Manila Standard - 2017 February 17 - Friday by Manila Standard

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VOL. XXXI • NO. 7 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

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6,000 defy rain, Lopez Workers rally vs mining closure By Lance Baconguis

ANTILAN, Surigao del Sur—Despite torrential rain, close to 6,000 mine workers, indigenous peoples, scholars, fishermen and farmers rallied against the order of Environment Secretary Regina Lopez to close mining operations in Surigao del Sur at the town park here.

BRAVING THE ELEMENTS. Nearly 6,000 mines workers, indigenous peoples, scholars, ﬁsherfolk and farm-

Leni fails to block Bongbong’s protest Solons rule out Gina’s confirmation

ers stand up Thursday to the weather in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur to rally at the town square against the order of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez on the closure of mining operations in the province. Lance Baconguis

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court, acting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, has denied the plea of Vice President Leni Robredo to dismiss the electoral protest filed against her by former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after it found the poll protest “sufficient in form and substance.” This means the PET will proceed with the hearing and resolution of the election protest against Robredo on its merit. In a resolution dated Jan. 30 but only made public Thursday, the PET ruled that there exists sufficient basis to take jurisdiction

over the Marcos’ election protest when it junked Robredo’s motion to dismiss the case. “Verily, the Tribunal affirms its jurisdiction over the instant protest, which is sufficient in form and substance. The protestee’s [Robredo] prayer to dismiss the protest for lack of jurisdiction and for being insufficient in form and substance is denied,” the PET said. It held that the Marcos’ protest contained narrations of ultimate facts on the alleged irregularities and anomalies in the contested clustered precincts, which the protestant needs to prove in due Next page time.

By Christine F. Herrera FOR making a “very bad decision” on mining, Environment Secretary Gina Lopez will not hurdle conﬁrmation of the powerful Commission on Appointments, lawmakers said Thursday.

“Secretary Lopez’s confirmation is ruled out because she made a very bad decision by closing down 75 mining firms without due process,” said Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, who filed a resolution seeking to probe her closure orders.

Mangaoang and Coop-Natcco Rep. Anthony Bravo said Lopez’s actions were wreaking havoc on the economy. A CA member who requested anonymity, conﬁrmed that several opposition letters had been Next page

Du30 asked to come up with bank papers By Macon R. Araneta and John Paolo Bencito SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV on Thursday repeated his claim that President Rodrigo Duterte had P2 billion in his bank accounts, but Senator Alan Peter Cayetano rejected his claim. “He has more than P2 billion in his bank accounts and when he shows his transaction history and I’m proven wrong, I will resign from the Senate,” Trillanes told reporters. He said his challenge was important because the corruption

scandals in the government were emerging. Trillanes made his statement even as the Palace on Thursday said Duterte may come out soon with the bank documents following Trillanes’ claims. “Not in response to grandstanding,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters. “If necessary and within the right context, due process but not to respond to grandstanding.” Trillanes said that, aside from releasing former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who had become the symbol of corruption in the past administration, the Next page

BRIBERY SCANDAL. (From left) Jack Lam’s business partner Ng Kuen Hon; Charlie Tiu Hay Ang, also known

as Atong Ang; and Alex Yu testify Thursday during the 4th Senate public hearing by the Blue Ribbon Committee on the alleged bribery involving Lam and the Bureau of Immigration. Lino Santos

Ang: P60m for casino workers’ bail SolGen By Macon R. Araneta

BUSINESSMAN Charlie “Atong” Ang, a business partner of gaming mogul Jack Lam, on Thursday said a total of P60 million, and not P50 million, had been paid for the release of over

1,000 undocumented Chinese workers at Fontana Leisure Park and Casino in Pampanga. Testifying for the ﬁrst time in the resumption of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearing on the P50 million bribery at the Bureau of Immigration, Ang revealed

that former BI associate commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles demanded P100 million but P60 million had been released through former police ofﬁcial Wenceslao Sombero Jr. He told the committee chaired Next page

Palace twits yellows: Just move on

Leila faces expulsion over drugs

By John Paolo Bencito

By Macon R. Araneta

MALACAÑANG on Thursday told the yellow forces to move on following its decision to tone down the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the People Power Revolution on Feb. 25, 1986. “It’s time to move on from just celebrating the past, remembering the past, and to move on to the whole aspect of nation-building to give it a more positive out-

REP. Harry Roque Jr. on Thursday ﬁled a complaint with the Senate’s Ethics committee seeking the expulsion of Senator Leila de Lima over her alleged involvement in illegal drugs. He also sought the expulsion of Rep. Ron Salo who, he said, connived with De Lima and used a foundation to cover up the illegal drug operation at the New Bilibid Prison. Next page

Lopez ordered the closure of 23 mining operations last week and canceled 75 Mineral Proﬁt Sharing Agreements on Feb. 14. The protesters said the Lopez order was an injustice to those who depended on the three mining operations—two in Carrascal town, CTP Mining and Carrascal Nickel Mining; and one in Cantilan, Marc Ventures Mining and Development Corp. Cantilan Mayor Phillip Pichay said Lopez’s move to shut down mining would hurt close to 7,000 workers who would lose their jobs, and affect their families and communities as well. Cantilan is the commercial center of the Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza area and home to Surigao del Sur State University and the St. Michael College. Pichay said that close to P700 million circulates in the town annually. “The salaries of the 464 Indigenous peoples from Barangay Cabangahan alone employed by MMDC amounts to P60 million annually and the workers spend it here,” Pichay said. Pichay added that the salaries of the employed in Carrascal town is P600 million annually, about 30 percent or P180 million is spent in Cantilan. Data from the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau

LENDING AN EAR. South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae Shin confers Wednesday with PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa during a consultative meeting at the Ryce Hotel in Clark, Pampanga regarding the concerns of the Korean community on the killing of nationals from the Land of the Morning Calm. Manny Palmero

provokes questions LAWMAKERS on Thursday wanted to know why Solicitor General Jose Calida has moved to acquit Janet Lim-Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the pork barrel scam, of illegal detention charges ﬁled against her by whistleblower Benhur Luy. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, a staunch ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, said that he asked for an explanation but raised the possibility that it is part of the administration’s strategy that has yet to be revealed. Cayetano said the government could be working towards punishing others involved in the multi-million peso scam but were being protected. I also want the SolGen to answer, but I guarantee you that the President will not allow any corruption to happen during the administration. And he will not Next page

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‘Quake damage may reach P1b’ By Vito Barcelo and Joel Zurbano

AMAGE to infrastructure and properties caused by the magnitude-6.7 earthquake in Surigao del Norte will most likely reach P1 billion even as the Department of Public Works and Highways said it would probably complete its inspection and assessment by the end of next week.

A week after the earthquake, the DPWH has assessed the damage at P700 million but said the total cost will likely hit the P1-billion mark as more buildings and establishments continue to suffer damages following a series of strong aftershocks. The DPWH said that the total cost estimate includes the more than P103 million worth of damage from bridges and national roads, and more than P150 million for the repair of the collapsed Anao-aon Bridge in San Francisco town. The bridge collapsed during the earthquake and is still impassable. Vehicles are being

detoured to Delani Crusher in Brgy. Diaz. The Malico Bridge at Daang Maharlika Road (Lipata-Surigao Section), on the other hand, has only one lane passable to only light vehicles. Aside from the Anao-aon and the Malico bridges, other bridges which were damaged and are now undergoing repair and rehabilitation are the Kinabutan I Bridge Daang Maharlika Road (Lipata-Surigao Section), Kinabutan II Bridge Daang Maharlika Road (LipataSurigao Section), Friendship Bridge Surigao-San Juan Coastal Road and the Banahaw Bridge Surigao-San Juan Coastal Road.

NTC goes after txt scams

6,000...

THE National Telecommunications Commission on Thursday expressed its support for Deputy Speaker Romero “Miro” S. Quimbo’s campaign against text scams. Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba of the NTC lauded Deputy Speaker Quimbo on his hard stance against fraudulent text messages, which threaten the security and safety of the public. Recently, Quimbo requested the NTC to help him stop the dissemination of a text message fraudulently using his name and Tzu Chi Foundation. The text scam advises the recipient that he allegedly won a cash prize in a raffle. Quimbo, representative of Marikina in the House, also urged the NTC to come up with tougher policies, stronger regulatory environment, and wider information campaign on text scams. “We looked into the request of Honorable Deputy Speaker, and we agree that these scams potentially harm the receiver. These text scams do not only deceive, they also damage the name of publicly-known figures and organizations when the message particularly indicates a personality to lend credibility to its claim,” Cordoba said.

Ang:... From A1

by Senator Richard Gordon that P60 million was already released to former police general Wenceslao “Wally” Sombero, but still no release was made. Ang said the two former immigration officials told him the initial P50 million was not enough to bail out the Chinese workers, so they asked for another P50 million. The former police officer handed the P50 million to Argosino and Robles during a meeting at a restaurant of the City of Dreams in Parañaque City on Nov. 27, 2016. Alex Yu, a representative of Nam, told the hearing he gave Sombero the additional P10 million. Sombero admitted receiving the money at 11 p.m. of Nov. 26 or before he met with Argosino and Robles. He said he would give it to

Palace... From A1

look and give it a more positive understanding,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters. “The emphasis has shifted. It is no longer a celebration of the past. It is now a reflection on what can happen in the future. It is a moving on from those things.” The Edsa Revolution led to the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos and Corazon Aquino’s

From A1

showed that in Caraga Region, there are 16,090 regularly employed in mining, 15,600 of them in the CarCanMadCarLan area. There are 300,000 individuals dependent on mining jobs—regular and seasonal employees and their families. The figure does not include the downstream industries that are serving the communities. Pichay said that though they support plans for eco-tourism, he said this would take long to develop. “And you can’t employ all the 7,000 people expected to be displaced by the closure of the mining site. Pichay said that the current bed capacity of Cantilan is just 75 beds and not one of them is of comparable quality to accommodation like Boracay or even Bohol. “We need 2,000 tourists per week here spending P2,000 per day for at least for three days to substitute our losses in mining, but where would we house them?” Pichay asked. “Eco-tourism would take five to six years to build and the government is not the one to construct it, but the private sector,” Pichay said. Datu Engwan Ala, Carrascal’s mandatory indigenous peoples’ representative, said that they will be the hardest hit if the mining operations stop. The Mamanwa-Manobo is the indigenous peoples of Surigao Peninsula. Ala pointed out that they have been the most marginalized, most the former immigration officials as part of the P50-million balance. But Sombero said he changed his mind and later told Yu to first hold the P10 million since the Chinese workers have not yet been released. Sombero said he was told by Yu to keep the money as they can use it for legal fees to get Lam’s workers released. When Senator Francis Escudero asked if the money was with him, Sombero answered it’s still intact. He noted he did not intentionally keep the P10 million. Ang also divulged that the arrested Chinese workers were being asked to pay up to P3 million just to get back their passports. He also sought the help of the senators and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre for the workers of Next Games Outsourcing Inc. who he said were being told to pay from P150,000 to P3 million to repossess their passports. ascendance to power. Asked if the simple celebration was because the event is usually associated with the Liberal Party, Abella said: “No. We think holistically. The whole nation is evolving. We can’t get stuck in the past.” Former President Fidel V. Ramos, one of the prominent personalities that figured in the Edsa Revolution, said Wednesday that the administration’s point person, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, was “not on top” of his job in preparing for the anniversary.

FVR slams Digong’s ‘fiascos’

The Daang Maharlika Road (Surigao-Ipil-Lipata Section/ Surigao-Agusan Section) suffered intermittent damaged road sections. Removal of debris and clearing operations are ongoing and heavy trucks are rerouted to Surigao-San Juan coastal road. The other national roads, namely the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, Magpayang Mainit Wharf Road, Surigao San Coastal Road and the Surigao Wharf Road suffered only minor cracks and are passable to all types of vehicles. Power supply has been fully restored in the towns of San Francisco and Malimono of Surigao del Norte and Surigao City. The water supply of the town of Malimono was totally repaired but the pressure was low. Repair is still ongoing for the Matin-ao Water Reservoir and Pipelines (Mainit town) and San Francisco Annex Water Supply (San Francisco) while the Parang-parang Source, ImaCananez Source and Lumaban/ Balibayon Source of Surigao City are now fully restored. The number of casualties

stood at eight people and more than 200 injured. Of the injured, 181 were outside patients, 15 were admitted in hospitals, while seven were referred to hospitals outside Surigao del Norte for a total of 203. The earthquake affected 60 barangays; 1,790 families and 9,320 individuals. The Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management (RDRRMC) Operations Center said it continues to monitor the effects of the earthquake and has retained its “red alert” status, including at its member-agencies. Also, the Surigao City Council through Resolution No. 23-2017 has declared Surigao City under a “State of Calamity.” The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has reported that the quake was tectonic in origin and had a Depth of Focus of four kilometers. Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said that DPWH district offices in the affected province has already installed warning signs and deployed personnel and

equipment to conduct clearing operations and placement of filling materials on bridge approaches. “Technical personnel from DPWH are continually conducting evaluation and assessment on national government-owned buildings, hospitals and school buildings and other infrastructure facilities,” the DPWH said. Meanwhile, flag carrier Philippine Airlines has announced that it has started airlifting critical supplies and relief goods for the affected families and communities devastated by the earthquake. PAL aircraft will first fly the donations to Butuan and then transport them by land to Surigao City through accredited government agencies, registered foundations by Security and Exchange Commission, non-government organizations and charitable, civic and religious groups. The airline management said in a statement that the program, which covers airlifting of donations within the Philippines only, will fly goods on spaceavailable basis.

discriminated, poorest, forgotten and neglected people in the province. “But mining has given us work and dignity,” Ala said. Ala narrated that now that the mining companies are paying royalties for their ancestral domain, they have already 78 college students and one is about to finish his law studies in Manila. Ala said that their communities have been developed because of the funding from the mining companies. “Now we have schools, ambulance, we have work, we have dignity,” Ala said. Ala said that before mining came, people looked down at them as uneducated, “They look down on us because we eat frogs and rice rats, but now we are educated, we have work, we are not ashamed anymore because of what mining have given us,” Ala said. “We now have education, health, farming program, when the mining stops, we are vulnerable again to recruitment of the rebels,” Ala said. Ala issued a plea to President Rodrigo Duterte to look into their plight and the benefits that mining have given them. “I can’t control all of them, we don’t want them to go back into the mountains and carry guns,” Ala said. Surigao del Sur Gov.Vicente Pimentel said Lopez’s closure orders would cut his town’s annual income from P210 million a year to only P1.5 million a year. “We will file a petition to remove Lopez from DENR,” Pimentel said even as he lashed out against priests whom he said had misled people on mining. “When you run out of work and

hungry, you rob the priests first,” Pimentel said, noting that highway robbery was rampant in the Red Mountains before mining operations started. Pimentel said he was confused by the government. “Why put an unqualified person in DENR?” he said. Miner Leo Santos said that the voice of the indigenous peoples’ have been put on the back burner in the closure of the mines. “They have the final say on their ancestral lands, not Secretary Lopez,” Santos said. “Without work, we can’t send our children to schools, we won’t have food, no house—it’s injustice,” Santos added. Another miner Ramon Arpilleda said they would show Lopez a green revolution arising from mining operations when they start rehabilitation after a mine-out operation. Mining company scholar Alexis Estampa said that he hoped the government would reconsider the closure order. “It’s difficult not to be from a privileged family, Secretary Lopez. Do you want us to go back in time where it is difficult to live?” Estampa asked. Pimentel, whose hometown Carrascal is home to one of the world’s largest mineral deposits, argued that Lopez, in her haste to shut down mining operations in Surigao del Sur did not follow due process and instead shut her eyes and ears to the mining industry. “She did not follow due process, in fact, when they had an audit, the members of the audit team were the Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), and the priests,” Pimentel said. Pimentel questioned the find-

ings of the mining audit, which was conducted by people who were not experts in the field. He added that siltation existed in the Tago and Tandag rivers even before mining operations in the area began. He added that the companies operating in his jurisdiction were following Australian standards of mining, and have done no damage to the environment. Pimentel said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the DENR inspects the mining sites every two weeks. “The MGB together with the Multisectoral Monitoring Team, they inspect the mining operation and if there is any violation they are the ones who will stop the mining operatons, the DENR is always inspecting the mining operations,” Pimentel said. “Gina Lopez said that the environment will be affected but there is already an endorsement by the Carrascal-Cantilan-MadricCarmen-Lanuza irrigators association that they support mining operations in Carrascal,” Pimentel said. Pimentel said that mining companies already have dredging machines to remove heavy siltation as part of their mitigation on silts. “Gina Lopez spoke about ecotoursim, how can that help Cantilan and Carrascal when there is not a single investment on tourism development? Where will you send people to work?” Pimentel said. Pimentel also hit Lopez’s comment on “Water is life”, “How about the employees of the mining companies? They are human beings, don’t they have life?” Pimentel said.

Leila...

receipt of drug money to finance her candidacy for the Senate. In a statement, De Lima said he did not know Ron Salo. “I don’t recall any instance that I have ever worked or dealt with him,” De Lima said. Secondly, I don’t know where Mr. Roque is coming from. I’m sorry to hear that he has been expelled from his party. Maybe if he served his party better rather than wasting his time on baseless and inane attacks against me, he wouldn’t have lost his constituents.

Thirdly, if he wants to be relevant and be in the news again―which is presumably why he is dragging my name into their intra-party dispute―do not do it at my expense.” Roque claimed that De Lima was able to carry out the alleged irregularities at the NBP with the help of BuCor Love Foundation Inc., a non-government organization involved in spiritual and charitable work at the Bilibid and which provided technical and vocational skills education to its prisoners.

ers who strongly believe he is upright and not corrupt,” Trillanes said. But he doubted Duterte would accept his challenge as that would only expose him as a corrupt official. “He’s saying he talks straight and bold regarding the issues. Show your courage here. Show me I’m wrong and I’m not just accusing,” Trillanes said.

“You know the die-hard supporters really believe him. For their sake, show them you’re an upright government official.” Duterte’s defeated vice presidential running mate, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, called Trillanes a “Kuryente King” and said he was only posturing to push his political ambitions.

absolve those who were corrupt in past administrations,” Cayetano told reporters in an interview. “If there’s no strategy, this is unfortunate that it happened but if there’s a strategy, we should know what that is,” he added, noting that he is willing to wait for Calida to explain before making assumptions. He also questioned the cases filed during the past administration. “How come the cases filed in the Aquino administration were weak? In Napoles’ case, there were some involved in the controversy who were not included in cases filed,” he said. Senator Risa Hontiveros described the decision as “disturbing” and said she could not understand why the government’s top lawyer would decide in favor of Napoles. She added that Calida’s move was a challenge to the administration’s fight against corruption. “I call on the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to shed light on the issue. I also call on the public to closely monitor this issue, especially on the plunder cases against Napoles and others involved in the pork barrel scam,” Hontiveros said. Party-list Rep. Harry Roque urged Calida to observe “full transparency” and show evidence to prove Napoles should not be jailed for illegal detention. The congressman also asked the public not to worry as Napoles is still facing plunder charges. On Wednesday, Calida said he was convinced of Napoles’ innocence on the illegal detention charge, because Luy was not restrained and was even able to see his family three times when he was supposed to be in captivity. Macon Ramos-Araneta, PNA

Leni...

“Section IV, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution in relaFrom A1 tion to Rule 13 of the 2010 PET Rules provides that the TriContrary to Robredo’s claim, the bunal shall be the sole judge PET said they have jurisdiction to of all contests relating to the act on the electoral protest as man- election, returns, and qualidated by the 1987 Constitution. fications of the President and

Vice President. The phrase “election, election, returns, and qualifications” refers to all matters affecting the validity of the contestee’s title, which includes questions on the validity, authenticity and correctness of the Certificates of Can-

vass,’ the PET resolution said. Nonetheless, the electoral tribunal clarified that while they found the protest sufficient in form and substance, the veracity of Marcos’ allegations against Robredo has yet to be proven. With Rio N. Araja

ment agency. The lawmaker said the CA From A1 will convene on Wednesday next week (Feb. 22) to deliberate on submitted to the confirmation Lopez’s fate as DENR secretary. body questioning Lopez’s quali“There is strong opposition to fications to head the environ- Secretary Lopez’s confirmation

following her recent decisions to cancel the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement of 75 mining companies that displaced 1.2 million mine workers nationwide,” the CA member said. “We have to hear all sides, including

the sentiments of the stakeholders that were adversely affected by Lopez’s decision.” Mangaoang, a geologist, said the congressional hearing on Lopez’s recent decisions would be held in the first week of March.

From A1

In a complaint-affidavit filed with the committee led by Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, Roque accused De Lima of having had links to drug lords detained at the New Bilibid Prison. High-profile prisoners in the penitentiary, led by Jayvee Sebastian, testified in the House on the alleged proliferation of illegal drugs at the NBP and De Lima’s

Du30... From A1

current government was now finding a way to release Janet Napoles, the alleged brains of the P10-billion porkbarrel scam. “This is important for the sake of President Duterte’s die-hard support-

Solons...

By John Paolo Bencito LIKE a teacher pointing out the mistakes of his student, former President Fidel V. Ramos on Wednesday berated President Rodrigo Duterte for the “fiascos” that the Chief Executive has committed more than six months into the presidency. During the launch of his new book, Ramos, Duterte’s mentor and top critic, enumerated some of the decisions that Duterte shouldn’t have made. Topping his list of the socalled “fiascos” were Duterte’s decision to assign the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to take the lead in the fight against the illegal drug menace instead of the police. Ramos likewise scored Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, who is leading the government’s negotiating table for the termination of the peace talks with communist rebels. “Bakit niyo binubugbog ang mga komunista? Hindi ba dapat nililigawan niyo sila,” (Why are you ganging up on the communists? Aren’t you suppose to woo them?” the former president said. Ramos likewise opposed Duterte’s plan to reassign erring policemen to Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, which he described as “places of honor.” The former leader was also opposed to Duterte’s plan to revive the Philippine Constabulary as it has already performed its mission and is no longer needed in the current Philippine setting.

SolGen... From A1

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Alvarez wants probe of Floirendo A By Maricel V. Cruz

MINDANAO lawmaker, said to be the biggest campaign ﬁnancier of President Rodrigo Duterte, is in danger of facing graft and plunder charges over allegations his banana exporting ﬁrm might be guilty of allegedly shortchanging the government on its profit-sharing scheme, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Thursday.

In a radio interview, Alvarez sought a congressional probe into the matter, and an audit of the export transactions made by banana ﬁrm Tagum Agricultural Development Inc. (Tadeco) owned by Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. Floirendo is said to have contributed P75 million for President Duterte’s campaign last year, the biggest donor based on the Chief Executive’s report to the Commission on Elections. “’I assure the public that Congress will look into the matter,” Alvarez said, in response to the Department of Justice plan to “revisit” the lease-property contract between the government and Tadeco allegedly for being unfavorable to the government. “We will look at the export declaration; and if it jibes...if it does not, the government will be

losing a lot. And if it is over P50 million, it is going to be plunder,” Alvarez stressed. Alvarez also said Congress would also look into possible violations of anti-graft law committed by Floirendo. “If the contract has been renewed when Floirendo was still a congressman, that is a clear violation of the anti-graft law,” Alvarez said, adding that public ofﬁcials are barred from entering into contracts with the government. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II reportedly ordered a review of the 25-year lease contract that will lapse 12 years from now between the Bureau of Corrections and Tadeco after receiving complaints that the company’s annual payments — both lease and proﬁt sharing— were reportedly only a fraction of the prevailing market rate.

