.02 2.13 0.58 0.59 0.41 0.41 8.02 8.36 1.06 1.07 0.265 0.27 0.192 0.194 0.196 0.203 0.011 0.011 0.011 0.011 1.48 1.49 7.46 7.54 2.91 22,000 0.5 0.5 0.86 0.88 0.01 0.01 0.011 0.012 4.07 4.1 0.012 0.012 8.59 8.6 3.76 3.78 122.4 114.6 3.39 3.43 0.0095 0.0096

1,107,000,000 3,992,200 195,000 592,740 81,000 343,410 -33,890 72,000 151,920 35,000 71,040 301,000 176,340 60,000 24,600 5,700 47,603 65,666,000 70,894,360 190,000 50,500 2,840,000 548,960 840,000 166,600 10,400,000 114,400 300,000 3,300 2,859,000 4,318,110 -2,268,510 22,666,900 172,758,537 63,620 30,000 15,050 12,500 51,000 44,320 21,100,000 220,700 200,000 2,300 4,000 16,310 60,900,000 731,300 457,000 3,934,754 88,540.00 6,395,000 24,461,110 122 1,756,050 208,268,635 254,000 874,840 -34,320 7,000,000 67,300 9,500

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF 103.9 GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR LR PREF 1.03 MWIDE PREF PF PREF 2 1,022 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

49 545 103.9 550 6.02 1.03 114 1,022 81.1 77 78.2 79.1 79 78 77.95

49 545 103.7 550 6.02 1.03 114 1,022 81.1 77 78.2 79.1 79 78.3 77.95

PREFERRED 48.5 48.5 545 545 103.7 22,800 550 550 6.01 6.01 1.03 2,500,000 114 114 1,022 5 81 81 77 77 78.2 78.2 79.1 79.1 79 79 78 78 77.9 77.9

71,900 3,513,460 4,500 2,452,500 2,364,380 130 71,500 123,000 740,210 2,575,000 30 3,420 5,110 20,000 1,620,500 500 38,500 6,300 492,660 6,400 506,240 16,700 1,319,300 55,600 4,336,860 33,800 2,634,545

LR WARRANT

2.47

2.48

WARRANTS 2.4 2.41

387,000 938,200

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS 4.53 MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS 14.3

3.25 4.6 3.1 14.48

3.4 4.52 3.22 14.2

SME 3.23 4.54 3.1 14.22

2,060,000 6,825,810 -40,400 358,480 -104,420 27,000 86,490 6,645,496 -1,376,956

127.4

Trading Summary

25,380,578

2,160,380.50

INDUSTRIAL

61,659,403

11,174,030

HOLDING FIRMS

474,970,455

PROPERTY

344,627,297

4,237,690 17,620,660

Trade/Buying

2GO GROUP 7.42 ABS CBN 49 49.3 APC GROUP 0.56 ASIAN TERMINALS 11 BERJAYA 5.47 5.47 BLOOMBERRY 4.54 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.095 CALATA CORP 3.55 CEBU AIR 112.7 112.7 CENTRO ESCOLAR 10.22 DFNN INC 6.97 7.07 DISCOVERY WORLD EASYCALL 3 3.18 FAR EASTERN U 955 GLOBE TELECOM 2,100 GMA NETWORK 6.32 GOLDEN HAVEN 14.4 GRAND PLAZA 21.6 HARBOR STAR 2.18 IMPERIAL A 18.62 IMPERIAL B 136.1 INTL CONTAINER 77.5 IP EGAME 0.01 0.011 IPEOPLE 11.7 11.7 IPM HLDG 9.24 9.24 ISLAND INFO 0.245 ISM COMM 1.42 JACKSTONES 3.55 LBC EXPRESS 10.92 LEISURE AND RES 5.47 LIBERTY TELECOM 2.22 LORENZO SHIPPNG MANILA JOCKEY 2 MELCO CROWN 3.89 METRO RETAIL 5.57 MLA BRDCASTING 20.5 NOW CORP 3.4 PACIFIC ONLINE 11.3 PAL HLDG 5.6 5.65 PAXYS 2.56 2.56 PHIL SEVEN CORP 137 PHILWEB 5.8 5.92 PLDT 1,716 1,740 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.02 PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD 43.15 ROBINSONS RTL 76.7 SBS PHIL CORP 5.85 SSI GROUP2.89 2.94 STI HLDG 0.66 0.68 TRANSPACIFIC BR 1.72 TRAVELLERS 3.24 YEHEY CORP 5.39

FINANCIAL

9,214,080 -376,480

Net Foreign

Change Volume

1.68 3.28 28.15 0.98 1 5.31

FIRST METRO ETF 126.5 37,870,500

1.68 3.29 28.6 1.04 1.02 5.36

MS -212,403,108

SERVICES

271,657,153

MINING & OIL

1,312,045,141

GRAND TOTAL

2,492,983,082

3.35 79,000 3.21 466,500

EXCHANGE TRADE FUNDS 126.4 127.4

32,000 53,760 32,000 105,080 10,636,100 301,035,005 -85,467,620 7,563,000 7,706,710 56,380 1,346,000 1,348,840 2,625,500 14,045,677 -4,507,207

6,000

760,373

5,890,720 -95,080 261,040

-31,249,970

-1,537,310 10,882,876

121,320

-1,064,470 -253,458

-73,100 59,707,795 -33,533,965.00

72,000

-4,934,860

17,703,977

-30,720 21,287,241

-2,756,920 -722,150.00 -3,420 19,200

-120,355

VALUE 1,838.26 (DOWN) 1.64 1,256,784,256.7 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,967.19 (UP) 62.73 1,336,397,399.97 HOLDING FIRMS 7,666.33 (UP) 70.16 1,561,230,091.33 PROPERTY 3,508.02 (UP) 10.60 SERVICES 1,496.50 (DOWN) 1.82 1,185,642,918.64 MINING & OIL 11,381.97 (UP) 225.83 1,219,345,750.85 PSEI 7,719.24 (UP) 41.51 492,983,935.938 All Shares Index 4,570.40 (UP) 10.92 7,067,077,254.81 Gainers: 91; Losers: 85; Unchanged: 66; Total: 242

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Standard standard standard Bourse approves delisting of Splash

THE Philippine Stock Exchange on Tuesday approved the petition for voluntary delisting of personal care manufacturer Splash Corp. PSE said in an order the shares of Splash would be delisted from the ofﬁcial registry of the local bourse effective Oct. 7. Trading of Splash shares is currently suspended after its minimum public ownership fell below the required 10 percent. Splash earlier conducted a tender offer for minority shareholders. Splash ﬁled a petition with PSE for voluntary delisting as early as July, citing the low trading volume over the last 24 months, response of the investing public to the ongoing share buy-back program and company’s desire to avoid telegraphing business plans to competitors as primary reasons. Splash completed the tender offer in September, a requirement prior to delisting, which resulted in acquisition of 129.886 million common shares held by minority investors. The tender offer price of P3.10 per share was based on the fairness opinion and valuation report conducted by Unicapital Inc. Splash said it purchased 8.56 million common shares under the company’s share buyback program. After the tender offer and the recent share buyback transactions, the number of shares still held by the public was 20.055 million common shares, representing 3.42 percent of the company’s outstanding capital stock. Its stock last traded at P3.10 per share on Sept. 27. Jenniffer B. Austria

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Business

SEC proposes lower public ﬂoat for Reit By Jenniffer B. Austria

HE Securities and Exchange Commission is ready to submit a proposal to the Finance Department that will reduce the minimum public float requirement on real estate investment trust companies to 30 percent to attract potential Reit issuers. “We are already finished with the study and we’ll propose a lower minimum public ownership requirement, and maybe just reserve the right to increase it when the markets are okay,” SEC chair Teresita Herbosa said in an interview the sidelines of a forum held in Shangri-la at the Fort hotel. Herbosa said the minimum public ownership for REIT could be subject to review by the SEC after five years.

Aside from the minimum public ownership, Herbosa said the government should also address another important concern of potential Reit issuers—the imposition of a value added on the transfer of assets to Reit companies. The SEC plans to address the concern to the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Herbosa said the Finance Department had asked the regulator to start reviewing the corporate

taxes on capital markets, including the initial public offering and the stock transaction taxes. Herbosa is amendable to removing the IPO tax but she hinted the need to increase the stock transaction tax. “Personally, I don’t have any objection to that (removal of IPO tax) because I was told that we’re the only country with IPO tax. But we have to increase stock transaction tax. So maybe if we increase the minimum public ownership, we will also bat for maybe a little higher stock transaction tax,” Herbosa said. Sale of shares listed in and sold through the Philippine Stock Exchange are subject to a stock transaction tax at a rate of 1/2 of 1 percent of the total gross selling price. The review of the corporate

taxes on capital markets will be undertaken by SEC together with the Financial Executive of the Philippines and Capital Markets Development Council. “The tax reform that we are trying to see is where we probably (can) help people get into business, save money. But at the same time, we need to see if there is enough revenues for government undertaking the infra projects during this golden age of infrastructure,” Herbosa said. Meanwhile, the SEC is now reviewing two new products that will boost the domestic capital markets. These are the dollar-denominated securities and the rules on public private partnership listing, which will pave the way for listing of PPP companies in the stock exchange.

ERRATUM In the Notice of Extra-Judicial Sale of Real Property of Philippine Business Bank, Inc. vs. The Chuan Chow Soy and Canning Company, Inc. published on Sept. 8 & 15, 2016 the mortgage debt in the amount of Php 91,987,093.33 should have been as of July 15, 2016 Union Bank of the instead of April 8, 2016 and the date below should have Philippines inaugurates been September 2, 2016 and not August the newly-built31, UP2016 as published. Our apology.

ECONOMICS CENTER.

Manila

Standard

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

TODAY

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 102-QUEZON CITY

RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE NOW!

JONATHAN DELA CRUZ, Petitioner,

CIVIL CASE NO. R-QZN-16-05262-CV FOR: Declaration of Nullity of Marriage MARISSA DELA ROSA DELA CRUZ a.k.a. ANDREA DIONISIO DELA CRUZ, -versus-

Respondent. x------------------------------------------------x

ORDER OF SUMMONS by PUBLICATION In a verified Petition filed on 27 May 2016, petitioner JONATHAN DELA CRUZ, prays that after due hearing, his marriage to the respondent MARISSA DELA ROSA DELA CRUZ a.k.a. ANDREA DIONISIO DELA CRUZ, which was solemnized in a matrimony of marriage on 22 August 2003 in Catholic Evangelical Church and on 27 March 2004 in Lucindo’s Residence, be declared NULL and VOID, AB INITIO. On 15 August 2016, upon petitioner’s motion, service of summons on said respondent was allowed by the Court to be served by publication. NOW, THEREFORE, respondent MARISSA DELA ROSA DELA CRUZ a.k.a. ANDREA DIONISIO DELA CRUZ, whose residence is last known Paombong, Bulacan, is hereby summoned and required to file with Branch 102 of the Regional Trial Court, National Capital Judicial Region, Quezon City, her Answer to the instant Petition within THIRTY (30) DAYS from the last date of publication of this SUMMONS. In the event of her failure to do so, this Court shall direct the Public Prosecutor to conduct an investigation of any collusion between the parties and if the Court is convinced that there is no collusion, the petitioner shall be allowed to present his evidence in support of the petition. Let this Order be published once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation pursuant to P.D. 1079 at the expense of the petitioner. Likewise, let a copy of the summons as well as a copy of the petition be deposited in the Post Office, postage pre-paid and sent registered mail addressed to the respondent at her last known address, also at the expense of the petitioner. SO ORDERED. Done in Quezon City, this 15th day of August 2016. (MS-Sept. 28 & Oct. 5, 2016)

email us at advertise@the standard.com. ph or call us at 832-5547

(Sgd.) MA. LOURDES A. GIRON Judge

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Invitation to Bid The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Corporate Budget approved by the NHA Board for the year 2016 intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contracts (ABCs) to payments for the following contracts: Ref. No.

ABC/ Source of Duration Work Description Funds (P) (c.d.)

Projects Procurement of Janitorial Services at NHA Main Complex and Select Project Ofﬁces. Procurement of Furniture for the Housing Technology Resource and Exhibit Center (HTREX) Building. Procurement of Driving Services for NHA Shuttle Bus Services

2016 -09186 2016 -09187

21,331,447.80/ Corporate Receipts

1,294,419.24/ Corporate Receipts

3 years

Procurement of Janitorial Services.

Supply and Delivery of Ofﬁce Furnitures at HTREX Building.