Bill to hike salary of BIR employees DEPUTY Speaker Raneo Abu filed Thursday a measure seeking to raise the salary of the Bureau of Internal Revenue employees and officials to address the “deeply rooted” corruption in the revenue-collecting agency and efficiently collect taxes. Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu, a deputy speaker, said House Bill 5028 allowed the BIR to have its own competitive compensation and remuneration system to attract and even retain highly qualified personnel by exempting the tax agency from the coverage of Republic Act 6758 or the “Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989,” or the “Salary Standardization Law.” “With competitive salaries, it is expected that corruption shall be eliminated, and that more job seekers shall see the BIR as a worthy employer and revenue collection for the betterment of the Philippines, a worthy proposal to fight for,” Abu said. Abu expressed hope the House

leadership would prioritize the passage of the measure as the House committee on ways and means has been deliberating the Comprehensive Tax Reform Package to ensure funding for the priority pro-poor programs of President Rodrigo Duterte. At a congressional hearing conducted by the House committee on ways and means Wednesday, the CTRP, Internal Commissioner Cesar Dulay told lawmakers the agency was responsible behind the removal either by resignation or early retirement of at least 300 suspected undesirable employees and officials following their intensified anti-graft and corruption campaign. Abu said the entry-level accountant in the BIR only received P19,077 monthly salary compared to P50,238 in the Securities and Exchange Commission and P46,104 in the Insurance Commission for the same post. Maricel V. Cruz

DOTr urged to rush MRT-LRT station SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez has called on the Department of Transportation to speed up the building of the Light Railway Transit (LRT)–Metro Railway Transit (MRT) common station and to consider public welfare as its priority for the project. Alvarez issued the call as the House committee on transportation, chaired by Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, resumed Wednesday afternoon its hearing on the common station project that will link LRT 1, MRT 3 and the forthcoming MRT 7. “We have wasted so much time to implement this project. Even during the 14th Congress, it was established where the common station should be, in the interest of the public,” Alvarez said. Alvarez said it was high time for the government to identify where the common station

should be since funding for the project would come from the government, using the budget allocated by Congress. “Let those who want to question the government do it in the proper venue,” Alvarez said. Alvarez also asked DOTr ofﬁcials “to start building, with or without a TRO [temporary restraining order], the common station that is in the interest of the riding public.” He reminded the DOTr ofﬁcials that Congress could always exercise its oversight function. The Jan. 18, 2017 memorandum of agreement entered into for the common station was, according to several members of the committee, mired with anomalous and questionable provisions which could put the government at the losing end. Maricel V. Cruz

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EDITORIAL

NY tax bill proposed in Congress will always be met with opposition and distrust. To the layman, the bill—be it a reform package or a plain increase in taxes—will cause more hardship. Such bill is equated with higher prices and reduced spending power. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III this week tried his best to defend the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program before the House ways and means committee. House Bill No. 4774, which contains the initial package that aims to make the tax system more progres-

sive, plans to lower the personal income tax rates to make them at par with those of other economies in Asia, expand the value added tax base and adjust the excise taxes on oil and automobiles. Lowering the personal income tax is a no-brainer and will please all wage

Adelle Chua, Editor

Tax bill earners in the Philippines. Expanding the coverage of the value added tax and adjusting the excise taxes on oil and motor vehicles, however, impart an opposite message. The latter, in compensating for the revenue loss from a lower personal income tax, will certainly translate into higher prices of fuel and certain goods and services. The tax bill will result in a net revenue take for the government, which Dominguez is rationalizing in the context of improving the lives of the

Filipinos and boosting economic growth. Increased taxes, per se, are not bad as long as their intended objectives are achieved. The ﬁnance chief sees the tax reform package, or plainly increased taxes, as the only way to get the country’s “hardcore poor, those with no skills and no opportunities” out of the poverty cycle. Dominguez sees the bill as critical in enabling the government to raise an additional P718 billion for education, P139 billion for health, P267 billion

for social protection, welfare and employment, and P1.73 trillion for urban and rural infrastructure. President Rodrigo Duterte’s ambitious infrastructure program will hinge on the government’s ability to ﬁnance huge projects. It is a shot at finally reducing the poverty incidence in the Philippines and creating millions of job opportunities. “By failing to act boldly at a most opportune moment, we will betray our people. We will condemn our nation to the vicious

cycle of high inﬂation, high interest rates and inhospitable business conditions that we endured before,” Dominguez said. The bill, along with the mammoth infrastructure plan, hopes to sustain the 7-percent to 8-percent economic growth rate and raise dramatically the investment level. Given the global trade headwinds in the face of US President Donald Trump’s protectionist stance, the Philippines will need all the buffer it can build to withstand external threats to the domestic economy. PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

Silence

Squelching the Yellows LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES I SAID it before and I’ll say it again: If the constant background noise about removing President Rodrigo Duterte is to go away for good, former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must win his electoral protest in the Supreme Court against Vice President Leni Robredo. There is just no other way around it. Because those who are against Duterte are almost always the same people who will have nothing to do with Marcos (and who are, incidentally, absolutely in favor of Robredo remaining in ofﬁce), installing Marcos as the vice president will immediately end all the plotting and scheming against the President. This is what all those years of observing the Yellows, who

adore all things Aquino and hate all things Marcos, have taught me: It is a basic, unshakeable tenet of their political faith that the only thing worse than having Duterte as president is removing Duterte and having Marcos take his place. I would go so far as to predict that if Marcos wins his electoral protest against Robredo before the high court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, all the Yellows trying to ﬁgure out ways to remove Duterte (in order to install Robredo to the presidency) will become his most ardent protectors overnight. In such a situation, the jaundiced minds of the Yellows will automatically make them embrace the “lesser evil” of a Duterte presidency rather than to even consider the possibility that a Marcos would return to Malacañang. And even if the Yellows do not suddenly turn into more rabid defenders of the President than any bunch of pro-Duterte bloggers,

a loss by Robredo will make them reassess their priorities and give up on the short-term goal of ousting Digong by any means. Because the Yellows’ sole hope of regaining the power that they have been accustomed to in the last three decades with the re-

Legitimate opposition is a sine qua non of democracy; Yellow criticism is destructive and unreasonable.

do. And he’ll be able to do the job without the distractions routinely provided by the Liberal Party remnants in Congress, the elitists and their pro-Yellow media, the leadership of Catholic Church and all the other carpers and naysayers who don’t want to give him a chance to prove his worth. That’s how important a Marcos victory in the PET is, for the Duterte administration.

*** Understand, I’m not saying that there will no longer be any opposition to Duterte’s government if you take the Yellows out of the political equation—or that squelching all opposition is a good thing. But the criticism of Duterte that will remain will be legitimate, because it will no longer be based on the Yellow calculus which states that the President has to be constantly atmoval of Robredo will be lost, tacked since he stands in the way Duterte will be able to perform of a Robredo presidency. the work that he’s been voted to And legitimate opposition is

a sine qua non of democratic governance. By contrast, Yellow criticism is unfailingly destructive and unreasonable; its goal is invariably the seizure of power in a “people power”-style upheaval. Which is why yesterday’s ruling by the Supreme Court as PET junking Robredo’s petition to dismiss the Marcos protest is signiﬁcant. And, equally important, the court reiterated that the Marcos protest was sufﬁcient in both form and substance when it threw out Leni’s plea. The thing is, the Yellow propaganda machine which Robredo inherited has largely succeeded in keeping media attention away from even the existence of the Marcos protest. I certainly won’t be surprised if the game plan is to continue to ignore the high court ruling dismissing her latest petition, to make people think that her election is no longer being questioned. And the Robredo propaganda Turn to A5

WHEN I was told by my brother —who was visiting in the US— that he and his family were going to watch Scorsese’s Silence, I immediately implored my sister-inlaw to buy me Shusaku Endo’s “Silence”, the 1966 award-winning novel that provided Scorsese with his material. “Silence” might justly be characterized as a “historical novel” because it is inspired by events in the painful history of Christianity in Japan. I was glued to the novel, from the time I started reading it till two days later when I turned the last page. It was engaging, but not entertaining. Romances entertain. Fanciful tales entertain. This one was different. It engaged me and it gnawed at my soul, because I am a priest and this was a story of the struggles of a priest, not really with celibacy nor material wealth, but with “the very last temptation” there can be—the lure of unbelief and the agony of faith! Sebastian Rodrigues and Francisco Garrpe, Portuguese Jesuits, make their way to Japan—knowing fully well the persecution of Christians that is raging there, in search, mainly, of a former theology professor, Ferreira, once a renowned stalwart of the Society, who is rumored to have apostatized in the face of torture and the punishments he had to endure. Rodrigues and Garrpe are not willing to believe that an admired mentor has betrayed the faith and reneged on his priestly promises. They come upon isolated bands of frightened but fervent Christians who have organized themselves — without priest or minister—in an admirable effort to keep the faith alive. Separated from Garrpe, Rodrigues sees the immense and unspeakable trials visited on the Japanese Christians—who heroically remain steadfast and do not apostatize. It is as captives that Rodrigues and Garrpe are re-united, but very shortly thereafter, Garrpe drowns, virtually martyred by daimyos and their men. Throughout the narrative, Rodrigues holds before his mind’s eye the countenance of Christ— the face that he saw as a seminarian on church walls and sacred pictures, so full of love, compassion, mercy and kindness. He is captivated by this face, entranced by it. It inspires him. It keeps him going —enduring the innumerable difﬁculties of captivity. But once in prison, he is faced with the horrors of the “ordeal of the pit”, not he, but the Japanese faithful who had looked up to him. Suspended upside down by their ankles and tightly bound by ropes, they are let down in a pit with narrow slits cut behind their ears to allow blood to ooze slowly from them, without causing instantaneous death and so prolonging the agony for days if not weeks. Rodrigues soon meets Ferreira—and is ﬁlled with loathing for the priest he once admired because he sees that Ferreira has in fact apostatized. But Rodrigues soon realizes that the hapless Japanese Christians hang from the pit and moan and groan as life slowly and painfully Turn to A5

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Opinion FORMATION GARY OLIVAR

Allies

OUR neighbors in Thailand were treated to a special Valentine’s Day gift—sorta—when no less than the head of the US Pacific Command launched the annual “Cobra Gold” joint USThai military exercise, the largest such exercise in the region. The vaguely Asian-looking PacCom head, Admiral Harry Harris, is the most senior US official to ever attend this 10day exercise. In his opening remarks, he insisted that “our alliance is a big deal. Nations don’t enter security treaty alliances lightly. It means we’re in it for the long haul.” Recall that the supremely self-righteous Obama administration canceled millions of dollars of military aid to Thailand after their military pulled off a coup in 2014 that put the current Prime Minister Prayuth Chanocha in power. Not to be outdone, the Thais thereupon ramped up joint exercises with China and turned to them, as well as the Russians, for their hardware, including three Chinese submarines purchased last year for a cool billion dollars. This pivot-away clearly got the attention of the new American president and former dealmaker. The signal Trump now seems to be sending is that geopolitical realities still matter more than differences of opinion over human rights. It’s a message that he probably hopes will also resonate among Thailand’s neighbors, including the Philippines, which if anything may even be more valuable to him because it straddles the West Philippine Sea waters so coveted by both US and Chinese naval planners. Commercial relationships also matter. The new US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson (fondly nicknamed “T. Rex”), used to be CEO of ExxonMobil. The world’s largest oil company notes on its website that it has been in Thailand for over a hundred years, with “a full range of downstream operations…and an onshore natural gas production site”. Evidently the policy of playing the US off against China has been around in the region even before our own President Duterte picked it up. But in our case, there are additional issues to work around that the Thais don’t have to deal with. One is the risks posed to our BPO businesses by Trump’s protectionist instincts on trade. A second, though more remote, is the treatment of thousands of Filipino immigrants who are in the US illegally. And the third, of course, is our country being caught in the cross-fire if a shooting war breaks out between the US and China. All of these risks only reconfirm that Duterte’s pivot-away from the US is eminently sensible. But it’s a policy that will require a lot of flexibility and creative thinking to pull off, such as relying on our business leaders to keep back channels always open to the Tillersons in

their rolodexes. And when soldiers like Admiral Harris promise that the US “is in it for the long haul,” let’s not just take his word for it. Let’s make sure that we hear and see the same message from his political bosses. In the meanwhile, this newfound US support for Thailand is already a boon, in and of itself. A stronger Thailand can only mean a stronger Asean, with each link in the chain depending on the integrity of the others. *** Elsewhere in Asia, a senior Japanese minister last week expressed the commitment of his government to pursue “deeper defense cooperation” with the Philippines through inter-service exchanges and transfers of military equipment. Speaking in Tokyo, Vice Minister Ro Manabe said that Japan will contribute to efforts by the Philippines, together with Indonesia and Malaysia, to curb piracy and kidnapping in their maritime areas. This March, the Philippines will be taking delivery of the first of five TC-90 aircraft for use in maritime surveillance. The Japanese have even gone so far as to share with us the results of their monitoring of Chinese and other activities in disputed West Philippine Sea waters. In exchange, our Defense officials have encouraged them to pursue a visiting forces agreement with us, similar to what we have with the US. What seems to be developing here is nothing less than a Japanese “pivot to the PH.” It’s evident from the ostentatious welcome they gave to the President during his recent visit there, which he in turn reciprocated by showing the Japanese prime minister around his home in another display of his trademark charm and informality. Given the historical rivalry between China and Japan, as well as more recent face-offs over islands disputed by the two, it is clearly in Japan’s interest to counter-balance the “pivot to China” (among others) that the President has to execute in order to properly distance us from the US. At the same time, because Japan is still, and is likely to remain, America’s most dependable ally in the region— measured by capability as well as loyalty—Japanese engagement with countries like ours serves to sustain an indirect US security presence in the region. As the war of words heats up between the two increasingly bellicose rivals, China and the US, it is comforting to know that a strong but silent type like Japan has our back. This is probably what Duterte had in mind when he called them “closer than brothers” to us.

Each link in the chain depends on the integrity of others.

Readers can write me at gbolivar1952@yahoo.com.

Silence From A4 ebbs away only because he does not apostatize. Ferreira assures him that when he apostatizes, they will be freed from their misery. But there is an interesting twist to the story. Both the daimyo Inonue, notorious for bringing even the most steadfast of priests to apostasy, and Ferreira tell him that Christianity cannot really take root in Japan. There is no soil for it in Japan, and what Rodrigues thought was Christianity that he found among the faithful was some grotesque belief into which Christianity had morphed in that forbidding country. He is also told that he does not have to turn against his Deus and Jesus Christ in his heart. All he has to do is to make a show of trampling on the fumi-e,

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

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Where there’s smoke

ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO THE old saying “where there’s smoke, there is fire” is evident in the ongoing war between a multi-national cigarette manufacturing company and a local brand that has gained a sizable share of the market. Philip Morris, Inc. has harnessed it full resources to mount a demolition job against rising star Mighty Cigarettes Corp. as shown by the PR blitz of PMI in major newspapers. Note the news report that the owners of Mighty were behind the passage of House Bill 4144 proposing a twotier tax on cigarettes sold locally. PMI, no doubt, knows the Philippines is a big market for their high-end, highly priced products. With health-conscious smokers in the United States and Europe, PMI turned its attention to Asia, a most lucrative area for cigarettes because the health warnings on the danger of smoking are not heeded as much as in the developed countries. To get a bigger foot in the door, PMI signed a merger with taipan Lucio Tan’s Fortune Tobacco. Then came the hatchet report that the Bureau of Customs was going to slap a tax-smuggling case against Mighty. There is no truth to the report, BOC itself denied. Mighty Corp. Executive Vice President and spokesman, retired judge Oscar P. Barrientos, said in a statement that “there is no pending case with any government agency nor a notice of

investigation by the Bureau of Customs following the inaccurate report the Filipino-owned company will be suspended for smuggling.” How in the world then did the smuggling story pass the editors’ scrutiny of that major daily? Judge Barrientos said the scurrilous story is libelous and the company is studying its legal options against the reporter and the newspaper. Barrientos also made clear Mighty Corp. has long been out of the cigarette importation business since it was making more money in the domestic market. In fact, Mighty Corp. is considering making an initial public offering, confident there will be a lot of takers. Philip Morris tobacco has a long history of craving to capture and monopolize the Asian market to offset the loss of market share in the US and Europe. In Indonesia, PMI tried to take over the company that manufactures the popular brand Krateka but failed. There were also overtures to buy Mighty and seal a monopoly of the Philippine cigarette market. The owners of Mighty who had built their brand after 72 years declined PMI’s offer. So this is a case of if you can’t buy them, destroy their strategy. Mighty is fighting back, not only for its own survival, but also for the thousands of tobacco farmers in the Ilocos from whom it sources leaves for its products, If PMI takes over the huge Philippine market, the local tobacco growers will lose their livelihood as Philip Morris will be importing their own material from the tobacco-growing states in America. This was why the House, particularly congressmen from the country’s tobacco-producing provinces, passed

House Bill 4144 calling for a twotier tax system on cigarettes sold here. PMI may not realize it but a unitary tax on cigarettes might just turn off smokers against their more expensive brand. Because it would mean higher tax for the Philip Morris brand, the prices on their brand will have to be passed on to consumers. Thanks to PMI, a boycott of Philip Morris is not a remote possibility with more smokers switching to the low-priced but quality Mighty brand. With a two-tier tax system on cigarettes, smokers can still enjoy a good smoke at less price with the Mighty brands. There is much to be said about the multinational Philip Morris which repatriates revenues to the mother company in the US while the local Mighty Corp. sets aside a sizable chunk of its profits into its corporate social responsibility. Its community projects include church renovation and delivery of relief goods during calamities like typhoons and earthquakes. Writing ‘30’ In the journalism profession, writing “30” at the end of a reporter’s news story means nothing follows. It also means the sad story of a journalist passing away. The strange and eccentric symbol has several versions of its beginnings. Of several versions, the one most plausible is that during the days before the advent of technological advance such as the laptop, desk top and wifi, stories were sent by reporters to their offices via teletype. The teletype operator would then type XXX at the end of the dispatch to say nothing follows. Since XXX in the Roman numeral means 30, editors and reporters picked up the teletype

operator’s symbol to connote end of story. It then evolved into “30” and sometimes spelled out as “endit.” Coincidentally, the Manila Standard this week observed its 30th anniversary. This major daily is not writing “30” but marking its 30th year of publication. Now, this is a milestone given that newspaper readership in this country and elsewhere in the world is declining. Hence we often hear of newspapers closing down or merging to share a big city’s readership. This declining newspaper readership can be blamed on the Internet and social media which contains the news plus other feature stories on health, etc. That the Standard, which the late Rod Reyes founded with me as its first editor, flourished and continued publication to this day is a tribute to the businessmen owners who kept faith with the Standard’s potential. From businessmen Manda Elizalde to Alfonso Yuchengco, Andy Soriano, Ricky Razon and to its present owners Philip and Martin Romualdez, the Standard has gained a fair share of the market.. The Standard’s opinion page is its strong suit with its array of hard-hitting columnists whose views sometimes even clash with each other’s. This is as it should be. When Rod Reyes and I launched the Standard on Feb. 11, 1987, quite frankly we didn’t think it would last and survive this long. That it did after more than a quarter of a century is a tribute to the men and women behind it. These are former editors, Jullie Yap Daza; Jojo Robles; managing editor Mon Tomeldan, chief photographer Bobby Cabrera and IT chief of technical services, Feriel Agustines.

Trump’s turmoil VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ WITH colossal incompetence and a severe shortage of integrity. That is how best to describe Donald Trump’s presidency in his first 23 days as the most powerful man in the world, a man who holds the trigger on some 4,500 nuclear warheads and $9 trillion worth of nuclear weapons. The real estate billionaire is the first president to be elected by the electoral college without having served in government. Trump has had no single day of experience as a public servant. Just before Trump’s inaugural, his press secretary, Sean Spicer, told media that “business as usual is over,” that Trump’s war with media would continue. In his first press conference, Spicer smirked: “There’s been a lot of talk in the media about the responsibility to hold Donald Trump accountable, and I’m here to tell you that it goes two ways. We’re going to hold the press accountable as well.” Well, the world’s most influential and best media organizations were just too happy to oblige. The elite of US media led by The New York Times, The Washington Post and Time Warner CNN, monitored daily the Trump White House with laser focus not seen since the days of Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal. After 23 days, Trump has been found wanting as the kind of president Americans deserve and the world desires. After nearly a month, the betting

Squelching... From A4 campaign continues to chug along. For instance, persistent reports that Marcos will be appointed to Duterte’s Cabinet as soon as the one-year ban on losing candidates in the previous election ends is being spun into a demand—ﬁrst made by an unabashedly Yellow

a crude image of Christ, and he would be let go. Even Christ would apostatize for love of his people. That is Ferreira’s line that shakes him rudely from his self-assurance. Was he being more faithful as a priest by stubbornly refusing to abnegate, or would he be following in the footsteps of the merciful Christ would do all and give all out of love for the suffering? Almost in a stupor he is taken before the daimyos and he looks at the face on the fumi-e. “Trample, for that is why I came into the world: to be trampled upon so that all might live”, the face seems to tell him. Is this not in fact the core of the theology of atonement? And so he tramples on the very face that inspired him, that enamored him, in a gesture that—quite strangely, also liberated him. Thereafter he was known as Apostate Paul. But Endo makes it clear that he had not really

is on how long the Trump presidency will last. Spicer assures, however, his boss will run for reelection in 2020. Trump has divided the world. He quarreled with China. He imposed a ban on Muslims from seven Muslim countries but exempted Muslims from nations where he has had business interests. Unhappily, among the Muslim countries exempted from the ban were those which have a record of having harbored anti-American terrorists and terrorists who actually committed acts of terrorism against America – Saudi Arabia (15 of 18 9/11 bombers were Saudi citizens; Bin Laden was a son of a Saudi billionaire), Egypt, and Pakistan. A US Appeals Court has upheld a temporary restraining order on the Muslim ban. The new American president decided to proceed with building a wall on the US border with Mexico, a wall that could easily cost $10 billion. Trump had the gall to say Mexico should pay for it. At the same time, he showed little liking for the NATO security alliance and told its members to beef up spending for their own self defense. Chic retailer Nordstrom stopped selling the clothing, shoes and handbags carrying the name of Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, claiming sales of her fashion brand were down. The President denounced Nordstrom from the White House, a serious violation of presidential ethics. Trump tweeted his daughter had been treated unfairly. “With the world in turmoil, his three-week-old administration is consumed by a self-inﬂicted crisis, marked by a pattern of re-

congressman—that Marcos should withdraw his protest if he is named by Duterte to some appointive post. This is a stupid (and very Yellow) twisting of a legitimate story. After all, it’s long been established in jurisprudence that the automatic extinguishing of an electoral protest happens only when the protester runs for another elective post, not because

apostatized, he had not severed his longing for the Lord, and that is what made his “betrayal” more painful. He was not free. In fact, he remained a prisoner. In his spirit, he remained a priest of Jesus Christ, aware that while, in a sense, he had to turn his back on his Master, he did so too in imitation of the Lord whose mercy disposed him to shed the very last drop of his blood for the sake of others! Silence—it is the silence of God that troubled Rodrigues most. Why should God be silent amid the suffering of his people? Why should God be silent while his people received the most savage blows because of their ﬁdelity to him? That is the novel’s nagging question. That is the question that perturbs every believer. Somewhere towards the end of the novel, there is a mysterious answer proposed: “I was not silent. I was suffering with you.” That intrigues me be-

current lying and incompetence, and perhaps worse,” concludes a stinging New York Times editorial on Feb. 14, 2017. On Monday, Feb, 14 (Feb. 15 in Manila), the Washington Post disclosed that Michael Flynn, a retired marine general, had had discussions with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador, during the campaign and after President Barack Obama imposed sanctions on Russia on Dec. 29, for hacking the Democratic National Committee’s campaign computers, allegedly to beneﬁt Trump in the election. The Post said Flynn suggested that Moscow not respond in kind to the expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats ordered by Obama— advice that Russian President Vladimir Putin heeded in declining to take retaliatory action. Unfortunately, Kislyak’s communications had been monitored by the Federal Bureau of Investigation which apparently leaked the information. Under US law, it is a felony for a private citizen, who was Flynn before he became Trump’s national security adviser, to interfere in such US sanctions. To many observers, Flynn’s dalliance with the Russian ambassador was an act of treason. Accordingly, the US Justice Department told the White House in January that Flynn had misled senior ofﬁcials about a phone call with the Russian ambassador. Justice told the White House that, contrary to Flynn’s claims, he had discussed American sanctions against Russia with Kislyak, the Russian ambassador. When the Flynn-Kislyak call discussing the sanctions was leaked on Jan. 12, Flynn denied it. Trump’s press secretary Sean

he has accepted an appointive one. But this is only the latest proof of the hatred that wells up in the Yellows whenever they hear the Marcos name. Even Duterte’s own problems with the pro-Aquino clique, after all, can be traced ultimately to the perception that he is sympathetic to the Marcoses. Which means that there are really two ways for

Spicer, also denied it on Jan. 13. Vice President Mike Pence similarly denied it on Jan. 15. On Jan. 23, three days after Trump’s inaugural, Spicer again denied it. However, the then-acting attorney general, Sally Yates, whom Trump later fired, revealed on Jan. 23 to Donald McGahn, the White House counsel, that indeed sanctions were discussed. Flynn’s lying made him open to Russian blackmail. On Feb. 14, said the New York Times, the White House admitted that Trump had been told on Jan. 26, about Flynn’s deception, even though the president told reporters on Friday, Feb. 10, that he was unaware of a news report to that effect. Flynn, sneered that The Times, “a hothead and an ideologue, was not fit to be national security adviser in the first place. That Mr. Trump clung to such a compromised person in such a sensitive position is at best an abysmal failure of judgment. As late as Monday, Mr. Flynn was in security briefings and had access to the president.” After Flynn resigned, Trump’s labor secretary-designate fastfood tycoon Andrew Puzder abruptly withdrew his nomination Feb. 15, after Senate Republicans refused to support him after discovery he belatedly paid taxes on his housekeeper whom he fired. Puzder, in any case, had showed tendencies to be anti-labor refusing benefits due workers. AP said what troubled majority Republicans most of all was Puzder’s acknowledgment that he had not paid taxes on the housekeeper until after Trump nominated him to Labor post Dec. 9 — five years after he had fired the worker.

Duterte to be rid of the carping from (and plotting by) the bitter Yellows: He can turn Yellow himself and publicly profess allegiance to the political faith of the Aquino family, or he can allow the Supreme Court to do the job of removing Robredo and replacing her with Marcos. Duterte isn’t about to turn Yellow, by all indications. So he needs

cause it calls for a totally different concept of God, one that will not have God intervening at every cruel turn, and saving his children from pain and misery. The silence of God is a reproach only when one thinks that one knows when God should speak, but that is a tremendous assumption, is it not. It is a projection of a “big brother” image—one who hovers over a child to keep him from every tripping, who corrects all his mistakes and shields him from all wrong. Of course, this keeps a child forever a child. But if one sees God in the ﬁdelity of people no matter the suffering they must endure, if one sees God in the constant summons to be faithful and true, no matter the ugliness, misery and poverty (an ubiquitous scene in Endo’s portrayal of the pockets of Japan that had received the faith), then one is entertaining a notion of God that is not challenged by

the insurance of having Marcos as his vice president, in order to shut up the Yellows who are constantly trying to remove him from ofﬁce in order to bring back one of their own to power. Having a vice president who is going to work hand in hand with Duterte to push his administration’s agenda, both in Cabinet and outside of it, is just a bonus.

silence, whose very presence can be revealed in silence! In the end, Rodrigues, who has been given a Japanese name and a Japanese wife, dies —still reproaching himself for his betrayal, and in that irony, still faithful. He dies and is cremated in Buddhist rites. Through it all, God remains silent, but in the silence of Rodrigues’ own agony till the end and his loathing for Ferreira in whom he saw himself, in his constant recollection of the beautiful face that had kept him in the seminary, and on which he had trampled, one is told about the power and magniﬁcence of this Deus! Scorsese, my brother and sister-in-law tell me, directed a beautiful movie: powerful in cinematography and excellent in its artistry. But one has to read the novel to accept Endo’s challenge to think about God and about oneself—in silence!

TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Duterte also needs quiet time—Palace By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is not ill and was only enjoying some “quiet time” amid his brutal schedule running the country, Malacañang said Thursday. When asked about Duterte’s whereabouts since his last public appearance on Sunday in Surigao City, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella denied that Duterte, 71, was ill and was only resting. “The President has all the usual afflictions. But, however, you know, he doesn’t have anything extraordinary. He’s in pink of health considering his age,” Abella said. “You know, if he’s quiet… I mean again, again, you have to understand that his schedules are really brutal and anybody would need to rest,” he added. In a statement Monday, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial assured that Duterte is in good health, following his complaints of chest pains last week. “The President is healthy, but he has problems with migraine, Buerger’s disease,

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

A6 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 Standard Manila

which is a result of smoking. I’m telling reporters that the President has health concerns, they are bothersome, but not critical,” said Ubial. She noted that she is impressed with the President’s stamina, staying awake and alert during four to six hours of Cabinet meetings, unlike some Cabinet officials who almost get sleepy. “That’s the picture of our President’s health. He is really very healthy. He has good stamina and level of energy. We are really very supportive of his overall health and ability to lead the country,” she said. Ubial likewise confirmed that Duterte has recently undergone a medical check-up at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center after experiencing chest pains, contrary to pronouncements of Communications Secretary Martin Andanar that the President was just “joking,” According to the hospital’s doctors, his electrocardiogram (ECG) test results showed that there seemed to be nothing wrong with him, Ubial said.

PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO - Presiding Officer SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA MARIE ALETHEA SJ. CASAL-UY GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR. DIVINA A. JACOME LUIS S. JAVIER JR. MA. ARLENE M. ORTEGA NELSON S. PASIA ENRICO J. PUNO MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

ABSENT: Councilor “ “

FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY ROMEO C. MEDINA-Sick Leave

DENR criticized over Limay plant A

GROUP of climate activists on Thursday slammed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for its supposed inaction on complaints against the coal power plant in Limay, Bataan. The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, the largest climate justice group in the country, trooped to the DENR office in Quezon City to demand an explanation for its inaction on the complaints against the coal plant of Petron-San Miguel Consolidated Power Corp. in Barangay Lamao in Limay. “It [has been] more than a month since they issued a notice of alleged violation to Petron and SMC but until now, no immediate action has been undertaken. I don’t think this issue is being taken seriously,” said PMCJ national coordinator Ian Rivera, reiterating the health complaints of residents. The DENR Environmental

Management Bureau in Central Luzon sent a notice of violation to San Miguel Corp. which was received by the end party last Jan. 6, 2017 while another order was issued to Petron dated Dec. 28, 2016 directly from the office of the DENR secretary. “It was clearly stated in the documents issued to both companies that they are prohibited from continuing their test run and dumping operations while matters are being investigated but clearly, operations are business as usual,” said Derec Cabe, coordinator of Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement. The order issued to Petron also states that the company acted beyond their Environmental Compliance Certificate and failed to install a Continuous Emission

Monitoring System which disabled them to provide a regular monitoring report. In addition, it was stated that the bodies of water surrounding the coal plant are contaminated by hazardous substances. Lastly, the company has failed to manage the bottom ash produced by their coal plant operations. However, despite the release of the aforementioned notices, no formal complaint was ever filed. The Pollution Adjudication Board claims that their office has not received any endorsement from the DENR Regional Office regarding PetronSMC’s case which left them unable to investigate further on the issue. In his last interview, Ramon Ang of SMC was demanding that the DENR release a permit to transport the remains of bottom ash being complained by the residents. However, Ang refused to admit that the waste products caused the residents’ skin and

respiratory diseases. “There is enough evidence that the said coal plant has committed both health and environmental violations. Notices have already been released. This is not just an issue of where to dump the bottom ash. The entire operations which produce the said waste materials should be stopped. There is no reason that the DENR is not taking action on this,” Rivera said. “We need an explanation from the DENR on why they did not endorse this case to PAB immediately,” Rivera said. The group also reiterated that PAB must be assertive in this issue regardless since it was stated in the order that the body can act on its own pulse. “We demand the closure of the Petron Coal Plant and the cancellation of the ECC granted to SMC immediately. Somebody has to be accountable for this delay— justice delayed is justice denied,” Rivera added.

LnB President ARMANDO P. PADILLA “ ====================================================================== == On motion presented by Hon. M.A.M. Ortega, which was duly seconded by all Members present, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Makati approved City Resolution No. 2017012 on second and final reading. CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2017-012 Authors: Hon. M.C.M. Yabut, Hon. M.A.S.J. Casal-Uy, Hon. D.A. Jacome, Hon. G.I.N. de Lara-Bes, Hon. N.S. Yabut Jr., Hon. M.A.M. Ortega, Hon. N.S. Pasia, Hon. V.V. Hilario, Jr. and Hon. E.D.E. Villamor Co-Authors: Hon. S.C. Aspillaga, Hon. L.S. Javier, Jr., Hon. E.J. Puno and Hon. M.R.C. Tolentino A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HONORABLE MAYOR MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY TO NEGOTIATE, ENTER INTO AND SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA), ON BEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF MAKATI, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-NATIONAL CAPITAL REGIONAL OFFICE (DOH-NCRO) AND THE PHILIPPINE BUSINESS FOR SOCIAL PROGRESS (PBSP), REGARDING THE OVERSEEING OF PROGRAMMATIC MANAGEMENT OF DRUG RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS (PMDT) OPERATIONS OF TEJEROS HEALTH CENTER SATELLITE TREATMENT CENTER AND GEN XPERT SITE (TEJEROS STC AND XPERT SITE), SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS. WHEREAS, one of the priority programs of the Department of Health (DOH) is the National Tuberculosis Control Program; WHEREAS, one of the key service delivery areas of the project is the scaling-up of the Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT) across the country; WHEREAS, the City Government of Makati supports the attainment of National Tuberculosis Control Program goal by expressing its desire to oversee the PMDT operations of Tejeros Health Center Satellite Treatment Center and GeneXpert Site (Tejeros STC and Xpert Site); WHEREAS, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City Government of Makati, Department of Health – National Capital Region (DOH-NCR) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) is required to be executed in order to effectuate the abovementioned desire of the City Government of Makati; WHEREAS, Section 8 (a) (6), Article III of R.A. 7658, otherwise known as the Charter of the City of Makati, states that the city mayor, as the chief executive of the city government, shall represent the City in all its business transactions and signs on its behalf all bonds, contracts, and obligations, and such other documents upon authority of the sanggunian panlungsod; WHEREAS, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, in consideration of the benefits of the subject MOA to the constituency of the city, hereby authorizes Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay to negotiate, enter into and sign such Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), on behalf of the City Government of Makati, with the Department of Health – National Capital Region (DOH-NCR) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWERS VESTED IN IT BY LAW IN SESSION ASSEMBLED, to authorizes the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay to negotiate, enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), on behalf of the City Government of Makati, with the Department of Health-National Capital Regional Office (DOH-NCRO) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), regarding the Overseeing of Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT) Operations of Tejeros Health Center Satellite Treatment Center and Gen Xpert Site (Tejeros STC and Xpert Site), subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. Let copy of this Resolution be furnished to Department of Health-National Capital Region Office (DOH-NCRO), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Makati Health Department and other offices concerned for their information, guidance and reference. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its approval. APPROVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, in its Regular Session held on 15 February 2017. HON. SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA

HON. ROMEO C. MEDINA

HON. MARIE ALETHEA S.J. CASAL-UY

HON. MA ARLENE M. ORTEGA

HON. GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES

P HON. NELSON S. PASIA

HON. FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO

HON. ENRICO J. PUNO

HON. VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR.

ON. MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO HON.

HON. DIVINA A. JACOME

ON. EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR HON.

HON. LUIS S. JAVIER JR.

HON. MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT

HON. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY

HON. NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

two-day Sustainable Land Governance Conference organized by the US Agency for International Development’s Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity program at the Diamond Hotel in Manila last Feb. 9.

Group urges Sueno shrugs off removal improved land policies INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno played down reports that he will be replaced once the ban on appointing losing candidate lapses this May. “We serve at the pleasure of the President,” Sueno said in a statement. “It is within his power, wisdom and discretion to appoint members of his Cabinet. With the information being floated about the change at the helm of the DILG, I take no offense whatsoever.” “It is business as usual for me as I dispense my duties and functions with the blessings of President Duterte,” Sueno said. The former South Cotabato governor said he did not feel offended by the rumors that former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., who lost in the last elections to Vice President Leni Robredo, would soon

replace him in May. The Interior portfolio holds control over the police and all local government units in the country. Early in his term, the President said that he doesn’t want to appoint Robredo as his housing czar because he did not want to “hurt the feelings” of Marcos. Marcos filed a pending petition before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal questioning the results of Robredo’s hairline victory over him in the last election. Malacañang itself has denied knowledge of any plan to replace Sueno with Marcos Jr. “Frankly, I don’t have any knowledge of that,” said Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella. “As far as I’m concerned, I have not received anything [about the supposed appointment of Marcos as DILG head].” John Paolo Bencito

Notice to the Public

HON. ARMANDO P. PADILLA LnB President Certified true and correct by:

Attested by:

ALL FOR LAND REFORM. Private and public ofﬁcials join hands in urging the government to hasten land policy reform at the closing of the

ATTY. DINDO R. CERVANTES Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

HON. MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer (MS-FEB. 17, 2017)

The Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation, Inc. (POSF), doing business under the name of Obstacle Sports Pilipinas (OSP), is a nonprofit corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is the only legitimate and governing sports association for Obstacle Sports/ Obstacle Course Racing in the Philippines with a nationwide membership base. POSF is applying to be a recognized member of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). If there are any other sports body who claims to likewise represent obstacle sports in the Philippines, an objection to the application of POSF should be presented before the POC Membership Commission within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of the instant publication. (MS-FEB. 17, 2017)

THE Sustainable Urban Land Coalition, made up of more than 20 key leaders from government, business, international development and civil groups, called on the government to improve and streamline an accessible land programs and services to fast-track development. The group announced their call to action during the last day of the Conference on Sustainable Land Governance held in Manila on Feb. 9. The 10-point call to action emphasized to rationalize the mandates of land related agencies, prioritize the implementation of a massive national titling program, expedite resolution of land-related cases, and strictly enforce compliance of local government units on property valuation regulations, among others. Office of the Cabinet Secretary Deputy Executive Director Jonas George Soriano said the call to action is timely because the new government is moving towards the adoption of a sustainable land governance program to address the country’s land concerns. Soriano said President Rodrigo Duterte will soon sign into law the Philippine Development Plan and the National Security Policy which will be the basis of all plans and reforms in the government. He challenged the local government units to consider the impact of every government project in their locality after Duterte directed that government resources be spent wisely on outcomes are felt on the ground. “We are appealing to our friends from the local government units to push for changes in the government. If you want change, the President is asking the mayors and the governors to lead the way,” he said. National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro explained that the PDP contains development goals and objectives, the strategic framework and the executive order that will give the directive to all the branches of government in implementing their programs and projects.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Le Tour kicks off in Albay tomorrow T HE Philippines returns to its spot on the world cycling map anew tomorrow, Saturday, February 18 when the eighth edition of the Le Tour de Filipinas is ﬂagged off from Legaspi City in Albay to Sorsogon. The Le Tour de Filipinas is the only International Cycling Union (UCI) road race in the country and is the kick off race of the Asia Tour season. Tagaytay City Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, president of the national sports association for the sport, PhilCycling, acknowledged the importance of the race

organized by Ube Media Inc. and presented by Air21. “Again it is an honor for the country through the Le Tour de Filipinas to host this annual UCI-sanctioned race participated by international cyclists,” Tolentino said. “The race not only tests our Filipino riders but to watch the skills of the foreign

cyclists and to promote tourism.” This year also marks the second decade since the country hosted its first UCI race in 1996 when the local multi-stage road race was called the Marlboro Tour. Victor Espiritu won that foreign teamlaced race as an amateur with Hongkong star Wong Kam Po winning the following year. The Centennial Tour, aptly named to celebrate the country’s 100th year celebration of Independence Day in 1998, saw Warren Davadilla claiming the trophy. But that was to be the last of the Marlboro Tour era following the enforcement of anti-tobacco laws

in sports and other advertising platforms. All teams have been accounted for the race that has Petron and UPS as principal sponsors and Philippine Airlines as official airline partner in Legaspi City with the 75 cyclists warming up on the Albay capital’s roads with the majestic Mayon Volcano as backdrop. Tomorrow, the cyclists will be flagged off at 8 a.m. by Ube Media President Donna May Lina, Legaspi City Mayor Noel Rosal, Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara and PhilCycling Chairman Bert Lina for the 164.49-km

Legaspi City to Sorsogon Stage One. Sunday’s Stage Two of the event backed by Advanced Solutions Inc., Cargohaus Inc. CCN Sports Philippines, IWMI, NMM Customs Broker, Phenom Sportswear, UFL Philippines and WARM will cover 177.35 kms from Sorsogon to Daet while Stage Three on Monday is interestingly also 177.35 kms from Sorsogon to Naga City. The 15 teams—13 foreign and two locals—will wrap up their campaign with the long 210-km northward Stage Four from Daet to Lucena City.

The Philippine National Team and 7 Eleven Roadbike Philippines will lead the local challenge against foreign squads Kinan Cycling Team (Japan), Team Ukyo (Japan), Bridgrestone Anchor Cycling Team (Japan), Terengganu Cycling Team (Malaysia), LX Pro Cycling Team (South Korea), Uzbekistan National Team, CCN Cycling Team (Laos), Keyi Look Sport Cycling Team (China), United Arab Emirates National Team, Attaque Team Gusto (Chinese Taipei), Kuwait Cartucho.ES (Kuwait) and Sapura Cycling Team (Malaysia).

Malacañang and PNP win semifinals opener UNTV CUP Season 3 runner up Malaca- are there so we really prepared hard for this ñang Kamao and three-time runner up game against the Judiciary Magis because PNP Responders forced do-or-die games we have to beat them twice. We’re very in the semifinals of the UNTV Cup Sea- happy to get the 1st game, so we have to son 5 after defeating their opponents get the other one,” PNP Responders Head Sunday. Coach Ernie Sta. Cruz said. In Game 1, Malacañang lunched an early The best player of the game honors was assault and sustained it until the finish, en given to Anton Tolentino with 22 points, 1 route to a 99-88 victory over the power- rebound, 4 assists and to Harold Sta. Cruz house team BOC Transformers. with 7 points and 13 rebounds (mostly deHailed as the Best Players of the Game fensive), which restricted the Magis in their were Eric Dela Cuesta inside plays. with 32 points, 8 reThe Scores: Games Sunday bounds, 2 assists, 2 Malacañang Kamao (Pasig City Sports Center) blocks, 3 steals, and Visnu (99)—E. Dela Cuesta 32, 3 p.m. Judiciary Magis vs. PNP Responders Das Javier with 22 points, V. Javier 22, C. Luanzon 5 p.m. BOC Transformers vs 3 rebounds, 4 assists. 22, J. Besa 11, J. Jimenez Malacañang Kamao Another outstanding 4, P. Yamamoto 4, I. Garperformance for Malacarido 2, G. Gadong 2, N. ñang came from Christian Luanzon, with Javier 0 22 points 2 rebounds and 5 assists. BOC Tranformers (88)—G. Ejercito “I told to my team before the start of 26, M. Aquino 22, R. Ignacio 11, K. Duthe game ‘Nothing will change.’ What- remedes 10, B. Franco 9, S. Ignacio 5, M. ever will happen on the start we should Sumalinog 5, E. Canoza 0 maintain consistency on what we are goSecond Game ing to do whether we are on the lead or PNP Responders (92)—A. Tolentino the opponent. But to us, we know what 22, O. Omiping 17, J. Misola 12, H. Sta. we are going to do: lean on each other, Cruz 7, A. Bayabao 5, J. Criste 5, J. Cabalean on our teammate, lean on our sys- hug 4, H. Decena 4, C. Elopre 4, R. Cabrera tem,” said Malacañang Kamao Head 4, A. Yanquiling 4 Coach Louie Gonzales. Judiciary Magis (67)—C. Tolomia 17, In the second game, the PNP Respond- J. Rabino 14, V. Puno 11, C. Camaso 8, A. ers bombarded the two-time champion Ju- Capus 8, W. Ybañez 4, H. Bergonio 3, F. diciary Magis, 92-67. Salamat 2, J. Montesa 0, K. Enriquez 0, M. “The desire and eagerness of the players Tomacruz 0, C. Roma 0

PBA D-LEAGUE ACTION. Cignal-San Beda forward Jayvee Mocon (foreground) drives strong to the hoop against Blustar Detergent defender Shin Zhi. Mocon powered Cignal-San Beda past Blustar Detergent.

Lee defends world crown again Huang TWENTY-year-old “Unstoppable” Angela Lee defends her ONE Championship world title at ONE: Warrior Kingdom against Jenny Huang in Bangkok, Thailand on March 11. Lee figured in one of the most memorable match-ups in ONE Championship history, when she took on Japanese mixed martial arts veteran Mei “V.V” Yamaguchi last year at ONE: Ascent to Power The bout was recently named ONE’s Fight of the Year for 2016. In just a short period, Lee has risen through the ranks. Her victory over Yamaguchi earned her the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship and worldwide fame. Lee, who has amassed an unblemished 6-0 start to her professional mixed martial arts career, debuted in May of 2015, winning her first five bouts by submission. Since then, the young champion has become one of the hottest topics in

Angela Lee

Asian MMA. In a recent press release by ONE Championship, the promotion announced Lee’s return to the ONE cage to make the first defense of her title. The submission specialist is set to meet 25-year-old Huang of Chinese Taipei. The pair will do battle in a five-round contest at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. “I am so excited for my first title defense! I had back to back fights leading up to the title fight, and after I won the belt I took some time off. The goal for 2017 is to be an active champion and to stay busy,” said Lee. “I’m really looking forward to headlining the card in Bangkok, Thailand! I absolutely love the people and their culture. I know that the crowd is gonna go crazy on fight night!” Lee is of mixed Singaporean and Korean descent, and currently trains at Asia’s premiere mixed martial arts gym, Evolve

MMA. Lee’s beautiful combination of solid striking and grappling skills has proven to be a potent formula for success as she remains unbeaten in her MMA career. Huang on the other hand, is also unbeaten with a professional MMA record of five wins and no losses. She owns three highly-impressive submission victories and in her most recent bout, Huang electrified the arena by executing an extremely rare submission via gogoplata, overcoming a spirited performance from Filipino fighter April Osenio. “I have been working so hard to come to this point in my career, and now that I’m finally here it all feels very surreal to me,” Huang said. “Inside the cage I only have one goal, and that’s to win this bout at any cost. She had better be prepared for what I bring to the table, because I will go to battle with my full arsenal.”

PSA honors ONE Champion Folayang SPORTS CENTER REUEL VIDAL ONE Championship Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang was awarded by the Philippine Sportswriters Association during its Awards Night for Mixed Martial Arts last February 13. The citation could not have been given to a more humble, down-to-earth man. Folayang said he is grateful for all the continued recognition he has received from the biggest and oldest fraternity of sportswriters in the country. He said he was overjoyed after receiving the award. He remembered that he was also recognized by the PSA more than a decade ago for winning medals as a member of the Philippine national team in Wushu.

Receiving another award from the PSA more than 10 years later is just proof that one can accomplish anything if he puts his mind to it Folayang said. During our brief conversation he also said there was no final word yet on his next opponent for the ONE Championship event this coming April here in the Philippines. He however said he that he is open to fighting anybody including brash New Zealand-based Malaysian Ev Ting. Ting called out Folayang after winning his bout against Kamal Shalorus at the ONE Championship bout in Kuala Lumpura, Malaysia last February 10. Ting prevailed in a hardfought bout at catchweight. Shalorus failed to meet the weight limit but the weight advantage he enjoyed didn’t seem to bother Ting. Ting, also an expert grappler, relied on his lightning

quick striking to hammer Shalorus continuously. The bigger, bulkier Shalorus tried to bring Ting to the ground but failed to do so allowing his younger, quicker opponent to take the hard-earned decision. Inside the ONE cage during his interview Ting immediately addressed Folayang saying he was coming for Folayang’s championship belt. At the PSA Awards Night that took place at the Le Pavillon, Pasay City I had a brief conversation with Folayang before he received his PSA award. I told Folayang of Ting’s challenge. Folayang lifted the front of his coat, grabbed his belt, smiled broadly and declared that he can give the leather belt he wore to Ting. But he intends to keep the ONE Championship belt for himself. We both got a laugh after that remark, had our pictures taken and he headed back to his table.

Folayang may be too humble to brag but I believe that Ting would be no match for the Igorot fighter. Folayang is at his physical prime and at the peak of his fighting prowess. Folayang would be too strong, too fast and too experienced for Ting. Folayang would also have the advantage of weight, size and strength. Folayang is a natural lightweight while Ting just recently moved up from featherweight. Both fighters are excellent stand up fighters though. But Folayang’s Wushu training give him the advantage in long distance striking. He is comfortable using his legs and feet as much as his hands. Finally, Folayang would have the edge in stamina because he doesn’t just train but actually lives in Baguio and benefits from the high altitude which gives him better cardio. Even Team Lakay founder

and Folayang’s trainer Mark Sangiao had said that he wanted Ting as Folayang’s next challenger. I was at Singapore when Folayang beat Shinya Aoki by TKO at ONE: Defending Honor last year and the among the first questions we asked Sangiao after his fighter’s victory was Folayang’s opponent for his first title defense. Sangiao, and the whole Team Lakay I suppose, has a bone to pick with Ting who holds a fourfight win streak including victories over Team Lakay fighters Honorio Banario, Edward and Eric Kelly. Ting has also beaten Filipino fighters Cary Bullos of Seldef MMA and Rolando Gabriel Dy Navarette of Kratos MMA. Revenge would be a nice underlying theme if Folayang does decide to defend his ONE Championship Lightweight crown against Ting.

Mighty battles Al Ahli DUBAI—Whether Kiefer Ravena and Jeron Teng are ripe for the big time will be known today as Mighty Sports-Philippines collides with host Al Ahli at the start of the Dubai International Basketball Tournament today at Dubai’s premier sports club. Though he has to share minutes with PBA veterans like Gary David, JC Intal, Ryan Arana and import Justin Brownlee, the 6-foot-2 Teng vowed to give his all if given the time to show his stuff. “This is my first big tournament since the UAAP finals, so I will try to take this opportunity to show what can I do,” said the former King Archer who intends to turn pro before the end of the year. Same thing for Ravena who is looking so inspired after visiting volleyball star and girlfriend Alyssa Valdez in Bangkok. Backed by Rain or Shine and Scratch It, the team held its first practice in full force yesterday after arriving from a 9-hour flight from Manila. Since it was only light, Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu said they will have their first full practice early today before facing Al Ahli. “We will be up against the host squad so we will prepare hard for it,” said Tiu, who will be assisted by veteran tactician Bo Perasol of University of the Philippines. “”We have to be at our very best if we are to hurdle our first test.” Aside from Ravena and Teng, focus will also be on 7-foot-3 import Hasheem Thabeet. The Tanzanian native is out to prove why he was picked ahead over James Harden (No. 3) and Stephen Curry (No. 7) during the 2009 NBA Drafting.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

Sports

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Morales rules Ronda Stage 7 DAET, Camarines Norte—Defending champion Jan Paul Morales of NavyStandard Insurance and Cris Joven of Kinetix Lab-Army finished first and second in Stage Seven to gain some precious seconds in the overall individual race halfway through the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2017. Morales checked in at first while Joven followed suit as the two outsprinted six others to the finish with the same clockings of six hours, nine minutes and four seconds in the 227-km stage that started at the Camsur Watersports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur, circled to Quirino and Quezon Provinces and ended at the downtown area here. Go for Gold’s Elmer Navarro wound up third ahead of Ilocos Sur’s Ryan Serapio, Army’s Ronnilan Quita, RC Cola-NCR’s Leonel Dimaano, red LBC jersey wearer Rudy Roque of Navy and Ilocos Sur’s Jemico Brioso. When the 31-year-old Morales reached the finish before a huge crow, the most thus far in this 14-stage race, was massaging his right leg to prevent cramps. “I was cramping but I endured it,” said Morales in Filipino. While Morales battled cramps, Joven, 30, had a scare at the start after complaining of chest pains and dizziness. “I felt something in my heart and I thought I was losing consciousness. Good things I shouted several times that helped me stay in the race,” said the light-headed Joven, who went straight to the race doctors to check his condition. With half of the stages completed, Morales has moved from fourth third with an aggregate time of 24:24:42 while Joven leapt from No. 5 to No. 4 with a total clocking of 24:25:07. Roque kept his grip of the lead with a time of 24:21:52, a little less than two and half minutes ahead of closest pursuer and Navy teammate Ronald Lomotos, who has a clocking of 24:24:13. Lomotos , who was stuck in the peloton, is now just 29 seconds ahead of Morales and less than a minute atop Joven and could face the possibility of losing it when the race resumes today with 183-km DaetUnisan Stage Eight.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) glides to the hoop for a lay up during the game against the Indiana Pacers on February 15 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. AFP

LeBron leads Cavaliers past Indiana, 113-104 W

ASHINGTON—LeBron James scored 31 points, Kyrie Irving added 26 and Kyle Korver had 22 to spark defending NBA champion Cleveland over the visiting Indiana Pacers 113-104 on Wednesday. In their final game before Sunday’s 66th NBA All-Star Game, the Cavaliers won their third game in a row and seventh in eight starts to stand 39-16 and atop the Eastern Conference. At 7-1 in February, the Cavs matched their win total from a 7-8 January. “We’ve played some good ball,” James said. “Obviously

we know January wasn’t such a good month for us, but overall, for the season, we’re in a good place.” Korver came off the bench to become only the seventh NBA player with 2,000 career 3-point baskets. He made 6-of-8 3-point shots, netting 13 points in the fourth quarter. “It means something to me for

sure,” Korver said. “I’ve always taken a lot of pride in shooting and studying it and thinking about it and trying to be better, and obviously I’m working on it every day.” Klay Thompson scored 35 points and Kevin Durant added 21 as the Golden State improved the NBA’s best record to 47-9 by routing visiting Sacramento 109-86. San Antonio, with the second-best record in the NBA behind Golden State, never trailed in routing host Orlando 107-79 behind 23 points from LaMarcus Aldridge and 22 by Kawhi Leonard.

Boston’s Isaiah Thomas scored 33 points, matching John Havlicek’s 45-year-old Celtics record with a 40th consecutive 20-point game, to spark the hosts to their fourth win in a row, a 116-108 victory over Philadelphia. Elsewhere, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook scored 38 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and passed out 12 assists to power the host Thunder over New York 116-105. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 30 points while Derrick Rose added 25 for New York. Detroit never trailed in a 9891 victory over visiting Dallas,

Barangay Ginebra, Star Hotshots break deadlock By Jeric Lopez BARANGAY Ginebra and Star are set to break their deadlock as they look ahead to figure in the most important clash of their best-ofseven semifinals duel in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. The series is even at 2-2 and the two protagonists will stop at nothing to gain a crucial advantage as they play Game 5 tonight at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with the winner taking a step closer to the finals. After Star took the first two games in close fashion to cap an eight-game winning streak, Barangay Ginebra countered by winning

the series’ last two games to equalize things and make it anyone’s game at this point. The Gin Kings played more to their pace and dictated the tempo in Games 3 and 4 to neutralize the Hotshots’ strengths and get back in the series. Ginebra coach Tim Cone believes that his team needs to keep playing to its strengths to take yet a third straight win over Star at the most critical juncture. “We have to continue playing our brand of basketball and be in control,” said Cone. In Game 4 Wednesday night, that’s exactly what the Gin Kings did as they took command on their way to a 93-86 victory over the

Hotshots to even the series. “It seems like we were in control for most of the way there,” said Cone. An unlikely hero in Jervy Cruz rose to the occasion, scoring a game-high 21 points to lead Ginebra as it took advantage of the attention that LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar got from the Star defense. Another key for Ginebra was its defense on Star’s spitfire Paul Lee, who was limited to only nine points. Cone credited Sol Mercado’s determined defense on Lee. “Sol (Mercado) did a great job on Paul (Lee). Paul is a dynamic scorer but Sol is a dynamic defender too.”