Procurement of School of Economics 2016 924,307.20/ 1 year Driving Services for Center for Financial and Corporate -09NHA Shuttle Bus Receipts Monetary Economics 188 Services. and Student Activity Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. Center at the University The NHA now invites bids for the above-cited contracts. Delivery of the Goods is of the Philippines, required within the duration herein cited upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. Bidders Diliman. The center is should have completed, within five years from the date of submission of bids, a single contract similar to the Project costing at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The part of UnionBank’s REPUBLIC OF THEdescription PHILIPPINES of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. RT-123769 (146243) commitment to REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Registry of Deeds-Quezon City NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION aid in researchOFFICE and OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using A parcel of land (Lot 25, of the consolidation-subdivision plan developments in the QUEZONnon-discretionary CITY pass/failPcs-2351, criterion being as specifi ed in the Implementing Rules and a portion of consolidation-subdivision of Lots Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as and the field of finance and 19,21, 22, 23 and 24 of Block 120 described on plan Psd-1650 “Government ProcurementLotReform Act”. Bidding is restricted Filipino citizens/ 18-A of plan Psd-7189, GLRO Rec. No. to 3563), situated in the economics. Leading PHILIPPINE BUSINESS BANK INC, sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent on (60%) Dist. of San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. Bounded the the inauguration are Mortgagee, interest or outstanding capital to citizens of the Philippines. N., stock by Lot belonging 24 of the consolidation-subdivision plan; on the E., by Lots 27 of the consolidation-subdivision plan; on the S., by Aguilar (from left) UnionBank -versusA complete set of BiddingStreet; Documents shall issued to bidders/authorized and on the W., be by Lot 23 ofonly the consolidation-subdivision chairman and chief plan; xxx containing an area of THREE HUNDRED official representatives or employees of the bidder who can show proof ofEIGHTEEN Notarized FRE NO. 11310 SQUARE METERS (318) more or less. Authority to secure bid documents for the specifi c Project and Official Company ID executive Justo Ortiz, upon submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and upon Cash Payment of non-refundable THE CHUAN CHOW SOY AND CANNING UPSE Financial and TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE for NO.Ref. RT-75109 (146242) fee of P21,000.00 for Ref. No. 2016-09-186 and P1,300.00 No. 2016-09COMPANY INC., 187 and and P1,000.00 for Ref. No. 2016-09-188 PR-1923 at the Office of the NHA-BAC 2 Monetary Economics Mortgagors. nd Registry of Deeds-Quezon City x-----------------------------------------------------x Secretariat, 2 Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City starting on October Program chair Dr. 5, 2016. For further information, the NHA BAC 2 Secretariat may be contacted at Tel/ A parcel of land (Lot 24, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Margarita Gonzales, FAX. No. 928-8272. NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE OF REAL PROPERTY Pcs-2351, being a portion of consolidation of Lots 19, 21,22,23 former UnionBank and 24 of Block 120 described on plan Psd-1650 and Lot 18-A UNDER ACT 3135 (AS AMENDED) The NHA will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on October 18, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at the of plan Psd-7189, GLRO Rec. No. 3563), situated in the Dist. of president Victor NHA Operations Center which shall be OPEN only to all interested parties who have UPON extra-judicial petition under ACT 3135, as amended by San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. Bounded on the N. by purchased the Bidding Documents. Valdepeñas, and ACT 4118 and pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Deed of Lot 37 (Road) of the consolidation-subdivision plan; on the E., by plan; on the S. by Lot 25 of Real Estate Mortgage 14, 2015 by THE Lot 26 of the consolidation-subdivision presidentand chief executed on DECEMBER BidsCOMPANY must beINC, delivered Operations Center,plan; 3rd and Floor NHA thethe consolidation-subdivision on the W, Main by Lot Building, 22 of the CHUAN CHOW SOY AND CANNING - 41-43 at Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City on November 03, 2016, notan later 10:00 operating offi cerFrancisco EdwinDel Monte Q. City/No. 041-043 Aguilar consolidation subdivision plan, xxx containing areathan of THREE Aguilar St., San a.m. All Bids must beQueaccompanied a bid security anymore of the acceptable forms HUNDRED by SQUARE METERS in (300) or less. St. Brgy., Brgy. Bungad Project 7. San Francisco Del Monte, Bautista. and in the amount BANK, as stated in BDS. Bid opening shall follow immediately after zon City, Mortgagor in favor of PHILIPPINE BUSINESS

IN BRIEF Citi to enroll clients in voice biometrics

CITI Philippines is seeking to enroll all its one million clients in the Philippines in the next 12 months in the voice biometrics authentication method, a groundbreaking technology in the banking industry. The voice biometrics authentication capability identifies customers through their voice print which, similar to a fingerprint, is unique to each person. Citi Philippines chief executive Aftad Ahmed and consumer banking head Bea Tan launched the system on Tuesday. “Seven thousand clients in the country have already enrolled in the system after a soft launch a few days ago. We are targeting to enroll 100 percent of our clients in the next 12 months,” Ahmed said in a briefing in Makati City. Julito G. Rada

No renegotiation with John Hay ﬁrm

The Bases Conversion and Development Authority is not renegotiating the lease agreement it signed with Camp John Hay Development Corp. in 1996 over the 247-hectare John Hay Special Economic Zone BCDA’s new management is currently conducting an exhaustive review of the JHSEZ to ensure all actions will protect the government’s interests and ensure the long-term development of the area. BCDA also denied news reports of any decision to renegotiate the lease contract. The new BCDA leadership also stressed that it remained committed to working with local government units of areas covered by BCDA’s mandate, such as Baguio. BCDA said it wants to establish a transparent dialogue with LGUs to ensure their active participation in the development of the areas.

INC. Mortgagee, to satisfy the mortgage debt in the amount of of the deadline of submission bids at the same venue. Bids NO. will RT-79503 be opened in the TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE (146241) Php91,987,093.33 as of JULY 15, 2016 inclusive/exclusive of in-representatives who presence of the Bidders’ choose to attend at the address above. Registry of Deeds-Quezon City terest, penalties, attorney’s fees and other charges with Late bids shall together not be accepted. all the lawful fees and expenses of foreclosure sale, the Ex-Officio A parcel of land (Lot 23, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Sheriff of the Regional Trial Court ofThe Quezon and/or his a portion consolidation of Lots 19, 21, 22, 23 NHACity reserves theduly rightPcs-2351, to acceptbeing or reject anyofbid, to annul the bidding process, authorized Deputy Sheriff, hereby announces that on Block on plan without Psd-1650, land Lotincurring 18-A of plan and to reject all September bids at any and time24, prior to described contract award, thereby any 29, 2016 between the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Office 7189, GLRO Rec. No. 3563), situated in the Dist. of San Franliability to the affected bidder or bidders. of the Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff, Regional Trial Court, Hall cisco del Monte, Quezon City. Bounded on the N., by Lot 22 of the of Justice, Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, will sell thru consolidation-subdivision plan; on the E., by Lot 25 of the consolipublic auction to the highest bidder for cash, in Philippine Currency, dation subdivision plan; on the S., by Aguilar Street; an on the W., (SGD) SUSANA V. NONATO the following described real property/ies withAR. all the improvements by Lot 21 of the consolidation-subdivision plan; xxx containing an Chairperson existing thereon, to wit: area of THREE HUNDRED SIXTEEN SQUARE METERS (316) Bids and Awards Committee - 2 or less. more NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. RT-79504 (146249) (MS-OCT. 5, 2016) Registry of Deeds-Quezon City TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. RT-123715 (146240) Registry of Deeds-Quezon City A parcel of land (Lot 31, of the consolidation-subdivision Republic plan of the Philippines Pcs- being a portion of consolidation of Lots 19,21,22, 23 and 24 parcel of land (Lot 22, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Office ofAthe President of Block 120 described on plan Psd-1650 and Lot 18-A of plan Pcs-2351, being a portion of consolidation-subdivision of Lots 19, PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY Psd-7169, GLRO Rec. No. 3563), situated in the Dist. of San Fran21 , 22, 23 and 24 of Block 120 described on plan Psd-1650 and cisco del Monte, Quezon City. Bounded on the N. by Lot 30 ofBIDS the Lot AND AWARDS COMMITTEE 18-A of plan Psd-7189, GLRO Rec. No. 3563), situated in the consolidation-subdivision plan; on the E., by Lot 37 (Road) ofPDEA theBldg., NIAof Northside Road, Nationaldel Government Barangay Pinyahan Dist. San Francisco Monte,Center, Quezon City. Bounded on the Quezon City 1100, Philippines www.pdea.gov.ph consolidation-subdivision plan; on the S. by Aguilar Street; and on N. by Lot 37 (Road) of the consolidation-subdivision plan; on the the W., by Lot 29 of the consolidation-subdivision plan; xxx con- E., by LotINVITATION BID 24 of theTOconsolidation-subdivision plan; on the S. by taining an area of THREE HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN SQUARE Lot 23 of the consolidation-subdivision plan; and on the W, by Lot ACQUISITION OF JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR FY 2017 METERS (347) more or less. 20 of the Bid consolidation subdivision plan, xxx containing an area of Ref. No. 2016-20 THREE HUNDRED SQUARE METERS (300) more or less. Approved Budget for the Contract: P 6,118,000.00 TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. RT-75110 (146248) PR-1929 The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), thru its Bids and Awards Committee with ofﬁce address at NIA Northside Road, TRANSFER CERTIFICATE NO.Hundred RT-79506 (146239) National Government SixTITLE Million One Eighteen Thousand Registry of Deeds-Quezon City Center, Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City intends to apply the sum ofOF Registry of for Deeds-Quezon City Pesos Only (P 6,118,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) the ACQUISITION OF JANITORIAL SERVICES

Gatchalian backs Malampaya deal By Alena Mae S. Flores SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian has backed the Energy Department’s position to respect the sanctity of the Malampaya service contract in northwest Palawan. Gatchalian, head of the Senate committee on energy, agreed with Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, who supported the decision of the previous administration in insisting that the 60 percent corporate income tax of the Malampaya project formed part of the government share. “Deﬁnitely, that is a more prudent position considering that since time immemorial, this type of arrangement is embedded on most of our service contracts... It just so happen that Malampaya is the most proﬁtable,” Gatchalian said. The Commission on Audit issued a notice to collect around

P151 billion from the Malampaya consortium from 2002 to the end of June 2016. CoA claimed that the corporate income tax should not form part of the government’s share in the Malampaya project. Gatchalian said all petroleum service contracts had the same features. “For continuity purposes as well as respect to international contracting, I think that is more prudent. If we change that, many investors will not come in because we change the rules. Especially exploration, where gestation is 10 years,” he said. He said exploration was a high risk and highly capitalized industry “so we need foreign investors to explore.” “With this single tax issue, the country’s future energy stability is in peril. We have a problem here. If we want to achieve energy security and

stability, we need to discover more oil and gas,” Gatchalian said earlier. Cusi said his department had committed to maintain and strengthen the predictability, certainty and consistency of investment rules of the Philippines. “The DoE has strongly afﬁrmed its position... before the Commission of Audit that the inFOR FY 2017under-subdivision Annual Procurement A parcel of land (Lot 30, of the consolidation planPlan (APP) for CY 2017; A parcel of land (Lot 21, of the consolidation-subdivision plan come tax of the Malampaya con-of consolidation Pcs-2351, being a portion Lots of19,21,22,23 Bids received of in excess the ABC shall bePcs-2351, automatically rejected Bid opening and late bids shallof notLots be accepted. being ata the portion of consolidation 19, 21, 22, 23 and 24 of Block 120 described on plan Psd-1650 and Lot 18-A tractor shall form part of the 60 and 24, Block described on plan Psd-1650, land Lot 18-A of plan The PDEA - BACinnow bidders who are authorized Agencies for the ACQUISITION OF JANITORIAL of plan Psd-7189, GLRO Rec. No. 1.3563), situated theinvites Dist.bids of from eligible 7189, GLRO Rec. No. 3563), situated in the Dist. of San FranSERVICES FOR FY 2017. A total of Nineteen (19) personnel shall be assigned at the following areas: San Francisco delshare,” Monte, Quezon City. Bounded on the N., by percent of government del Monte, Quezon City. Bounded on the N. by Lot 20 of the Lot 29 of the consolidation-subdivision plan; on the E., byPLACE Lot 37OFcisco OF JANITOR ASSIGNMENT Cusi said. (Road) of the consolidation-subdivisionNO.plan; on the S., by Lot 31 of consolidation-subdivision plan; on the E., by Lots 23 of the conNational Headquarters, solidation subdivision plan; on the S. by Aguilar Street; an on the the consolidation-subdivision plan; and on the12 W., by Lot 27PDEA of the NIA Northside Center, Brgy. Pinyahan,plan; Quezon City W. Road, by LotNational 18 of Government the consolidation-subdivision xxx containing He stressedconsolidation-subdivision that “the foremost plan. xxx containing4an area of THREE PDEA Academy, Silang, Cavite HUNDRED FIFTEEN SQUARE METERS (315) an area of THREE FOUR SQUARE or less. considerationHUNDRED in the mind of for- METERS (304) more 3 PDEA K9 Facility, San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan more or less. 2. TheNO. following are the lists(146247) of tools, supplies and materials which shall be provided by the bidder: TRANSFER CERTIFICATE RT-75111 eign investors in deciding where OF TITLE LIST OF TOOLS PR-1928 (MinimalCERTIFICATE Requirement) TRANSFER OF TITLE NO. RT-123771 (146238) to invest is the predictability, Registry of Deeds-Quezon City Registry of Deeds-Quezon City QTY UNIT ITEM DESCRIPTION certainty and consistency of inA parcel of land (Lot 29 of the consolidation-subdivision plan 5 units Floor polisher A parcel of land (Lot 20, of the consolidation-subdivision plan Pcs-2351 a portion of consolidation 4of Lots 19, 21 , 22, vestment rules and, being regulatory units Lawn mower being a portion of consolidation of Lots 19,21,22,23 and 23 and 24 of Block 120 described on plan Psd-1650 and Lot 18-A Pcs-2351, 4 units Vacuum cleaner of Block 120 described on plan Psd-1650 and Lot 18-A of plan regime of a country.” of plan Psd-7189, GLRO Rec. No. 3563), situated in, the Dist. of 24pieces 10 Glass GLRO Rec. No. 3563), situated in wipe the Dist. of San FranSan Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. Bounded on the N., by Psd-7189, 5 pieces scissor “It is therefore, of fundamencisco del Monte, Quezon City. BoundedGlass on the N. by Lot 37 (Road) Lot 28 of the consolidation-subdivision plan; 6on the E., by Lot 37 pieces Water hose of the subdivision plan; on the E., by Lot 22 of the consolidation (Road) of the plan; on tal importance that weconsolidation-subdivision observe 10 the S., by Lot 30 of pieces/monthly Doormat subdivision plan; on the S. by Lot 21 of the consolidation-subdivithe consolidation-subdivision plan; and on the20W., by Lot 26 of the pieces Plastic pail the sanctity of contract in our consolidation-subdivision plan. xxx containing an area of THREE sion plan; and on the W, by Lot 19 of the consolidation subdivision 20 pieces Drum plan. xxx containing an area of THREE HUNDRED SQUARE MEHUNDRED FOUR SQUARE METERS (304) more or less. 15 pieces(300) more or less . Trigger sprayer commercial transactions,” Cusi TERS pieces Ceiling broom TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE, NO.12RT-123770(146246) said. All sealed bids must be submitted Pressure to the water undersigned at the Depending onCity the need Registry of Deeds-Quezon 10

aforesaid and time. pieces office on the above stated date Spatula

20 pieces Street Broom A parcel of land (Lot 28 of the consolidation-subdivision plan Interested parties are hereby enjoined to investigate for themPcs-2351 , being a portion of consolidation ofofLots 19, 21be, in22, 3. The place delivery shall Logistics Management Service G/F PDEA Building, NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, and Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City. selves the title to the said property/ies and the encumbrances ther23 and 24 of Block 120 on plan Psd-1650, Lot 18-A of plan Psd-7189, GLRO Rec. No. 3563), situated in the Dist. of San eon, if any there be. A prospective bidder should have 37 completed within the last three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, at least Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. 4.Bounded on the N., by Lot one (1) single contract of similar nature amounting to at least 50%public of the ABC for the said projects. In the event that auction should not take place on said (Road) of the consolidation-subdivision plan; on the S. by Lot 29 date due to fortuitous event or if the same be declared a non-workof the consolidation-subdivision plan; on theNature W., by of the Services”. Similar shallLot mean26 “Janitorial ing holiday, it shall be held on October 6, 2016 at the same time consolidation-subdivision plan. xxx 5.containing an area of THREE Open competitive bidding will be conducted non-discretionary “pass/fail” and using place without further notice.criteria as speciﬁed in the Revised Implementing HUNDRED THREE SQUARE METERS (303) more or less.