Star Hotshots guard Paul Lee (left) tries to dribble past Barangay Ginebra counterpart Sol Mercado. The two squads break their deadlocked series when they clash today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

PSC forms arbitration committee By Peter Atencio

LONELY AT THE TOP. Winner Laura Dahlmeier of Germany competes during the Women’s 15 km individual race during the 2017 IBU Biathlon World Championships in Hochﬁlzen, on February 15. AFP

AN arbitration committee has been formed to help the Philippine Sports Commission deal with complaints involving the national sports associations and their relationship with their athletes. PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said the committee was formed with respect to the government sports agency’s supervisory and visitorial powers over how its funds the training programs of the NSAs. “The PSC has supervisory and visitorial powers over its funding with the NSAs. Funding can be suspended if there are liquidation issues, intraNSA disputes and other abuses,” Ramirez said. Ramirez noted tjat the pre-

vious administrations of the agency have not observed this function and responsibility, including the time when he first became chairman many years ago. But, this time around, they will under his watch. He has tasked commissioner Ramon Fernandez to lead the committee with executive director Carlo Abarquez. The case of the Philippine Tennis Association was cited, after former PSC board member Salvador Andrada remained as president of the Philippine Tennis Association for the next two years, and walkout took place following last week’s polls. Ramirez said leadership conflicts within NSAs will be among the four grounds why the agency will be compelled

to suspend its support. The new committee will also tackle the case of tennis player Marian Jade Capadocia, following complaints over her exclusion from being part of the national women’s team. The agency listed down its reasons not to supports NSAs, and this includes unliquidated financial assistance, NSAs that have reportedly bullied and abused athletes who were removed without due process. They added NSAs with no updated Securities and Exchange Commission documents on elections and their financial statements. During the Philta polls, the 82 year old Andrada said there was a misunderstanding when he announced his plans to quit his post last year.

with Reggie Jackson scoring 22 points and Jon Leuer adding 20 points and eight rebounds. German star Dirk Nowitzki had 24 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Mavericks, who lost both games against the Pistons in a season for the first time since the 1997-98 campaign. Miami’s Hassan Whiteside had 23 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots in powering the Heat over host Houston 117-109. Miami never trailed as Dion Waiters added 23 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. James Harden led the Rockets with 38 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. AFP

Athletes will train in Iba AN initial batch of more than a hundred athletes are going to the Zambales Sports Complex in Iba, Zambales to undergo specialized training. These are members of the national team for pencak silat, muay thai and dragon boat, and they getting ready for coming stint in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games. And they are expected to be there by April. The Philippine Olympic Committee has plans to turn the sports complex into national training center. The Governor of Zambales, Amor Deles, has offering the use of the facilities to the POC and the NSAs. POC president Jose “Peping” Cojiuangco said in a radio interview that the three NSAs which have initially shown interest to train their athletes will soon set up camp and bring equipment there once initial inspections are finished. “We are looking into the condition of the facilities. They will soon start camping there for specialized training,” said Cojuangco. A medical support group headed by Dr. Martin Camara and Dr. Rey Canlas will assist the athletes in their preparations. Cojuangco is also seeking the Philippine Sports Commission’s help enhancing efforts to come up with an alternate venue to train national athletes. Cojuangco said the POC has been doing its part to look for other places to bring athletes for training, now that there ongoing plans to sell the ageing Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. Peter Atencio

Market rebounds; JG advances B2

IN BRIEF Malampaya gas ﬁeld back online

THE Malampaya natural gas platform in Palawan is now back online and resumed delivering natural gas to the power plants in Batangas, after successfully completing a 19-day maintenance repair, an ofﬁcial said. “As of 7 a.m. [Thursday], Malampaya is able to deliver natural gas to the plants. This was the update given by Shell,” Energy undersecretary Felix Fuentebella said. Fuentebella said there was sufﬁcient supply during the shutdown due to “effective demand side management” and the cold weather helped to ease demand. Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., operator of the Malampaya gas platform in northwest Palawan, submitted its report to the department stating the “all major maintenance and engineering works are completed. “ “Systems are being started up already. Manpower at offshore platform [is] back to normal operational levels,” Spex said. The Malampaya shutdown which began last January 28 triggered fears of tight power supply. Power distributor Manila Electric Co. computed an increase of P0.92 per kilowatt-hour due to the Malampaya shutdown. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@thestandard.com.ph extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Tycoons push two airports By Darwin G. Amojelar

LL-Asia Resources and Reclamation Corp., a consortium led by tycoon Henry Sy and the Tieng family, is pushing Sangley and Clark as the new international gateway airports. “These two are strategically located to serve the northern and southern parts of Luzon. Those in Metro Manila can choose which one is more convenient to them which will also help ease trafﬁc,” ARRC vice chairman Edmund Lim said in a statement. ARCC proposed to build the Philippine Global Gateway project worth P1.3 trillion to decongest trafﬁc in Metro Manila. Under the project, ARRC plans to build an international airport, seaport, economic zone and real estate components in Sangely Point, Cavite. ARRC also proposed to reclaim 2,500 hectares at

Sangley Point. The new airport would be designed to have a capacity of 90 million passengers. An international airport in Sangley can be up and running in four to ﬁve years after the government gives a notice to proceed, ARRC said. “It will be built by our company in partnership with foreign partners without the need for a single cent from the government. We have already signed all the contracts to make this happen. We are ready but we need the government to give its nod,” Lim said. Clark, he said, only needed to be upgraded and “perhaps should be the one whose operations and maintenance should be privatized,” referring to a government decision to hold the operation and maintenance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Naia has two intersecting runways and limited space for expansion, especially for a new parallel runway. “We can have two airports we can be proud of, not just one. Clark is underutilized because it really needs to have a new terminal and infrastructure for easy access. It is the one that must be privatized, not NAIA,” he said. Meanwhile, San Miguel Corp. proposed a P700billion ($14 billion) facility, rivaling an offer from a group led by billionaire Henry Sy.

The conglomerate submitted a plan to the Department of Transportation with a provision for up to six runways in a 2,500-hectare property in Bulacan province, president Ramon Ang said in a phone interview. It will be built without any guarantee or a subsidy from the government, he said. “We will finance everything, build everything by ourselves and take the risk,” Ang said Wednesday. The government could sell the 600-hectare property where the current Manila airport complex is located for $20 billion and have the area converted into a new business district, he said. President Rodrigo Duterte, who has vowed to boost infrastructure spending to a record, is also counting on private investors to upgrade facilities as Manila struggles to cope with rising flight traffic and road congestion. Air passengers passing through Manila will probably more than double to 140 million by 2035 from about 60 million in 2014, according to the International Air Transport Association. The present airport, with four terminals, is already handling traffic in excess of its capacity of 31 million fliers a year, according to IATA. With Bloomberg

Auto excise tax to be manageable

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Thursday the proposed adjustments in car excise taxes will not hurt the local automotive industry which enjoyed robust growth over the past few years. Dominguez said in a statement the manageable price hikes in mass-market vehicles would be readily absorbed by buyers who, in effect, would increase their take-home pay by way of substantially lower personal income taxes. He said buyers would also hardly feel the effects of the price adjustments for mass market cars such as the Toyota Vios and the Mitsubishi Mirage from the proposed excise tax increase because of the ﬂexible ﬁnancing schemes offered by car dealers that stretch to as long as seven years for some models, which would become even more affordable amid the country’s low interest-rate regime. Dominguez said while there might be an initial slowdown in car sales, the industry would be able to quickly recover and continue its robust pace of growth as it did in the past two years, when car sales went up by 25 percent. “We think that the sales will continue to grow at a healthy rate. With the increasing incomes of people, the drop in the income taxes, you know, [the car industry] can hit very well another 20 percent a year,” Dominguez said. “So, I don’t think this will kill the industry, it might slow down the sales, but the sales growth is still going to be very healthy,” he said. Julito G. Rada

Phoenix invests $170m in Clark

SOUTH Korean manufacturer Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corp. invested another $170 million to expand its manufacturing operation in Clark Freeport Zone. Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive Noel Manankil said the second phase of the expansion project brought Phoenix’ total investments to $7.7 billion since operations started in 2010. The expansion will involve the construction of PSPC’s Phase 2 semiconductor assembly and testing facilities within the company’s manufacturing center in Clark. Phoenix was the top exporter in Clark with shipments valued at $1.6 billion. It employs 1,600 workers in the facility. Manankil said the company was equipped to double the facility’s manufacturing capability and employment. Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines president Lee Byeongchun said he was hopeful the company would contribute to the development of the local industry and businesses. “In the next seven years, we hope to be able to duplicate, if not exceed, the advances we made since 2010 and with the support of our business partners both present and future― Taiyo Nippon and Anda Power among others―CDC acting as our ofﬁcial link with the national government, and with the guidance of our mother company, SFA Semicon Co. Ltd., we commit to a better future for Clark, for Pampanga and for the Philippines, through our Phase 2 project,” Lee said. Othel V. Campos

KOREAN MINISTER VISITS PH. Trade

Secretary Ramon Lopez (right) and Republic of Korea Minister for Trade, Industry and Energy Hyunghwan Joo discuss ways to strengthen PHROK trade and economic cooperation in Makati City. Lopez imparted to the ROK side the Trade Department’s priorities as chair of the Asean Economic Ministers’ Meeting, including the desire to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which will link Asean to its six Dialog Partners, creating a bigger market of 3.5 billion people.

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX Closing February 16, 2017

8000 7600 7200

BPI’s net income surges 21% to P22b By Julito G. Rada BANK of the Philippine Islands, the country’s fourth-largest lender in terms of assets, said Thursday net income in 2016 jumped 20.9 percent year-onyear to P22.05 billion, on the strength of its core businesses. “Growth in BPI’s business was buoyed by the bank’s strong relationships with corporate clients who drove loan growth across a variety of landmark transactions,” BPI president and chief executive Cezar Consing said in a statement Thursday. “We took advantage of 2016’s market conditions to exploit unique opportunities, while gearing for growth in 2017 and beyond. We led some critical financing transactions for corporate clients, spurring our country’s development in energy and infrastructure. In retail, we have positioned our teams for both stronger

volumes and more focused risk management,” Consing said. The bank arranged a P12.5-billion climate bond for AboitizPower’s TiwiMakban geothermal plant in 2016. It also arranged a P15-billion retail bond issuance for Ayala Land and a P19.2billion initial public offering of Pilipinas Shell, both highly successful issues. Total revenues grew 12.1 percent to P66.55 billion, while net interest income rose 9.7 percent to P42.38 billion. Non-interest income climbed 16.7 percent to P24.17 billion, on strong gains related to the bank’s securities portfolio and higher fees from core transactional and bancassurance businesses. Operating expenses last year increased 9.6 percent to P34.94 billion from a year ago, driven mainly by spending on general infrastructure, as well as collective bargaining costs.

Provisions ended at P4.80 billion, up 20.7 percent. Cost-to-income ratio was 52.5 percent, lower than 53.7 percent in 2015. Return on assets and return on equities were 1.4 percent and 13.8 percent, up 0.09 and 1.44 percentage points, respectively. Total loans rose 19.2 percent to P1.04 trillion, with a 79 percent and 21 percent corporate-retail mix. Gross 90-day non-performing loans fell to 1.5 percent, from 1.6 percent. Reserve cover rose to 118.7 percent from 110.2 percent. Total deposits increased 12.2 percent to P1.43 trillion year-on-year. Total assets ended 2016 at P1.73 trillion, up 13.8 percent, or P209.34 billion above 2015 level. Total capital reached P165.13 billion, up 9.9 percent. Capital adequacy ratio and CET1 ended at 13.0 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively.

Hot money returned in January with a net inflow of $301m FOREIGN portfolio investments, or ‘hot money,’ returned to the Philippines in January 2017 with a net inflow of $301 million, a reversal from the net outflow of $130 million a year ago, amid a positive outlook on the economy. Data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed the net inflow in January this year also reversed the $315-million net outflow recorded in December 2016. “This may be attributed to optimism about the New Year and positive investor reaction to the announced 6.6-percent GDP growth of the country in the fourth quarter of 2016,” Bangko Sentral said in a statement. The gross domestic product expanded 6.6 percent in the fourth quarter and 6.8 percent in the whole of 2016, near the up-

per bound of the government’s target range of 6 percent to 7 percent. Foreign funds helped boost the stock market in January, with the 30-company benchmark index rising 5.7 percent in the first months of the year. Gross inflows in January rose to $1.147 billion from $820 million a year ago, while total outflows declined to $845.83 million from $950 million. About 95.4 percent of investments in January were placed in securities listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange involving banks, holding firms, property companies, food, beverage and tobacco firms and utilities companies. About 3.4 percent were investments in peso government securities and 1.2 percent went to other peso debt instruments.

Transactions for peso GS and peso time deposits resulted in net outflows of $42 million and $31 million, respectively, while net inflows were realized for other instruments. The United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, Luxembourg and Hong Kong were the top sources of hot money last month. Foreign portfolio investments are overseas funds that are temporarily invested in local stocks, government securities and money market. These are also called ‘hot money’ because of the ease they are invested in and taken out of the financial markets. Portfolio investments posted a net inflow of $354 million last year, a reversal of the $599.69-million net outflow in 2015. Julito G. Rada

6800 6400 6000

7,283.25 108.95

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing FEBRUARY 16, 2017 45.00 46.25 47.50 48.75 50.00

HIGH P49.880 LOW P49.985 AVERAGE P49.925 VOLUME 376.500M

P471.00-P690.00 LPG/11-kg tank P39.80-P48.90 Unleaded Gasoline P27.90-P33.80 Diesel

OPRICES IL TODAY

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, February 16, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE

URC-VITASOY VENTURE. Universal Robina Corp. executive vice

president and managing director Nilo Mapa (right) and Vitasoy Group chief executive Roberto Guidetti sign a joint venture to promote high-quality sustainable plant-based beverage products in the Philippines.

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.9220

Japan

Yen

0.008767

0.4377

Pound

1.245600

62.1828

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128874

6.4336

Switzerland

Franc

0.995025

49.6736

Canada

Dollar

0.764935

38.1871

Singapore

Dollar

0.705069

35.1985

Australia

Dollar

0.771600

38.5198

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652520

132.4191

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266738

13.3161

Brunei

Dollar

0.702593

35.0748

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000075

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028562

1.4259

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.5931

Euro

1.060300

52.9323

Korea

Won

0.000882

0.0440

China

Yuan

0.145539

7.2656

India

Rupee

0.014959

0.7468

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.224871

11.2260

New Zealand

Dollar

0.722300

36.0587

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032637

1.6293 Source: PDS Bridge

Business

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rebounds; JG advances URC, Hong Kong S firm form venture TOCKS rebounded Thursday from a twoday decline, following overnight gains on Wall Street and several Asian markets amid earnings optimism and signs of an improving economy. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, jumped 108 points, or 1.5 percent, to close at 7,283.25, as all six sectoral indices climbed. It was also up 6.5 percent since the start of the year. The heavier index, representing all shares, rose 45 points, or 1.1 percent, to settle at 4,401.79, on a value turnover of P7.6 billion. Gainers outnumbered losers, 113 to 75, while 48 issues were unchanged. Sixteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by LMG Chemicals Corp. which jumped 15.4 percent to P6.76. JG

Summit Holdings Inc., the investment company of tycoon John Gokongwei, advanced 3.8 percent to P75.80, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second largest lender, rose 3.3 percent to P80.90. PLDT Inc. went up 3.1 percent to P1,495. Meanwhile, the rally in Asian markets petered out Thursday, while the dollar also dipped as investors brushed off another record Wall Street close and upbeat US data to cash in proﬁts. Another positive assessment of the US economy and reassurance over tax reform from President Donald Trump was not enough to

spur further buying in Asia after the past week’s rally. New York’s three main indexes pressed on with their surge, racking up a fifth successive day of record closes, after figures showed US inflation hit a four-year high in January, fueling bets on an interest rate hike soon. Also, Trump said Wednesday he would release specifics on his new tax plan in the “not-too-distant future”, adding it will be “good and simpler”. His remarks came less than a week after he promised “phenomenal” reforms to the tax system, spurring a surge in global markets and the dollar. “The strong numbers highlight that the US economy is in fairly healthy shape,” Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at CFD and FX provider AxiTrader, said in a note. “The key is the data and presi-

dent Trump’s recommitment to the release of the tax plan everyone is waiting for,” McKenna said. Federal Reserve Yellen also reiterated her view to Congress that the world’s top economy was on a strong growth track, a day after indicating borrowing costs to increase any time soon -- leading to speculation of a move as soon as March. However, the greenback was unable to push on with its gains and in early Asian trade was down against its major peers as well as higher-yielding currencies in the Asia-Paciﬁc such as the Australian dollar and South Korea’s won. Regional stock markets were also in the red. Tokyo ended the morning 0.6 percent lower while Shanghai and Hong Kong were each down 0.1 percent and Sydney and Seoul both gave up 0.2 percent. Wellington lost one percent and Taipei eased 0.2 percent. With

AFP, Bloomberg

By Jenniffer B. Austria FOOD manufacturer Universal Robina Corp. said Thursday it formed a joint venture with Hong Kong’s Vitasoy Group to produce plant-based beverage products in the Philippines. URC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the joint venture called Vitasoy-URC Inc. would be equally owned by URC and Vitasoy. Vitasoy, established in 1940, is a leading international manufacturer and distributor of food and beverage portfolio focused on sustainable plant-based nutrition. Its products

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS AG FINANCE ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FILIPINO FUND FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MANULIFE MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE UNION BANK

3.3 48.3 92.7 4.18 113 1.27 38.9 16.2 19.92 7.5 0.68 1.67 860 0.71 78.35 0.75 14.3 25 60.25 239 115.1 91 42.3 211.4 1,820 79.2

3.3 48.5 95 4.2 115.4 1.32 39 16.2 20 8.88 0.68 1.74 860 0.72 80.9 0.76 14.42 25 60.25 244 125 91 42.3 212.6 1,993 79.2

3.09 48.3 92.7 4.18 113 1.26 38.9 16.02 19.76 7.5 0.68 1.66 860 0.68 78.35 0.73 14.28 25 59.8 233 115.1 91 41.5 211 1,820 78.55

3.24 48.5 94.8 4.2 115 1.32 39 16.18 19.88 8.88 0.68 1.66 860 0.69 80.9 0.76 14.28 25 59.8 240.2 124 91 41.7 211.8 1,825 78.9

ABOITIZ POWER 43 AGRINURTURE 5.15 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.86 ALSONS CONS 1.41 ASIABEST GROUP 18.18 BASIC ENERGY 0.31 CEMEX HLDG 9.36 CENTURY FOOD 16.4 CHEMPHIL 193.2 CIRTEK HLDG 23.9 CNTRL AZUCARERA 14.62 CONCEPCION 57 CONCRETE A 91.3 CROWN ASIA 2.03 DAVINCI CAPITAL 6.11 DEL MONTE 11.88 DNL INDUS 12.72 EEI CORP 8.12 EMPERADOR 7.13 ENERGY DEVT 5.81 FIRST GEN 22.4 FIRST PHIL HLDG 74.5 HOLCIM 17.04 INTEGRATED MICR 6.3 IONICS 1.7 JOLLIBEE 202.2 LIBERTY FLOUR 71.95 LMG CHEMICALS 6.6 MABUHAY VINYL 3.52 MACAY HLDG 27.85 MANILA WATER 30 MAXS GROUP 27.05 MEGAWIDE 15.6 MERALCO 290 MG HLDG 0.265 PANASONIC 5.49 PEPSI COLA 3.45 PETRON 9.3 PHINMA 11.4 PHINMA ENERGY 2.38 PHX PETROLEUM 7.2 PHX SEMICNDCTR 1.7 PILIPINAS SHELL 78.6 PRYCE CORP 4.8 PUREFOODS 275 RFM CORP 5 ROXAS HLDG 3.09 SHAKEYS PIZZA 12.68 SWIFT FOODS 0.15 TKC METALS 1.5 UNIV ROBINA 160 VICTORIAS 4.55 VITARICH 1.7 VULCAN INDL 1.16

44.15 5.28 0.86 1.42 20 0.31 9.6 16.4 199.9 24 15.4 57.75 95 2.07 6.2 12 12.82 8.22 7.15 5.83 22.5 74.95 17.04 6.69 1.7 207 71.95 8.6 3.74 28.45 30.2 27.85 15.88 291 0.27 5.8 3.45 9.3 11.4 2.39 7.2 1.7 79.8 4.85 275 5 3.45 12.68 0.15 1.55 161.5 4.75 1.74 1.16

43 5.11 0.86 1.39 17.08 0.285 9.18 16.28 185 23.5 14.62 57 91.3 2.01 6.11 11.88 12.6 8.12 7.08 5.8 22.15 74.1 16.98 6.3 1.65 201.8 68 6.02 3.52 27.85 29.95 27 15.48 289 0.255 5.49 3.41 9.28 11.4 2.34 7.12 1.64 78.6 4.75 271 4.95 3.08 12.56 0.148 1.5 159.9 4.34 1.7 1.16

INDUSTRIAL 43.4 996,400 5.23 5,174,600 0.86 256,000 1.4 1,172,000 19 51,700 0.29 43,020,000 9.22 21,347,200 16.3 3,462,600 195 270 23.7 155,600 14.98 13,400 57.75 91,960 95 1,790 2.02 395,000 6.2 86,700 12 8,200 12.7 1,607,300 8.18 67,300 7.13 494,600 5.83 15,518,600 22.2 333,000 74.8 128,930 17 24,300 6.69 12,566,100 1.7 337,000 206 1,627,630 68 270 6.76 20,718,200 3.74 4,000 28.45 800 30.1 2,150,300 27 229,500 15.72 6,328,600 289 284,850 0.26 5,140,000 5.75 62,800 3.45 1,234,000 9.29 1,759,400 11.4 1,500 2.37 3,278,000 7.18 266,100 1.67 847,000 79.15 473,640 4.85 108,000 275 410 4.95 12,300 3.25 573,000 12.6 380,700 0.149 2,190,000 1.52 272,000 160.5 2,323,410 4.43 19,272,000 1.73 1,761,000 1.16 20,000

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.375 73.8 13.02 1.24 6.05 0.36 794 9.06 13.24 8.14 5.9 0.22 1,248 5.95 76.1 1.06 7.92 14.72 0.5 6.83 0.072 2.03 107.1 2.67 679 0.86 1.49 269.6 0.305 0.191 0.275

0.365 73 12.94 1.15 6.05 0.345 785 8.99 13 8 5.25 0.2 1,220 5.95 73.95 0.99 7.8 14.14 0.47 6.68 0.065 1.98 104.3 2.59 656 0.86 1.42 268 0.3 0.19 0.255 6.69 1 6.2 2.54 1.14 36 3.28 5.03 0.52 1.08 1.26 0.164 0.57 54.5 0.71 0.144 1.79 1.01 1.31

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP

0.37 73.05 13 1.15 6.05 0.345 786.5 9 13 8 5.25 0.21 1,228 5.95 74 1 7.92 14.7 0.5 6.68 0.069 1.99 104.7 2.65 656 0.86 1.49 269.6 0.3 0.191 0.255 6.8 1.01 6.2 2.61 1.27 36 3.28 5.03 0.53 1.08 1.26 0.164 0.59 55.4 0.71 0.144 1.79 1.01 1.35

6.8 1.04 6.2 2.73 1.28 36.55 3.34 5.03 0.53 1.1 1.34 0.167 0.59 56 0.71 0.153 1.82 1.04 1.36

12,000 15,900 1,966,570 3,000 2,368,400 35,000 108,000 2,100 522,600 41,700 7,000 94,000 700 11,813,000 2,626,230 1,240,000 5,600 24,000 109,340 11,800 1,030 10 170,000 668,640 320 7,530

38,370 769,770 186,260,769.50 12,580 271,878,418 44,560 4,207,680 33,948 10,428,538 325,954 4,760 159,750 602,000 8,229,910 210,462,938 927,960 80,300 600,000 6,573,049.50 2,828,754 125,609 910 7,142,065 141,611,664 586,015 594,869

750,435 93,576,600 120,676,088 39,000 -2 845,308.00 189,450 116,763,143.50 15,000 -3,562,073.50 -2,400,184 -147,515 -63,710,052 193,715 -97,977

43,490,335 26,882,926 220,160 1,638,830 985,684 12,658,700 200,739,268 56,440,536 52,510 3,699,055 202,918 5,241,825 163,744 797,840 535,705 98,016 20,385,870 549,736 3,515,424 90,386,828 7,411,995 9,602,533.50 413,028 82,575,043 567,870 335,424,608 18,439 152,226,707 14,300 22,340 64,552,405 6,197,630 99,474,738 82,585,324 1,330,850 350,621 4,227,790 16,353,994 17,100 7,764,100 1,904,630 1,410,330 37,426,149 518,670 112,260 61,096 1,875,360 4,795,926 325,230 413,370 373,269,903 91,449,730 3,019,660 23,200

26,069,620 573,655 3,569,515 -2,647,282 -1,236,950 135,532 -7,980 -2,934,366 102,961 -2,062,132 8,636,836 -50,765 7,242,008.50 -1,704 40,534,570 60,759,896 -317,464 -56,148,060 -761,505 38,118,830 5,809,242 -717,650 1,862,950 -8,370,553.00 2,846,740 -275,886 -6,052,210.00 166,600 -1,054,518 -73,392,867 64,515,810 -767,990 -

HOLDING FIRMS 0.375 3,400,000 73.8 2,184,900 12.98 5,749,800 1.19 268,000 6.05 173,700 0.355 5,460,000 788 563,530 8.99 641,300 13.04 10,769,800 8.14 56,700 5.9 70,500 0.2 80,000 1,225 179,990 5.95 3,000 75.8 3,130,080 1.02 11,551,000 7.9 142,800 14.14 4,764,800 0.47 230,000 6.79 17,436,600 0.066 971,180,000 2.03 150,000 106.6 532,550 2.59 18,000 675 557,850 0.86 6,000 1.48 1,514,000 268 2,610 0.3 300,000 0.19 650,000 0.275 160,000