C&G Law joins Rajah & Tann Asia GATMAYTAN Yap Patacsil Gutierrez & Protacio, a leading full-service law company in the Philippines, agreed to join Rajah & Tann Asia, Southeast Asia’s largest legal network effective January 1, 2017. The move will offer C&G Law’s clients seamless access to around 650 fee earners who are qualified to practise local law in nine countries in Southeast Asia. Launched in 2014, the Rajah & Tann Asia network is the first extensive grouping that brings together the region’s premier law firms to provide coherent and authentically Asian legal services. It is led by a regional management council, which comprises representatives from each of the firms that form the network.

Jaime Renato Gatmaytan, C&G Law’s managing partner, will join the council as the Philippines’ representative. C&G Law specializes in corporate and commercial transactions, litigation and arbitration, taxation, as well as labor and employment. The firm consists of over 30 fee earners servicing major Philippine conglomerates and multinational companies from a diverse range of sectors, including banking and financial, infrastructure and project finance, energy, manufacturing, education, medical and pharmaceutical. “C&G Law is one of the most dynamic, progressive and wellregarded law firms in the Philippines. We are delighted that

they are joining Rajah & Tann Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184, otherwise known as “Government Procurement Act”. All particulars relative to Asia at a time when the Philipthis bidding including Eligibility Checking, Bid Security, Evaluation and Post Qualification Procedures and Award of Contract shall be Quezon City, Metro Manila, September 2, 2016. by R.A. 9184 and its Revised IRR. TRANSFER CERTIFICATE NO. RT-79505 (146245) pines’ economy is enjoying a OF TITLEgoverned Registry of Deeds-Quezon City 6. The bidding is open to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or resurgence and many internaoutstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of PEDRO L. BORJA which grant similar rights or privileges Commonwealth Act 138. A parcel of land (Lot 27 of the consolidation-subdivision Pcs- to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to(Sgd.) tional and regional companies Sheriff IV 2351, being a portion of the consolidation of Lots 19, 21 , 22, 23 7. The Invitation to Bid and Checklist of Requirements may be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Block described and Lot 18-A of plan are steppingandup24 oftheir invest-on plan Psd-1650 Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and PDEA Website at www.pdea.gov.ph. The complete set of Bidding Documents may be (Sgd.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD Psd-7189, GLRO Rec. No. 3563), situated in thebyDist. of San Franpurchased interested Bidders upon payment of nonrefundable fee indicated below. The Bidding Documents shall be received Clerk of Court VI and ments in the cisco country,” & Boundedpersonally del Monte,Rajah Quezon City. on the N., byprospective Lot 26 on theor his duly authorized representative upon presentation of proper identification of document. by the Bidder Acting Clerk of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff consolidation-subdivision plan; on the E., by Lots 30 and 31 of the 8. For purpose of having a legal personality to raise or submit written queries or clarification in the Pre-Bid Conference relative to Tann Asia chairman Lee Eng consolidation-subdivision plan; on the S., by Aguilar Street; and these bid projects, Bidder must fion rst pay the non-refundable WARNING: fee for the Bidding Documents on or before the date of Opening and W., by Lot 25 of the consolidation-subdivision Submission plan; of Bids.xxx containBeng said. the It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this. ing an area of THREE HUNDRED TWENTY SQUARE METERS 9. The Schedule of Bid Activities shall be asNotice follows: of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of the auction (320) more “C&G Law willor less. certainly sale under penalty of the law ACTIVITIES DATE/TIME VENUE boost our capabilities in helping SALE & ISSUANCE of Bid Documents 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM only, Logistics Management Service Bid Price: 10,000.00 Mondays to Fridays, starting G/F PDEA Building, NIA Northside Road, National CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. PRT-123716 (146244) clients navigateTRANSFER the diverse legal CopySeptember Furnished; 22, 2016 Government Center, Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City Registry of Deeds-Quezon City PRE-BID CONFERENCE September 30, 2016 Main Conference Room landscape in Asia,” he said. ATTY. NINO CHRISTOPHER R. PURA (open only to parties who were invited and/ 2:00 PM 2/F PDEA Building, NIA Northside Road, National A parcel of land (Lot 26, of the consolidation-subdivision plan or purchased bid documents) 3/F PBB Corporate Center Government Center, Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City “We are excited be apart Pcs-2351to , being portionof of consolidation of Lots 19, 21 , 22, 23 SUBMISSION and OPENING OF BIDS October 12,cor. 20168th Ave. Main Conference Room 350 Rizal Ave. and 24 of Block 120 described on plan Psd-1650 and Lot 18-A of 2:00Caloocan PM PDEA Building, NIA Northside Road, National the Rajah & Tann Asia network Grace Park, City 2/F 1403 plan Psd-7189, GLRO Rec. No. 3563), situated in the Dist. of San Government Center, Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City Francisco Monte, Quezon Bounded on the N., by Lot 37 and look forward to del serving our City. 10. Interested mayby obtain further the BACCHOW Secretariat c/oRIA SAMSON at the Logistics Management Service, THE from CHUAN SOY AND CANNING COMPANY INC, (Road) of the consolidation-subdivision plan; onbidders the E., Lots 28information PDEA Building, NIA Northside Road, National Government Quezon City Del from 8:00 AM to Aguilar St.Center, San Francisco Monte Q.4:00 CityPMonly, 1105Mondays to clients’ needsand outside Philip29 of thethe consolidation-subdivision plan; the September S., by Lot22,27 of Tel 41-43 Fridayson starting 2016at No. (632) 920-8082.However, any queries relative to the contents of the bid documents and the consolidation-subdivision plan; and the onproject the W., by Lot 24 requirements can of onlythe be made by bidders who purchased the bid documents not later than Ten (10) days prior to the pines. They will now have acNo. 041-043 Aguilar St. Brgy., Brgy. Bungad Project 7, San FranSubmission Opening of Bids. consolidation-subdivision plan. xxx containing anand area of THREEcisco Del Monte, Quezon City, 1105 HUNDRED SQUARE METERS (300) more or less. cess to a complete range of ser11. PDEA reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all Bids at any to contract (MS-Sept. 8, time 15 prior & 22, 2016) award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders. vice capabilities from top notch (sgd.)ATTY. ROSELYN A. BORJA, CPA lawyers in the region,” GatmayActing Deputy Director General for Administration Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee tan said.

(MS-OCT. 5, 2016)

Ray S. Eñano, Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

Business

Pound slumps to 31-year low against the US dollar Emerging currencies also drop MOST emerging market currencies fell as data showing expansion in the US manufacturing sector fueled wagers that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates before year-end. The won and Poland’s zloty paced declines, while Malaysia’s ringgit was the only one of 24 developing-nation currencies tracked by Bloomberg to advance, as an overnight rally in energy prices offset the prospect of a Fed rate increase as soon as next month. Emerging market stocks advanced on speculation the beneﬁt of stronger US economic growth will be felt globally. Brent crude surged to a sixweek high on Monday, while the dollar strengthened against major peers and Treasuries fell after a report showed US manufacturing expanded in September. Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said in a Bloomberg Television interview Monday that she expects inﬂation to move back toward the central bank’s 2 percent target over the next couple of years, and a “preemptive” rate hike would be appropriate. “Dollar strength and supported US Treasury yields off the back of better-than-expected US data are reminding markets that November remains a live meeting,” said Christopher Wong, a foreign-exchange strategist at Malayan Banking Bhd. in Singapore. “Oil-price gains are supporting the ringgit.” A gauge of emerging market currencies have strengthened this year as the Fed the refrained from tightening policy. Traders assign 17 percent odds of tightening at November’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting, and a 61 percent chance of action by year-end. Bloomberg

ONDON―The pound slumped to a 31-year low against the dollar Tuesday on concerns over the timing of Britain’s planned exit from the European Union, according to traders. Britain’s currency also struck a fresh three-year low point against the euro, while the drops helped pushed London’s benchmark FTSE 100 stocks index up to a 16-month high beyond 7,000 points at the open. Around 0725 GMT, the pound struck $1.2757―the lowest level since 1985. Sterling meanwhile traded at 87.56 pence to the euro―its weakest level since 2013. “It seems that it is going to be hard to provide a tourniquet for sterling’s recent wounds given the solidity of the newly announced Brexit timeline,” said Connor Campbell, analyst at traders Spreadex. “In terms of silver linings the

pound’s protracted demise has continued to lift the multinationals that make up the FTSE 100, leaving the index back above 7,000 for the ﬁrst time in 16 months.” The FTSE rallied to a gain of 1.1 percent at 7,060.46 points in early deals compared with Monday’s close. In the eurozone, Frankfurt’s DAX 30 stocks index won 0.6 percent to 10,577.94 points compared with Friday’s close. The DAX was shut Monday owing to a public holiday in Germany. The Paris CAC 40 meanwhile opened Tuesday with a gain of 0.7 percent at 4,485.41. British Prime Minister Theresa May announced at the weekend that her government

would start the process of leaving the EU within the next six months―possibly leading to Britain severing ties with the single market. Finance minister Philip Hammond said during the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, central England, that people should expect “some turbulence as we go through this negotiating process.” Hammond, who like May campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU, said that consumer and business conﬁdence could go up and down like a “roller coaster.” His comments came the day after May revealed when Britain would start the two-year exit process, putting it on track to leave by early 2019 and opening the door for painful negotiations with EU partners. The new premier, who took power in July after David Cam-

eron quit following the Brexit vote, also indicated willingness to leave the single market in order to secure control over immigration from the EU. EU states have signaled they will take a tough line and not offer Britain any special treatment in the talks, warning that membership of the single market would entail allowing freedom of movement. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker’s spokesman told a daily brieﬁng on Monday that Juncker he and May would discuss Brexit on the sidelines of an EU summit later this month. But he added: “When it comes to article 50 we will work constructively on the basis of the notiﬁcation, not of the speech, and until this letter arrives there will be no negotiation”. Investors have begun outlining their concerns. AFP

CHEERS! Waitresses celebrate the end of the 183th Oktoberfest on a table in a festival tent of the beer festival in Munich, southern Germany, on the evening of October 3, 2016. Overall, about 5.6 million people visited the world’s largest beer festival during the last 17 days. AFP

Australia keeps rates unchanged SYDNEY―Australia’s central bank kept interest rates at a record low Tuesday in the first meeting for newly-minted chief Philip Lowe, amid solid domestic growth and signs that commodity prices have passed their trough. Australian growth has remained robust despite the economy’s uneven transition away from mining-driven expansion, but a recent run of sluggish inflation figures drove the Reserve Bank of Australia to cut rates in May, and then again in August to 1.50 percent. “The board judged that holding the stance of policy unchanged at this meeting would be consistent with sustainable growth in the economy and achieving the inflation target over time,” Lowe said in a statement after the monthly RBA board meeting. The decision to sit on the sidelines was widely tipped by economists, and the Australian dollar drifted slightly lower to 76.67 US cents, from 76.76 US cents, after the statement was released. It also reflected Lowe’s comments to a parliamentary hearing last month, where he struck a cautious note about further cuts to rates and added that the central bank was not “nutters” about keeping inflation in a tight range. Australia, like other economies, is battling low inflation amid weak wages growth, subdued oil prices and tepid global trade. Inflation rose by one percent year-on-year in AprilJune, a 17-year low, far below the Reserve Bank’s target of 2.0-3.0 percent. The next CPI (consumer price index) data will be released in late October. “This was always going to be an interesting meeting as it’s Phil Lowe’s first as the RBA governor,” JP Morgan economist Tom Kennedy told AFP. “The fact that the board has delivered a statement that is pretty close to what they’ve delivered in the previous six months when they haven’t cut... suggests the message they want to convey is one of consistency and that the way monetary policy will be managed going forward is not going to be significantly different.” Lowe highlighted elements of softness in the labor market despite the unemployment rate falling to 5.6 percent, its lowest level in almost three years, in August. AFP

Biggest automated dairy in Asia setting up milk revival in Japan JIN Kawaguchiya gave up a career in finance to help revive Japan’s ailing dairy industry―one robot at a time. In a country that relies increasingly on imported foods like cheese and butter, Japan’s milk output tumbled over two decades, touching a 30year low in 2014. Costs rose faster than prices as the economy stagnated, eroding profit, and aging farmers quit the business because they couldn’t find enough young people willing to take on the hard labor of tending to cows every day. But technology is altering that dynamic. On the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan’s top dairyproducing region, Kawaguchiya transformed the 20-cow farm he inherited from his father-in-law 16 years ago into Asia’s largest automated milking factory. Robots extract the white fluid from 360 cows three times a day and make sure the animals are fed and healthy. The machines even gather up poop and deposit it in a furnace that generates electricity. “Without robots, I would have to hire as many as 15 part-time workers to take care of cows,” Kawaguchiya, 44, said during an interview at the dairy in Kakuyama. “I can save 15 million yen ($146,000) a year thanks to them.” Kawaguchiya had no experience in farming before taking over the farm from his father-in-law, whose three daughters weren’t interested in running a dairy that required them to manually attach milking tubes to the teats of each cows. Kawaguchiya says he quit a job as a manager in Tokyo for Shoko Fund & Co., a business lender, because he saw an opportunity to make a better living in agriculture, provided he could change the economics.

To add scale, he merged the farm with four nearby dairies to create Kalm Kakuyama, a stock company that now has 610 animals, including 380 cows purchased last year. About 250 are calves or pregnant females who aren’t producing milk for the dairy. Automation has transformed the business. After investing 1.5 billion yen to install the robots and the 150 kilowatt per hour generator about 14 months ago, Kawaguchiya says his raw-milk production will quadruple this year from 2015 to 4,500 metric tons, and reach 5,600 tons next year, almost 10 times the output of the average dairy farm in Japan. He’s now the largest producer in western Hokkaido. With less time spent on manual labor, he can analyze data on milk output, quality and animal health to be more efficient. Kawaguchiya isn’t alone. The island has more than 100 milking robots, according to Shinichi Otsuka, the head of the agricultural technology department at the Hokkaido prefecture government. With bigger and more efficient dairies emerging in Hokkaido, rawmilk output is recovering. In the first half of 2016, production in Japan rose 1.1 percent from a year earlier to 3.78 million metric tons, heading for a second annual gain since touching 7.33 million tons in 2014, the lowest since 1984, according to the Agriculture Ministry. While the number of dairies continues to drop, the ones that remain are getting bigger and productivity per cow is increasing, the data show. Mega farms “So-called mega farms are emerging in Hokkaido, increasing their presence in the Japanese dairy industry,” said Koichiro Omoto, head of the information

Cows wait to be milked next to a DeLaval Inc. VMS voluntary milking system in a barn at the dairy farm operated by Kalm Kakuyama in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan, on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016. Bloomberg

planning department of Japan Finance Corp., a government-afﬁliated lender that boosted loans to dairies by 17 percent in the year through March. Use of robots may spread faster in Japan than other countries because the industry –populated mostly with small family farms and aging owners―is faced with a labor shortage and needs to get more efﬁcient, said Yoko Takeda, chief economist at Mitsubishi Research Institute in Tokyo. The number of dairies has plunged 28 percent in the past eight years to about 18,000, Agriculture Ministry data show. Farmers in Japan are also getting older,

with the average age last year at 67, compared with 63.2 in 2005. “Young people are reluctant to take over their parents’ farms as they cannot see a bright future,” Kawaguchiya said. “Their earnings are very small compared with other jobs.” Technology investments More investment in information technology is a key to enhancing productivity in agriculture, according to Yuji Yamamoto, selected by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as agriculture minister when he reshufﬂed his cabinet on Aug. 3. Japan can sometimes face shortages of dairy products, with the country needing to import an additional 4,000 tons of butter to meet demand.

The government began subsidies for milking robots last year after signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, which will mean cheaper dairy imports and more competition for domestic producers. The financial support expanded 12 percent this fiscal year to 68.5 billion yen, according to the Agriculture Ministry. Kalm Kakuyama took advantage of borrowing costs near zero percent to buy its robots. Money is cheap because the Bank of Japan is seeking to revive the stagnant economy with record monetary stimulus. Robot makers More investment is good news for makers of milking robots, in-

cluding DeLaval of Sweden, Lely Industries NV of the Netherlands and GEA Farm Technologies of Germany. Sales of milking robots in Japan will jump 67 percent this year from last year, after doubling in 2015, said Satoshi Shinya, director at the Tokyo office of DeLaval, which provides robots and related service to Kawaguchiya’s farm. The use of robotic systems may reach 30 percent of all dairy farms in Japan, compared with 2 percent now, he said. “Sales are expanding as the government shoulders half of costs to introduce robots, and farms have difficulty finding cheap labor,” Shinya said. “As local dairy farms are under pressure from TPP, the government is boosting subsidy payments for them, which is positive for us.” One robot can handle as many as 60 cows and produce 3 tons of milk a day. The traffic is managed by the machine, which uses cameras to identify each cow, find the nipples and disinfect them before milking, a process that can take less than 10 minutes. The operations at Kalm Kakuyama is attracting visitors from as far away as Indonesia looking for tips on how to revive farms struggling with low profitability and high costs. Kawaguchiya says the business has been so successful that it has brightened his outlook for the future. He hopes to expand into cattle breeding, feed sales and tourism, and he may acquire or manage operations of retiring farmers. “We want our company to be a core of economic activities in this community,” Kawaguchiya said. “Then we can find successors, either from our family members or outside.” Bloomberg

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

CHERUBS. Students in San Rafael, Bulacan wear angel wings at a festival in honor of the seven archangels held every 29th of September. Teddy Pelaez

‘Subic can be best in Asia’

lauded the accomplishments of officials and employees of the SBMA headed by Garcia, notUBIC BAY FREEPORT—Newly ing that they successfully impleappointed Subic Bay Metropolitan mented a financial turnaround Authority chairman Martin Diño assumed for the agency. Diño said he envisioned a office on Monday in a turnover ceremony held healthier financial status for at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention the SBMA, and that he would strive to make Subic more busiCenter here. ness-friendly. “I will work hard to make the In his first public appearDiño was joined in the turnance before employees of over by his transition team, best of it,” he added. “Our sole objective is to make SBMA, Diño accepted the offi- members from the Volunteers cial SBMA flag from outgoing Against Crime and Corruption, Subic the best free port in Asia,” Chairman Roberto Garcia and and son Marvin Diño, who will Diño also said. “Chairman Garcia has already pledged to make Subic the best serve as his chief of staff. free port in Asia. In his acceptance speech, Diño paved the way for Subic towards

By Butch Gunio

becoming the number one free port in Asia; it’s our turn to make that happen,” he added. The former barangay chairman and head of the VACC also pointed out that while he has no degree in business or recognition from financial institutions, he has a direct line to the President and that he intends to use this to further develop Subic. He said that when he was offered the position of SBMA chairman by President Rodrigo Duterte, the latter asked him to make Subic more attractive to investments, and to make the free port more developed.

E. Visayas marks World Teachers’ Day THOUSANDS of teachers and education officials from Eastern Visayas will join the regional celebration of World Teachers’ Day at the Tacloban City Convention Center today, October 5. DepEd Undersecretary for curriculum and instruction Dina Ocampo will lead the event that will cap the celebration of Teachers’ Month with the theme, “Guro Kabalikat sa

Pagbabago” (Teachers Partners for Change). “We expect about 4,000 participants from the 13 school division offices and half of them will come from Tacloban City,” said Department of Education (DepEd) city schools division superintendent Thelma Quitalig. Key officials from the DepEd central, regional and field offices in cities and provinces will join

the one-day activity that will be hosted by the Tacloban division. Activities include zumba, fun walk, ecumenical services, bloodletting, opening program, live bands, and DepEd “Hollywood Night.” Among the free services to be offered are massage, hair and makeup, legal assistance, government insurance, housing, health insurance, employment services,

and medical and dental checkups. “We are negotiating with nearby establishments for 10-percent discounts for the teachers,” Quitalig said. The celebration acknowledges the crucial role, loyal service and dedicated commitment of teachers in developing globally minded citizens, nurturing families, strengthening communities and building the nation. PNA

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista is urging all city officials to set politics aside and prioritize the needs of the city’s 3,085,786 residents. In a recent legislative-executive development advisory council to map out the city’s economic reforms agenda, Bautista asked his officials to set aside differences, unite and

cooperate to enable the city government to pursue development goals in the next three years. “No more politics, just work,” he said. The mayor’s executive agenda aligns with the economic thrust of President Rodrigo Duterte to improve the city’s tax base, provide ease in doing business and institute policy reforms. Bautista underscored the need

to amend the city’s Revenue Code that he said should be made corollary to the observations of the Commission on Audit. In addition, he said he urges the integration of barangay clearances to provide a clear and uniform matrix of fees and charges for businesses applying for barangay clearances. The mayor wants to rationalize various executive departments in

sive free port in the country, as well as the Number 1 tourist destination in Central Luzon and Number 4 nationwide. Garcia also noted that under his administration, the revenue collection of SBMA jumped from P1.39 billion in 2011 to P2.75 billion in 2015, while its total available cash increase d from P595 million in 2011 to P2.75 billion 2015. “These accomplishments had made SBMA the 11th among government-owned and -controlled corporations in terms of dividends remitted to the national government last year,” he said.

Recto side streets open to vendors

the branch to improve efficiency. He asked the city personnel office and the Budget department to study a possible increase in the entry pay level of health workers. The city government’s executive agenda for 2016 to 2019 also included the need to update the Traffic Management Ordinance and the alignment of traffic strategies with the proposed grant of emergency powers to Duterte.

TO BALANCE the right of the motorists and commuters to traffic-free roads and the vendors’ need to make a living, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Monday allowed vendors who are residents of Manila to operate in certain side streets of Divisoria. Estrada said he made this compromise because he pitied the hundreds of vendors displaced by road clearing. “As their leader and the father of the city, it is my duty to look after our poor vendors,” he said. “But still, I have to think of the welfare of the thousands of motorists and commuters who lose valuable time and opportunities when stuck in heavy traffic,” Estrada said. Estrada has tasked the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau (MTPB) to help reorganize thousands of vendors in Divisoria. According to the bureau, an

initial batch of 610 sidewalk vendors would be “returned” to the Divisoria side streets of Tabora, Carmen Planas, Juan Luna, Sto. Cristo and Ilaya. “Initially, they would be allowed to sell on the sidewalks,” the bureau said. Estrada asked the MTPB to screen the 610 vendors to ensure that all of them are bona fide residents of Manila. They were then required to register with the Bureau of Permits and secure the necessary hawkers’ permits. “Of the 10 illegal vendors driven away during our past operations, seven were non-Manila residents. Many came from Pangasinan, Cavite and as far as Mindanao. Divisoria has become a Mecca, ” the bureau said. Illegal vendors who have no permits and are non-residents would still be banned in Divisoria Market, it emphasized.

sengers per train (160 meters long). The peak period of train services is expected at 10 trains per hour with a headway of six minutes interval in between

train at 120/kph. The NSCR train will utilize the former route line and right-of-way of the Philippine National Railways from Tutu-

ban passing through Solis in Tondo, Sangandaan in Caloocan City and Valenzuela City where a 13,822-hectare depot will be constructed.

No politics, just work, says Bautista By Rio N. Araja

Diño also mentioned that the President plans to transfer to Subic half of the transshipment activities in the South and North Harbors in Manila, to help decongest the port and streets of Metro Manila and to maximize Subic’s port capacity. He also expressed concern for the former Subic volunteers whom he described as the first heroes of SBMA, adding that he will look into how the agency could repay their sacrifices. Meanwhile, outgoing chairman Garcia highlighted in his turn-over speech his administration’s accomplishments that made Subic the most progres-

DoTr briefs Bulacan residents on NSCR By Orlan L. Mauricio MALOLOS CITY—The Department of Transportation met with residents of Bulacan from Meycauayan to Malolos to respond to their concerns about just compensation and dislocation from business and workplace by the planned North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center. The residents voiced their concerns during the initial public consultation called by Deo Leo Manalo, Undersecretary for Rail and Toll Roads of the DoTr. Celestino Ulep, supervisor of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and Japan Design Study Team, and Cristina Quinalayo, of the DoTr, took more than four hours to parry queries from families especially those whose houses will be torn down by the construction of the train’s mandatory fencing.

The DoTr team also promised to come up with a website or a page in a popular social media in order to address other issues and update affected residents once construction starts. A hundred households in two barangays in Malolos and four barangays in the towns of Guiguinto and Balagtas clamored for a detailed perspective on the NSCR to avoid dislocation and unforeseen inconveniences. The train will run from Tutuban in Manila to Malolos, covering a 38-kilometer elevated track line to be financed by a loan 241.99-billion Yen (P97,376,145, 568.86) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Based on the updated prospectus of the project, travel time of the train (from 60 kilometers per hour to 120 kph) from Tutuban to Malolos will be reduced to 35 minutes for commuters using bus or jeepneys that take 1-1/2

The proposed NSCR route

hours to 2 hours. The NSCR will use electric multiple train units composed of eight coaches (20 meters long each) that carry up to 2,200 pas-

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

LGUs

Veco plants coffee trees in Cebu S

OME 120 Visayan Electric Co. employees and their family members planted about 2,500 coffee seedlings in Barangay Pungol Sibugay, a mountain village in Cebu City, a company statement said.