1,263,200 160,313,684.50 74,646,260 321,070 1,050,885 1,929,000 444,106,630 5,776,051 140,509,832 453,761 415,345 16,550 220,519,305 17,850 236,837,772.50 11,851,990 1,126,156 68,180,676 108,400 118,395,951 66,470,200 299,560 56,657,406 47,660 375,101,630 5,160 2,189,350 700,680 90,900 123,650 41,000

60,282,706.50 7,487,248 -39,110,950 -387,057.00 -51,080,542 -115,884,005 -17,850 121,261,535.50 -641,484 7,741,864 17,549,877 1,580 -3,550,840 20,097,435 -2,680 -

PROPERTY 6.7 291,900 1.01 481,000 6.2 2,000 2.7 1,536,000 1.16 48,305,000 36.4 17,341,400 3.31 2,376,000 5.03 75,100 0.52 9,572,000 1.1 30,000 1.3 369,000 0.165 25,110,000 0.57 2,859,000 55.5 441,270 0.71 13,000 0.144 380,000 1.79 11,918,000 1.03 714,000 1.33 558,000

1,961,474 488,020 12,400 4,078,260 56,895,500 630,446,850 7,887,950 377,753 5,004,270 32,800 483,830 4,145,390 1,647,070 24,441,829.50 9,230 55,080 21,415,960 725,520 751,570

-1,289,320 134,170 995,090 184,471,800 -122,860 -212,000 -10,900 197,220 -754,975 -6,120 7,253,820 -

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

3.7 0.17 0.35 0.71 4.87 24.6 1.6 3.26 29.6 1.03 7 0.96 4.93

3.8 0.183 0.375 0.72 4.88 25.8 1.66 3.3 30.2 1.07 7 0.96 4.95

3.7 0.166 0.33 0.67 4.84 24.6 1.59 3.26 29.6 1.02 7 0.91 4.86

3.72 0.18 0.345 0.69 4.84 25.75 1.66 3.3 29.9 1.03 7 0.94 4.92

21,714,000 153,600,000 2,120,000 26,890,000 1,114,000 2,506,500 273,000 87,000 11,227,300 28,003,000 100 10,000 4,222,000

81,043,340 27,121,180 736,600 18,783,040 5,408,000 64,131,675 448,880 283,700 336,318,530 29,220,930 700 9,350 20,639,460

-7,812,980 2,901,110 -37,500 59,200 -243,000 32,611,390 -105,880 6,996,845 59,740 -5,245,520

2GO GROUP 8.13 ABS CBN 47.4 APC GROUP 0.57 APOLLO GLOBAL 0.063 BERJAYA 5.4 BLOOMBERRY 7.42 BOULEVARD HLDG 0.065 CALATA CORP 2.5 CEBU AIR 94.05 CENTRO ESCOLAR 9.69 DFNN INC 9 DISCOVERY WORLD 2.3 FAR EASTERN U 960 GLOBE TELECOM 1,780 GMA NETWORK 6.2 GOLDEN HAVEN 16.4 HARBOR STAR 3.97 IMPERIAL A 17 IMPERIAL B 109 INTL CONTAINER 76.4 IP EGAME 0.0097 IPM HLDG 9.05 ISLAND INFO 0.191 ISM COMM 1.35 JACKSTONES 3 LBC EXPRESS 14.5 LEISURE AND RES 3.95 MACROASIA 3.08 MELCO CROWN 4.65 METRO RETAIL 3.9 NOW CORP 2.75 PACIFIC ONLINE 11.18 PAL HLDG 5.12 PAXYS 3.15 PHIL SEVEN CORP 139.8 PHILWEB 8.8 PLDT 1,455 PREMIUM LEISURE 1.32 PRMIERE HORIZON 0.42 PUREGOLD 44.45 ROBINSONS RTL 78.3 SBS PHIL CORP 6.3 SSI GROUP 2.53 STI HLDG 1.18 TRANSPACIFIC BR 1.7 TRAVELLERS 3.24 WATERFRONT 0.42

8.29 47.4 0.57 0.066 5.4 7.7 0.065 2.5 94.6 9.84 9 2.35 960 1,818 6.23 16.8 4 17.58 109 77.3 0.0097 9.05 0.193 1.37 4.01 14.5 4.15 3.17 5.08 3.9 2.8 11.18 5.3 3.35 139.8 8.89 1,500 1.38 0.435 44.85 80 6.3 2.53 1.18 1.75 3.24 0.425

8 47 0.54 0.061 5.4 7.42 0.064 2.43 93.75 9.69 8.71 2.3 960 1,780 6.15 16.4 3.94 16.6 107 76.4 0.0094 9.05 0.191 1.32 3 14.5 3.93 2.95 4.65 3.87 2.72 11.18 5.12 3.15 139.8 8.79 1,455 1.32 0.42 44.2 78 6.25 2.4 1.16 1.7 3.23 0.405

SERVICES 8.29 154,700 47.2 14,300 0.55 380,000 0.063 316,390,000 5.4 1,700 7.43 23,931,900 0.065 7,930,000 2.45 2,385,000 93.95 709,200 9.84 17,800 8.71 51,100 2.35 20,000 960 170 1,810 50,840 6.2 159,700 16.8 65,200 3.94 2,047,000 17.12 64,000 107 1,010 77 2,050,470 0.0095 17,000,000 9.05 450,000 0.192 3,970,000 1.35 1,339,000 3.5 5,008,000 14.5 100 3.94 890,000 3.01 2,780,000 5.06 16,645,000 3.88 518,000 2.75 860,000 11.18 55,000 5.14 19,500 3.22 142,000 139.8 980 8.88 138,600 1,495 108,160 1.35 24,438,000 0.425 2,310,000 44.85 724,100 79 797,270 6.25 235,200 2.42 11,689,000 1.16 7,574,000 1.75 165,000 3.23 156,000 0.415 1,150,000

1,256,986 672,480 207,680 20,117,290 9,180 178,767,283 511,100 5,853,820 66,671,221.50 173,127 453,925 46,480 163,200 91,885,985 984,483 1,090,400 8,123,160 1,096,488 108,835 157,850,931 161,000 4,072,500 759,800 1,786,980 18,356,760 1,450 3,563,970 8,411,270 82,834,390 2,008,460 2,361,970 614,900 100,326 453,900 137,004 1,221,172 161,675,030 33,017,030 979,250 32,286,340 62,920,086.50 1,472,821 28,450,540 8,847,360 281,500 504,020 475,500

-10 63,753,524 -49,600 2,468,444.50 -45,900 -163,200 48,158,645 725,505.50 -9,400 -1,920 368,720 -72,360.00 -4,248,880 -14,008,650 -872,770 91,350 -36,348 180,476.00 53,701,285 -9,026,840 -168,000 -15,870,690 -37,070,478 -75,240 -3,236,260 -722,980 -323,000 291,150

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A ORNTL PETROL B PHILODRILL PX MINING PXP ENERGY SEMIRARA MINING TA PETROLEUM UNITED PARAGON

0.0033 2.08 5.98 1.82 0.52 0.45 11 2.49 0.255 0.181 0.198 0.011 1.65 7.1 2.49 0.97 0.012 0.012 0.014 8.8 3.31 135.5 2.85 0.0091

0.0033 2.12 6.1 1.92 0.52 0.455 11.28 2.49 0.255 0.186 0.198 0.012 1.76 7.1 2.53 1.03 0.012 0.012 0.015 9.29 3.31 136 2.86 0.0091

0.0032 2 5.91 1.82 0.5 0.45 10.3 2.43 0.25 0.181 0.198 0.011 1.65 6.95 2.34 0.93 0.012 0.012 0.014 8.8 3.24 134.4 2.85 0.0091

MINING & OIL 0.0032 36,000,000 2.05 3,538,000 6 1,486,800 1.92 25,000 0.51 309,000 0.455 1,830,000 11.02 107,500 2.48 1,898,000 0.25 50,000 0.186 4,800,000 0.198 20,000 0.012 300,000 1.75 843,000 7.04 3,289,600 2.45 449,000 0.94 277,000 0.012 1,200,000 0.012 1,100,000 0.014 135,600,000 9.29 3,228,000 3.27 1,435,000 135.5 1,105,460 2.85 24,000 0.0091 1,000,000

115,500 7,335,960 8,948,806 46,000 155,120 823,700 1,168,618 4,651,290 12,600 885,700 3,960 3,500 1,435,580 23,103,593 1,068,300 262,130 14,400 13,200 1,899,300 29,620,694 4,684,760 149,804,517 68,430 9,100

611,900 -698,990 20,000 -59,850 -2,026,008 13,070 -12,000 301,971 -449,480 -49,034,727 -9,100

AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF F GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

539.5 528 106.2 104 112.8 531 5.85 1,030 1,020 107 77 81.05 76.6 80.5 77.5 78 79

539.5 528 106.2 104.9 112.8 531 5.85 1,030 1,020 107 77 81.05 76.6 80.5 77.5 78 79

539.5 528 106 104 112.8 530 5.85 1,030 1,020 107 77 81.05 76.2 80.5 77.5 77.5 78

PREFERRED 539.5 10 528 2,800 106 10,000 104.9 20 112.8 100 530 2,030 5.85 2,851,100 1,030 2,470 1,020 10 107 900 77 370 81.05 1,000 76.5 36,400 80.5 580 77.5 29,570 77.5 2,730 78 98,250

5,395 1,478,400 1,060,580 2,089 11,280 1,075,970 16,678,935 2,544,100 10,200 96,300 28,490 81,050 2,784,100 46,690 2,291,675 212,517.50 7,700,485

-11,280 -1,022,900 -298,935 -290,200 -

LR WARRANT

2.2

2.55

2.2

WARRANTS 2.37 5,090,000

12,367,350

-62,700

PHILAB HLDG ITALPINAS XURPAS

7.87 3.73 7.9

9.13 3.74 8

7.7 3.7 7.51

SME 8.08 3.7 7.64

18,878,511 1,171,470 29,257,158

125,507 2,174,581

120

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.4 120 13,990

1,670,723

NAME MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

FIRST METRO ETF 118.4

TRADING SUMMARY

VALUE

FINANCIAL 21,854,991 INDUSTRIAL 178,640,467 HOLDING FIRMS 1,042,248,957

854,560,802,22 1,856,571,509.328 2,085,675,780.436

PROPERTY 374,166,695 SERVICES 465,368,463 MINING & OIL 200,073,999 GRAND TOTAL 2,288,769,282

1,346,122,839.674 1,162,058,290.57 236,168,378.504 7,592,136,487.38

2,279,300 316,000 3,806,300

FINANCIAL 1,793.46 (up) 29.67 INDUSTRIAL 11,089.7 (up) 58.08 HOLDING FIRMS 7,342.74 (up) 114.67 PROPERTY 3,343.23 (up) 36.98 SERVICES 1,436.7 (up) 21.69 MINING & OIL 12,001.59 (up) 101.93 PSEI 7,283.25 (up) 108.95 All Shares Index 4,401.79 (up) 45.54 Gainers: 113; Losers: 75 Unchanged: 48; Total: 236

include soy and other types of plant milk, such as coconut milk and almond milk and tofu. It also offers a variety of teas, juices, distilled water and other beverages under the Vita brand. The joint venture, which is subject to the approval of both companies’ boards, is expected to start commercial operations in May this year. Both parties agreed to establish a joint venture as they recognized the Philippines’ potential and its long-term growth prospects as a market for high-quality, nutritious and sustainable food and beverage products. Under the joint venture, URC also aims to enter the plant milk market and increase the sales and portfolio of beverage business in the Philippines. “We see a perfect ﬁt in this joint venture, as both URC and Vitasoy are companies that strive to promote both consumer well-being and sustainable nutrition,” said URC president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei. “Vitasoy is an innovative company, a reliable employer and a responsible corporate citizen dedicated to providing food and beverage that are compatible with a healthy lifestyle to communities and to creating value for its shareholders,” he said. Vitasoy Group chief executive Roberto Guidetti said, “URC is a sizable company within a successful group with strong leadership in the food and beverage industry.”

IMI posts $28.1-m net profit INTEGRATED Micro-Electronics Inc., a manufacturing solutions company controlled by Ayala Corp., said net income in 2016 fell 2 percent to $28.1 million from a year ago, on lower contributions from Asian operations. IMI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange revenue rose 4 percent, while operating income climbed 13 percent last year, amid a challenging environment in electronics manufacturing. “Despite challenges in the global economic environment and the ongoing portfolio mix changes from our Asian operations, we were able to accomplish a positive growth and improved gross profit margin by 50 bps to 12 percent,” IMI president and chief operating officer Gilles Bernard said. IMI said operations in Asia delivered lower growth as a result of China’s slower economic activity and IMI’s strategic decision to disengage from one consumer electronics business. Its Philippine operations also drew away from the declining segment in computing peripherals, driving lower growth. China operations posted sales of $261.4 million, down 6 percent from last year while electronics services operations in the Philippines booked $221 million in revenues, down 2 percent from 2015. Meanwhile, PSiTechnologies, IMI’s semiconductor assembly and test subsidiary, posted $33 million in revenues, down 2 percent yearon-year. IMI said it continued to expand footprint in higher complex box build offerings, while making disciplined investments to fund growth initiatives. Jenniffer B. Austria

Motoring Volkswagen PH showcases best vehicles, deals VOLKSWAGEN Philippines, the #1 European car brand in the country, will be among the key participants in the “Mabuhay Germany 2017” trade, culture, and lifestyle event happening at Bonifacio High Street Central, Taguig City on February 18 and 19. “Mabuhay Germany 2017” features the most comprehensive showcase of German products, services, traditions, and culture in the Philippines, and provides the Filipino community with a taste of Germany, a world leader in technology, engineering, and innovative endeavours. Volkswagen Philippines, as the title sponsor of “Mabuhay Germany 2017,” has thrown its full support for the event. It will showcase the best of world-class German automotive engineering, craftsmanship, and design with display units of its vehicles, special financing deals, freebies for those who will test drive, and

a fun trivia quiz on February 18, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., wherein exciting prizes await the quiz winners. The highlight of Volkswagen Philippines’ display will be the Tiguan Business Edition compact SUV and the Beetle Club Edition. As an added treat for families visiting the Volkswagen booth, Wolfi, the Volkswagen mascot, will be on hand to greet and entertain. “Mabuhay Germany 2017” is a project of the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI), in cooperation with the Manila Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the local German Club. Volkswagen Philippines is among the members of the GPCCI. For more information on Volkswagen products and services, log on to www.volkswagen.com.ph.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

SUVs, crossovers dominate auto sales O

VER the past 12 months, 84.24 million new cars hit the world’s roads and more than one in four was of the SUV variety. Despite lingering economic uncertainty, total vehicle sales in 2016 were up 5.6% on the year before with increased demand in China, India and Europe more than compensating for the continued decline in Russia, Brazil, South Africa, Japan and South Korea. According to JATO Dynamic’s final figures for the year, some 3.32 million cars were sold in India in 2016, an 8.4% jump in demand. However it was in Asia, Oceania and Central America where growth is really gathering momentum.

Car sales were up 48.2% in Singapore (99,000 vehicles), 27.1% in Vietnam and 18.7% in Mexico. China cemented itself as the world’s biggest single car market with sales up by 14.2% -- that’s 25.53 million vehicles or equal to total vehicle sales across the whole of Europe, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Israel and India. It’s also 1.4 times as many vehicles sold in the US. But wherever the car was sold, there was a one-in-four chance that it was of the cross-

over or SUV variety -- 24.32 million were sold (that’s 28.8% of all sales globally, compared with 25.3% in 2015) over the past 12 months. “SUVs have continued to take market share away from traditional segments, and this trend isn’t restricted to particular markets -- it’s a trend that we’ve seen on a global scale and expect to continue in 2017,” said Felipe Munoz, JATO’s Global Analyst. JATO notes that those established brands that have performed the best over the past year have been the ones with the largest number of crossovers or SUVs in their current model range. Over the first quarter of 2016 alone, carmakers whose SUV sales made up 50%+ of their total sales saw

an average 32% increase in sales. Hence Ford and GM’s rush to refresh their existing SUV models and add new derivatives, and, at the other end, marques like Bentley, Maserati and Jaguar continue to add offroaders to their traditionally SUV-free ranges. But while SUVs continue their domination, they’re not the only vehicle types seeing growing demand. There was a huge (11.7%) increase in demand for full-size luxury cars such as the Mercedes S Class. Pickup sales jumped 6.1%, sales of C-Segment cars like the Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla were up 5.9%, and the MPV isn’t dead yet either, with a 4.8% increase in sales to 7.48 million examples. AFP

Toyota recalling fuel-cell Mirai vehicles TOYOTA said Wednesday it is recalling all the Mirai fuel-cell vehicles it has sold globally due to a software glitch that can shut off its hydrogen-powered system. The auto giant said it would call back about 2,800 Mirai vehicles made between November 2014 and December 2016 to repair the defect. Toyota launched Mirai -which means “future” in Japanese -- in late 2014 as it looked to push further into the fastgrowing market for environmentally friendly cars. Mirai was its first massmarket hydrogen fuel-cell car, after Toyota scored a win with the top-selling Prius hybriad, which combines a regular engine and rechargeable electric battery.

Tesla takes on Gulf gas guzzlers ELECTRIC carmaker Tesla announced the opening of a new Gulf headquarters Monday in Dubai, aiming to conquer an oilrich region better known for gas guzzlers than environmentally friendly motoring. Elon Musk, the co-founder and chief executive of the American firm seeking to revolutionise the electric car market, was in the affluent city state to oversee the launch of the Gulf sales push. “The time seems to be good to really make a significant debut in this region starting from Dubai,” Musk told the World Government Summit under way in the emirate.

Dubai’s official Media Office said that Musk met UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who welcomed Tesla’s decision to set up its regional headquarters in the city state. Sheikh Mohammed, who is also the ruler of Dubai, instructed local authorities to provide Tesla “with the services and logistic support” it needs, said the Media Office. Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Once a sleepy fishing town, it has evolved into a regional business hub and a tourist magnet,

thanks to huge investments in luxury resorts and shopping malls. The emirate, seen as the most diversified in the Gulf, has a population of 2.5 million people, most of them expatriates. Despite a state-of-the art metro, many people in Dubai and across the energy-rich Gulf region prefer to get around in SUVs or other luxury cars known to burn a lot of petrol. Official figures released by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority in 2015 showed that the number of vehicles in Dubai had doubled over the past eight years, leaving the Gulf emirate with

more cars per person than New York or London. If that trend continues, the number of vehicles registered could reach 2.2 million by 2020, when the emirate is due to host the Expo international trade fair. Tesla announced last year plans to build self-driving technology into all its electric cars. “My guess is probably that in 10 years it will be very unusual for cars to be built that are not fully autonomous,” Musk told the Dubai summit on Monday. “I think almost all cars built will be capable of full autonomy in about 10 years.”

Separately, Toyota on Wednesday launched a new plug-in model of its Prius, after the first version sold poorly following its 2012 release. The new model can run in electric-only mode -- unlike the original Prius -- at higher speeds and longer distances than the previous version, Toyota said. Fuel cells, meanwhile, work by combining hydrogen and oxygen in an electrochemical reaction, which produces electricity. This can then be used to power vehicles or home generators. But a lack of hydrogen refuelling stations has been a major hurdle to bringing fuel-cell cars into the mainstream. The Mirai was launched with a relatively expensive 6.7 million yen ($58,000) price tag.

BMW in China recalls over 41,500 cars for faulty airbags GERMAN luxury carmaker BMW will recall around 41,500 vehicles in China due to faulty airbags, according to the country’s quality regulator. Some 3,926 cars produced between January-December 2012, and a second group of 37,759 vehicles produced between January-December 2012 will be recalled, according to a statement posted on the website of China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspec-

tion and Quarantine (ASDIQ). Gas generators in the defective airbags of the recalled cars could break unexpectedly, creating debris that poses a threat to riders’ safety, ASDIQ said. The company will replace the flawed gas generators in the airbags for free, it said. In December BMW China said they would recall some 220,000 imported BMW and Rolls-Royce vehicles also with flawed airbags.

Liven up your interiors with Chupa Chups THOSE of us may still remember it as a sweet treat that comforts us during study groups or when the urge for something sweet gets the better of us. Our beloved Chupa Chups have evolved from being just a candy treat, into something that can freshen up any household, office or automotive interiors with a variety of flavors and accessories to choose from. Air fresheners are commonplace in many cars, as a way of covering up odors, musty smells, and dank air. Using environmentally and health friendly ingredients, Chupa Chups have developed a line of car air fresheners that utilize natural ingredients which are free of harmful chemicals and artificial scents. Chupa Chups air fresheners come in a variety of scents which include fresh cut flowers, fruit flavors and citrus scents that counter bad odors and filter the air with clean and a fresher smelling interior. “We developed this line of air fresheners based on customer feedback, which

explains its ease of use and its wide variety of scents and flavors,” explains Albert Go. Aside from air fresheners, Chupa Chups also offer car mats, car seat covers and sun shades which sport the Chupa Chups brand logo. “We carry an entire line up for automotive interiors, which are well designed and engineered to be comfortable and functional,” adds Go. Established in 2004, Blade Auto Center is the largest chain of car accessories shops in the country with over 35 stores nationwide. Known as the alternative venue to “Banawe”, a popular car accessories and parts area in Quezon City, Blade is a convenient alternative due to its location, whose stores are strategically spread nationwide in all SM and Robinson’s malls. As an automotive lifestyle store, Blade offers everything you need to accessorize your ride, from audio, video, detailing products, dash cameras and motor oils among others.

Morris Garages SUV in PH FINALLY, the much-loved British brand is available in the Philippines. Morris Garages, popularly known as MG, is established since 1924. This British automotive brand has been selling in Asian countries such as Japan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, to name a few. MG cars offer advanced manufacturing technologies and distinct British car design. GM Philippines is proud to bring this affordable yet stylish brand in the Philippines. Three MG car models are now available in

variety of colors. The small but tirrible MG3 offers a Brit duo color styling daytime running lights, sunroof that suits city lifestyles. MG GT features a desirable coupe styling to mid size 4 door sedan cars with turbo performance, which is why driving is so much fun. MG GS, the allnew SUV offered by Morris Garage, offers you to have an adventure of your life. MG GS offers TST 7-speed dry dual-clutch transmission and SHARD protection-type xenon headlamps to complete the details of its British aesthetics.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Edi tor DIN O DIREC TO III A ss t . Edi tor

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Motoring

A customer tries out the Everest in the 4x4 section of the activity area

Ford’s road show goes into high gear for customers to get behind the wheel and experience for themselves why each of these global N ITS goal to strengthen its foothold in the Ford vehicles has become so popdomestic market, Ford Philippines is currently ular here in the Philippines,’ said Minnie Valencia-Bustamante, staging a road show which brings the brand vice president for Marketing and closer to the people. Dubbed as the “Ford Island Sales of Ford Philippines. The Ford Island Conquest Conquest”, the road show started last January 27venue represents a cross between 29 at the Festival Supermall parking lot. a scaled-up showroom and a test drive venue with highlights and design twists that will offer the Patrons were given the op- personnel on hand to answer any ultimate test drive for the Everest, portunity to test drive the Ford queries about Ford’s built tough Ranger and EcoSport. Fun-filled vehicle of their choice with sales fleet. “This is a great opportunity activities are also available for the

Text and Photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

Great deals and sales promotions await customers at the Ford roadshow

whole family. Early this month, the “Ford Island Conquest” set up camp at the Bonifacio Global City. The festive atmosphere complimented the family oriented activities while others busied themselves around the tent area for a closer look at the SUV line up which included the Ford Everest, the Ranger and the Eco-Sport. One of the brand’s best seller is the Everest, which is engineered for a comfortable cruise through the city or to effortlessly take on any off-road terrain. Its bold and

stylish design features a quiet, refined interior, smart technologies, exceptional on-road dynamics, and capabilities that include best-in-class ground clearance of 225mm and water-wading up to 800mm. A benchmark in the pickup truck segment, the Ranger is a tough vehicle with its unmatched combination of quality, passenger comfort, and versatility. With 237mm ground clearance, 800mm water wading, and unsurpassed towing capacity, noflood can intimidate this smart and ‘Built Ford

Tough’ truck. For urban young professionals, the EcoSport is the perfect vehicle because it combines the maneuverability, affordability, and fuel economy of a compact car with the practicality and spaciousness of an SUV. With a 200mm ground clearance and best in class water wading capability, the EcoSport’s versatility can take on any urban adventure in style. Ford plans to replicate the event in strategic cities around the country to raise awareness about its vehicle line-up and special promotions.

Toyota wins Rally of Sweden

PIAA LED and HID lights provided the necessary illumination during night stages

TOYOTA is back in the game as it fielded its Yaris WRC Car at the opening leg of the 2017 World Rally Championship last January 19-22 at the rally of Monte Carlo. It finished strong in the season opener with an impressive second place overall and clinched the Rally of Sweden. Piloted by Jari-Matti Latvala, the Yaris was built by Toyota GAZZO Racing with PIAA as it technical partner. PIAA designed and engineered the lighting systems of the GAZZO Yaris WRC car, using the latest in LED technology. The

pod lamps were specially designed to custom fit the GAZZO Yaris and the combined HiD and LED lamps provided by PIAA allowed Team Toyota to competitively negotiate the night stages of the Monte Carlo rally. PIAA has always been committed to providing quality products that drive customer satisfaction with their line of LED headlights and fog lamps. A special beam “cutline” is what differentiates PIAA technology from the competition. The beam of light is clear; and a directional

frontal burst is engineered to not inconvenience oncoming motorists. Established in 1963 with the commitment to provide the global market with worldclass driving lights, PIAA has since become the standard for lighting technology for both consumer and motorsports illumination products. Racing teams such as Subaru Technica International (STI), Mitsubishi Ralliart, Toyota Racing Development (TRD), all use the lighting technology of PIAA for their illumination requirements. Dino Ray V. Directo III

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

ORAL CARE. Dr. Rowelle A. Belmonte of the Tejeros Health Center inspects the teeth of daycare pupils in Makati City’s public schools and later taught them the proper way to brush their teeth, apart from treating their teeth with fluoride and giving them toothbrushes. These services are provided regularly for free by the city government of Makati. Diana B. Noche

Estrada confirms 2019 bid By Sandy Araneta

AYOR Joseph “Erap” Estrada wants another shot at Manila’s mayoralty in the 2019 elections.