The tree-planting activity was a joint project of Veco and the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the statement said. Veco and PBSP partnered with a people’s organization in Barangay Pung-ol Sibugay,

whose members will take care of the seedlings. Paul Cadutdut, a member of the Pung-ol Sibugay people’s organization, said the community will grow the seedlings into productive trees. Cadutdut said the coffee

trees are expected to start bearing fruits after three years. “This tree-planting activity of Veco is a big help to us and to future generations because once they start bearing fruits, the coffee trees

will provide us livelihood,” he said in Cebuano. Veco and its partners have been planting trees every year since 2009. It has planted 1,047,299 trees in different areas of Cebu, the statement said. PNA

Tuao mayor LMP prexy of Cagayan By Jessica M. Bacud

INITIATIVE. Senator Cynthia Villar, director of Villar SIPAG ( Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance), is joined by the students at the launch of the 1st Villar SIPAG Youth Poverty Reduction Challenge, a friendly competition among young social entrepreneurs who help alleviate poverty in their localities. Lino Santos

Road widening killing old trees By Manilyn T. Ugalde LEGAZPI CITY—Former Albay governor and incumbent second district Rep. Joey Salceda lambasted the Department of Public Works and Highways for cutting and uprooting trees for the massive road widening and concreting of national roads it started three years ago. Assistant public works regional director Armando Estrella reported that road widening in Bicol was 30 percent complete so Salceda mourned the thousands of trees, many more than 50 years old, that were felled to make way for the road projects. Dr. Arme Santos-Tan, a retired professor of the Bicol University, also lamented that public resistance against cutting of trees in roads seems to have subsided. In 2013, a district engineer ordered the initial cutting of more than 30 old trees in the first district of Albay without the knowledge and consent from the Capitol. However, the electric posts remain, each more than a meter from the pedestrian road way. Strong support from the church and local environmentalists for his quest against mining and the cutting of trees led him to order the provincial board to declare persona non grata then-Albay first district engineer Teodoro Castillo and file criminal and administrative charges for cutting more than 30 trees on the sides of the 10-kilometer route from Tabaco City to Malinao to Tiwi towns in the first district. But Salceda withdrew the resolution against Castillo a few weeks later and aborted the filing of charges after the district engineer reportedly came to him and seek forgiveness and understanding saying as a mere district engineer he was only following order to clear the road for the road widening. Early this year, said road widening and concreting was 30 percent complete and cutting of road trees continued in other areas. Since Salceda’s hometown

Polangui is the gateway to the provinces of Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon and the Visayas region, motorists from Manila could only wonder at the sudden disappearance of old beautiful trees on the roads. Former Albay Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Marcial Tuanqui complained of the rampant palay drying of residents and traders occupying both sides of the road shielded by big stones that pose danger to motorists. Early last year, the 125-meter long Yawa Bridge from Legazpi poblacion to Barangay Rawis was expanded to four lanes, the first bridge to be widened in the region to ease traffic during rush hours. When the road half a kilometer from the bridge leading to the first district was also widened and concreted and more than 100 old Agoho trees facing the regional center on the eastern side and the Aquinas University of Legazpi on the other side were marked “X” for demolition, the DPWH was stormed by protests from environmentalists, residents and students. The DPWH then built the two-meter-deep covered line canal that effectively cut the major roots of the Agoho trees. When Typhoon “Nona” hit Albay and toppled the Agoho trees in Barangay Rawis, the DPWH was able to proceed with the road concreting. Also last year, a Gregorian Mall project began on a 1000-square meter lot in the old Albay district once known as the Locsin Park. The site was leased by the city government. The leasing of the Locsin Park by the city for the construction of the Gregorian mall caused friction between Salceda and Mayor Noel Rosal after the former governor resisted the conversion of the park to a mall. Building the mall required uprooting of four old trees, so Salceda had the remaining five grown trees six years old and above transplanted to a government land in Legazpi where they are thriving.

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan —Mayor Francisco Mamba Jr. of Tuao town was voted president of the League of Municipalities of the PhilippinesCagayan chapter in Lal-lo on September 22. Mamba won 13 of the 24 votes against the incumbent LMP president, Lal-lo town Mayor Florante Pascual who got 11 votes. In an interview, Mamba said his administration will be a working LMP and will try to reach a consensus on every issue. He added that he has supported the LMP for many years. “The position of LMP president is not a one of power and not for personal interest but rather for the development of every municipality. The LMP of Cagayan will serve as the voice of the municipality,” he vowed. “The LMP will bring the provincial government closer to the local government units,” Mamba said. “Let us be partners with Gov. Manuel Mamba in developing our respective localities and the entire province, he added. The Tuguegarao mayor is the brother of the Cagayan governor and can

easily relay to him the concerns of the local officials. “We have a governor who has priorities for the development of the barangays and towns in the province and under the Cagayan Development Agenda 2025, no. 3: No Barangay, No Town Left Behind, we need to take advantage of this as this will steer development in our respective municipalities,” Mamba explained. A better and productive future is in the offing for the municipalities of the province of Cagayan, he stressed. The provincial government has allocated P500,000 a year to every barangay and P3 million yearly for each municipality on a bottom-up budgeting scheme. The mayors of Claveria, Baggao and Pamplona were absent. Former Rizal mayor Joel Ruma was not allowed to cast his vote in behalf of his wife who is the incumbent mayor. Gonzaga Mayor Marilyn Pentecostes, Penablanca Mayor Washington Taguinod and Iguig Mayor Ferdinand Trinidad volunteered as election committee chairman during the election. The election was witnessed by Mayor Ferdinand Abesamis, LMP national representative and DILG official Luis Udanga.

BFAR men save turtle in Zamboanga PERSONNEL of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on Monday rescued an Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) off Zamboanga City. Atty. Benjan Ilahan, fishery management regulatory enforce-

ment division chief of the BFAR regional office, said the turtle was rescued by the agency’s patrol boat near Barangay Tumalutap. Ilahan said the male turtle, which sustained a chest injury, was 56 centimeters long and 58

cm. wide and weighed 15 kilograms. He said the rescued turtle was placed in the care of the Office of the City Veterinarian. “The turtle was weak. We will let it dive off Sta. Cruz Island after we remove the air in its

body,” Ilahan said. He said the Olive Ridley turtle is an endangered species. The Olive Ridley sea turtle, also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle, is a medium-sized species of sea turtle found in warm and tropical waters. PNA

WILD RIDE. Nickelodeon presents an epic Halloween treat at Takotown: Fright Express at SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2 on October 31 at 2 p.m. Nickelodeon promises a day full of fun and surprises, especially on a Terror Tour at this year’s Spook Station.

Relocation of Globe tower under study By Dexter A. See BAGUIO CITY—The city council has asked the committee on public utilities, traffic and transport legislation to study all documents on the request of Upper Market Subdivision barangay for the relocation of a 60-meter Globe Telecom tower built in a residential area more than two decades ago. The directive was issued in preparation for a hearing with experts from the health department to settle the issue of radiation.

The committee was tasked to look into all angles of the request after Globe filed a motion with the local legislative body for reconsideration of Resolution 239, series of 2008 that supported the request of the barangay for the immediate relocation of its tower. The committee will investigate complaints by the residents that the tower has caused breath, stomach and ovarian cancers over the past several years. The residents also questioned the stability of the tower in the

event of a strong earthquake. It will be recalled that the barangay council of Upper Market Subdivision endorsed the putting up of the Globe tower in their barangay in 1996 but it revoked its endorsement in 1999 after residents cited the health and safety hazards posed by the metal structure. The members of the committee will decide in the coming weeks whether or not to invite all parties, including their technical personnel, to an ocular inspection to ascertain the tower’s stability.

Lawyer Solgrandioso David Jr., head of Globe Telecom’s government regulatory compliance division and corporate and legal services, said the network complied with all requirements for the tower and the health issues raised by the concerned residents were addressed. David lauded this move and said Globe will abide by the council’s decision but warned mobile phone users that their signal in the central business district area will be compromised once the tower is moved.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources MINES AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. Philippines Tel. No. (+632) 928-8642/928-8937 Fax No. (+632) 920-1635 E-mail: central@mgb.gov.ph

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID Two (2) Units Geotechnical Equipment ITB No. 2016-09-065 P.R. No. 2016-01-098 1. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2016 intends to apply the sum of Six Million Pesos (PhP6,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Two (2) Units Geotechnical Equipment. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected during opening of bids. The MGB now invites bids for procurement of Two (2) Units RTK-GPS. Delivery of the Goods is required within sixty (60) calendar days upon receipt of Notice to Proceed (NTP)/Purchase Order (PO). Bidders should have completed, within Five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II (Instructions to Bidders). 2. 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. 3. Interested bidders may obtain further information from MGB and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours, from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from September 30 to October 13, 2016 at the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Four Thousand Pesos (PhP4,000.00).

Preview of specifications can be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (Phil-GEPS).

PORT MANAGEMENT OFFICE OF AGUSAN Port Area, San Francisco Street, Butuan City 8600, PHILIPPINES Tel. No. (+6385) 342-5352,342-6451, 815-3449; Fax No. (+6385) 815-4434; Email: pmo_nasipit@yahoo.com

Invitation to Bid The Philippine Ports Authority, Port Management Office of Agusan, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for Engineering Projects, invites contractors registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to bid for the hereunder contract: A. Contract ID : NRP-AGN-02-16 B. Contract Name : Repair of RC Deck Including Replacement of Mooring & Fendering Fixtures Port of Nasipit C. Approved Budget for the Contract : P 25,338,463.00 D. Location : Nasipit, Agusan del Norte E. Scope of Work : 1. Mobilization 2. Repair of RC Deck at North Section – 346.50 cu.m. 3. Repair of Roro Ramp – 30.00 cu.m. 4. Replacement of Mooring Fixtures – 14 sets 5. Replacement of Fendering System – 36.00 sets F. Contract Duration : 180 Calendar Days G. Required PCAB Classification/Registration:Port, Harbor and Offshore Engineering: Medium A Bidders should have completed, within the last three (3) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a single largest completed contract similar to the Project to be bid and having a value of at least 50% of the approved budget for the contract to be bid, updated to current prices using the NSO price indices and supported with corresponding certificate of completion/acceptance from project owner/agency. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships or organizations with at least 75% interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines. Interested bidders are required to submit to the BAC Secretariat of PPA, PMO Agusan a set of machine and original copies of the following documents for authentication before the issuance of Bid Documents: a) Valid PCAB License; b) Certificate of Completion/Acceptance of owner of the single largest completed project within the last three (3) years; c) CY 2015 CPES Rating; and d) Certification of non-inclusion in the Consolidated Blacklisting Report issued by the GPPB. A complete set of Bidding Documents will be available to interested Bidders from the address below upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (P25,000.00), exclusive of 12% VAT. This Office is not electronically-ready to handle documents, thus submission of bids / proposals electronically is not allowed. The schedule of procurement activities is as follows: Procurement Activities

Schedule Time Date Venue Period of Availability/ Issuance 9:00 AM September 30, 2016 PPA, PMO Agusan Admin of Bidding Documents -5:00 PM – October 7, 2016 Building, Port Area, Butuan City PPA, PMO Agusan Admin Pre-Bid Conference 9:00 AM October 7, 2016 Building, Port Area, Butuan City Deadline of Submission and PPA, PMO Agusan Admin 8:30 AM October 20, 2016 Receipt of Bids Building, Port Area, Butuan City PPA, PMO Agusan Admin Opening & Examination of Bids 9:00 AM October 20, 2016 Building, Port Area, Butuan City

4. The MGB will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on October 06, 2016, Thursday at 2:00PM, at the Office of the Bids and Awards Committee, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. 5. Bids must be delivered to the address below on October 14, 2016, Friday, on or before 1:30PM. Late bids shall not be accepted. All Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Securing Declaration or any other bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on October 14, 2016, Friday, 2:00PM, at the Office of the MGB-Bids and Awards Committee. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend. 6. The MGB reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. 7. For further information, please refer to: HOWELL M. MAPOY Head, Secretariat Bids and Awards Committee North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City Telephone No. 667-6700 loc. 153 or 156 E-mail: bac@mgb.gov.ph Website: www.mgb.gov.ph (SGD) Engr. JUANCHO PABLO S. CALVEZ Chairman, BAC (MS-OCT. 5, 2016)

The Philippine Ports Authority, Port Management Office of Agusan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on October 7, 2016 @ 9:00 o’clock in the morning at the PPA, PMO Agusan Administration Bldg., Port Area, San Francisco Street, Butuan City, which shall be open only to all interested bidders who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bidders must submit their bids on the date, time and place specified in the above schedule. Late bid/s will not be accepted. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the forms and corresponding amount stated in the Bidding Documents. Bids higher than the ABC shall automatically be disqualified at the bid opening. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. The Philippine Ports Authority, Port Management Office of Agusan reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. Similarly, the PPA Port Management Office of Agusan assumes no obligation, whatsoever, to compensate or indemnify any bidder of any expenses or loss that said bidder(s) may incur in its participation in the pre-bidding and bidding process nor does it guarantee that an award will be made. For further information, please refer to: MS. SARAH JANE T. LUCERO Sr. Project Planning & Development Officer Head, BAC Secretariat-Engineering Projects PPA, PMO-Agusan Port Area, San Francisco Street, Butuan City 8600 Tel. Nos. (085) 342-6451/342-5352 Fax No. (085) 815-4434 Email Address: pmo_nasipit@yahoo.com (Sgd.) JUANCHO I. TALILI Division Manager A, Port Services Division BAC Chairperson, Engineering Projects (MS-OCT. 5, 2016)

In memory of a loving daughter/ sister Jennifer Fajelagutan born on October 8, 1975 died on August 13, 2016 She is survived by her father, mother and brother.

Zuellig Pharma Corp. KM. 14 West Service Road, South Superhighway cor. Edison Avenue, Sun Valley, Parañaque City (MS-OCT. 5, 2016)

(MS-SEPT. 21,28 & OCT. 5, 2016)

ERRORS & OMISSIONS

In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

Republic of the Phillippines Department of Health National Capital Regional Office VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER BIDS AND AWARD COMMITTEE Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Telefax No. 294-4625 Email addressvmc_bac@yahoo.com INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID PROCUREMENT OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (Hysteroscopy and Washer Disinfector) 1. The Valenzuela Medical Center, through the General Fund intends to apply the sum of Ten Million Pesos Only (Php 10,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Medical Equipment (Hysteroscopy and Washer Disinfector). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. 2. The Valenzuela Medical Center now invites bids for Procurement of Medical Equipment (Hysteroscopy and Washer Disinfector ). Delivery of the Goods is required 180 days. Bidders should have completed, within CY 2014 to 2015 from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. 3. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using 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. 4. Interested bidders may obtain further information from Valenzuela Medical Center and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 9:00 AM to 4:00pm. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on October 05, 2016 to November 03, 2016 from the address below and upon payment of a non refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Five Thousand Pesos Only (Php 5,000.00) (1M to 5M) and Ten Thousand Pesos Only (Php 10,000.00) (5M to 10M). It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS)and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids. 5. The Valenzuela Medical Center will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on October 13, 2016, 10:00 AM at BAC Office, 2nd Floor, VMC Annex Bldg., Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City , which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. 6. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before November 03, 2016, 10:00 AM. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB. Bid opening shall be on November 03, 2016, 10:00 AM at the VMC Conference Room, 4th Floor, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below.Late bids shall not be accepted. 7. The Valenzuela Medical Center reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: IMELDA M. MATEO, MD, MBAH, FPCP, FPCCP VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER Medical Center Chief II Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Telefax no. 294-46-25, Email vmc_bac@yahoo.com (SGD) DONA D. SALMOS, RN, MAN BAC Chairperson (MS-OCT. 5, 2016)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources MINES AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU

North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. Philippines

Tel. No. (+632) 928-8642/928-8937 Fax No. (+632) 920-1635 E-mail: central@mgb.gov.ph

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID

Network Enhancement for Central and Regional Offices ITB No. 2016-09-066 P.R. No. 2016-01-143

One (1) Lot Information Technology Equipment ITB 2016-09-064 P.R. No. 2016-09-819

One (1) Lot Information Technology Equipment ITB 2016-09-063 P.R. No. 2016-09-818

1. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2016 intends to apply the sum of Fourteen Million Pesos (14,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for One (1) Lot Provisioning Services on Network Enhancement for Central and Regional Offices. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected during opening of bids.

Delivery of the Goods is required within sixty (60) days upon receipt of Notice to Proceed (NTP). Bidders should have completed, within Five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II (Instructions to Bidders).

Delivery of the Goods is required within the period specified in the bidding documents upon receipt of Notice to Proceed (NTP). Bidders should have completed, within Five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II (Instructions to Bidders).

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

4. The MGB will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on October 07, 2016, Friday at 2:00PM, at the Office of the Bids and Awards Committee, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered to the address below on October 11, 2016, Tuesday, on or before 1:30PM. Late bids shall not be accepted. All Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Securing Declaration or any other bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Preview of specifications/scope of work can be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (Phil-GEPS).

The MGB will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on October 06, 2016, Thursday at 2:00PM, at the Office of the Bids and Awards Committee, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bid opening shall be on October 11, 2016, Tuesday, 2:00PM, at the Office of the MGB-Bids and Awards Committee. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend. 5. The MGB reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

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.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from MGB and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours, from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from September 30 to October 13, 2016 at the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Four Thousand Pesos (PhP4,000.00).

Preview of specifications/scope of work can be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (Phil-GEPS). The MGB will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on October 06, 2016, Thursday at 2:00PM, at the Office of the Bids and Awards Committee, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on October 14, 2016, Friday, on or before 1:30PM. Late bids shall not be accepted. All Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Securing Declaration or any other bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bid opening shall be on October 14, 2016, Friday, 2:00PM, at the Office of the MGB-Bids and Awards Committee. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend.

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

For further information, please refer to:

HOWELL M. MAPOY Head, Secretariat Bids and Awards Committee North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City Telephone No. 667-6700 loc. 153 or 156 E-mail: bac@mgb.gov.ph Website: www.mgb.gov.ph

(SGD) Engr. JUANCHO PABLO S. CALVEZ Chairman, BAC (MS-OCT. 5, 2016)

Bid opening shall be on October 14, 2016, Friday, 2:00PM, at the Office of the MGB-Bids and Awards Committee. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend.

For further information, please refer to: HOWELL M. MAPOY Head, Secretariat Bids and Awards Committee North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City Telephone No. 667-6700 loc. 153 or 156 E-mail: bac@mgb.gov.ph Website: www.mgb.gov.ph

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2016 intends to apply the sum of Fifteen Million Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP15,300,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for One (1) Lot Office Equipment . Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected during opening of bids. The MGB now invites bids for Procurement of Eighteen (18) units Wide Format Scanner with Two (2) units Desktop Computer

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from October 4-10, 2016 at the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Four Thousand Pesos (PhP4,000.00). Preview of specifications can be downloaded from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (Phil-GEPS).

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. 3. Interested bidders may obtain further information from MGB and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hours, from 9:00AM to 4:00PM.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for CY 2016 intends to apply the sum of Nine Million Pesos (PhP9,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for One (1) Lot Office Equipment . Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected during opening of bids. The MGB now invites bids for Procurement of Eighteen (18) units Document Scanner with one (1) unit Desktop Computer and Laptop

The MGB now invites bids for procurement of One (1) Lot Provision of Services on Network Enhancement for Central and Regional Offices

OBIT

Notice is hereby given to the public that official receipts of Zuellig Pharma Corp., bearing OR NO. 297464L have been lost. Any transaction covered by these OR NOs. shall not be honoured by the company.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources MINES AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU

NOTICE OF LOSS

HOWELL M. MAPOY Head, Secretariat Bids and Awards Committee North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City Telephone No. 667-6700 loc. 153 or 156 E-mail: bac@mgb.gov.ph Website: www.mgb.gov.ph (SGD Engr. JUANCHO PABLO S. CALVEZ BAC Chairman

(SGD )Engr. JUANCHO PABLO S. CALVEZ BAC Chairman (MS-OCT. 5, 2016)

(MS-OCT. 5, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

World

SPICE. Indian Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal (center) with Indian designers and models at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2016 attend the “Reﬂections of Style” event in Mumbai on

IS claims Baghdad bombing, 10 dead BAGHDAD—Suicide bombers struck two Shiite-majority areas of the Iraqi capital Monday, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 30, officials said, attacks claimed by the Islamic State group. In the deadliest blast, a bomber detonated explosives in the Amil neighborhood of southern Baghdad, killing at least six people and wounding 16 or more, officials said. Another bomber detonated explosives near a garage for taxis and buses and a tent providing refreshments to passersby as part of a Shiite religious ritual, killing at least four people and wounding 18. IS issued a statement claiming the attack, saying it targeted Shiite Muslims whom the Sunni extremist group considers to be heretics. IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, and while the jihadists have since lost signficant ground, they retain the capacity to carry out frequent attacks in government-held areas. Iraqi forces are preparing for an assault on Mosul, a city in the north that is the last held by IS in the country. But the IS threat will not end even with Mosul’s recapture, and the jihadists will be likely to increasingly revert to insurgent tactics such as bombings if they lose the city. AFP

Monday. AFP

Wedding blast kills 22 B

EIRUT—A suicide bomber killed at least 22 people Monday in an attack targeting a party in the northeastern Syrian province of Hasakeh, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and medics said.

“A suicide bomber blew himself up inside a hall in Tall Tawil village during the wedding of a member of the Syrian Democratic Forces, killing at least 22 civilians,” Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. The SDF is an Arab-Kurdish coalition battling jihadists of the Islamic State (IS) group in northern Syria. On the same day, United States abandoned its effort to convince Russia to impose a ceaseﬁre on the Syrian regime as government forces pursued their relentless onslaught on eastern Aleppo. Meanwhile, the United Nations Syria envoy voiced deep disappointment Monday at the collapse of US-Russian talks to revive

a Syria ceasefire, but vowed to keep working for a political solution. “The UN will continue to push energetically for a political solution of the Syrian conflict regardless of the very disappointing outcome of intense and long discussions among two crucial international stakeholders,” the office of Staffan de Mistura said in a statement. Accusing Moscow of abetting Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad’s assault on civilian districts of the city, Washington said it had suspended bilateral talks with Russia on reviving a truce. “Everybody’s patience with Russia has run out,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told re-

porters. A State Department official said US Secretary of State John Kerry is “laser-focused” on finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict through multilateral channels. But his near-daily telephone calls and regular Geneva talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the crisis are over. “This is not a decision that was taken lightly,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said, announcing an end to plans to set up a joint US-Russian military cell to target jihadists. There was no word on what America’s “Plan B” might be despite rumors of tougher US sanctions and talk that Saudi Arabia and Qatar might step up arms shipments to anti-Assad rebels. At the United Nations, Russia dismissed a French-drafted UN resolution aimed at imposing a ceasefire in Aleppo as having “no chance of working,” insisting the priority should be fighting jihadists in Syria.

“I’m not even sure many other council members would like to see a resolution on cessation of hostilities which has no chance of working,” Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said. “If the only effect of that resolution is that the secretary general will start thinking of some monitoring mechanism which is not going to work in the ﬁrst place, then there is not much sense in having that resolution.” The Russian and US militaries will keep a communications channel set up to ensure their forces do not get in each other’s way during “counter-terrorism operations in Syria,” Kirby said. But US personnel who had been sent to Geneva to set up a “Joint Implementation Center” with Russian ofﬁcers are coming home. “We regret this decision by Washington,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, Russian news agencies reported. A truce was declared on Septem-

ber 12 under a deal Kerry and Lavrov signed in Geneva last month, but it collapsed within a week. Washington accused Moscow of failing to rein in Assad’s government forces and of carrying out air strikes on civilian targets, including a UN aid convoy. Moscow, meanwhile, says the United States failed to separate “moderate” anti-Assad rebels from jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda. According to Kirby, Russia was “unwilling or unable to ensure Syrian regime adherence to the arrangements to which Moscow agreed.” The US spokesman accused Moscow and Damascus of targeting hospitals and preventing aid from reaching desperate civilians. The Russian response was just as stark. “Washington simply did not fulﬁl the key condition of the agreement,” Zakharova said of Washington’s struggle to separate opposition ﬁghters from the jihadist Fateh al-Sham Front. AFP

Paris home for street art PARIS—Not content with spray painting its way into the urban collective consciousness, street art is at last graduating to the gallery as Paris opens its ﬁrst permanent exhibition of the genre. After a Rome exhibition for British grafﬁti king Banksy, French counterpart JR’s trompe l’oeil wrapping of the Louvre Pyramid and a feast of “Urban Exploration” at Villa Medicis, now comes a Parisian sequel--150 works on permanent show at the Art 42 peer-to-peer learning center. The exhibition which opens this month is a further sign of how street art is establishing itself as an

art form in its own right, some 50 years after early proponents used metro tunnels and handy walls as blank canvases. Over in the US, Jessica Goldman Srebnick a decade ago was afraid of walking through Wynwood, a derelict warehouse neighborhood in Miami. Today, she is the virtual curator of an open-air art gallery that has turned the area into one of the hippest places in the United States. Windowless factory warehouses in the bleak urban district have become a venue where artists, including internationally famous ones, paint murals that raise street

art to new heights. Meanwhile, global contemporary art sales slowed by a quarter in the year to July 2016 as demand in China dried up, according to leading index Artprice. Turnover was $1.5 billion (1.3 billion euros) compared with $2.1 billion in the previous year. “The market saw a healthy period of adjustment, which was as necessary as it was predictable,” Artprice founder and chief executive Thierry Ehrmann said in the report released on Sunday. Despite the correction, contemporary art “remains a particularly high-performing long-term investment,” Artprice said. AFP

Get out, Merkel—xenophobes DRESDEN—Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel was greeted on Monday by whistles and shouts of “Get out” after arriving in Dresden -- birthplace of xenophobic movement Pegida -- for German reuniﬁcation celebrations. The angry crowd also waved signs saying “Merkel must go” in the east German city, where some 2,600 police were deployed as a security precaution. The German leader has been under pressure at home over her liberal refugee policy that saw an inﬂux of nearly 900,000 migrants last year.

Dresden is hosting national celebrations to mark 26 years since the reuniﬁcation of East and West Germany, with the chancellor and President Joachim Gauck in attendance. Supporters of Pegida, the antiimmigrant, xenophobic group that began in Dresden, also gave Gauck a hostile greeting upon his arrival. The group initially drew just a few hundred supporters to its demonstrations before gaining strength, peaking with rallies of up to 25,000 people in early 2015.

Though Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) took a drubbing in recent regional polls, she insisted on the sidelines of Monday’s celebrations that “mutual respect” and “acceptance of very divergent political opinions” are needed to meet the challenges facing Germany. Norbert Lammert, the speaker of the German parliament, took aim at those who “whistle and shout” but who “clearly don’t have the slightest memory of the condition of this city and this region were in before reuniﬁcation”. AFP

ROAR. A mascot scares guests at the Shin Godzilla Los Angeles premiere on Monday in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Trump stopped from raising funds NEW YORK—The top state prosecutor in New York has ordered Republican nominee Donald Trump’s charitable foundation to stop fund-raising in New York immediately, saying that it was operating without proper certification. The office of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman told the Donald J. Trump foundation last Friday that it must “cease and desist from soliciting contributions” in New York. The notice was made public on Monday. The notice of violation informed the charity that it had been engaged in fundraising activities that were not permitted under the law because they had not been registered with state authorities. “Failure to immediately discontinue solicitation... shall be deemed to be a continuing fraud upon the people of the state of New York,” the letter warned. The notice gave the Foundation 15 days to registered the required information and file delinquent financial reports of any fundraising activities in previous years with the state’s Charities Bureau. “All forms must be properly certified, complete and accurate,” said the letter. “Any person who swears falsely to any document required... may be guilty of a crime under the New York Penal Code,” it added. The Trump campaign was tight-lipped Monday in response. “Because this is an ongoing legal matter, the Trump Foundation will not comment further at this time,” the Republican nominee’s spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in a statement carried by The New York Times. Schneiderman, who is a Democrat, filed a lawsuit in 2013 against the real-estate tycoon accusing his now defunct, self-styled Trump University of being an elaborate scam. A trial into alleged malpractice at Trump University is scheduled to begin in San Diego, California on November 28 -- three weeks after the presidential election between Trump and his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. AFP

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Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

H, the joys of new fatherhood—a baby to love and nurture, a baby to begin and end your day, a baby to think about when you plan for a bright future. There are a lot of good things to say about caring for the little one’s well-being every single blessed day but all fathers can attest to the fact that having a baby changes everything: the domestic routine, the career front, the social agendas, even the “me” times spent at the gym. Some men even take fatherhood so seriously that they tend to let themselves go—think new dad in a hoodie, a loose shirt, a cap and jogging pants. Well, we’ve got news for you. You may lose the Pokemon Go or chuck the late-nights-out with the boys but you certainly don’t need to throw away your good, ole fashion sense in the name of fatherhood. Here, Dockers shares tips for new daddies who want to stay on top of their grooming and styling games: Pick your size. Stop wearing oversize shirts just to feel comfortable. In fact, don’t buy clothes that are neither too large nor too small—just pick your size. Have a style icon. There are a lot of celebrities and businessmen who are dads, but still manage to look cool. Pick an icon with a body type similar to yours, and start from there. Always be well groomed. Don’t get stuck in the daddy stereotype of unshaven face and untidy hair. Clip your beard meticulously or shave it if you can’t grow one. A nice tip for your next haircut is to keep the back and sides short, with extra volume on top. Invest in the right clothes. Expect a hike in the family budget; caring for a baby comes with a price. Don’t let this stop you from buying new and better clothes, however. Invest in trusted brands that are known not just for style but for quality, as well. For instance, Dockers has long been renowned for great men’s wear, particularly jeans. Take Dockers’ Jean Cut, which seamlessly blends comfort and style—perfect for new dads. Popular for its rugged and casual feel, Dockers’ Jean Cut can keep you on the go, at work or play, and when changing the baby’s nappies. With its sturdy rivets, double-needed seams, authentic five-pocket styling, and a hint of stretch, the Jean Cut is classy and laid-back at the same time. Even better, Dockers’ Jean Cut comes in a range of fabrics, finishes, and colors—grey, black, indigo, olive and navy blue, among others—that allows you to dress according to your preference and mood. By sporting the Jean Cut, you can be the dad with an easy-going but classy vibe. One last tip: style is a state of mind. Savor the joys of, and don’t be overwhelmed by, the responsibilities of fatherhood. This joy is what will make you feel as great as you look.