The 79-year-old Estrada on Thursday said he has decided to run again because he needs more time to realize his vision of bringing back Manila’s “old glory” through the three big-ticket reclamation projects that are under way in Manila Bay. “I might be forced to run again… because I need to finish all that I need to do,” Estrada said during the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine Reclamation Authority and UAA Kinming Group for the construction of the

407.42-hectare New Manila Bay International Community commercial and residential center. “Yes, until I bring back the old glory of Manila, the ‘Pearl of the Orient.’ I have not done it yet. There’s lack of time,” the mayor said of his desire to run for a third straight term, the most allowed for a local government executive under the law. Estrada also denied saying he would not be running again in the next elections. “I did not say that, maybe it was just Isko who said that,” he

pointed out, referring to his erstwhile ally, former vice mayor Isko Moreno. As to Moreno challenging him in 2019, he said: “It’s easy to run, but difficult to win.” The mayor said he has yet to see a strong contender for his seat in 2019. Since the current vice mayor and his 2016 running mate, Honey Lacuña, appears to have severed ties with him, Estrada said he will choose a new political partner in the proper time. “I do not know yet. There are a lot of applicants. I will just announce it later. Too early for politics. We need to work first. Not like the others who are already campaigning. I pity the nation,” Estrada stressed. The former actor-turned public servant—who rose from the ranks to become the country’s

13th President from 1998 to 2001—said he is devoting his time to his constituents, and he has no time to seriously think about politics this early. “Work first. Help our countrymen. I am fixing the problems of the police, problems in peace and order. Politics will come later,” Estrada said. Since assuming office in 2013, Estrada has embarked on a massive urban renewal program to clean up and beautify the capital city. The proposed New Manila Bay International Community mixed-use commercial center is one of the three multibillion-peso reclamation projects Estrada has approved to spur Manila’s economic growth. The other two are the 148-hectare Solar City urban center of

QC drug education arm starts

MUNTI VETS.

Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (center) awards a plaque of recognition to Ret. Col. Bonifacio De Gracia (fourth from left) in honoring his service during the 72nd Liberation Day of Muntinlupa celebration last Feb. 4 at the Liwasan ng mga Bayani in Alabang. Also shown are (from left) Veterans Federation of the Philippines District president Ret. Col. Pablo E. Salamat, former Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, Barangay Alabang captain Ahyie Gonzaga, Councilors Lucio Constantino and Ivee Tadefa, and Community Affairs and Development chief Dado Moldez.

By Rio N. Araja THE Quezon City government has created a special body tasked to supervise the city’s drug prevention and educational programs. Called the QC Special Anti-Illegal Drugs Education Center, the structure will operate as the city’s primary educational institution for drug abuse prevention. Created by City Ordinance 2538, the center “shall undertake instruction on drug abuse prevention and control, which shall be integrated in the school curricula of the city’s public and private educational systems.” Councilor Ricardo Corpuz authored the measure. It would also use non-formal and informal learning systems “with the end view of educating out-of-school youth and street children relative to the harmful effects of drug abuse.” The programs initiated by the center shall be also adopted in orphanages and existing special centers for street children, the ordinance adds. The center will be under the direct control and supervision of the QC Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council, and shall have a budget of P30 million charged against the council’s budget.

the Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. and the P7.4-billion expansion of the Manila Harbour Centre in Tondo by the construction firm R-II Builders Inc. UAA Kinming said its project is “a city within a city” that will house future developments and a host of new businesses and tourism and entertainment facilities. “The city government will not spend a single centavo in these projects, so I thank President Duterte for approving all these three reclamation ventures,” Estrada said. With this new business district, Estrada said the city government will be able to invite more local and foreign investors in Manila that will in turn bring in more tax revenues for the city and thousands of job opportunities for Manileños.

‘Constant talk is key to preserving peace’ THE key to preserving peace and order in a locality is constant communication with barangay leaders and constituents, a former three-term mayor of the town of Pantao Ragat in Lanao del Norte said Thursday. Eleanor Dimaporo Lantud, wife of current Pantao Ragat Mayor Lacson Mangotara Lantud, told

Manila Standard that during her term, each leader of their local government “could easily get in touch with her by cell phone.” “We created a system wherein all barangay officials can easily contact the Mayor’s office whenever criminal elements are known to be operating or hiding in their respective areas,” she said.

“They are required to do so because if we learn if the presence of these criminals there and they never reported it, they will be charged for harboring these elements.” Bae Lantud also advised her constituents to urge relatives or friends known to be drug addicts or pushers to surrender. The former three-term mayor

moved to Pantao Ragat when she married Lacson Lantud, a native of the town, in 1982. “If they are too frightened or can’t make themselves do this to their kin, they can always contact their barangay captain, whose job is make the criminal elements surrender to the local police,” she said. Ayunan Gunting-Al Hadj

Acid used for shabu seized in sub-port By Lance Baconguis CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— Hundreds of plastic drums of imported hydrochloric acid, one of the components in making the illegal drug methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, were found without import permit by authorities at the Mindanao Container Terminal sub-port in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, the Bureau of Customs-Region 10 said Thursday. The BOC-10 examiners reported that 320 drums from India containing the chemical entered the local port on Feb. 1. It was examined on Feb. 14 and witnessed by the broker’s representative, officers from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, BOC’s Enforcement Security Service, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives. Customs officials said the shipment was a “restricted or regulated good without import permit or clearance.” In her memorandum to MCT port collector Datu Samson Pacasum, Janefa Dianalan, BOC-10 assigned examiner, recommended a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the shipment “in view of the failure of the consignee to secure and present the essential Import Permits/Licenses,” which violated provisions of Customs laws. BOC-10 identified the consignee as Juchem Enterprises, based in Butuan City, which it said failed to secure and submit necessary import documents. Alvin Enciso, intelligence officer II and officer-incharge of the BOC-10 Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service, said the initial examination on the shipment last Feb. 14 showed the discrepancy of the consignee’s failure to present the import permit.

‘Yakap’ film featured in inclusive education summit THE first International Leadership Summit and Seminar in Inclusive Education, which the Philippines will host at the SMX Convention Center Manila on Feb. 22 to 24, will highlight a powerful documentary film on three families of children with special needs.

The short film, titled “Yakap” (Embrace), is produced by Dolores Cheng of the Center for Possibilities Foundation and will be shown at the summit with the theme “I Am You—Opening Minds, Opening Hearts: Putting Values into Action.” Alongside the movie is the exhibition

of #DrawDisability, a global art campaign launched by the United Nations Secretary General’s Global Education First Initiative, in partnership with the Global Observatory for Inclusion and the United Nations Global Education First Initiative Youth Advocacy Group.

Organizers said the Summit aims to call for a unified response— #YesToInclusion—and to spearhead a movement that will advocate for the right of the individual with a disability to be educated along with his or her peers in the regular classroom.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 Standard C2 TODAY Manila

3 NPAs charged with arson L By Dexter A. See

A TRINIDAD, Benguet—Three suspected members of the New People’s Army Chadli Molintas command were charged for arson, robbery and illegal possession of ammunitions before the provincial prosecutors’ office here. The suspected NPA rebels were allegedly part of the team that burned two brand-new trucks of the Philex Mining Corp. at Tapac, Ampucao, Itogon last Thursday. Authorities identified the suspected rebels as Sarah Abellon, Promencio Cortez and Marciano Sagun. Police operatives caught them at a checkpoint

after pursuing the rebels, who burned the Philex trucks in Gilbraltar, Baguio City, where their transient house was reportedly located. Police and military intelligence reports show that Abellon is said to be the secretary of the Sub-Regional Military Area Command who they said oversees the NPA’s extortion activities on big

projects. Cortez, meanwhile, carries a P4.8-million reward for his arrest. Prior to the burning incident, the rebels were planning to raid the mining firm and cart away all firearms of the security guards of the company at their various locations, police said. However, realizing their plans could no longer materialize, the suspected rebels were contended with just burning the two Volvo trucks rather than gaining nothing from their failed operation, they added. Scene of the Crime Operatives of the Baguio City Police Office searched the transient house rented by the three suspects and recovered personal belongings, gadgets, assorted ammunition and P850,000 in cash believed to be Abellon’s “revolutionary tax” collection.

IN BRIEF

Combined police and military forces also pursued insurgents who sought safety in various parts of Tuba and Itogon towns after burning the Philex trucks loaded with ore concentrate and bound for San Fernando City, La Union. Concerned residents claimed there was a series of gunfights between the rebels and the police and military in Cap 4, Tuba last Thursday afternoon. This extended to Friday morning despite the military denying their encounters with the rebels in the area. Philex officials said the company never received extortion letters from the NPA command operating in the province before the arson incident “that would justify their acts of burning their trucks.”

Tide Embankment Project forum draws 300 TACLOBAN CITY—Over 300 participants from different barangays in the towns of Palo, Tanauan, and this city joined a forum conducted by the Community of Yolanda Survivors and Partners to discuss the Tide Embankment Project here and its possible impacts on local communities. The TEP is a P7.9-billion flagship project of the government that is a storm

surge adaptation and mitigation measure from natural disasters such as Typhoon “Yolanda” in 2013. The embankment is expected to run 27.3 kilometers—from Barangay 89-90 in Payapay Tacloban, Palo, up to Barangay Ambao in Tanauan. However, it has been met with resistance from different groups that question its technical integrity, the environmental issues associated

PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

ABSENT: Councilor “ “

FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY ROMEO C. MEDINA-Sick Leave

LnB President ARMANDO P. PADILLA “ =================================================================== On motion presented by Hon. V.V. Hilario, Jr., which was duly seconded by all Members present, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Makati approved City Resolution No. 2017-013 on second and final reading.

with its construction, and its socio-economic impact on local communities. Scientists and environmental advocates have raised concerns with the overall design of the tide embankment. A previous study conducted by the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences, showed that artificial structures like the TEP aggravate coastal erosion and flooding, CYSP

organizers said. Two other groups, the Center for Environmental Concerns and the Advocates of Science and Technology for the People or AGHAM also conducted studies that revealed how the tide embankment project can affect marine ecosystems (mangroves, swamps, intertidal areas, sea grass beds) and many other natural resources in the area. Mel Caspe

ABSENT: Councilor “ “

FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY ROMEO C. MEDINA-Sick Leave

ABSENT: Councilor “ “

FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY ROMEO C. MEDINA-Sick Leave

WHEREAS, the effects of Southwest Moonsoon (HABAGAT) and Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITZCs), Low Pressures Areas (LPAs) and several tropical cyclones such as but not limited to flooding and rain-induced landslides on critical thoroughfares hamper economic activities, cause major damage to infrastructures and facilities, and cause accidents that may result to the loss of lives;

WHEREAS, the Makati Health Department implements community medicine and public health projects and activities which can satisfy the requirements for the community pediatrics rotation of the residency program; WHEREAS, in line with the principle of reciprocity, Makati Medical Center-Department of Pediatrics and the City of Makati, through Makati City Health Department, have deemed it practical and advantageous to establish a working relationship focusing on child health care, nutrition and protection, which will enhance the efficiency of both institutions and will benefit the general public; WHEREAS, considering the benefits that the city will obtain from the abovementioned cooperation and collaboration, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, pursuant to Section 8 (a) (6), Article III, of R.A. 7854, otherwise known as the Charter of the City of Makati, hereby authorizes the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay to sign such Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Makati Medical Center –Department of Pediatrics. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWERS VESTED IN IT BY LAW, IN SESSION ASSEMBLED, to authorize the Honorable Mayor Mar-Len Abigail S. Binay to negotiate, enter into and sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), on behalf of the City Government of Makati, with Makati Medical Center – Department of Pediatrics, regarding the Community Service Program of Makati Medical Center - Pediatric Residents, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations. Let a copy of this Resolution be furnished Makati Medical Center – Department of Pediatrics, Makati City Health Department and other concerned offices for their information, guidance and reference. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its approval. APPROVED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, in its Regular Session held on 15 February 2017. HON. SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA

HON. ROMEO C. MEDINA

HON. MARIE ALETHEA S.J. CASAL-UY

HON. MA ARLENE M. ORTEGA

HON. GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES

P HON. NELSON S. PASIA

THE labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno recently protested at the Welcome Rotonda in Manila to demand an “immediate, independent and transparent” investigation into the fire that engulfed the House Technology Industries factory in Cavite, resulting in the deaths of three workers and injuries to more than a hundred others. “Without truth, there can be no justice. We condemn the HTI, PEZA (Philippine Export Zone Authority) and the Cavite LGU for their apparent cover-up on what could be the worst workplace tragedy in history,” KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis said. Benjamin Chavez

PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

Co-Authors: Hon. S.C. Aspillaga, Hon. L.S. Javier, Jr., Hon. E.J. Puno and Hon. M.R.C. Tolentino

WHEREAS, Makati Medical Center is a participant in the Community Service Program for residents of the Department of Pediatrics. This is a requirement for accreditation of a hospital pediatric residency program with the Philippine Pediatric Society to provide a rotation community pediatrics;

KMU wants probe into HTI Cavite fire

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING MAKATI DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (MAKATI DRRMC) RESOLUTION NO. 2016-09 ENTITLED AS “APPROVING THE ADOPTION OF THE PROTOCOLS ON SUSPENSION/CANCELLATION OF CLASSES DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER”, SUBJECT TO ALL LAWS AND EXISTING LEGAL RULES AND REGULATIONS.

WHEREAS, the Makati Medical Center specializes in various medical fields which include child health care, nutrition and protection under the Department of Pediatrics;

BALANGA CITY, Bataan—Fortyfive students from the Bataan Peninsula State University here and 20 students of Yonsei University in South Korea recently participated in a cultural exchange program here. The students engaged in activities aiming to connect Filipino culture with Korean culture. They were introduced to different cultural icons of the two countries and discussed their significance to the life and identity of their people.Butch Gunio

PRESENT: Vice Mayor Councilor “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

CITY RESOLUTION NO. 2017-013 Authors: Hon. M.C.M. Yabut, Hon. M.A.S.J. Casal-Uy, Hon. D.A. Jacome, Hon. G.I.N. de Lara-Bes, Hon. N.S. Yabut Jr., Hon. M.A.M. Ortega, Hon. N.S. Pasia, Hon. V.V. Hilario, Jr. and Hon. E.D.E. Villamor

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HONORABLE MAYOR MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY TO NEGOTIATE, ENTER INTO AND SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA), ON BEHALF OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF MAKATI, WITH MAKATI MEDICAL CENTER – DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS, REGARDING THE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM OF MAKATI MEDICAL CENTER - PEDIATRIC RESIDENTS, SUBJECT TO EXISTING LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS.

Students join BPSU Exchange program

WHEREAS, on 09 January 2012, the Office of the President issued Executive Order No. 66, Series of 2012, which prescribes rules on the cancellation of classes and work in government offices due to typhoons, flooding, other weather disturbances and calamities to spare the students, government employees and the general public from unnecessary dangers to their lives and limbs;

LnB President ARMANDO P. PADILLA “ ================================================================================= On motion presented by Hon. M.C.M. Yabut, which was duly seconded by all Members present, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Makati approved City Ordinance No. 2017-025 on third and final reading. CITY ORDINANCE NO. 2017-025 Authors: Hon. M.C.M. Yabut, Hon. M.A.S.J. Casal-Uy, Hon. D.A. Jacome, Hon. G.I.N. de Lara-Bes, Hon. N.S. Yabut Jr., Hon. F.T. Eusebio, Hon. L.S. Javier, Jr., Hon. V.V. Hilario, Jr. and Hon. R.C. Medina Co-Authors: Hon. S.C. Aspillaga, Hon. M.A.M. Ortega, Hon. N.S. Pasia, Hon. M.R.C. Tolentino, Hon. E.D.E. Villamor and Hon. E.J. Puno AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING MAKATI DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (MAKATI DRRMC) RESOLUTION NO. 2016-10 ENTITLED AS “APPROVING THE GUIDELINES FOR THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF ROADS, BRIDGES, AND OTHER CRITICAL THOROUGHFARES UPON THE ONSET OF SEVERE WEATHER DISTURBANCES”, SUBJECT TO ALL LAWS AND EXISTING LEGAL RULES AND REGULATIONS. WHEREAS, the effects of weather disturbances ( Southwest Moonsoon (HABAGAT) and Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITZCs), Low Pressures Areas (LPAs) and several tropical cyclones ) such as but not limited to flooding and rain-induced landslides on critical thoroughfares hamper economic activities, cause major damage to infrastructures and facilities and cause accidents that may result to the loss of lives; WHEREAS, Sec. 21 (a) (c) of R.A. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that; “Sec. 21. Closure and Opening of Roads. - (a) A local government unit may, pursuant to an ordinance, permanently or temporarily close or open any local road, alley, park, or square falling within its jurisdiction. Provided, however, that in case of permanent closure, such ordinance must be approved by at least two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the sanggunian and when necessary, an adequate substitute for the public facility that is subject to closure is provided.

WHEREAS, Section 2 of the above mentioned executive order also allows the localized cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices, to wit: “Section 2. In the absence of typhoon signal warnings from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), localized cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices may be implemented by local chief executives, as chairmen of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) concerned, in coordination with PAGASA and the NDRRMC, specifically in flood-prone or high risk areas. Announcement will be made not later than 4:30 AM of the day of the intended cancellation of classes and work, or not later than 11:00 A.M. for suspension of work and classes in the afternoon session, through diverse mass media, particularly radio and television, landline communications and other technologies for communication within the community or locally.” WHEREAS, Section10 (a) (4) of R.A.7854, otherwise known as the Charter of the City of Makati, provides that: “Section 10 (a) (4) – The Sangguniang Panlungsod shall approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an efficient and effective government and, in this connection shall adopt measures to protect the inhabitants of the City from the harmful effects of man-made or natural disasters and calamities, and to provide relief services and assistance for victims during the aftermath of said disasters of calamities and in their return to productive livelihood following said events.” WHEREAS, the Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and other concerned agencies, developed protocol on suspension or cancellation of classes due to inclement weather; WHEREAS, On 13 December 2016, the members of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC), during their meeting, agreed to adopt the protocols on suspension/cancellation of classes due to inclement weather; WHEREAS, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, considering the necessity of espousing Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (Makati-DRRMC) Resolution No. 2016-09 Series of 2016, hereby adopts the aforecited Resolution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ADOPTED, AS IT IS HEREBY ADOPTED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWERS VESTED IN IT BY LAW, IN SESSION ASSEMBLED, that: Section 1. The Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Makati hereby adopts “Makati Disaster Risk, Reduction and Management Council (Makati –DRRMC) Resolution No. 2016-09, Series of 2016 which is hereto attached as Annex “A” and shall form an integral part thereof.

xxx (c) Any national or local road, alley or park, or square may be temporarily closed during an actual emergency and the duration of which shall be specified by the local chief executive concerned in a written order.” WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 10121 mandates the identification, assessment and management of hazards, vulnerabilities, and risks that may occur in their locality; WHEREAS, DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2016-38 enjoins local government units to pass an ordinance governing the implementation of the temporary closure of roads, bridges, and other critical thoroughfares within their jurisdiction in cases of flooding incidents and rain-induced landslides; WHEREAS, Section10 (a) (4) and (c) (5) of R.A.7854, otherwise known as the Charter of the City of Makati, to wit: “Section 10 (a) (4) – The Sangguniang Panlungsod shall approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an efficient and effective government and, in this connection shall adopt measures to protect the inhabitants of the City from the harmful effects of manmade or natural disasters and calamities, and to provide relief services and assistance for victims during the aftermath of said disasters of calamities and in their return to productive livelihood following said events.” WHEREAS, on 13 December 2016, the members of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC), during their meeting, agreed to adopt the guidelines for the temporary closure of roads, bridges, and other critical thoroughfares upon the onset of severe weather disturbances; WHEREAS, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, considering the necessity of espousing Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (Makati-DRRMC) Resolution No. 2016-10 Series of 2016, hereby adopts the aforecited Resolution. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ADOPTED, AS IT IS HEREBY ADOPTED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, BY VIRTUE OF THE POWERS VESTED IN IT BY LAW, IN SESSION ASSEMBLED, that: Section 1. The Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Makati hereby adopts “Makati Disaster Risk, Reduction and Management Council (Makati –DRRMC) Resolution No. 2016-10, Series of 2016, which is hereto attached as Annex “A” and shall form an integral part thereof.

Section 2. The Protocols on Suspension/Cancellation of Classes due to Inclement Weather, which is hereto attached as Annex “B”, is likewise adopted and shall form an integral part hereof.

Section 2. The Guidelines for the Temporary Closure of Roads, Bridges, and Other Critical Thoroughfares upon the onset of Severe Weather Disturbances, which is hereto attached as Annex “B”, is likewise adopted and shall form an integral part hereof.

Section 3. All existing ordinances, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed, or modified accordingly.

Section 4. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

Section 5. Let copy of this Ordinance and its attached Annexes be furnished to Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (Makati-DRRMC) and other concerned offices for their information and guidance.

ENACTED BY THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF MAKATI, METRO MANILA, in its Special Session held on 15 February 2017.

HON. SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA

HON. ROMEO C. MEDINA

HON. SHIRLEY C. ASPILLAGA

HON. ROMEO C. MEDINA

HON. MARIE ALETHEA S.J. CASAL-UY

HON. MA ARLENE M. ORTEGA

HON. MARIE ALETHEA S.J. CASAL-UY

HON. MA ARLENE M. ORTEGA

HON. GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES

HON. NELSON S. P PASIA

HON. GRAZIELLE IONY N. DE LARA-BES

HON. NELSON S. P PASIA

HON. FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO

HON. ENRICO J. PUNO

HON. FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO

HON. ENRICO J. PUNO

HON. FERDINAND T. EUSEBIO

HON. ENRICO J. PUNO

HON. VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR.

HON. MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO

HON. VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR.

ON. MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO HON.

HON. VIRGILIO V. HILARIO JR.

ON. MARY RUTH C. TOLENTINO HON.

HON. DIVINA A. JACOME

ON. EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR HON.

HON. DIVINA A. JACOME

ON. EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR HON.

HON. DIVINA A. JACOME

ON. EVELYN DELFINA E. VILLAMOR HON.

HON. LUIS S. JAVIER JR.

HON. MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT

HON. LUIS S. JAVIER JR.

HON. MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT

HON. LUIS S. JAVIER JR.

HON. MARIA CONCEPCION M. YABUT

HON. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY

HON. NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

HON. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY

HON. NEMESIO S. YABUT JR.

HON. LEONARDO M. MAGPANTAY

HON. NEMESIO S. YABUT JR. HON. ARMANDO P. PADILLA LnB President

HON. ARMANDO P. PADILLA LnB President Certified true and correct by: Attested by:

Attested by:

ATTY. DINDO R. CERVANTES Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

HON. ARMANDO P. PADILLA LnB President

Certified true and correct by:

ATTY. DINDO R. CERVANTES Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod

Attested by:

HON. MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

HON. MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer Approved by:

HON. MONIQUE Q. LAGDAMEO Vice Mayor & Presiding Officer

(MS-FEB. 17, 2017)

MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY City Mayor

Approved by:

(MS-FEB. 17, 2017)

MAR-LEN ABIGAIL S. BINAY City Mayor

(MS-FEB. 17, 2017)

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IN BRIEF Bird-flu deaths rise in China BEIJING―China is experiencing its deadliest outbreak of the H7N9 bird-flu strain since it first appeared in humans in 2013, killing 79 people in January alone and spurring several cities to suspend live poultry trade. The National Health and Family Planning Commission said on Wednesday that by the end of January a total of 100 people had died in the current bird flu season, which commonly emerges in winter and continues into the spring. The 79 deaths in China last month compared to just five in January 2016, according to the commission. The surge in fatalities has raised concerns that a severe outbreak looms, though health officials have said the worst has likely passed. H7N9, a subtype of influenza that affects both birds and humans, was first discovered in China in 2013. Most infected patients become severely ill, and nearly one in three cases are fatal. The government is urging people to avoid live poultry markets, where poor sanitation conditions can raise the risk of contamination. Ni Daxin, a top official with the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, was quoted Thursday by the state-run China Daily as saying the common Chinese preference for live or freshlyslaughtered chickens was contributing to the disease’s spread. AFP

Body of slain North Korean to be returned KUALA LUMPUR―Malaysia will return the body of the halfbrother of North Korea’s leader at Pyongyang’s request, although there are “procedures to be followed”, the deputy prime minister told reporters on Thursday. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed Pyongyang had made the request when questioned by journalists following a meeting with regional business leaders, footage from the event showed. “We will facilitate the request by any foreign government although there are procedures to be followed. Our policy is that we have to honor our bilateral relations with any foreign country,” he said. He also confirmed the man who was killed at Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday was Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged sibling of Kim Jong-Un. Malaysian police have referred only to a Korean male in their official statements on the matter. “He carries two different identities, probably this is an undercover document and this is an authentic passport,” Zahid added. Kim, 45, was believed to have been in Malaysia on a passport bearing the name Kim Chol, a known alias, according to South Korean media. South Korean intelligence chiefs say he was poisoned by agents from the North as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport on his way to board a flight for Macau. AFP

Wildfire razes homes in New Zealand WELLINGTON―A wildfire destroyed at least 11 homes and forced hundreds of terrified residents to evacuate in the New Zealand city of Christchurch, authorities said Thursday. Civil defence officials declared a state of emergency in the South Island city late Wednesday as two blazes that had been smoldering for days merged into a single giant fire-front. Christchurch City Council said more than 1,800 hectares (4,500 acres) of land had been torched in the Port Hills, an area of rugged terrain difficult to access to the east of the city centre. About 1,000 people had been evacuated and, with winds forecast to pick up and fan the flames, authorities warned residents to flee at the first sign of danger. “We understand it’s hard for people to leave their homes but the fire can change direction and move incredibly quickly,” police senior sergeant Ash Tabb said. “If you’re worried, don’t leave it too late -- it’s better to be safe than sorry.” With a thick pall of smoke hanging over Christchurch, residents with respiratory ailments were advised to stay indoors. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Police arrest second woman over Kim Jong-Nam’s killing K UALA LUMPUR―Malaysia will return the body of the half-brother of North Korea’s leader, the country’s deputy prime minister said Thursday, as police probing the airport assassination arrested a second woman. South Korea says female agents working for Pyongyang poisoned Kim Jong-Nam as he readied to board a ﬂight on Monday. North Korea has made no comment on the killing, but its diplomats objected to an autopsy Malaysian investigators carried out, a senior ofﬁcial said. A woman with an Indonesian passport was taken into custody overnight, a police statement said, and was being quizzed along with a 28-year-old Vietnamese woman detained on Wednesday. The two women were arrested separately by detectives trying to get to the bottom of the murder of Kim Jong-Nam, the estranged playboy brother of Kim Jong-Un. The portly 45-year-old had some kind of liquid sprayed in his face after being set upon by two women, Malaysian police have said. He was rushed to hospital suffering from a seizure, but was dead before he got there. CCTV images that emerged in Malaysian media, purportedly of one of the suspects, showed an Asian woman wearing a white top with the letters “LOL” embla-

zoned on the front. Several more arrests were expected throughout the day, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim told Malaysian news agency Bernama. Ofﬁcers had obtained a sevenday remand order for the ﬁrst suspect, named as Doan Thi Huong, and for 25-year-old Indonesian passport holder Siti Aishah, Selangor state police chief Abdul Samah Mat told AFP. Police also arrested a Malaysian man who led them to the second woman and was now helping with investigations, Abdul Samah added. Kim’s body was Thursday being held at Kuala Lumpur Hospital following an autopsy, the results of which have not yet been released. Malaysia’s deputy prime minister told reporters he believed North Korea had put in a request to claim the body through the police and the hospital, and that Malaysia was ready to comply. “We will facilitate the request by any foreign government although

Female agents weapon of choice

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SEOUL―North Korean female assassins, armed with good looks and poison tools, are now the weapon of choice for a ruthless regime stalking its opponents, a high-proﬁle defector told AFP on Thursday, after the latest apparent assassination. Hardy male agents wielding guns or knives have been ditched in favor of their female counterparts, who strike fear into the hearts of enemies, said An ChanIl, a North Korean defector and renowned critic of Pyongyang’s one-man rule. “We are always mindful of young women accosting us for possible revenge killings,” An said. His comments come days after the half-brother of the North’s leader Kim Jong-Un died in a spy novel-style assassination that Seoul said was carried out by Pyongyang agents. South Korean intelligence chiefs believe Kim Jong-Nam had toxins sprayed in his face as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Two women have been arrested over the murder. An, a former North Korean commando who defected to the South in 1979, is now a leading researcher on North Korean affairs, and a harsh critic of the Stalinist state. He is one of eight defectors who were given the highest degree of protection by the South. Following Jong-Nam’s death, that number has increased to 20, he said. In recent years, North Korean male agents have increasingly been sidelined into intelligence gathering or building contacts with other spies, An told AFP. “Female agents are now being trained to do the killing, using poison”, he said. “They can easily hide mini poison injectors made of plastic, either in lipsticks, cosmetics or under their clothes,” he said, adding that such plastic tools go undetected by airport security. Agent candidates are carefully screened for their intelligence, physical attributes and family background. “Good looks are essential but this is different from any beauty contest. A girl with a curvy body is not considered ideal to become an assassin who has to engage in physical contact with targets”, he said. AFP

there are procedures to be followed. Our policy is that we have to honor our bilateral relations with any foreign country,” Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters. The killing would not affect ties between the two nations, he added. But police chief Abdul Samah said no request had been received and an official at the morgue said they had no indication of who would claim the body. When North Korea protested the post-mortem examination, “we told them to follow Malaysia’s laws”, a senior official involved with the case told AFP. North Korean embassy officials were seen visiting the hospital’s forensics department in a diplomatic vehicle on Wednesday afternoon and again overnight. If confirmed, the assassination, which analysts said could have been ordered over reports Kim was readying to defect, would be the highest-profile death under the watch of the North’s young leader Kim Jong-Un. Jong-Nam was the eldest son of Kim Jong-Il, but on his father’s death in 2011 the succession went to Jong-Un, who was born to the former leader’s third wife. The first-born had at one time been set to assume the leadership of his isolated country, but fell out of favor after an embarrassing attempt to get into Japan on a fake passport in 2001.