Fun in Forever 21’s Disney Pixar Capsule Collection AMERICAN retail brand Forever 21, one of the world’s largest and mostrecognized retailers, brings fun again to fashion as it launches globally a limited-edition Disney Pixar capsule collection including women’s, men’s and kid’s clothing and accessories. The 29-piece collection brings that Pixar magic from the screen to the racks as it celebrates classic characters from Disney Pixar animated films including Finding Dory, Monsters, Inc., and Toy Story. The latest iconic characters like Buzz Lightyear, Dory, Nemo, Woody and Mike Wazowski are featured in trendy bodysuits, bomber and denim jackets, cropped t-shirts, sweaters, and sweatpants, as well as beanies and tote bags. In the spirit of fun, there are also items with wordplays on the characters and their beloved stories including “Buzz Worthy,” “Go With the Flow” and “Monster Crew.” The Forever 21 Disney Pixar collection is highlighted in an episode of Destination: Disney Style; the five-part original series that takes viewers on a trip around the globe to explore the unique ways Disney characters are interpreted through fashion. The video follows Lauren Riihimaki of YouTube’s LaurDIY as she delves into everything about the collection from the design process and inspiration, to collection favorites and more, giving view-

ers an exclusive look into the capsule collection and how it came together. The Destination: Disney Style episode featuring LaurDIY and the DisneyPixar capsule collection is up for viewing on the Disney Style YouTube channel. In the Philippines, Forever21 has been the foremost choice of the stylish bunch since it opened its first store at SM Megamall in 2010. Through its partnership with the SM Retail Group, Forever 21 has made it easier to have access to trendy yet affordable fashion with branches around the country. Forever 21’s Disney Pixar Collection is available at Forever 21 in SM Megamall, SM Makati, North Wing of SM City Cebu, The Block at SM City North Edsa, SM Mall of Asia, SM Lanang Premier, SM Aura Premier, SM City Fairview, SM City Clark, SM Southmall and SM Seaside City Cebu. Get connected with Forever 21 through forever21. com, Forever 21 PH on Facebook, @Forever21PH on Twitter @f21philippines on Instagramm Check the Destination: Disney Style on w w w.youtube.com/ user/disneysstyle

FASHIONABLY FUN. Forever 21 launches a limited-edition, 29-piece collection featuring the iconic characters from Disney Pixar animated films.

Life

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

BEGINNINGS AND OPENINGS

Francis Libiran Bridal

is officially open

NTERNATIONALLY acclaimed fashion designer Francis Libiran led the toast at the recent launch of Francis Libiran Bridal – his first bridal store at Greenbelt 5 with an exquisite collection of elaborately embroidered floral appliques and minimalist linear and structured pieces.

The new store has minimalist aesthetics with welcoming ambiance and well-curated selection of bridal gowns designed for every bride-to-be. Brides-to-be can now start their forever with Francis Libiran Bridal. Brides can shop for the wedding gown of their dreams with BPI Amore Card and at zero percent interest on 12-monthly installments plus a free Francis Libiran Bridal head dress and veil, and up to three percent rebate on all purchases. For more information, like Francis Libiran Bridal on Facebook, follow @francislibiranbridal on Instagram, and visit www.francislibiranbridal. com. For inquiries, call (632) 358 4731 or email francislibiranbridal@gmail.com.

Tippy Dos Santos

A TOAST TO EVERY BRIDE-TO-BE. From left: Francis Libiran Deputy General Manager Victor Harry, Advocate Fashion Inc. President and CEO Arsi Baltazar, GMA Films President Annette Gozon, Ayala Malls Vice President Myrna Fernandez, Francis Libiran, Kaye Abad, Vice President for BPI Credit Cards Jenny Lacerna, and Francis Libiran Bridal President Christian Mark Jacobs officially open Libiran’s bridal store at Greenbelt 5.

Filipino designer Francis Libiran

The Company performs at the opening of Francis Libiran Bridal

Feed your skin with oatmeal By Bernadette Lunas IF we want a filling meal that’s also healthy, we are told to eat a bowl of oatmeal. And if we want nourished and moisturized skin, we only need to apply the same cereal to our body. Not the one that we eat, though, but the variant that is grounded into an extremely fine powder called colloidal oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal contains a rich mixture of skin transforming components found in whole oat grains. It contains five vital nutrients: proteins,

anti-oxidant, vitamins, polysaccharides and lipids that relieve the skin from dryness and provide overall protection from itch and irritation. “Colloidal oatmeal is nature’s best moisturizer,” posits Johnson & Johnson Associate Director for Scientific Affair Menas Kizoulis. The benefits of oats to the skin have been discovered thousands of years ago, and Aveeno has been harnessing this all-natural ingredient for over 70 years. Aveeno combines colloidal oatmeal with breakthrough science to deliver

Long-time Aveeno users triathlete Jaymie Pizzaro, actress Nikki Gil and swimmer Christine Jacob-Sandejas are named Aveeno ambassadors in the Philippines

skincare solutions that effectively clean, moisturize and protect skin—whatever the skin type. The Daily Moisturizing Lotion variant provides up to 24 hours of long-lasting moisture with one application, reason it is the no. 1 body lotion formula sold in the US—one sold every three seconds. Even TV host and champion swimmer Christine Jacob-Sandejas swears by the brand. “I have freckles and tan lines due to the amount of time I was under the sun while swimming, but I don’t want them to hinder my life because I love the sun. When I was in the States, I found Aveeno which is very gentle and very hydrating—it just worked well with me,” relates Christine. Filipino patrons of Aveeno need not hoard this brand in the US. The brand is now available in the Philippines. “After 10 months of waiting for the brand to come to the Philippines, Aveeno is finally here!” exclaims J&J Philippines Assistant Brand Manager for Beauty Patricia Villasenor. Together with Christine, J&J Philippines tapped other long-time Aveeno users, actress Nikki Gil-Albert and triathlete Jaymie Pizzaro, to share inspiring skin stories. Being in an industry that puts a premium on physical appearance, Nikki shares having dry skin made her feel insecure and less confident about herself. She says she goes through great lengths to make sure her skin is well taken cared of. “I’ve always known that natural ingredients can do wonders to the skin but not in the same way Aveeno’s Active Natural ingredients can. With Aveeno, I am confident that I can keep on pursuing my passions and inspire other people to do the same without having to worry about dry skin ever again,” shares Nikki. Jaymie, on the other hand, had to contend herself with common skin problems as she trains for competitions. “Believe me, the signs are not hard to miss: dark tan, chafing, heat rash, sunburn, you name it,” she says. But after everything her skin has been through, Jaymie says she currently enjoys healthy and naturally beautiful skin thanks to Aveeno. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion and Body Wash, and Aveeno Skin Relief Lotion and Body Wash are now available in all leading supermarkets and drugstores nationwide. Visit www. aveeno.com.ph for more information.

Fans of today’s hottest on-screen couples can vote for their favorite tandem in Belo Medical Group’s online contest category ‘Fairest Belo Love Team’

Belo’s ‘Fairest of Them All’ online contest celebrates 26 glorious years

THE Belo Medical Group (BMG), under the helm of the doctor of the stars Dr. Vicki Belo, is celebrating its 26th year in the industry, with the launch of “Mirror, Mirror on the wall, you can be the fairest of them all!” online contest heralding the best and the brightest of the clinic’s endorsers. Standing the test of time, Belo has pioneered beauty treatments, such as Tumescent Liposuction, Botox, Picosure, Thermilift, Fotona 4D and Nightlase, in the country and subsequently earned the reputation of being the first and only medical aesthetic clinic to be accredited by NABH International, a gold standard for patient care quality and services. It is for this reason (and more) that Belo remains to be the clinic of choice among the country’s biggest celebrities, all swear by the credibility that the clinic stands for. The public that voted online via the newly-launched Belo website www. belomed.com/belo26 had a chance to win P26,000-worth of Belo gift certificates or one of the 26 Belo gift packs in celebration of Belo’s 26th

anniversary by supporting their top choices in the following categories: Fairest Belo Love Team, Hottest Belo Momma, Belo Beauty Princess, Belo Beauty Queen, Belo Hunk, Ageless Beauty, and the Most Popular Belo Campaign. Belo’s long roster of celebrities has one thing in common – they trust their beauty transformation only to Belo. Among them are Regine Velasquez, Piolo Pascual, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Daniel Padilla, Derek Ramsay, Lovi Poe, Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza, Liza Soberano, Sarah Lahbati, Georgina Wilson, Anne Curtis, Isabelle Daza, Sarah Geronimo, Matteo Guidicelli, Enrique Gil, Nadine Lustre, James Reid, Ruffa Gutierrez, Jennylyn Mercado, Rhian Ramos, Alodia Gosiengfiao, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Alice Dixson, Coleen Garcia, Billy Crawford, Andi Eigenmann, Julia Montes, Alex Gonzaga, Toni Gonzaga, Karylle, Sunshine Dizon, and many others.

Marian (fourth from left) with Avon Asia Paciﬁc and Philippines Director for Communications Faith Fernandez-Mondejar, Avon Philippines Marketing Director Jean Reyes, General Manager Emie Aguilar Nierves, Group Category Manager for Avon Color Christa Jacinto Sarao, and Head of Beauty and Strategy Patricia De LeonRodriguez aboard the Avon Beauty on Wheels bus

By Bernadette Lunas Photos by Rex Perzeus Sardinia

ARIAN Rivera-Dantes lives multi-faceted life. The 32-year-old actress is not only a household name in the entertainment industry, she is also a philanthropist, a wife, a mom and a person who believes and shows that women can have it all. As Marian performs her reel- and real-life responsibilities, she makes sure that she still looks the best in the process. In fact, she says women need not be careless after they got married or had a child. “Dapat may time ka pa rin para sa sarili mo (You must set aside time for yourself),” she says. And when it comes to looking gorgeous with the help of lipstick, she says she wants something that’s comfortable to wear as she goes about her day. “Gusto ko kasi yung lipstick na hindi magdadry sa lips ko. Gusto ko yung light lang, yung

Marian Rivera’s preferred lipstick

magagamit ko siya kahit saan ako magpunta. Yung tipong komportable ako pero maganda pa rin (I want a non-drying lipstick. I want it lightweight, something that I can wear wherever I go. Something that I can wear comfortably but still looks good on me),” shares Marian. It is Marian’s and every woman’s aspiration to “have it all” that inspired leading direct selling company Avon to introduce its newest Avon Indulgence Lipstick collection. Indulgence Lipstick promises two things: moisture and excellent color pay-off. Avon Philippines Head of Beauty and Strategy Patricia De Leon-Rodriguez explains, “Avon Ultra Color Indulgence is formulated with weightless hydrating gels that feel incredibly lightweight on the lips and provide intense moisture.” Indulgence glides on easily and provides four times the moisture versus other Avon lipstick, according to Avon Philippines Director for Marketing Jean Reyes. “It’s a different line, with different beneﬁts from other Avon lipsticks. We offer different varieties for women looking for different ﬁnishes, different feel on the lips,” Reyes told Manila Standard, further adding “Indulgence means indulgence

Michael Weatherly:

Watch SKYcable shows on the go

from sidekick to leading man

RICH and entertaining content through SKYcable and SKYbroadband are enjoyed at the comforts of your home. Now, you can enjoy the total SKY experience everywhere you go with SKYmobi mobile Internet. SKYmobi is bringing fast-speed Internet and cable entertainment in the palm of your hands, making your mobile lifestyle even more enjoyable. So whether you’re at your kids’ basketball practice, waiting for an appointment, at the mall, in school or just wherever your day takes you, you can have an enjoyable browsing experience on your smartphone or tablet. With SKYmobi, you’ll be able to watch your favorite SKYcable shows anytime, anywhere as it gives you access to over 30 live channels online including ABS-CBN HD, Jack TV, AXN, Warner TV, Cartoon Network, History, CNN, Disney Channel and more. Plus, you also get to watch all episodes of ABS-CBN shows. All you need to do is click on your pocket WiFi, download the SKY on Demand app or sign in at www. skyondemand.com.ph to access your cable shows selection. Remember, it’s a beneﬁt of your current cable subscription, provided at no additional cost. With speeds of up to 12Mbps, browsing your favorite sites just got a whole lot easier and more efﬁcient. You can also stay in touch and share stories with your loved ones with free data access to Facebook, Viber and FB Messenger. Connecting to multiple devices is also possible, allowing you to multitask, like chat through your smartphone, watch shows on your tablet, or surf using your laptop all at the same time. With three plans to choose from – SKYmobi Plan 499, SKYmobi Plan 999, and SKYmobi Plan 1499 – you can look forward to the complete internet and cable experience that suit your needs. Find out how you too can bring this whole new world of entertainment and connectivity wherever you go by calling 381-0000 or visit www.skymobi.com.ph. For online publishing, please change www.skymobi.com. ph to bit.ly/prskymobinewplans.