He has since lived in exile, with he was believed to have enjoyed much of his time spent in the gam- some protection from Chinese sebling enclave of Macau, where curity forces. AFP REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT THIRD JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 7 MALOLOS CITY, BULACAN

In re: PETITION FOR REHABILITATION OR LIQUIDATION OF FINANCIALLY DISTRESSED ENTERPRISES OR INDIVIDUALS SP PROC. CASE NO. 127-M-2011 OLIVARES PIGGERY FARMS, Its owners the SPOUSES FERNANDO T. OLIVARES and JOSEPHINE S. OLIVARES X------------------------------------------------------X MOTION TO TERMINATE REHABILITATION PROCEEDINGS COMES NOW, Creditor Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) , through the undersigned counsel, hereby alleges that: 1. In the Decision of the Honorable Court dated June 30, 2015 in the instant proceedings, the dispositive portion specifically provides that: “Wherefore, the Rehabilitation Plan submitted by the Rehabilitation receiver is hereby ordered approved, with the directive to the petitioner, within ten (10) days from receipt hereof, to make the first semestral payment for the year 2015 of half of the principal loan and half of the interests payment for each of the three (3) creditors, namely, the Land Bank of the Philippines, the Bank of Commerce, the Cooperative Rural Bank of Bulacan (CRBB), which is now under receivership of the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), pursuant to the Payment Schedule per Creditor in said Rehabilitation Plan; the second semestral payment of another half of the principal loan and half of the interests payment for each of the three (3) said creditors on December 30, 2015; and continuously every 30th of the months of June and December of the succeeding years up to the eight year on 2021.” “Accordingly, petitioner is hereby directed to implement the same strictly in accordance with the terms thereof and likewise, to submit monthly reports on the implementation/execution of the Plan to both the court and to the Rehabilitation Receiver, failing which the court may, either upon motion of any of the creditors, motu propio, or upon recommendation of the Rehabilitation Receiver, terminate the proceedings.”

Pursuant to said Decision, petitioners are specifically ordered to do the following: (I) Implement strictly the semestral payments to creditors, LBP, BOC and PDIC; and (II) Submit monthly reports on the implementation/execution of the Rehabilitation Plan to the Court and to the Rehabilitation Receiver. Further, said Decision provides that if the petitioner fail to abide by the orders, The Honorable Court may either upon motion of any of the creditors or upon recommendation of the Rehabilitation Receiver, terminate the proceedings. PETITIONERS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE SEMESTRAL PAYMENTS 3.

Manila

Republic of the Philippines TODAY REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF BULACAN THIRD JUDICIAL REGION Malolos City Branch 7

IN RE: Petition for Rehabilitation Or Liquidation or Distressed Enterprises or Individual

SECOND AMENDED LIQUIDATION ORDER Pursuant to this Order dated September 20, 2016, converting the rehabilitation proceedings into a liquidation proceeding due to breach of the approved Rehabilitation Plan, this court hereby declares the petitioners as INSOLVENT and ORDERS the liquidation of the petitioners.

3.1

In the Order dated September 18, 2015, the Honorable Court granted petitioners’ motion to extend up to October 15,2015 within which to pay the principal portion for the first semester of the year 2015. Likewise in said order, the Court specifically ordered the petitioners to “comply religiously with all the required payments up to the eight year 2021.” However, petitioners never complied with their obligations and/or the Order of the Honorable Court. It should be recalled that instead of complying with their promise to pay the principal portion within the extended period granted by the Honorable Court, petitioners filed a “Manifestation with Motion” dated October 10, 2015 praying for the deferment of payment for the first semester until such time that the proceedings before the Court of Appeals are terminated and resolved. It is only upon Order of the Honorable Court that petitioners filed a “Manifestation/Compliance” submitting to the Honorable Court UnionBank checks (payable to creditors LBP, BOC & PDIC) all dated October 15, 2015 to the Court. Said checks became stale and petitioners counsel and daughter requested and was granted a period of up to April 25, 2016 within which to replace the stale checks pursuant to the Order of the Honorable Court dated April 21, 2016. Again, petitioners failed to comply with their promise.

3.2

Likewise, pursuant to the Decision dated June 30, 2015, the second semestral payment (principal plus interest) was supposed to be due on December 30, 2015. Again, petitioners failed to comply with the required payment on the due date. They belatedly deposited checks to the court by filing a Manifestation and Urgent Motion to Admit Check Payments dated January 21, 2016. While said check was released to LBP dated December 30, 2015 for P1,887,394.07 the same was returned to LBP when deposited “SPODAIF”. Obviously the account where the check was drawn has an insufficient fund within which to service petitioners’ obligations contrary to what was stated in the rehabilitation plan. 3.2.1 In petitioners’ Manifestation dated May 5, 2016, they manifested in Court that they have decided to stop payment the Check as it is their view that the release are pre-mature until the cased filed by both LBP and BOC are finally resolved by the Court of Appeals and /or negations for dacion en pago are finalized. 3.2.2 With due respect. LBP disagrees with the petitioners’ manifestation. In the absence of a temporary restraining order or injunction, the Decision of the Honorable Court has to be implemented. This is clear pursuant to the provision of Sec. 7, Rule 65 of the Rules of Court which provides that: “Sec. 7. Expediting proceedings; injunctive relief:- the court in which the petition is filed may issue orders expediting the proceedings, and it may also grant a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction for the preservation of the rights of the parties pending such proceedings. The petition shall not interrupt the course of the principal case, unless a temporary restraining order or a writ of preliminary injunction has been issued, enjoining the public respondent from further proceeding with the case. The public respondent shall proceed with the principal case within ten (10) days from the filing of a petition for certiorari with a higher court or tribunal, absent a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction, or upon its expiration. Failure of the public respondent to proceed with the principal case may be a ground for an administrative charge.”

SP. PROC. NO. 127-M-2011

OLIVARES PIGGERY FARMS, Its owner, the SPOUSES FERNANDO T. OLIVARES AND JOSEPHINE S. OLIVARES, Petitioners. x------------------------------------x

Petitioners first semestral payment pursuant to the Decision should have been due within ten (10) days from receipt of the Decision dated June 30, 2016. Based on the Registry Return Receipt, the same was received by Sps. Olivares on July 28, 2015. Hence, petitioners first semestral payment should have been due on August 7, 2015 and every semester thereafter. However, instead of complying with their obligation on due date stated in the Decision, Petitioner’s, thru the Rehabilitation Receiver filed a “Motion to Adjust Initial Servicing but only as to Principal” dated August 11, 2015. While the first semestral payment for interest in the amount of P412,867.45 was later paid to LBP, no succeeding payments were made for the principal portion of the first semester and the principal plus interest payments for the second semester.

NO MONTHLY REPORTS WAS SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONERS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EXECUTION OF THE REHABILITATION PLAN 4. It is a matter of record that no monthly report was submitted by the petitioners to the Honorable Court on the implementation and execution of the rehabilitation Plan which is a clear violation of the Decision dated June 30, 2015 which required the submission of the monthly report. 5. Likewise, LBP’s claim for reimbursement for realty taxes and insurance premiums advanced by LBP (P824,521.80 less P139,881.67 partial remittance made by Sps. Olivares/Receiver) inclusive of interest and other charges as of 15 March 2016. These advances are legitimate administrative expenses which should be immediately paid. As such, LBP is reiterating the immediate reimbursement of its advances/ legitimate administrative expenses in the total amount of P684,640.13 (inclusive of interests and other charges) as of 15 March 2016. Pursuant to Rule 2. Sec. 26(T) of the Financial Rehabilitation Rules of Procedure, it is the duty of the Rehabilitation Receiver to take possession, custody, control and preservation of the value of all the properties of the petitioners. Hence, the petitioner is expected to cause the renewal of the insurance of the insurable properties, securing of updated realty taxes, among other as part of his mandated duty as officer of the Court. 6. In Pursuant to Section 74 of R.A. 101’42 (Financial Rehabilitation and Insolvency Act (FRIA) of 2010) : viz, “Section 74. Termination of Proceedings. – The rehabilitation proceedings under Chapter II, shall, upon motion by any stakeholder or the rehabilitation receiver be terminated by order of the court either declaring a successful implementation of the Rehabilitation Plan or a failure of rehabilitation.

Accordingly, this court hereby:

There is a failure of rehabilitation in the following cases;

1. Directs this court`s Branch Sheriff to take possession and control of all the properties of the petitioners, except those exempt from execution;

(d) The Rehabilitation Plan or its amendment is approved by the court but in the implementation thereof, the debtor fails to perform its obligations thereunder or there is a failure to realize the objectives, targets or goals set forth therein, including the timelines and conditions for the settlement of the obligations due to the creditors and other claimants;

Hence, it is clear from the foregoing provision that the failure of the petitioners to comply with the required payments and submission of monthly reports are grounds for termination of the instant proceeding. WHEREOF, it is respectfully prayed that the instant proceedings be terminated for failure of the petitioners to comply with the Rehabilitation Plan and the same be converted into a liquidation proceedings. Likewise, LBP prays that the LBP be reimbursed for the advances it made on taxes and insurance premiums due on the properties of the petitioners. Other relief and remedies, just and equitable under the premises are likewise prayed for. City of Malolos, Bulacan, this 23rd day of June 2016.

2. Orders, within fifteen (15) days from receipt of this Order, the publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks of a copy of this Liquidation Order, together with the Motion to Terminate Rehabilitation Proceedings dated June 2, 2016 filed by creditor Bank of Commerce (BOC); and Motion to Terminate Rehabilitation Proceedings dated June 23, 2016 filed by creditor Land Bank of Philippines (LBP), at the expense of these creditors – movants in equal sharing; 3. Directs the payments of any claims and conveyance of any property to the Liquidator; 4. Prohibits payments and transfer of any property by the petitioners; 5. Directs all creditors to file their claims with the liquidator not later than five (5) days from the time the liquidator takes his oath of office, furnishing copy thereof to the court; 6. Authorizes payment of administrative expenses as they become due; 7. States that the creditors may submit names of other nominees to the position of liquidator; and 8. Sets the hearing for the election and appointment of the liquidator on April 20, 2017 at 8:30 in the morning. The petitioners are further required, within ten (10) days from receipt of this Order, to inform the Honorable Court of Appeals in the two (2) pending certiorari cases pending thereat, of the issuance by this court of its Order dated September 20, 2016, converting the rehabilitation proceedings into a liquidation proceeding due to breach of the approved Rehabilitation Plan; and this Second Amended Liquidation Order.

Copy Furnish: ATTY. JERONIMO B. CUMICAD Counsel for Petitioner 12th Floor, De Leon Center Bldg. 1151 M.H. del Pilar Cor. Nuestra señ De Guia Streets, Ermita Manila ATTY. RAFAEL CHRIS F. TESTON Court appointed Rehabilitation Receiver No. 10 Amber Street, Phase I, Pilar Village Las Piñas, Metro Manila ATTY. JORGE B.D. GONZALES, JR. Ledesma Gonzales Law Office Counsel for Bank of Commerce Suite 1402, 14th Flr. One Magnificent Mile Citra Building San Miguel Ave., Ortigas Centre, Makati City ATTY. MA. ANTONETTE BRILLANTES-BOLIVAR ATTY. EVANGELINE QUEVEDO DE LEON Office of the General Counsel Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation SSS Building, 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino St., Makati City

SO ORDERED. Malolos City, Bulacan, January 6, 2017

ISIDRA A. ARGAÑOSA-MANIEGO Presiding Judge

Copy furnished •

Sps. Fernando T. Olivares and Josephine S. Olivares – Both of 113 Brgy. Sta. Catalina Matanda, San Ildefonso, Bulacan 3010 and/or J.P. Rizal St., Brgy. San Gabriel, Sta. Maria, Bulacan

•

Atty. Jeronimo B. Cumigad – Counsel for Petitioners 12th Floor, De leon Center Bldg. 1151 M.H. del Pilar cor Nuestra Señora de Guia Sts., Ermita, Manila

•

Atty. Hamlin Talapian - Counsel for Creditor Land Bank Land Bank of the Philippines, Area Legal Unit II (ALU II) 2nd Floor Land Bank Bldg., Malolos Highway Branch, Old Sumape, McArthur Highway, Malolos City, Bulacan

•

Atty. Jorge B.D. Gonzales - Counsel for Creditor Bank of Commerce Suite 1402 14th Floor, One Magnificent Mile Citra Bldg., San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Makati City

•

Atty. Antonette Brillantes Bolivar Atty. Arlene P. Rosero Hernando - Counsel for Creditor CRBBI, represented by PDIC, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue cor V.A. Rufino St., Makati City (MS-FEB. 17 & 24, 2017)

VERIFICATION AND SWORN STATEMENT I, ELEANOR D. QUICOY of legal age, with office address at Land Bank of the Philippines, LBP Plaza, 1598 M.H. Del Pilar corner Dr. Quintos Streets, Malate, Manila, after having been duly sworn, hereby depose and state: 1. I am the Officer-in-Charge of Loan Recovery Department of the creditor, Land Bank fo the Philippines; 2. That I have caused the preparation and filing of this pleadings. 3. I have read the contents and the factual allegations of the Motion to Terminate Rehabilitation Proceedings and I attest that the same are true and correct based on my personal knowledge and belief and on official and authentic record. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I Have hereunto affixed my signature this day of JUN 28, 2016_here at CITY OF MANILA. ELEANOR D. QUICOY Affiant Notary Public Subscribe and Sworn to before me, this_____date of June 28, 2016 in City of Manila. Affiant exhibiting to me her LBP ID No. A795

(MS-FEB. 17 & 24, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

Film tackles prison trauma BERLIN―Haunted by his own time behind bars, Palestinian director Raed Andoni recreates a notorious Israeli interrogation center -- and has ex-prisoners reenact experiences in a bid to set their demons free. In the running for best documentary at the Berlin film festival, Andoni’s “Istiyad Ashbah” (Ghost Hunting) examines the rarely documented collective trauma suffered by former Palestinian prisoners. “In Palestinian society, to survive detention and interrogation is like a rite of passage, you either come out a hero or you come out totally broken,” the celebrated Ramallah-based filmmaker told AFP this week after the film’s Berlinale premiere. “And then people compare notes: how many days without sleep? How long in solitary?” the 45-year-old said. Having been imprisoned himself in his youth, he said he remained “haunted by flashbacks” such as the sound of doors slamming shut and the feeling of a fabric bag being pulled over his head. Shot over seven weeks in a hangar in the West Bank town of Ramallah, the film brings together around a dozen former detainees of all ages and backgrounds, who are asked to recreate the notorious Russian Compound jail in west Jerusalem from memory. The participants rebuild the detention center in painstaking detail, from the size of their cells to the colour of the tiles and even the pulley they say was used to lift inmates off the ground during what they described as torture sessions. Slowly they bring the place of their nightmares back to life -- and as the walls go up, the memories come bubbling back to the surface, forcing the men to confront their memories and breaking taboos in the process. “I use everything I can in the film to help them dig into their subconscious,” Andoni said, explaining that he wanted to peel away layer after layer of repression to find “the ghost inside”. For some of the ex-detainees it was too much and they walked away from the project. “I told everyone from the first day of shooting that you have the right to quit,” he said, adding that there were psychologists on set to provide emotional support. AFP

MEETING. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller head the NATO Defense Ministers’ meeting in Brussels on February 16. AFP

Scandal deepens over Trump’s Russian links W ASHINGTON―US President Donald Trump dodged questions Wednesday about his ties with Russia, railed against intelligence leaks and defended the national security adviser he just fired as crisis engulfed his fledgling administration.

Amid revelations that Trump aides were in repeated contact with Russian intelligence ofﬁcials in the run-up to his shock election victory last year, the Republican billionaire battened down the hatches, even as members of his party called for a broader probe. The 70-year-old president accused his own intelligence community of being behind the leaks, directly pointing the ﬁnger at the National Security Agency and the FBI. “This Russian connection nonsense is merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton’s losing campaign,” Trump said in one tweet.

“The real scandal here is that classiﬁed information is illegally given out by ‘intelligence’ like candy. Very un-American!” At a press conference with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump called on the journalists sympathetic to his administration in order to dodge the tough questions about his aides’ ties to Moscow. He addressed the high-proﬁle sacking of national security adviser Michael Flynn -- only to blame reporters for what he called the mistreatment of his former aide. “I think he’s been treated very,

very unfairly by the media, as I call it, the fake media in many cases,” he said. Trump demanded Flynn’s resignation Monday, after wiretaps showed he falsely claimed he did not discuss sanctions policy with Russia’s ambassador to Washington. Since then, Trump’s administration has been shaken by new reports of high-level Russian contacts with his aides and associates during the 2016 presidential campaign. Among those picked up on the calls was Paul Manafort, a Trump campaign chairman who had worked as a political consultant in Ukraine, The New York Times said. Manafort called the report “absurd.” In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the latest allegations. “Don’t believe newspaper reports -- it’s very difﬁcult at the moment to differentiate them from falsehoods and fabrications,” Peskov told reporters.

“If you don’t mind, let’s wait and let’s not believe anonymous information, which is information based on no fact,” he said. The revelations have infuriated Democrats and unsettled Republican leaders wary about Trump’s professed desire for better relations with Moscow. “This ongoing story is a perfect piece of evidence as to why we should not trust Russia,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said. Republican and Democratic lawmakers have now called for an investigation into what happened, although they differ on the scope and powers of the probe. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren insisted that Trump “owes Americans a full account” of his campaign and administration’s dealings with Moscow. The Senate’s top Republican Mitch McConnell said it was “highly likely” that Flynn would have to testify before an intelligence panel. AFP

Assad vows to retake ‘every inch’ of Syria

BACKSTAGE. A model prepares backstage at the Rookie USA Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Skylight Clarkson Sq on February 15, 2017 in New York City. AFP

PARIS―President Bashar alAssad on Thursday said Raqa is not a priority target for his forces, saying his goal is to retake “every inch” of Syrian territory. “Raqa is a symbol,” Assad said in an interview with French media, while asserting that jihadist attacks carried out in France were “not necessarily prepared” in the Islamic State group stronghold in Syria. “You have ISIS close to Damascus, you have them everywhere,” Assad said, using another acronym for IS. “Everywhere is a priority depending on the development of the battle,” he said, as a new round of peace talks was set to kick off in the Kazakh capital Astana. “They are in Palmyra now and in the eastern part of Syria,” he said in the interview in Damascus with Europe 1 radio and the TF1 and LCI television channels. “For us it is all the same, Raqa, Palmyra, Idlib, it’s all the same.” The Syrian leader said it was the “duty of any government” to regain control of “every inch” of its territory. After a string of major losses in

both Iraq and Syria, the jihadists’ two main strongholds of Mosul and Raqa are both under attack from forces backed by a US-led coalition. After a massive, four-month campaign, Iraqi forces are tightening the noose on Mosul, while in Syria, an Arab-Kurd alliance, the Syrian Democratic Forces, has begun advancing on Raqa. Also in the interview, Assad categorically denied that his government practices torture and reiterated his rejection of recent allegations by Amnesty International of executions and atrocities perpetrated at a prison near Damascus. Assad said Amnesty’s “childish report” contained “not a single fact (or) evidence” to support allegations that some 13,000 people were hanged at the Saydnaya prison between 2011 and 2015. “They said they interviewed few witnesses, who are opposition and defected. So it’s biased,” the Syrian president said. Regarding torture, he said, “We don’t do this, it’s not our policy,” adding: “Torture for what? ... For sadism?... to get information? We have all the information.” AFP

Refugees serve up coffee, lessons BERKELEY―A coffee shop that recently opened in California is serving customers more than just steamy cups of latte or espresso, offering an additional true life lesson about an issue roiling the country -- refugees. Founded by Rachel Taber and Doug Hewitt, 1951 Coffee Shop is entirely staffed by refugees from various countries -- including Syria, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Uganda and Eritrea -- who are trying to build a new life after escaping wars or persecution. The establishment -- located in the university town of Berkeley -- launched just days before President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order banning refugees and arrivals from seven Muslim-majority countries. It has struck a deep chord in the community, with people turning out in large numbers to offer support and sample the various brews. “We didn’t plan the timing in the least but since we opened we’ve been slammed,” said Taber, 34, on a recent morning, as a steady stream of customers walked in. “Normally coffee shops bleed money when they open but it’s been great for us to see the response from patrons.” Taber and Hewitt -- both of whom worked at the International Rescue Committee, which helps with refugee resettlements -- said the outlet is a ﬁtting way to raise consciousness and educate the public about an issue very much in the spotlight. The name pays tribute to the 1951 UN convention relating to the status of refugees; the wood and charcoal interior includes one wall that recounts, in the form of a long mosaic, a refugee’s typical journey. From those elements to the baristas behind the counter, the shop serves customers a stark lesson. “I think the concept is great,” said Susan Yeazel, 57, who was on her second visit with a friend. “There is so much negative politics and this is something small, productive and positive that I can do.” Muriam Choudhery, 21, an undergraduate student in biology, said she drops in almost daily with fellow students as a way of making a political statement with every sip of coffee. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

SHOPPING

A variety of sportswear selection from adidas, including adidas Originals, Stan Smith and Superstar, are now available on Zalora.

ALORA, Asia’s online fashion destination, announced its partnership with iconic sports brand, adidas.

The latest addition to its brand portfolio is a testament to the e-tailer’s commitment to provide customers across the Philippines the best online shopping experience possible by offering latest trends that are accessible 24/7 and can be delivered directly to their doorstep. Sports enthusiasts in the Philippines can now access a variety of stylish

ZALORA AND ADIDAS

E-commerce partners sportswear from adidas including adidas Originals and its popular footwear franchises: Stan Smith and Superstar. “We are very excited to be partnering with adidas to introduce the brand on Zalora Philippines,” says co-founder and CEO Paulo Campos.

“It is a brand that our customers have been calling out for since we founded Zalora five years ago, and we appreciate the trust adidas is showing us in making us the first and only e-commerce player to carry the brand in the Philippines. As a leader in the sports

Pet parents Flordeliza Ramos (with her maltese Toku) and Bam Castillo (with her pomeranian Dimsum)

that suit your puppy’s grooming requirements. Choose combs, brushes and shampoos based on your dog’s coat type. Housetrain your puppy by keeping a solid routine. Always praise him when he behaves and never punish him physically. Place training pads at one side of the room, and his bed and toys at the other. Also, there’s more fun ahead for feline lovers as Pet Express will be

having their first Kitten Seminar on Feb. 18 at SM City Fairview. Interested participants can get a VIP ticket for every P500 single receipt purchase of Royal Canin products from Pet Express stores in SM City Dasmariñas, SM City Fairview, SM City North Edsa, SM City Masinag, SM Cubao, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Hypermarket Makati, and Pet Express stores in Greenhills and Alabang Hills.