AMERICAN actor and director Michael Weatherly, popularly known as Agent Tony DiNozzo, a character he played in NCIS for 13 seasons, returns to the small screen as Dr. Jason Bull in a drama inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw, the founder of one of the most proliﬁc trial consulting ﬁrms of all time. Entitled Bull, the show premiered on Sept. 21 and airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. on RTL CBS Entertainment. It revolves a r o u n d the central character, an ultimate puppet master that combines psychology, human intuition and high tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses and the accused tick. In the procedural drama, Dr. Bull employs an enviable team of experts at Trial Analysis Corporation to shape successful narratives down to the very last detail. In high-stakes

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, October 5, 2016

ACROSS 1 DeMille of epics 6 Guy 10 Boxtop pieces 14 Rial spender 15 Yokel 16 Oregon, to Yves 17 Pound division 18 Mr. Stravinsky 19 Dear, to Luigi 20 Amoeba’s leg 22 Turmoil 23 Frisk about 24 Look into 26 — — step further 29 Pack member 31 Videotape format 32 — Jima 33 Year-end tune 34 Dreams 38 China’s Xiaoping 40 Add sound effects 42 Engage 43 Solar — 46 Beowulf’s drink 49 — Holliday 50 Actress — Hartman 51 She, in Cherbourg 52 Diligent insect 53 Not tidy

57 Cruise-ship deck 59 — Marie of R&B 60 Thrillers 65 You, formerly 66 Pet plea 67 Salsa singer — Cruz 68 Sea eagles 69 “Judith” composer 70 Relieves tension 71 Jalopy woe 72 Lost no time 73 Cut drastically DOWN 1 Farm structures 2 Down Under birds 3 Bamboo stalk 4 Provoke 5 Command to Rover (2 wds.) 6 Made lame 7 Quasimodo’s creator 8 Residence 9 Apiece 10 Famed Shawnee chief 11 Nintendo forerunner 12 Industrial czar 13 Gaze fixedly 21 Melville opus

22 Saudi royal name 25 Roman teenager’s age 26 Existentialist writer 27 Author Wister 28 Five-star (hyph.) 30 Water chute 35 Verdi opera 36 — — Hubbard of sci-fi 37 Cult 39 Least experienced 41 Shouted

both in moisture and in pigment.” The new Avon lipstick line, which was launched in September, comes in eight trendy shades, namely: Petal Pink, Rose Bouquet, Royal Peony, Daffodil Petal, Peach Petunia, Red Tulip, Spring Lilac and Purple Hyacinth. Each lipstick offers medium to full coverage in satin ﬁnish. “I’m so excited for every Filipina to try Avon Indulgence Lipstick. I’ve tried it during our shoot and several times after that, and it’s everything I need. Magaan siya sa lips, it’s moisturizing and it provides beautiful color,” enthuses Marian. When asked what’s her favorite among the Indulgence line, Marian gamely answered, “Petal Pink! That’s the very Marian Rivera shade— sweet but intense. “I must say that it’s really perfect for me,” the Spanish-Filipina actress ends. Avon Ultra Color Indulgence Lipstick is available exclusively through Avon Representatives for P399 apiece.

44 Bond-issuing org. 45 Jabber 47 Put — — on it! 48 Concludes 53 Absolute 54 First P.M. of India 55 Wails 56 Pesky person 58 NBA’s Shaquille 61 Sharpen 62 Rick’s old flame 63 Stalemates 64 Cummerbund 66 More, to Pedro

trials, Bull’s combination of remarkable insight into human nature, three Ph.D.’s and a top-notch staff creates winning strategies that tip the scales of justice in his clients’ favor. In a phone interview with the Manila Standard, the 48-year-old TV star talked about the new character, which he describes as “a con-man who helps people in the most beautiful way.” “I like the mystery, the enigmatic core of Dr. Bull to me, and I haven’t ﬁgured him out, I don’t know what his mystery is, but it’s a great engine inside the character and series,” Weatherly shared. As he started his journey with Bull and seeing how the character behaved in different scenes, Weatherly was surprised by what came out of the character including his emotions and his propensity of becoming very manipulative. “I have been into six episodes into making the show right now, and I think Dr. Bull himself enjoys being a little uncomfortable because I think he is a little bit of a control freak, he wants to understand what everybody’s thinking, and he wants to control outcomes, but I think he’s self-aware enough to know that that’s what he’s doing,” he explained. The show has a lot of surprises in store for the viewers. Without giving away so much, Weatherly said that in one of the scenes he had to be on his underwear. “Five days ago, I went to work as Dr. Bull, woke up in a ﬁeld in his underwear next to a cow. All I can tell you is that

I never expected that I would be doing something like that for a series. He is a very surprising character,” he revealed. On the other hand, when asked about the series itself, the actor generously shared what the viewers can expect from the weekly drama. “Bull is a sort of a combination between House and The Mentalist,” he said. He furthered that each episode is close-ended, there are a few characters that will recur, and each episode has its own campaign. But the big hook for Bull, according to Weatherly, is plain and simple: understanding human behavior a little bit better. “In the world we live in today, you just use another app, a diary app and of course, it’s linked to another app whether it’s Snapchat or Twitter or Facebook or Instagram, or whatever. Nobody ever has that expectation of privacy anymore, and how that’s fundamentally changing people is part of what Bull is about: Psychology,” he concluded. Weatherly began his acting career with a minor television role in The Cosby Show as Theo Huxtable’s roommate. He was later cast in the role of Cooper Alden, from 1992 to 1996, in Loving and later, The City. As television director, he made his directing debut with the season-eight episode of NCIS titled “One Last Score,” which aired in March 2011, and also directed the police crime drama’s season 10 episode “Seek,” which aired in March 2013.

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

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016

Showbiz LESSON LEARNED.

Piolo Pascual talks about the latest issue he got into and how he handles them whenever they happen.

The second installment of HOOQ Hangouts held at the Globe Iconic Store in Bonifacio Global City

How

Piolo Pascual deals with scandalous rumors F

OR Piolo Pascual, rumors are just like the weekly Friday trafﬁc— an inevitable part of life that you just have to learn to accept and deal with.

Mikee Quintos’s Instagram video where she sings Alicia Keys’s hit songs is currently racking up thousands of likes

Just recently, the Kapamilya hunk was again involved in an alleged scandalous video with Luis Manzano. Manzano was on Facebook Live while inside the dressing room of their noontime variety show ASAP. The video became viral because of the misleading caption of being a “gay scandal.” In reality, however, Piolo was simply getting dressed for his production number while Luis was streaming on his FB profile. So instead of being affected by the news, the 39-year-old actor chose to take a break from his hectic shooting schedule and just chill out with his fans at the HOOQ Hangouts. Manila Standard had a few minutes with Piolo to say his piece, “That’s the first time I experienced that kind of issue. Hindi ko alam na ganun pala ang Facebook Live so I learned my lesson. I guess I was too uncensored when I did it sa dressing room namin. Hindi ko alam na ina-upload pala yun. So ayun okay lang, charge it to experience. But ‘pag mga ganun kasi you upload it and hindi mo na maaalis sa YouTube yun. What people see there, you know that’s the real thing. Yun ang uso eh. Just for the sake of your viewers di ba?” Piolo also admitted that he doesn’t even have his own Facebook account. “Wala nga akong Facebook. Doon ko nga lang nalaman yung Faceook Live. I have no idea kung ano yung mga comments. It was on Luis’s account so kung meron mang mga nagsalita dun ng kung anu-ano, mas maganda na yung hindi ko alam di ba?” he added. The special outdoor screening featured the Piolo and Angelica Panganiban starrer Every Breathe U Take and was part #LovePinoy theme of the second HOOQ Hangouts. The event, held on Sept. 24 at the Globe Iconic Store at Bonifacio Global City, was held to showcase HOOQs vast archive of Filipino Films. As for the chance to hangout with his fans, Piolo said he is very thankful for the opportunity, “I’m really thankful because it’s not often that I get to do this stuff. “These days, people are into mobile. They get to access it and watch it any time. Times are changing so you got to adapt. It’s nice of HOOQ to do this kasi ibang klase talaga yung experience. I only found out that they have such an extensive library that includes content from Star Cinema also and ABS-CBN and a lot of my movies. They already have OTJ and Milan as well so we have the more reasons for people to watch what we have to offer them. Masaya lang kasi nowadays mas konti yung attention span ng tao. So at least whenever they want to watch it you have it for them,” he states. Piolo also revealed that he also loves to binge watch different TV series when he has free time. “I’m always out so kapag nasa bahay ako tulog na lang. So siyempre mas maganda na you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows whenever you have the chance. You get to watch new materials, new shows. Siguro dun na din tayo pupunta,” he added. *** With close to 1,200 Filipino movies spanning almost five decades and over 4,000 hours of local television, HOOQ leaves the competition way behind when it comes to its rich catalog of local content.

ISAH V. RED

“With the start of the ‘ber months’ everyone is expecting the weather to be a bit colder, so we chose a romantic comedy that’s guaranteed to rekindle that warm fuzzy feeling and make our subscribers feel some Pinoy Love,” says Jane CruzWalker, country manager of HOOQ

Philippines. “In addition to thousands of Filipino movies spanning almost four decades (1980’s to 2016), we also have over 4,000 hours of local television content which includes the best teleseryes, comedy and reality shows,” revealed Cruz-Walker. HOOQ lets you enjoy hard-to-find classics from Bagets, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, to Temptation Island, Rizal and Ishmael Bernal’s City After Dark. “Pinoy films/TV shows are closest to our hearts because they tell the stories of our lives, that is why we have signed licensing deals with the top Philippine studios including ABS-CBN, Regal, Viva and GMA,” Cruz-Walker added. Stream or download HOOQs certified romantic flicks featuring star couples such as James Reid and Nadine Lustre’s Diary ng Panget and This Time. John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo top-bill romantic blockbusters One More Chance, Close To You and The Mistress. Feeling a bit melodramatic? Then you might want to add A Secret Affair starring Derek Ramsay and Anne Curtis to your movie playlist. HOOQ also has you covered if you are craving for some Pinoy action blockbusters with On The Job, Muro Ami, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, Deathrow and Dugo ng Panday leading the list. Scream your hearts out with horror classics Feng Shui, Sukob, Shake Rattle and Roll series and The Healing or laugh out loud with blockbuster comedies starting with Sisterakas, Kimmy Dora, Wang Fam, My Amnesia Girl and Girl, Boy, Bakla, Tomboy with top comedians Vice Ganda, Eugene Domino, and Toni Gonzaga as headliners. Finally for fans of TV series, you can watch the entire season of Imortal, Encantadia, Walang Hanggan and catch-up episodes of Sinungaling Mong Puso and Someone to Watch Over Me

currently airing on GMA. HOOQ is also home to a rich collection of independent titles such as Metro Manila, Sonata, Six Degrees Of Separation From Lilia Cuntapay, Zombadings, Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros; and the works of top Filipino directors such as Erik Matti, Peque Gallaga, Aureus Solito, Jade Castro, Real Florido and award-winning writers Moira Lang, Antoinette Jadaone and Michiko Yamamoto. The VOD service has likewise shown its annual support to the Metro Manila Film Festival and short film/animation category hosted on HOOQ. HOOQ Hangouts will regularly showcase blockbusters and all-time favorites through several massive LED screens at the Globe Iconic Entertainment Zone, transforming the BGC Amphitheater into a free outdoor cinema venue. Participants of HOOQ Hangouts can also enjoy on-ground entertainment, munch on free popcorn and check out on-ground activities and win raffle prizes. HOOQ is Asia’s largest video-on-demand service hosting over 10,000 movies and TV shows available for streaming or download. Globe customers can get free access to HOOQ with selected GoSURF mobile data plans and as well as Broadband Plan 1299 and up. Visit www.hooq.tv to sign up for a 7-day free trial. How to get HOOQ It’s easy to get HOOQ! Sign up today for a 7-day free trial on www.HOOQ.tv. Globe mobile customers can get up to 90 days free HOOQ on selected GoSURF plans. Broadband customers also get HOOQ for free on Globe Home Broadband. Once the trial period expires, Globe customers can continue enjoying HOOQ at P149 subscription fee monthly charged to your Globe bill. Simply text HOOQ149 to 8888. *** Mikee Quintos held a concert at the set’s standby area surprising everyone. The newbie posted a video on Instagram and her followers instantly liked what they saw. Imagine her singing songs of Alicia Keys (“If I Ain’t Got You”). Mikee says she loves to sing, in fact, it’s her first love. So, to date, how many have viewed her video on Instagram? Believe it or not, the tally is now nearing 50 thousand and increasing. Atta girl!

Ms. World Philippines 2016 beauties experienced a fun-ﬁlled beauty day with Novuhair at Fanny Serrano Salon. Novuhair provided the ladies with hair and make-up, beauty gift packs and a hearty feast. Novuhair is the leading medicated hair loss solution for hair loss prevention and maintenance. It is a unique combination of 19 natural ingredients with synergistic effects to help prevent hair loss and aid in stimulating hair growth. Novuhair, Nature’s Answer to Hair Loss! Call 413-6570/ 0922-8830575 or visit www.novuhair.com for more inquiries.