Post Valentine’s Day at Century City Mall AT CENTURY City Mall on Kalayaan Avenue, Makati, days after Valentine’s Day continue to be special not only for couples but everyone. Who knows, your ‘Valentine’ could still be sitting just in front of you. Singles Mingle is open to all genders. To join, visit the BPO Radio website to register - http:// bporadio.com//singles-mingle-form. If you happen to be at the mall any day until Feb. 19, you can still take advantage of the Valentine’s Gift Market on the ground floor. Take a selfie at the Kissing Booth and shop for gifts and treats from Flowers by Rosabella, Mrs. Fields, and Scicosso among others. Planning a post-Valentine special date with your special someone? Century City Mall has done it for you through the Perfect Match (Food + Film) promo. Until Feb. 19, restaurants such as CPK, XO46, Le Petit Soufflé and Chaplin offer special set meals plus a movie to boot for that perfect date you have in mind. On Feb. 18, Century City Mall will

tion with international supermodel Karlie Kloss, Real Madrid soccer star player Paul Pogba and basketball MVP Derrick Rose. “In a way, I chase myself and the best version that I can be. Visit www.zalora.com.ph/ADIDAS on the ZALORA mobile app.

Expanding Landers Superstore experience

Puppy love DOG lovers and first time puppy parents recently learned how to make their furry friends happier and healthier during the annual Pet Express Puppy Seminar. This was held recently in partnership with Royal Canin at the SM City North Edsa. Dr. Sam Rebong, a Pet Specialist from Royal Canin, gave some tips on how to take care of and make “Living with your Puppy” happier. Here are some guidelines on how to care of your fur babies: Get to know more of your furbaby. Know your dog’s needs, and keep these in mind when shopping for their stuff. Every puppy requires 30°C body heat temperature so choose the right dog bed with soft padding and keep it on the same spot. Provide your puppy with a proper diet, which is good for growth and prevents any pathological problems. Have your puppy checked by a veterinarian regularly. Vaccines are a must when your pup is about six weeks to eight weeks. This should be repeated every three weeks to four weeks until about four months of age. Make sure you strictly follow-up his check up with the vet. Find the right grooming tools

lifestyle segment, adidas is the perfect brand for the Zalora customer and will help to continue to set us apart as the No. 1 Online Fashion Destination in the Philippines and across the region.” The brand continues to push the boundaries with its latest collection in collabora-

Couples may enjoy meals and movie even after the day of hearts

let you experience the newest entertainment in town as it hosts “Paint My Love: A Sip and Gogh Valentine’s Special,” a one-of-a-kind two-hour painting session complete with art materials, painting instructors plus a serving of pica-pica and your choice of beverage. There will be two sessions—one at 5 p.m. for groups or families and the

other at 8 p.m. for couples who want a fun and ‘colorful’ way to spend time with each other. Sip & Gogh is the firstof-its-kind paint and sip studio in the country. It provides a fun and interactive way to relax, socialize and enjoy through painting while sipping your favorite drink. For reservations, email born1983company@yahoo.com or call/ text 0917-6701558. On top of these, Century City Mall’s Valentine’s Raffle Staycation will give you the chance to win a Siglo Suites overnight stay at its properties in nearby Knightsbridge or Milano Residences, plus a movie of your choice for you and your loved one at Century City Mall for a minimum spend of P2,000 at any store until Feb. 28. Century City Mall is at Century City on Kalayaan Avenue cor. Salamanca St., Makati City. For more details, visit http://centurycitymall.com. ph/contactus.html or call (02) 7056200 local 111/112.

NOW, Landers Superstore’s blissful shopping experience can be enjoyed by more Filipino shoppers as the company is set to open more branches in thriving locations in the metro. Through the recent agreement with Megaworld Corporation, Landers Superstore, the country’s fastest-growing membership shopping establishment, is set to build two more superstores in ArcoVia City along C5 in Pasig, and Alabang West in Muntinlupa City. The new stores are expected to elevate the convenience of township living for both ArcoVia City and Alabang West residents by giving them access to the distinct Landers Superstore membership shopping experience. Leading the signing of the agreement were Atty. Lowell L. Yu, chairman of Southeast Asia Retail, Inc., the company behind Landers Superstore, and Kevin L. Tan, senior vice president of Megaworld Corporation. Joining them during the ceremonies were Joey I. Villafuerte, vice president for controllership of Megaworld Corporation, Monica T. Salomon, president of Global Estate Resorts, Inc., and Gwen Lourdes G. Lim, president of Southeast Asia Retail, Inc. “We are looking forward to bringing world-class one-stop shopping experience and convenience to the residents of these townships,” remarked Yu.

Megaworld Corporation vice president Kevin Tan and Southeast Asia Retail, Inc. chairman Atty. Lowell Yu

Since it opened last year, Landers Superstore members have been enjoying a blissful shopping experience each time they visit any of the two Landers Superstore branches in Otis, Paco, Manila and Edsa Balintawak. Each store offers relaxed and easy shopping with its expansive shopping area, spacious well-lit aisles, and top-notch merchandise ranging from imported products coming from as far as the US, Canada, and Australia to high-quality local and exclusive brands, giving you a lot of options to choose from. Landers Superstore is also the first membership shopping superstore in the Continued on D2

CLEARANCE SALE

Up to 70% off

on commercial and professional audio equipment YUPANGCO Electronics Corporation (YEC) is holding its annual Clearance Sale of a wide variety of excellent equipment application in the field of commercial and professional audio Ongoing until Feb. 28, Yec Clearance Sale 2017 is offering huge discounts off rental, broadcast, system integrators, schools, houses of worship, corporate, realty, resorts, theatre, museums, contractors and others.

Clearance products are also offered up to 70 percent discount on all YEC products, such as Klotz Cable, Soundtech, Studiomaster, Tannoy, TOA and Yamaha Professional and Commercial Audio. For more information, visit any of Yamaha Music Stores and Perfect Pitch Stores nationwide. You may also log on to www.yupangco.com or call (02) 899-9757 or e-mail yupangcoelectronics@yupangco.com.

Life

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Partnership brings smiles to kids D

ECEMBER last year was magical. Marks & Spencer made sure everyone had a chance to give back and bring joy while doing their holiday shopping through their Win Back and Give Back Promo for the benefit of UNICEF.

Shoppers made their holiday season more festive with indulgent treats and fashionable finds but even before Christmas Day, everyone was already in high spirits as they anticipated the announcement of the winners. The raffle draw was held on Dec. 16 with Lucille Tolentino, M&S Philippines Merchandising Division manager, Kristine Carbon, UNICEF Corporate Fundraising assistant, and Che Pelo, DTI Representative. The lucky winner, Vivian Garcia, took home the grand prize of P20,000. Marks and Spencer Philippines gave P100,000 to UNICEF for three daycare centers with Preschool-in-a-Box kits containing school supplies and visual aids for learning. The preschool kits were given during the Turnover and Painting Activity to Strawberry Daycare Center, Sto. Niño Daycare Center, and Tulip Daycare Center. UNICEF Celebrity Advocate Anne Curtis brought more joy to children

M&S Philippines Marketing Division manager Lucille Tolentino awards the P20,000 grand prize to Vivian Garcia

with her surprise visit in Strawberry Daycare Center on Dec. 20. Curtis also had a blast bonding with the kids through the mural painting activity which made the classrooms look brighter and more fun for each student. Marks & Spencer is a long standing partner of UNICEF and it has become the brand’s yearly tradition to tug at every shopper’s heartstrings and share the true spirit of the holiday season to everyone.

UNICEF Celebrity Ambassador Anne Curtis bonds with kids of Strawberry Daycare Center

Celebrating New Year with CSR efforts

Winner Marivic Miranda shop with and for her family at The SM Store in Makati

#SMShoppingSpree winners welcome New Year with a smile A TOTAL of 57 lucky winners of the #SMShoppingSpree promotion welcomed the New Year with a big smile. A joint project between The SM Store and Mastercard, every P3,000 single-receipt purchase using a Philippine-issued MasterCard at The SM Store entitled a cardholder to one electronic raffle entry that gave them a chance to win P100,000 shopping spree at any SM Retail Store. It was an exciting afternoon when we followed #SMShoppingSpree winners Marivic Miranda at The SM Store Makati, Ma. Carmela Dela Cruz at The SM Store MOA, Melody Samudio at The SM Store Aura, and Josefina Sura at The SM Store Megamall as they went on to shop with their

METS One, the company behind top retail denim labels Freego, Wrangler, Freshgear and Bobson, celebrated and welcomed the New Year with a CSR initiative to help the parish communities in the Greater Manila Area. The company has collaborated with Hapag-Asa, a foundation that aims to reduce malnutrition problem in the Philippines, Assisi Development Foundation (ADFI), and Feed the Children Philippines (FTCPI), to help in the community service activities of dioceses of Cubao, Novaliches, Caritas Manila, and Likas Federation. Mets One, along with Hapag-Asa, held training classes at parishes and Caritas offices to teach over 75 members to repurpose billboard tarpaulins into bags. The company provided the tarpaulins to be used for the project. A total of 500 well-made tarpaulin bags were given to the parishes to be used for their community service activities. The project aimed to find an economical and environmentally-friendly use of the recycled tarpaulins while helping different communities. It also succeeded in teaching the participants of the program the skills to produce a lowcost, recycled product—and these skills may help them enrich their livelihoods. Reverend Ramon T. Salibay, Sto. Domingo Church’s Parish Priest, shared a few words of kindness for the company during the event. “You were sent by

Mets One, Inc. marketing manager Jillian Panganiban addresses the CSR initiative participants which include parish communities within Greater Manila Area

the Lord for us. Thank you very much, and we hope you continue your good work wherever you maybe.” “We’re glad to have worked with Hapag-Asa to help different communities in our own way,” says Jill Panganiban, Mets One Group Marketing Man-

Melody Samudio with her family at The SM Store Aura

families, who joined in the fun. The #SMShoppingSpree promotion is one of the many exciting promotions of The SM Store. Watch out for The SM Store’s more exciting promos for shoppers in 2017.

Participants who joined in the program learned how to produce low-cost, recycled products

Supermarket’s 25th store in Pasig City RUSTAN’S Supermarket opened its 25th store right at the heart of Pasig City, marking the company’s first milestone for the year. Strategically located in the newly developed Ayala Malls’ The 30th, Rustan’s Supermarket brings its premium shopping experience to residents of the area. At the event to celebrate the opening with the traditional bread breaking ceremony were RSCI CEO Irwin Lee, RSCI President Donnie Tantoco, RSCI Chairman Emeritus Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., RSCI Chairman Rico Tantoco Jr., Pasig City Mayor Bobby Eusebio and wife Maribel, Ayala Malls General Manager Mariana Zobel de Ayala and Peter Ramirez, Ayala Mall’s Leasing officer.

ager. “With our partnership, we hope that we have not only equipped different parishes with tools that they can use in their daily operations, but that we have taught many individuals valuable skills that they can use to further better their lives.”

“Opening the 25th Rustan’s store is quite a milestone for us, and we are thrilled to be here,” said Lee. “This is also an opportunity for us to give the pleasurable and convenient Rustan’s shopping experience to the residential communities here.” He also added, “If we could be of service to help people save a bit of time and give them a more pleasurable shopping experience, then that’s what we’re here for.” This is only the first of more milestones to come for Rustan’s Supercenters this year. The company is ramping up expansions and is targeting to open more stores this 2017. For more info, visit www.rustansfresh.com, follow and like rustansfresh on Facebook, and @rustansfresh on Instagram and Twitter.

The traditional bread baking ceremony marks the opening of Rustan's Supermarket at Ayala Malls The 30th

Expanding... From D1

Philippines to have a cozy coffee shop (Doppio), a comfortable diner (Landers Central), and a delectable bakery (Dough & Co.). While taking a break from shopping, members can enjoy delicious New York-style pizza, fried chicken and hotdogs, bagels, fancy cakes, and pastries in its spacious dining area. The Superstore also provides a sleek barbershop (Talas Manileño in Landers Balintawak and Federal Barbers in Landers Otis) where waiting husbands and even kids can get their own pampering. Plus, members also get an exclusive P2 off per liter of Gasoline and P1.50 per liter of Diesel from fivestar gasoline station, Caltex. With the forging of this agreement, the extraordinary Landers Superstore shopping experience will soon be enjoyed by more Filipino shoppers, most especially residents of these two Megaworld township developments.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

PEOPLE …are talking about Team Real Valentine’s Day is far from over for the legion of fans of JaDine because up until now they are still celebrating the love team’s one-year anniversary as a real life couple. Well, we can hardly blame them since their idols James Reid and Nadine Lustre not only managed to make it work, they’re also able to keep the romance intact. Let’s admit it, this is such a hard task for any showbiz couple these days. Maja Salavador and Paolo Avelino reunite in "I'm Drunk, I Love You," an offbeat romantic drama helmed by JP Habac

Love, music and a shot of reality

’M DRUNK, I Love You is not your usual love story. The highly anticipated offbeat romantic comedy that stars Paulo Avelino and Maja Salvador tackles the hilariously painful side of falling hopelessly in love.

and Busking’s “Lloydy”. The two also recorded duets for “Maniwala Ka Sana” by Parokya Ni Edgar and “Hanggang Dito Na Lang” by Jimmy Bondoc. I’m Drunk, I Love You also stars Dominic Roco and Jasmine Curtis-Smith with special participation of Irma Adlawan, and Jim Paredes. It’s the first film offering of the year from TBA (Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Entertainment, Artikulo Uno Productions), the producers behind the critically acclaimed epic Heneral Luna and MMFF 2016 Best Picture Sunday Beauty Queen. Opening just in time for the love month, TBA and Direk JP believe that “I’m Drunk, I Love You is a definite must-see. “Whether you’re single or not, I’m Drunk, I Love You is the perfect Valentine’s movie. It teaches everyone a lesson or two about loving yourself this Valentine’s Day,” the director quips. I’m Drunk, I Love You opens in cinemas nationwide now.

Helmed by JP Habac in his feature-length directorial debut with a screenplay co-written with Giancarlo Abrahan, the film tells the story of two college best friends who go on one last road trip where they settle how they really feel for each other. The director is quick to stress that the film is not the whimsical romance usually played out on the big screen. Instead, it reflects the experiences of real people. I’m Drunk, I Love You is a synthesis of stories from people within my social circles who have had the unfortunate chance of being a victim of a one sided love,” he shares. “It all began with the title. Liquor and feelings combined is a trove of good material because that experience is highly relatable and the misery that goes with it makes the story all the more easy to tell.” It’s this relatability and quirky story that instantly drew Maja into the project. “Na-excite talaga ako [for this movie]. Unang basa ko pa lang nung script gustong-gusto ko na siyang gawin. Maganda siya! It’s something new and hindi mabo-bore yung mga tao,” Maja said. “Hindi lang ako yung naka-relate sa character ko. Lahat ng tao makaka-relate sila dito. Dahil [at some point] naexperience nila yung na-experience ng character ko,” Maja added, describing her role as Carson, a young woman who have been pining for her best friend Dio played by Paulo. Aside from the story, Paulo also thinks that the audience will easily connect with the film’s nostalgic setting. “One of the reasons why I wanted to do this [project is because] the story is quite close to my heart. The setting [and being in college], reminded me so much of when I was studying. And the songs featured in the movie [adds to that nostalgic feel],“ Paulo shares. Music plays an integral part in the movie’s narrative. Featured in the film are songs from some of the countries top OPM artists such as Juan Miguel Severo, Kai Honasan, Jimmy Bondoc, Parokya Ni Edgar, Cynthia Alexander, 3D (Johnoy Danao, Ebe Dancel, Bullet Dumas), Shirebound and Busking, Out of Body Special, and Ang Bandang Shirley. Both Maja and Paulo also performed covers of songs that will be featured in the movie and the upcoming official soundtrack album. Maja sang her version of Juan Miguel Severo’s “Huling Gabi” while Paulo performed Shirebound Dominic Roco in a support role in the Valentine movie

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, February 17, 2017

ACROSS 1 Cool dude, in old slang 7 Mo. fractions 10 Popcorn buys 14 Get some air 15 Contented murmur 16 Baroness Karen 17 Fit to eat 18 Good buddy 19 The facts 20 Type of boxer 23 “Catch-22” lead 26 NASA counterpart 27 Some take a gander 28 Grimace 29 Nasty laugh 30 PSAT takers 31 Not even 32 Address part 33 Ladybugs 37 Gallic nose 38 Pizarro’s quest 39 1040 org. 40 Deviate, as a rocket 41 Bon vivant 43 Gown renters, briefly 44 Dernier — 45 Pumper’s pride 46 Your ancestor? 47 Martial — 48 Russian

pancakes 51 Sci. class 52 Down mood 53 Like lightning (hyph.) 56 Oscar’s cousin 57 Metro RRs 58 Learns to cope 62 Sourdough strikes 63 Frat letter 64 Against 65 Shopping plaza 66 Bellwether’s mate 67 Post DOWN 1 Rush off 2 Wind up 3 — Beta Kappa 4 Hack 5 Poe’s middle name 6 Summer job seeker 7 “— Cannonball” 8 Cause-andeffect law 9 Movie 10 Neatest 11 Meter reading 12 Showers, maybe 13 Aquarium denizen 21 It’s left holding the bag

22 Exit 23 Between 24 Calgary Stampede, for one 25 Invasive vine 29 Charters 30 — -built 32 Horror-film menace 33 Chess piece 34 Swimsuit fabric 35 Third planet out 36 Food that’s hole-some?

42 Worst-smelling 46 Gift-box filler 47 Rite sites 48 Daffodil or tulip 49 Autumn sign 50 More remote 51 Local ordinance 52 Remains 54 Monsieur’s pate 55 Emerging magma 59 Tire pressure meas. 60 Harbor vessel 61 FICA number

Mocha Uson For the ﬁrst time, people agreed to what the former sexy star said regarding the abolition of MTRCB. The newly appointed MTRCB Board Member divulged some interests were protected that TV stations were allowed to do self-regulation under the administration of its former chairman. Hence, inappropriate scenes were able to make their way to the small screen. She furthered that if TV stations are given the right to self-regulate then the Classiﬁcation Board is no longer relevant and needs to be shut down. Erich Gonzales The woman of the hour has been trying to keep her lips tight in light of her recent breakup with her now ex beau Daniel Matsunaga. But no matter how she tried to avoid the issue, people are very nosy to the point that she’s being forced to say something about her failed romance. We’ve seen how classy she handled this breakup, and we hope she keeps it that way.

…are not talking about Piolo Pascual Just last week, Shaina Magdayao stated that no matter how eager she is to be in a romantic relationship, there’s no person that she can share her love with. And then here comes Papa P telling the whole world that he and Shaina have been “exclusively dating” for ﬁve years now. Though it may be true that Piolo and Shaina are very private when it comes to their romantic escapades but in this day and age where everyone is like a hustler paparazzi, people have not seen any photos of the two having a romantic date at least. Sharon Cuneta Your Face Sounds Familiar is deﬁnitely one of the most watched and talked about programs on TV on weekends. This is also the main reason why people always notice how the Megastar perform her duty as one of the judges. Netizens comment that she always sugarcoats her feedback only to give the kids poor scores at the end of the show. Aren’t we supposed to tell these kids the truth at least in a mild manner? She underestimates the emotional capacity of these kids to understand constructive criticism. Vanessa Matsunaga In general scheme things, defending a family member in times of trouble or crisis is human nature. But Vanessa seems to be overdoing it as if she’s the official spokesperson of her brother Daniel. If she thinks she’s helping out, she’s actually making this breakup circus even worse. Perhaps leaving it to the former lovebirds is the best thing to do, unless she enjoys being bashed on social media.

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

Relive the Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano starrer "Forevermore" on Jeepney TV

N SHOW business, anything is possible. An actor can be a fugitive-turnedvigilante in one show and then turn up as a host of a crime show in another.

ISAH V. RED

That’s exactly what’s transpiring in the multi-faceted career of actor Dingdong Dantes, the anointed king of prime time television on the Kapuso network. While the show he is starring in, Alyas Robin Hood, is plodding to its ﬁnale next week, he wears a different suit beginning tomorrow after noon as GMA Network introduces Case Solved. The guys over at the broadcast complex at the corner of EDSA and Timog Avenue calls it it’s a “procedural crime documentary drama program.” This show aims, says the GMA ETV group, to deliver awareness and public information to the viewers in order to prevent crime. Wow! As they guys in the 90s Manila would exclaim, “Heavy!” It is really if that’s the prime objective of the program. However, if it were just an infotainment with no lofty ideals, it is okay. Case Solved features sensational and controversial real-life cases ranging from nonaggressive to violent circumstances derived from Philippines’ Supreme Court Reports Annotated (SCRA) handled by the country’s National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), judicial agencies like the Department of Justice (DOJ), Supreme Court and Bureau of Corrections. More than presenting how the crime is committed, it further explains how the crime is solved. The show presents solved cases that the producers hope could empower and educate the viewers in predicting the probability of a crime before it occurs. An advocate of justice and peace, Dantes says he is excited to host this show saying it can help educate the viewers in crime prevention. “I like the concept of the show kasi it’s always good to have concrete stories as example. Also, it shows a positive ending wherein pinapakita ‘yung resolution ng problema. Yung combination of all these things inspires me. With this, gusto ko i-share ito sa mga manunuod. I want them to see a story of triumph dahil gusto nating makakita ng problemang naaayos,”the Kapuso star said. The actor, who chairs Yes!Pinoy Foundation and was a commissioner of the National Youth Commission during the administration of President Benigno Aquino, dismissed insinuations the show is part of a plan to launch his political career in 2019. “My focus is my (showbiz) career and family. Though, I think this show will cement

Mindanao's traditional dress and male attire that originated from the province of Basilan

Mistakes in Miss U fashion show WHILE the Department of Tourism (DoT) received plaudits for showcasing the diverse cultures of Mindanao in a recent fashion show of the Miss Universe beauty pageant, a house representative from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said more research should have been done with regards to the origins of the fabrics worn by the pageant candidates. AMIN Party List Representative Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman noted that when the traditional Yakan tennun was modeled by some of the Miss Universe candidates, it was said the fabric originates from Zamboanga. Apparently, the organizers were misinformed, Hataman stressed, as the cloth is a product of the people from the Yakan ethnic group of Basilan province, which is located west of Zamboanga. The attire of the Yakan people, she explained, is made of the

Yakan cloth which is handwoven and comes in various colors. “Women in Basilan still wear the Yakan tennum during special occasions,” she said. Hataman said that she received an invitation to watch the fashion show but she chose not to attend. However, she said she beamed with pride when she saw photographs from the show that highlighted the weaves and tapestry of Mindanao. “Yet being a traditional art advocate, I hope it was represented as a heritage, not just a cloth. If people understood their value and the story behind every piece, not just of the Yakan tennun, but of all the fabrics presented there, it would have made the contestants really proud to have worn them,” she pointed put. The representative noted what while she had also joined beauty pageants in the past, she said she is no longer in agreement with the way pageants set a standard for beauty for women, or

even men. “This is just a personal conviction, but I am of a belief that every man or woman is beautiful. Having beauty pageants may make one who is not the supposed standard feel less beautiful and it makes society in general actually see him or her as such,” she explained. On other hand, she asserted that women who join beauty contests are not any less respectable. “Women belonging to the ethnic groups of Mindanao are can take part in them. We have been seeing so many amazing, socially relevant pageants, even pageants involving activists,” she said. “But if they do join, it has to be a personal decision and not as a Filipino Muslim. Islam does not encourage the public display of beauty, as it places much emphasis on modesty, not just in the manner of dressing, but in behavior as well.” Text and photo: Ayunan G. Gunting-Al Hadj

whatever it is that I do for public service. But as to being in politics, I don’t have concrete plans and there are no parties talking to me yet,” he said. Case Solved begins airing tomorrow and every Saturday thereafter, after Eat Bulaga on GMA. *.* * GMA Afternoon Prime series Hahamakin Ang Lahat ends today. Avid fans aren’t the only ones who will miss the soap. Lead stars Kristoffer Martin who plays the role of Junior and Joyce Ching who plays the character of Rachel will miss each other and everything about the show. Joyce shared what she will miss about Kristoffer and the rest of her co-stars. “Kay Kristoffer, mami-miss ko yung sobrang kakulitan niya and kung gaano kaganda at kaayos yung working relationship namin, pinadali niya talaga ang buhay ko dahil tulungan kami sa mga eskena. Sa co-stars naman, mami-miss ko yung bond namin dahil most of us, teenagers, sobra talaga kaming nakakarelate sa isa’t isa. With Ms. Eula, Sir Ariel, and Ms. Snooky naman, they may be older than us pero sobra rin silang kulit at mahilig mag-joke. Solid yung relationship na nabuo sa cast. I’d probably miss everything about the series.” Kristoffer took to Instagram to express his gratitude to the entire cast, “Sobrang mamimiss ko yung mga araw na magsisimula tayong masaya, at matatapos yung araw na di tayo pagod at masaya pa rin lahat. Solid ‘tong pamilya na to! Maraming salamat. Mahal ko kayo.” Many questions are still yet to be answered. Is Laura (Snooky Serna) right in blaming Ivy (Eula Valdez) for the shooting of Alfred (Ariel Rivera)? Will Alfred survive the gunshot wound? Will Santi (Bruno Gabriel) and Phoebe (Thea Tolentino) realize the gravity of everything they have done? Lastly, will Jun and Rachel finally have the freedom to be happy together? Don’t miss the finale of Hahamakin Ang Lahat today after Ika-6 Na Utos on GMA Afternoon Prime. *** Kapamilya love royalties, Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil, make their small screen comeback on Jeepney TV with two-hour marathons Mondays through Fridays, and five-hour marathons on Saturdays and Sundays at 5 p.m.. Go back to where the LizQuen fever all began—in La Presa, Benguet—and relive the love story of Alexander “Xander” Grande III (Enrique Gil), the rebellious child of a hotel magnate, and Maria Agnes Calay (Liza Soberano), the humble, beautiful, and hardworking daughter of a strawberry farmer. After Xander accidentally crashes into Agnes’ truck while base jumping, the latter’s parents force him to pay for the damages caused by his recklessness by having him work in the strawberry farm without any comfortable amenities. Aside from this, Xander and Agnes’ love is further challenged when they get entangled in the strawberry farmland dispute between their families. When it aired in October 2014, Forevermore instantly ruled the national TV ratings game and topped social media trends because of the gripping love story of Xander and Agnes. The finale episode of the Enrique and Liza-starrer even scored the series its all-time high national TV rating of 39.3 percent. Adding to the success of the series, Forevermore was well received by foreign audiences and aired internationally in countries such as Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Vietnam, and parts of Africa. From the production of Star Creatives, Cathy Garcia Molina directed the series. Jeepney TV is the only local variety cable channel that offers the most extensive and well preserved archived programs that bridge generations of Filipino viewers by bringing back good memories and celebrating the best of Pinoy pop culture. Catch the two-hour weekday marathon of Forevermore on Jeepney TV (SkyCable Channel 9), Mondays to Fridays, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.with weekend recaps at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.. For updates, like the Jeepney TV page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ JeepneyTV).